Month: February 2022 (Page 2 of 3)

Today I was joined by Jeff Simmons to discuss various Seahawks off-season talking points. You can see our conversation below. Everything was discussed.

If you missed my last two articles on free agents and underrated players or my big mock off-season don’t forget to check them out too.

— Last week in my three-round mock draft I had Boye Mafe at #17 to the Chargers. I am convinced he will be a top-20 pick. His combination of size, smooth and subtle quickness, power and repertoire is everything you look for at the position. Based on what he showed at the Senior Bowl, he might have the highest upside of any defensive end in the draft.

I’ve read a handful of mocks and top-100 lists recently and it’s incredible to see him being graded in the middle rounds, or at the back-end of those lists.

He needs some technical refinement but he’s what teams want at the position. He makes the difficult aspects of his craft look easy. The way he glides beyond tackles and just slips by with balance, agility and suddenness. It appears effortless. Yet he’s just as good in combat, using his hands and engaging/disengaging, using speed to power or even driving backwards with a one-arm bull rush. He rips away attempted blocks and already has a variety of ways to win.

Reportedly he’s capable of a 41-inch vertical and a 10-6 broad jump. He’s been timed at a 4.56 in the forty. Even if that ends up being a 4.66 at the combine — he has the size where that would be a superb time.

How does this equate to anything other than round one?

Mafe’s personality and attitude are also major positives. Teams are going to love what he offers. After the combine, he’ll be talked about as a top, top prospect.

If he somehow lasts to #41 he would be an ideal complement to Darrell Taylor. I just can’t see it, along with the likes of Abraham Lucas who are equally underrated. Again, how is he being graded as low as he is? He’s a wonderful athlete who has run a 4.30 short shuttle. He has good reps on tape against Kayvon Thibodeaux. He has excellent size and length and looked the part more so than any other tackle in Mobile. Is Lucas flawless? No. But how could you watch the Bernhard Raimann’s out there, think round one, and then place Lucas far lower?

When you see the quarterbacks in this class marked in the top-40 or some of these really overrated players being propelled into the first round range. It’s staggering.

This was always going to be a year with a lot of different opinions, such is the nature of this particular draft. Reading mocks is increasingly an exercise in bewilderment though. I could be completely wrong on Mafe and Lucas. We’ll see. But when you generally combine outstanding physical tools with high-quality reps on tape — then you perform well at the Senior Bowl, you don’t tend to last very long.

— It was interesting to see Jim Nagy note on Twitter that some league sources expect Cole Strange to go in round two. He was one of the players I highlighted in gold on my horizontal board:

He had some bad reps at the Senior Bowl but he often bounced straight back on the next 1v1. He kept improving as the week went on and he fought and battled. He remained upright, locked his back and anchored well. When he gets his hands inside in the right positions, he was immovable. He has the ideal length and frame and it’s worth remembering that he only switched to center for reps in Mobile.

If he tests well in the broad, vertical and bench at the combine — there’s every chance he could do a Quinn Meinerz. I’m not sure the Seahawks would take him in round two but if he lasted into day three — he would be a strong center project with the upside to be a much needed long-term starter.

— I can’t believe nobody’s talking about Arkansas cornerback Montaric Brown. I re-watched the Ole Miss game yesterday and he did a tremendous job sticking on deep routes and breaking up passes with ideal coverage. His mirror is good, he has excellent quickness and size. There are issues biting on double-moves and he needs to lean on his physical traits more than guessing and trying to jump opportunities. Yet overall, he has legit starter potential.

To see so many other cornerbacks get attention and Brown basically be the forgotten man of this class is quite strange. Remember, he had five picks in 2021 — second most in college football. He is a tremendous talent. If he lasts for whatever reason, I hope the Seahawks are ready to pounce.

— The defense hasn’t been aggressive enough for a long time. The more and more I watch of Channing Tindall, the more I think they need players like this. He flies across the field to make tackles. He attacks the LOS, is quite capable of dumping a lineman on his back to get to a ball-carrier. You can’t run stretch plays with him playing in space. As a blitzer he is frightening for opponents — knifing through gaps with incredible speed.

He carries himself with a high degree of confidence without seeming arrogant. I want to see a more attacking, violent unit in 2021 that can rush the passer properly and play with a greater intensity. For me, Tindall is exactly what they need at linebacker.

The most aggressive defenders I’ve seen so far on tape are Tindall, Perrion Winfrey, Lewis Cine and Cam Taylor-Britt. Travis Jones also played with a high degree of power and toughness at the Senior Bowl.

The Seahawks have to find that tougher edge. They’ve been too passive in their scheming and players like Bobby Wagner have become too hesitant. They already have younger, more aggressive players (Darrell Taylor) and now they need to keep adding and complement them with veteran toughness.

I don’t care that Calais Campbell is 36 this year. He was on the UK broadcast of the Super Bowl and the guy was practically ready to run on the field and make a tackle, mic in hand. He spoke passionately about his desire to get to a Super Bowl and I spent the entire three or four hours thinking — get this man in the locker room. He was frothing at the mouth, desperate for success.

His PFF grade was 80.8 in 2021 so it’s not like his play is dropping off either. On a one-year deal to add some interior presence, leadership and physicality — I’d be down for that. If he does nothing other than keep your linebackers clean, I’ll take it. Combine him with some of the names listed above and you’ll have a far scarier defense next season.

— Sheil Kapadia has released a very interesting list of prospective free agents. He has 75 names ranked and it helps identify potential targets. I wanted to highlight some of the names that stand out to me.

#6 Chandler Jones (DE)
Kapadia notes his durability (+15 games in five of the last six seasons). People quibbling about his age should remember he’s a year older than Aaron Donald (I’d happily sign him). A salary similar to Shaquil Barrett’s $17m a year is being touted. That’s similar to the $16m I wrote about in my plan on Sunday. To me he just adds class and quality and immediately upgrades your pass rush.

#11 Von Miller (DE)
It’s clear Miller isn’t what he used to be as he approaches his 33rd birthday. Yet he’s already signalled his intention to play on and while he might not take over games like he used to — he guarantees a level of production. Kapadia projects a J.J. Watt style $28m contract over two years. The Cardinals structured that to be $4.9m in 2021 and $15.9m in 2022. Such a deal is the kind of front-loaded contract Seattle needs to make to add talent on the veteran market this off-season. It’s time to be aggressive. Also, what a mentor for Darrell Taylor.

#14 Ryan Jensen (C)
Kapadia calls Jensen a ‘tone-setter’ and ‘arguably the best’ center in the NFL. That alone has me sold. Although it’s worth noting Jensen isn’t listed in the top-10 for pass-blocking or run-blocking win rate per ESPN for 2021 and his PFF grade was good not great at 70.3. Kapadia projects Corey Linsley money. That included $6.6m in year one and a $12.5m average. Why on earth didn’t Seattle top that?

#16 Odell Beckham Jr (WR)
The ACL tear complicates Beckham’s situation. Otherwise, I think he’d just re-sign with the Rams. To be honest he probably will anyway. Provided Sean McVay and Aaron Donald don’t quit — LA may well do what Tampa Bay did a year ago and bring the band back together for another go. Even so, the importance of a quality WR3 has been shown this season. Russell Wilson and OBJ are very close. In a much more aggressive off-season, they might be able to convince him to move to the North West.

#18 Jadeveon Clowney (DE)
I think it’s highly unlikely Clowney comes back to Seattle. Among fans he seems to have become a divisive figure based on the contract saga of 2020. However, he’s still very capable of winning you a game on his own and there aren’t many players like that in the NFL. It doesn’t happen often enough, I get it. That’s why he’s a free agent and not locked up like Aaron Donald or T.J. Watt. However, with no help in 2019, he won you big games in San Francisco and Philadelphia (playoffs). I think he’d be a wonderful partner for Taylor and Carlos Dunlap. He had nine sacks in 2021, he ranked fourth in the NFL for pass rush win rate and his last contract cost just $8m. I’d give him a call.

#19 Haason Reddick (DE/LB)
A former blog favourite with 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons. He has a fantastic athletic profile and while he might be more of rusher from a wide position rather than a pure DE, he would be a terrific addition to a rotation. Kapadia thinks he could get $13.6m a year like Matthew Judon but I get the sense he’s become a shorter-term, rental type player. He’d be a good option if others are unavailable but not my first choice personally.

#20 Harold Landry (DE)
Kapadia says that since 2019 Landry has played more snaps than any other edge defender or defensive lineman in the NFL — tallying 26.5 sacks. That combination of production and availability should be attractive. For me he seems like the 2022 Trey Hendrickson. Kapadia reckons $16m a year is a fair estimate and frankly, I’d seriously consider it. Landry is a good age (26) and look at the impact Hendrickson’s had for the Bengals. Go and get him.

#26 Austin Corbett (G)
I wasn’t aware that Corbett was so highly rated but Kapadia thinks he could get $9m a year. He was a big blog favourite when he was at Nevada. I’m not sold on spending big on a guard but I’m also not a fan of Seattle being wishy-washy with a shift to the Rams’ blocking style. If you want to create a line as effective as LA’s — why not have their personnel? LA’s O-line ranked first in the league in pass-pro.

#28 Brian Allen (C)
Kapadia doesn’t give a dollar amount for Allen but his close proximity to Corbett suggests $9m a year might be right (which is also more or less what I was projecting in my article on Sunday). Again, if you want to run LA’s O-line and blocking scheme — steal their players to execute it. Allen is 26 and could be a long term fixture at center.

#29 Bradley Bozeman (C)
I liked Bozeman a lot at Alabama but his arm length and hand size made him an unlikely fit in Seattle. Not to mention he ran an 8.25 three cone and a 5.17 short shuttle. It’s not clear whether he was asked to run these drills while giving another offensive lineman a piggy-back. That said, he’s carved out a decent career and he’s played 48 games in the last three seasons. His PFF grade was 73.3 in 2021. I wouldn’t want to break the bank for him but he’s tough and he’s produced results.

#31 Christian Kirk (WR)
Kirk just has something about him. He’s not productive or consistent enough to warrant star-status but he’s also very capable on a given day of winning you a game. As noted earlier, having three quality receiving options is the name of the game in the modern NFL. Kapadia thinks a deal worth $11-12m a year might be forthcoming. I think that’s a bit rich unless you decide you don’t want to pay D.K. Metcalf, trade him, and then look for a replacement. If Kirk’s market is colder than that, I’d be waiting to strike. It’d be nice for this team to pull off a surprise prove-it deal for the first time in a while.

#32 Akiem Hicks (DT)
He’s missed 20 games in three seasons due to injury and he’s 32. Kapadia suggests a contending team will take a chance on him. I’d love to have him in Seattle but that injury record bothers me. The price would have to be right — yet they’ve needed a player like this for a while.

#38 Trent Brown (T)
I touted Brown to Seattle in my article on Sunday because he’s a highly successful, proven right tackle. Kapadia notes he’s only played 14 games in the last two seasons which I hadn’t noticed. That’s a problem. I kind of feel like it’s worth a gamble though, given what he’s shown when he’s healthy.

#50 Morgan Moses (T)
I had Moses pegged as ‘Plan B’ to Brown but maybe it should be the other way around? He hasn’t missed a game in the past seven seasons. Kapadia is projecting a $7-8m contract which is more than I thought. That said — stop scrimping and saving. Moses has shown he can stay healthy and produce. He’s a good right tackle.

#58 Ben Jones (C)
He isn’t a player I know a lot about or previously thought of. However, Kapadia says Jones has been active for 160 of a possible 161 games since entering the league in 2012. His PFF grade in 2021 was a 77.8 and he had a 78.6 in 2020. I’ll take that level of performance and durability.

#59 B.J. Hill (DT)
Another former blog favourite from a previous draft. He once ran a 4.99 forty and a 4.53 short shuttle at 311lbs. He isn’t an explosive player but he’s quick and he’s starting to make it work. He had 5.5 sacks in 2021 and the Seahawks need some interior pass rush production.

#68 Calais Campbell (DT)
I will never apologise for my Calais Campbell appreciation. The guy is a warrior. He is incredibly passionate about making another Super Bowl and I want his leadership, presence and evergreen performance level in Seattle.

#74 Marcus Maye (S)
If Quandre Diggs moves on, Jamal Adams’ old friend in New York could be available at a bargain price. Injuries hampered him last year on the tag. His stock is lower than it should be. There could be a nice opportunity to be had here — and we know he has chemistry with Adams.

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With the recent coaching staff changes, I wanted to do a broad review of what I think the Seahawks could/should do this off-season.

As noted on Friday, I think the addition of Sean Desai to work with Clint Hurtt and Karl Scott is positive news. Provided the Seahawks avoid a ‘too many cooks’ situation, it’s a hint to change.

The next step is a more aggressive free agency period. The Seahawks are not as close as Pete Carroll suggested at the end of the regular season. They need to bridge the gap with some bold personnel moves. The focus needs to be more on quality not quantity. Do that and there’s no reason why they can’t be a much more serious threat in the NFC.

My target with this plan is to add three key players on the veteran market, retain the bulk of the existing roster, make some difficult decisions and set up the draft to finish things off.

Before we get started

I am not a cap ‘expert’. This is supposed to be a fun article. Quibbling over a million here or there isn’t treating the piece in the spirit that’s intended.

I want to review options, possibilities, share some opinions on what I’d like to see and piece together a possible pathway to success.

Cap space

The Seahawks are currently slated to have $34,740,761 in effective cap to spend, per Over The Cap. That is the eighth most in the NFL.

There are ways to raise even more.

Here’s a list of players and what they would save if they were cut pre-June 1st:

Bobby Wagner — $16.6m
Poona Ford — $5.25m
Jason Myers — $4m
Chris Carson — $3.4m
Gabe Jackson — $3m
Ugo Amadi — $2.5m
Nick Bellore — $2.15m
Kerry Hyder — $2m
Benson Mayowa — $1.5m
L.J. Collier — $1m

The Seahawks should be ruthless with the following question at the heart of their decision making…

‘Are we getting value for money?’

Seattle’s problems over the last few years are rooted within mixed drafting results and failing to pad out their depth with cheap, young talent — combined with spreading their money too thinly on average journeymen signings, spending too much on the wrong positions and of course the abysmal Jamal Adams trade.

I think you could easily look at the list above and say every player other than Poona Ford isn’t providing value for money.

You’re not going to get rid of everyone, of course. The Seahawks already have enough holes to fill and they don’t have extra draft picks — or a first rounder at all. Yet they should be prepared to add to their $34,740,761 so they can make some serious moves in free agency.

The future of Bobby Wagner

It’s time to add $16.6m in cap space by cutting a mainstay of the team.

Wagner has been catching too many blocks, he’s played with hesitancy, at times he has avoided contact and he simply doesn’t make enough impact plays.

Wagner was the 15th ranked linebacker per PFF in 2021 but he’s the second most expensive. His performance and ranking warrant a salary in the $8-10m range based on average salary — but I’m not even convinced he’s worth that.

The Seahawks have already invested in the linebacker position. They spent a first round pick on Jordyn Brooks — a player who played middle linebacker in college.

There’s no viable argument to say you need two big investments at this position. One is enough. The NFL is filled with examples of younger linebackers being productive. There are attractive, appealing options in this draft.

Further to that, you have players like Jarrad Davis potentially available on cheap prove-it deals. There was no noticeable difference when Cody Barton started instead of Wagner at the end of the season. Ben Burr-Kirven is still on the roster too.

For me it’s simply time to move on and save $16.6m.

As we’ve been arguing for over a year, they should shift resource to the trenches. You can only do this by making a difficult decision on Wagner’s future. Otherwise you don’t have the cap space to retain players you want to keep and add to the O-line and D-line. It’s that simple.

The Seahawks can’t be sentimental about this. Wagner has been a great player but he’s become too expensive, he isn’t playing well enough and he doesn’t make the kind of difference making, impact plays to justify the investment.

It’s time to put Brooks at middle linebacker and fill the other position at a much cheaper price.

I wouldn’t be against using #41 on the position, provided Seattle addresses the trenches in free agency. This is a class with some excellent linebacker prospects.

This defense needs to be more aggressive and attack-minded. Channing Tindall is explosive and lightning-quick. He’s constantly in attack-mode, flying to the ball-carrier with reckless abandon. He’s tough, physical and would establish a new path forward for the Seahawks, combining with Brooks.

You see this on tape time and time again:

crazy closing speed by channing tindall pic.twitter.com/5d1SQzodAn

— charles (bic fizzle stan) mcdonald (@FourVerts) September 5, 2021

I was watching tape recently and noticed this play. Look how he takes on the offensive lineman, despite a 100lbs weight deficit, dumps him on his backside then hammers the ball carrier:

Levi Onwuzurike’s earns $2m a year on his rookie deal as the #41 pick last year. I’m not a huge fan of spending yet another high pick on a linebacker. Yet if you truly address the O-line and D-line in the veteran market and then replace Wagner with someone like Tindall — I think it’s tolerable.

He’s not the only option. You could justify his two Georgia team mates — Quay Walker or Nakobe Dean at #41. I’m not convinced Devin Lloyd will go as early as some people think. Brian Asamoah will be a second rounder. You can make arguments for Damone Clark, Chad Muma, Christian Harris and Troy Anderson on day two. I think Nate Landman is going to provide excellent value for someone later on.

Yet it’s Tindall who plays the way I want to see on this defense. Head down, fly to the ball — speed, tenacity, impact.

Regardless of how they replace Wagner, change is needed. Seattle’s defense has been too passive and not aggressive enough. I’m afraid to say, Wagner is part of the problem.

Cut him, move on and take your available cap space to $51.3m.

Keep Duane Brown as a priority.

I think you need to re-sign Brown. He’s the best chance you’ve got of finding value and performance at tackle.

It doesn’t make sense to pay $18-20m for Terron Armstead. He’s 30 himself and battled knee injuries in 2021. It’s only a worthwhile signing if his market comes to you and I’m not sure it will.

Andrew Whitworth signed a three-year contract with the Rams at age 37. That should be the framework for a deal between Seattle and Brown. Whitworth’s average salary was $11.25m with $15m guaranteed.

Brown turns 37 this year. He’s likely to be more focused on the guaranteed money rather than the base salary or cap hit. Thus, you can probably restructure this deal to have a reasonable cap hit in 2022 (around $6-7m) with a backloaded final year, including an ‘out’ for the team.

He might not have had a brilliant 2021 season and yes he’s getting older. He isn’t a liability though and there’s no clear alternative for Seattle. He graded at a 71.5 according to PFF in a relative down year where the team struggled.

If that’s his floor, I’ll take it.

Make changes to the O-line elsewhere

The Seahawks tried to mesh Mike Solari’s blocking concepts with Shane Waldron and Andy Dickerson’s in 2021. Now, they’re going all-in with the new staff. It’s time to look at what the Rams do and try to mimic them.

After all, the Rams’ O-line graded seventh in the league per PFF in 2021. The Seahawks were 25th.

The make-up of LA’s offensive line is quite interesting.

They have two enormous tackles in Whitworth (6-7, 330lbs) and Rob Havenstein (6-8, 330lbs). Their left guard is David Edwards (6-6, 308lbs), their center is Brian Allen (6-2, 303lbs) and their right guard is Austin Corbett (6-4, 306lbs).

This is very different to the approach Seattle has used. Gabe Jackson is 6-3 and 335lbs and Damien Lewis is 6-2 and 327lbs. Both are huge, pure guards. Edwards and Corbett are lighter, more athletic college tackles who transitioned inside.

Ethan Pocic is 6-6 and 310lbs. That is bigger than Allen for the Rams.

I don’t want to see the Seahawks do things by half. They’re making the change to Waldron/Dickerson and need to commit to the types of players they want. If that means moving on from the interior power blockers Solari preferred, so be it.

I’m not going to assume Jackson, Pocic and Lewis don’t fit. They might do. Yet the Seahawks should be prepared to make changes if that’s what the scheme calls for.

If you spend $7m on Brown’s 2022 cap hit you would still have $44.3m in available cap space. That’s ample to reshape your line.

I would invest in bringing Brian Allen to play center.

He graded at 80.2 according to PFF with a 87.4 run-blocking grade. He is a bit of a ‘one-year-wonder’ type and that should cap his value somewhat. However, he knows the scheme and the Seahawks are crying out for a good center.

Allen is ranked here as the eighth best guard or center reaching free agency. Thus, he’s unlikely to break the bank but I’d do what it takes to bring him in.

I’d be willing to make an investment worth $9m a year. That is a million less than the $10m a year Arizona is paying Rodney Hudson. It would match the three-year $27m contract Connor McGovern signed with the New York Jets in 2020.

It’s time to make a commitment to this line and take a risk. Allen is playing in the blocking scheme you want to adapt. Invest in familiarity and upside.

He’s only 26-years-old so you can make this a 3-4 year deal and limit his year-one cap hit into the $6m range. This would leave you with $38.3m to spend.

I would consider going a step further and make further changes.

Gabe Jackson was going to be cut by the Raiders a year ago before Seattle swooped in with a trade to prevent him reaching the open market. He did not play well in 2021, grading at 63.6. I am not convinced he is a fit for the new-look line.

I would cut him to save $3m (taking you to $41.3m in cap space).

The Rams, as mentioned, are starting two former tackles at guard. They are tall, lean players. I would consider moving Stone Forsyth to left guard to be Seattle’s answer to David Edwards.

Forsyth is 6-8 and 307lbs. He too played tackle in college. It fits with how the Rams have built their line and he’s a left-sided player.

This in turn would allow you to move Damien Lewis back to right guard. Lewis had a torrid time after moving to the left side simply to accommodate Jackson. His PFF grade in 2021 was 63.6 compared to his rookie grade of 70.2 when he played on the more familiar right side.

He dominated at LSU at right guard. He impressed in Seattle at right guard.

He’s a right guard.

He might not ideally fit the blocking scheme as a bigger, power blocker. Yet I think he’s worth persevering with in 2022 to see if he can return to form.

Trading or cutting him only saves $774,351 so you’ve more or less made your commitment there.

If the Seahawks wanted to be truly radical, they could bring in Austin Corbett because like Allen — he too is a free agent. He likely wouldn’t break the bank either.

I don’t want to give up on Lewis though. At least not this year.

The final position to address is right tackle. Brandon Shell is a free agent but he does at least fit LA’s preference for size (6-5, 324lbs). I get the sense, however, the Seahawks will move on.

There are options. I’ll run through a few and then suggest what I’d prefer.

This could be a position where Seattle looks to the draft.

Washington State right tackle Abraham Lucas, for me, is a top-15 pick and I expect he’ll show that at the combine. I think I’m the only one grading him in that range currently. If, somehow, he lasted to #41 — he would be a fantastic, home-run pick for the Seahawks. I don’t think it’ll happen. If it does, run to the podium.

It’s plausible Bernhard Raimann could last to the Seahawks in round two. He’s a fine athlete with major potential but he clearly needs a lot of technical refinement.

The Rams like size so Darian Kinnard could be a mid-round option. Keep an eye on Obinna Eze — a blog favourite during his time at Memphis (he transferred to TCU). He has outstanding size and major upside.

You can run through different combinations.

Perhaps Stone Forsyth gets an opportunity to start at right tackle?

Phil Haynes and Jake Curhan also received positive reviews for their play at the end of the season. I’d rather both be depth and competition than starters but we’ll see how things shape up.

My preference above all else would be to continue spending in free agency.

I would make a play for Trent Brown of the Patriots or Morgan Moses of the Jets.

Both fit the size ideals of the Rams at tackle. Brown is absolutely enormous and for some time now has been an excellent right tackle. He gave up one sack in 2021 and graded at 77.6 per PFF.

He signed a one-year deal with the Pats with a $7,588,235 cap hit. I would gladly match or even better that to bring him in. He’s 28-years-old. Sign him to a two-year, $20m deal and solidify the right side with proven quality.

I would structure it so his year-one cap hit is $8m and then $12m the following year with a potential out for the team. It would leave you with $33.3m in effective cap space.

If you can’t get it done, Moses is a fine alternative. He has equally been a productive starter for a long time. He graded at 71.0 in 2021 and had a cap hit of $4.3m. He might cost half as much as Brown and would be a good ‘Plan B’.

So what are you left with? Two big investments on the O-line for proven players, while retaining your starting left tackle.

It’d look like this:

LT — Duane Brown
LG — Stone Forsyth
C — Brian Allen
RG — Damien Lewis
RT — Trent Brown

A reminder of where we’re at

So far we’ve cut Wagner and Jackson to create an extra $19.6m in cap space. We’ve signed a new center (Allen) and right tackle (Brown) plus retained Duane Brown.

There’s $33.3m to invest in other positions — with improving the pass rush and the retention of other starters the remaining priorities.

Keep key players

While I don’t agree with Pete Carroll that the team is ‘really close’ and ‘has what it needs to be great’ — I do think some players are worth keeping around.

Quandre Diggs has back-to-back five-interception seasons. For a team that has a really hard time turning the ball over, I think you need to make sure he sticks.

His injury makes this a really challenging situation to project. Will his market suffer? Does it hurt his value further that Jessie Bates, Marcus Williams and Marcus Maye are also scheduled to be free agents? Are you best to let him test the market?

I never expected to write this earlier in the off-season — but I think I would use the franchise tag on Diggs. It gives you another year at a relatively fair price (approximately $11.1m). It means you continue to spend a lot at safety — yet I think if you’re losing Wagner, you need an experienced leader of the defense. Just one who is still producing at an impactful level.

It would reduce your cap space to $22.2m.

Thus, I would use the franchise tag as a starting point to negotiate a longer term contract. Perhaps seeking security post injury, I would approach Diggs and offer him the same contract John Johnson signed with the Browns a year ago.

That was worth $11.25m a year. Johnson signed that deal following a 2020 season where he graded at 85.6 per PFF. Diggs, in fairness, only graded at 71.2 in 2021. So I think this is a fair offer.

The Jamal Adams deal does complicate things. Diggs could easily say he’s outperformed Adams — yet there’s a noticeable difference in salary.

However, the Johnson-style contract comes with $24m in guarantees and provides some degree of security for a 29-year-old safety coming off a bad injury.

The good news from a cap perspective is Cleveland structured Johnson’s contract to only have a $3.65m cap hit in year one. They are fully committed for three years with no outs. This would be a risk for Seattle, given it takes Diggs to age 32. However, I think this a gamble worth taking for a player still producing. Several players at Diggs’ position have played deep into their 30’s. I’m rolling the dice.

By lowering his cap hit post-extension, you raise your available cap space to $29.8m.

The other thing I wouldn’t have expected to write a few months ago — I would pay to keep Rashaad Penny.

He showed enough in those final few weeks that he can elevate your running game. Do I trust him to stay healthy? No. Do I fear what could happen? Yes, absolutely.

However, I’m choosing to take a chance — and I won’t complain if the Seahawks make that choice either.

Austin Ekeler, Nyheim Hines and Kareem Hunt all earn $6m a year. I will offer Penny that for 2022. It’s a reasonable amount to stay in Seattle. If he has a fantastic season, he can return to the market in 2023 and potentially cash-in.

You’re now left with $23.8m.

This kind of move has to come with a consequence. Thus, I’m cutting Chris Carson and saving $3.4m. He has a long history with injuries and while he might be everything Seattle looks for in terms of physical running style and explosive traits — you can’t have two running backs with questionable injury records leading your attack.

Penny gets the nod, for Carson it’s time to move on.

I would look to replace him via the draft. My immediate thought is Tyrion Davis-Price at LSU. I think he deserves a third round grade but he might be available much later. He is big, explosive, physical and has surprisingly quick feet. I think he has starter potential and would be a nice complement to Penny.

There’s a whole host of alternative options. This might not be a running back class with many first or second round prospects but there’s a deep pool of names.

Of course, I’d be ready to select Dameon Pierce at any point after round two. He is the epitome of everything Seattle looks for in a back and would be the ideal replacement for Carson. If he goes in round two like I suspect, there are a ton of other names on my horizontal board that could provide cheap depth.

Cutting Carson takes your available cap space to $27.2m.

The other players to consider retaining are:

Gerald Everett
Rasheem Green
Al Woods
Sidney Jones
D.J. Reed
Will Dissly

I think some difficult decisions are again going to need to be made — for two reasons. One, you’re running out of cap space. Two, I still want to make another move in free agency.

For that reason I am protecting $6m of our remaining $27.2m for a pass rusher. So we’ve got $21.2m to spend on the list of names above.

The cornerback market is incredibly challenging. A year ago, several players were paid big money. William Jackson, Shaquill Griffin and Adoree Jackson all received +$13m a year.

This list of free agent rankings has D.J. Reed as the #8 available cornerback. The eighth highest paid free agent at corner a year ago — Chidobe Awuzie — signed a three-year deal worth $7.25m a year.

It’s plausible that Reed could be looking at a contract worth between $7-10m a year.

Awuzie’s cap hit in 2021 is $6m. So you can’t even really spread it out that much.

I really want to keep Reed though. His PFF grade of 78.6 passes the eye test and he truly solidified one of the cornerback positions. Therefore, I’m going to sign him to a three-year, $30m contract that is back-loaded to keep the year-one hit at $6m.

We’re down to $15.2m to spend.

I’d quite like to keep Gerald Everett. He has the potential to be a playmaker. However, his $6m salary didn’t show up on the stat sheet in 2021 and the turnover-strewn game against San Francisco — plus the horrendous dropped touchdown in Arizona — are tough to shake.

I want to retain him but at the cheaper price of $4m. That feels fair. In order to create the money to make this happen, I’m making a difficult decision and cutting Nick Bellore and Ugo Amadi. Moving on saves you $4.6m. I would hope that would be enough to retain Everett and it’s better bang for your buck. Amadi regressed last year and is now quite expensive. Bellore, as brilliant as he’s been on special teams, might have to be a very difficult cut.

I’m challenging BBK to replace Bellore’s impact on special teams, while Marquise Blair and Ryan Neal make up for the loss of Amadi.

If Everett is going to cost more than $4m I would pivot to O.J. Howard — who has the feel of a player desperately needing a fresh start and could provide solid value on a one-year prove-it deal.

This is also an excellent draft class at tight end. It might mean you have to make a difficult choice on Will Dissly. Perhaps you can get him back at a reasonable price? Otherwise, you’ve already spent a pick on Colby Parkinson. Time to trust him to take a step forward. Then add a rookie.

I’m very interested to see where Cade Otton falls to due to his injury history. Could he end up being a day three steal? Is Jelani Woods available on day three? There are alternatives — from Cole Turner to Chigoziem Okonkwo to Charlie Kolar and others.

This is a terrific, deep class at TE that is worth tapping into.

If we retain Everett at $4m, while cutting Bellore and Amadi — there is $15.8m to spend.

With Rasheem Green and Al Woods — I’m going to cut L.J. Collier and Kerry Hyder. That saves $3m. I’m hoping that enables you to keep one of them. The other will probably need to be replaced in the draft.

Again, it’s about getting value for money. Collier has shown nothing and Hyder is a journeyman who had almost no impact in 2021. Green at least had 6.5 sacks last season and is worth retaining for the pass rush rotation. I hope $3m would be enough to bring him back on a prove-it deal. If not, you pivot to Woods (who cost $2.5m in 2021).

I’d like to keep Sidney Jones but at a team friendly price. His return will be dependant on what his market is. If it’s cold, then that’s when you make your move. I think you have to let him test free agency and see if you can get him back at a cheap cost, with a legit chance to start and re-enter the market in a year.

Ryan Neal can be kept as an exclusive rights free agent, as can Bryan Mone. So they will cost the league minimum which was $660,000 in 2021.

Signing Neal and Mone leaves us with $13.9m to spend. Remember — we’re saving an extra $6m on top of this for one final free agent splash. Thus, there is enough room to sign Sidney Jones for $2.5m — which is a doubling of what he was paid in 2021.

We’re down to $11.4m.

Phil Haynes is a restricted free agent. I think you have to roll the dice here on him not being signed elsewhere and be prepared to move on. It’s not worth paying him +$2m for the basic RFA tender (original round or qualifying offer). They might believe in him enough to tender him and then extend his contract but I’m not convinced we’re at that point with Haynes.

With the $11.4m left over, that is ample to see what other opportunities are out there. You could bring back the likes of Bellore or Amadi, for example, just at a cheaper price. You can pad out some of your lost depth.

The key thing is though — this padding occurs after you’ve already made significant moves. It’s not the meat of your free agency plan. You seek the value only once you’ve addressed key positions.

There’s a lot to get done this off-season for Seattle. They have a lot of players to retain. I appreciate that my amateur attempts to break down what they can or can’t do this off-season are not a true indication of what is possible. Yet I do think we’ve shown, to some extent, that they can keep a lot of their players and still add some keynote signings.

And it’s time for one more…

Add to the pass rush

By this point we have the $11.4m left over for depth signings and opportunistic moves. We’ve also saved the $6m for one last big tilt.

That $6m doesn’t sound like much. It’s all we need for this year though — and clearly there’s wiggle room to extend it by a million or two if needed.

Leonard Floyd signed a deal with the Rams worth $16m a year. They limited his 2021 cap hit to just $5m. That then accelerates to $20m and $19m over the next two years. They can cut him in 2024 to save $12m.

Robert Quinn signed a deal with the Bears worth $14m a year. His year-one cap hit was $6.1m. It then accelerates to $11.2m and $17.1m for the next two years. The Bears can save $10m by moving on in 2023.

These deals are the framework to add a pass rusher.

And I’m going after Chandler Jones.

Sean Desai worked wonders with Quinn in Chicago. He had 18.5 sacks in 2021.

Quinn and Jones are the same age. Thus, their value and potential could be aligned. I would bring in Jones and challenge Desai to work his magic, just as he did with Quinn.

I would offer Jones the Floyd contract. $16m a year — with a lower cap hit in 2021 ($6m). Yes it’ll be expensive down the line, especially if his play drops off. But if you’re going to run it back and try to win in 2022 — you have to make aggressive moves like this. You have to be prepared to take risks.

Now is not the time to be conservative. If you want to play it safe — rebuild. Create a five-year plan. Otherwise, it’s time to go all-in.

Pairing Jones with Carlos Dunlap and Darrell Taylor (and potentially Rasheem Green plus Alton Robinson and Benson Mayowa) would give you a serious edge rush group.

If his market is higher than this — and you can’t structure a deal to bring him to Seattle — I’m turning my attentions to Harold Landry. He had 12 sacks for the Titans in 2021, he turns 26 this year and he could be Seattle’s answer to Trey Hendrickson — who has had a major impact for the Bengals.

Hendrickson signed a deal worth $15m a year in Cincinnati. The Bengals structured it differently so his cap hits are $12.4m, $14.4m and $15.5m. They also protected themselves with an out as soon as this year. In my off-season proposal, the Seahawks couldn’t do that. They’d have to take a bit more of a risk to get the lower 2022 cap hit — meaning bigger money down the line and no out for 2-3 years.

I’m willing to take that chance.

By adding a quality pass rusher you can elevate your unit and then look to make another addition in the draft.

One final option — according to Mike Garafolo — Von Miller ‘fully expects’ to test free agency. He turns 33 in March but he had 9.5 sacks this season. I would not be unhappy to see Miller finishing his career in Seattle.

One last, final, bonus signing

I would call Cordarrelle Patterson and speak to him. People forget that the Deebo Samuel-at-running-back idea was inspired by what Patterson was doing in Atlanta.

I want to steal this. I want Patterson in this offense doing a bit of everything. Screens and quick hitters to get the ball in his hands. Some creative runs from the backfield. Sweeps. I want to use him as an elite kick returner.

He is a playmaker. I would challenge Shane Waldron to make him an X-factor complement to D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Gerald Everett and Dee Eskridge.

It would also improve your running back depth, knowing he’s shown he can take snaps there and be highly effective.

Patterson cost the Falcons $3m in 2021. I would be very willing to do that again with the remaining cap space left over.

The plan for the draft

Based on what we’ve done so far, I think the following areas need to be addressed as a relative priority:

Defensive tackle (preferably a pass rusher)
Linebacker
Running back

Obviously we’ve run through different possibilities. If you don’t sign Trent Brown, it might be that you draft a right tackle. As I’ve mentioned, if Abraham Lucas is there at #41, I’d probably take him anyway.

If you don’t sign D.J. Reed and/or Sidney Jones — then you probably draft a corner.

Losing Quandre Diggs would put pressure on you to find a young free safety.

If you don’t add an EDGE rusher — you might need to do that at #41.

Based on the plan above, I’m going to suggest the following moves to round-out the roster…

Pick #41

If a player such as Perrion Winfrey is there I’m giving it serious consideration. Likewise if Devonte Wyatt somehow lasts and depending on how he tests at the combine, I’d also consider Travis Jones.

Winfrey could be your Akiem Hicks type interior rusher — beautifully complementing the edge threat of Jones/Dunlap/Taylor. That, to me, would be a threatening and much improved pass rush and you could go into next season believing you’d made serious progress in the trenches.

It’s certainly possible, however, that Winfrey and Wyatt are not there at #41. If that’s the case (and the Seahawks will have a rough idea after the combine of their range) — I would be more inclined to see if there’s any way to bring Akiem Hicks to Seattle.

I’m prepared to take my chances on Barton or BBK next to Jordyn Brooks if needed next season. As I’ve said, I’m not that keen on spending yet another high pick on a linebacker. However, I think there’s potentially some serious value to be had.

I’m giving very serious consideration to drafting Channing Tindall. I want his aggressive, run-and-hit style. I think there are potential stars among this linebacker class — so it doesn’t have to be Tindall. He is the kind of linebacker I’d like this team to add, though. I want an attack-minded defender.

If you get a chance, I think it would be wise to tap into Georgia’s front-seven based on what they showed in 2021.

I do think the depth at linebacker stretches to round three, so that’s another thing to consider.

If you don’t sign Jones or Landry and perhaps sign a player such as Hicks instead to rush from the inside — you could then pivot to the rich pool of EDGE rushers in this class. I don’t think Boye Mafe will last to #41 but Myjai Sanders, Arnold Ebiketie, Drake Jackson, Travon Walker, Kingsley Enagbare and others could well be there.

Based on the available talent in this draft — DT, DE, LB and T are the positions I’m looking at with the #41 pick.

Pick #72

I would consider linebacker here if not addressed in round two — with Darrian Beavers, Chad Muma, Damone Clark, Christian Harris and Troy Anderson all plausible options. Failing that, I’d be willing to target Nate Landman on day three.

If cornerback hasn’t been fully addressed, this is where I would seriously consider Montaric Brown, Cam Taylor-Britt or Akayleb Evans.

This could be a reasonable range for a running back or tight end addition. It could also be the range where you look at a Max Mitchell or Obinna Eze for the O-line.

I think Travis Jones has elevated his play beyond pick #72 but it’s not totally out of the question he lasts. Ditto for Phidarian Mathis at Alabama or John Ridgeway at Arkansas.

If you need an EDGE there will be options. Sam Williams could be available at #72. DeAngelo Malone had a very impressive Senior Bowl. David Anenih is flying under the radar.

There’s a very good opportunity for the Seahawks to add two impact players in rounds 2-3. They’ve had success in this range before — such as Wagner/Wilson in 2012, Clark/Lockett in 2015 or Taylor/Lewis in 2020.

Overall breakdown

Key additions in free agency

Brian Allen (C)
Trent Brown (T)
Chandler Jones or Harold Landry (DE)
Cordarrelle Patterson (WR/RB/KR)

Retentions

Duane Brown
Rashaad Penny
Quandre Diggs
D.J. Reed
Sidney Jones
Gerald Everett
One of Rasheem Green or Al Woods
Ryan Neal
Bryan Mone

Cuts

Bobby Wagner
Gabe Jackson
Chris Carson
Ugo Amadi
Nick Bellore
L.J. Collier
Kerry Hyder

Draft focus

Defensive tackle
EDGE
Linebacker
Running back
Tight end
Tackle

Conclusion

I don’t think this a flawless plan by any stretch. It’s also written over a weekend and I don’t have the intel nor the man-power to run through the scenarios in the kind of detail and preparation a NFL front office would do.

I think, however, what I’ve been able to put together is reasonable and worthy of a conversation. Reinforcements to the O-line with proven players at a good age. A key pass rusher added. Most of the existing group brought back.

An improved pass rush, a continuing shift towards the Rams blocking scheme and all of your 2021 skill players returning apart from Chris Carson sets you up for a better season in 2022.

I’ll also add — I would do anything else to add proven talent. It’s time to get the credit card out. If you’re not going to rebuild, if you’re intent on winning now — prove it.

It’s a loaded free agent class at receiver, for example. If a player like Christian Kirk suffers as a consequence — I’d be ready to make a move. Likewise Cedric Wilson. I think you’ll have a hard time dragging Odell Beckham Jr out of LA — but I would go back to him and see. I know for a fact that he and Russell Wilson have a strong relationship and a mutual interest to play together.

The cap specialists in the front office need to be creative. The Seahawks need to be prepared to take a few chances.

They always say they’re in on every opportunity. Yet so few come off these days. Time for that to change.

Let me know what you think in the comments section.

A final note

It was inevitable that Super Bowl Sunday’s ‘splash’ reports would include something about Russell Wilson’s future. Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero delivered, stating Tampa Bay is prepared to enter the veteran trade market to replace Tom Brady.

The chances of Tampa Bay putting a workable offer together are remote. They, like others, simply don’t have the stock. Teams like Washington and Denver are desperate, with higher (or more) draft stock. Unless the Seahawks are secret Kyle Trask fans (I think it’s unlikely) — there’s no quarterback option they can exchange.

Thus, it makes it incredibly unlikely the Buccs can present a tempting offer to the Seahawks.

However, with Green Bay making it clear in another ‘splash’ report today that they are prepared to do whatever it takes to help Aaron Rodgers win another Championship — the focus for the next few weeks will be firmly on Wilson and Seattle. This will especially be the case if Rodgers signs a new contract, which increasingly appears likely.

If Rodgers isn’t available, teams are going to be throwing offers Seattle’s way.

I still can’t imagine any trade that would tempt Seattle. There simply isn’t a quarterback solution that makes sense in any offer, short of Derek Carr (and even then — is that a tempting proposition for Carroll? I doubt it) or the Seahawks seeing greater value in this rookie class than virtually anyone else.

But if they do resist incredible offers — which are forthcoming — this will set up the big talking point for Seahawks fans in 2022.

If the season doesn’t go well and/or Seattle isn’t a serious contender in the NFC — fans will debate a lot the decision not to take a haul and re-set, knowing Wilson’s trade value will never be higher in this unique off-season.

The Seahawks might not be interested in a trade. But they have to listen. And if they ultimately reject any offers, they have a duty to be more aggressive than ever to put this roster in a position to challenge.

Clinging on to Wilson, rejecting eye-watering offers and then doing the same old thing in free agency — meaning they start the season with the same prospects of the last five or so years, isn’t acceptable.

It’s as simple as this. If you’re keeping Wilson — be aggressive. That’s the only choice. Otherwise, move on. Embrace change.

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There’s a lot to get into today. So here we go…

Seahawks coaching moves feel like a step in the right direction

Having expressed concern about what happened with Ed Donatell on Wednesday, I said I would reassess when appointments were actually announced.

The news today that Sean Desai is joining the Seahawks as ‘Associate Head Coach for Defense’ is extremely welcome.

Yes, the original plan of three Vic Fangio protégé’s working together (Desai, Donatell and Clint Hurtt) was preferred. I do think losing Donatell’s experience is a disappointment. He could’ve acted as a nice bridge between his friend Pete Carroll and the younger members of the staff.

Nevertheless, he received a better offer. There’s not a great deal the Seahawks could’ve done about it.

Desai was highly regarded in Chicago and has coordinator experience. He has no connection to Carroll and isn’t being brought in to make tea and pick the music for training camp.

Presumably this is a sign of Carroll actively seeking out new voices. New talent. Bringing a fresh, outside presence to a staff that had become very familiar to the Head Coach.

It’s a continuation of a year ago when Carroll went outside of his comfort zone to appoint Shane Waldron. And while the jury’s still out on Waldron, it showed a willingness to try something different. The Seahawks were trying to find young and progressive.

I have no idea whether Desai will be a good appointment. I don’t know whether Clint Hurtt will be an adequate defensive coordinator. Karl Scott, who’s also said to be joining — is a relative unknown with only a year of experience in the NFL.

This isn’t really the point though. Short of just going out and landing Fangio himself, this feels like an acceptable alternative. You can buy into the thought process and be prepared to give it a shot. As with Waldron, it creates some intrigue and anticipation.

When they appointed Brian Schottenheimer and Ken Norton Jr in 2018, there was none of that.

Now, I’m fascinated to see how this plays out. I want to discover whether any of this trio can work their way into potential Head Coaching spots in the future. I’m eager to see what kind of defensive plan they put together. I am a little bit concerned that it could be a case of ‘too many cooks’.

Fans just want to feel like their team is making moves they can get behind. I think this is a positive first step this off-season.

The success of Seattle’s defense, though, will be down to the additions they make in free agency and the draft. This is a good start — now they need to deliver in terms of improving their personnel.

There was also news today that Mike Solari has been ‘fired’. This was surprising, given it’s happened weeks after the end of the regular season.

I’m not convinced this is a ‘firing’ as reported. Rather a change of direction.

Solari improved elements of Seattle’s O-line (admittedly it wasn’t starting from a strong position) and the Seahawks didn’t exactly ‘go big’ financially in the trenches during his tenure.

He was asked to make the most of a collection of mostly journeymen and younger players. I don’t think we can describe Solari as having done a bad job, even if the results were mixed.

Promoting run-game coordinator Andy Dickerson to O-line coach feels like a greater commitment to Waldron and his way of doing things.

Dickerson came to Seattle with Waldron. It stands to reason that the offensive coordinator would have a blocking scheme and an O-line coach working to techniques best suited to what he wants to do.

Solari’s approach feels very different to what they do in LA. The Seahawks have added bigger bodies. Hulking linemen.

The Rams have a 6-2, 300lbs center and a 6-4, 307lbs guard. Their tackles are admittedly massive — yet the interior linemen have a different skill-set.

This feels like a further display of passing responsibility on to Waldron. Again, that would suggest Carroll is willing to cede a little bit of power and control, in order to commit to the coach he brought in to run his offense.

Anything that helps the Seahawks get closer to what the Rams do on offense is a positive to me. And with their center Brian Allen — who graded at 80.2 per PFF in 2021 — a free agent this off-season — it might time to steal a little bit more from the NFC Champions.

Quandre Diggs has a lot to say

Diggs spoke to Ben Baller this week and unloaded with some honest criticism of the Seahawks.

Here are the notes of what he said:

— Pete has final say on the defense
— He feels there were too many people involved in the defensive decision making
— They didn’t get calls in on-time during the season
— He suggests the ‘cover-3’ system Carroll uses has gone stale
— Pete knows he needs to do something different (aka — he needs to)
— They don’t have good enough players on defense
— Clint Hurtt is a great coach and has the respect of the defense
— He says ‘everyone’ needs to be on the same page (implying they weren’t)
— ‘We need to let our rushers rush and let our pass defenders handle the pass’
— ‘We were lacking accountability last year’

To be honest, I never expected to hear what he had to say. But this speaks to a team that sounds like a shambles behind the scenes.

And to be fair, that’s what a lot of us have been sensing watching this team.

Schematics, leadership, organisation — it all sounds off. This isn’t a random blogger speaking or some talking head on the TV. This is Quandre Diggs. Calling out the system, a lack of accountability, the way the play-calling operated and the lack of talent on defense.

Firstly — this doesn’t sound like a player who’s going back to Seattle.

Secondly — this should worry any fan. Because the status quo remains. And none of what is said here is indicative of a team on the cusp of challenging.

We have to hope that Diggs said all of this to Carroll — and perhaps other people have done the same — with changes on the cards. As mentioned above, I think the coaching hires are positive. It speaks to a willingness to change.

Yet clearly, they desperately need to change.

They also need to make it clear things are changing. Diggs was just at the Pro Bowl. You better believe he talks to friends in the league (he seems to have many) and will be relaying these concerns — perhaps in even stronger terms.

If the Seahawks intend to try and recruit players to play for them, rather than opening the chequebook — good luck if this is what they’re hearing about Seattle.

It’s also possibly another sign of why Russell Wilson continues to keep his options open. How bad is this thing behind the scenes? The on-field performance has hinted at a mess of a situation for some time. Here’s a respected player basically laying it all out. No holding back.

To me it speaks to why this team should’ve fired Carroll and gone in a completely different direction. Now we just need to hope that change is coming — and that it’ll be effective change.

This was a concerning listen.

And the fact he specifically said there were too many people offering input isn’t a great sign for a defensive staff made up of multiple new voices.

The challenge now is to have a far better off-season than the last few years — with a more organised, structured and effective defensive plan, executed properly, combined with a more aggressive free agency and a good draft.

Three round mock draft

I wrote this before the coaching news and the Diggs interview — so thought I’d publish it anyway in list form with some notes on Seattle’s picks at the end.

Round 1

1. Jacksonville — Aidan Hutchinson (DE, Michigan)
2. Detroit — Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE, Oregon)
3. Houston — Evan Neal (G, Alabama)
4. New York Jets — David Ojabo (DE, Michigan)
5. New York Giants — Derek Stingley Jr (CB, LSU)
6. Carolina — Charles Cross (T, Mississippi State)
7. New York Giants — Trevor Penning (T, Northern Iowa)
8. Atlanta — Kyle Hamilton (S, Notre Dame)
9. Denver — Jermaine Johnson (DE, Florida State)
10. New York Jets — Treylon Burks (WR, Arkansas)
11. Washington — Abraham Lucas (T, Washington State)
12. Minnesota — Sauce Gardner (CB, Cincinnati)
13. Cleveland — Jordan Davis (DT, Georgia)
14. Baltimore — Kyler Gordon (CB, Washington)
15. Philadelphia — Trent McDuffie (CB, Washington)
16. Philadelphia — George Karlaftis (DE, Purdue)
17. LA Chargers — Boye Mafe (DE, Minnesota)
18. New Orleans — Garrett Wilson (WR, Ohio State)
19. Philadelphia — Daxton Hill (S, Michigan)
20. Pittsburgh — Tyler Linderbaum (C, Iowa)
21. New England — Chris Olave (WR, Ohio State)
22. Las Vegas — Devonte Wyatt (DT, Georgia)
23. Arizona — Tariq Woolen (CB, UTSA)
24. Dallas — Bernhard Raimann (T, Central Michigan)
25 Buffalo — Ikem Ekonwu (G, NC State)
26 Tennessee — Trey McBride (TE, Colorado State)
27 Tampa Bay — Arnold Ebiketie (DE, Penn State)
28 Green Bay — Jameson Williams (WR, Alabama)
29 Miami — Quay Walker (LB, Georgia)
30 Kansas City — Drake London (WR, USC)
31 Cincinnati — Jalen Wydermyer (TE, Texas A&M)
32 Detroit — Devin Lloyd (LB, Utah)

Round 2

33 Jacksonville — Greg Dulcich (TE, UCLA)
34 Detroit — John Metchie (WR, Alabama)
35 New York Jets — Jeremy Ruckert (TE, Ohio State)
36 New York Giants — Zion Johnson (G, Boston College)
37 Houston — Myjai Sanders (DE, Cincinnati)
38 New York Jets — Nakobe Dean (LB, Georgia)
39 Chicago — Logan Hall (DT, Houston)
40 Denver — Channing Tindall (LB, Georgia)
41 Seattle — Perrion Winfrey (DT, Oklahoma)
42 Washington — Kenny Pickett (QB, Pittsburgh)
43 Atlanta — Travon Walker (DE, Georgia)
44 Cleveland — Brian Asamoah (LB, Oklahoma)
45 Baltimore — Lewis Cine (S, Georgia)
46 Minnesota — Chad Muma (LB, Wyoming)
47 Indianapolis — Rasheed Walker (T, Penn State)
48 LA Chargers — DeMarvin Leal (DE/DT, Texas A&M)
49 New Orleans — Matt Corral (QB, Ole Miss)
50 Miami — Dameon Pierce (RB, Florida)
51 Philadelphia — Damone Clark (LB, LSU)
52 Pittsburgh — Malik Willis (QB, Liberty)
53 Las Vegas — Jalen Tolbert (WR, South Alabama)
54 New England — Kerby Joseph (S, Illinois)
55 Arizona — Kaiir Elam (CB, Florida)
56 Dallas — Kingsley Enagbare (DE, South Carolina)
57 Buffalo — Travis Jones (DT, Connecticut)
58 Atlanta — David Bell (WR, Purdue)
59 Green Bay — Drake Jackson (DE, USC)
60 Tampa Bay — Kenneth Walker (RB, Michigan State)
61 San Francisco — Andrew Booth (CB, Clemson)
62 Kansas City — Jaquan Brisker (S, Penn State)
63 Cincinnati — Sam Williams (DE, Ole Miss)
64 Denver — Troy Andersen (LB, Montana State)

Round 3

65 Jacksonville — Nicholes Petit-Frere (T, Ohio State)
66 Detroit — Phidarian Mathis (DT, Alabama)
67 New York Giants — Jake Ferguson (TE, Wisconsin)
68 Houston — Cameron Thomas (DE, San Diego State)
69 New York Jets — Jahan Dotson (WR, Penn State)
70 Jacksonville — Roger McCreary (CB, Auburn)
71 Chicago — Sean Rhyan (G, UCLA)
72 Seattle — Montaric Brown (CB, Arkansas)
73 Washington — Christian Harris (LB, Alabama)
74 Atlanta — Brian Robinson (RB, Alabama)
75 Denver — Desmond Ridder (QB, Cincinnati)
76 Baltimore — Kenyon Green (G, Texas A&M)
77 Minnesota — John Ridgeway (DT, Arkansas)
78 Cleveland — Cade Otton (TE, Washington)
79 LA Chargers — Isaiah Likely (TE, Coastal Carolina)
80 Houston — Darrian Beavers (LB, Cincinnati)
81 New York Giants — DeAngelo Malone (LB, Western Kentucky)
82 Indianapolis — Nick Cross (S, Maryland)
83 Philadelphia — Bryan Cook (S, Cincinnati)
84 Pittsburgh — Zach Tom (T, Wake Forest)
85 New England — Cam Taylor-Britt (CB, Nebraska)
86 Las Vegas — Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, Kentucky)
87 Arizona — Tyrion Davis-Price (RB, LSU)
88 Dallas — Haskell Garrett (DT, Ohio State)
89 Buffalo — Akayleb Evans (CB, Missouri)
90 Tennessee — Kyle Phillips (WR, UCLA)
91 Tampa Bay — Cole Strange (C, Chattanooga)
92 Green Bay — Jelani Woods (TE, Virginia)
93 San Francisco — Jalen Pitre (S, Baylor)
94 Kansas City — Max Mitchell (T, Louisiana)
95 Cincinnati — Obbina Eze (T, TCU)
96 Denver — Zach Carter (DE, Florida)
97 Detroit — Tyreke Smith (DE, Ohio State)
98 Cleveland — Sam Howell (QB, North Carolina)
99 Baltimore — Nik Bonitto (LB, Oklahoma)
100 New Orleans — Breece Hall (RB, Iowa State)
101 Miami — Isaiah Spiller (RB, Texas A&M)
102 Kansas City — Calvin Austin (WR, Memphis)
103 LA Rams — David Anenih (DE, Houston)

Notes on Seattle’s two picks

Perrion Winfrey starred at the Senior Bowl and played with an attitude and intensity that won’t have gone unnoticed. The Seahawks have needed an interior pass rusher for a long time and that’s what Winfrey can do. He’s 6-4 and 303lbs with incredible 35.5 inch arms and a wingspan of nearly 86 inches. If he tests well at the combine, he’ll be right up Seattle’s street.

The Seahawks have tended to go for experience on the O-line and youth on defense. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them add a veteran center and right tackle, while retaining Duane Brown, then using the draft to address the pass rush.

Why does Winfrey last to #41? Consistency. His tape is a mix between first rounder and late rounder. He was an ill-fit in Oklahoma — mixing between nose tackle and sideways slasher. He needs to bully the man in front of him and shoot gaps. In the same way Chris Jones lasted to pick #37 due to concerns around his consistency — Winfrey could also last a bit. If he does — he could be Seattle’s top choice. They need someone with his fire on the D-line. I think they should shoot for greatness with their top choice.

Their second pick is a blog favourite — Arkansas cornerback Montaric Brown. He stood out to me on tape and could be an ideal fit for Seattle’s defense. He’s tight in coverage and competitive. He has reasonable size and good length — he’s lean and looks the part. He had five interceptions in 2021 — tied for second most in the nation.

I like the way he tracks the ball in the air, he has good recovery skills, he’s physical and he mirrors well covering routes. I think he’s one of the most underrated players in the class and he could be a good option in the middle rounds.

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A year ago it was quite an experience to see how desperate Bears fans were to bring Russell Wilson to Chicago.

This was a franchise that had gone decades without a competent quarterback.

12 months on, the furore over Wilson possibly being interested in the Washington Commanders is creating a similar reaction.

While sections of Seattle’s fan base quibble about a quarterback who has won more games than any other player at his position at this stage in his career, it’s perhaps easy for some of those fans to forget what life without a good quarterback looks like.

Commanders fans (still feels weird to write that) are falling over themselves with hope that Wilson lands in Washington. I’ve watched a handful of YouTube videos and perused a couple of forums. They want Wilson. Badly.

They’re making the kind of arguments Seahawks fans should be considering.

For example, Wilson had an injury-plagued 2021 season with his finger clearly impacting him. Many consider it a bad season, or at least a well below par season.

He still had 27 total touchdowns and just six interceptions, in 14 games.

There are teams out there not just desperate for that level of production. They dream about it. The fans in Washington want their team to throw the house at Seattle. First round picks. Chase Young. More more more. To have this player and his production.

They want to believe in a quarterback. They want the hope that comes with having someone of Wilson’s caliber. They haven’t had that in a long time.

Of course, these are all of the reasons why Pete Carroll won’t ultimately make a trade.

To Carroll, the #11 pick this year means what exactly? And future first rounders? How do they help him?

I’m sure he’d love Chase Young, particularly given he’s stated they need to bolster their pass rush as a priority. Pairing Young with Darrell Taylor and Carlos Dunlap would give Seattle the kind of X-factor D-line they’ve been lacking for years.

Yet without a replacement quarterback, it’s all for nothing — isn’t it?

If you’re trotting out Mitchell Trubisky, you aren’t contending. Carroll isn’t able to finish his career how he wants. The Seahawks just become Washington.

And ultimately, this is where the trade talk falls down.

Unless of course I’m making an assumption. After all, Carroll said the following to Fox 13 at the end of the season when asked if another chapter of the Wilson saga could be avoided this off-season:

“Whatever is there, we got to exhaust every opportunity for our club and right from the owner, she wants us to take a look at every single opportunity to better the franchise. That’s what we do. It’s going to take us some time to put it all together and we have a lot of difficult decisions to make this year.”

You can interpret those comments in different ways. There was no definitive ‘no deal’ talk though. ‘Not for sale’ wasn’t mentioned. ‘Not going anywhere’ weren’t words that were used.

Maybe Carroll actually thinks they’re better off moving on? Getting a haul, adding a piece like Young and opening up a quarterback competition. After all, having a mediocre veteran take on a rookie in camp produced Russell Wilson in 2012. Maybe he thinks he can do that again? And with the saved money, load up the roster?

There’s only one slight problem. There’s no Wilson in this draft.

The excitement and fervour will build over the coming weeks. There will be endless talk of Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson being moved. Yet it simply doesn’t make sense for either the Packers or Seahawks to trade their quarterbacks unless the players actively say ‘trade me’.

If Rodgers and Wilson do that, I don’t think you can just ignore it and hope it goes away. You can’t live in that world where the most important player on your team is saying they want out.

You can try. The Packers to some extent pulled it off last year, by ceding a lot of ground to Rodgers and listening to his concerns, then acting upon them and winning a lot of games. This can’t be an annual thing though. The uncertainty can’t be there, or the chatter, every year.

I’d argue, for starters, that unless Wilson’s future is certain by free agency that it will have an impact on the open market. It just will. If the Seahawks are trying to do things ‘their way’ again — how can you recruit players at value in this environment? It doesn’t matter what Carroll says. Players know the deal. Everyone knows Wilson isn’t sold on the direction of this team.

Every free agent should (and probably will) ask — what’s happening with Russ?

I’ll go back to what ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said earlier this week. He says he spoke to two people in the organisation and they would be surprised if Wilson was dealt. He then qualified it by saying, ‘Wilson would have to force the issue and request a trade’. He then mentioned the Seahawks held trade talks in the past, with Cleveland and Chicago, and that a trade was ‘always, sort of, on the table’.

This, to me, is at least someone in the organisation revealing quite a lot. The Seahawks don’t intend to just willingly trade Wilson. But if he actually requested a trade, all bets are off. And I think the person passing on this info perhaps is open-minded to it. Otherwise the only comment would be ‘he’s not going anywhere’ — there wouldn’t be all this stuff about prior talks and him forcing his way out.

Let’s say Wilson did request a trade. By that point you have to consider your options. Clearly they considered them a year ago because they talked to the Bears and Carroll simply rejected the deal.

If Wilson gets to that point — and there’s nothing to indicate currently that he will do — what potentially happens?

From the Washington Commanders’ perspective, it looks as if their ‘Plan A’ is Wilson. We know Denver’s Plan A is Aaron Rodgers. They appointed his offensive coordinator. Mike Klis has reported Rodgers is the target. He also stated Wilson is ‘Plan B’ for the Broncos.

Washington would obviously be interested in Rodgers too but they’re maybe accepting that they’re better off focusing on Wilson and then, perhaps, Derek Carr.

I think Washington’s offer for Wilson — and I think it’ll come — could be obscene. After all, as noted on Tuesday, they asked journalist Mike Silver to write an article for the team website detailing their interest in making a big push for a veteran QB.

Have you ever seen anything like that before?

Imagine the Seahawks asking Peter King to do a piece for Seahawks.com detailing how they want to make a big trade for a great pass rusher. It’d never happen. It has happened in Washington. That’s how up front they’re being about this. They’re paying respected journalists to advertise their ambitions in the trade market.

It appears they’ve equally filled in Albert Breer on their desires, plus Mike Garafolo. All are singing from the same hymn sheet regarding Washington’s intentions.

It wouldn’t surprise me if local Washington DC radio host Kevin Sheehan’s sources, stating Wilson is interested in a trade, are also from within the Commanders’ building. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the root of their confidence in Wilson’s interest ultimately has been provoked by some gentle nudging by a certain Mark Rodgers.

Maybe it’s all from Rodgers? I noticed this tweet yesterday.

‘His team is doing preliminary due diligence on destinations that want him.’

‘Washington could be on new shortlist of teams he’d be willing to waive no-trade clause for this offseason.’

It does feel a little bit like something is driving this. There’s chatter again and I have a hard time believing people like Kevin Sheehan etc are just plucking this out of thin air.

But again — there’s a difference between Wilson being open to a trade, Wilson waiving his no-trade clause, the Commanders being aggressive to make it happen and the Seahawks actually accepting an offer.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Washington threw the house at Seattle for Wilson within the next few weeks. And I won’t be surprised if they make it very clear to the media that they’ve made that offer so their fans know they’re active.

They are losing the PR game in Washington. Countless negative headlines, poor ownership, a toxic culture and a bad on-field product has hammered ticket sales and interest. They need a big move, something to generate excitement. Something to ensure this name change and relaunch isn’t a damp squib.

They need a star quarterback like Wilson who can define the franchise. Be the face of the new era. Turn over a new page.

They’ve tried it before.

In 2012 they spent the following on Robert Griffin III:

2012 — R1
2012 — R2 
2013 — R1
2014 — R1

Would you be surprised if that’s their starting point in talks for Wilson?

An opening gambit could look like this:

2022 — #11 pick 
2022 — #42 pick 
2023 — R1
2024 — R1

It’d be a very good offer, to be fair. It isn’t one that produces Seattle with a pathway to winning in 2022 though. That, ultimately, is the drawback.

So I don’t think it would be accepted.

Washington would have to offer more than picks. Unproven rookies are not the order of the day for a 70-year-old Head Coach who would be forced to scramble around for a quarterback.

He’d need proven players. People he knows can deliver.

So what’s the make-up of a deal? Because this is when the negotiation gets tricky.

Let’s say Washington dangles Chase Young. Do you remove a first rounder from the deal? Has he shown enough in 24 games for that to tempt Seattle, with only nine sacks?

If the Seahawks say the original four picks plus Young, does it become too expensive?

If the Commanders then return with the four picks and Daron Payne — is that attractive to Seattle? Payne is a good not great player. He’s also approaching a contract year. It could be a rental.

Does he elevate your team in the way Young (who has club control for three more years) might?

If you ever wonder why trades of this magnitude rarely happen, this is why.

What is the biting point in negotiations where both teams are satisfied?

How much are Washington prepared to mortgage their future and lose a key player? They would have Wilson and you could argue with Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Montez Sweat and Matt Ioannidis their D-line is still strong. They’d be being Rams-level aggressive though in terms of draft stock and they’d be losing a good player.

I will say this — I’ve seen Commanders fans pitching three firsts and Young as an appropriate deal. So many of the fan base is down with that kind of offer — and that won’t go unnoticed by Washington’s ownership.

At the end of the day, if they trot out another bad quarterback situation next season — they’ve blown it. They’re under severe pressure to land a name. That’s why they’re making their intentions clear. They have to do something.

There are players they can’t include in a deal (Terry McLaurin for example). Can they sacrifice a defensive lineman and cope? Yes, probably.

From the Seahawks perspective I’m sure they’d love to pair Young with Taylor and Dunlap and have a pass rush that can potentially match the Rams and Niners. They’d also probably quite like picks #11 and #42 to go with #41. They could really bolster the roster. They’d have extra funds to retain the players they want to keep, extend D.K. Metcalf and have the wiggle room in free agency to add more.

Yet they’d be losing a franchise quarterback. It feels like a question you simply can’t overcome unless you don’t believe in Russell Wilson any more (and there’s no indication Carroll feels that way, even if John Schneider might be leaning in that direction).

It would make a lot more sense for Seattle if there was an experienced veteran quarterback available at a reasonable price. Think Carson Palmer when he went to Arizona to rebuild his career. Or even Philip Rivers when he spent a year in Indianapolis.

Carroll would probably think they can help him win. Do what he needs to lead the offense.

No such player exists this off-season though.

The likes of Trubisky, Tyrod Taylor, Marcus Mariota and Jacoby Brissett simply don’t inspire that same feeling. It’s not even close.

Minnesota appear to be preparing to rally behind Kirk Cousins. Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t being dealt to a division rival.

Trades for Baker Mayfield or Tyler Huntley don’t cut the mustard either. I’d probably rather take a flier on Kellen Mond.

It’s impossible to project a scenario where the Seahawks move on from Wilson and find a quarterback they can challenge with this year, unless it’s Derek Carr and Las Vegas.

Even if the Seahawks rate some of the quarterbacks in the draft higher than I do (I don’t have anyone higher than R3 currently) — is Carroll honestly fielding a rookie this year? And trying to win? From this class??

I can imagine a collection of fans being excited at the prospect of a Malik Willis-led Seahawks with Chase Young and picks by the boat-load. I’m not Willis’ biggest fan and have discussed why.

Even still, I must admit it would be more intriguing than more of the same in Seattle. At least it’d be something different.

I just don’t trust the way those acquired picks could be spent, given the form of the reset since 2018, or Willis’ ability to function outside of a Greg Roman-style offense.

He could also be over-drafted. There’s a big difference between getting him at #41 or #42 versus needing to take him at #11.

Some would argue it’s futile for Carroll and the Seahawks to reject such a bold Washington offer because they aren’t likely to contend this year anyway — with or without Wilson. It would take a miraculous off-season loaded with key additions, the kind of which the Seahawks haven’t made in nine years.

I sympathise a lot with that argument. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Seahawks should retain Wilson and aggressively build around him. They aren’t good enough to contend in 2022 at the moment — but a good off-season, where they lay it all on the line, can close the gap quickly and eliminate any future drama.

However, if Seattle’s intention, or Carroll’s intention, is to continue doing the same thing they always do — it’ll just mean more squandered seasons and Wilson’s trade value could drop dramatically.

If that happens and Seattle’s post-season futility continues then people will second guess Carroll forever on turning down a massive haul.

This must pray on Wilson’s mind too. Are they going to do the same thing again in free agency? Is he going to waste another year of his career? If he asks for a trade is it kind of now or never?

Meanwhile, you’ve got a full-court press from the Commanders highlighting their O-line, their weapons, their D-line and that they have the cap space to go after players you want. They’ll presumably do whatever it takes to attract their man — a big say in offensive philosophy, input in personnel.

You know, the things Carroll seemingly won’t offer.

The whole situation is an intriguing talking point as we enter the period where talking points are all we have (the gap between the Senior Bowl and combine). I’m sure some people will get sniffy about speculative pieces like this — but why not have the conversation? What else is there to discuss?

And at the end of the day, people are reporting Wilson having some interest in Washington — citing sources. We might as well have the debate.

I still think if a deal is to be done — Las Vegas is the team to monitor. Simply because they were on Wilson’s list of four teams a year ago, they have a quarterback they can trade in Derek Carr and Mark Davis is said to like the idea of Wilson in Vegas.

Washington will make a huge push though. I do believe the tweets suggesting Wilson’s team are doing ‘preliminary due diligence on destinations that want him’. This feels like one great big leaving your options open process.

I just wonder if there’s a deal that turns Carroll’s head. And what it would look like. I remain unconvinced such a deal exists but we’ll see.

As I keep saying — the Seahawks best bet, if they want to contend in 2022, is to aggressively build-up their roster, draft better and build around the quarterback they already own.

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The Seahawks fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr and ‘defensive passing game coordinator’ Andre Curtis on January 18th.

The search to find replacements is still ongoing. Which, I suppose, isn’t a big issue given the NFL coaching cycle has been a lot slower this year.

What we do know is that Clint Hurtt is going to be defensive coordinator, as revealed by the Seattle Times. On the same day, ESPN reported initially that Ed Donatell would be joining the staff in a ‘senior defensive role’.

The Times added that talks were ongoing with Sean Desai, the former Chicago Bears defensive coordinator, to also join in some capacity (presumably Curtis’ old role).

It was a very reasonable approach. Hurtt, Donatell and Desai have a background with Vic Fangio. It made sense for the Seahawks to tap into that coaching tree, given Fangio is arguably the best defensive leader in the business. They were never going to bring him to Seattle to run Pete Carroll’s defense so this was a fair alternative.

Hurtt is well respected in Seattle and would be retained. Donatell could act as a mentor of sorts, while adding his own input. He also has a long-lasting relationship with Carroll. Desai is seen as an up-and-comer who was praised for his work in Chicago (and he’s taken multiple defensive coordinator interviews over the last fortnight).

Now, it appears the plan is falling apart.

Donatell has reportedly emerged as the favourite to be Minnesota’s defensive coordinator. You can’t blame him. He’d get to run a defense for Kevin O’Connell. He’d get to mentor a young Head Coach instead of a young defensive coordinator.

Yet the advantage of having him in Seattle mostly justified the appointment of Hurtt. It was an experienced voice, with a strong history of working with Fangio, coming in to offer input.

If you lose that, what are you left with? Carroll and Hurtt, who were both on the staff last year, merely replacing Ken Norton Jr?

It’s been reported that Karl Scott is set to join Seattle instead as ‘defensive passing game coordinator’. To me, this would be a marked difference between the original combo.

Scott has only one year of experience working in the NFL, coaching defensive backs for Minnesota. That’s it.

His previous experience was all in college. And fair enough, he spent three years coaching DB’s in Alabama. It’s a good gig. Yet we all know Nick Saban has a lot of control over the secondary and it has to be said, the recruiting is so good there — how easy is it to judge a coach for developing Patrick Surtain? The fifth overall player, regardless of position, in the nation when he committed to Alabama?

Ditto Trevon Diggs — who, let’s not forget — went from top-10 pick to round two in the final season of his Alabama career due to a perceived lack of development and some other issues.

Regardless, I can’t say I know anything about Scott. He might be a hotshot coach destined for the top. But the original plan blended youth and experience, a deep connection with the Fangio system and it was easy to understand.

Now, it could be Hurtt, Carroll and Scott. Hurtt had a season with Fangio in Chicago. There’s no ideas coming over from that system, really.

It’s still plausible I suppose that Desai could come to Seattle. It’d be kind of hard to understand why, though. In what role, if defensive coordinator and defensive passing game coordinator are both off the table? And given he’s speaking to multiple teams about being a DC, is it not plausible he could get a better job elsewhere? Perhaps even with Donatell in Minnesota?

It just feels very familiar and consistent with this team.

Carroll has not built a strong staff in years. I do, actually, think his initial flush was good. I think Tom Cable and Darrell Bevell, as disliked as they became, were good for the Seahawks. Bringing back Dan Quinn worked. The support staff was good, with people like Kris Richard and Ken Norton Jr earning promotions either in Seattle or elsewhere.

What have we had since though? The reset coincided with major changes that underwhelmed and under-delivered. Both coordinators appointed in 2018 have since been fired. We’ve seen the return of Carl ‘Tater’ Smith. One of Carroll’s sons remains on the staff. There’s a ‘jobs for the boys’ feel around Seattle.

The jury’s out on Shane Waldron — who was not ‘hand picked’ by Russell Wilson as some like to make out. Rather, he was the one on the list of candidates selected by Carroll that Wilson was most interested in. It wasn’t a strong list.

Now, we have this ongoing situation.

It feels like Carroll’s control is a problem. To be a coordinator on either side of the ball, you have to do what Carroll wants. And with respect, I’m not sure recent history makes that an appealing option.

They can’t offer an up-and-coming offensive mind a chance to run an offense and then grab a Head Coaching gig. Any defensive-minded coach has to run the Carroll defense.

It’s restrictive — and it hasn’t been a pathway to promotion since the Super Bowl years which are nearly a decade ago now.

Look at other teams. The Giants just brought in Brian Daboll to revolutionise their offense. He’s quite content to get a proven, quality DC to run his defense in Wink Martindale. That arrangement would never happen on Carroll’s watch.

It could be that the same people who cooked up the ‘Bear front’ plan, had defensive ends dropping in coverage and didn’t have the first clue on how to maximise the haul spent on Jamal Adams are now going to be putting together the next plan.

That is not inspiring and speaks to a franchise that continues to muddle along, acting — as I’ve said before — as a vanity project for Carroll.

The Seahawks currently feel like they are mostly here for Carroll’s benefit — to end his career doing things his way, rather than plotting a proper pathway towards success. The place has a stale feel, like it isn’t really going anywhere — with no real accountability from the top and a fan-base offering very little pressure externally.

It might actually be best for Seattle to see what they can get for Russell Wilson from a team like Washington and embrace a bigger rebuild. I don’t agree but some would make that case. It’ll never be considered though because Carroll, aged 70, needs to win now. So he’s going to do what’s best for him.

They need to make some bold moves in free agency and therefore take some difficult decisions on who to keep (Bobby Wagner?) or retain. Carroll insists they’re close and that most of their cap space will be taken up ‘keeping the band together’. Yet this roster does not feel remotely close to contending, despite Carroll’s claims that they are.

You could make a big case that Seattle would be best served going all-in to get the best coordinators and staff money can buy with Carroll becoming more of a figure-head leader. No chance though. Because Carroll has to be in control of everything.

It would probably be better for Seattle, having invested so much in Wilson, to actually create an environment where he’s involved in personnel and philosophy. Joe Burrow was only talking last week about the way he’s afforded a lot of input. We all know Mahomes gets the same treatment. Wilson, seemingly, does not — because Carroll’s in charge and he doesn’t want that.

This franchise might as well be called the ‘Seattle Carroll’s’.

As we saw this off-season, it took two wins against a Detroit Lions team (fielding their backup quarterback) and a slumping Arizona (which finished the season on a 1-5 run, including a humbling and emphatic loss to the aforementioned Lions) to move on from any talk of big changes being needed. That week-16 loss to Chicago (with their third string QB starting) and a losing record are a distant memory.

The outcome of the end-of-season meeting, which many have rushed to say was run-of-the-mill, was the Norton firing.

A scapegoat, perhaps? K.J. Wright certainly thought so.

And now the attempt to replace him is like a Wilson scramble on third down. This way, that way, errrr — hope for the best.

There’s still time for this team to put things right. They could even do what they should’ve done all along and just ask Fangio to sign a blank cheque and come in to run his system. Or they could just make Donatell the DC after all and work out a compromise with Hurtt.

I’ve been critical in this article but I’ll be the first to hold my hands up if they pull off a great plan after all.

Yet the early signs of this defensive staff search are a continuing trend of a franchise that is all at sea. A bit of a mess. That’s not a good sign ahead of a crucial free agency period where expectations are this team will do things differently (and better) than in the past, while also managing further potential drama surrounding the future of the quarterback.

If you missed my 5000-word review of the Russell Wilson situation yesterday, check it out here.

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I wanted to write a ‘lay of the land’ piece given all of the coaching hires are now complete and we have a clearer picture of the NFL landscape.

Why is Russell Wilson so quiet?

We’ve not had any ‘Dan Patrick’ moments and nothing has been reported since Ian Rapoport’s article about Wilson’s future (which has since been disputed by people connected to Wilson).

There wasn’t anything to be gained by speaking out before the coaching hires were finalised. Now that they are, I’m not sure the situation has really changed.

Potential suitors do exist but with varying degrees of appeal.

Plus, Wilson has made it clear his preference is to stay in Seattle — but it’s equally clear he wants to see a different approach towards building and fielding a contender. It would serve him well to at least bide some time and get a feel for what Seattle’s plans are in free agency. So the timing isn’t right to say or do anything.

The chances are he’d just create a media storm, potentially damage relationships in the Seahawks locker room and it might not lead to anything other than unrest.

Thus, everyone just has to play a waiting game for now.

Who are the potential suitors?

I was surprised to see how defiant the Giants have been about Daniel Jones. Plenty of teams like a smokescreen — see Arizona and Josh Rosen (before drafting Kyler Murray) or Chicago and Mike Glennon (before drafting Mitchell Trubisky). This feels genuine though — that Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are ready to give Jones another chance to make it work.

I would’ve had the Giants pegged as suitor #1 on any list due to their draft stock and desperate need to generate some positive PR. It seems, instead, that they’re prepared to let the GM and Head Coach control the situation. They appear keen to build through the draft and see if Daboll can do to Jones what he did to Josh Allen.

The Saints are currently not as attractive following Sean Payton’s departure. From last years list — the Bears are out of the picture, the Cowboys re-signed Dak Prescott and it only leaves the Raiders.

There are other options.

Denver are going to be incredibly aggressive this off-season. The appointment of Nathaniel Hackett could be appealing to a quarterback like Wilson, given the working relationship (and success) he had with Aaron Rodgers. The Broncos have a good roster. Yet it’s pretty clear, with the addition of Hackett, that Rodgers is their top target.

The Washington Commanders (first time I’ve written it) are making a lot of noise about being in the market for a veteran quarterback.

Firstly, they literally had Mike Silver write an article for the official team website. Here’s a section of what he wrote:

As (Ron) Rivera trudges forward following a disappointing, 7-10 season and looks to 2022, his overriding goal is clarity. Sometime in the next several months, he expects to address the most important position on his football team in a definitive and inspired manner, giving Washington’s fans — and the men in his locker room — a reason to get excited.

There are many, many potential targets, some of which I’m told it would be better not to mention by name, lest the people in charge of the teams for which they are currently under contract take umbrage and unleash the NFL’s tampering police. So no, I won’t be specifically citing any accomplished quarterbacks who may or may not be married to a famous singer, engaged to a famous actress or infamously shelved by a slew of civil lawsuits. Nor will I explicitly ponder the possibility that if a coaching change happens in a city celebrated for its nightlife a certain QB may not stay in said city — as I did in a recent column for another website.

Rivera and Silver have a long-lasting relationship dating back to their youth. It appears Silver has been invited to write this piece, for the team, to make it clear that they intend to target one of Russell Wilson (who is mentioned first), Aaron Rodgers, DeShaun Watson or Derek Carr.

That’s not usual. It speaks to Washington’s determination to address the quarterback position and they’re letting everyone know about their intentions.

Albert Breer also wrote an article for SI.com on the same theme:

The Washington Football Team is preparing to take a big swing at a quarterback this offseason, per team sources. The team has just one quarterback, veteran Taylor Heinicke, under contract for next year, more than $40 million of cap space to work with and the 11th pick in the draft to potentially dangle in a trade.

As to the effort to find its next franchise quarterback, with big names like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson potentially out there, Washington feels like it has plenty to pitch such a veteran. While Brandon Scherff’s free agency looms (it’ll be open-minded approaching a new contract), WFT had the NFL’s sixth-ranked offensive line per PFF last year, and its depth was proven through significant absences that led to the coaches going to their fourth center, fourth tackle, and fourth and fifth guards.

Washington also has a 1,000-yard receiver (Terry McLaurin), a 1,000-yard rusher (Antonio Gibson) and other weapons on the offensive side of the ball, like Logan Thomas and Curtis Samuel, returning from injury. And the defense has a good foundation in its still-young defensive line, particularly with Chase Young coming back from ACL surgery.

Then, there’s the intangible factors—getting to live in the D.C. area and being on the front end of a team rebrand that’ll be unveiled Wednesday. And the fact that the cap flexibility would give a quarterback a shot to bring a piece or two with him.

This is a sales pitch. It’s also, presumably, the sales pitch Washington will make (officially or unofficially) to the aforementioned quarterbacks when the time comes.

The team that once spent a fortune on Albert Haynesworth, used three picks on RGIII and acquired Donovan McNabb at great expense are preparing to make another big splash. They missed out on Matt Stafford a year ago. This is a desperate franchise in need of a PR shot in the arm. They need this relaunch, with a new name, to generate excitement. They know they can only do that by landing a big name QB. They will likely be prepared to spend a fortune to try and make it happen.

According to this radio host at least, there could be some mutual interest between the Commanders and Wilson.

The Steelers should be involved in trade talks but it remains to be seen how aggressive they’ll be. The Colts are seemingly not content with Carson Wentz’s performances but they’ve already used their 2022 first round pick on him. The Panthers desperately need a solution but feel unattractive. The Eagles are a wildcard.

Most of these teams have a problem. They either don’t have the draft stock to make an obscene offer and/or they can’t offer a viable replacement quarterback to the Seahawks. Thus, it makes a potential deal — however motivated certain teams might be to reach an agreement — especially challenging.

Is Wilson’s happy and content?

Probably not, no — and if you’re willing to look at this with an open-mind, nothing has changed from a year ago. The Seahawks have the status quo running operations and Wilson clearly still has reservations about Pete Carroll, John Schneider and Matt Thomas’ ability to put together a contender with their personnel decisions and football philosophy.

As we’ve discussed many times before — Wilson’s preference is quite clearly to stay in Seattle but he wants the organisation to make the necessary moves to be a genuine contender. The crux of Wilson’s dissatisfaction is purely down to that — the personnel and philosophy decisions being made have consistently not elevated this team, leading to squandered seasons. The results, one playoff win in half a decade, speak to that. Yet no changes were made to the top-table in Seattle this off-season.

It’s completely naive, however, to think that just because Wilson has issues that he can just march into the front office and make demands about his future. I think all of the decision makers will be very aware of how Wilson feels at this point. I suspect Wilson is also very realistic about this situation. The Seahawks won’t trade him without a clear pathway to finding a replacement. Thus, everyone is left in this slightly awkward holding pattern.

That is why we’ve had weeks of Wilson, when asked, saying he’s ‘hopeful’ of staying in Seattle, rather than making any firm commitment. It’s a way to answer a question and dodge a question at the same time. At the Pro-Bowl last week, Wilson again made reference to being ‘hopeful’ of staying. There’s no reason to use this language unless you’re keeping your options open — which clearly Wilson is.

A really positive, aggressive free agency is what is needed to get everyone pulling in the same direction. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.

We know the Seahawks have their ‘way’ of operating. They avoid the first wave of free agency and then try to find value in the second and third waves. They aim to ‘recruit’ players to come and play in Seattle without necessarily spending big money. This approach hasn’t worked for years and they’ve been left signing bad players and journeymen for too long.

You’d think a team willing to be so aggressive to trade what they did for Jamal Adams would also throw caution to the wind on the open market — especially given their total lack of recent post-season success. Perhaps a losing season will edge them towards a different approach? We can only hope — but it’s time to try something new. For the sake of the team and for the opportunity to build bridges with the quarterback.

Could trade talks still kick into gear?

Absolutely, yes.

Firstly, the NFL is a copycat league. If the Rams win the Super Bowl (although their mere presence in the game is probably enough) — teams will try to emulate them. LA saw they had a good roster but were lacking at quarterback. They made a very aggressive, expensive trade for Matt Stafford and the results speak for themselves.

Other teams will feel they can do the same thing.

Clearly Denver has that mindset. As we’ve heard from Mike Klis — Aaron Rodgers is Plan A and Russell Wilson is Plan B for the Broncos.

A dearth of options in the draft also plays into this. Teams can’t see a Joe Burrow available at the top of round one. If they want to find a solution at quarterback, the trade market is the way to go.

Of the big name quarterbacks in the draft, all but Matt Corral attended the Senior Bowl. It was not an attractive showing and it’s hard to imagine teams left Mobile feeling confident about the early round options.

When I read this article by ESPN discussing trades for Rodgers, Wilson and others — I had a bit of a chuckle. It’s clear some members of the media aren’t on top of the landscape of the NFL currently.

A bad QB draft class, plus the Rams’ success, is going to drive the veteran market to new heights. I think teams are going to be prepared to spend a lot on quarterbacks. Teams like the Seahawks and Packers are going to have a decision to make.

It’s entirely possible both Seattle and Green Bay receive fantastic offers and still say ‘no’. There’s no reason for the Packers to do anything other than everything it takes to make Rodgers happy. For the Seahawks — they would need a viable pathway to a replacement or they’d just end up in the same position as all the teams scrambling around for a solution this off-season.

I think Seattle’s situation is slightly different because it’s been reported multiple times that John Schneider is open-minded to a trade. We don’t know what conversations he, Carroll and Jody Allen had recently. For all the talk of Wilson’s legitimate (and in my opinion, justified) dissatisfaction — it’s possible Carroll and Schneider are not as opposed to a trade as some believe. If the right offer came along.

I suspect it’s unlikely because the media members who appear to be close to Carroll, and have been prepared to argue from his perspective over the last 12 months, are all saying the same thing — ‘no trade’.

Carroll appears to think the Seahawks are closer to contention than they actually are and making a significant change at quarterback is probably unfathomable in his eyes. But the extreme short-term nature of his planning, combined with his absolute belief in his own personal philosophy, is arguably opposed to the long term needs of the franchise and of Wilson himself.

As Albert Breer pointed out to Rich Eisen on Friday — Seattle doesn’t have a roster capable of contending. Carroll, and many fans, have seemingly had their heads turned by wins against a hapless Detroit Lions team (fielding their backup quarterback) and a slumping Arizona (which finished the season on a 1-5 run, including a humbling and emphatic loss to the aforementioned Lions).

It’s as if Seattle’s embarrassing loss in week 16 at home to Chicago — who were starting their third string quarterback — never happened.

The Seahawks need a major re-think and Breer suggests what a lot of people would argue — it might be best to let Wilson pursue his lofty career goals elsewhere, grab a haul and embrace a reset in Seattle. Yet what is best for the team and their QB possibly opposes what is best for a 70-year-old Head Coach who sees the end of his career on the horizon.

Unless, of course, he’s willing to be more aggressive in the veteran market.

The franchise, to an extent, currently serves as a vanity project for Carroll. He wants to end his long career doing things his way — and because time is of the essence, certain things are being viewed through a short-term prism (the squandering of picks on Jamal Adams, the determination to keep Wilson). In other instances though, Seattle is passive (their entire approach to free agency).

It’s quite a weird mix of extremes.

In a way it doesn’t matter whether the roster is close or not — the truth is Carroll needs it to be close, so he might as well try and talk it into reality. Yet this feels like the kind of hubris which has led the Seahawks to think they were Jamal Adams away from being a top contender, or that they can simply add a collection of depth pieces in the veteran market and turn water into wine, or that it doesn’t matter who your center is, or that Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa are ‘fixing your pass rush’.

That’s not to say other teams don’t make similar head-scratching decisions. The Niners trading what they did for Trey Lance remains absolutely staggering. You could argue the Chiefs, like the Seahawks before them, haven’t made the most of an opportunity to win multiple Championship’s when they had a capable roster. The Packers’ decision to draft Jordan Love was crazy because it not only pissed off Aaron Rodgers but Love, actually, isn’t very good.

This is a league brimming with dumb decisions and bad execution — highlighting how difficult it is to bring everything together.

That doesn’t justify the decision making in Seattle though — and a change in tactics is needed if this team is going to make the necessary moves in free agency to elevate its chances in 2022.

There is something to remember though — there was talk of Schneider gaining more control before the infamous ‘meeting’ with Jody Allen. For all the loyal media soldiers reporting that the meeting was ‘run-of-the-mill’ — it clearly wasn’t. There were consequences (Ken Norton Jr firing) and certain parties were clearly talking to the big players in the media, speculating what the outcome could be — so there was at least some unknown about the nature of those talks.

It’s hard to imagine Carroll ceding complete control — especially over a decision as big as trading Wilson — but we simply don’t know what was agreed or ordered at that meeting. Breer suggested to Eisen that Allen prefers to keep Wilson, so that could ultimately be all Carroll needs to hear to press on. He should be prepared to be more aggressive this off-season, though, to take a step forward. There’s no point holding on to Wilson if you’re not going to do that.

So yes — the Seahawks refusing all trades might be the most likely outcome at this stage. The truth is though, we just don’t know. Only a very small number of people at the top of Seattle’s food-chain know what they’re planning.

Jay Glazer said he expected the Seahawks to look different in 2022. I doubt he was talking purely about the shuffling of deckchairs that has been the defensive coordinator search.

What would a trade look like?

Three first round picks is a realistic and fair starting point in negotiations if/when they begin. The Seahawks probably wouldn’t answer the phone for anything less — and teams will be willing to pay that and more, in my opinion, to solve a crisis at quarterback.

Let’s put it this way — I think the 49ers have every chance of getting a first round pick, or a decent second rounder, for Jimmy Garoppolo. That’s how desperate teams are. His run to the NFC Championship game, even if it ended in another blown lead and a defeat, will have teams like Denver and Washington believing he’s a viable option if they can’t get to Rodgers or Wilson.

I think teams will bludgeon the Packers with offers for Rodgers and if he signs a new contract, they’ll turn their attentions quickly to Wilson. If the Seahawks say no too (and if they do, they should be prepared to extend Wilson’s contract to end any further speculation) then I think the Niners will be rubbing their hands together at the prospect of a Garoppolo trade. They’ll probably get a terrific offer.

Denver are very much the team to watch in all of this, followed by Washington and Las Vegas. The Broncos are going to be highly aggressive. That’s no secret.

Washington, as mentioned, are making it clear they want a veteran, star quarterback through the media. Their fans want it too — I recently listened to a podcast where one person said he would trade Chase Young and three firsts for Russell Wilson. Looking on the forums — there’s anticipation of a ‘monster’ (their words) offer being made for a veteran quarterback this off-season.

The problem is — even if the Commanders offered three first round picks, Chase Young and maybe even some extra draft stock. Who’s Seattle’s quarterback next year?

How far is Washington willing to go to tempt Seattle and what is the tipping point for the Seahawks where they consider accepting an offer? It’s very difficult to imagine a deal that suits both parties, meaning they might end up settling on Jimmy Garoppolo.

Then there’s the Raiders. Mark Davis was said to be keen on the thought of a ‘rock star’ Head Coach and a ‘rock star’ quarterback. You could argue Josh McDaniels is that coach. What now at quarterback?

Davis isn’t sold on Carr, per reports. There’s been chatter that part of McDaniels’ motivation for departing New England is that while he liked Mac Jones, he isn’t convinced he’s a Super Bowl winning quarterback. Would McDaniels prefer to shoot for a top QB? Especially now he’s living in a division with Mahomes and Justin Herbert, plus whoever Denver brings in? Or does he believe in Carr, who’s been allowed to run his contract down into a final year?

McDaniels is a funny one to project. This is a man who has benefitted for years by working with Tom Brady. He has seen greatness. But he’s also a man who chose to spend a first round pick on Tim Tebow to be his quarterback in Denver.

The Raiders link is the one that still stands out more than the others, because they have a replacement quarterback to offer Seattle. Or, alternatively, they could trade Carr to a Washington or Carolina or Pittsburgh — acquiring more stock to use in a Wilson trade.

Davis is said to be keen on Wilson — and Wilson listed Las Vegas as a destination he would go to a year ago. They have an offensive minded Head Coach. This feels like the team to watch, if there’s any potential of a deal being struck.

Is there any way Seattle would make a deal?

I would predict not. However, their position is being reported in an interesting way.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler appears to be well connected to Seattle. He says he spoke to two people in the organisation recently and they would be surprised if Wilson was dealt. Yet, not for the first time, he qualified it by saying, ‘Wilson would have to force the issue and request a trade’. He then mentioned the Seahawks have held trade talks in the past, with Cleveland and Chicago, and that a trade was ‘always, sort of, on the table’.

It all seems like a jumble of contradictions. You have Wilson keeping his options open every time he speaks about his future ‘hopefully’ being in Seattle. Meanwhile the team are saying ‘no deal’… unless, of course, he requests a trade. And by the way, they’ve had trade talks in the past. But, you know, the relationship’s in a great place.

It feels like a bad soap opera, or perhaps a staring contest. The Seahawks need to sort this out, one way or another, not just allow this to fester as they appear inclined to do.

Is there any way Carroll is open to a deal?

Personally I think no. It would take him getting a replacement quarterback he loves and believes in. I simply don’t think any player of that description is going to come along, so Wilson will remain. He won’t acquire a QB anywhere near as talented as Wilson.

Sometimes I wonder if Carroll might think he can acquire a quarterback who can run ‘his’ offense. Such is his unwavering confidence in his way of doing things, it wouldn’t surprise me. I’m just not buying it in this instance.

Carroll spoke, rightly, about Seattle’s issues on third down last season. I think he believes Wilson can deliver better results there. I also think it was enough of an issue that it warrants a broader conversation.

Seeing the Niners go on a run like they did because they could run the ball and convert third downs could embolden Carroll. Some would argue he should be prepared to make that call but won’t because he’s too loyal to Wilson.

Garoppolo, for example, ranked sixth in the NFL for converted first downs by passing on third down. The players in front of him on the list were Matt Stafford, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa.

Wilson, on the other hand, ranked 19th in this area.

Again — I think Carroll believes Wilson can do better and improve that side of his game. I also think the finger injury has to be considered whenever analysing Wilson’s 2021 season.

Carroll also knows he can rely on Wilson to throw beautiful passes downfield — something his offense truly values.

The end to the season, when Seattle was also running a lot better, will also presumably give Carroll confidence that they have an in-house solution to this third-down problem.

Yet given the fact Carroll highlighted this as much as he did during the season — and given Wilson has historically not been a great third down passer — he would be doing himself a disservice not to at least have a conversation with Schneider about how to fix this.

Clearly Seattle isn’t trading for Garoppolo. The Niners and Seahawks are not going to come together to make a deal.

As discussed recently, they might have some interest in Kirk Cousins. Or more specifically, Carroll might have interest. There’s also the prospect of the Raiders offering Carr in a trade offer.

However — this is where it gets interesting. Wilson ranked 19th on third down conversions through the air in 2021. Carr ranked 18th, only marginally better, and Cousins ranked 17th. So the three players are clumped together in the same range. Yet Wilson is a far more talented, dynamic and statistically impressive passer. So is there any real benefit to trading Wilson to go with either of these two alternatives? The answer, on this evidence, is no.

As I’ve said — I think Carroll believes in Wilson sufficiently to not have his head turned, regardless of the offers that will come in. And thus — despite the potentially lucrative offers that will eventually be posted — I’d expect him to hold tight. Then it’s up to Wilson to assess the situation — but that likely can’t be done until after he sees what the Seahawks do in free agency.

My suggestion would be to involve Wilson in the planning process to just make absolutely sure everyone is working together. After all, Joe Burrow admitted this week he is asked for input on draft picks and free agent signings in Cincinnati. He mentioned how he appreciated that — and that he’d seen other quarterbacks frustrated because they don’t have that same sway. Mahomes likewise is consulted by the Chiefs.

There’s no reason not to include your $35m investment at the heart of this process. The Seahawks should put that right immediately.

What about the draft class?

There’s no reason to believe the Seahawks see an alternative quarterback solution in the rookie class. Schneider has often looked for players with plus arm strength and major traits. His only QB pick in the first two days of any draft is Wilson and he reportedly really liked Josh Allen and Mahomes.

Players like Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral, Sam Howell, Desmond Ridder and Carson Strong simply don’t have the big, physical traits or the creativity.

The one player who does is Malik Willis. He is a great improviser, a strong runner and he has a big arm. He is capable of making magic happen and that could appeal. However, his technique is so bad that it will lead to turnovers and the way he reads the field is scary. Watch the tape, not the highlights videos. He looks right at wide-open players downfield, turns down throws and tries to scramble instead. He never takes what a defense gives him. It’s all very one-read and run.

People will mock that he sounds like Russell Wilson. Let’s be clear. Willis’ issues reading the fielding and making quick, accurate decisions are on a totally different level to a quarterback with a career passer rating of 101.8, a 292/87 TD/INT ratio and more wins than any other QB in the first decade of his NFL career.

In the right system, Willis can be dynamic. I think in the Greg Roman offense — which would utilise his running as a major plus — he could be a terror. For a team trying to stay on time, move the chains and improve on third downs he isn’t the answer.

Regardless, it feels like the time has long passed that Carroll would be willing to turn things over to a rookie. Any move he makes at quarterback is going to be with the here and now in focus. After a 7-10 season, and in his 71st year, he probably feels he doesn’t have time for a long reset.

Final thoughts

Ultimately I think Ian Rapoport is absolutely right in his assessment, as voiced on the Pat McAfee show on Friday. Wilson is keeping his options open but the Seahawks, in order to actually make a trade, need a proven alternative at quarterback because Pete Carroll is 71 this year and isn’t starting a big rebuild.

It’s very difficult to envisage what Carroll would see as a viable alternative. Thus, I think he will do what he’s been threatening to do — run it back and try and prove that his team is closer than a lot of people think.

Wilson will continue to couch his language when he speaks because he is not convinced the Seahawks will do what it takes to contend again — yet there’s not a lot he can do if the team is unprepared to trade him. His concern about potentially wasting the second half of his career, though, is legit. So if the Seahawks continue to be passive in free agency there’s still a chance he will speak out and request a trade before the draft.

It comes down to this. Don’t be passive in free agency. Acquire proven talent. Be prepared to play the ‘cap game’ like a lot of other teams. You are operating in a small window here. It makes no sense to go all-in for the Jamal Adams trade and then be conservative in free agency.

The Seahawks can be good again in 2022 but they have to be prepared to do things they haven’t done before when the new league year opens.

They need to make some key signings at the start of free agency.

Over to you, Carroll and Schneider.

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Here is my first ‘horizontal’ draft board for the 2022 class.

This is based on tape study and the Senior Bowl. I will continue to adjust the board right through until the end of April — with the combine, pro-days and subsequent medical reports impacting any changes.

I have highlighted a collection of ‘gold’ players I wanted to talk about in this article. These are currently prospects I would be prepared to shout about in a draft room. That’s not to say I don’t rate none-highlighted players very highly. For example, I have graded some players a lot higher than the consensus.

As with the overall grades, these ‘gold’ players might change after the combine etc.

Click on the image to expand the board:

Well over 150 players are included on the board. Players who are absent I either see as UDFA prospects or I simply haven’t had a chance to study yet. Players in red have existing injuries or known character flags. Testing will have a big impact on future changes. For example, poor testing in the short shuttle and three cone is a no-no at tight end. I agree with Seattle’s approach of receivers needing to be sudden, with 4.4 speed a must. Explosive testing will impact the O-line board. You’re looking for special athletes on the D-line. There will be significant changes after the combine.

Highlighted players

Abraham Lucas (T, Washington State)
The prototype NFL tackle prospect. Lucas has a very athletic, long frame with the necessary agility (4.30 short shuttle at SPARQ) to handle the speed rush off the edge. His drop is very good, enabling him to gain position and then use his length to play inside/out. When he connects he usually wins and he has a powerful base to drop the anchor and stone pass rushers. He can get stronger but that will come in time when he gets into a pro-weight training programme. He played right tackle at Washington State but he looks like he could easily shift over to the left. For me, he’s a top-15 pick and a very exciting player within this class.

Dameon Pierce (RB, Florida)
A player who is capable of providing an emotional presence to the locker room, who can impact team mates with his passion for the game and running style. Pierce is a bulldog of a competitor — capable of breaking through contact and finishing runs to demoralise opponents and lift his own sideline. He is extremely explosive (37 inch vertical) and quick (4.50 forty) with ideal size (220lbs) and he’s willing to put a helmet on a pass rusher in pass-pro. He might not have the upside of an Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook or Derrick Henry but he could easily be a Javonte Williams and is worthy of a second round grade.

Tyrion Davis-Price (RB, LSU)
Like Pierce at Florida, it’s surprising that LSU didn’t ride TDP more than they did. He is a big, bruising, explosive back with plus size (6-1, 225lbs) and surprisingly quick feet. He ran a 4.53 at 227lbs at SPARQ and added a 4.40 short shuttle. He can bulldoze through tackles for yards after contact but watch how he avoids second-level defenders with subtle footwork and great agility. He’s flying way under the radar and has a chance to be an impact player in the NFL. Third round grade that could rise based on his combine performance.

Greg Dulcich (TE, UCLA)
Dulcich has a complete profile for a tight end. He can burst down the seam and extend his arms to make difficult catches. He competes for the ball. He can run shorter routes and create separation with a great release and he’ll be a major threat when asked to run a wheel route. You can use him on TE screens. There are plays on tape where he’s broken off long, rampaging runs for YAC. Adding to it all is a complete willingness to block both in the passing and running game. He has fantastic size — 6-3, 248lbs with 34 inch arms and 10 inch hands. I would expect a strong testing performance at the combine. He could be the top TE in a deep draft class at the position. Second round.

Cole Strange (C, Chattanooga)
This is a decidedly poor class at center with only really Taylor Linderbaum warranting a draftable grade. For that reason, I feel obliged to bang the table for Cole Strange. He was challenged to kick inside to center and acquitted himself well at the Senior Bowl. He had some ugly reps, let’s be clear about that. But he also had his fair share of big wins and there were positive signs to take away from Mobile. For starters, he has the ideal frame for a center. He’s 6-4 1/2, 304lbs and he has 33 1/8 inch arms. He sits in his base comfortably, does a good job anchoring with a strong back and his footwork coordinates well with his hands. I would be very intrigued to see what he can do with pro-coaching and a permanent switch to center. Explosive testing will be important at the combine. I’ve given him a third round grade based on potential and would very much want to take a chance on him.

Zach Tom (C, Wake Forest)
I’m listing Tom as a center and accept this is a projection. He played left tackle for Wake Forest but he simply doesn’t have the size to stick at that position (6-4, 297lbs, 33 2/8 inch arms). However, Wake Forest believe he can play any spot on the line and it’s testament to his talent that he’s ended up at left tackle. I couldn’t have been more impressed watching him play outside. His footwork and hand use is good, he locks on to blocks and finishes. His agility and sets are good. He’s a little bit lean in the bottom half but his anchor still seems a strong point. He knows how to turn defenders to create running lanes. There’s an absolute ton to work with here. His frame is much more suited to moving inside and he could be a terrific project at center. His body fits the position and he has 10 1/8 inch hands. This is a horrible center class so we’re having to look for options. Tom has a ton of upside. I’d even be willing to give him a go at left tackle. His tape was that good. Third round grade pre-testing.

Jermaine Johnson (DE, Florida State)
I don’t really need to explain this one. Johnson rocked up at the Senior Bowl and proved he is the complete pass rusher. He has a great repertoire of moves. He can win with speed, power, he engages and disengages with ease, he has deadly agility and quickness and can both set the edge in the running game and attack offensive tackles with a classic speed rush. He has 34.5 inch arms and at 6-4 and 260lbs — he has better size than a lot of the other edge rushers in this class. Johnson is a potential top-10 pick based on what he showed in Mobile.

Boye Mafe (DE, Minnesota)
There’s just a natural fluidity to the way he rushes the passer which I’ll take any day as a starting point. He’s as smooth as silk when he attacks the edge with a speed rush. He’s incredibly quick off the snap and challenges tackles before they’re comfortably in their set. He makes it look easy — when it’s anything but. The way he clears the corner and accelerates to the quarterback carries a ‘wow’ factor. When he needs to engage and play with hands and power — he can do that too. In several 1v1’s and in the Senior Bowl game he brushed off attempted blocks by simply being faster and stronger. On tape you can see him drive into an opponents chest and walk them backwards. It’s said he can jump a 40.5 inch vertical and a 10-6 broad, plus run in the 4.5’s. You’re looking at a player who can probably effectively rush in a rotation as a rookie and then develop and grow his role over time. It won’t be a surprise if, within 2-3 years, he’s one of the more feared pass rushers in the NFL. There’s a bit more of a projection here compared to, say, Jermaine Johnson — but I think you could justify taking Mafe in the first round. If he’s there in the early second, he should be a serious option for the Seahawks.

Jordan Davis (DT, Georgia)
It’s easy to forget that last summer, the national media considered Davis a mid-round, bog-standard nose tackle. For some reason they were completely blind to what Davis was — the most athletic big-man to enter the league since Vita Vea. Now, I think Davis and Vea are different players. I saw Vea live and I’ve never seen a player with his size run around in space like he did. It was super-human. Davis’ change of direction skills are what you’d expect from a 6-6, 340lbs defensive tackle. That’s the difference — Vea is far superior here. That said, Davis has remarkable quickness for his size to shoot gaps and get into the backfield. He surprises blockers with his quickness and how he combines his brute force with niftiness to break through gaps. He’ll be able to hold the point and make life easier for your linebackers. He’ll remove lanes in the running game. Yet he’s also a plus straight-line runner — and his motor runs hot enough that he’ll even chase ball-carriers down given half a chance. For me you have to take him in the top-20. Expect an amazing combine.

Devonte Wyatt (DT, Georgia)
Simply put, Wyatt is a freakish athlete who has flown under the radar for too long. His superb outing at the Senior Bowl has finally garnered some attention but the reality is he’s been a first round talent for months. There simply aren’t many players with his combination of explosive power and quickness at 6-3 and 307lbs. He will legitimately run a 4.8 at the combine and the only question seems to be whether he can crack the 4.7’s. He’s already jumped a 31-inch vertical and a 9-3 broad — so we know he’s explosive. In Mobile you could see the way he used his hands to jolt, disrupt and disengage and once he creates any kind of separation, the speed kicks in and he can finish. He can play any down and distance and he has a shot to be a rare thing in the modern NFL — a pass-rushing, any-down defensive tackle. First round.

Quay Walker (LB, Georgia)
If you want an attacking linebacker who can burst into the backfield and make plays within an aggressive front seven, Walker is your man. While team mate Nakobe Dean is better off playing in space off the edge and Channing Tindall is at home acting as a run-and-hit dynamo from the middle — Walker has a versatility and range that means he can play pretty much anywhere. He can rush off the edge, he can blitz, he can drop and cover, he can close quickly and hit. He’s bigger than Tindall and Dean too and will have broader appeal to teams given he can fit into all schemes. If he tests as well as expected at the combine he will be a top-40 pick.

Channing Tindall (LB, Georgia)
Tindall is everything you want to see in a linebacker. He’s decisive but still reads the game very well. His closing speed is incredible — he flies to the ball-carrier from 0-60 in no time at all. He spots the little quick passes and screens and goes flat-out to make a stop. He’s brilliant at racing to the sideline on anything to the outside. He’s very prepared to race up to the LOS and put a helmet in a gap. People won’t like this — but he plays the game with the kind of destructive abandon that Bobby Wagner no longer possesses. There is zero hesitation to his game. During the Senior Bowl game he flashed his range, tenacity and desire on a special teams tackle where he flew from one side of the field to the other to make a big stop. Tindall jumped a 40-inch vertical at SPARQ and ran a 4.19 short shuttle. He’s comfortably a top-50 prospect for me.

Kerby Joseph (S, Illinois)
I was incredibly impressed by Joseph’s range at safety, despite his longer, leaner frame. From a single-high position he can sprint to the sideline to break up passes. His read/recognition is good at free safety and he can easily handle slot duties and play tight coverage. His arm length (33 1/4 inches) is a difference maker as he leaps and reaches out to break up passes. He had five interceptions in 2021 — among the national leaders. During the Senior Bowl they lined him up in the box and had him cover tight ends — with one memorable break-up of a pass for Trey McBride. I like his personality and measured approach. He’s the type of versatile defensive back you need in the modern game. Second round with room to go even higher with a good combine. A very impressive prospect.

Montaric Brown (CB, Arkansas)
I watched a fair bit of Arkansas at the start of the 2021 season and Brown stood out in a big way. He has a long, lean frame and looks like a Seahawks cornerback. He’s highly competitive for the ball in the air, tracks it well and generally does a good job gaining position in order to make a play on the ball. He had five interceptions in 2021 and for me is one of the most underrated players in the draft. I would bang the table for him in round three and if he’s available any later — take him, develop him and he could compete to start very quickly.

Cam Taylor-Britt (CB, Nebraska)
I love CTB’s attitude and physicality. He is a sledgehammer of a tackler at corner. I expected him to be slightly bigger than the 5-10, 200lbs listed at the Senior Bowl. He does have more-or-less 32-inch arms though and for me, he’s your best bet to add a ‘Brandon Browner’ type aggressive corner to your roster in this draft. He punishes ball-carriers and loves a hit. He can cover and make plays on the ball too — but you’re drafting him for his intensity. CTB broke up 11 passes in 2021 but only had the one interception (he had six in total for Nebraska in three seasons). I just want to get him in the building and have someone willing to put a bit of fear into the opponent again. Third round.

Honourable mentions

I think Perrion Winfrey is exactly the type of player Seattle lacks. An interior force with great athleticism, size and an X-factor. He plays with passion and emotion — he looks like the kind of guy who wants to go to war in the trenches. He was terrific at the Senior Bowl but his play is just so bloody inconsistent on tape, I can’t make him a gold player. A second round grade will have to do for now.

Regulars will know I’m a big fan of Trevor Penning and Bernhard Raimann. I think at the Senior Bowl both players showed positives but also a lack of technical refinement at times. They will need some development work at the next level and that just tempers my willingness to put them in the round one bracket for now. That said, I think both will test well enough at the combine to ultimately end up in the first frame.

Jake Ferguson has been a blog favourite for years and the fact he ran a 4.15 short shuttle at SPARQ makes me think he’ll test very well at the combine in the key agility drills and will end up providing excellent value for the team lucky enough to draft him. I think Wisconsin squandered his college career. That said, he’s only 6-4 and 244lbs with shorter 32 1/4 inch arms. At that size, he better test well. I need to see that before being able to put a gold star next to his name.

David Anenih does a great job rounding tackles to create pressure. He has a lot of what you look for — he’s 6-2 and 251lbs with 34.5 inch arms and a nice 83 1/8 inch wingspan. He uses his length well, he’s quick to burst around the edge and he had a productive career at Houston. He can get smothered at times and you want to know he’ll test as well as the Myjai Sanders, Sam Williams, Boye Mafe types. If he does, he’s certainly one to watch.

Sanders warrants a mention. The Seahawks love those long limbed, lean, explosive pass rushers. He’s a little lighter than ideal (242lbs) but so was Brian Burns and Seattle, apparently, really liked him. Reports suggesting he can run a short shuttle of 4.10 will catch the eye. If he manages that at the combine, he’ll get a gold sticker.

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I will update this post as the game goes along…

— Otito Ogbonnia made a nice interior rush to shut down a running play on the first drive.

— Malik Willis began by showing exactly what he is. When the play breaks down he can take off, find the space and make gains with his legs. He is very much one-read and run. We’ve seen with players like Colin Kaepernick that this can work effectively in the pro’s, with the right scheme. It’s worth noting that Greg Roman made this work with Kaepernick and he’s done the same with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. I’m not sure how it translates to many other schemes though, especially ones requiring the QB to stay on script and make progressions.

That said, this is what separates Willis from the other quarterbacks. He does have plus athleticism and strength as a runner. But we also saw in this opening drive his hesitancy to pull the trigger and when things break down, it’s play over unless he finds a running crease.

— I love how decisive Channing Tindall is. There’s no wasted time. He reads the play and gets downfield — whether he has to sprint to the sideline or get into the meat-and-bones of the LOS. Tindall is quick and violent, which I’m afraid to say is the opposite of what Bobby Wagner showed in 2021. Tindall drops well in coverage and knows where the sticks are to make sure the defense gets off the field (he defended a pass to Trey McBride on his first defensive series).

— The American team lined up in a 3-4 on defense with three defensive tackles and D’Angelo Malone rushing across from Kingsley Enagbare. Malone recorded a sack, demolishing a tight end (Charlie Kolar) with power before exploding to Kenny Pickett. Malone has showed well in Mobile but at 230-ish pounds he’s very much an OLB rather than an EDGE.

— Travis Jones just made a terrific play to bring down Brian Robinson. Jones just easily disengaged from one of the two Georgia guards and met Anderson at the LOS, giving up only a yard. They kept him on the field for third down and he shoved his blocker right into the face of Malik Willis. Jones is a real force of nature working inside. He can collapse the pocket with power and quickness.

— Willis’ problems again show up at the end of the first quarter. If you can get him out of the pocket and on the run, then it’s just a question of keeping him in contain and he’ll throw it out of bounds. He can’t throw with timing or poise and he’s hesitant. When he takes off, so often he’s just trying to find space and keep things alive that he isn’t looking downfield for an outlet.

— Myjai Sanders beat Max Mitchell at right tackle with a speed rush. Mitchell was desperately trying to stay with him but Sanders was too good. He grabbed Willis shoulder pad, forcing him off the spot and allowing Tyreke Smith to get a clean-up sack. This was a terrific play from Sanders though — who should be a legit option for Seattle at #41 — and it was a bad play for Mitchell.

— Malone had another really nice rush, this time on a stunt inside. It forces an underthrown pass by Kenny Pickett, which he was fortunate still ended up in a completion. On the next play, Pickett scored on an easy dump-off pass to the Baylor running back to Abram Smith. It was a total bust by the defense.

— Arkansas defensive tackle John Ridgeway is down with an injury. That’s not good news. He’s had a good week. Thankfully he came back on to the field during the next drive.

— Desmond Ridder seemed panicked during scrimmages. When play’s broke down, he just threw wildly. He’s started the same way in this game. On a boot-leg that didn’t go to plan, he was incredibly antsy and threw it away. There’s very little composure on show.

— Zion Johnson flagged for a false start. No doubt Twitter is saying it was the most stylish false start in Senior Bowl history.

— Very good block by Bernhard Raimann on Zach Carter to create a running lane for Abram Smith for a nice gain. Sealed off his edge. Smith dropped a flare pass on third down to end the drive. Should’ve been caught. I know I’ve said this a lot but I couldn’t be more impressed with the way Abraham Lucas drops and sets at right tackle. He is a legit, legit NFL prospect.

— Sam Howell’s first pass was badly dropped. I couldn’t see the receiver involved. The NFL Network is giving the hard sell on Malik Willis, even going as far as to ask Dan Campbell the Lions Head Coach ‘how much do you want to draft him?’. I’m not sure why they’re doing this.

— Boye Mafe sacked Howell and forced a fumble with a tremendous speed rush off the edge. As we’ve been saying all week, Mafe is silky smooth as a pass rusher. It was effortless the way he reacted to the snap, brushed by the left tackle and finished the play. The offense recovered the ball. Mafe, as with Sanders earlier, should be on Seattle’s list of options at #41.

— Wow — Channing Tindall just flew across the field to make a play on special teams. I love Tindall and have been talking about him all season. He is a top, top prospect (there are many, predictably, from Georgia).

— Zion Johnson is working at center again. I have to say, if he’s really as good as Twitter says (as in first round lock at guard) — why is the NFL trying him out as much as they are at center this week? I know it’s a bad center class but it’s not exactly loaded at guard. I’ll reiterate, for me he’s a fairly decent middle-round guard. That’s it.

— Bernhard Raimann is blocking really well in the running game today. That’s the second big edge-sealing block he’s made to spring a run, producing a nice big running lane. On the next play, Abram Smith danced his way for a nice gain. Raimann was involved again, burying Phidarius Mathis on a double-team with Marquis Hayes.

— Fourth down conversion on 4th and 1 by the National team. Terrific job by Abraham Lucas again, ploughing bodies forward and getting a great push to enable a short but successful run. They keep running well to the ride, which isn’t a surprise.

— The second touchdown to make it 13-0 was a nice play-action move by Desmond Ridder. Trey McBride ran a good route, the defense was caught off guard and it was a fairly simple completion for a score. They went for two and Rachaad White ran into Ridder off the snap, ending the play really before it started (White tried to pick it up and run it in but was unsuccessful).

— Sam Howell hesitates and throws a fairly basic short pass. The ball is caught with a thud sound, meaning the commentary team put it down to Howell’s ‘arm strength’. I thought, watching practise, Howell lacked pop in his throws. It appears the QB hype train has moved out of the Malik Willis station and has arrived at the Sam Howell stop.

— Boye Mafe had another pressure attacking the left tackle before half-time. He engaged the blocker with his hands, disengaged and just burst past him with great quickness. Howell scrambled away to avoid the sack but it was another example of Mafe’s quality as an edge rusher.

— Jesse Luketa sacked Howell to end the half. He really needed to get rid of the football but it was a good, quality speed rush by Luketa.

Half-time — 13-0 to the National team

— Carson Strong started at quarterback for the National team to start the second half. He began with a screen pass and Cole Strange looked very mobile and athletic racing to the second level. Strong fumbled the second snap from Strange. It was on the QB. Strange then had a horribly high shotgun snap that Strong did well to handle.

— Dameon Pierce had a run to the left side and then levelled Coby Bryant with a great hit. To Bryant’s credit, he clung on and made the tackle.

— Perrion Winfrey had a sack which was mainly on either coverage or Sam Howell. The quarterback took far too long then tried to scramble, running into Winfrey’s area. He shrugged off the block to chase down Howell. He either needs to get the ball out or credit needs to go to the secondary. This has been an especially underwhelming day from the QB’s.

— Carson Strong threw a floaty, miserable interception to Alontae Taylor on the next drive. It was hideously underthrown, with the receiver wide open. As I was saying — the QB’s look awful.

— Dylan Parham just worked a nice double-team on Travis Jones. Parham has looked good at times working inside. He has a nice frame (6-2, 313lbs) with 33.5 inch arms and 10 1/4 inch hands. As a center prospect, he’s one to watch.

— Myjai Sanders just beat Max Mitchell again. He failed to bring down Sam Howell, who scrambled away from pressure. The main thing is, though, that Sanders again showed his quickness and agility attacking the edge. Mitchell has struggled at times this week. He did, in fairness, just produce a really nice block on Perrion Winfrey in the running game to spring a nice run by Dameon Pierce up the middle.

— Wow, Boye Mafe is incredibly explosive and so dynamic working in space. He just exploded to the quarterback to Sam Howell and created a pressure on a play-action boot-leg. He was flagged though for a pretty ticky-tacky facemask penalty. Howell scored on a scramble on the next play. He had 11 rushing touchdowns for North Carolina in 2021. I’m just not sure he’s quick enough to be a big factor at the next level as a runner.

— D’Angelo Malone just shoved Trevor Penning right into Carson Strong’s lap. Malone is 230lbs and he just owned Penning. Not a good look for the tackle but a great play by Malone who’s had a good game. I maintain that he’s very much a 3-4 OLB at his size but could be a SAM/LEO for Seattle I guess. He’s flashed. Penning, on the other hand, has been a bit disappointing overall.

— Velus Jones just completed a decent +20 yard pass from Bailey Zappe. He created good separation on the route and Zappe found him with a lofted pass.

— You can’t leave Boye Mafe unblocked off the edge. He’s too good in space and he shut down a running play. Then on the very next play Mafe absolutely destroyed Spencer Burford with violent hands and outstanding speed. Mafe obliterated Zappe for a big sack. Wow, just wow. Mafe has had an outstanding game. It forces a field goal for the American team and they trail 13-10 with a quarter to go.

— I just answered a request from Mike Florio who is hosting a Twitter Q&A by asking his thoughts on where Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Jimmy Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins will play next season. Here’s his answer:

Denver. Las Vegas. Pittsburgh. Minnesota. Wild guesses at this point though. Feel strongest about Cousins.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 5, 2022

— Darrian Beavers just did a really good chasing down a trick play. He’s had a good game, mixing in some rangy linebacker play with some edge rushing. He’s expected to test well at the combine.

— The NFL Network are interviewing Jets coach Robert Salah, who praised his GM for doing a great job acquiring extra picks. Salt in the wound. There is no escape.

— Perrion Winfrey just had a big sack with a fantastic, athletic pass rush. He just blew by the guard with such ease. He was so quick and dynamic. He brushed off the attempted block like a NFL player playing a college player, then ran of the field amped to celebrate. He has brought a lot of energy and athleticism to Mobile. His consistency will always concern teams — and rightly so. We’ve discussed the concerns there and you can’t forget them just because of a good Senior Bowl. However, you can’t help but appreciate what he’s showing. Great size, amazing frame, long arms, agility and quickness, plenty of power. He looks the part — and I like his energy and intensity. He’s got the eyes of a killer.

— Desmond Ridder’s back in the game and he just completed a nice pass to Jake Ferguson. He showed patience, let Ferguson develop his route and nailed an accurate throw. Rachaad White followed it up with a really nice burst on a run for a big gain. Shortly after, Ridder had a play-action bootleg leading to another pass to Ferguson who showed what he’s all about by finishing for a touchdown. Ferguson ran right across the line, looked very athletic and that’s what he does. He ran a 4.15 short shuttle at SPARQ and should test well in that drill at the combine — leading to a high grade from teams.

— Of all the quarterbacks, Ridder has looked the best in this game. That hasn’t been particularly difficult to pull off.

— Bailey Zappe is getting a beating. Jesse Luketa got a second sack. Zappe has to be aware of the pressure there. He just moved into space and was a sitting duck waiting for things to develop. Then on the next play, Travis Jones absolutely destroyed Dylan Parham and drove him right into Zappe (who fell over for another sack). Jones has had an incredible week. Pure power and he collapses the pocket time and time again by moving people backwards.

— D’Angelo Malone was unblocked off the edge and just pressured Carson Strong to break up an attempted screen. I don’t know, it feels a bit of a cheat to be lining up with 3-4 concepts here and having players like Malone enjoy the benefits of some creating rush looks. On a bit third down to follow, Strong made a nice completion to Nevada team mate Cole Turner.

— It’s staggering, really, just how average Carson Strong has looked this week. I know he lacks mobility and can’t avoid pressure. He does have arm talent though and we just haven’t seen any evidence of that this week. It’s hard to imagine where he’s going to end up after this display in Mobile.

— Bailey Zappe almost ended the game by throwing a reckless pick-six. It was a little too high for Chad Muma. He followed it up with a floaty near-interception on the next play, that was tipped a couple of times. Then on 4th and 22, two American team players somehow found themselves wide open downfield and they nearly tackled each other. They were lucky it was completed. Yet on the next play, Zappe had a receiver running open again for a touchdown but he horribly under-threw the pass, it was finally picked off and the game ends with the National team victorious 20-10.

Full-time — 20-10 to the National team

Final thoughts

I think Boye Mafe was the star of the game, with multiple impressive plays off the edge. He finished with two sacks, three TFL’s and a forced fumble. You can’t overreact to the Senior Bowl game but alongside what he showed in practise, he could easily work his way into the first round. Myjai Sanders, Abraham Lucas, Perrion Winfrey and D’Angelo Malone also deserve a mention for their consistency — while Channing Tindall, Jake Ferguson Travis Jones, Bernhard Raimann and Darrian Beavers created an impression.

The play of the tackles was largely unimpressive and it was particularly disappointing to see continued issues for Trevor Penning and Max Mitchell.

Thank you to those who followed along with the Senior Bowl coverage this year. Bring on the combine in a month’s time.

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Here is today’s final set of notes. Thursday’s practise was moved indoors and limited to a select few media, so there isn’t as much footage available of the two sessions. What I’ve been able to watch is based on NFL Network coverage and some short clips posted online.

I would recommend checking out my previous notes if you missed them:

Measurements & player profiles
Day one observations
Day two observations
Day three observations

— During National Team scrimmages, there was a really nice seal block by Trey McBride to spring a rushing touchdown in the red zone. He cleaned out the right hand side to present a nice big running lane for the back. I’m not sure McBride has done enough to elevate himself into sure-fire top tight end contention because he lacks suddenness but teams will surely appreciate his willingness to get involved with the blocking side of the game (and do it well).

— Daniel Faalele looked dreadful again in scrimmages. He gave up an easy inside move in red zone drills. No footwork, no mobility. He’s just too big and can’t move off the spot to deal with quickness and speed. He can’t redirect. I’m not sure how you fix this at his size.

— Greg Dulcich has incredible quickness in his release, he separates when running routes and he looks the part. He scored a great touchdown during the red zone sessions too. We’ve been talking about him since September and it seems like the media are finally latching on to him. He looks tremendous and he has every opportunity to be an impact player at the next level.

— Cole Strange had a good win against Travis Jones. Strange’s feet were quite wide which isn’t ideal but he presented a strong base, got a hand inside underneath the neckline and finished the block. He has some talent as a center project.

— Logan Hall showed power on one rep to drive his blocker back into the quarterback. On the second he got away from the same opponent with a nice spin-move. He was just too quick and drew a holding penalty to go with his free run to the QB. His defensive team mates enjoyed these two reps.

— Tyreke Smith did a really good job chewing up space with a great burst in a 1v1 against Trevor Penning. It was a really poor rep from Penning who was slow to slide and got absolutely nowhere near Smith. In the rematch, Smith ran right into Penning who easily grabbed him and tossed him to the ground. Penning then battered Smith on the helmet at the end of the rep, drawing the ire of the Ohio State defender leading to a scuffle.

— Abraham Lucas — easily the most underrated player from the week of practise, ran Arnold Ebiketie out of range with a perfect kick-slide. In the second rep, Lucas completely shut-down Ebiketie with a wonderful block — latching onto his frame and giving no ground. Superb. Lucas is a tremendous talent.

Perrion Winfrey had an easy win in his first rep with a nice swim move, showing off great agility and quickness to dominate his opponent for Fordham. On the second rep he drove him deep into the backfield and it was no contest. Tyreke Smith came over to congratulate Winfrey on his two wins.

— Zion Johnson lined up at centre, stayed square against Travis Jones and easily won their first matchup. On the second rep, Johnson’s footwork was all over the place and Jones swam away from contact and then buried Johnson into the turf. Another ugly rep for Johnson, the most overrated player from Mobile this week.

— Marquis Hayes had a couple of really good wins against his Oklahoma team mate Isaiah Thomas.

— Bernhard Raimann was catching in 1v1’s and his technique has looked off all week. There’s no doubting his athleticism and he’ll be a great tester at the combine — but he looks like someone who needs major technical work when he gets into camp.

— Myjai Sanders had two poor reps against Faalele. He was too upright and just ran right into him. No bend, no real counter. It felt like he was going through the motions and didn’t have much of a plan. It was frustrating to see because Sanders has played with nice quickness off the edge for most of the week.

— All of Logan Hall’s 1v1 reps have pretty much been the same. He’s very busy but doesn’t have refined technique. He’ll try a bit of everything — a spin, a swim, he’ll put his head down and try and bulldoze his way through blocks. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t — but you kind of want to see a little more technical refinement and better hands. There’s no doubting he flashes some power and quickness but if he can’t engage/disengage, push/pull, swim/rip consistently with technique then he’s not going to have many wins at the next level. There’s a ton of potential here but as with some others — he probably needs time in camp to work things out.

— Andrew Steuber had a win against Travis Jones by just stepping back and pulling him to the ground. On the next rep, though, Steuber lunged at Jones and he easily beat him to the angle for a pressure. He hasn’t won every 1v1 rep but Travis Jones has been one of the big winners this week.

— Boye Mafe looks so smooth rushing the edge and had a couple of really good wins during 1v1’s. I’d like to see him combine that with a bit more aggression at times but he’s a silky athlete who looks like a NFL edge rusher.

— Zach Carter had a wonderful edge-setting rep against Max Mitchell during scrimmages. He stood him up with a powerful two-handed punch to the chest. On the same rep, John Ridgeway did a terrific job riding the center, then disengaging to make a play on the running back. Ridgeway looks powerful with great size when he lines up inside. I’m not sure how well he’ll test at the combine but he looks big, powerful and difficult to move.

General Senior Bowl takeaways

— I am not as convinced that Trevor Penning and Bernhard Raimann will go as early as I’ve been projecting. I think Abraham Lucas will go much earlier than the media thinks — because I thought he was terrific in Mobile. Yet I understand others have come away with mixed reviews of his play.

It’s important to remember the league is still desperate for quality offensive linemen. Over recent years, players who test well in the explosive drills (vertical, broad, bench) go very early in the draft. That’s just the way the NFL works. I expect Raimann and Penning to be explosive testers and therefore, they could easily secure the kind of top-10 or top-20 placing I’ve been suggesting. Lucas will run very well and have strong agility marks. That too could promote his stock. So ultimately, I wouldn’t get your hopes up too much that any of the three might last to #41.

However, I would say after the Senior Bowl it’s more likely than not that someone like Bernhard Raimann might be there. And if the Seahawks are serious about fixing their pass rush, they might look to address that in free agency and then target a left or right tackle early in the second round.

— I don’t see any chance of Devante Wyatt lasting to #41 based on what he showed. If he runs in the 4.8’s as expected, he could go much earlier than people are currently suggesting (I had him at #22 in my latest mock draft). I think there’s relative depth at defensive tackle though that could present options in rounds three and four. I don’t think Phidarian Mathis did enough to believe he should be a high second rounder. Logan Hall’s lack of technical refinement could keep him on the board in round two. Travis Jones and John Ridgeway showed enough to think they could provide genuine value in the middle rounds. Perrion Winfrey was given a good press in Mobile but his lack of consistency could keep him on the board into the second day. There are good options here.

— Clearly there’s a whole bunch of defensive ends who warrant serious consideration. I hope the Seahawks target major upside — because testing does matter at the position. They hit a home-run with Frank Clark — who ran a stunning 4.05 short shuttle and jumped a 38.5 inch vertical. Had Darrell Taylor been healthy enough to do any pre-draft testing, it’s easy to imagine him performing well. L.J. Collier, on the other hand, did not test well. They went against their common approach when they drafted him — seemingly in a bit of a blind panic with the way the 2019 draft unfolded. Many of the big name pass rushers performed very well in Mobile — but if the Seahawks are going to draft one, let it be someone with the highest possible upside.

— In recent years the Seahawks have tended to prefer experience on the O-line and youth on the D-line. That will clearly change if they target a Chandler Jones or Akiem Hicks type and leave tackle for the draft. The early money should probably be on the opposite. A typically quiet start to free agency — with experience added (or retained) at the tackle spot, setting up the Seahawks to add another pass rusher at #41. That would be aligning the needs with the options available. I would rather see this team be aggressive in free agency and sign star talent — but that hasn’t been how they’ve operated.

— I think we’re going to see a second round run on tight ends with Trey McBride, Jeremy Ruckert and Greg Dulcich all coming off the board — along with junior Jalen Wydermyer. Don’t be surprised if Dulcich is the top TE on some boards. Testing in the short shuttle and three cone will be a difference maker at this position at the combine.

— I’ve not focused on the quarterbacks that much (and the footage of their throws has been limited). However, the impression I got is that this group is as distinctly average as expected. Kenny Pickett just doesn’t excite you. There’s very little pop in Sam Howell’s throws. Malik Willis has the physical tools but his technique on tape, plus his total inability to read the field and go through progressions, make him a serious wildcard for the next level. Desmond Ridder showed a good arm in Mobile but also the same inconsistencies you see for Cincinnati. My expectation is that a very aggressive veteran quarterback market is about to emerge with desperate teams acknowledging the only way to get better at the position is going to be via trade. If Matt Stafford wins the Super Bowl, plenty are going to want to try and copycat the Rams.

— Dameon Pierce has a culture-developing presence that plenty of teams will want to tap into. He might never be a league-leading rusher but he’ll be explosive, he’ll drive through contact and he will give you absolutely everything.

— This week at the Senior Bowl confirmed that while it might not be a great year to have a top-10 pick — I still think it’s an excellent year to have multiple picks in the first two rounds. This class can be a foundation builder — with strengths in the trenches, at cornerback, at tight end and with some particularly impressive characters to go with the talent. A team like the Eagles, for example, could set their roster up for the future (although they won’t solve their question marks at quarterback which in turn could hold them back).

Players who really impressed in Mobile

— I can’t believe how little attention Abraham Lucas has received. Not only does he have a fantastic looking tackle frame — he was by far the best tackle in his kick-slide, he has tremendous agility and quickness to handle speed and he shut down many of the better speed rushers. Did he win every rep? Absolutely not. Yet Zion Johnson had far more ‘bad’ reps and he’s been hyped up to the extreme. Lucas to me was a big winner and if he tests as well as I expect at the combine, he should be a top-15 pick.

— Clearly Jermaine Johnson showed he is a complete pass rusher, capable of winning with speed off the edge, power with his hands and he has plenty of tricks to keep blockers guessing. I thought he was a top-15 lock before the Senior Bowl and he could easily go in the top-10 based on this performance. He’s a good combine away from elevating himself into the top-tier of prospects. He was unstoppable in Mobile.

— Perrion Winfrey is a complete enigma on tape. There are snaps where he looks gloriously disruptive. His extreme length, brilliant frame and clear athletic skills warrant first round consideration. Yet there are so many ‘bad’ snaps on film. Plays where he should finish and doesn’t, or just looks hesitant, or is taking forever to pick his spot to make a play. He’s on his tip-toes and hunches over as he runs, which is odd. In Mobile, with a bit of NFL guidance, he got stronger and stronger as the week went on. By day two and three he was straight to business, more decisive and was making a lot of eye-catching plays. He’s also a high-energy, emotional player — which I like from defensive linemen. You want passion and angst in the trenches. The lack of consistency on tape will hamper him and he will be a major boom or bust prospect. He showed in Mobile, though, that he has the talent to be disruptive.

— Devonte Wyatt just looked exceptional. He’s so quick and powerful — and the fact he isn’t as big and tall as some of the other tackles works in his favour. It’s really hard to get into his frame and when he connects with you — he has the know-how to engage/disengage, rip/swim, find the angle to break into the backfield and shoot through gaps. A tremendous week.

— In a loaded D-line class to begin with, Travis Jones perhaps was the biggest surprise. There were so many reps where he bullied opponents in 1v1 drills — driving them right into the pocket. He has brute force and strength and the way he pushed people around up front reminded me a bit of Tony McDaniel. Seattle has needed someone like that for a while. He also showed well in the figure-of-eight test and he flashed some quickness too — so he might not just be a powerful nose tackle. The combine will be interesting for him.

— I think how team mates respond to others is a key factor in the Senior Bowl evaluation. Watching how everyone rallied to Dameon Pierce on his 1v1 rep — plus the bruising, physical style he brings to the table every day, will not have gone unnoticed. I am convinced he’ll go a lot higher in the draft than people think. Round two is a possibility.

— Greg Dulcich stood out among the tight ends. He blocked well to begin the week and then showed an extra gear when running routes that the other TE’s don’t possess. He’s been a blog favourite from week one of the 2021 college football season and it shouldn’t be a surprise if he nails the forty and agility testing at the combine and leapfrogs some of the bigger name prospects at his position.

— There are plenty of defensive linemen who had good weeks — I want to highlight Florida’s Zach Carter. He’s well sized at 280lbs, won reps with speed and power and should a good range of pass-rushing moves.

— In a bad year for the center position, Cole Strange showed an ability to adjust to the position and maybe have a future there. He had some ugly reps and some very positive reps this week, so he’s a work in progress. For a smaller-school player though, there’s plenty you can work with. He’s well sized with decent length. He might not be an immediate year-one starter but given the weakness of the center position in this class, I think he helped himself.

Players who leave Mobile with question marks

— As mentioned earlier, I don’t think Trevor Penning and Bernhard Raimann did enough to convince teams they deserve to go as early as I’ve been projecting (top-15). They both have serious technical flaws and need work. That said, if they test well in the vertical and broad at the combine — they will still be high picks. The league loves explosive offensive linemen.

— Daniel Faalele got a lot of attention for his size but he had a poor week, he struggles to redirect and I’m struggling to think of a way he makes it at the next level. He’s just too big.

— Max Mitchell was really assured on tape against Texas. I never really saw it in Mobile though. He’s undersized and had a few issues in 1v1’s and scrimmage reps. There’s definitely some natural talent on offer as a blocker but I don’t think he elevated his stock here.