Could Joel Bitonio be Seattle's pick at #40?
Tonight I’m going to be hosting a live Google Hangout through round two. It’ll be a solo effort but you can send your questions to @robstaton on Twitter. We’ll stay live until Seattle makes their two picks (and stick with it if they trade down from #64).
Looking ahead it’s going to be a pretty interesting start to round two. What will the dynamic be? Are we going to see a rush on defensive linemen? The pass rush depth is so weak (probably the catalyst for Dee Ford and Marcus Smith going in round one) I suspect teams with a DE/DT need will go for it early. That could mean more trades — and potentially the opportunity for Seattle to move down again.
Will that happen? The board still looks good right now but for me there’s going to be a major drop off in talent at around #45. Make a pick and see what the options are at #64 and whether trading down into round three is a possibility.
Are there any defensive linemen who could fit in Seattle? They love speed and unique quicks. With Ford, Smith and Dominique Easley now gone there isn’t an obvious target. Kony Ealy and Timmy Jernigan just don’t look like Seahawks — while I’m not convinced Stephon Tuitt will be a candidate in round two. I don’t see any driving desire to replace Red Bryant with a like-for-like type player.
Ra’Shede Hageman has the athletic upside but his tape is just so poor. Go and watch the Wisconsin game from 2013. He has the potential to explode through the interior and be a real impact player. And yet it only happens once or twice a game. Demarcus Lawrence ran a 4.8 at the combine but recorded an impressive ten yard split. He could be one to watch. And I suspect a player like Kareem Martin might get over drafted with the depth so weak later on.
I’ll keep mentioning Brent Urban as a wild card. Really talented player. Great length and strength. One to monitor today.
What is the issue with Marqise Lee? Why is he still on the board? Here’s why:
Another draftee that fell significantly is Marqise Lee. Several teams scared of his knee. Source I spoke with said "half the league is out."
— Will Carroll (@injuryexpert) May 9, 2014
At any point in round two he could be a steal as long as you feel comfortable he can stay healthy. He’s such a competitor. He plays like a former defensive back — he has that intensity. But if he’s such an injury concern there are other receivers you can go after.
Cody Latimer and Joel Bitonio remain two of my favourite players in this class. Bitonio in particular would be a wise pick at this stage. You can slot him in quickly, let him play guard or tackle. It’d firm up a weak area. And you can get your receiver at #64. That to me would be a good plan.
I still think they might target a more explosive option at #40 which brings Martavis Bryant and Donte Moncrief into play. Could Bryant’s immaturity keep him on the board until #64?
Jordan Matthews has the kind of gritty attitude Seattle likes and he’s extremely focused. But is he physical enough? Is he the type of player they would consider early in round two?
If Bitonio isn’t the choice on the offensive line then Morgan Moses and Cyrus Kouandjio could be on the hit list. Here’s the latest on Kouandjio’s health:
Per Bama doc Lyle Cain, Cyrus Kouandjio doesn’t even notice his knee issues during practice, rarely misses work. In 5-6 years, may be issues
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 9, 2014
At this stage I’d be willing to take a chance. You might have to accept it’s a one-contract-and-done deal with Kouandjio. But for 4-5 years you’ll get a very accomplished, mountainous offensive linemen on a cheap deal. You just have to be willing to accept he’s not a ten year starter.
A lot will depend on how they view Michael Bowie’s future. How highly do they rate him as a potential starter? Is it more about depth on the offensive line or finding immediate starters?
Aside from Lee, Latimer, Bryant, Moncrief and Matthews — the options at receiver are terrific. Davante Adams, Allen Robinson, Brandon Coleman, Jarvis Landry, Bruce Ellington, Paul Richardson. Any of those players in the second frame would present a degree of value.
What about tight end? At what stage does the value of a Jace Amaro or Austin Seferian-Jenkins become too good? I don’t expect the Seahawks to take a TE that early (if at all), but we’ll see.
Jeremiah Attaochu is very hit and miss on tape — driven to the turf three times against Miami, then flying past the tackle for a big sack. I’m not sure he’s enough of an athlete to be considered. Kyle Van Noy and Chris Borland will make nice picks for someone on day two — but probably not Seattle.
Would they consider Stanley Jean-Baptiste? Will he even make it to #40?
Possible round two targets
Marqise Lee (WR, USC)
Cody Latimer (WR, Indiana)
Joel Bitonio (T, Nevada)
Cyrus Kouandjio (T, Alabama)
Martavis Bryant (WR, Clemson)
Donte Moncrief (WR, Ole Miss)
Morgan Moses (T, Virginia)
Stanley Jean-Baptiste (CB, Nebraska)
Demarcus Lawrence (DE, Boise State)
Ra’Shede Hageman (DT, Minnesota)
Jarvis Landry (WR, LSU)
Brandon Coleman (WR, Rutgers)
Davante Adams (WR, Fresno State)
Allen Robinson (WR, Penn State)
Bruce Ellington (WR, South Carolina)
That is quite a list and this is quite a draft. I hope that Seattle gets Bitonio, anything after that would be gravy!
I agree with all of the above targets, but why is Xavier Su’a-Filo not on the list? I personally think that offensive line is the team’s greatest need, even more so than WR. I know that he may not provide the flexibility of Bitonio, but he also wouldn’t cost a 1st round pick at this point.
Would love to see Brandon Coleman or Alan Robinson still sitting there at #64
I have read that a lot of scouts see XSF as not a great fit for a zone blocking team like Seattle.
Rob doesn’t think Xavier fits what the Seahawks look for (based on previous posts.) I would take Bitonio over Su’a-Filo in a heartbeat. I’ve also flagged Cornelius Lucas and Russell Bodine (C/G) for round 4 or later.
We didn’t see the run on WRs that Rob was expecting, I wonder if it comes in the 2nd?
I will be tuned in Rob, like last night. As I read your post from today a thought I really liked jumped out, could the Hawks trade there 2015 #1 draft choice for a two prong scenario; 1) receive that teams 3rd rounder so we can select DE URBAN and swap our late 2nd #64, for their 2nd?
2 R#40 Bitonio
2 R#41-49 is Latimer
3 R Urban
Really,I don’t care how they do it, but if we came out of tonight with Bitonio, Latimer and Urban, I would be ecstatic!
Last night was so painful to watch EASLEY go off the board…..:(
Cant imagine ever giving up a 1 for a 3. That would be simply crazy and to much. I think it is safe to say that this would not happen.
We should be able to straight up trade our 2015 1st for a mid-2nd today. Teams know it won’t be a high first, but I think someone would jump in the #50 range.
What about Trent Murphy? Guy had a ridiculous 3 cone
And there’s still the troubled Aaron Lynch from South Florida if you want to roll the dice.
There are little interesting options all over the draft. This is the best draft I’ve followed.
Marginal athlete. Just a guy for me.
I am hoping for another trade down from 40 to get more picks but if they pick at 40, I hope they go for CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste. He is raw but a SPARQ monster. Put him with the same coaches who developed Browner and Sherman and I think he could be a great boost to the LOB.
I like the idea of adding Urban to the D-line rotation.
I just heard on Sirius NFL Radio that the Nebraska head coach is from the Carroll tree, could be something there.
So the 49ers just got Stevie Johnson from the bills. Could be a good pickup for them.
Palatable cap hit for them too. Good move for a WR that has given Sherm some problems.
I really want at least one or two of Bitonio, Urban, Bryant Latimer in that order. Also I would love to see them address nickel corner.
Rob, Do you think there is a possibility of them trading down again from 8? Maybe a few picks to pick up an additional pick again? I like the players available with the 8th pick in the second round but they might see more value in dropping again and picking up another draft pick.
I hope not. How many players will make this roster this year anyway? It would mean moving down 6 to pick up another 4th or 15+ to gain a 3rd.
Possibly but I would be very careful. There’s a major talent drop off from about #45.
I think you have to get Bitonio if he is there at 40. Would be happy with Bryant or Brandon Coleman at 64.
I don’t think I would draft Michael Sam. I might offer him a spot in camp. Seems like he could be a fantastic player for the sheer drama of it. I’d like to get my hands on some history.
His tape is really disappointing and he isn’t an athlete.
He’s a marginal 6th round pick at best. I honestly don’t see him getting drafted.
Wow, being reported Josh Gordon out for a year with strike 3 for weed. How selfish. Starting to feel bad for Cleveland fans. Manziel will have a hard time without Gordon. And now Cleveland almost has to take a wideout now.
Begs the question — how badly did they need an extra 2015 first rounder? And should they have just taken Mike Evans at #4 (or Sammy Watkins) if they were going to invest so much in Manziel?
The ESPN says the Browns just learned about it today.
Disregard.
Or maybe they knew there would be WR’s available in the 2nd.
Well, if you see Gilbert as a legit #1 corner, then being able to get Gilbert plus an added #1 next year makes sense because this is a deep receiver class and they can still pick up a decent receiving option for Manziel in round 2.
I know you don’t care for Gilbert so you naturally wouldn’t view the trade as highly. But if Gilbert was a legit #1 to you, you probably would.
Trent Murphy DE, Stanford seems like a Seahawk type guy, maybe this round?