A deeper look into the combine numbers

Jordan Thomas has freaky agility

Since 2010, only five cornerbacks with 32 inch arms (Seattle’s prototype) have managed a sub-4.00 short shuttle:

2018 — Jordan Thomas (3.94)
2017 — Kevin King (3.89)
2016 — DeAndre Elliott (3.94)
2015 — Byron Jones (3.94), Tye Smith (3.96)
2010-2014 — No qualifiers

Thomas is the new name on a select list that includes two players Seattle eventually added (Elliott & Smith).

He also ran a 6.28 three cone. That is 0.16 seconds faster than anyone else in the last 10 years of the combine:

Jordan Thomas (2018) — 6.28
Buster Skrine (2011) — 6.44
Chykie Brown — 6.50
Grant Haley (2018) — 6.51
Avonte Maddox (2018) — 6.51
Will Davis (2013) — 6.52
Shiloh Keo (2011) — 6.55
Josh Robinson (2012) — 6.55
Kevin King (2017) — 6.56
Terrance Mitchell (2014) – 6.57
Patrick Peterson (2011) – 6.58
Curtis Brown (2011) — 6.59
Terrence Frederick (2012) — 6.59
Malcolm Jenkins (2009) — 6.59
Coty Sensabaugh (2012) — 6.60

That’s quite an achievement for Thomas. He’s not just quicker than the rest of the field, he’s considerably quicker.

On top of this, Thomas had a 38 inch vertical and a 10-4 broad jump.

The downside is he’s only 6-0 and 187lbs so he’s not the biggest but he does have 32 inch arms and a 77 6/8 inch wingspan. An average NFL cornerback has 31.5 inch arms and a 75.5 inch wingspan.

According to his NFL.com bio, Thomas is “known by scouts as an ‘over-thinker’ who has bouts of low confidence”. He’s also said to be an inconsistent tackler.

Neither aspect is particularly Seahawky. However, his athletic testing and length might interest the team late in the draft.

Running backs also excel in the short shuttle

Saquon Barkley is known for his low centre of gravity and ability to change direction quickly with explosive power and agility. He ran a 4.24 short shuttle. Nick Chubb ran a 4.25 and Kerryon Johnson a 4.29. Pretty similar times.

Without doubt Barkley is quicker and much more sudden than Chubb or Johnson but it was interesting to see how they compared in the short shuttle. They were all similarly explosive too with comparable vertical jumps.

If speed matters, is this guy an option?

Leon Jacobs, a linebacker from Wisconsin, had a quietly excellent combine. At 6-1 and 246lbs he ran a 4.48, jumped a 34.5 inch vertical and managed a 10-2 broad jump. He’s explosive and fast and also has good length (33.5 inch arms). Jacobs also put up 26 reps on the bench press (second only to Malik Jefferson among linebackers).

His short shuttle wasn’t too bad either. He ran a 4.44 — a time that compares favourably to K.J. Wright’s 4.46. If the Seahawks want speed in the front seven, Jacobs could be an option as a late-round SAM/LEO.

How quick was the safety class?

Eight players ran a 4.4 or faster at the 2018 combine. How does that compare to previous years?

2018 — 8
2017 — 5
2016 — 2
2015 — 3
2014 — 4
2013 — 3
2012 — 0
2011 — 0

At the 2011 combine the two fastest safety’s were Jeron Johnson (4.53) and Mark LeGree (4.56) — both acquired by the Seahawks.

This is the fastest group of safety’s in draft history. It’s perhaps indicative of the way college football and the NFL is going. It’ll be a surprise if the Seahawks don’t tap into the supply at some point.

Big receiver has a big day

Courtland Sutton (6-3, 218lbs) ran a faster short shuttle (4.11) than 5-10, 180lbs Keke Coutee (4.15). Coutee was quicker in the forty (4.43 vs 4.54) but in terms of agility and change of direction, that’s a nice comparison for Courtland Sutton. Essentially he’s as quick-footed as a much smaller back and he was more explosive in the vertical and broad. Sutton also managed the 11th best three-cone time by a receiver in the last 10 years.

Lauletta and Gesicki stand out

Here are the top-15 performers in the short shuttle at the 2018 combine. It’s a weird group. I’ve included position and weight in brackets:

Grant Haley (CB, 5-9, 190) — 3.94
Jordan Thomas (CB, 6-0, 187) — 3.94
Jaire Alexander (CB, 5-10, 196) — 3.98
Avonte Maddox (CB, 5-9, 184) — 4.00
Troy Akpe (S, 6-1, 200) — 4.01
Dylan Cantrell (WR, 6-2, 226) — 4.03
Josh Jackson (CB, 6-0, 196 — 4.03
J’Mon Moore (WR, 6-2, 205) — 4.04
Andre Chachere (CB, 5-11, 197) — 4.07
Chase Edmonds (RB, 5-9, 205) — 4.07
Justin Jackson (RB, 6-0, 193) — 4.07
Kyle Lauletta (QB, 6-2, 222) — 4.07
D.J. Moore (WR, 6-0, 210) — 4.07
Dorian O’Daniel (LB, 6-0, 223) — 4.07
Mike Gesicki (TE, 6-5, 247) — 4.10

Kyle Lauretta of all people is the one mixing it with nimble, smaller running backs and cornerbacks. The list also highlights Mike Gesicki’s freaky athleticism. He’s 21lbs heavier than the next biggest player on the list (Dyan Cantrell).

How important is the vertical and broad for running backs?

Here are some of the notable testers over the years:

David Johnson — 41.5 vertical, 10-7 broad
Christian McCaffrey — 37.5 vertical, 10-1 broad
Kareem Hunt — 36.5 vertical, 9-11 broad
Alvin Kamara — 39.5 vertical, 10-11 broad
Jay Ajayi — 39 vertical, 10-1 broad
Jordan Howard — 34 vertical, 10-2 broad
Melvin Gordon — 35 vertical, 10-6 broad
Jerick McKinnon — 40.5 vertical, 11-0 broad
DeMarco Murray — 34 vertical, 10-4 broad
Adrian Peterson — 38.5 vertical, 10-7 broad
Jonathan Stewart — 36.5 vertical, 10-8 broad

The historical average for a RB at the combine is:

Vertical: 35 inches
Broad: 9-11

As we can see, many of the top runners in the league exceeded the league average in both tests. There are recent exceptions though:

Ezekiel Elliott — 32.5 vertical, 9-10 broad
Leonard Fournette — 28.5 vertical, DNP
Le’Veon Bell — 31.5 vertical, 9-10 broad
Mark Ingram — 31.5 vertical, 9-10 broad

LeSean McCoy and Todd Gurley didn’t work out at the combine.

Here are some of Seattle’s notable running backs and how they tested:

Marshawn Lynch — 35.5 vertical, 10-5 broad
Chris Carson —37 vertical, 10-10 broad
C.J. Prosise — 35.5 vertical, 10-1 broad
Thomas Rawls — 35.5 vertical, 9-8 broad
Christine Michael — 43 vertical, 10-5 broad
Robert Turbin — 36 vertical, 10-2 broad

And here’s a reminder of some of the big names from the 2018 combine:

Saquon Barkley — 41 vertical, DNP
Ronald Jones II — 36.5 vertical, DNP
Nick Chubb — 38.5 vertical, 10-8 broad
Kerryon Johnson — 40 vertical, 10-6 broad
Sony Michel — DNP, DNP
Derrius Guice — 31.5 vertical, DNP
Rashaad Penny — 32.5 vertical, 10-0 broad
Royce Freeman — 34 vertical, 9-10
John Kelly — 35 vertical, 10-0 broad
Bo Scarborough — 40 vertical, 10-9 broad

How do the vertical jumps stack up?

Here are the top-15 testers this year:

Terrell Edmunds — 41.5
Mike Gesicki — 41.5
Joshua Kalu — 41.5
Matthew Thomas — 41.5
Troy Akpe — 41
Saquon Barkley — 41
Siran Neal — 40.5
Chandon Sullivan — 40.5
D.J. Chark — 40
Derwin James — 40
Kerryon Johnson — 40
Bo Scarborough — 40
Oren Burks — 39.5
D.J. Moore — 39.5
Josh Sweat — 39.5

Now here are the top three jumps from the last three years:

2017

Obi Melifonwu — 44
Speedy Noil — 43.5
Marcus Williams — 43.5

2016

Daniel Lasco — 41.5
Jalen Ramsey — 41.5
Josh Doctson — 41
DeAndre Elliott — 41
Dadi Nicolas — 41
Sterling Shephard — 41

2015

Chris Conley — 45
Byron Jones — 44.5
Ameer Abdullah — 42.5
Davis Tull — 42.5

Denzel Ward is rising for a reason

And it’s not just because this is an ugly looking cornerback class overall. Aside from running an excellent 4.32 and jumping a 39 inch vertical, Ward also managed an astonishing 11-4 broad jump.

Only five players have achieved a superior jump in the last ten years:

Byron Jones — 12-3
Obi Melifonwu — 11-9
Jamie Collins — 11-7
Chris Conley — 11-7
Bud Dupree — 11-6

Ward’s effort is identical to Julio Jones’ 11-4 and an inch longer than Jalen Ramsey’s 11-3. Clearly he’s a highly explosive and sudden athlete. He appears destined to be taken very early in round one.

Jaire Alexander also rising?

He’s started to appear in the first round of a few high profile mock drafts. It’s absolutely fair. Alexander was one of the very few cornerbacks to come out of the combine drills with any credit. He looked incredibly smooth, sudden and focused. It’s not a stretch at all to think he’s the second best corner in this class.

He also tested exceptionally well at the combine. He ran a 4.38, jumped a 35 inch vertical and a 10-7 broad. His best feat was possibly a sub-4.00 short shuttle (3.98). Alexander doesn’t fit Seattle (5-10, 196lbs, 31 inch arms) but he’ll certainly interest other teams.

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225 Comments

  1. Nick

    Gosh, Nick Chubb just ticks all of the boxes. Such an explosive athlete. I would love to see him available in the early second round. Also, in terms of mirroring the roster—Chubb is very similar to Jonathan Stewart (someone who they’ve brought in this offseason). This was Stewart’s combine: 4.48, 36.5 inch vertical, 128.0 inch broad.

    • C-Dog

      He really does. I just got this feeling like he could be the back Seattle is going to really covet.

      • Patrick Toler

        Agreed. He is the perfect back for the style Pete wants to play. Big and physical enough to be a battering ram, but plenty athletic enough to break off big runs. He would look great in a Seahawks uniform.

    • Trudy Beekman

      https://www.playerprofiler.com/nfl/nick-chubb/

      Best comp is J Stewart

  2. Trevor

    Great analysis thanks for this.

    I think Jacobs is definitely a guy they will look at.

    Thomas might be a great late round developmental CB. Redshirt a year and learn Petes technique plus really focus on getting stronger. If he does with that short area quickness he could become an elite a lot guy. The lack of confidence does not really sound like a Seahawk however.

    • Rob Staton

      Been watching him today. Very intense, fast, big. Hits.

  3. Trevor

    Rob what are your thoughts on Dylan Cantrell? He tested really well and is supposed to have great hands.

    • Rob Staton

      Not watched him but a 4.59 will probably be troubling for Seattle.

  4. TTownHawk

    The Seahawks need Nick Chubb or Kerryon Johnson! The fit just makes too much sense.

    I like some of the intriguing late round prospects too, particularly from an athletic standpoint. Akpe seems like a guy to target, as well as the ones Rob mentioned.

    • FresnoBrad

      I like KJ

  5. Andrew

    Should the Seahawks look at Troy Apke as a possible CB conversion? He meets all of their physical and athletic cutoffs and probably won’t cost much draft capital.

    • FresnoBrad

      There’s probably several converts CB to FS, SS to CB if that’s the case & Carroll being best secondary coach in league we should do it. Wondering if Griffith can play SS?

      • j hawk

        Agree Brad about Shaquem playing ss. I mentioned it a few days ago and got poo-pood. He is faster than ET and tackles very well . I think he should get a try at it if he were to go to the Hawks.

        • FresnoBrad

          I’m interested in Griffith as SS if he can play it we should draft him. I don’t think he can play FS. If he can’t play SS or LB we can’t draft him

    • TTownHawk

      Absolutely worth the late round flier. I also like the idea of drafting Tre Flowers as a CB convert, he has a very similar body type to RS25. Bring em in and coach em up Pete!

      • FresnoBrad

        I like Tre Flowers

        • Ralphy

          +1

    • Patrick Toler

      That would be interesting. His on field speed matches up with his 40 time, that dude flies. His biggest problem I saw watching him was that he occasionally took bad open field angles and got beat. That might be minimized at CB? I’d love him as a day three developmental pick.

  6. FresnoBrad

    Don’t forget Roc Thomas 5 ’11 195 lbs vert 35.5 40 yard 4.56 broad 125 inches. Former 5 star transfer Auburn to Jacksonville state. He looked as good at the combine

    • Rob Staton

      Thomas is a lot smaller than the RB’s they’ve taken in the past.

      • FresnoBrad

        Seattle has interviewed Chase Edmonds he’s even smaller.

        • Rob Staton

          He’s seven pounds heavier but admittedly they are showing interest in a back who isn’t +210. Although it’s easier to get there from 205 than it is the 190’s.

          • FresnoBrad

            After taking a look at Chase Edmonds I say we go after him after the draft or 6th/7th.

    • Kenny Sloth

      I liked Roc Thomas when I thought he weighed 228…

      Chase Edmonds is better

      • FresnoBrad

        Kenny I think Roc Thomas is legit

  7. Forty20

    Perhaps the most succinct endorsement of Vita Vea’s talent yet:

    [Burgundy Blog] My guy asked Tomsula about DL draft prospects, specifically Payne and Vea. JT barely said two words about Payne. He lit up over Vea. “That’s a big nasty f***in’ cat!”

    • Ishmael

      Ahaha that’s awesome. He was a brutal HC, but I’ve got a lot of time for Tomsula. Clearly a top tier D-line coach.

  8. Nick

    Pauline noting Seahawks sent multiple scouts to go see RB Chase Edmonds. http://draftanalyst.com/pro-day-march-8-washington-statearmyfordham

    • FresnoBrad

      +1 looks like beefing up 3rd down back group. NE is tied to him too. He must be good. I like all the RB’s in round 2 I just don’t want to give a 2nd pick for any of them.

  9. C-Dog

    Probably not the biggest shocking news, but Bob Condotta is reporting that the Seahawks are set to release Jeremy Lane, as well.

    Without speculation they bring back Maxwell or Shead, that leaves depth at corner being Griffin, Coleman, Thorpe, Elliot, and Tyson.

    I would think Jordan Thomas might definitely be a target.

    • BobbyK

      Maxwell and Griffin are solid starting CBs.

      • BobbyK

        At Pete’s end of the year presser, he did seem to indicate they would like to have Maxwell back.

        • FresnoBrad

          I’m not high on Maxwell especially when we have Tyson. Elliot is due to break out and we should bring back Shead cheaply. With Sherman gone we got to draft his replacement. Giving Maxwell 6 million is not smart.

          • BobbyK

            Where did I say we should give Maxwell $6 million? I don’t see where he’s going to command that given his releases by two previous teams (Philadelphia and Miami).

          • Patrick Toler

            I would be pretty surprised if Maxwell got more than $3M given his struggles in Philly and Miami. Maybe San Diego or Atlanta make a run, but I don’t see a team running another scheme wanting him.

        • C-Dog

          I think they do ultimately bring back Maxwell, and I think there’s a good chance that Shead comes back, as well. Just illustrating what they roster looks like with the pending cuts before free agency.

          I think it also illustrates that Seattle needs one of Elliot or Tyson to make the next leap forward in development. Injuries happen. On paper Griffin and Maxwell, and Coleman look very serviceable, but should one or more go down with injury, that’s going to force an unknown into action for potentially an extended period of playing time.

          Definitely think Seattle should look to the draft mid rounds again, if they can.

          • House

            I was reading something earlier about Tedric Thompson potentially getting looked at playing CB. While at Colorado, he played CB for 2.5 years before converting to FS. He’s 5’11”, 204 lbs with a 31 5/8” arm length. He also runs a 4.52.

            Thoughts?

            • FresnoBrad

              Where did you read that?

            • Mark Souza

              He ran 4.60 at the combine. Sherm ran 4.56 so it’s not out of the realm of possibility. However, if you had a shutdown corner on your team, would you really move him to safety? Makes me think that his loss at CB wasn’t a big issue at Colorado, or that the coaching staff determined he was more suited to playing safety.

            • Michigan 12th

              Thompson ran a 4.6 at the combine. Where did you get the number 4.52? That would make me feel alot better about him, but I have always thought he was a littler slow.

    • FresnoBrad

      Why do we need $$ now are we keeping Graham, Joekel are we spending in FA? What the heck is going on?

      • Rob Staton

        Here are some reasons why they might need cap room:

        Russell Wilson
        Earl Thomas
        Frank Clark
        K.J. Wright
        Bobby Wagner

        • FresnoBrad

          We don’t have to extend those players for a while right now we have $81 million for 2019.

          • Rob Staton

            Wilson and Wagner are both up after 2019. I doubt either goes into a contract year.

            Frank Clark is a free agent at the end of the 2018 season.

            Earl Thomas is a free agent at the end of the 2018 season.

            K.J. Wright is a free agent at the end of the 2018 season.

            • C-Dog

              +1

          • lil'stink

            You can roll all that unused cap $$ into the next season, something we have done less of than pretty much every other team in the league the last couple of seasons.

            I’m not going to give up on our chances next year, but right now I think every move should be made with an eye on the 2019 cap. Limit any veteran stop gap signings this year (Lacy, Joeckel, etc), live or die with someone on a rookie deal instead, and try to move forward in 2019.

            • FresnoBrad

              Ok I do see that but Frank Clark isn’t worth blowing up the season and if you take Clark off that list were fine with the cap. There’s a black cloud over Clark right now everyone can see it and sense it and he didn’t meet expectations last year.

              • Mark Souza

                And I’ve heard Seattle will make a bid to retain Sheldon Richardson.

        • DC

          Duane Brown

          • FresnoBrad

            Why can’t Brown wait till camp?

          • John_s

            Also Tyler Lockett

          • C-Dog

            I suspect that the extend Brown. JS said he wants him to retire a Hawk and Brown stated the same.

    • Pran

      Should not get carried away by maxwell. Lane also played well briefly before contract extension and regressed since. I am thinking they let him test market and bring him back for a million.

      • Christian

        I’m not sure his fading had anything to do with a contract extension and probably owed more to this:

        In the first quarter, Lane intercepted Tom Brady in the red zone, but that ended up being the last play of Lane’s game. On the return, he injured his arm, forcing him to miss the remainder of the Super Bowl, which ended with Russell Wilson’s pick on the 1-yard line. Lane had surgery during the game. Then, Lane found out a month after the Super Bowl that he also tore his ACL .It gets worse. Lane also dealt with an infection in his arm, which forced him to undergo another surgery in the spring.Not alot of training camp for him, off ACL and Arm surgery….and did you see his dislocated fingers, where basically his fingers were stitched on. So yeah his health has caused him to fade, I don’t think it was related to finally getting paid

  10. drewdawg11

    Recencey bias is a thing. Before the national title game and before the semis I had decide I was very pro Nick Chubb as the next Seahawks runner. After the Oklahoma game, people gushed. After the Bama game, people were off the band wagon. I kept trying to explain the circumstances of why he was stuffed and why Michel had room, but we had to wait until the next time he impressed people publicly. Well, that ended up being the combine. So long as he medical check is good, he needs to be a Seahawk. Period.

    • FresnoBrad

      I like Michel

      • j hawk

        Sorry Brad, I hate to agree with you again but watching his film I would be very happy to get Michel.

    • Rob Staton

      The Alabama statistical performance was so predictable too. Here’s what I wrote in the National Championship game preview: https://seahawksdraftblog.com/national-championship-draft-preview

      “This might be a game for Michel. Chubb is going to see a lot of extra bodies at the LOS (Georgia’s quarterback is a true freshman). Getting the ball to Michel in space is key.”

      Marshawn had games where he got bottled up too. The Broncos in the Super Bowl dedicated everything to stopping Marshawn. Sometimes a back who commands attention is productive even if they aren’t on the stat sheet.

      • FresnoBrad

        I like them both but I think we have more need at 3rd down RB. It’s nothing against Chubb. The way RBs get hurt in the NFL & the dire shortage for other positions in the NFL, out of hand QB salaries and the fact there will be RB’s round 3,4,5 we got to use round 2 on something other than RB even if we pick twice in round 2.

        • Rob Staton

          Seattle needs more than just a 3rd down RB.

          And the sentiment on drafting a running back early is just more modern day football rhetoric.

          • RealRhino2

            I just went back and watched every carry from both backs vs. Alabama. I’ve been a Chubb fan, so I hope my bias doesn’t bleed through here. Alabama didn’t play them any differently, but I noticed that Georgia used them quite differently.

            Michel ran almost exclusively from the shotgun formation. He did a good job reading the blocks, cutting back, hitting the hole and bouncing when appropriate. He ran once from the pistol, stuffed for a loss.

            Alternatively, Chubb ran (going from memory since my wife walked in on me in the middle of this and I don’t want her to think I’m a total weirdo) at least 2x from pistol and 3x as a single set back (none for Michel). None of those plays were particularly successful. The two outside runs they each had, Michel had a hole available but they left either the end or a DB on the line unblocked for Chubb, leaving him to fend for himself.

            Now, I don’t think Chubb did great. He generally chose the right lane on inside runs (just not much there). I thought he could have done better on the outside runs, just getting nipped when he couldn’t get around a DB (should have recognized it was a DB and cut inside of him rather than trying to go around).

      • Ishmael

        “Sometimes a back who commands attention is productive even if they aren’t on the stat sheet.”

        This. Excellent players have a gravity to them. They change the game through sheer presence. It’s the same argument on the other side of the ball with Sherman. Sure his interception numbers have gone down, but that’s because no one throws the ball anywhere near him.

        • mishima

          This.

          If you think PCJS are worrying more about Goff than Gurley, you’re on the wrong site.

          RoJo II, K. Johnson, Chubb.

      • D-OZ

        +12

        • Thy Hawk is Howling

          + – Ishmael’s rational thinking!

      • Ralphy

        Exactly Rob. The back commanding attention and opening up passing lanes is having a great game!

    • 503Hawk

      Drewdawg & Rob, I believe you are spot on! I’ve had a crush on Chubb for a couple of years now.
      With the Hawks’ first two picks I want Chubb, a plug and play OL, or a play making defender. (Rob as elaborated nicely on more than a few that would fit our needs at OL & D. But I WANT CHUBB!)

    • C-Dog

      Give me Chubb over Michel. Give me Chubb over all the other backs not names Barkley or Jones.

  11. Rowlandice

    Think HOU would give us our 2nd and 3rd back for ET?

    • Rowlandice

      I realize that’s only a 3rd this year and a 2nd next year.

    • lil'stink

      I would want a first for ET3 or an established player. I’ve been dreaming about scenarios where we trade him for Zack Martin or Deion Jones + a day three pick.

      • icb12

        I suspect you will be dreaming for some time.

  12. Coleslaw

    But Mike Tyson has 31.5 inch arms… playing him at safety and corner, 32 inch arms aren’t a threshold.

    • Rob Staton

      Yes it is. Surprised anyone’s trying to argue otherwise.

      In the post-draft press conference Schneider said Tyson had 32 inch arms. Presumably did their own measuring.

      • Coleslaw

        Still then that just shows the combine measurements can be inaccurate.
        I’m not saying we should look at all these guys just maybe if it’s within a half inch we can still leave the possibility open that it’s inaccurate

        • Rob Staton

          No it’s fair to wonder if the guys with +31.5 inch arms should be included.

          But in eight years they’ve only taken one guy who measured 31.5 inches at the combine. Every other CB they’ve taken has had +32 inch arms. So not going to get hung up on it.

          • Totem_Hawk

            Why not take Calvin Ridley at #18?

            • drewdawg11

              He’s not nearly as good as a first round receiver in any other draft.

              • Totem_Hawk

                Nfl.com has Ridley graded out as their 6th best player available in the entire draft. We need another top WR..no defense is scared of our passing game at all its going to be 9 men in the box on 1st and 2nd down as this team looks now

                • teejmo

                  I think WR is way down the line for team needs.

              • Coleslaw

                True, but remember receiver is a prime position for first round picks. At least 1 receiver will go in the 1st round, likely Ridley, depends on who wants a receiver and who they like.
                I’m just gonna throw this in, receivers are a dime a dozen and I wouldn’t take one in the 1st this year, but someone will.

      • Coleslaw

        Also, Seattle could measure from a different spot than at the combine

  13. Ishmael

    Three of the top five 3-Cone times came this year? Every now and then I do have to wonder about the combine testing.

    • icb12

      Weird right?

      Cajuste in the top 3 at 6-4 and 230+ is freaky too.

      • Ishmael

        Weird enough that I’d be a bit sceptical about either the timing or the set-up of the test.

  14. PowerPeanut

    Any legit chance Seattle signs Either Short or Murray? Both Veteran big backs that has proven to be solid.

  15. DC

    Of the OL guys many have been talking about here it will be interesting to see which one the Hawks take IF they actually do. Position versatility has been important in the past. Will it be again?

    Jeremiah’s ranking vs Tony Pauline then (average)

    Conner Williams #21 & #34 (27.5)
    Will Hernandez #25 & #38 (31.5)
    Billy Price #49 & #15 (32)
    Isaiah Wynn #37 & #32 (34.5)
    Austin Corbett #48 & #50 (49)

    Williams, Wynn & Corbett all have played LT which the Hawks have stated they like. Price has the versatility to play C/G. Hernandez is strictly a LG but that happens to be the biggest gaping hole on the OL at this moment. If the DJ/TP average ranking is any indication it certainly looks like the Hawks could trade down to the late first/very early second round area and still have a couple of these guys on the board.

    • FresnoBrad

      That’s how I see it

  16. Christian

    I think I solved the Running Back problem (a little tongue in cheek) Point being there are a ton of options in the draft. Just give me 2-3 picks on RB.
    Round 1 Pick 18: Johnson, Kerryon, RB, Auburn
    Round 4 Pick 20: Scarbrough, Bo, RB, Alabama
    Round 5 Pick 4: Freeman, Royce, RB, Oregon
    Round 5 Pick 9: Walton, Mark, RB, Miami (FL)
    Round 5 Pick 31: Edmonds, Chase, RB, Fordham
    Round 7 Pick 8: Warren III, Chris, RB, Texas
    Round 7 Pick 30: Smith, Ito, RB, Southern Miss
    Round 7 Pick 32: Nall, Ryan, RB/FB, Oregon State

    • Christian

      First pick doesn’t have the Bennett trade in yet

      • j hawk

        At least you got a FB in there for some blocking.

        • Dave

          Ball can run and block. Looks like Mike Alstott when he runs.

          • Dave

            Nall not Ball, auto wrong not correct.

  17. Kenny Sloth

    Chase Edmonds is a decent 3rd down back.
    Accelerates very well after catching the ball in the flat.
    Has a wicked stiff arm and can really get to the corner.
    Freezes defenders by juking without slowing down
    Can’t passpro for beans
    Looks like a 6th round option for us.

    Jordan Thomas is like a poor man’s Kevin King.
    Very agile, speedy, decent technique
    He’s just super soft.
    Doesn’t get off blocks and set a hard edge
    He’s a very insecure player.
    He looks like a nice Jeremy Lane type player

    • FresnoBrad

      We don’t have a 6th and we need to get a punter & kicker = 2 5ths

    • Mark Souza

      I watched Thomas’s highlight video (link below). He’s raw. His coverage and tackling form sucks. He may have incredible short area quickness, but it doesn’t show on film. He’s almost always behind and out of position in coverage. He’s a lump of clay that needs a lot of molding. This is one of those cases where the combine numbers can be very misleading. Don’t fall in love with numbers.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vJOjaenRJ8

  18. John_s

    Apparently the Rams just acquired Aquib Talib.

    That is one hell of a CB pair. Peters and Talib

    http://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/971912702347096064

    • Ishmael

      Going to be an interesting locker room. Wade Phillips must know what he’s getting with Talib. But far out, that corner tandem with Donald wrecking shop up front is rough. They’re going to be absolutely miserable to play.

      • vrtkolman

        This is their all in year. Rams vs. Eagles is gonna be fun to watch.

      • vrtkolman

        They got him for a 5th. We can’t get anything for Sherman? BS. There has to be something we don’t know about. I wonder if his achilles is so bad, the team knows he won’t be able to pass a physical?

        • Mark Souza

          Talib is healthy. They know what they’re getting. No one knows what Sherman will look like after his recovery, so it’s going to be hard to find a trade partner or get much for him.

    • Del tre

      Sounds like a team that’s taking on a lot of extra noise to me. He’s also 32 and a high cap hit

      • Rob-Not that Rob though

        On paper it looks brutal, but I’ll reserve judgement until I see how it plays out. We’ve seen too many times where the initial reaction was “OMG They are going to be unstoppable/unmovable!!” and have it not play out even close to that (here’s looking at you Percy….). Scary at the outset for sure, but lets see what happens. Denver let him go for 2 gumm wrappers and a broken yard stick for a reason.

        From the Rams side, it looks like they are going for broke this year and hoping for the best. Lots of money gonna be flowing out of there next year…

        • icb12

          Denver let him go for the same reason the seahawks may cut Sherman.

          11 million dollars.

          • AlaskaHawk

            Note to John Schneider: And that’s why you don’t trade away your first round draft pick for a player when the other team wants to dump salary.

  19. Coleslaw

    Well we can chalk up 2 losses for the 2018 season…
    Rams now have Trumaine Johnson, Marcus Peters and Aqib Talon.
    Eagles and Rams making power moves.

    • cha

      You’re right. Let’s just concede now and avoid playing the actual games.

      For crying out loud.

      • Hawk Eye

        winning the off season rarely works out
        It can. But let’s see where they are when the dust settles.
        Same with the Eagles. They had a magical season and they are headed into cap hell.
        Doubtful they repeat.
        there will be 2 or 3 teams not going back to the playoffs and 2 or 3 new ones in the NFC. Last year there were 5 new NFC teams in the playoffs

        • Mark Souza

          Truer words were never spoken. Remember when we acquired Jimmy Graham? It was a Super Bowl for sure. We were unstoppable.

        • peter

          Agreed it seems to me teams that win the off season rarely bring home the Lombardi. Last year I was certain that the patriots won the off season and had the firepower to win the big one. Art least that’s what every talking head told me.

          I remember when elway was gm of the year and they won the off season only to have the worst starting play in a superbowl. Seems that they had to go “all in,” multiple times to get it right .

    • Patrick Toler

      LOL. Even when we were the best team in the league the Rams would beat us. We will be good enough to have a chance to return the favor. I love the pairing at CB with that DL, but I’ll wait to see it on the field before crowning them. The first time Talib snatches someone’s chain they might both get ejected…

    • Del tre

      Yeah a 32 year old, a headcase, and a corner they haven’t signed and probably won’t, I’m terrified, especially considering the likely drop with it being McVays second year, no more sneaking up on teams, no more easy cheasy schedule.
      You stop the run and the Rams are toast, that 42-7 loss was such a fluke, Bobby was essentially out, KJ was out, Naz was out, McCray was expected to run stop at SS, it was all a bad formula for a huge loss. Not to mention that we had the worst OC in the league keeping our offense off the field.
      But hey if you want to count on a 34 year old left tackle and a 32 year old corner to continue to produce go ahead.

    • teejmo

      I… really doubt Johnson’s staying.

      • Coleslaw

        He will stay, Talib is a rental, not a long term answer. He’s Gonna be their weapon on defense.

      • Coleslaw

        My bad i meant to say Lamarcus Joyner lol

    • C-Dog

      The 49ers seem like the front runner to sign Johnson. Maybe that’s two losses for us, as well.

    • Coleslaw

      Jesus Christ guys it was a figure of speech. Chill.

    • Coleslaw

      Lamarcus Joyner not Johnson lol

      • C-Dog

        Go Hawks!

  20. drewdawg11

    Man, still wishing JS had taken the patriots’ offer for a third and 5th on MB. If they trade down, need a third back and then… we can’t get a second unless we forgo the first round and trade back again. Or… trade Earl. Nobody likes it, but what’s the value? We don’t have an Earl on the roster. Nobody does, really. We need more picks. We need them on day two. The Reid kid from Stanford is interesting, but he’s a top 40 pick. We need other things much more. I keep thinking g that it’d almost a given that he will be moved.

    • SeahawkeyezSubj80

      With all due respect. This is is agent or GM speak. JS would not have turned down a 3rd rounder and 5th on Micheal Bennett. JS took best offer available.

    • Mark Souza

      Yeah, how dare he keep his word after coming to an agreement. Maybe NE should have gotten their offer in sooner.

  21. Aaron

    Rams just turned the corner in 2017 and now they’re going all in for 2018. They’re acting like the 2015 Cardinals and 2017 Seahawks instead of who they really are. They’re gonna be in for a huge cap problem once Donald gets paid. Building through FA will always come back to bite you. Build through the draft and supplement through FA.

    • icb12

      I personally don’t think the Rams are going to be that bad off as far as the cap is concerned.

      They deal with Donald Now. Front load it.
      Deal with Goff and Gurley and Peters end of 2018 season.

      Talib is clearly a 1 year rental. They can afford his 11mil this year, cut him next year and instant 8mil in savings with no dead money.

      You have a couple years of Kupp cheap. They need LBs and OL and another WR. And probably a S.
      They tagged Joyner, so they can dig into the fast safeties this year and he’s gone next year. (Almost 12mil saved)

      Personally I think they have been pretty smart. (for the rams)

  22. Kenny Sloth

    Leon Jacobs is a decent pass rusher and seems to do that most of the time. I really like when he’s off the ball, though. He can really manipulate the QB and control a central zone. Has great awareness in zone coverage. Speed shows on tape. Good at splitting gaps, but can get tangled on blocks. I was disapointed in his run defense as he was oftentimes tasked with absorbing blocks at the line rather than reading and stack shedding as a W/M

    Troy Apke sure might be quick enough to back up Earl.
    He may not have the nouse to replicate Earls production, but he’s a heady player and uses his track speed on the field. I don’t think he puts everything into his hits. Looks like a better pro than college player.

    • Patrick Toler

      Pale is phenomenally quick on the field. He’ll need to learn how to take better angles both moving forwards and backwards. In the games I watched he was beat multiple times for touchdowns. A very interesting developmental prospect though. Dude looks like a lightning bolt out there at times.

      • Patrick Toler

        Pale?

        Spellcheck is getting creative. Meant Akpe obviously.

  23. Kenny Sloth

    DeShon Elliot, S Texas led the FBS in finger wags

    • Thy Hawk is Howling

      Or Finger wind shield wiper motions Kenny.

      • Patrick Toler

        LOL

  24. DC

    Wonder what Atlanta was offering for Bennett? They can’t be too stoked that he went to Philly.

    • C-Dog

      Word has it they offered a late round pick

  25. vrtkolman

    Anyone else think Pittsburgh may fall off next year? $45 million in cap room goes to just 3 players – Ben, Brown, and Bell. That’s an exciting trio, but you can’t build a Superbowl caliber roster with 3 players taking up that much cap. If I were them, I would trade one of Brown or Bell – probably Bell since this class is so stacked at RB.

  26. drewdawg11

    Big Ben isn’t playing 5 more seasons either. Brown will slow down and get cut. Bell is a running back… they’re in for s massive retooling on offense sooner rather than later. Oh, can we have Pouncey and DeCastro???

    • vrtkolman

      Yeah, their O line is fantastic. DeCastro is probably a top 3 guard in the entire NFL. Watching Jacksonville punch them in the mouth twice last year was awesome though. They haven’t had a good D in how long now?

    • Del tre

      They should trade big ben, most overrated QB in the NFL, he stuffs the stat sheets with the most hollow yardage, if they snagged Lamar it’d be the perfect landing spot for him to develop with a great team around him

  27. vrtkolman

    We already have a lot of young building blocks on defense. Clark, Jones, Reed, Jordan? – that’s a solid D line. Wags and Wright aren’t going anywhere. Shaq and Coleman are building blocks at corner.

    Why are we bringing in old vets for visits? Same reason why Lawyer Milloy was kept around in 2010 for Carroll’s first season. We need vets that will buy in with Carroll’s message and ingrain that into the youngsters. Cushing isn’t going to help us win games, but he is a tireless worker and he’s “all in”. He isn’t going to dive at players’ knees on kneel down plays or erupt on the sideline at his coordinators. Carroll is a fantastic player’s coach, but at some point over the past few years the players have gone over the line IMO.

    • Tecmo Bowl

      +1

    • Old but Slow

      At least 6 DL are needed in the rotation and that’s a bare minimum. With Bennett and (likely) Avril gone, our need for S Rich is greater, and we need guys like Jefferson to step up. Not much veteran presence there as even Jordan has questions.

      • Rowdy

        Personally I’d rathe let s rich leave and sign Wilkerson. Gives us a comp pick for s rich and wilks won’t take one away

        • Patrick Toler

          I don’t expect them to bring in a vet like Wilkerson with very questionable commitment at this juncture. The Jets have plenty of cap room and seemed pretty ready to walk away from him. So while the compensatory math works, as you noted, I don’t see it happening.

          Old, you are 100% right that you need minimum 6 DL who can contribute. Probably more like 8. Of course John and Pete have been incredible at finding/developing inexpensive DL who can be solid rotational pieces, as Rob has correctly noted many times. They are suddenly lacking veteran presence there and I am now thinking Richardson is likely back. I hope it’s for under $10M, or at least they can get out after a couple years without too much penalty.

    • Rob-Not that Rob though

      We already have a lot of young building blocks on defense. Clark, Jones, Reed, Jordan? – that’s a solid D line…

      100% agree, BUT….

      Jones and Reed have to prove they can even stay on the field. They might make 2/3 of a DL between them at this point. Jordon looked amazing in spot play last year, still have to prove that he can carry it through a season and stay sober/healthy. Clark is solid, just hope he is ready to be THE guy and not just A guy. Double teams incoming….

  28. DCD2

    Sounds like the the Colts are getting rid of Donte Moncreif. I definitely think he’d be worth a tire-kick.

    24 yrs old, 6’2, 221
    4.40 – 40yd, 11 ft broad, 39.5 vert. (all combine #’s)

    Had some really nice plays as a rookie. Played w/o Luck for most of his less-than-impressive time. Dealt with some injuries. Would be more excited about him than the dude we got from philly. Not sure if he’s a cut or FA walk.

    • teejmo

      Marcus Johnson wasn’t just acquired as a hedge against Paul Richardson’s imminent departure. but to replace Jeremy Lane on special teams.

      • Patrick Toler

        But what I read about Johnson was that he was inactive down the stretch because he wasn’t a special teams contributor? I’ll have to dig into that.

    • Tecmo Bowl

      Moncreif is a free agent. Think he’d be a great fit. I’d way rather get Donte at $4-5 per year than PRich at $8m.

      • peter

        I’m not sure anyone gives price 8 a year unless it’s for a year. 8we over multiple years for one year of good productio ?

        I see him getting 13/3 with 10 guaranteed. I doubt he even ranks for most teams having not played at all until last year.

        • Tecmo Bowl

          You could be right Peter. Just going off what I’ve been hearing with PRich. Goodwin just got 3/$20.3m. Could argue either way whether PRich deserves +/- of that deal. Haven’t really heard what Moncreif’s market will land, but a 1 year prove it deal seems like his best option to boost his stock.

  29. Awsi Dooger

    As others have mentioned, I am skeptical about the 3-cone time. The probability of one player so far above anyone else is virtually non-existent.

    That drill is so important it should be televised.

    I have never understood Jordan Thomas to lack confidence. That’s a strange summary from NFL.com. I was a Sooner fan during the wishbone glory years so I still follow them somewhat closely. Thomas thought he was going to win the Thorpe award. He was also Todd McShay’s top corner prospect for the 2017 draft, prior to the 2016 season.

    But he’s so darn slow. That’s the dilemma. That 40 time was not a shock if you watch Thomas play. He was burned deep repeatedly.

    Basically his traits are a strange mixture of elite and awful. Lotsa luck figuring it out.

    I am just getting caught up watching the combine tapes. This has to be the worst group of cornerbacks and receivers combined in my lifetime. I’m not thrilled by any of them. Actually I prefer Antonio Calloway best of the lot, regardless of his off field stuff. He has a chance to be special

    Josh Jackson was hilarious. I think a racehorse could backpedal better than that.

    BTW, the Canes running back Mark Walton is considerably faster than 4.64 or whatever he tested. He obviously had not fully recovered from his ankle injury to run that time. Somebody is going to get a value pick if that 40 time is accepted as representative.

    I have never been a Mike Mayock fan, largely because he obsesses over tape…tape…tape. However, I have to give Mayock credit for finally understanding that early excellence can be a tipoff to hidden value. Mayock during the combine now mentions 5-star recruit status for every guy who qualifies, and particularly the ones who are further down the draft board. Somebody must have put a bug into his ear at how rewarding it can be. Everything tends to drift back to the beginning.

    Rashaan Evans is the best linebacker. He is going to be an Alabama player who is superior in the pros than in college.

    • Mark Souza

      Hey, I appreciate that Mayock is a tape guy. Too many get enamored with combine numbers. “Did you see what So-and-so ran? And he had an 80″ vertical.” Numbers should point you toward reviewing game footage. It’s the game tape that will show you whether they can play and are special.

      • Rob Staton

        It’s not about tape vs combine or vice versa. Everything is part of the process. There’s very little need to diminish any part of said process either. If someone focuses exclusively on one or the other, they’re making a mistake. But nobody on here falls into that trap.

    • Mark Souza

      Awsi Dooger, considering Thomas’ short shuttle time as well, I doubt it’s a mistake. The guy can flat out change directions in a hurry. But look at his video, he’s a train wreck at corner. He has a long, long way to go.

  30. Ed

    That Rams D is getting filthier. Hawks better get that run game and inside blocking down better. Peters and Talib as your corners, wow.

    • SeahawkeyezSubj80

      Eyeballs!!!

    • white-salmon-hawk

      Should be easier without having to run through Quinn and Ogletree.

      • Kenny Sloth

        Bad corner class good LB class

    • Pran

      Probably got Aqib to manage Peters tantrums and might help each other…lol

    • Volume12

      And Joyner and John Johnson as their safeties? Seattle about to get embarrasses twice more this year.

    • Volume12

      In seriousness though it makes sense for the Rams to go all in. They know their best team in the NFCW and while the Niners are close, they aren’t there yet. Arizona and Seattle are in re-builds too.

  31. SeahawkeyezSubj80

    I’m still holding out hope and praying to the football Gods (no cursing). We swoop in and sign Andrew Norwell from Giants

    • Greg Haugsven

      Ill say it until it doesnt happen. Justin Pugh on a one year deal 2-3 days after free agency starts. Seahawks like to date before they marry.

      • DC

        Of all the position groups, hedging the OL still makes the most sense to me. Pugh would probably be our “big name” signing not that he would break the bank. We will know pretty soon.

  32. drewdawg11

    I really don’t want us to spend $13 million per year on a guard. Go young. There’s talent in this draft for sure. The Rams are strange in that they are a fairly young squad, but they are about to PAY some people soon. Donald, Gurley, Peters, And that doesn’t even cover having to pay a young QB when he gets an extension. Goff isn’t elite, but you can be sure he will be payed like one.

  33. Kenny Sloth

    You guys wanna start feeding me players to scout tonight??

    I need a few names

    • Patrick Toler

      NAU receiver Emmanuel Butler. Not much tape on him, but there is serious potential there.

    • Thy Hawk is Howling

      Dante Pettis Kenny!

      I know you guys are sick of me typing his name, at least you know how to spell Dante and Pettis now. LTM (Laughing to Myself)

    • Volume12

      Brett Toth, OT, Army

  34. Millhouse-serbia

    Rob, Isaiah Oliver pro day shuttle is 3.94. Do.you think they could.go CB early now, when we stay without Sherman?

    • Ishmael

      No reason to. They’re going to completely rework the kids technique, whoever is he. Go find a physical specimen in the mid to late rounds like they always do.

      • Patrick Toler

        Yeah, if Maxwell and Shead come back we are still solid at the position. We have bigger needs at RB, OG, DL, TE, LB.

    • Rob Staton

      No, I don’t think they will CB early. They’ll stick to their way of doing things at CB.

      • Millhouse-serbia

        Ok. So Oliver is one more CB with 32+ (33 4/8″) arms and shuttle under 4.0. I hope that you will study him in next few weeks. We spoke a lot about Kevin King and he was 1st round talent.

        • Patrick Toler

          True, but that was before we had Griffin, Maxwell was a Dolphin, and Shead was still injured. Oliver is intriguing for sure.

  35. Christian

    Not a jeremy lane type player. Lane was chippy as hell. Lot of spunk. Thought he was pissed off for greatness 🙁

  36. Jeremy

    Jordan Thomas. As good as his 3 cone drill was, I’m reading that he ran a 4.64 40 at 186 lbs. This has to be concerning if he should play on the edge. 4 reps on the bench, what a wild profile!

    • Volume12

      You ever watched him? Got toasted routinely. Has an awful reputation. Like no team wanted to meet with him bad.

    • Volume12

      If Seattle is avoiding problematic dudes, and it seems they are, stay away.

    • Rob Staton

      In fairness, it’s impressive he can do more than one rep of 225 on the bench at 186! Imagine benching 40lbs more than your own body weight.

  37. drewdawg11

    Oliver was one of the more bteoguing guys I saw this year. Long and physical, excelled in press coverage when I saw him. I still don’t want to take a corner early.

  38. Jason

    What are your guys thoughts on mathieu’s if he is cut

    • H

      Is that rumoured? I dont really see a need for him since i think we’re keeping Eafa and we’ve got Coleman in the slot
      But damn I have always been a huge honey badger fan

      • H

        Earl*

    • Volume12

      Hell yes!

      • Hawk Eye

        will want as much $$ as he can get and lots of injury issues
        have to pass

        • peter

          He is a talent for sure but what’s the point of bringing in another outside the team high dollar contract at position that the team hashed their own success in finding?

          Pass. If they are breaking out the check book id like to see an offensive weapon. Robinson or Watkins for me.

  39. Thy Hawk is Howling

    If Brian Schottenheimer doesn’t work out as Offensive Coordinator, maybe we should get a robot to make our call our play’s. They’re quick thinkers.

    Go Robots!

    https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/d3wb5m/robot-solves-rubiks-cube-38-seconds

  40. Volume12

    So, Fordham RB Chase Edmonds is interesting after all huh? 😉

    • FresnoBrad

      Questions about ability to handle the beating in the NFL

  41. UKAlex6674

    I think what we need to do is look at othet teams draft websites to see what RB’s they are looking at. We may well covet Chubb, or RoJo, but we need to gain a perspective on it and put it into context, otherwise the same thing will happen last year, when there was a frenzy on here of wanting to take CB’s ‘fast and early’, and when it didn’t happen (not in anyway discounting the fantstic pick in Griffin) there was a bit of deflation when CB’s were passed up early doors and we ended up with the players we did (not knocking those either).

    Temper those expectations people!

  42. SebA

    Love the blog Rob, but please use ‘safeties’ and not ‘safety’s’ – you’re killing me here ^^

  43. mac

    I am going to be royally pissed off if we end up cutting Sherman instead of trading him. Aqib Talib may not be hurt but he is older and not as good as Richard Sherman is.

    –It would just make me mad for us not to pick up a third in the trade for Bennett and yet still not getting more for Sherman.

    • GerryG

      You’re not trading a player that can’t pass a physical. Jeremy Lane failed a physical and he was able to play the next week. Sherman can’t even run til May. In the meantime his 11 million counts on the cap.

    • Mark Souza

      “Aqib Talib may not be hurt but he is older and not as good as Richard Sherman is.”

      Should be “WAS.” We don’t know if Sherm will return to his pre-injury form. Nobody does. That’s why no one is willing to take on an 11 million dollar contract to roll the dice.

    • Christian

      I would just say, that just because we cut Sherman now doesn’t mean he isn’t coming back. What happens in the first days of Free-Agency the big dogs get the big money. The guys who are injured and can’t pass physicals, don’t get deals right away for that reason. By the time Sherman is able to pass a physical all the big $$ will have been spent. Sure some team could waive the physical to sign him or part of it. But they would be signing a 30 year old CB coming off major injury w/ 2 surgeries, and most likely the contract would be riddled with injury outs. Closer to training camp Sherman’s price will likely come down, and the hawks could possibly resign him at a discounted price. So this is not goodbye, it is merely goodbye for noe

      • DC

        There are teams that plan for that kind of scenario/opportunity by keeping some decent cap room going into the season.

  44. Rob-Not that Rob though

    Rob, with the Safties showing out at the draft, is there anybody that is comparable to Chancellor and would there be value in taking one? In the tragic even that he doesn’t play again, I’m not sold on Hill as a replacement yet. McDougald showed well, but he can only be one person and there is still uncertainty around ET. Heck, McDougald may be gone too…

    Anyway, haven’t seen much talk on a Chancellor type, just curious. Thanks!

    • bankhawk

      I for one really hope that they hang onto McDougald.

    • Rob Staton

      Some good safeties for sure. Not sure there’ll ever be another Kam though.

  45. Hawk Eye

    Chalk Talk is reporting that Earl is willing to commit to Hawks and PC/JS willing to pay top $ for 3 yr extension.
    That means I doubt they resign McDougal, I think they let Hill and maybe Shead compete for SS.
    I am not against McDougal at $2 mil, but I am against signing JAG’s at $5-7 mil/yr. That is what kills your cap

    curious to see if they clear cap space and save it for next year, get the comp picks and bring in and play lots of kids this year

    • Rob Staton

      If they’re cutting Sherm, they’ll have enough to keep McDougald. An Earl extension likely won’t add too much to his 2018 cap hit.

      • Millhouse-serbia

        I think that if they cut Sherm, they could cut Kam to. After cutting sherm we will have enough cap space to cut Kam and clear cap space for 2019.

        • Rob Staton

          Very possible

          • Millhouse-serbia

            If they don’t cut him this year , dead money for 2019 will be 5mil. And if they cut him now it will add I think around 8,9 mil for 2018. Maybe that is the reason why they are cutting sherm and making more cap space for this year.

            • Greg Haugsven

              They cut him this year the cap hit is $19.5 million ($7.5 dead and $12 mill injury guarantee). Personally I would rather let Hill try and win the job. Let the young guys play. Also looks like Sherman has a similar injury guarantee in his contract as Avril does so if they cut him it will save about $10 million instead of $11 million. Not huge but something.

              • Greg Haugsven

                All has to do with passing a physical by a certain date.

        • DC

          That’s kind of funny in a very sad way. We’re cutting this all-pro corner so that we can cut this all-pro safety (that we just extended)

          I do agree that taking the pain now makes sense though so we can come out of the cap crunch quicker.

          • Greg Haugsven

            I still think that Earl extension could be 3 years at $40 million. It will be interesting though if it happens will the guarantees only be the signing bonus and the first year or will Earl fight to get a second year guaranteed in there as well?

            • AlaskaHawk

              Does it really matter when they have injury clauses in their contract? You my as well kiss the $40 million goodbye.

  46. Nick

    Kerryon just ran a 4.54 unofficial at his pro day.

    • Greg Haugsven

      Not bad.

  47. Hawk Eye

    Sherman cut today, as per Gee Scott

    • House

      Yup… It’s OFFICIAL. Best of luck to him wherever he goes.

      • Greg Haugsven

        Cap space up to about $25.7 million now.

        • Greg Haugsven

          Lane gone now to. Cap space up to $30.5 million

  48. HawkMock

    I understand why no one is going to give us anything for a guy coming off injury with a big cap hit – but how disappointing is it to be looking at getting rid of or losing Sherman, Bennett, Avril and Kam and basically only receiving a swap of 5th and 7th rounders? Things rarely end well, but still would have never imagined a few years ago that this would be how it would end for these Hawk legends in terms of their market value when we did decide to move them or that career ending injuries might make them totally worthless. A shame. Great Seahawks all regardless. Can’t wait to see what we do in free agency and the draft to get the next wave coming.

    • mishima

      ‘Basically only receiving a swap of 5th and 7th rounders?’

      If you want to ignore the immediate and long term cap savings.

      Let’s see what we do with approx. $15 million saved from cutting Sherm and Avril.

      To everything (turn, turn, turn)
      There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

    • cha

      “Sherman, Bennett, Avril and Kam and basically only receiving a swap of 5th and 7th rounders”

      You really shouldn’t lump Avril and Kam into that statement when talking about returns. They’re seriously injured and may never play again. Their trade value is next to nil at this point.

  49. Donald

    Its 2010 all over again. The Hawks should trade ET for a 1st and change, don’t sign him unless it is to trade him the next day. They are not SB contenders, and not even playoff contenders this year, so why keep an older veteran who has value and who you can trade for a draft pick. Especially since he showed he wants to be in Dallas.

    This is a rebuilding year(s), so I could make an argument to trade Wagner, KJ and Baldwin also for high draft picks. The Hawks can kick start the rebuild that much sooner. The Patriots have shown long term success by trading players when their value is high. Keep Wilson obviously, like Brady.

    • Mark Souza

      I’m not against trading him, but you won’t get a 1st. Look at what has been happening in the trade market this year. Has anyone given up a 1st? Factor that in when you’re decide whether it’s worth trading him.

      • Donald

        Yes, I agree.

      • DC

        I bet the Seahawks would trade a 1st round pick for him.

  50. Mexican Hawk

    I had not seen Mike Silver interview from yesterday as per Earl still being shopped and them building around Wags if it only came down to one. Not likely, less so now but still could happen. Oh my that would be quite the upheaval if so. Too much, but oh well. Definitely the end of an era.

    Who would be their tier blue chips players: Russ, maybe Duane Brown, Doug, Sheldon (if re-signed), Frank Clark and Bobby? Very barren.

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