Leighton Vander Esch is really good

Open a mock draft over the next few days and you’ll very likely see the Seahawks paired with a defensive player at #18.

Most mocks don’t include trades so it won’t really mean much. The Seahawks are as likely as any team to move down, considering they don’t own picks in rounds 2-3. Even so, the mocks are interesting to read because it’s an outsider view on where the Seahawks are at.

Unfortunately, most will overreact to the Richard Sherman departure. They’ll put a cornerback at #18 despite the fact the Seahawks have a proven record of doing the opposite. They’ve waited until day three for their corners and drafted a profile. The earliest they’ve taken a corner is round three and it’s almost certain they won’t take a corner any earlier this year.

If there’s one position Pete Carroll is comfortable coaching up, it’s corner.

The most likely early pick will be something to help the running game. Pete Carroll has identified this as a major cause for concern. Anyone following the team closely will know how desperate the situation became in 2017. One running touchdown by a back all year. That isn’t Pete Carroll football.

They’re unlikely to just blame this on the O-line too. Having invested so many early picks on the unit, it’ll likely be up to Mike Solari to get more out of the group. They might make some changes but a ‘just one more high pick‘ approach might be unlikely — even if there are some exceptional guard candidates this year (Isaiah Wynn, Will Hernandez etc).

It’s fashionable to play down the importance of the running back position but we’ll see how the Seahawks approach it in April.

If they were going to go defense early (a proposition much more likely if they acquire extra stock in rounds 2-3) it probably wouldn’t be a corner. I’m not sure it’d be a defensive lineman either. There’s isn’t any quite special enough. Nobody with Bruce Irvin’s 4.4 speed or Cliff Avril’s 1.50 split to work the edge. Marcus Davenport didn’t have a bad workout but it wasn’t particularly exciting either.

Bruce Irvin, Frank Clark, Malik McDowell — all freakishly athletic and physical in their own different way. Nobody is particularly unique among this D-line class outside of Bradley Chubb and Vita Vea.

And that’s why both Chubb and Vea will go in the top-10.

So what would the Seahawks do if they wanted to take a defensive player in round one? And what would they look for?

It’d probably have to be a player with cornerstone potential. Someone who can develop into an integral part of the next core. It’d also need to be someone with leadership qualities and eye-catching physical numbers.

Derwin James will be a name that springs to mind. It’s difficult to judge his stock at the moment. He had a terrific combine but that wasn’t unexpected. He’s considered a leader. The only thing holding him back somewhat is position (few teams take a box safety early). Are you getting a major, significant impact if you take him in round one? At Florida State his tape was, in fairness, frequently quite dull. What counters that is the ability of James to develop into a greater playmaker given his testing numbers and the impact he might provide for a young defense breaking in a new identity.

For those reasons, he could interest Seattle.

That said, there might be an even more appealing option.

I spent some time today looking closely at Leighton Vander Esch. It’s high time he earned widespread recognition as a likely top-20 pick.

His first-step quickness at 6-4 and 256lbs is legit. He explodes to the ball and has enough range to play inside or outside linebacker. So often it’s difficult for opponents to get to him — whether it’s a running back covering the blitz or even a lineman. He’s just too quick, too agile:

When he needs to power through a blocker, he can do that too:

We’re talking about a highly athletic, physical and at times violent player. He plays the game bigger and stronger than the opponent and has the attitude and passion on the field you want to see for the position. He loves to fill gaps vs the run, he’ll chase down the ball-carrier from behind and he has a knack for being in the right place due to an instinctive feel for the game.

Last year he had eight TFL’s, three interceptions, four sacks and four forced fumbles. At the next level he’ll be a stat machine and a playmaker.

He ran a 4.65 at the combine which is fine. Not outstanding but fine. Vander Esch more than made up for it elsewhere. He had an outstanding 4.15 short shuttle highlighting his extraordinary quickness for his size. Mike Gesicki was lauded for his short shuttle time (4.10) but Vander Esch is nine pounds heavier.

He showed off his mobility/agility during the drills:

He also managed a 39.5 inch vertical, a 10-4 broad and a 6.88 three-cone.

A man weighing 256lbs shouldn’t be able to move like this covering a pass to the flat (and bonus points for the hit):

This might be my favourite clip. Look at the way he diagnoses the play, works across the line, avoids blockers and executes the tackle. Not to mention the way he stands over the ball-carrier afterwards and gives him a little, ‘enjoy it down there’:

Can he drop into coverage, read the play and make a pick? You bet:

Let’s look at how his testing numbers compare to some of the players already in the league:

Short shuttle

Thomas Davis — 4.01
Von Miller — 4.06
Shaq Thompson — 4.08
Luke Kuechly — 4.12
T.J. Watt — 4.13
Vic Beasley — 4.15
Leighton Vander Esch — 4.15
Sean Lee — 4.16
Khalil Mack — 4.18
Anthony Barr — 4.19
Lavonte David — 4.22
Bobby Wagner — 4.28
Jordan Willis — 4.28
Zach Cunningham — 4.29
Jamie Collins — 4.32
K.J. Wright — 4.35
Haason Reddick — 4.37
Telvin Smith — 4.57

Quicker in the short shuttle than Bobby Wagner and placed nicely between Luke Kuechly, Sean Lee, Khalil Mack and Anthony Barr. He also ran the same time as Vic Beasley.

Three cone

Von Miller — 6.70
Tyus Bowser — 6.75
T.J. Watt — 6.79
Anthony Barr — 6.82
Jordan Willis — 6.85
Leighton Vander Esch — 6.88
Sean Lee — 6.89
Vic Beasley — 6.91
Luke Kuechly — 6.92
Shaq Thompson — 6.99
Haason Reddick — 7.01
Zach Cunningham — 7.03
Telvin Smith — 7.04
Khalil Mack — 7.08
Jamie Collins — 7.10
Thomas Davis — 7.10
Bobby Wagner — 7.10
K.J. Wright — 7.21
Lavonte David — 7.28

Again, this is impressive company. This time he’s quicker than lee and Kuechly (but ran a comparable time) and was considerably quicker than Mack, Wagner and Telvin Smith.

Vertical jump

Jamie Collins — 41.5
Vic Beasley — 41
Khalil Mack — 40
Leighton Vander Esch — 39.5
Bobby Wagner — 39.5
Jordan Willis — 39
Luke Kuechly — 38
Tyus Bowser — 37.5
Sean Lee — 37.5
Von Miller — 37
T.J. Watt — 37
Lavonte David — 36.5
Thomas Davis — 36.5
Haason Reddick — 36.5
Zach Cunningham — 35
Anthony Barr — 34.5
K.J. Wright — 34
Shaq Thompson — 33.5
Telvin Smith — 31.5

It’s never a bad thing to be as explosive in the vertical jump as Bobby Wagner (despite carrying an extra 15lbs in weight). Vander Esch is again nicely placed near Mack and above Kuechly, Lee and even Von Miller.

Broad jump

Jamie Collins — 11-7
Haason Reddick — 11-1
Bobby Wagner — 11-0
Vic Beasley — 10-10
Khalil Mack — 10-8
T.J. Watt — 10-8
Tyus Bowser — 10-6
Von Miller — 10-6
Anthony Barr — 10-5
Zach Cunningham — 10-5
Jordan Willis — 10-5
Leighton Vander Esch — 10-4
Luke Kuechly — 10-3
Sean Lee — 10-0
K.J. Wright — 10-0
Lavonte David — 9-11
Telvin Smith — 9-11
Shaq Thompson — 9-9
Thomas Davis — 9-7

Vander Esch didn’t perform as well as Wagner and Mack here but he’s in the same range as Barr, Kuechly and Lee.

Forty yard dash

Bobby Wagner — 4.46
Haason Reddick — 4.52
Telvin Smith — 4.52
Vic Beasley — 4.53
Von Miller — 4.53
Jordan Willis — 4.53
Luke Kuechly — 4.58
Thomas Davis — 4.60
Sean Lee — 4.60
Jamie Collins — 4.64
Shaq Thompson — 4.64
Tyus Bowser — 4.65
Lavonte David — 4.65
Khalil Mack — 4.65
Leighton Vander Esch — 4.65
Anthony Barr — 4.66
Zach Cunningham — 4.67
T.J. Watt — 4.69
K.J. Wright — 4.71

Even in the forty yard dash — his time didn’t initially stand out but it’s as quick as Mack and and Barr and in a similar range to Kuechly and Lee.

This isn’t a draft class loaded with legit first round graded players. It’s still easy to look at certain prospects and imagine star-quality. Saquon Barkley obviously has it. I think Ronald Jones II has it too. Bradley Chubb, Vita Vea, Quenton Nelson, Tremaine Edmunds. At least a couple of the quarterbacks could become big names in the league and I wouldn’t rule out Derwin James having an excellent career too.

It’s possible a decent number from this class could become top players in the league.

Vander Esch also has that kind of feel.

He can learn to shed better but he has the arm length (34 inches) to improve there. If he plays outside it won’t be as much of an issue (he played inside for Boise State).

I think you’re talking about a player who will fly to the ball, play fast and raise the intensity level of your defense. You can trust him to play the run and pass, he’ll be instinctive and he won’t just be a tackle collector. He will make plays, force turnovers and impact games.

I’m not sure whether the Seahawks will contemplate drafting him given their needs in the running game. He could end up in Oakland, Washington or Green Bay inside the top-15. It’s not improbable.

As Seattle begins a new chapter on defense, you can’t necessarily pick and choose where your blue-chip players will come. Vander Esch would be a temporary SAM and possibly a long term WILL. If they had their full compliment of picks, Vander Esch might be able to give them the type of attitude and talent they require as they turn over a new leaf.

He might not end up in navy blue but he’s still a player worthy of a high projection this year.

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189 Comments

    • Rob Staton

      Not altogether surprising. P-Rich played well in 2017 but can you trust him to stay healthy? They need to be extremely strict on who they pay going forward.

      • Volume12

        Not at all. Priced himself out of range.

        • RealRhino2

          One of those mid-priced FA people have talked about needing to avoid paying.

        • Del tre

          Personally, i always felt underwhelmed by his speed, he was more of a vertical go up and get em guy for us, and he’s a baller in that category, but i honestly feel your guy Jaleel Scott will be an adequate replacement, he has great awareness and some really good traits, his flexibility and agility remind me of Dez Bryant when he goes up to make the catch.

  1. Volume12

    Seahawks with their usual contingent at Udub’s pro day which is cool because it also shows support of the program, but if I’m a betting man and I’m not, I’d bet on them checking out RB Lavon Coleman.

    • Kenny Sloth

      Yeah I’m not much of a gambler either.

      Head Coaches gamble. Scouts evalute

  2. Comfect

    I live out in Buffalo Bills territory, and especially before the Tyrod Taylor deal one of the biggest gaps they have, at least according to local sports reporters, is LB. So basically every report that wasn’t “they’ll trade up for a QB at 1-5” was about which LB they might take if they stay at 21 & 22 (assuming QB at the other usually). Which is a long-winded way of saying I’ve heard a lot about Vander Esch. And I’d love to see him in Seattle. Assuming Pete thinks he can coach up DBs, which I do assume

  3. 12th chuck

    apparently Sherman is going to 49er on a 3 year deal

    • Hawktalker#1

      Just reports. Also reported to be visiting the Lions.

      Signing with the 49ers at this early point seems more like 247sports trash news.

      • Rob Staton

        It’s true I’m afraid. Schefter has confirmed it. It’s happening.

        But we move on as Seahawks fans. We have a big off-season coming.

        • Isaac

          At first this made me very sad. The Seahawks fan in me sad no absolutely not.

          Now the Richard Sherman fan in me says great job sir. Please understand as well. This is really a 1 year prove it deal that pays him a lot in year 2-3 if he makes the pro bowl this year. So we could possibly see Richard cut next year and he ends up back with us at a more manageable rate.

  4. Kenny Sloth

    Sherman is a 49er and Darth Vader is your dad

    • RealRhino2

      Legit LOL.

    • Steele

      Sherman a 49er. How sickening is that? All of the taunting, the turkey Thanksgiving game, all of it gone. Now he’ll taunt the Hawks. So now we root against a guy who was the very symbol of/voice of the LOB. Do we root for his achilles not to heal, for the 49ers to have invested in a dud?

      • Rob Staton

        I think we just root for the Seahawks and hope they can put something together here.

        • Rowdy

          Exactly, I don’t blame him one bit and congratulat him. Over 13 mil a year! Good for him but go haeks.

      • House

        3-year $39M deal

      • EBurgz

        Yes. New favorite player to hate on. Hope he gets cut after a bad year. Still appreciate all he did.

        • Patrick Toler

          LOL. One of the best players in franchise history. I won’t tell anyone else how to be a fan – rooting against players is part of fandom. I’ll be rooting for Sherman and against the Niners. Great man, great player, and a huge part of this era.

          • EBurgz

            Lol I’m mostly playing. I don’t have a sherm jersey to burn even if I wanted to. Honestly tho wish him the best. I think he balls out (especially against us).

          • taxspecialist

            +1 I so agree with you. Love Sherman hope the best for him. As for the 49 ers I am all for competition and making them better to beat the Rams so that we can regain the NFC west. I am grateful we had Sherman as long as we did and cannot wish ill for him given what he has done for our franchise.

            • H

              You do raise a valid point.
              Id much rather lose the West to 9rs than the Rams.

              I really hate the Rams

    • Shady_Hawkster

      I’ve gone from bittersweet to just kind of bitter about this departure.

    • J

      People are remembering the Sherman of the past and imagining him on the Niners. The reality is he isn’t that guy anymore. It’s like when Ichiro went to the Yankees.

      He’ll be a good contributor for SF but he isn’t and won’t be that star guy anymore.

      • Patrick Toler

        He might not be the best CB in the league anymore, but he has a realistic chance of recovering and being very good. He’ll be very motivated and I wouldn’t bet against him.

      • Volume12

        No, we’re remembering the Richard Sherman who helped changed the way this game was played. Rules were changed because of him and the LOB and the way teams drafted bigger, longer CBs were changed because of him and the LOB.

        Had to be done, but it doesn’t make it any easier of a pill to swallow.

        • Ishmael

          Yep, it’s a sickener. I’m cheering myself by trying to imagine the mental gymnastic the Whiner fans will be doing after their years of hysterics about Sherm. Did you see your boy Bruce V12? I love that dude

          https://twitter.com/BIrvin_WVU11/status/972642343676448768

          • C-Dog

            I fricking love Bruce Irvin.

    • Volume12

      Yeah that’s a gut punch.

      Sherm against Douggie is gonna be a lot of fun though.

      • Kenny Sloth

        $$ on Doug

  5. Trevor

    Sherm got a 3 yr deal for 39 mil but there was supposedly no trade market for him?

    Yeah right. JS played that terribly and the whole world knew they were going to cut him. They should have at least gotten a 4th or 5th rounder for him and moved him to an AFC team. I know JS tries to always do the right thing for the player but this was taking it too far. It is not like Sherm had been playing with a discount contract or something.

    • Rob Staton

      How do we know they didn’t try and get a 4th or 5th for him?

      The problem with situations like this is we as fans hear about 1/10000th of the info behind a decision and come to a conclusion.

      • Patrick Toler

        I agree with this 100%. We have very little idea about what is really going on most of the time. SF still has a ton of cap room. Much more palatable for them to pay big money than to give up a draft pick.

        • RealRhino2

          That’s the thing, though: The money is almost meaningless to them. Will the player make them better? Hoping you beat out 30 teams for a guy you like is a lot less sure than making sure you get him by dealing a 5th or later which will likely be a ST contributor, at best.

          Plus you get an injured vet on a one-year prove-it deal at $11 million instead of having to guarantee more and eat it if he doesn’t heal and play well.

          I find it very hard to believe no team would make sure they got Sherm on a one-year deal by giving up a 6th, at least.

          • Rob Staton

            I’m not sure why this is even a question seeing as clearly no team did make an offer to secure Sherman because they ended up cutting him.

            If he wanted San Fran and Seattle was accommodating him, they would’ve paid the sixth.

      • Dylanlep

        I don’t know Rob it would be pretty shocking if there was no trade value whatsoever for him

        • Rob Staton

          It’s difficult to define ‘trade value’ though. It’s not Madden, after all.

          It’s quite possible teams sensed the way this was going and decided to wait it out. Had one team bitten, it could’ve created a market. But if nobody offers anything because they’re either not interested or think he’ll be cut — then it’s about who blinks first. And clearly Seattle was ready to move on.

          From the Niners’ point of view they have $100m in cap space so taking a chance on Sherman’s health as a free agent is great for them. Ask them to throw in a draft pick in the middle-ish rounds and it suddenly becomes an investment.

          I’m not going to criticise the team for this because we have such limited info. Quite frankly I hope Sherman has 14 outstanding games next season and two miserable games. He’s not a Seahawk any more. It was sad at first but free agency starts in three days and our team has some work to do.

          • peter

            Rob I love that. “I hope he has two miserable games…..”

            that’s just it. This isn’t some poison pill deal this is just a guy getting a good solid deal representing himself and let’s get real who is giving Seattle anything for sherman when Peters was traded for what he got? Hey Seattle here’s that tryout kicker who may not make the team! Here’s that wr that contributes nothing!

          • Del tre

            I also don’t think the team will just ship off stars and contributors to bum teams for high picks, i dont think its a coincidence they chose the Eagles and have been willing to release players instead of trade them, the only way to change how the business goes is to change it yourself, and JS is showing that the Hawks value the guys who gave it their all and really thats fine with me, let Sherman stay on the west coast with his family, use the 11 million elsewhere.
            I don’t think that Sherman was unwanted or didn’t get any interest, but I’m sure it wasn’t a high price and probably led the Seahawks to just cutting him so he had his own freedom. As the comments say below it was also mutually beneficial from a cap space perspective. I don’t think the Hawks are ruthless, but i don’t have a problem with that.

      • EBurgz

        I think you’re both right.

        • Rowdy

          I think so to, same with Bennett, I think they made the trade with the eagles because Bennett wanted to go there and maybe Sherman didn’t get a trade offer from where he wanted to go. I think the hawks could of been accommodating because they were the ones backing out of the contract.

          • Rob Staton

            I’m pretty sure the Seahawks didn’t play ‘Ring a Ring o’ Rosie’ just to allow Sherman to join the Niners.

            He’s an injured, outspoken cornerback who would’ve been very expensive (and is now very expensive). I think it’s quite possible teams just called Seattle’s bluff and they cut him.

            • Rowdy

              I agree with what you’re saying I just find it hard to believe no one would offer anything. It looks like Sherman wanted out and the hawks accommodated that. All in all good for sherm and good for us at this point. Watching are team be assembled is my favorite part as a fan. I find it exciting to watch new players come and make a name for themselves. The last 5 years has been keeping the status quo and as great as it was nothing was better then watching them build it.

              • D-OZ

                Here’s what I think. Sherman acting as his own agent was able to reach out to prospective team’s and touched base’s with a GM who is a former All Pro DB. Who maybe emphasized with Sherman and brought him back to his college roots. After all Sherman’s best was against the team he just singed with.

            • C-Dog

              +1

      • Rowdy

        His injury was a big problem and I’m sure his new contract has contingencies in place for that where his old one didn’t.

      • Ishmael

        It’s partly about doing the right thing by the player as well. Giving a franchise icon the opportunity to move on on his terms.

        • JIG:Nem Beselek

          I think is largely true as well. The way that they played it seems like they wanted to treat Sherman with a level respect and dignity that he deserves.

          Two things are going on here really.
          1. Nobody, Seattle included, thought that Sherman was going to play near his contract this year. Otherwise someone would have traded for him. An all-pro cornerback, which is what Sherman’s contract says he was, is absolutely worth a 1st round pick, much less 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th round pick. Nobody offered one of those picks in trade for him, because nobody wanted to pay him his contract, so he was released.

          2. We undoubtedly tried to re-negotiate with Sherman. We almost certainly told him “This is the $ amount we can afford to pay you this year. Because you are such an important person to us, we’ll let you go see if you can get a contract from some one else that is more like what you think you’re worth. If you don’t get that please come back here.” He got more than that $ amount from the Niners, so he’s signing with them.

      • Isaac

        Personally I wouldn’t be shocked if the Hawks were given the opportunity to trade for a 5th rounder and said no. Richard has meant to much to our team and we are going to let him be a free agent so he can go where he wants.

        Jspc are just that type of people. Sometimes the little bit of return doesn’t mean as much as the relationship they have with dare I say an “ICON” in Seattle. Forget that he’s a niner now. He is playing near where he grew up. Good for him

    • Volume12

      Has any team giving up a top 100 pick yet? Gonna be interesting to see how Seattle maneuvers come draft time.

      • Patrick Toler

        I doubt we see a top 100 pick trades until draft day, when teams start giving up big capital to move up for QBs.

    • C-Dog

      I kinda doubted pretty heavily all along that Seattle wasn’t going to find much of any trade value for him.

      San Fran had a ton of cap space to sign him to this deal, but from what I understand it is seriously incentive laced. There’s a legit chance he doesn’t play out that contract.

      I know I’m probably going to come across as a homer on this, but I don’t think JS got played. I think he knew we wasn’t going to get much of anything and decided to honor Sherman’s request to be released.

    • GerryG

      The sky is falling backseat GM whining is getting a little old. I expect it elsewhere but hate seeing it here.

      His contract, now that terms are leaking out is a one year prove it deal with a cap hit roughly half of what it would have been if acquired via trade.

      If someone was willing to part ways with a draft pick I’m sure they would have done it, but he can’t even pass a physical yet.

  6. red

    Matthew Thomas 40. 4.58 vert jump 41.5 Broad Jump 10.11 3 cone 6.85 Shuttle 4.28

    Leighton Vander Esch 40. 4.65 Vert jump 39.5 Broad jump 10.4 3 cone 6.88 shuttle 4.15

    Mathew Thomas 6’3 232 33arms

    Leighton Vander Esch 6’4 256 33 7/8

    I think there is value in day 3 with LB, I don’t mind them going DE in first for we are getting really thin on Dline.

    • Rob Staton

      There aren’t any D-liners worth targeting though.

      There are players I like but no obvious cornerstone.

      • red

        You like Sam Hubbard at all? He plays well in big games but some games goes missing. I think he sacked Darnold 3 times in the bowl game. Also couple sacks versus Michigan I think he got dinged up mid season. After him DE gets real iffy.

        • Rob Staton

          I think he’s pretty average. Wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up forging a role for himself because he’s that type of guy. He’ll go to a team and work at it. But hard to get excited about him.

        • D-OZ

          Meh on Hubbard. Show me some consistency.

    • Volume12

      I hope they bring back Benson Mayowa at DE. Always liked him. Unfortunately he was a victim of the #’s game a few years back.

      • FresnoBrad

        He’s a must have! Hes been getting better every year but gets injured. He shouldn’t cost much and won’t count towards compensation picks.

      • red

        Hubbard didn’t run 40 at combine but cone work is nice for 6’5 270

        Bradley Chubb short shuttle 4.41 vert 36 3cone 7.37 Broad jump 10.1

        Sam Hubbard short shuttle 4.32 vert 35 3cone 6.84 Broad jump 9.8

        Chubb 6’4 269
        Hubbard 6’5 270

  7. John_s

    Sad to see Sherm going to the Niners but excited to see Sherm try and cover Doug in a game.

    • Rowdy

      That was my first thought as well lol

  8. Volume12

    John Lynch has always expressed how much he wants to run a Seattle like D and they now got the length on the outside in Sherm, Witherspoon, and Robinson to run it. This is one of the better FA signings. He’ll be a great mentor for those 2.

    If they get say Roquan Smith, and a couple pieces on offense to surround Jimmy G with? 🔥

    • Rob Staton

      I hope they do draft Roquan. I like him but there are much better options at #9.

      • red

        Medical flags on Roquan?

        • Rob Staton

          There are some flags according to Tony Pauline.

          I think Roquan is good. Tenacious. Plays with intensity. Loved the plays against Alabama and Oklahoma where he’d avoid the blocker and hammer guys short of the sticks when it went outside. But he’s 6-0, 235lbs and runs in the 4.5’s plus he’s a bit stiff. Not a fluid athlete, not particularly quick in short areas. Limited in terms of scheme fit.

          Felt for a long time now that he was more likely to go 15-25 than top-15. Other years he would go later.

      • D-OZ

        +1

    • John_s

      Robinson got traded to the Jets

  9. Totem_Hawk

    Draft a WR at 18…

    • Rob Staton

      Errr….

      • D-OZ

        Yicks!!!!

    • Hawktalker#1

      Come on man. This is a no troll zone . . . 😉

  10. Coleslaw

    Clay Matthews at his combine: 6’3″ 240 lbs.
    40: 4.67
    Vert: 35.5 in.
    Broad jump: 121 in.
    3 cone drill: 6.90 sec
    Short shuttle: 4.18 sec

    Vander Esch: 6’4″ 256 lbs.
    40: 4.65
    Vert: 39.5 in.
    Broad jump: 124.8 in.
    3 cone drill: 6.88 sec
    Short shuttle: 4.15 sec
    Both very instinctive, freaky athletes for their size, and both capable of going after the quarterback or dropping back and making plays.

    • Rob Staton

      Yep. Vander Esch is an incredible physical talent and the production/tape matches up.

      Will be a fine pick for someone.

  11. Patrick Toler

    Evidently the Hawks released Shead. Apparently the NFL notifies them that Shead’s contract would be in play at the same price as 2017 (about $1M). A bit surprising, unless the news on his recovery is bad.

    https://sportsradiokjr.iheart.com/content/2018-03-10-seahawks-to-release-deshawn-shead-monday-after-contract-tolls-for-2018/

    • Rowdy

      I heard they were letting him test free agency

      • Comfect

        According to his agent, the Seahawks promised him their interpretation of the rule was that he was a UFA, so they’re cutting him to allow him to be a UFA as promised.

        • Hawktalker#1

          . . . And if possible, they’d to have him back. Time will tell.

          • red

            This sucks if he sign elsewhere comp pick not in play.

  12. EBurgz

    Vander-Esch ticks all the boxes. Would be a great pick if we could get a good runner later.

    How do you think he compares to Rashaan Evans and Lorenzo Carter? I assume you’d like to see Evans testing #s but the tape looks nice to me.

    I wouldn’t be opposed to taking a stud front 7 player first and someone like SDB favorite Kelly from Tennessee or Rashad Penny who I really like.

    • Rob Staton

      I look at the LB’s as Edmunds first, Vander Esch second, then a gap, then Roquan, then Rashaan.

      LVE has all the makings of a stud but I am fairly convinced Seattle is all set to focus on the running game.

      • peter

        Nope. Not this year dude. this is the year when all the pieces come together like the Wilson draft.

        Lve is a great talent and, here’s the kicker, doesn’t look a thing like your afc North picks.

        Jokes aside the more I think about it the more I think Seattle can get a guy like him by reading down and torch a fifth to move up into our further up into the second and get a real runningback.

        You convinced me about rojo but I think he and chin at top forty picks. I don’t know why I just get a sense of hesitation with them both. And feel like they are both going in the first 8 picks of the second round.

  13. John_s

    Can we call the Niners the San Fran Seahawks? lol.

    Sherman
    Coyle
    Gilliam
    Marsh
    Tyvis Powell
    Malcolm Smith

    • Coleslaw

      That’s funny, they have both players involved in “The Tip” which essentially cost them a super bowl, cause we all know SF would’ve beat Denver.

    • D-OZ

      SEA-9’ers 🙁

  14. SeahawkeyezSub80

    I thought Shead was supposed to play the Kam Chancellor role. This is getting bleak. Good thing Pete Carrol a vegan because he going to be in his seventies before a sniff at superbowl. This a full on rebuild. Sad thing is that Earl and BWags in the 30s in 2 years.

    • Rowdy

      A full on rebuild is what happened when Carroll got here. This team is way better then that team. We have big holes that need to be patch but the walls are still standing.

      • peter

        Agreed rowdy. That team post Holmgren post more was terrible with no one at all to speak of. an interception prone hasselback….not good.

        This team has wilson, wagz, most of you believe earl is staying, Doug baldwin, and oddly a very good nucleus of a dline and griffin ascending. Was there a single rising talent when pc took over? Seriously?

  15. Ground_Hawk

    Glad that you did a piece on Vander Esch, Rob! He is this year’s Zach Cunningham, for me, however, I don’t think the Seahawks go that route with their first pick. Filling the void at DE is more important now than LB, IMO, and I’d rather see Seattle wait to round 3 and later to address that position while they instead focus on adding to the run game early.

    • Rob Staton

      Agreed. LVE is a great talent but likely heading elsewhere.

      Seattle will focus on getting the running game right at all costs this year. And the defense will be coached up by Pete with a priority to get younger and play faster.

      Run game early
      Defense later

      • Mike L

        $40 (ish) million in cap room…I’m liking it

      • peter

        Part of me wonders if lb is an area that they may consider early. Pete said they need to get faster and last year they needed lbs. They signed no one of note and now the team is still a year removed from addressing the lb situation and still needs to get younger/faster.

        lVe really has caught me attention with the piece. there’s a few late round gems but part of me wonders if there’s any way at all to get a second rounder if the team doesn’t go defense then running back?

        • Rob Staton

          It would take acquiring picks in R2-3 I think and there’s only one way to do that without moving down and that’s trading Earl, which they don’t appear to be considering any more.

      • OC Hawk

        If this is a two-year “re-tooling” plan, why not go for a game changer (which LVE looks like to me) at a position of need and get the rest of the 2020 Superb Owl championship team in the next draft? I say this partially in jest, and would love to get Chubb or another stud RB as well. The Seahawks are very thin at LB, though, too.

        • Rob Staton

          I think the reason is because the Seahawks are seeing it as a re-tooling but not a ‘give up on 2018’ scenario. And I think they believe if they can finally get the running game sorted, they’ll be able to coach up the defense. And they still have Bobby, Earl, KJ, Frank and others.

          An effective running game + Russell Wilson + the names mentioned above on defense + some youth and speed on defense = competitive Seahawks team

          Not sorting the running game out properly and just adding talent on defense = resigning yourself to being bad in 2018 and then likely still needing to sort the running game out in 2019 with a (probably) much weaker class of interior OL and running backs to choose from

  16. Veryal

    Danny Shelton to the pats along with a 2018 5th for a 2019 3rd

    • dinosaw13

      is that what the offered for bennett?

      • Coleslaw

        It is.

  17. SeahawkeyezSub80

    My mind says Seahawks are doing the right things in releasing/trading ageing vet contracts. My heart says all is bleak. Really RS25 in red and gold! I need some 12 council and support! Atleast with Beastmode we had a year of retirement/and went to AFC team.
    P.S. i know its just a game. but the compete in me hopes we make RS25 look old and past his time. (hurts me to type this) lol

    • D-OZ

      Be alwrite man….

  18. Coleslaw

    Just saw that there’s 2 pro days on my birthday, Georgia and USC. I’m just going to take that as a sign from the football gods that we’re getting Wynn and Rojo. Dilly dilly!

    • Hawktalker#1

      +12 dilly dilly. Love it.

    • CHawk Talker Eric

      Dilly dilly!

  19. Coleslaw

    Looking at Cleveland’s roster after the trades and I gotta say they nailed it. The loss of Shelton will hurt less with Caleb Brantley and Larry Ogunjobi ready to step up. Their D line is actually quite stacked. Garrett, Ogbah, Carl Nassib and Nate Orchard is a pretty solid group of DEs. They need linebackers, maybe they’re the team to take s flyer on Roquan Smith at 33. If they take Barkley and Josh Allen then get Roquan… man they’re gonna be a different team.

    • Coleslaw

      Watch them sign Preston Brown

    • Ishmael

      Getting rid of Shelton is interesting, maybe they’re thinking of a trade down and picking up Vaea?

      • John_s

        Like Coleslaw mentioned. The emergence of Brantley and Ogunjobi made Shelton expendable.

  20. Pran

    I would expect hawks to not resign any mid range players and trade veterans who are not expected to be with us healthy for 2-3 seasons at a minimum.
    Goal for next season 10wins and playoff appearance. Hope coaches take this as a challenge!

    • Patrick Toler

      Absolutely no reason they can’t reach that goal with a good offseason and some decent injury luck.

  21. drewdawg11

    The Hawks were a lot of injuries and a disastrous offseason from being a contender this past seasons

    $12 million wasted on Lacey and Joeckel
    Drafting the worst possible character concern in Malik, (wasted pick).
    Signing Blair Freaking Walsh?
    Extending Kam right before his injury
    Bringing in Wilhoite, etc. to compete at the third LB spot when he was not a starter on a good NFL team

    We had so much go against us and we still should have been in contention. The key to turning this around is to have an equally great offseason as last year was terrible. Draft the rift runner, solidify the line, and for goodness’ sake, find a reliable kicker and punter. The Rams May be the early favorites, but we aren’t toast by any means.

    • Greg Haugsven

      Want a very good off-season last year was it? Free agency sure wasnt, the jury is still out on the draft as its not all about your first pick. Jones and Griffin have looked good so far.

    • Dylanlep

      Should have just paid the premium for Lang instead of lacy and joeckel. I said jay at the time.

  22. C-Dog

    If Seahawks fans are freaking out and feeling weird about Richard Sherman going to the 49ers, wait until Jim Harbaugh replaces Pete Carroll in three years.

    Go Hawks!

    • Hawktalker#1

      Stop that!!! Let’s focus on more shorter term stuff!! 🙂

      • C-Dog

        Oh, all right.

        Seriously, though. I think it’s a good deal for Sherm, and looks like a good deal for the 49ers to get out of if he doesn’t bounce back well enough from the Achilles.

        Seattle is going to be fine.

        Honest question. Was Maxwell’s play a disaster in place of Sherman? Was the drop off that apparent?

        I say fix that run game and let Carroll figure out the DBs.

        • Hawktalker#11

          +1

        • Patrick Toler

          I thought Sherman was fantastic pre-injury. Maxwell was pretty good. He got beat deep multiple times, and teams were definitely targeting him instead of Griffin. I would say that there was a drop off for sure, but that doesn’t mean Maxwell is bad. He’s proven himself as an above average CB in our scheme IMO. You could do a lot worse than he and Griffin.

          • C-Dog

            I guess my greater point is that the drop off wasn’t that steep and Seattle potentially has a corner in Griffin that QBs may look to avoid. Maxie came in mid season and did fine. Not taking away what Sherm was doing up until the injury, but eye on the prize has to be fixing that run game up to something defenses have to take seriously. I trust Carroll to figure out his defense.

            • drewdawg11

              The drop off early was drastic. He finally eased into things and they definitely played better around him at times. Also the opponents made a difference. But early on?? He was toast.

              • C-Dog

                Kind of a thing to anticipate being out of the system for a while and on the street for a bit?

                I think Maxwell fits what Seattle wants at corner

  23. Hawktalker#1

    I see serval mocks out that have PHI picking RoJo at 32. If the sea FO feels that could be accurate, how about they return some trade goodwill with giving us the 32 pick (and others) so we can pu RoJo? Or 18 to Vikings for their 30+62 even if we kick in a lower round pick? (Works on thee trade chart) I like it.

    • CHawk Talker Eric

      I like the way you’re thinking.

      However it shakes out, a modest trade down from 18 to get RoJo + a R3 pick would be my ideal scenario that could actually happen.

      RoJo is a rare talent. Improving the running game is SEA’s #1 priority. Opportunity meets need.

  24. Robert Las Vegas

    It’s kinda interesting to me that the 49s paid Richard that much money because there is no way he could pass a physical is there.he is still in rehab both feet isn’t he

    • Hawktalker#1

      True

    • C-Dog

      It is an incentive deal based on his ability to bounce back from injury. Only $2 mill guaranteed.

      • Hawk Eye

        I heard $5 mil signing bonus, 2 mil salary, 2 mil for 45 man roster bonuses, 3 mill pro bowl incentive. If he makes the pro bowl for 2018 season, he gets $18 mil guaranteed for next 2 years

        have to think Sherm signed with 49’rs in part to stick it to the hawks. He is a proud guy and will use his release as incentive. Nothing better in his eyes than for the 49’rs to finish ahead of the Hawks so he can post it on twitter.
        It will be curious to see how it plays out and how the 49’rs do this year.
        I figured Lynch would make a big play for him, he called Sherm “the smartest non QB I have ever spoken to” a few years back on a Hawks game.

        • H

          I dont know about that, no doubt he’ll use it as motivation against us
          But i really think this move is about scheme fit and staying on the west coast, where he’s lived his whole life. And 13m apy isnt bad either.

        • C-Dog

          Thanks for clarifying those numbers and rectifying my laziness. I definitely think he had major incentive to sign within the division and try to stick it to the team that chose to move on from him. I also think he saw a team on the rise who plays the same Seattle style of defense.

          I wish him well, but not against the Hawks. I can’t wait for the Sherm v Baldwin matchups.

  25. Hawktalker#11

    Rob . . . If available, would you take Griffin over Leon Jacobs with our fourth round pick?

    • Rob Staton

      I’m not sure. Running a 4.38 at 225 is very impressive but so is a 4.47 at nearly 250. They need some speed.

    • Jacob M

      I would definitely take Shaquem over Jacobs. Just watch the tape, it says it all.

      • Rob Staton

        I’ve watched the tape and don’t know how the two can be compared. Very different players and would have very different roles at the next level. I mean, one guy is 20lbs heavier than the other for a start.

        I like Griffin but some perspective is required here. He had a lot of success as a blitzer, working as a spy, running to the football. But he struggles to set against the run and will likely be a situational linebacker at the next level. Jacobs needs coaching and time — but has an extremely high ceiling.

        • D-OZ

          +1

        • Hawktalker#1

          The tape on Jacobs was far more impressive than I expected. Physically freaky, fast and aggressive. Sure a great fit IMO. Would love that pick.

          • Hawktalker#1

            I would be thrilled if either we in a Hawks Uni at the end of the draft.

          • Del tre

            Shaquiem probably won’t be used to set the edge against the run, i doubt they put his hand in the dirt unless its on a delays blitz, i have a feeling they’d use him in a similiar capacity to McDougold last season in the Mac package. But Jacobs would be great addition as he makes out front 7 big fast and heavy, Shaq is nice though because you don’t really need to take him off the field, i have no doubt both would be our best olb replacement linebacker since Irivin.
            I think in all honesty Shaquiem will be there in UDFA or the 7th, even though hes played ball his entire life without his hand (so its not like he is going to have to learn to live without it) team’s will dismiss him, i mean every team in the league would meet with a 2 handed 230 linebacker running a 4.38, but it was only the Hawks.

            • Del tre

              Why would his hand be in the dirt on a delayed blitz? Not a clue lol, but it might be on a disguise coverage. I want him in a hawks uni too, i think he’d be a great if omly for his effort and athleticism.

  26. red

    Thoughts on going after Bashaud Breeland in Free Agency 31 3/4 arms 4.62 forty I liked him in Washington but cost is everything?

    • Rob Staton

      Their only foray into CB free agency didn’t end well so I think it’s unlikely. I suspect they’ll re-sign Maxwell and Shead and draft someone. Might add a low level CB at some point.

      • Sean-O

        We all know about what SEA looks for when drafting CB’s but I’m starting to come around on the possibility on them drafting one sooner than later. If you could get an Isaiah Oliver to pair along with Shaq & Coleman you could be set at CB for a long time potentially.

        • Rob Staton

          It’s not on the cards. If they were going to do it, last year was the year.

  27. Sea Mode

    Nice piece, Rob. Good to show some love to outstanding players in the draft even if it seems unlikely they will land on the Hawks.

    • D-OZ

      +1

  28. Kenny Sloth

    Since we’re discussing players Seattle might not take
    Rob, how do you hope the QB class falls?

    Do we want 4 QBs to go ahead of us, or are we hoping Jackson or Mayfield are still on the board so someone thinks about trading up?

    In terms of talent and projection? I could see all 4 of the top QBs as starters in the NFL. And could see all 4 in the top 16.

    How do you rank them, and how do you think they’ll be ranked in 3 years?

    • Rob Staton

      In all honesty, I’ve been assuming it doesn’t really matter for two reasons. One — they’re probably going to trade down from #18 so the benefit of a player ‘falling’ to #18 if the QB’s all go early doesn’t really matter (unless it leads to a better trade offer). Two — I don’t think anyone will feel obliged to get ahead of Dallas and Detroit to get a QB, thus making Seattle a non-obvious trading partner.

      I haven’t studied them all closely enough to offer a definitive ranking. I haven’t watched any of their stuff since the season. I saw all of the teams (USC, UCLA, Oklahoma, Louisville, Wyoming) at least twice and many more times in some cases. I think they all offer very different and yet appealing characteristics. I think four will go in the top-16 (I’m almost assuming that’s a given at this stage) and I still think Lamar Jackson might go earlier than currently being projected. I think all five of the top QB prospects have a chance to significantly impact the league.

  29. McZ

    Leighton Vander Esch is the prototype Patriots player. Wonder if they will trade up for him, as they still need a real Ninkovich-replacement.

  30. drewdawg11

    Honestly, I respect LVE as a player. I don’t want him to be our first pick. I’m way too locked in to RB, OG, Edge. I don’t really see him as an edge player, but a really good all around LB. I think he’s K.J. with maybe more upside than Wright. We drafted K.J. on day three. This offseason is jarring and crazy. I know that you don’t think they are going to move Earl, but if they are indeed fielding offers, it only takes one. I keep saying it, but the dream scenario would be Earl and 18 to Cleveland for 4 in some iteration. After that they trade back down the board and end up with a better first, along with a 2-3. It’s a wild idea, but it could work. Perhaps we also ask for a 3, throw in a later pick. JS should be blowing up their phones. 🙂

  31. SheHawk

    I think front office WAY overestimating the fan base’s stomach for change and how attached people are to our Defensive stars. It’s supposed to become Russ’s team but I for one loved watching a low scoring game with our D out there flying around making amazing plays. Russ could usually do just enough to win..
    I consider myself a reasonably informed fan but Sherman on 49ers! I don’t want to read anything about the hawks, don’t want to turn on ESPN or listen to sports radio… it’s literally too disheartening.
    We just got our “it’s time to renew your seasons tickets” postcard Has me thinking… our older kids are busy and not making as many games…. This is all causing me to take a pause v. Automatically renewing ALL. our seats… am I alone in this? PTSD??
    This time last year I was soaking up SBD and all things hawks as usual. Was excited for draft and season to start. Now can’t wait for Mariners to get back. At least there are still Huskies in fall.

    • Ed

      I was actually on the fence last year, because I thought they needed to start making changes. I’m excited about the change in coaches and distracting players. RS and MB, while good, took away from the team. Ready for new coaches, new players and hopefully something to complain about besides offensive line, penalties and stagnant play calling.

    • C-Dog

      We all knew this was coming, though, right? NFL = Not For Long, and all that.

      I get what you’re saying. I’ve been talking a few folks down off the fan ledge so to speak.

      Here’s what I would offer. The NFL is about cycles. The Seattle brass probably sees an aging defense, and teams building in the division that are younger, faster, and hungrier. These guys that maybe are going to be parting out have all been paid, they won a ring, some have agendas that take them vastly outside the game. Times change and people do, as well. There’s a very strong chance that if Seattle doesn’t make these moves now, they are going to be really behind the eight ball in the division in the next couple years. I think PCJS see that, and are making the tough choices now.

      I’ve said it before and will say it again, so long as Seattle has Russell Wilson on the offense and Bobby Wagner on the defense, They should be competitive. I think what they want to do is build a young, fast and hungry roster around them. We will see if it works out. I got faith in them.

  32. Mike L

    Wow..according to Over the Cap..the Hawks have almost $100 million in cap room now for 2019…

    • Ed

      Yep, make the purge and bounce back. They really should get rid of ET for a 2nd 3rd and 4th.

      • Mike L

        Yeah..I was thinking let the old gang have one more year together..but now that the purge has started..I’m into it. Yup get what you can for ET…two good drafts and a few impact FA’s and the Hawks are right back at the top imo…maybe even better than before.

    • SeahawkeyezSubj80

      I think they will be fairly active in free agent this year (Maybe 1 big splash FA) mostly 2 wave signings. Extend Earl, Sheldon, Frank, and Duane. Spread the cap hits into 2019.

      • Mike L

        Sheldon is an interesting one…he didn’t really make the splash plays I was expecting out of him…but that can be misleading for an interior DL (he may have been doing a great job within the scheme). I’ll yield to PC/JS’s decision on whether he’s worth $12+ million APY (or whatever he’s going to get).

    • Rob Staton

      That’ll drop dramatically when they extend Russell 🙂

      • Mike L

        sometimes the cap room gets even better the first year of those big contract extensions (depending upon how they structure it)..lot’s of flexibility that’s for sure.

      • C-Dog

        Yup!

    • Sea Mode

      Extend our guys (Earl, Brown, Clark) early, a couple cheap hedge FA, and save the rest. Gotta plan hoping you will be peaking again in 1-3 years.

      • Greg Haugsven

        $100 million is great but you dont assemble a championship team through free agency. You have to use the draft to build a consistent winner. Some of our own guys will chew up that $100 million.

        Clark, Wilson, Thomas (maybe) Brown, Lockett?, Wright?

        • Sea Mode

          Isn’t that exactly what I said?

  33. SheHawk

    Agreed rip the bandaid off. I can distract myself during the games so long as Russ doesn’t get hurt a nd Bobby patrols the middle….woylf prefer to keep ET3. Really think they need to draft shaqueim Griffin to give us some twin telepathic powers on D and give fans another young player everyone will love. it’ll make the tough season ahead a LOT more fun.

  34. Volume12

    Adam Schefter reporting that the Browns aren’t expected to make any trades today and says that’s a rarity.

    Nah. They’re staying true to form and not doing much of anything when it comes to Sundays.

    • Coleslaw

      LOL

    • Sea Mode

      Buuurn!

  35. drewdawg11

    Whatever Russell’s next extension costs, it can’t be all that much worse than what he’s making now. If it does get stupid, ($30 plus million), I may say goodbye to that as well. Can’t give that much of your cap to one player, even if it’s a QB.

    • drewdawg11

      And also, someone would be handsomely for him in terms of draft picks.

    • Rob Staton

      There’s a worse fate than paying a legit franchise QB the going rate…

      And that’s not having a franchise QB…

      • mishima

        Agree for the most part, but we are entering uncharted waters.

        Quarterback inflation is outpacing cap increases with the position now creeping towards 20% of the team’s cap. Whether paying that percentage to one position is a championship formula is undetermined.

        That said, paying the going rate is our only option. Therefore, winning the draft, building depth and avoiding 3rd contracts becomes even more important.

        Robbing Earl to pay Russell.

        • Rob Staton

          I don’t see it as robbing Earl.

          The cap rises every year. Positions like guard are getting 12m a year (and we’ll see in three days that number rise). QB cost is going up but only like most other positions. And Seattle will be fine.

    • Patrick Toler

      Next offseason when we are in extension talks, the going rate for a franchise QB will be north of $30M for sure. Between Kreig and Hasselback we had a decade of bad QBs. After Hassleback we had 4 years of bad QBs. I don’t want to go back to that. The only way it would make sense to me would be if you could get the top pick in a draft with a QB you loved.

  36. Ed

    With OBJ having this injury and video, if he is available, do you make a move? Quite a talent, but what a headcase. Pass

    • Patrick Toler

      Loved OBJ coming out of college, but I’ve cooled on him as a pro. Not a big fan of his almost unmatched prime Donna act, and he lets it affect him on the field. Unbelievable talent, but I wouldn’t want to pay him like the top skill position player in the league.

  37. drewdawg11

    Paying a wide receiver what he wants to be laid is worse than overpaying for a QB. And Rob, I get it. However, what’s the goal? To have a one man team and never win another title? You obviously have to find a young player and develop him first, but paying that much of your cap to the QB has a pretty grave track record in terms of winning it all. Plus he will be on the other side of 30. His legs will stop being such a big factor. Maybe he improved within the pocket and doesn’t need them as much. Still, extra draft capital and massive amounts of cap space aren’t terrible, so long as the rest of your roster is good.

    • Rob Staton

      Russell will be fine, so will seattle.

      The cap goes up an extremely high amount every year. Paying Russell won’t make them a one man team. San Fran paid Jimmy G and just signed Sherman, and will sign others.

      • Mike L

        1/2 empty stadiums and tv ratings down 1/3 (cumulative) over the past three years would point to a change in the direction of the salary cap in the not too distant future..

        • Rob Staton

          Doubt it

    • Mike L

      I’m a huge RW fan..going all the way back to his college days..but I agree that handing him a A Rodgers level third contract isn’t a no-brainer for the Hawks at this point. I think at least some of the issues on the offensive side of the ball have to be pinned on him (e.g. the slow (first half) starts.)

      If he takes another step forward in ’18..then an extension becomes a no-brainer imo.

      • Hawktalker#1

        I disagree. Franchise quarterbacks are hard to come by, and the best ones are priceless. That is one one position you pay what you must and just figure the rest out. If your FO is good enough to put a winning team on the field, they will.

  38. Trevor

    As Rob has stated it is clear the Hawks are going younger on D and allocating more $ to the offense. It is hard as a Hawks fan to come to grips with the end of the LOB and that domaint defense which brought us an SB but with the NFL clearly an offensive league now it makes perfect sense to build around Russ if you believe he is that elite QB and I do.

    The patriots went through the exact same thing about 10 years ago. They won 2 SB with an elite defense and a young QB. Billichek was known as defensive guru. Then as that defense aged and they got rid of the likes of Harrison and Mcginnist etc the rebuilt the team on the why around Brady and the rest is history.

    Seems like that is the plan for PCJS now. It will be interesting to see it play out but I think they will focus on offfense in free agency and defense in the draft.

    Some free agents on offense I think they will target who might be available on reasonable or 1 yr prove it deals.

    RG DJ Fluker
    LG Justin Pugh
    RB Johnathan Stewart, Carlos Hyde, Jerrick Mckinnon
    WR Terrel Pryor, Marquis Lee
    TE Levine Toilollo

    • Trevor

      On Defense I think so targets could be.

      Safety – Eric Reid, Bradley Mcdougald
      Corner – Maxi and Shead
      Edge – Benson Mayowa, Alex Okafor
      DT – Wilkerson, Clinton McDonald
      LB – Anthony Hutchins, Preston Brown

      • Patrick Toler

        I’d love Fluker or Pugh, with the assumption that Solari knows what they are all about. I’ll take any of those RBs as long as it’s a minimum deal. Anything more and I’d pass on all of them. I like Reid and McDougald if the price is right, but wouldn’t want to be locked in with either- I want Hill competing to win that SS job. McDougald’s flexibility and experience is particularly appealing if the price is right. I doubt they are interested in the mess that is Wilkerson. I’d love Mayowa back.

  39. Coleslaw

    So Rob with our newfound cap space do you see an increased likelihood we go after Norwell?

    • Rob Staton

      No, not at all.

  40. All I see is 12s

    Currently listening to the pick 6 podcast. When Malik McDowell came up JLC mentioned that he had a spinal column injury. I had not heard this before. I thought it was a severe concussion. I know JLC has a sourse at the VMAC…

  41. GoHawksDaniel

    Is it a possiblity to trade KJ (for a second round? third round? Not sure about what could’ve been offered for him) for pick(s) and CAP relief, and get this guy? It would give the Hawks 7m plus CAP space (if I saw correctly) which could be used to get 1-2 OG from FA (Pugh, Sitton, Kline), and we could use the extra pick from KJ to get an RB

    Another thing. Do you think it’s possible the Hawks try to trade 1/18 for a player?
    Like giving up 1/18 and one or two 5th round pick(s) to get an OG/CB/S/RB and a 2nd/3rd round pick?
    And if so, who do you think might possible to target?
    Or they’ll most likely just trade down from the 18th pick?

    • Rob Staton

      I’m not sure KJ would fetch a second or third rounder. To me he’s one of those players that is most valuable to the Seahawks currently. A quiet warrior who just executes his job. The way the trades have gone so far, he might only fetch a day three pick. Teams are getting major value in some of their deals so far.

      I think they’re more likely to move down once or twice from #18 and try to turn one pick into three.

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