2023 draft preview — the non-quarterbacks

Bryan Bresee — very, very impressive

Since the decision to trade Russell Wilson, I’ve set about watching every 2021 game of the four main 2023 eligible quarterbacks (at least in my opinion) — Will Levis, Tyler Van Dyke, Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud.

I’ve also watched a decent chunk of all of the other bigger name quarterbacks. This is clearly going to be the focus for the blog (and the wider fan base) for the next few months.

That said, the other positions will have a big say in how this all plays out. For me, the best three players in terms of talent and potential are not quarterbacks.

Neither is the 2023 quarterback class an otherworldly, once in a generation, can’t-miss group. There are some intriguing players and others can emerge. Yet there are two defensive linemen, for example, that I think could be special very early in their NFL careers.

These are all things to consider as we move forward.

I spent the last three weeks watching non-quarterbacks to form opinions before the start of the new college football season.

The three best players eligible for 2023

Will Anderson (DE, Alabama)
Bryan Bresee (DT, Clemson)
Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas)

When I watched this trio, they all appear to have legit star quality. They look like blue-chippers with the potential to come into the league and be brilliant very quickly.

Everyone knows about Will Anderson by now. He is the best pass rusher to enter the league since Myles Garrett and might be even better. He had an astonishing 33.5 TFL’s in 2021 alone, along with 17.5 sacks. Those are practically unbelievable numbers, even taking into consideration he plays for Alabama.

Anderson has everything — an ideal frame, power, quickness, attitude, leadership, intensity, twitch. I don’t think it’s a coincidence he wears #31 (Kam Chancellor’s number) because he plays with the same physicality.

He’s a special, special player — a legit #1 overall pick in any draft. It’s distinctly possible that a team needing a quarterback will draft him instead because he’s just too good. We’re talking about the Andrew Luck of pass rushers here.

Bryan Bresee isn’t far behind in terms of talent, although his situation is different. He suffered an ACL injury a year ago and we’ll need to see how he comes back from that. His tape, however, is a sight to behold.

Considering he’s 6-5 and 300lbs, his athleticism and mobility are sensational and constantly flash on tape. He’s extremely active and runs like a player weighing 270lbs. He slips blocks to knife into the backfield, he works across the line with ease and he can be unblockable. Bresee plays with violent hands and he shows explosive qualities in his lower body. His effort and intensity is top notch and he plays with a fantastic motor. He’s nicknamed ‘The Hulk’ by his team mates.

I watched some practise tape from Clemson to watch him in 1v1 situations and ended up rubbing my eyes at this one move he pulled — engaging the blocker, spinning away from his grasp and then just exploding and accelerating. It was like watching a top-level speed rusher — yet he’s 300lbs.

At SPARQ he ran an eye-watering 4.21 short shuttle at 290lbs and also jumped a 31 inch vertical. He was the top SPARQ tester among all defensive tackles in his year group.

For me, Bresee has the potential to be the next great interior rusher. Those are so rare these days, it won’t be a surprise if he goes in the same range as Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy. He does need to prove he’s fully recovered from the injury though (and can stay healthy).

Twenty years ago, Bijan Robinson would’ve been a top-five lock. Nowadays he’ll likely suffer because of the way the running back position is viewed. However — we still see top-rated runners go in the top-10 and I think there’s a legit chance someone will take Robinson in that range next year.

He has a wow-factor on tape and looks close to perfection as a running back prospect. There have been some hyped-up running backs in the last decade but arguably none showed the complete game Robinson possesses. The way he cuts and changes direction is better than any runner I’ve covered since starting this blog in 2008. He looks, at times, like a better version of a pre-injury Nick Chubb at Georgia.

Robinson has the ideal frame and combines explosive power and physicality with fantastic acceleration. He breaks tackles and gains yards after contact but he also has the ability to cut on a dime and just accelerate like a Formula 1 car. If anyone gets near him, he delivers a violent stiff-arm. He can get the hard yards and he can hit home runs.

Whatever your view on the running back position — watching him is a treat.

I am not suggesting these three players will go 1-2-3. However, I would suggest they are the best three players I have scouted ahead of the start of the new season.

Other players with first round potential

Trenton Simpson (LB, Clemson)
Jalen Carter (DT, Georgia)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR, Ohio State)
Michael Mayer (TE, Notre Dame)
Kelee Ringo (CB, Georgia)

Trenton Simpson is the ideal linebacker for an attack minded defensive scheme that wants to send a lot of pressure in exotic blitz packages. He’s said to be 6-3 and 240lbs but I’m not sold on that. Simpson supposedly has 6% body fat and can run in the 4.3’s with a sub-1.5 10-yard split.

It’s that combination of incredible athleticism and quickness that stands out on tape. You can line him up as the extra man off the edge and he’s a heat-seeking missile to the passer. He blitzes with a real purpose and determination. He has shown the ability to put offensive tackles on skates with his sheer will and desire to make a play and his raw speed and agility means he eats up ground and changes direction so quickly — he’s difficult to grapple.

I love Simpson’s fire and he can be a big-time tone-setter for a unit. He’s not just a blitzer though. There are snaps on tape where he lines up in the slot and breaks up passes. He’s willing to fill a gap on short yardage runs.

The only question is will his aggressive, attack-minded approach translate to the next level against better opponents? And is he only a fit in very specific schemes? There’s so much to like though and he could be a big time player in the 2023 draft.

Jalen Carter felt like a less spectacular version of Bryan Bresee. He loves a swim move and he’s very good at it. Carter shows an ability to swim away from blockers then burst to the QB. I don’t think he’s as athletic, physical or as active as Bresee but he’s capable of putting interior blockers into bad positions with his angles and then winning with superior movement and power.

He was respected enough to receive a fair dose of double teams, even on Georgia’s loaded D-line. His get-off is highly impressive at times. Carter also has a violent rip and punch leading into the swim. He shows impressive mobility on stunts when he has to travel — hinting at plus athleticism. He has a good understanding of leverage with his hands and positioning. He has a chance to be a first round pick.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is just an incredible player who could take the NFL by storm. I just want to see his testing numbers before committing to that, because he only ran a 4.64 at SPARQ. Nevertheless, I thought he was Ohio State’s best receiver last year and the two guys starting with him both went in the top-15.

Highly drafted tight ends have a tendency to disappoint and that might play against Michael Mayer. However, he looks second only to Georgia’s Brock Bowers in terms of potential in college football. He’s a very rounded player but also an X-factor in the passing game and should be viewed as a likely first rounder (again depending on testing results).

My Kelee Ringo notes were pretty limited but telling. He looks the part. He’s big (6-2, 215lbs), long, physical and is said to be a legit 4.3 runner. Enough said.

Other players worth discussing

Myles Murphy (DE, Clemson) is a big power end but he doesn’t win with speed. He shoots gaps and wins with hand-use and power. I’m not convinced he has the twitch to be a first rounder and I feel like we’ve seen this type of prospect a lot over the years — a big name who ends up on day two because he doesn’t have the splash and the quickness to trouble offensive tackles off the edge. He just doesn’t seem all that spectacular to me. Is he a difference maker? Not sure.

Derrick Hall (DE, Auburn) is a very active pass rusher who can engage/disengage and finish. He’s shown glimpses of a power rush but can dip and straighten quite well too. He lacks top-level bend but has some quickness for a well-built frame. I like his intensity and he plays to the whistle. He’s not the twitchiest though and there’s some stiffness there. I think he’s likely a day-two type.

Isaiah Foskey (LB, Notre Dame) has busy hands and despite a lack of size he can work to control blocks with jab-jab punches. He doesn’t have elite quicks but can work a path to the QB and he’s tough to stop when he bends the arc. Foskey is capable of controlling blocks with his left arm, leaving his right arm free to swipe at the ball if possible or read the play — creating freedom to react and process. He has shown ability to slap hands down to win leverage battles. He’ll be very scheme-specific but he could be a menace as a 3-4 OLB.

Steele Chambers (LB, Ohio State) is very comfortable in coverage and moves with great fluidity. He can read a pass play, know which area to drop into and play the ball. He’s undersized but active at the LOS. He won’t fit every team but has a knack for making plays.

Jack Campbell (LB, Iowa) looks big, stiff, carries a lot of blocks and I wanted to see a lot more than I did on tape.

Will McDonald (DE, Iowa State) is raw AF but his potential will have teams salivating. He’s only 236lbs (can he get up to 250?) but he supposedly can jump a 42 inch vertical. If you let him rush the edge he can do what teams want — bend and straighten to the QB. He looks athletic and he can deceive blockers with a subtle drop of the shoulder or a shimmy at the POA. McDonald looks long and lean and teams are going to see him as a bit of a prototype.

However, I also saw snaps where he struggles to disengage against tight ends. He overextends and leans into too many engagements. He also plays with effort but lacks any kind of mean streak. I think he could go early, though, with teams believing he can be something of a sack specialist early in his career as he works to become more rounded.

I didn’t see anything to get excited about with Tyree Wilson (DE, Texas Tech). He appears to lack twitch off the edge. There are some decent bull rushes on tape but it was a pretty ‘meh’ experience watching him.

Mazi Smith (DT, Michigan) controls blockers up front. It’s extremely rare that he loses a 1v1. He shows evidence of being able to slip blocks and penetrate which is good for his role as a nose tackle. He can contain the interior to provide opportunities for others. It was great to see him chase after screen passes like a much smaller man. He’s the ideal anchor up front, is expected to test well and he could be a day two prospect as an interior stopper.

If you missed it a few months ago — here is my big article on the 2023 eligible quarterbacks. I’ve watched a lot more of these players than most — so if you’re looking for a QB guide going into the new season, it’s worth checking out.

Plus if you missed my live stream with Jeff Simmons yesterday, you can watch it here:

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160 Comments

  1. Nathan M

    Pete has long been desperate for an interior disruptor. If Taylor and Mafe look like the future off the edge I would see Bresee a higher priority than Anderson for the Hawks. Certainly still want to add another edge at some point too.

    If this was Madden, I’d just be simming the whole season to get on to the draft ASAP

  2. cha

    Incredible stuff Rob. Thanks for all the hard work!

    • Mick

      Rob this is really nice read. I hope Broncos have a bad enough season so we can pick a top DT and a top QB.

    • AlaskaHawk

      Nice work Rob. An elite defensive pick is always good!

  3. Coach

    Cut players who might be candidates for the Seahawks? I think both were talked about quite a bit on this website prior to the draft.

    WR Tyler Johnson – I think would be a great addition – strong and had a great college career!
    C Alec Lindstrom – Would be a better backup center than we currently have.

    Thoughts?

    Anyone else out there who could contribute right away? Maybe a LB?

    Go Hawks!

  4. Coach

    Is Mond QB Min an option to add to our QB competition? I know he was talked about on this website quite a bit as well.

    Go Hawks!

  5. cha

    Are you listening Pete?

    https://twitter.com/KJ_WRIGHT34/status/1564452374005317632

    • Mick

      I’d sign him today if I could. This time I’m sure he’d have no problem giving us the home-team bonus and he’d be at least our 2nd best LB.

  6. Chris A

    Kellen Mond just got cut!

  7. HawkFan907

    I love your list Rob. Focus looks to be on the DL and LB. I’m hoping to add some IOL to my watchlist as well. My week 1 watchlist includes:

    Noah Sewell LB Oregon – Playing Georgia and IMO could be a perfect fit next to Brooks on our defense. Lots of analysts are high on him.

    Anthony Richardson QB Florida – Going up against a stacked Utah D. Let’s see if those tools he has translates to a win.

    Bryan Bresee – I want to see how he bounces back. It’s about time we find someone who can generate interior pressure.

  8. cha

    Brady Henderson
    @BradyHenderson
    ·
    35m
    The Seahawks have informed C/G Dakoda Shepley that he’s being waived, a source tells me. Shepley appeared in eight games last season after Seattle claimed him off waivers from San Francisco.

    Didn’t help himself with some of those wonky snaps in preseason.

    • Roy Batty

      What, you’ve never seen a 9 foot QB?

      • cha

        Seahawks have already tried that (Dan McGwire).

        • Roy Batty

          You had to go there, didn’t you?

          On the flip side, maybe they can grab a QB off the street who’s been keeping his accuracy in check by throwing through hanging used car tires ala Kelly Stouffer.🤣

          My God let’s not go through that slew of desperation ever again.

          Dark effing days.

  9. Blitzy the Clown

    I can’t believe OJ Howard got cut.

    • steele

      Blitzy, are you being sarcastic? OJ Howard has been horrible for consecutive seasons now. This is no surprise.

  10. Blitzy the Clown

    Jordan Raanan
    @JordanRaanan

    The Giants are releasing QB Davis Webb, per source. Speaks to the health of Tyrod Taylor.

    Webb this preseason: 60-of-81 passing (74%) for 458 yards with 3 TDs, 0 INTs.

    Will be interesting to see how this plays out.

    6:53 AM · Aug 30, 2022

    That qb stat line is better than any currently on the Seahawks’ roster.

  11. cha

    Jeremy Fowler
    @JFowlerESPN
    · 8m
    #Seahawks have released WR Freddie Swain, per source. A key piece in last year’s offense with 25 catches and 343 yards is now available.

    Brady Henderson
    @BradyHenderson
    Another WR the Seahawks are waiving is Aaron Fuller, per a source.

    It would appear that Dee Eskridge has won the punt return job.

    • Mick

      Getting rid of Swain makes me hope we’re gonna get rid of some more dead wood.

      • Rob Staton

        💯

        • Elmer

          Blair gone too. Not a total shock after the missed tackles. It looks like they will be playing moneyball with the back end of the roster.

    • Group Captain Mandrake

      That’s pretty damning of the WR group if Swain is being referred to as a “key piece of the offense.”

      • mantis

        if he was a key piece of the offence then someone else must be better

        • Group Captain Mandrake

          Kind of my point. He should never be a key part of the offense. There HAS to be someone better.

        • Roy Batty

          There should be an asterisk in the original next to “key piece”.

          The footnotes would state, “As long as the DB blew coverage or fell down.”

          Unless you’re Murf Baldwin, Swain doesn’t inspire.

  12. Peter

    Beat me to it. “Key piece.” Yikes.

  13. George

    Bye bye Blair

    • Mick

      Another right decision. Wish he could have stayed healthy, but not sorry to see him go.

      • Roy Batty

        Uneccessary roughness penalty waiting to happen on every play he’s in on.

        The purge gas begun.

      • cha

        I’ve always considered the true cost of the Adams trade included the second round pick they wasted on Blair.

        His goose was cooked the second they traded for Diggs and then Adams.

        Desperation to keep RW convinced the team could contend was a dangerous drug.

  14. Blitzy the Clown

    Starting to see some of that dead wood getting cut.

    This is a relief.

    • Palatypus

      Just keep chopping that wood.

  15. UkAlex6674

    Only 4 of the 2019 draft remain….

  16. Peter

    Fingers crossed collier gets the tub drained and his walking papers today.

    • Palatypus

      Damn Peter, you should write a country and western song.

    • Big Mike

      Collier has got to go so he can move on with his life after football. Oh someone might take a chance on him after we (PLEASE!) cut him, but he won’t last long there either.

      • Peter

        We talk a lot about contracts here. Collier and his nine million contract and total non factor stat line is almost embarassing.

        • Palatypus

          I see the train a comin’. It’s rollin’ tound the bend. I aint defeat a blocker since…I don’t know when…

          • Peter

            Thank Hurtt for the inspiration.

          • Big Mike

            Good stuff Palatypus

  17. Blitzy the Clown

    Who’s our next Jermaine Kearse? That utility WR who does the dirty stuff on the regular and who almost always finds a way to make the catch on every one of his few targets.

    There’s a cliff at WR after DK and Tyler. Hart and Goodwin are reasonably capable, but both lack consistency. There’s no trust in either. And guys like Young and Johnson look the part, especially Young. But both made some really frustrating drops in the preseason. And after that, forget it.

    Who’s gonna step in and be the reliable 3rd option? Is he even on the roster?

  18. Hawkdawg

    It’s a little early to declare Goodwin lacking in consistency or unworthy of trust since he’s been here.

  19. GoHawks5151

    I’m in big on Breese. He was amazing as a freshman despite the attention he received on a less than Clemson team. If he can stay healthy I believe he will be a monster. I think he can be a 5 tech in this D too so you got potentially him and Taylor/Made lined to one side which would be scary.

    Njigba makes me wish we had constructed this roster better. How nice would it be to take a QB and give him Njigba too? Dude is a stud and better than any of these recent OSU receivers. Mazi Smith I think will be a riser. Dontari Poe with 2022 testing numbers

  20. Mac

    I find it interesting that Jaxon Njigba, garret wilson and Chris Olave all ran between 4.61 to 4.7 at sparq. They must have a world class speed clinic at Ohio State. It’s a lot harder for players to get larger and faster than people would think. You often have to compromise on getting faster or getting stronger to out physical defensive backs off the line.

    I wouldn’t be surprised if JSN runs a lot faster at the combine. I wonder if NIL deals will lead to an increase in athletic performance in athletes and we’ll see more players working with specialty coaches in the offseason.

  21. cha

    Brady Henderson
    @BradyHenderson
    · 11m
    Three more Seahawks who have been informed they’re being waived, per sources: LBs Lakiem Williams and Joel Dublanko, and OT Liam Ryan.

    Just Vi Jones and Tanner Muse until Rhattigan and BBK get healthy.

    • WallaSean

      I think it’s going to be a lot of nickel Defense this year.

    • Feindt

      Tanner Muse also got cut, right?

    • Elmer

      Tanner Muse didn’t make it either. They parted with all their ILB’s except the starters, Brooks and Barton. Not counting BBK and Rhattigan. Look for new adds. I didn’t see if Bellore made it or not.

  22. cha

    The list

    https://www.seahawks.com/news/seahawks-make-roster-moves-establish-initial-2022-53-man-roster

    Released

    CB Justin Coleman

    Waived

    WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
    S Marquise Blair
    LB Joel Dublanko
    QB Jacob Eason
    T Greg Eiland
    WR Aaron Fuller
    DT Jarrod Hewitt
    WR Cade Johnson
    LB Vi Jones
    WR Kevin Kassis
    TE Tyler Mabry
    WR Bo Melton
    LB Tanner Muse
    S Scott Nelson
    T Liam Ryan
    C Dakoda Shepley
    WR Freddie Swain
    RB Darwin Thompson
    LB Lakiem Williams
    S Deontai Wiliams

    Waived/Injured

    RB Josh Johnson

    Placed on Injured Reserve

    LB Tyreke Smith

    • cha

      Quarterback (2): Geno Smith, Drew Lock

      Running Back (4): Rashaad Penny, DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer, Kenneth Walker III

      Receiver (6): Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, Dee Eskridge, Marquise Goodwin, Penny Hart, Dareke Young

      Tight End (3): Will Dissly, Noah Fant, Colby Parkinson

      Offensive Line (9): Charles Cross, Abraham Lucas, Jake Curhan, Stone Forsythe, Gabe Jackson, Damien Lewis, Phil Haynes, Austin Blythe, Kyle Fuller

      Defensive Line (7): Poona Ford, Al Woods, Bryan Mone, Myles Adams, Quinton Jefferson, Shelby Harris, L.J. Collier

      Linebacker (8): Jordyn Brooks, Cody Barton, Nick Bellore, Darrell Taylor, Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, Alton Robinson, Joshua Onujiogu

      Cornerback (6): Coby Bryant, Artie Burns, Sidney Jones IV, Michael Jackson, Tariq Woolen, John Reid

      Safety (5): Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, Josh Jones, Ryan Neal, Joey Blount

      Specialists (3): P Michael Dickson, K Jason Myers, LS Tyler Ott

      • Peter

        That safety group is looking rough when you consider the resources used over the years on it.

        Hopefully Diggs can stay healthy and Beal can get right real quick.

      • Henry Taylor

        What the hell is a Joshua Onujiogu?

        • Elmer

          Division III rookie UDFA.

    • Mick

      I didn’t see us cut all of Muse, Dublanko and Vi Jones. We surely need more than Brooks, Bellore and Barton.

    • Nathan M

      What’s the logistics on T Smith, is he done for the year or able to rebound to the 53 later?

      • cha

        Done for the year. It sucks.

        • WallaSean

          When can they add to the IR guys who could return?

          • cha

            I don’t know precisely, I’d guess it is anytime after the official 53 is reported to the league (which has been done).

            They can probably sign guys immediately and report the equivalent transactions tomorrow.

      • Scot04

        Hopefully he can do similar to what Darrell Taylor did & come back next year with a good season with 0 accrued seasons.

  23. Nathan M

    Reviewing the cut list, I expect the PR will be filled more from other teams cuts than our own. Not a lot there that I’m excited to hold on to.

    Melton is about the only one that I see could be developmental and the rest would just be insurance that knows the system such as Thompson RB, maybe an OL, maybe one of the LBs…

  24. TomLPDX

    I’m relieved they cut Coleman. Maybe Bryant will start at nickel now.

    • TomLPDX

      Really wish they would just move on from Collier.

      • Roy Batty

        Exactly.

        Just rip off that bandaid and take the cap hit. End the relationship and wish him well.

        • Big Mike

          100% from me too guys

      • BruceN

        I thought I heard he has some kind of injury so if true they cannot just cut them without an injury settlement. But after the cut period they will have more options. I doubt he will be on the roster for too long.

  25. Palatypus

    Tyler Mabry is like a bad STD. You never completely get rid of him. He’s just in remission.

  26. Palatypus

    Alex Leatherwood to be cut per PFT.

    • TomLPDX

      We need bona fide stars, not wanna-be players. So tired of this approach from JS/PC.

      • Spectator

        Surely Leatherwood is better than Fullers Roster spot? I mean, he was bad last year, but he was only a rookie. Seems early for Raiders to give up on him like that though, so maybe other issues? JM also didn’t draft him.

    • Gaux Hawks

      Wonder what Rob’s wTEF was for Alex Leatherwood…?

      • Rob Staton

        He scored well but two things:

        1. I never rated Leatherwood

        2. TEF, as I always say, doesn’t determine quality. It simply measures explosive traits

    • Spectator

      Other interesting names:
      Solomon Kindley
      Wyatt Davis
      Jarret Patterson
      Kevin Austin Jr.
      Janarius Robinson
      Kellen Mond
      Devin Asiasi
      Davis Webb
      Anthony McFarland

  27. DM

    Kevin Austin Jr available!

  28. Palatypus

    You expect bona fide stars from the waiver wire?

    • TomLPDX

      No Palatypus, sorry you missed my point. We’ve held on to Collier for too long. Just move forward.

      • Big Mike

        I don’t buy the salary cap argument completely with Collier. It’s likely a factor but I still think them trying to prove it wasn’t one of their worst first round picks of the last number of years is a bigger factor.

        • STTBM

          Bingo! Winner winner…Big Mike! Collier going to go down as a far bigger bust than Blair, who actually has athleticism and can ay when healthy, unlike Collier the non-athlete….

  29. Ben

    I imagine some vets return after week 1 (LB in particular) but going with 6 WR is annoying. Surprised Hart and Godwin both made it. It’s been a long time since keeping an extra receiver was worth it… but excited for Dareke.

    Cool Onujiogo made it. I thought he was more an outside guy, is he playing inside?

    I’d be surprised if Collier is on the roster still in a few weeks. I’d like to see 2-3 additions from around the league still. Or at least to the PS- quick route to the 53 on this roster!

    • Palatypus

      Onujiogo might not be much right now. But after a year of instruction and NFL weight training?

  30. GoHawksDani

    Surprised they cut Vi Jones. If I remember correctly he had 1-2 really nice play in maybe the 2nd game? Maybe a TFL or a sack…and I don’t remember him missing tackles too bad. And LB is thin.

    I hope we get OG/C, LB, DT depth from the cuts. Or maybe someone raw: LB, DE, OL could be good for us in 2-3 years.
    I also wouldn’t mind a QB. Both our QBs suck badly and others cannot be much worse than them.
    Also drafting a QB next year is nice, but it’s better if that QB can earn his start instead of them just handing to him.

  31. Denver Hawker

    Might be mistaken, but I seem to recall Schneider talking up Shepley at an off-season presser. Now they waive him in favor of Fuller. Didn’t notice him much preseason I suppose, but gawd if I have to see Fuller out there against Donald- TV goes off.

  32. BruceN

    I posted yesterday about the issues with Niners signing JimmyG. So right on queue here comes this story.

    https://www.ninersnation.com/2022/8/30/23328272/49ers-news-matt-maiocco-its-not-so-clear-cut-that-trey-lance-is-the-1-quarterback-jimmy-garoppolo

    Rob, outstanding preview. Thank you for the amazing work you do.

  33. Big Boi

    I don’t quite buy it that Ugo Amadi was the 86th to 90th worst player on this team and was getting cut, but whatever. Doesn’t change the fact that the Eagles sent us a useless WR, then used Ugo to turn a 7th round pick into a 6th round pick, and then took that pick, paired it with a 5, and turned that into Chauncey Gardner Johnson plus a 7th.
    It kind of feels like Schneider is losing his creative edge. Eagles essentially turned a useless WR into a starting safety. We turned a serviceable DB who made the Titans’ 53 into, well, nothing.
    Oh, and as a reminder, CGJ had more sacks, INTs, and PBUs then one of our current high profile safeties.

    • DarrellDownUnder

      Agree 100%. Head scratcher for sure. Not too sure what’s going on with these guys anymore.

  34. Denver Hawker

    Our 53 just screams Top 10 pick- young though so I’m optimistic about player development opportunities.

    Like my golf game- this team may hit a few dazzling plays and some players might have a game that stands out and shows promise, but will be mostly cursing and lucky to make to the end of the season with all its balls intact and will be relieved that’s it’s over.

    • Rob Staton

      I think some people might be in for a rude awakening

      IMO the roster is inadequate. It is worse than it was in 2011. I think people mistake having ‘some’ good players with you suggesting they have none when you speak this way.

      However, their best two players are relying on Geno Smith for production. The two safeties are overrated (one is solid the other is Jamal Adams). The rest of the positives are young players we hope develop into a young core or players we hope can get or stay healthy at RB.

      This is legitimately a roster that could compete for a top three pick.

      Which is fine, IMO, because it’s a rebuild.

      But I think some people have talked themselves into thinking the roster is better than it is and they may end up disappointed

      • Big Mike

        Agree Rob and what I don’t get is why re-sign Diggs to 10 mil and Dissly for how ever much they overpaid him? If you’re going young and dumping the likes of Blair, Umadi, et. al. why spend on those guys. Do you think Pete was actually blinded by the wins down the stretch, especially vs. AZ and thought they could legit contend, then got into camp and realized that wasn’t the case?

        • Roy Batty

          And unless they magically pull a bunch of FA rabbits out of their hats next year, this is going to be a long grind until this team is truly competitive.

          Until ownership cleans house, no FA of any note is signing with this franchise.

      • Palatypus

        “I think some people might be in for a rude awakening.”

        Is it really a rude awakening if you’re having a nightmare?

        • Peter

          Feels more like sleep paralysis

      • Denver Hawker

        I almost wrote top 5, but there are some equally bad shape teams on the schedule that might roll over quicker than we do. Top 3/5 is definitely possible with this roster. And I’m totally fine with that.

  35. Stuart

    Rob, I have been following you on this site since 2011 and I wanted to say thank you for all the excellent material you crank out. The points you make and your player evaluations are so good, it’s amazing that an NFL team or a major media publication has not offered you a job yet.

    After the work you do this coming season, you will be discovered in a big way. In the meantime, we are so grateful for the information you provide us with.

    With 2 picks in the 1st round and 2 picks in the 2nd round, I hope that we keep them all. History has shown us that the 1st QB taken is rarely the best.

    Plus we cannot afford to trade the farm for a QB like the 49ers did, yikes!!! We need all our draft picks because of all the years of pitiful drafting.

    This season we will all be watching a lot of college football and eagerly reading SDB articles and Podcasts on the Rebuild.

    Name the 4 players you guys want for our two 1st round and two 2nd round pics-

    My current feelings is-

    -DT
    -QB
    -Center
    -Guard

    • Rob Staton

      Thanks for the kind words — really appreciate it 👍

    • Jordan

      I’ll bite. As I feel similar needs – QB, 2 interior olinemen 1 C 1G ( one in the first or second round, one via high end free agency) , disruptive down defensive lineman that fits the scheme, off ball lber to play next to Brooks, WR depth.

      Example:

      1st: Levis /Young
      1st: Ika/Dexter
      2nd: Van Pran/Stromberg/Voorhees/Beebe/Patterson/Schmitz/Torrence
      2nd: Flowe/Overshown
      3rd: Mims/Burton

      • Jordan

        Dream scenario

        1: QB Young
        1: DT Bresee (Denver would need to be almost as bad as the Hawks)
        2: C Van Pran
        2: LB Flowe
        3: WR Mims

        • DriveByPoster

          Based on the way the Seahawks approached this year’s draft, I am going to plant my flag on this hill…
          1) QB
          2) Another QB!
          3) WR
          4) C

  36. Harvey

    Rob, what would you think of this scenario? The Seahawks “always compete” but end up getting the #1 pick in the draft. Denver ends up getting swallowed up by high expectations, possible injuries to key players, and a division that has a lot of firepower. Seahawks pick Will Anderson at #1 overall and use the ammo acquired in the RW trade to move up from Denver’s selection to get their QB of choice. That would be the jolt this team would need heading into the 2023-2024 season!

    • Erik

      I don’t see us losing more games than the Falcons or Bears. Would not expect the number one pick.

      • Peter

        I could see us losing more games than the bears. They play a lot of mediocre teams.

        Atlanta I’d agree with. Number one pick? Probably not for Seattle. Top three? If the run game doesn’t come together right away and the defense keeps on bending not sure how this team wins many games.

      • Thomas Wells

        The bears did just take a giant shit on us at home like two weeks ago

  37. CaptainJack

    So two UDFA guys made the initial roster?
    Safety Joey Blount and inside linebacker Joshua Onujiogu…
    Interesting!

    My guess is collier is headed to IR and Justin Coleman will resign

    • Julian L

      I hope they don’t, though think they will, re-sign Justin Coleman. His pre season showed that his best days are definitely behind him, and they have two promising nickel corners for the future now on the roster in Coby Bryant and John Reid.
      If they move LJ Collier to IR, much better they use his roster spot to develop another young player off waivers in a position of need or even a trade than bring back Coleman. They’ll gain nothing for the future if they do?

      • STTBM

        I like Reid too, but he’s hurt. Seattle is playing roster games with Coleman because they don’t want to put Reid or Collier on year-long IR. To put them on IR for only 4 games, they have to make the initial 53.

        Can’t figure out why they didn’t use Bellore in this way: he’s not going to get signed to play LB by anyone else, and maybe 5 teams use a FB and he’s old. Not much danger of anyone stealing him lol!

  38. Julian L

    Blog; are there any players on the Waiver wire that the Seahawks should look to bring in?

    FWIW, I don’t think Jarrad Davis is one of them, though the LB position clearly has to be a priority.

    Perhaps Alec Lindstrom as a Center back up? He has a testing and size profile very similar to Austin Blythe.

    • Big Mike

      Definitely LB. The Nick Bellore era scares the bejesus out of me.
      I don’t know Lindstrom, but if he’s better than Fuller (which wouldn’t be difficult) I’m for it.

      Others, what say you?

    • Peter

      Often like Larry stone’s writing. The nfl has changed so much that I have to think most fans realize by now that if you have no qb the season will be rough to get through.

      I take some umbrage with the line “geno will protect the ball..(sic)” no one actually knows that. Know one knows what geno’s going to do when the team starts slow and gets down by two scores. The only thing I know about Geno is that he is the qb and he averages less than 200 yards a game in the air.

      In other news I am excited for mariners fans. Hopefully for you all the most can make it interesting this post season. A little bummed for local fans if the mariners make a little run then get bounced around the time the seahawks quite possibly could look cooked for the season.

      • cha

        Some of us will happily be enjoying all the young talent the Kraken have accumulated right about that time.

        • Peter

          At least the weirdest world cup in my lifetime will be something to distract me this fall.

        • Big Mike

          Gonzaga men’s hoops. Helluva schedule including Baylor, Kentucky, Michigan St., etc.

          • Big Mike

            And btw, I’ll be ecstatic if the Ms just make the playoffs. For the most part they’re young and it’s the first step.

  39. Sean-O

    CBS Sports Top 50 College Player Rankings article:

    https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-alabamas-will-anderson-georgias-jalen-carter-and-three-quarterbacks-headline-early-rankings/

    Spoiler: Three QB are in the top 5. A lot of similar names to the article above.

    • Peter

      Bryan Breesee #15? Not to be a Rob honk but if he moves and plays as well as Rob thinks I could see him going much higher. Always a fine game trying to guess which players Rob likes early and see how they do throughout the season.

      • Roy Batty

        To be fair, Jordan Davis was trumpeted as a physical freak, had a combine to behold and won a national championship.

        He still got picked at 13.

        DT is not valued as much QB, EDGE, WR or CB or OT, which could work out nicely, if the Broncos run into issues.

        • Rob Staton

          Jordan Davis also wasn’t a pass rusher

          Pass rushers go early

          Suh
          McCoy
          Quinnen Williams
          Etc

    • Rob Staton

      Saw Myles Murphy at #2 and clicked off

  40. Erik

    Without yet knowing how this draft class stacks up at the position (todays post by Rob is my first time dipping my toe into the 2023 non qb class), I would absolutely love for us to take a legitimate stud DT. No disrespect to the guys on the current roster, but they aren’t all-pro level dudes or close. Adding a true game wrecker on the inside would be massive for Mafe and Taylor.

  41. Peter

    Rob and crew.

    Since there is a ridiculous break between the end of preseason and the actual season with college ball starting in earnest this week any games any of you are particularly interested in?

    1. Utah as I start my annual pac-12 please don’t suck and please don’t get bounced out of the playoffs with a goofy late season loss to cal or some other team.

    2. Don’t like the ducks but have tons of respect for them playing a real team to start. Plus I’d like to see how loaded Georgia still is or isn’t.

    3. Honorable mention. Ohio St. Vs. Note Dame. Ohio state has all the recievers an although I dislike that team any chance to see the quizzically #5 ranked ( !!??) Notre dame get dumped on its ass is good for me. Real talk college nerds. How many times is notre dame going to be in the mix, maybe get in the playoffs, and get shown up before people let it go with that team?

    • Starhawk29

      There is no CFB team I hate more than Notre Dame. They are consistently the most overrated team in the country, and watching them lose is always a joy.

      • Peter

        Starhawk29 coming in hot!!

        100% feel that. Consistently goofy schedule. And as a middle aged fan I have zero idea where the love for them comes from.

        • Starhawk29

          Haha my parents are from the midwest, so we have strong feelings about the golden domers in my house. I think it has to do with the popularity well before our time, back in the early days of televised CFB. People just keep passing down that fanaticism the same way Cowboys fans or Packers fans seem to. It’s an epidemic.

      • Big Mike

        100% agree Starhawk29. Notre Dame is the Dallas Cowboys of college football.

    • Big Mike

      As for your question Peter, I really have lost all interest in college football when USC and UCLA jumped ship, not to mention the teams jumping to the SEC the last couple of years. I grew up with the Big 8, Pac-8, the true Big 10, etc. and to me that’s what I liked about college ball. The Wazzus and Oregon States and Northwesterns, etc. of the world are going to be left behind. I feel like ESPN and FOX and their money have ruined the sport.

  42. Mick

    Ty Summers to Jaguars, dodged a bullet there, I was afraid we claim him.

  43. V

    Mike Dugar: Seahawks claimed CB Isaiah Dunn and DE Darryl Johnson

    https://twitter.com/MikeDugar/status/1565017139006029824

    • Rob Staton

      Woah… exciting

      So active

      • Big Mike

        One Barton or Brooks injury away from the Nick Bellore era. 🙁

  44. BruceN

    Hawks didn’t select Mond (Cleveland did picking after the Hawks). And so far no LBs.

  45. V

    Tom Pelissero: The #Seahawks are expected to sign veteran QB Sean Mannion to their practice squad, per source.

    https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1565022728134053889?s=20&t=oXS8h4ATp3fKc5wpFMJC-A

    • Peter

      Sean Mannion. Jacob eason. Potatoe, tomatoe.

      • Scot04

        6yrs 0-3 in 3 games started. 1 TD, 3 INT in 14 games total
        Very uninspiring, makes Geno look good. Hard to believe we couldn’t add anything better as our practice squad QB.

        • Mick

          We’re not an attractive place to be. I bet all our PS guys will be guys from our system, like Mannion, or players we just cut.

          • Sneekes

            Is Coan still out there? Would make more sense. He has a non-zero chance of not sucking.

    • Henry Taylor

      Wow, now we’ve got three number ones!

  46. Blitzy the Clown

    Former first round pick and blog WR subject Jalen Reagor traded to the Vikings for not much.

    I haven’t followed his career, but is he that much of a bust?

    Adam Schefter

    @AdamSchefter
    Trade: Eagles are sending WR Jalen Reagor to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2023 7th-round pick and a 2024 conditional 4th-round pick that would deescalate to a 5th-round pick if certain statistical marks are not met, sources tell ESPN.
    11:08 AM · Aug 31, 2022

    • STTBM

      Yes. At least they drafted Devonta Smith. One out of three high WR picks…Arcega-Whiteside and Reagor busted…

  47. V

    Brady Henderson: The Seahawks have signed 12 players to their practice squad, the team announced.
    WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
    T Greg Eiland
    WR Cade Johnson
    LB Vi Jones
    TE Tyler Mabry
    WR Bo Melton
    CB Quandre Mosely
    LB Tanner Muse
    S Scott Nelson
    T Liam Ryan
    RB Darwin Thompson
    LB Aaron Donkor

    All but Mosely were with the Seahawks this summer. Mosely, an undrafted rookie from Kentucky, was previously with Dallas.

    Still five more spots to fill out. Seattle gets an exemption for Donkor, so he doesn’t count against the 16-player limit.

    https://twitter.com/BradyHenderson/status/1565062397479436288?s=20&t=qXxA0TJtMG5xs3TXJwvmXA

    • STTBM

      I’m hoping they put Onujiogu and Kevin Kassis on the PS. Give them a shot to develop.

  48. V

    Mike Dugar: The Seahawks waived outside linebacker Joshua Onujiogu and placed cornerback John Reid on injured reserve.

    https://twitter.com/MikeDugar/status/1565060011768037377

  49. V

    Tom Pelissero: The #Seahawks plan to re-sign CB Justin Coleman later today, per source. One of many veterans around the league released because of short-term roster mechanics that will return once there’s a spot.

    https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1565033373885759494

  50. Palatypus

    Hugh Millen just tore Geno a new one on KJR.

    • Rob Staton

      On which show?

      • Palatypus

        Puck and Jim, I think. It ended about an hour ago?

        Went into detail about air yards and interception rate, calling him a check down Charlie who won’t take any risks. Then compared Locke to how bad Brett Favre was his first year in GB with Holmgren, but at least he was throwing the ball down field.

        • TomLPDX

          Sounds like he was just stating the obvious.

          • Palatypus

            Yet, he went into great statistical detail. “Correlation ratios” “Sabermetrics”

            • Big Mike

              But Hugh failed to take into account the theory that Florio has proposed that Pete is trying to prove he can win just as easily with Geno as with Wilson.
              The fact that it’s obvious to anyone paying attention that it was going to be Geno all along supports that supposition.

      • Palatypus

        Found it.

        https://www.iheart.com/podcast/59-puck-27459121/

        Puck and Jim Show

        Breaking down the QB Battle W/ Hugh Millen.

        • Big Mike

          “Almost no correlation between interception avoidance and getting to the Super Bowl”
          Good thing Pete reigned Russ in when he threw a couple of picks vs. the Rams and thus ended the “let Russ cook” approach after less than 6 games.

          • Big Mike

            Of course it didn’t help that once other teams adjusted to what Seattle was doing, there was no counter adjustments according to Chris Simms. He stated that the Seahawks offense is extremely simplistic, nearly high school level.

            • Peter

              “What is the sound of one hand clapping?”

              “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around does it make a sound?”

              “Is your qb unable to throw check downs and use the middle or is your coach obsessed with deep balls, out routes, and throwing to the sidelines to avoid interceptions?”

              Questions we’ll never know the answers to.

              …….oh wait…..

              Paul richardson, Percival Harvin, Lockett, Metcalf, Kris Durham, dee eskridge, dareke young, jermaine Kearse, the speedster Ricardo lockette. With one probable slot reciever in Doug Baldwin in a decade of drafts.

          • Palatypus

            I throw the ball to DK Metcalf guarded by Jalen Ramsey ten times in a row. Jalen Ramsey intercepts the first two. What happens the next eight?

            Well, we’ll never know because we quit.

  51. 12th chuck

    these are the practice squad signings
    WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
    T Greg Eiland
    WR Cade Johnson
    LB Vi Jones
    TE Tyler Mabry
    WR Bo Melton
    CB Quandre Mosely
    LB Tanner Muse
    S Scott Nelson
    T Liam Ryan
    RB Darwin Thompson
    LB Aaron Donkor

    • HOUSE

      I’ve seen that there is a plan to sign Sean Mannion to the PS. Nothing official yet…

  52. Stuart

    Excellent, thanks for the radio and thanks for the PS list.

    Dont let the list of the top 50 players compared to Robs shorter list be a concern. Rob finds the stars before other sources. He is high on a player long before the rest. Its uncanny!

    The the Hawks had a chance to add Mond and they passed. The brilliance of roster building. Why would they want a young stud drafted in the 3rd round when they already have Jeno Smith.

    Oh BTW the 50 top players list had at #35 had Tyler Van Dyke.

    Loving hearing Hugh Millen rippen.

  53. HOUSE

    Justin Coleman is officially back and LJ Collier has been placed on IR

    • CaptainJack

      Lol

      Predicted that perfectly.

    • Palatypus

      HMS Queen Elizabeth, somewhere in the Indian Ocean –

      Captain Robert “Call Sign: Bob” Staton sat in his F-35B as the elevator brought the craft up to the deck. Steam spewed forth in the morning air as a guitar anthem mysteriously started playing out of nowhere. His V/STOL variant of the Lightning II was the most advanced 5th generation fighter craft in the world. It would be completely invisible to the enemy if not for the blinding glare off his mirrored sunglasses.

      But today he would be hunting an enemy even more invisible: The L.J. Collier. It was a hopeless mission for which he was given no chance to return, Staton taxied his fighter into place and called up to the flight boss. Then he put his jet into a hover. The Air Boss, Rear Admiral Arnold “Ace” Rimmer sipped his coffee and replied.

      “You know you don’t have to do this,” he said, “it’s a dog’s dinner out there.”

      “Smoke me a kipper Skipper, I’ll be back before breakfast!”

      And with a quick burst of his afterburners he disappeared over the horizon.

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