Welcome to the 2023 NFL combine coverage on Seahawks Draft Blog
Today is the day. The ‘box office’ special performance.
The top quarterbacks are going to put on a show.
Keep refreshing this page for updates
The workouts begin at 1pm ET (10am PT).
Just look at the measurements for the top quarterbacks:
Anthony Richardson — 6-4, 244lbs, 10 4/8 inch hands
Will Levis — 6-4, 229lbs, 10 5/8 inch hands
C.J. Stroud — 6-3, 214lbs, 10 inch hands
If you are truly a NFL fan — how can you not be excited about that?
Richardson is a unicorn. Levis has Elway-esque size and traits. Stroud has big mitts and showed against Georgia he can create. They, rather than the undersized (yet talented) Bryce Young could easily be the top-three.
Even Young has 9 3/4 inch hands despite a 5-10 frame.
The Seahawks, in my opinion, will be very lucky if they get a chance to draft one of Richardson, Levis or Stroud at #5. It’ll be a gift, courtesy of Russell Wilson and the Broncos. Whatever happens with Geno Smith, this is a rare opportunity.
This is the best group of quarterbacks, projected to go in the top-10, I’ve covered since starting the blog. There have been players I would rate higher (Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Andrew Luck). There hasn’t, however, been this quantity of quarterbacks I would suggest are well worth taking as early as Seattle is picking.
Being guaranteed one of the four — or Will Anderson — is a special chance for this franchise.
Keep refreshing this page for updates
It’s a shame a tweet like this won’t get anywhere near as much traction as the people tweeting negatives about the QB class:
Will Levis & Anthony Richardson can do things most QB’s can’t.
The draft is about projection. We’ll see today why both are worthy of the #5 pick. Seattle will be lucky if either is there.
The video below, on Levis, highlights this #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/HdoWAJJLyu
— Rob Staton (@robstaton) March 4, 2023
Quarterback Group 1 — 40 times
Tyson Bagent — 4.81 & 4.79
Stetson Bennett — 4.67 & 4.74
Malik Cunningham — 4.54 & 4.54
Max Duggan — 4.52 & 4.56
Will Levis did not run a forty yard dash.
Wide receiver Group 1 — 40 times
Jordan Addison — 4.55 & 4.49
Ronnie Bell — 4.54 & 4.57
Kayshon Boutte — 4.50 & 4.67
Jalen Brooks — 4.70 & 4.70
Jason Brownlee — 4.60 & 4.69
Jacob Copeland — 4.42 & 4.46
Jalen Moreno-Cropper — 4.40 & 4.41
Derius Davis — 4.37 & 4.37
Tank Dell — 4.50 & 4.52
Dontay Demus Jr — 4.57 & 4.66
Demarios Douglas — 4.44 & 4.45
Josh Downs — 4.48 & 4.50
Grant DuBose — 4.57 & 4.59
Zay Flowers — 4.42 & 4.45
Bryce Ford-Wheaton — 4.38 & 4.42
Antoine Green — 4.48 & 4.49
Jadon Haselwood — 4.67 & 4.67
Malik Heath — 4.64 & 4.67
Elijah Higgins — 4.55 & 4.54
Xavier Hutchinson — 4.53 & 4.58
Jalin Hyatt — 4.41 & 4.42
Andrei Iosivas — 4.43 & 4.44
Kearis Jackson — 4.55 & 4.60
Rakim Jarrett — 4.45 & 4.55
Michael Jefferson — 4.56 & 4.60
I’m not surprised at all by Jordan Addison’s unofficial 4.55/4.49. He didn’t look particularly sudden on tape. A good, not great college receiver.
I’ve been a big fan of the underrated Bryce Ford-Wheaton for a long time. The fact he just ran a 4.38 at his size (6-4, 221lbs) highlights why.
Josh Downs’ time is a bit slower than expected but still good enough (4.4’s).
Throwing session #1
This is the group that will include Will Levis.
Little grip on Bryce Ford-Wheaton’s gauntlet — he’s letting the ball into his body and not using his hands to catch. Zay Flowers looked electric and smooth on his rep.
On Josh Downs’ second run you see his natural ability to catch the ball away from his body from all angles. He is an excellent hands-catcher. Flowers’ second rep was as good as his first. Impressive control.
Jake Haener threw a pass away from Josh Downs’ body and the receiver reached out, without adjusting his stride, and caught the ball away from his body. Exceptional.
Will Levis looks exceptional in terms of his physical shape. He’s on a different level to the other QB’s in group one. The ball pops out of his hand with supreme velocity so easily. Daniel Jeremiah is already nitpicking his footwork. All I can see is a very fluid stroke, no wasting motion or elongated release and a ball flying out of his hands.
Levis just through two perfect in-routes with anticipation and accuracy — plus perfect velocity. He absolutely looks the part here and we’re not even onto the deep throws yet.
Official 40 times (WR group 1)
Derius Davis — 4.36
Bryce Ford-Wheaton — 4.38
Jalen Moreno-Cropper — 4.40
Jalin Hyatt — 4.40
Zay Flowers — 4.42
Jacob Copeland — 4.42
Andrei Iosivas — 4.43
Rakim Jarrett — 4.44
Demario Douglas — 4.44
Antoine Green — 4.47
Josh Downs — 4.48
Jordan Addison — 4.49
Tank Dell — 4.49
Kayshon Boutte — 4.50
Xavier Hutchinson — 4.53
Elijah Higgins — 4.54
Ronnie Bell — 4.54
Kearis Jackson — 4.54
Michael Jefferson — 4.56
Seattle has specifically targeted receivers who run in the 4.4’s or faster.
The way Levis whips the ball with a flick of the wrist and drives it downfield — it’s just a ‘wow’ performance. According to the NFL Network the second group of receivers are stopping their warm-ups to watch Levis throw.
Daniel Jeremiah is waffling on about Levis to Las Vegas at #7. He will not get out of the top-five. No chance. You don’t throw like this and stick around. Not in a Josh Allen world.
Quarterback broad jumps
Anthony Richardson: 10’9″
Will Levis: 10’4″
Tyson Bagent: 10′
Stetson Bennett: 9’10”
Max Duggan: 9’8″
Jake Haener 9’6″
It took until the third rep on the speed-out drill for Levis to throw an ‘off’ pass.
#Florida QB Anthony Richardson just set the QB record for vertical jump here at the Combine… with a leap of 40.5 inches.
Wow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2023
Remember when everyone was droning on about what these quarterbacks supposedly couldn’t do? Why they were raw or no good?
Yeah. That narrative is about to finally change. Shame it’s taken the media months to get here.
Josh Downs just received a ‘perfect’ shout from a coach for his strike-route. Zay Flowers stumbled a bit on his.
Down on the field, and I can promise you that Levis and Richardson look unlike every other QB here.
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) March 4, 2023
There’s definitely a lack of buzz around the non-Levis quarterbacks in group one. Jake Haener is lacking any kind of pop in his passes. Stetson Bennett is making some pretty plays and is getting the ball out but he looks so small when he jogs out compared to the Greek God wearing #08.
Max Duggan, bless him, gave absolutely everything for TCU in 2022. He’s clearly limited in terms of power and arm strength though.
Matt Hasselbeck is now down there coaching the QB’s. I’m sure a call will be going in for his take on the QB’s at some point from the front office.
We’re onto the deeper throws. Now the fun starts.
Stetson Bennett’s arm strength looked really good on his first two attempts. His third was underthrown. He got impressive distance on the first two lobs.
Max Duggan’s arm strength is considerably lacking.
Bad drop from Bryce Ford-Wheaton on a decent throw from Jake Haener. Jaren Hall’s first deep ball was too flat, his second was too lofted. The third was a bit safe.
There’s a noticeable buzz for Will Levis from the crowd when he steps forward. His first throw was a loosener that was ‘safe’. His second was deep and a little flat. His third had easy distance and velocity — beautiful.
Receiver vertical jumps
Bryce Ford-Wheaton: 41″
Rashee Rice: 41″
Quentin Johnston: 40.5″
Jalin Hyatt: 40″
Jason Brownlee: 39.5″
Tyler Scott: 39.5″
Marvin Mins: 39.5″
Demario Douglas: 39.5″
Andrei Iosivas: 39″
Dontayvion Wicks: 39″
Josh Downs: 38.5″
Ronnie Bell: 38.5″
Michael Wilson: 37.5″
Tre Tucker: 37.5″
Cedric Tillman: 37″
Matt Landers: 37″
Jadon Haselwood: 37″
Michael Jefferson: 37″
Charlie Jones: 36.5″
Xavier Hutchinson: 36″
Zay Flowers: 35.5″
Dontay Demus Jr.: 35.5″
Rakim Jarrett: 35.5″
Mitchell Tinsley: 35.5″
Justin Shorter: 35.5″
Elijah Higgins: 35″
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 35″
Grant DuBose: 35″
Jalen Brooks: 35″
A.T. Perry: 35″
Jalen Wayne: 34.5″
Joseph Ngata: 34.5″
Jordan Addison: 34″
Malik Heath: 34″
Jayden Reed: 33.5″
Antoine Green: 33.5″
Jacob Copeland: 33″
Kayshon Boutte: 29″
QB broad jumps
Anthony Richardson: 10’9″
Will Levis: 10’4″
Tyson Bagent: 10′
Stetson Bennett: 9’10”
Max Duggan: 9’8″
Jake Haener 9’6″
Clayton Tune: 10’2″
Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 10’1″
Tanner McKee: 9’6″
QB vertical jumps
Anthony Richardson: 40.5″ (QB Record)
Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 37.5″
Clayton Tune: 37.5″
Tyson Bagent: 36″
Jake Haener 35″
Will Levis: 34″
Stetson Bennett: 33.5″
Tanner McKee: 33″
Max Duggan: 30.5″
NFL Network coverage — too many adverts, not enough showing the throws, they aren’t letting us know who the receivers are catching the ball, too many crap attempts to be funny, too much wittering on rather than concentrating on the drills.
Bring back Mike Mayock.
I feel like I’ve watched 35% of the throwing session.
If you missed my Will Levis interview last year, check it out here:
Quarterback 40 times — group 2
Anthony Richardson — 4.44 & DNR
Dorian Thompson-Robinson — 4.57 & 4.56
Clayton Tune — 4.66 & 4.64
In November, in my first mock draft, I had Anthony Richardson going first overall. It’s getting closer and closer to a reality.
C.J. Stroud didn’t run a forty. Neither did Tanner McKee.
This was my top-10:
#1 Houston — Anthony Richardson (QB, Florida)
#2 Carolina — Will Levis (QB, Kentucky)
#3 Indianapolis (v/CHI) — CJ Stroud (QB, Ohio State)
#4 Las Vegas — Jalen Carter (DT, Georgia)
#5 Seattle (v/DEN) — Will Anderson (DE, Alabama)
#6 Detroit (v/LAR) — Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas)
#7 Houston (v/CLE) — Tyree Wilson (DE, Texas Tech)
#8 Pittsburgh — Mazi Smith (DT, Michigan)
#9 Jacksonville — Michael Mayer (TE, Notre Dame)
#10 Philadelphia (v/NO) — Myles Murphy (DE, Clemson)
Wide receiver 40 times — group 2
Jaray Jenkins — 4.60 & 4.61
Charlie Jones — 4.44 & 4.44
Matt Landers — 4.39 & 4.37
Marvin Mims — 4.38 & DNR
Jonathan Mingo — 4.46 & 4.46
Joseph Ngata — 4.54 & 4.61
Trey Palmer — 4.33 & 4.36
A.T. Perry — 4.47 & 4.49
Jayden Reed — 4.45 & 4.58
Rashee Rice — 4.51 & 4.53
Tyler Scott — 4.51 & 4.44
Justin Shorter — 4.56 & 4.58
Cedric Tillman — 4.55 & 4.56
Mitchell Tinsley — 4.60 & 4.66
Tre Tucker — 4.41 & 4.42
Jalen Wayne — 4.51 & 4.51
Dontayvion Wicks — 4.62 & 4.68
Michael Wilson — 4.59 & 4.62
That’s a very good time for Marvin Mims — he has some legit slot capability. Jonathan Mingo running in the 4.4’s is fantastic news — he’s massively underrated and a blog favourite.
Quentin Johnston is not running a forty.
Throwing session #2
I’m worried that this is taking so long that none of the tight ends are going to do agility testing.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s gauntlet was tentative. Cedric Tillman glides a lot better when he’s doing this rather than running a forty. Puka Nacua ran his gauntlet at full speed which was good to see. Jonathan Mingo flashes his hands nicely — he cups them to the ball and doesn’t let the ball get into his frame.
The way C.J. Stroud throws is just lovely to watch. Fantastic touch, great feel. Anthony Richardson started the session looking like a tank had driven onto the field, then started unloading with max velocity on the shorter routes.
Aidan O’Connell is a little bit wayward with his throws to the sideline. Richardson threw a little high on his third pass to the left sideline but the two prior reps were text book. Stroud is in complete control here. Daniel Jeremiah says he looks graceful and that’s 100% correct.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson is flashing the arm strength we know he has. It’s a shame he isn’t a little bit bigger.
Stroud is putting on an absolute clinic. It’s crazy how people have assessed this QB class. Richardson is throwing perfectly to the far cone to the sideline. Great velocity and touch.
A miss from Richardson and Stroud on an out-route each. Thompson-Robinson has looked sharp and he has the live arm to excel here. Tanner McKee looks like a unit — big and stocky.
What the hell are they talking about on the NFL Network? Tiresome, wittering banter. Shut up and talk about the drills.
Onto the deep balls. Richardson’s arm is as advertised. Just launching it downfield with velocity and accuracy. He’s showing off. A legit wow moment. Stroud floated his first effort. His second and third throws were an improvement. DTR made a big of a mess of his first and second attempts. Felt like he was trying too hard to drive it downfield. McKee has a good arm and made some nice downfield throws.
Stroud came back for another go around and launched his passes downfield, really flashing that he too can drive it downfield. Richardson also had another go but lofted it a little too much. He still drove it downfield.
The quality of the puns on the NFL Network deserves a seventh round grade. Awful.
Daniel Jeremiah and Rich Eisen starting to say what we have for weeks. Waiting until next year is a pointless view when you have a QB class like this in 2023.
Stroud’s fades were typically well-placed. Nothing wrong with Richardon’s either. They did what they needed to do. DTR had a few iffy throws earlier but he ended putting the ball in the right area. They asked Richardson to have another go and his first attempt was great, his second less so. He finished with a backflip.
That was a lot of fun. And the quarterbacks will leave Indianapolis the talk of the town.
Tight end vertical jumps
Zack Kuntz: 40″
Davis Allen: 38.5″
Will Mallory: 36.5″
Luke Musgrave: 36″
Brenton Strange: 36″
Blake Whiteheart: 35.5″
Sam LaPorta: 35″
Payne Durham: 34.5″
Tucker Kraft: 34″
Luke Schoonmaker: 33.5″
Josh Whyle: 33.5″
Michael Mayer: 32.5″
Brayden Willis: 32″
Darnell Washington: 31″
Tight end broad jumps
Zack Kuntz: 10’8″
Luke Schoonmaker: 10’7″
Luke Musgrave: 10’5″
Davis Allen: 10’5″
Brenton Strange: 10’4″
Sam LaPorta: 10’3″
Tucker Kraft: 10’2″
Darnell Washington: 10’2″
Will Mallory: 10’1″
Michael Mayer: 9’10”
Brayden Willis: 9’9″
Payne Durham: 9’9″
Travis Vokolek: 9’7″
Josh Whyle: 9’7″
Blake Whiteheart: 9’7″
Tight end 40 yard dash times
Davis Allen — 4.86 & 4.84
Payne Durham — 4.91 & 4.86
Tucker Kraft — 4.70 & 4.70
Zack Kuntz — 4.61 & 4.55
Sam LaPorta — 4.59 & 4.61
Will Mallory — 4.57 & 4.54
Michael Mayer — 4.74 & 4.72
Luke Musgrave — 4.62 & 4.63
Luke Schoonmaker — 4.65 & 4.63
Brenton Strange — 4.70 & 4.71
Darnell Washington — 4.65 & 4.68
Blake Whiteheart — 4.70 & 4.72
Josh Whyle — 4.69 & 4.71
The 10-yard splits and short shuttle times are the big numbers for tight ends.
That’s a really good time for Michael Mayer (4.72 unofficially), given there were fears he might run in the 4.8s’.
There’s been a lot of talk about this being a loaded tight end class. It’s top-heavy, not deep. Only twelve ran a forty. It’s not thick like 2019 where you had depth all the way through.
I can’t be dealing with any more Sauce Gardner fawning on NFL Network.
Tight end 10-yard splits
Luke Musgrave — 1.54
Zack Kuntz — 1.57
Darnell Washington — 1.57
Brenton Strange — 1.57
Will Mallory — 1.59
Luke Schoonmaker — 1.59
Tucker Kraft — 1.59
Sam LaPorta — 1.59
Davis Allen — 1.60
Payne Durham — 1.61
Josh Whyle — 1.62
Blake Whiteheart — 1.63
Michael Mayer — 1.66
Mayer’s forty was quicker than expected but his 10-yard split was the slowest of the group.
In the on-field drills, Mayer is praised for his blocking drill on the sled. Testing really matters at the position, I get it. But I’m ready to bang the table for him. He was just so naturally good at everything at Notre Dame. Josh Whyle is also given some good feedback for his sled drill.
Darnell Washington looks a lot leaner than he did at Georgia. He looks like he’s shed a lot of weight for this event.
Official 40 times for the tight ends
Will Mallory — 4.54
Zack Kuntz — 4.55
Sam LaPorta — 4.59
Luke Musgrave — 4.61
Luke Schoonmaker — 4.63
Darnell Washington — 4.64
Tucker Kraft — 4.69
Josh Whyle — 4.69
Michael Mayer — 4.70
Brenton Strange — 4.70
Blake Whiteheart — 4.70
Davis Allen — 4.84
Payne Durham — 4.87
Washington looked so smooth running the gauntlet. He showed none of this mobility on tape so this is good to see. I think he looks renewed with this lighter frame.
Rich Eisen currently banging on about not paying for a meal all week, while drills are ongoing. Just please guys, give us five minutes of analysis. We’ll start with that. Then we can try and build up to six or seven minutes. Now another advert break. I don’t feel like I’m seeing anything on the field.
These commercials are killing me too. If I ever need to do a TikTok video to have a conversation with my kids, you have my permission to kick me up the arse.
Receiver three cone times
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 6.57s
Andrei Iosivas: 6.85s
Grant DuBose: 6.89s
Marvin Mims: 6.90s
Xavier Hutchinson: 6.91s
Malik Heath: 6.96s
Bryce Ford-Wheaton: 6.97s
Ronnie Bell: 6.98s
Jadon Haselwood: 6.98s
Antoine Green: 6.99s
Jacob Copeland: 7.01s
Elijah Higgins: 7.01s
Michael Jefferson: 7.03s
Jalen Brooks: 7.15s
I’ll have the short shuttle times soon — kudos to the receivers because a lot of them actually did the shuttle. This is encouraging for the TE’s doing it too.
Sam LaPorta is moving better than expected. Very mobile and agile. Mayer just made a wonderful catch at full stretch which is his calling card. Washington looks excellent out there — way more of an athlete than expected. If he can stay at this weight, look out.
The session, which we didn’t see that much of, ends with a fade drill. Darnell Washington finished things off with an incredible one-handed grab that’ll be trending all day on Twitter. Sam LaPorta had the best high-pointing technique but didn’t catch either of his throws.
I’m ending the live blog for today. My recap on day three will be posted shortly so stay tuned.
People who want Bobby Wagner back, who think Geno should be paid $40 million and we shouldn’t pick some of these QBs in this Draft….they just can’t be Seahawks fans
Yes they can.
You can disagree with them – and I do – but nobody is in a position to determine someone else’s fandom.
Amen to that. There are lots of people who love the Seahawks who have all kinds of different ideas about what they’d like the team to do. Let’s not try policing other people’s fandom. Let’s just all love the team!
They would say the exact same thing about those of us who don’t want to pay Geno a boatload of money, bring back Bobby, or do want to draft a QB in Round #1.
They are definitely legitimate fans but they have a whole different perspective. They are too loyal and overvalue anyone that has put on the Seahawks uniform. They believe that this team is much closer to being competitive than reality dictates. They believe that the Head Coach and GM are basically irreplaceable.
They consider those of us that disagree with them as overly pessimistic. If you care enough about the Seahawks to follow SDB or any of the other fan sites, then you are definitely a fan of this team.
Fans make terrible GMs because they decide based mostly on their emotions and cognitive biases and less on data. While good professional GMs use data and analysis and experience to inform their decisions.
I have been doing a fun experiment this last month on all the Seahawks/NFL fan pages. I will post some generic thought like, “Geno had an unexpectedly good season last year and I hope Seattle and him are able to reach an agreement that works out for both sides. 💚💙” And I will also post some challenging thoughts like, “Drafting a QB at 5 might and having a QB on an affordable contract might actually help improve the defense quicker than any one player/pick 🤔”
Guess which types of statements get the most agreement and which types get the most (often aggressive) disagreement?
They are fans… just not particularly informed ones.
Sure they can!
They’re just Seahawks fans stuck in the past. Happens to a lot of fans and franchises. “Bring ’em back” rarely works and the NFL is all about evolving and planning for the future. Or at least that’s the case for successful franchises.
It is expected that there will be a spectrum of opinions, and I can accept that some will not agree with my position, but I take great exception when someone attacks an opposing position unfairly. Even if an opinion is way out there, it can be dealt with politely and with grace.
If John Schneider wants his choice of quarterback, he should be delighted if the pundits accentuate their defects. As you pointed out Rob, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes were two such victims and look where they are today.
Still feel like it will be Richardson as he would be the perfect QB along side Geno. Bryce Young weighing in at 204 is good for him. Almost the exact size of RW.
It’s water weight
He’s not close to Wilson’s thickness
I bet he’s spent a lot of time at the urinal in the last 24 hours
Rob is right, and one piece of proof is that you can not add that weight and then work out well. He is skipping the work outs. The weight on Richardson and Levis is real.
My response: good for him. Give me a similar window and i could gain that much weight. I’ve had Kansas CIty bbq for the last 2 days, I’m already on my way!
Minnesota Center John Michael Schmitz has had formal interviews with these teams at the NFL Combine:
Seahawks, Jets, Commanders, Cowboys, Cardinals, Chargers and few more he can’t remember
Good morning SDB! When was the last time you were excited to watch the QBs at the Combine?
By gar it’s been a while!
I fear that Young will be the QB on the board at 5. And Hooker. Is it possible that their thinking could circle back around to ….Carter?
Carter won’t be on Seattle’s board
And Perhaps we can trade a bunch of picks and get Russ back?
Trade up then. I mean, do we want a franchise QB or not?
For the sake of argument, let’s say JS comes out of today thinking that Stroud, Richardson, and Levi’s are potential stars and that they are a tier above Young. If he believes there is a strong chance that they aren’t there at 5, I’m not sure how you don’t make a strong push to trade up and get your guy. Arizona won’t trade with us, so it would likely be for #1. I know it would be expensive and we have other needs but this is a rare opportunity. Unrelated but I will forever hold a grudge against the Colts and Texans.
100% agree. They have changed their draft strategy, Schneider is MUCH more front and center, and they have never had this high a pick. We don’t know what they are going to do. I think Schneider will go get who he wants. He’s like a little brother who has been getting hand-me-downs (going with what Pete wants) and then all of a sudden you give him 5 free minutes at Toys R Us to grab WHATEVER HE WANTS.
AZ I think might. Get another first round pick, maybe another later pick and one in 2024. You still are picking top 5.
John Schneider has proven he has a real good understanding of which teams want which players and whether a player will be available. If he feels they need to trade to get “their guy” he will.
Just saw a kid in the bleachers at Lucas Oil Field in a Geno jersey. Is that Robbie and co?
That wasn’t me! Haha no one I know owns a Geno jersey.
Levis not running 40, damn wanted to see his time
Not a great straight-line speed guy
4.80 at SPARQ
But he ran a 4.10 short shuttle and jumped a 36 inch vertical
Those numbers mean quick feet, with some pop. But want to see Richardson’s numbers. Those should be fun.
I want Pete to time him eating a banana.
Have we had a pass rush specialist position on the staff before this?
It’s the first I have heard of it. Aaron Curry was the outside LBs coach wasn’t he? Probably was part of AC’s job duties.
We need someone to replace L.J. Collier.
Hope he can get more from Taylor, Robinson, Mafe and Tyreke Smith. I think they could all be better.
I can’t imagine this would hurt. I never understood why aaron Curry was out D line/end coach.
I’m not sure how much weight to attach to prospect meetings. Last year, per Walter Football, the Hawks did not meet with Charles Cross ahead of the draft. Is that correct?
Rob says that visits are a better indicator than meetings at the combine. Which makes sense.
Sign Drew Lock, for cap reasons. Sign Gardner Minshew to compete. Sign best available QB at #5. Clean and simple, covers all the bases and is do-able.
Packed house at Lucas Oil, it hasn’t been this way any day last year or this year. Crazy atmosphere! Seating is weird but watching the QBs warm up. Levis is chiseled human being!
Minshew is not a QB the Seahawks would want.
Why do you think that? He is a Washington state fan favorite, has a more than competent job history, and is a good locker room fit. Interested to hear the reasons for a negative view.
Well Downs passed the sub 4.5s 40 time test for Seattle
He is fast but not too fast that he would get pushed into Rd #1. He is definitely an option in the 2nd Round. Him, Flowers, Hyatt and Tillman would all make great WR3 options IMO. There are some guys like Micheal Wilson who might fit the bill as well later in the draft.
Downs’s 10 yard split is 1.49s
Second year in a row the DB group looks a lot faster than the WR group.
I want to take another swing at the “why is everyone so stuck on Geno Smith as our QB” talk you brought up in the chat today Rob.
It’s a Pacific Northwest / Seattle thing.
The Seahawks brought in Mike Holmgren after years of losing and he brought them national legitimacy and nearly got them to the pinnacle. He restored pride in the Hawks, but the results of SB XL turned the chip on fan’s shoulders into a millstone.
Along came PC and he turned a bunch of mutts into a championship team. The only purebreds he had on those teams were Earl Thomas, Russell Okung and Bobby Wagner and they all had a mutt mentality.
They banded together and won a championship over one of the NFL’s Golden Boys in a pure obliteration. It was a sight to see.
Years of turmoil followed. The biggest mutt of them all turned into a showdog in most fans’ minds, and after 2 years of showdog antics, the team sold high and started over. Fans new that with a preening showdog comes success, and that was very likely leaving with the showdog.
Week One 2022. A shelter dog who had been rehomed more times than he can count starts at QB, beats the showdog and in a watershed Seattle moment, announces on national TV that he’s a mutt who doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He then proceeds to shock the league with good and occasionally great play.
The shelter dog beat that outgoing showdog and restored the mutt mentality in a shockingly short amount of time.
It’s cultural more than purely statistical.
Anyone who heard the “Geno…Geno…Geno” chants last year understands how quickly and deeply the fans emotionally connected with Geno in a way they never did with Russ.
You’ve posited this a bunch.
I got to be honest. The fans last year revealed themselves to be fake as bleep.
Geno didn’t resonate with half the people I know with season tickets until it was shown he was good so after the fact. The sane people in 13 and 14 that bought wilson jerseys and fist pumped when a third rounder went wild in the pre season to win his job.
Also when geno settles back to what he is….lady half of the season…those same fans are going to winder why we’re paying him 40 odd million.
100% agreed. You can smell the same Mariners funk of “don’t rock the boat” in the Seahawks fans that want a dependable floor instead of a high ceiling. It’s the fear that we won’t be league average, instead of taking risks and spending money to attempt a reach at greatness. Don’t know how many M’s fans I’ve argued with about the front office’s refusal to open the checkbook and sign premiere talent in a push for the AL pennant, opting instead to move forward with the journeymen that are familiar. I’d be willing to presume that the folks that are adamant about retaining Geno (while still bringing back Bobby, somehow) are the same M’s fans.
Familiarity, above all else.
Seattle fans love their mediocrity.
Bryce Ford-Wheaton putting on a show at his size a 41″ Vert and 4.38 40 are incredible. Guess I need to go back and check him out. Was not even on my watchlist.
I’ve had him R2/3 on the board
Nice shout because he looks like a legit NFL WR athletically.
You were ahead of the curve on this kid Rob. Most sights had him Day 3/UDFA. Best I saw was “early Day 3.” His size got mentioned but nobody projected this kind of athleticism. I read a cool interview after the Shrine week where he seemed to have solid self-awareness of what he needed to improve.
There have only ever been 2 other prospects with his combo of size, speed and explosiveness and they are both Seahawks (DK and Tariq) so he is firmly on the radar at this point.
I am definitely on the train of thought that the top 4 Quarterbacks will probably go in the top 4 picks this year:
1. Many teams like Indy, Carolina, NYJ, LAV have made it no secret that they are desperate for a new Quarterback. Add that to the teams that have no QBs like Seattle and Houston.
2. With unproven QBs like Geno and Daniel Jones asking for 40M per year, you just can’t pay that. It makes more sense to get a QB at a fraction of that cost.
3. Rodgers is owed $60 Million this year and it will take high draft picks to get him. Plus he is being extremely flaky and non-committal. He isn’t going anywhere
4. Paying Veteran QBs longterm like Stafford. Cousins. Dak, Kyler, Watson or Goff, is making less sense. They are valuable but not at over $40M per year for multiple years.
Trade up John
I might be grasping at straws here, but thought this might be an interesting thought experiment.
Lets say JS wants one of Stroud, Levis, and Richardson and rates them all pretty equally. Rather than risk seeing them go before we pick at 5, he wants to trade up. We could trade up with the Bears at 1, but we may face some stiff competition with Indianapolis and Carolina who are desperate to get their guy. Arizona at 3 would also probably be an unlikely partner at 3 because we’re division rivals. So what about the Texans at 2?
Sure they could draft a QB themselves, but as Rob and others on here have brought up we wouldn’t be surprised if they decided to go defense–especially with the hiring of Demeco Ryans as HC. Will Anderson is likely the consensus top defensive player, in which case they’d probably stay put and draft him at 2, but as we just saw with the combine he doesn’t necessarily scream athletic freak and is a bit light for a DE/OLB in a 4-3 scheme. Jalen Carter with his recent legal troubles probably makes him a questionable selection too.
What if, after interviews and perhaps athletic testing at a pro day, they find themselves really liking the local kid Tyree Wilson? Wilson grew up in Texas and stayed to play at Texas A&M after initially committing to Washington State. Even when he transferred, he stayed in-state to play at Texas Tech. He’s got a huge frame and we’ll have to wait on athletic testing to see where he stands there (if he even can with rehabbing his injury), but with a little weight maybe he can be Ryan’s version of Arik Armstead or Deforest Buckner? I haven’t watched any tape so some of you will definitely know more about how different their play-styles are and I know Buckner is typically used as a DT, but looking at measurables alone we get this:
Tyree Wilson
HT: 6’6
WT: 271 lbs
Arm: 35 5/8″
Hand: 9 5/8″
Arik Armstead
HT: 6’7
WT: 290
Arm: 33″
Hand: 10 1/2″
Deforest Buckner
HT: 6’7
WT: 291 lbs
Arm: 34 3/8″
Hand: 11 3/4″
So lets say the Texans are happy with taking Wilson, what would compensation look like? According to most trade charts I found online, the Texans #2 pick is worth about 2600 points, whereas our #5 pick is 1700 points. Looking at the point totals for our other picks, we might be able to get up to 2 with both our first rounders and our fourth rounder, or pick 5 and both our second round picks. That’s only considering this years draft capital, so maybe we could keep some of that and throw in some sort of pick next year. Again, this is all hypothetical and there’s way too many if’s in this scenario but could be something to think about. If we could get up to 2, it would mean we get to choose between two of Stroud, Levis, and Richardson while being ahead of Arizona who might trade down with another QB-needy team. Personally, I feel like the Texans will more than likely end up staying put, but it would be nice guaranteeing 1 of those 3 QBs.
Watching the WR run I just keep thinking how absolutely absurd Ade Ade’s 4.49 time is. 😂
He could run down Jordan Addison from behind 🙂
Great point.
Seriously. It’s friggen absurd
Now I’m picturing Ade getting the ball on wr screens and end around….I’m here for it lmao
Bad initial jump by Downs on his second attempt
Downs and Flowers not as fast as I expected
Anthony Richardson 6’4” & 244lbs!!!!! Can anyone say Daute Culpepper? Yikes 😳!
Just realized Josh McCown is sitting right behind me 😂
You gonna ask him about that Philly playoff game?
😀
Here the drill I want you to jog straight for 20 yards and catch the ball. What kindia drill is that.
The waste of time drill
Bryce Ford-Wheaton a couple ago someone wrote an article on him. They had Seattle taking him in the 4th round it makes since seeing his size and speed.
Seems like a win-win situation if we swapped with Arizona. We are guaranteed a top QB and Arizona is guaranteed a top 2 D-lineman plus an extra pick (3rd rounder?)
No way the cards trade down to hand a divisional rival a qb for a third.
They will if it is the best offer. Would you rather take a mid round 1st and a 2nd? Or # 5, a 2nd, and maybe a 3rd next year?
They will be worried about making their team better, not hindering another team.
They may take it if it’s the best offer. But Ilin what world will they not get a better offer with the three qbs that are available this year? There’s multiple teams in the top 10 that would give up multiple firsts for that pick
If they rtrade up for a qb I’m looking at Houston. 5, 20, 37. All done this year.
I wonder how expensive it would be to trade up to 4. Depending on how the draft falls, a small move might make a big difference this year. Assuming, of course, that there is a player that JS really badly wants.
If who they really wanted is gone at 5, then they might consider trading down.
Jake Bobo looks good in drills
Yeah. His gauntlet was a thing of beauty.
Was more impressed with the film than the testing for the wr’s so far. Starting to become more interested in a top end te from the class
Man downs is looking smooth, silky, quick, sudden, and good hands…Tyler Lockett 2.0 yes please let’s get him hawks, first of their second rounds picks would be great on him
I’d like one of either Josh Downs, Zay Flowers, or Lord Bryce Ford-Wheaton – Third Earl of Morgantown.
Also, I remain on repeat that if the Seahawks want a QB, they’ve got to get into the top 4 and 1/1 might be the only team willing to do business.
Downs man. I like the other names a good deal but there is something awesome to his game.
Levis throwing darts
The wide receivers slipping on the out routes is ruining the drill.
Josh Downs at 37 seems like a good pick. Better at 52, but he probably won’t last that long.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Downs falls past 37 that Seattle would make a small trade up from 52 to take him.
I really don’t mind if Levis is getting a bit of bad media and he drops at 5.
I love it. People even Brock Huard can talk all the junk they want and I really like Huard.
Levis at #5? Sounds awesome
This just feels like extremely wishful thinking. Were gonna have to move up if we want him.
Seahawk confirmed
https://twitter.com/RieseDraft/status/1632021051046518786?t=Krmi1-hsmq7kqjWn7cdT4g&s=19
I like it. Tippman in the 4th?
Draft him for RG!
Levis is laser accurate today
Levis making it look easy compared to the other qbs. He seems poised, ready for the big stage
Man I like Jaren Hall! I can feel Robs disapproval through my phone 😂
Some nice throws to be sure
He’s bigger than I thought he was.
Jake Bobo man. I like the cut of his jib
And BTW, if you need to call an audible to Blitzy the Clown just type the following:
KILL-KILL-KILL !!!
JOKER !!! JOKER !!!
Richardson 10’9 broad 40.5″ vert
Just announced Richardson did a 40.5 vertical. Best by QB in 20 years.
He is already putting on a show. This is getting exciting:)
Daniel Jeremiah bagging on Levis’ footwork. Lord.
Levis has some of the best footwork in traffic I may have ever seen.
Will Levis throws just pop off he just looks above any of the ones throwing in this group just gives a wow factor
Levis is going first overall. I can’t imagine anything else. The only thing that gives us a chance at Richardson is the lack of experience. Definitely a possibility that the four qBs go 1-4, though.
Richardson isn’t throwing?
Richardson’s definitely tghrowing
Bryce Young isn’t
Rob— a few months back, we talked about my fear of QBs 1-4 being the first four picks, and Levis, Stroud and Richardson all being legit candidates for #1 overall. You said it was unprecedented, possible but not very likely. what are your current odds today of 1st 4 picks being QB, especially one year removed from a draft that offered little to no solutions at quarterback — meaning teams punted that position for a year. In that scenario, the Seahawks would miss out on a QB.
I still don’t think it’s likely.
Four seems a bit much.
Three? Seems very, very, very likely today
Ford-Wheaton may be an athletic freak, but give me a hands catcher every time.
Bennett has looked solid/athletic. Worth taking a late flier
Have you heard him talk though? Weirdo
Bennett is a goober. He’s destined to be a state politician that gets popped for a DUI and talks about the back-to-back Nat Titles in his apology speech.
His abdomen doesn’t look right. Sticks out too much and his lower back too swayed
Honestly, it’s creeping me out
Stetson Bennett’s arm looks bigger than I thought it would be.
JS might have to trade up to get a QB he likes
Blitzy I wonder if Downs won’t last til the third round.
I find every year we think all these great players are going in the second.
But as a comp to Lockett and the comp is real..Lockett blew tge doors off not of downs but generally at Kansas St. And went in the third.
Could be. They all can’t go as early as we think.
But in the WR class, he’s near the top.
And fwiw I see Golden Tate more than Tyler Lockett in him
It’s getting to the point where I’ll be sick if we don’t land one of Levis/Richardson/Stroud
Same. I see people talking about having to take Carter at 5 with no mention of a qb and I’m just completely out. I want one of these QB’s
any “we don’t need a qb we have Geno” talk is muted on my timelines. Just no way you don’t draft a QB if one is there at #5.
I am generally not a fan of trading up at all, but I think we need to trade up to 3.
There is 0% chance Arizona would trade with us to help us find a QB to torture them with for the next decade plus.
I wouldn’t assume that’s the case, the taboo on in-division trades is regarded as antiquated in the analytics world. Think of Minnesota’s new GM last year, the guy with the background in finance, trading down twice in a row, with the Lions and then the Packers.
I’ve been unable to turn up anything specific about our prospective trade partner on this but Arizona’s brand-new GM is a 45-year-old with an MBA. There’s every chance his view could be whatever maximizes value for the Cardinals regardless of the trade partner.
If Seattle passes on Levis, Richardson or Stroud, the player they pick need to actually bring home a Superbowl on their on in their first season.
Levis just looks like his first words was “Superbowl Champion”
Remember when Lamar came to the combine and would not run or jump.
Not Richardson this kid clearly loves to compete and relishes the big stage. Love it
Jackson had one of the worst pre-draft processes ever. A masterclass in what not to do.
He hired his mother as an agent and they continue to fumble the ball together even today.
I love these kids like Richardson who are top rated guys and say I got nothing to hide and do every drill competing every step of the way.
After what I’ve seen and heard so far, this is what I think happens on draft day: The Seahawks will take one of the top three non-Young QBs, if available. If none of those three are available, they’ll take Anderson. If all four of those players are gone, they trade back and then take Hooker on day 2.
I’m learning a lot about Will Levis hair and Joe Burrow’s golf game listening to this commentary.
Mayock provided analysis
These two just spend four days trying to be funny
(they aren’t)
Neither am I. But I put forth more effort.
Indeed
And if you want an audible to Palatypus just type
KILL! KILL!
GIANT SPACE CROCODILE!! GIANT SPACE CROCODILE!!
Your’s is a real audible.
NFLN misses Mayock badly. Any chance he gets rehired?
Mayock is the Combine GOAT 🐐.
Let’s hope Bryce Young stays where he is at the top. He’s tiny. Can he add 20lbs?
Impressed with Levis.
Very few WRs in this lackluster class that I’d pound the table for.
I so wish we had #4 right now instead of #5. Texans ruined it for us with the worst hail mary defense I’ve ever seen.
Sorry, *Colts
I hope the Colts are terrible until Irsay sells or dies. They sucked for Luck and then pulled this crap and jumped us. Karma is a bitch Jimmy. Luck bailed on you and I hope it works out even worse this time.
My god Sydney Brown put up 23 reps on the bench
He is a beast.
Thought Levis was really impressive and he had a ton of charisma as well.
Would Richardson and DK be the freakiest size speed QB/WR ever?
Well he just ran a 4.44. What did DK run?
4.33 at 228lbs
Why is always couched as the fifth pick being ‘valuable’?
https://twitter.com/bcondotta/status/1632124881814065153?s=20
Why can’t it ever be couched as ‘hey this guy could be great for Seattle’
There is a large subset of people who can’t fathom the Seahawks taking a QB at #5 and I just can’t for the life of me understand that position.
Seattle media only want Geno and no one else and will never think anything else
Cha mentioned it earlier. It’s a cultural thing in the PNW, and it’s really lame to say the least.
Maybe valuable as in its going to be valuable to have that pick to move up and get him.
Everytime I hear a national guy talk about the Seahawks, they mention Geno as if he is already signed on back on the team. Do people not realize he is a free agent…and an expensive one, at that?
I am eagerly waiting for Anthony Richardson to run the 40.
Boom 4.44 seconds! He is incredible!
Richardson WOOOW
Holy shit. 4.44
4.44 lmfao!
Obviously the only question with Richardson is whether he can learn to see the field/process quickly. Athleticism is obvciously elite.
Totally agree. I really could care less how high my QB can jump or how fast they run.
QB’s job is to distribute the ball to the playmakers.
It is good to be able to scramble and avoid sacks, perhaps pick up a 1st down when the lanes open up,
but a running QB nevefr lasts in the NFL.
You need a quick processing mind and the ability to quickly get the ball to the open window.
I am going to trust our management to pick the BPA.
I am totally against trading up, we have too many defensive needs to give away picks.
All the “big 4” have warts, with Young the best player, size is his wart.
trust in John, Pete and scouts to make this another draft as successful as last.
We gotta be trying to trade up in the draft to try and secure either Levis/Richardson/Stroud
Think we have to at this point. Ive been beating this drum ever since the season ended.
Richardson Just looks Different
Will Anderson is only 9lbs heavier than AR
Tell me why again why we shouldn’t be moving up to get one of these QBs? I don’t get why we we should feel relegated to stay at 5 and leave it to wishful thinking that one of the QBs other than Bryce Young are available.
Chicago offers #1 for both ours firsts, a second, and next years first;
Do you take it?
Man I love the QBs but that’s so damn expensive
To solidify the QB long term? Absolutely. You aren’t going to get this opportunity likely ever again.
The trade could be just slightly cheaper with Houston and get the pain dealt with this year.
5, 20, 37.
Id take that deal to move up to #2 in a heartbeat. People underestimate how valuable a franchise QB can be. We may never get another opportunity like this to pick a QB in a top heavy QB class like this.
Yes
To move up 4 spots? Hell no
I can’t see any of these QB’s any better than Hooker, who if not injured would be in the same discussion.
25, red shirt a year? QB’s normally do not hit thier prime for 2-3 or more years as it is.
Any QB should be sitting the year as backup to learn the game.
hard NO on trade up.
Hooker would not be in the same discussion
That is simply not true
Anthony Richardson shattered quarterback records at the #NFLCombine, earning a maximum athleticism score of 99 (pending official numbers).
QB Combine Ranks (since 2003):
🔸 40-Yard Dash: 4.44 (2nd)
🔸 Broad Jump: 10’9″ (1st)
🔸 Vertical Jump: 40.5″ (1st)
(Nextgen stats/Twitter)
Imagine adding a 244lb QB and a 282lb DE/DT who run the 40 in 4.44 and 4.49 respectively.
Imagine not liking Anthony Richardson
Do you feel more convinced after today that we should consider trading up (whether its #1 or #2 or even #3) to get one of these guys? I just get the sense that the worst option (Bryce Young) will be all thats left if we just sit on our hands at 5. I just dont see another opportunity like this coming around potentially ever again for the seahawks.
I’m more inclined to consider it today
Might never be here again
Think you have to at this point, you know Ive been beating this drum since the season ended, and what transpired today served to only validate that feeling. The value of securing a long term answer at QB will be worth whatever price we pay to move up a couple spots to ensure we land one of those 3.
Sadly agree. Left with Bryce Young as the only viable remaining QB feels like a loss.
Folowing Rob’s Mock last November, I was able to place a few small wagers on Anthony Richardson to be #1 overall at 75-1 on Draftkings. I know many here also did something similar. It is now down to 4.5 to 1.
I am now kicking myself that I din’t bet more…
Same. Heck I’m sure Robbie is kicking himself for not putting down more at 15000 to 1
WIth those jumps and 40 time, he probably wins the Combine and will get a ton of good press going forward. Especially if he does ok on the throwing drills.
And I’m kicking myself I didn’t bet myself!
Those of us who did get money on Richardson early, and he goes #1 overall, we should definately send some of the proceeds to the blog site.
I hated the idea of getting rid of 4 top50 pick and gamble on a single guy.
But if the ship doesn’t sink completely, there’s no way we could pick #1 in the next 5-10 years.
Just do it John. Pull the trigger, be a man, pack up even #5, #20, 2xR2s and next year’s R1 or R2 and trade up to #1. If he loves all 3 QB maybe we can trade back to #2 and recover some stock, but if not, I don’t care. Figure out who’s the best and select that QB. Worst case scenario we have like a 2019/20/21 type of draft. But it would be awesome to get a QB of THEIR choice.
If I need to choose to roll the dice on a DE/EDGE and a WR and a DT and an iOL in R1-2 or #1 picked QB, I’d choose the QB.
And please no Young. You can teach technique and QBs can get more exp, but they won’t grow and you can’t teach them to be bigger.
I get the sentiment and don’t disagree in principle.
But I don’t think they need to spend that much or move up more than one or two spots.
For me, Richardson or Levis. I slight preference for Richardson but honestly I don’t care between the two. Stroud is so close to them in my estimation that he’s just as good too.
That’s 3 prospects in 4 picks. Only one has to last.
And there’s still Bryce Young and his pro day. And Will Anderson, who although he didn’t blow anyone away with his Combine, is still the top defensive prospect.
I’m not yet convinced they need to trade up for AR/Levis/Stroud, or if they do, that it need be to #1 and cost that much.
It’s not that we’d have to trade up to #1 as I suspect JS has similar grades on Stroud, Levis and AR. The issue is 2,3,4 won’t trade back with us for various reasons. The most likely trade partner is Chicago at 1, so just pay the piper and move up to get your guy.
That freeze frame of the finish of Richardson, Newton and Tebow running the 40 looks like the evolution of man
If either AR or Levis is there at #5 I’d be happy with them both. Chargers said back when they got their QB that if Tua would’ve been the one available they would still be happy with taking him, this situation seems the same.
This draft is building up to be super exciting in the top 10.
Problem is, neither one of them will likely last to #5. Bryce Young will likely be the only option at #5 if we dont move up. Were gonna have to move up to get one of Stroud, Levis or Richardson, thats just the reality at this point.
Young is still doing his pro day, yes the excitement is on these guys but the teams will be doing individual workouts with each etc. I wouldn’t bet on young not going before one of the other 3
Is there like any chance Levis, Stroud and Richardson won’t go in the top4?
I can’t see a situation for that, but if someone could please share.
Hard to think of one now.
Only way is if Chicago and Arizona don’t trade out of the top-four and if Tyree Wilson has an amazing pro-day
Shouldn’t we wait for Bryce Young’s pro day?
I mean he has to work out at some point and I suspect he’ll look good doing it
The issue with Bryce Young is his height and frame. He can knock it out of the park on his pro day, and he will still likely be considered the 4th best option of the group.
At this point, were going to have to trade up to get one of those 3 QBs, Ive been saying it since the season ended, and Im sticking to it. Anything else is just wishful thinking.
4.44 is a great time for Charlie Jones. He’s a really good football player. It pains me to say but he seems like a perfect Rams player…
Love Jones
I’ll be very sad when Anthony Richardson goes #1 overall.
Jalen Moreno-Cropper is a player I’ve liked for a while when studying the ‘21 Fresno State offense. A good 40 time, would like to see the Seahawks take him day 3, a good option in a poor Wr class
Richardson is such an explosive player across the board, his legs and arm are crazy. I don’t think JS would try to move up to 1 or 3 for a shot at him but boy I wish.
With that being said DTR looks good, arm strength isn’t nearly as explosive but I think that his combine performance and this last season he put together warrants using our late 2nd on him, what might your thoughts be Rob?
Mike Mayock would be the perfect Jim Nagy for the combine.
Yes, yes, yes
Or better yet, get him back in the booth
He would talk about the drills, the players and you would learn something on every rep
He would let his hair down for about 15 mins over the four days to inject a tiny bit of humour. The rest was all business.
I regret being about four yards away from Mayock in Munich and not going across to shake his hand and say thank you for being awesome. He was having a serious looking conversation and I didn’t want to interrupt. He’s taller than you’d imagine BTW.
He is sitting on a lot of money from the Raiders contract. I wouldn’t blame him for sitting around and drinking a cold beer during the draft process.
Here’s to hoping Chicago doesn’t get an offer they like and now that Carter isn’t an option, stay put at #1 to take Will Anderson ahead of Houston.
And here’s to hoping Tyree Wilson balls out at his pro day so much that he replaces Carter as a top-2 defensive prospect for either Houston or Arizona.
I think u have to strongly consider moving up to #1 or #2 at this point if u want to get one of the QBs. Will Anderson or Tyree Wilson will surely be there at 5 at this point
I wonder if watching this affects Geno’s demands at all. Does he look at these guys and think, “maybe I need to lower my price a bit or they are going to move on.”
He won’t if someone as middling as Daniel Jones gets $40m!
Lance hand timed 4.37 for Richardson
https://twitter.com/LanceZierlein/status/1632125648381640706?t=i-VsXVUr71906pjKIbbWgA&s=19
Just seeing Richardson and Levis in person they pass the eye test. Big QBs, seeing Richardson run the 40 was epic!
That’s awesome Robbie!
The Bears GM never drafted Justin Feilds.
I would be shocked if he not take Richardson or Levis at #1 and trade Feilds for draft capital. He would be crazy not to IMO as that team is in complete rebuild mode and both those guys would be on rookie deals for the next 5 yrs and are more talented than Fields.
Who’s trading for Fields? And what are they giving that makes it worth it to Chicago?
Eisen and DJ just went over what Chicago should get from Carolina and Indy for moving up. Two R1s and two R2s for Indy. Even more from Carolina.
I would be shocked if Chicago turned that down
If Daniel Jones is getting $40 mil there will be a market for Feilds and if there isn’t a market it means he is just not that good and they should be drafting a QB anyways.
I don’t see the connection and I doubt any NFL team will either.
The Giants are in a spot. They draft way too late to have any hope of a shot at one of the top 4 QBs in this draft. They could go sign a FA like Carr or Smith, but are those guys really any better than Jones, who’s only 25? Who knows the Giants’ system. Whom they know.
Extending Jones under these circumstances isn’t setting the FA market at QB. It doesn’t help, but I doubt it moves the needle one iota for Seattle wrt Geno. Ditto for any other team.
And let’s see what the Jones deal actually is first.
Fields costs Chicago practically nothing over the next two seasons. Their roster is paper thin across the board. They can trade the first pick, net a haul with which they can replenish their roster with cheap young talent for the next two drafts, and ride Fields until it’s time to extend or move on.
It’s ok if we disagree. We’ll find out which one of us is right soon enough
I am not arguing that they will. I am arguing that they should. Time will tell I guess but I think Feilds is really overrated and will never have more value.
Gotcha. And that’s a fair assessment.
But I’m not sure a Bears team led by Stroud/Levis/Richardson without upgrades at OL, RB, WR, TE would do better than the alternative.
Agreed that’s a complete rebuild only positive is they have no big contracts on the books.
Trey Palmer looked good in the gauntlet except for a bobble at the end.
Tyler Scott very nice. Catching the ball, even thrown behind him, looked effortless.
Michael Wilson is buff, but ran and caught a bit labored.
Palmer and Mingo are criminally underrated.
Looking at the draft value charts at the price to move up to #1 or #2:
Rich Hill Model:
Bears = 1,000 (#1)
Texans = 717 (#2)
Seahawks = 1,011 –> 468 (#5), 269 (#20), 162 (#37), 112 (#51)
Jimmie Johnson Model:
Bears = 3,000 (#1)
Texans = 2,600 (#2)
Seahawks = 3,470 –> 1,700 (#5), 850 (#20), 530 (#37), 390 (#51)
Not saying we should give up all these picks, just want to point out that we definitely have the ammo from this year’s class to move up. No other team is better positioned to move up with current year’s picks.
Personally, I say do it
DJ just did the maths live on NFL Network. He said it should cost Indy their 2022 R1 + R2 and their 2023 R1 + R2 to move from 4 to 1.
It has to cost more to move from 5.
Have to discount the future picks though. I unfortunately can’t seem to find the values of the 2024 picks
If I understood DJ correctly, he added a 20% premium because teams will overpay to get a QB
Not saying he’s the final word on the cost to move up. But if past is prologue — think 49ers and Lance), and this QB class is better than that one — it’s probably not off.
I could be wrong, but wouldn’t the Seahawks ability to offer 2 1sts and 2 2nds in 2023 be more valuable than an Indy offer (2023 1,2 + 2024 1,2)?
It might in a better class.
That’s a tough one. A team might prefer to spread their picks over a couple of classes.
Yeah I’m leaning this way too.
Look at it this way, we’d be trading:
Russ
2023 first rounder
2023 second rounder. For…
Charles Cross
Boye Mafe
Noah Fant
Shelby Harris
Drew Lock
Our choice of Stroud, Levis, or Richardson.
It seems like a lot of stock, but god damn. Which of you wouldn’t take that trade?
Richardson’s out routes not as good. Stroud’s nice.
Deep outs better than the quick outs.
Stroud looking sharp. All dimes. Leading the receiver, right to the face
Just imagine stepping off the buss with AR and DK. We are bigger, stronger and faster than you. Good luck.
Dorian Thompson- Robinson throws a nice ball.
Can see why Rob likes him.
Is Daniel Jeremiah going to propose to CJ Stroud? He simply cannot stop the compliments. Meanwhile, he talks about AR as if he’s just a big raw arm using strength, only.
Jeremiah will not be knocked off his pre combine narrative.
Richardson is basically Nolan Smith playing quarterback with a cannon. Freakshow.
I don’t think the Texans will take him, they’ve been so dysfunctional for so long they’re probably looking at someone who can step in from day dot, a franchise QB the fans will get around with no controversy.
No reason why the Bears wouldn’t though, his absolute floor is Justin Fields. Panthers, Raiders, Colts, they’re surely all frothing – why wouldn’t the Falcons be too? I’ll be sick if we have a chance to take him and don’t.
Quick note on 40 times, Zerlein (I think) was saying the other day this is a quick track, about .07 quicker the last year. Not sure how anyone works that out, but something to think about – be interesting to see how many players do run a 40 at their pro day
Young looks so small next to Stroud and Richardson
My takeaway from today is that if the Hawks can get Stroud, Richardson or Levis they should run to the podium.
Agreed 🤝
I’m starting to think we need a top 3 pick for that. I think the Bears will consider upgrading at QB, Texans for sure, and Arizona will get the world for their pick.
I’m pretty excited about all 4 QBs. I think Young might go 1st overall, but I’d happily take him at 5. In order of preference at #5:
Levis
Young
Stroud
Anderson
Richardson
I think Stroud might throw the prettiest ball I have ever seen from a college QB. Is touch and accuracy are sick.
It’s kind of funny because of our situation…but I feel like a decent comp is Geno Smith. Geno throws a pretty ball
These throwing drills are made for cj stroud, dude throws the best ball
+1
Agreed. And yet, I’d still take Richardson and Levis over him, in that order
If Houston are inclined to trade down, you’d think Seattle would be a top choice given the slide is only 3 spots from 2 to 5, especially if they’re inclined to go defense early.
I’d send 5 + 20 + 52 for 2 and that’s more than a 20% overpay
Glad to see more and more people jumping on the trade up bandwagon. Ive been beating this drum since season’s end, and its only going to grow louder as the combine ends and we head into FA and the draft.
AR wasn’t even trying on those deep balls. Off the back foot. Geez.
The commentary is so bad it’s almost better to watch this on mute. The only time they mention a player is when they are fawning over Stroud. I use the word fawning only to keep it PG.
After Bryce Ford-Wheaton’s performance today you can expect all kinds of DK Metcalf comps. Time to learn more about him.
Man, I seriously hope that a team in the top-4 falls in love with Bryce Young.
Those deep balls from Richardson were incredible. Missed a bit on the last one, but they all looked effortless. Stroud also extremely impressive. Didn’t see Levis, but from descriptions it looks like all three of these kids have extraordinary arm talent. Damn. 5 might not do it…
Jump on the trade up bandwagon, because thats the only way were getting these guys. Sitting on our ass at 5 aint gonna cut it at this point.
Yup
Like all trades, it would be a balance between what’s given up and what’s received.
I think JS MIGHT do it for Stroud or Levis, but Richardson’s “time in the corps” might scare him off. Phenomenal athlete with a phenomenal arm, but not a lot of starting football.
And then there’s the price. We’ve got a defense to re-build. And we need to fish or cut bait on our “bridge QB.”
Defense can be addressed with remaining picks and FA. Finding defensive talent is not as difficult as securing a long term answer at QB, especially with a top heavy QB class as this.
Unless Bryce Young really blows people away, Stroud has to be the first QB taken.
Richardson Stroud and Levis are must have QBs
Agree completely, thats why were going to have to move up to get one.
AR with the backflip. Knows he’s in the spotlight and he’s been soaking it up all day.
He over-rotated on the backflip and ended up on his arse 🙂
AR is a physical specimen who has an absolute cannon. That said, can he work the short passing game well enough to consistently move the chains? Not sure about his touch and accuracy, whereas someone like Stroud has great touch and accuracy but less of the physical attributes than AR.
I’m interested in watching TE-Zack Kuntz, very tall, fairly fast and very productive. A potential mid-to-late round sleeper?
Wut? 😮
Quite a name too
Who’d be a commentator?
“Kuntz open down the seam!”
“Kuntz made himself some money out there today”
I totally understand a lot of the talk here about trading up to get one of Levis, Stroud or AR. They look incredible. BY not competing today makes him feel invisible. I liked the interview he just gave at the end of the QB session.
My feeling is this team has a lot of holes and at #5 the Hawks are going to get an amazing player. If we were at 6, I’d probably feel a bit differently. Just feels there is a strong top 5 and then an immediate (potentially) drop off.
In the end if JS makes a move to go up from #5–ill trust that decision. But Hawks can get a great player at 5 and still keep 20, 37 and whatever else they’d have to give up. Which means likely 3 more good players that they need to build with. It should be a fun first night of the draft. So they come out with 4 vs 1. These are 4 talented QB’s.
An elite QB is worth multiple HoF Defenders. Look at KC 5 straight AFC Championship games because they drafted Mahomes.
Don’t mess around, get one of the great looking QBs, no matter the cost. Just think of the buzz a top QB prospect would bring.
What Romeo said. Seems my banging the drum for moving up is starting to gain traction on here 🙂
I would say the jury is out on that one, are they going to be able keep it up with him on a massive contract? I don’t think so.
Get a good qb on a rookie contract is the key, with AR you are looking at 4 years of play (sitting a year) the other guys 5 years of play
I don’t think that the SDB Caretaker is there yet, but I am giving him some time 😀
Rob is more inclined to consider a move up after today in response to the question I posed earlier in this comment thread.
Was NOT expecting Darnell to run a 4.6
Am I the only one enjoying the irony that the broadcast is sponsored by “No Bull”, and the announcers are full of bull? What blithering idiocy. NFL Network commentary is almost always the worst of all sources.
I’ve been for the TE all Darnell Washington is the I’m watching.
He is very well-built
6’6” 5/8, 264lb, 34” 3/8 arms 11” hands
Here’s the grab
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1632181022887403520
I like Will Mallory. Great time for him. No one suffered more from Tyler Van Dykes bad year than Mallory
Lacks power in his lower body, feet splayed in his 3-point stance. Little power displayed on his blocking drills.
Good 40 time. Everything else was lacking for me from Mallory today.
At the risk of starting a flame war (certainly not my intention), behold the wisdom of one John P. Gilbert….
When the number of Levis’ sacks was brought up and the resilience of Levis to perform behind an awful O-Line:
“Sacks are a QB stat. That’s not resilience, that’s an inability to handle pressure.”
What a yutz.
My advice would be to ignore him.
The people who visit that site talk about this place all the time. We don’t need to do the same.
Oh, fair enough. He’s the only one creating content at FG that I’ve seen go overboard in this kind of commentary, to a degree of overcompensating.
My opinions shouldn’t reflect the contributors here. I own my views alone.
Like I said, not looking to flame, or lessen the camaraderie at SDB. Just providing an insight into the antiquated and brackish mental gymnastics that can sadly affect the greater Seahawk fandom.
They’re on a big “despite the generational talent and athleticism we have seen today, Geno is the answer, the future, the sun that rises every morning and has actually been good all along despite only signing back up level contracts” kick.
Well when you’re fandom starts after Wilson is good (third rounder) and Geno its probably hard to see te forest for the trees.
Before that Matt “nice to be hear” Hasselbeck.
And for even less fans Dave “mudbone,” Kreig.
And way less fans Jim Zorn.
So if that’s your base line you can’t imagine a world where you do big things for qb.
Meanwhile I’ll be out here waiting for JA to get to 60% of games played after we dropped two firsts (!!!!) And a third on a safety after spending three thirds and a second on safety.
So all in: two firsts. One second. Three thirds. For a total of four out and out busts. And a guy that played 50% of the games he’s been here. That’s six (!!!) Picks on next to nothing but….
A single first round gift on a qb if we are lucky or God forbid a package of picks for the most important position in sports…it’s a hard pass for these folks.
You could have your dream qb with 5, 20, maybe 37 or 5, 20, and next years first for a whopping sum of essentially “giving up” one first round pick in the future.
Next time he says that, feel free to point out Geno Smith was sacked 46x last year, the 3rd worst number in the NFL.
Whataboutism is a really annoying logical fallacy. Smith having a lot of sacks doesn’t refute the earlier comment. It is a qb stat. I don’t necessarily like that it seems to be the end point of the conversation though. For instance, how many sacks were due to immediate or blind side pressure? Could the qb have done anything to net a positive play? In levis’ case he had a poor supporting cast and tried to shoulder the team, so I’d be more interested in the previous seasons sack rate. Geno dealt with a run game that was ok sporadically and a lot of interior pressure, but aI can think of a half dozen sacks that had awful timing and field position that were square on him.
While that may be true in the NFL, does it apply to college and Levis specifically?
3 minutes of Levis research on ESPN:
2021: 353 attempts, 22 sacks
2022: 283 attempts, 36 sacks
Wildly different ratios between seasons suggests there is something other than QB skill going on.
Bingo
It’s not the total number of sacks, but the sack rate when pressured that tend to stay the same from year to year for the same QB. Even with the same rate, the total number of sacks obviously goes up with an increase in pressure opportunities due to bad OL.
However, the sack rate when pressured matters. Let’s say an OL gave up 10 more pressures per game because of injuries to the starters, a QB with a 10% rate will give up one more sack, but a QB with 30% rate will give up 3 more sacks per game. Three more sacks per game will have a bigger (negative) impact on the offense than one more sack per game.
FWIW, the analytics guy Rich Hribar said that the sack rate when pressured was about 30% for Will Levis, and about 10% for Anthony Richardson.
To be fair, if you follow his tweets, John P Gilbert was actually advocating for taking a QB at 5. He just advocated taking Anthony Richardson instead of Will Levis. His argument, based on analytics, is that Levis is the one most likely to bust out of the top 4 QB prospects.
One of the findings by analytics people is that sack rate when pressured (how often pressure by pass rushers lead to a sack) correlate from year to year for the same QB, despite changes in OL, coaches, offensive schemes, etc. For example, Russell Wilson’s sack rate when pressured last year was about the same as the rate in Seattle. Finally, FWIW, Richardson’s sack rate when pressured was about 10%, while Levis’ was about 30%. Richardson was very good in avoiding sacks even when pressured.
Came into this thinking Washington was a lumbering giant after watching him in a few games. I’m not sure if he lost weight or what but he looks much better tonight. Smoother. Quicker feet.
He’s definitely lost weight and looks like an athlete all of a sudden
Dude just looks like a monster , I don’t know where he should be picked in the draft but is definitely someone I’d want on my squad.
He’s big guy with giant soft hands I was really impressed with running the gauntlet. He ran straight down the line engulfing the ball with both hands away from his body. When it came to the sled he didn’t struggle compared to others. 10yard split 1.57 and in 40 let’s 4.62 is pretty damn good. I really like this guy.
So… Bryce Young. I think you can make a strong assets case (if not a scouting case) for drafting Young and inserting him as QB1, then surrounding him with assets instead of bringing Geno back. Even if he’s not durable, you get a window of opportunity while Young and the tackles are on QB contracts, with the chance to surround that core with defenders and weapons.
It might be the only option
If he’s not durable then we’re back to square one. I’d rather trade up for any of the other three and not have to cringe with every hit my quarterback takes.
Indy can give up 4 and a future first to move up.
Carolina could give 9 and two future firsts,
To beat those packages, it might take 5, 20, and next year’s first to get to Richardson or Levis.
Would you do that?
The problem is that very, very good QB prospects, including high draft picks, also bust.
I’d rather see what happens with Young and the assets but that’s me.
For me, yes. The other three are much more sure things to me. I don’t think Young is playing at age 32. I don’t see him being the same X factor as the others, but that is just me.
At least it isn’t either of our decisions, so if what they do fails, it isn’t our fault. I very well could be wrong and he could be something like Brees.
Mayers hands and technique in the gauntlet were ridiculously good. He makes it look so easy and natural catching the ball.
Rob predicted his 40 time wouldn’t be great and it wasn’t. How was his 10 yd split? (apologies if it was discussed above….I’m at bar and distracted)
It was the slowest TE time.
Ouch
“The puns at NFLN deserve a 7th round grade”.
I literally LOL’d Rob.
I thought I read 7th grade.
Now that there’s funny
Wow if these numbers are legit and he can run even a decent 40 at his pro day you could be looking at WR1.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba:
3 cone time = 6.57s unofficial
20 shuttle = 3.93s unofficial
That’s Doug Baldwin-esque. Really impressive.
I know the consensus on here has been not good on JSN, but man I’ve liked him and wanted him. What he did last year with Olave and Wilson was special.
I like him as well. Copper Kupp 2.0 perhaps.
Based on the explosive traits Musgrave looks like a gem. Mayer has the softest hands though. If the Seahawks do not need to trade up and are miraculously able to get Will Levis with #5. Who do you see as the better option Rob at #20? We all know a Levis and Mayer combo would equal greatness, but now I am not so sure Musgrave isn’t better.
This TE class looks so good, it’s hard for me to imagine we don’t take a bite at some point. This snag was a treat. I could do the same if my hands were the size of a footlong sub. Sadly, I’m more of a bratwurst.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1632181022887403520
We didn’t get see Young throw, but my takeaway is that the top 4 QBs are all legit franchise QB prospects. Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett would look like DTR or Jaren Hall in this class. I see people saying odds are only only one of them will be above average and the rest will be scrubs. Maybe in other years, but these 4 all bring something really enticing to the table. Richardson has completely offset his lack of experience with his ridiculous testing numbers. I would not and will not be surprised to see any of them go #1 overall, and all 4 gone by the time we get to #5.
The fact remains that this is a rare opportunity for us where we not only have a high pick, but also the draft capital to move up if necessary to get the guy JS wants to stake his reputation on. Sign me up!
Odds are…
Tough. Every pick could be a bust.
What’s the option? Ride with geno until Pete and John move on?
I highly doubt John will think that.
According to @NextGenStats and @ZebraTechnology Anthony Richardson reached a top speed of 23.44 MPH on his unofficial 4.44 40-yard dash.
The top speed by a ball carrier (with a helmet and pads) last season was 22.11 MPH.
Us here on the blog have known he’s a freak for a long time. Now the mainstream does. I’m happy to see him show out when he has his spotlight, but also bummed because I spent most of this season fairly certain he could be ours at #5. Now nearly as certain we’re going to have to sell half the farm to move up and get him.
I guess now we wait and hope that Tyree Wilson and Bryce Young both have outstanding Pro Days and somehow get taken before we pick. Going to be pissed if we stand pat at 5 and all 4 QBs go off the board!
I feel sorry for Ade Ade today.
He’s so yesterday’s news.
Ha!
Not in my heart.
If Schneider views Stroud, Richardson, & Levis all similar and none far above the other; I’d be offering AZ #5 & #37.
Sure they might not want to trade within the division.
If say Carolina trades up to #1, AZ is guaranteed their choice of top Defensive player available & gains whats essentially another low 1st in #37.
Seems like a rare Win/Win.
It does rely on Chicago trading out of the top 5 though.
That’s the problem. AZ may ultimately trade with us, but it is going to come a premium and they will force us to overpay if they do it.
If I’m JS, I’m working Houston hard to see what we can do to get #2
Is it just me, or is this not the year to fade WR? There’s plenty of talent but no elite options. Mid to late rounds is where the value is to be had on that position. I do want us to address WR3 but thinking we easily do that in RD3+
I agree.
Also, I’ve been wondering, does PJ stand for Parajumper? Because that is bad-a$$.
No, my actual initials. If I was a parajumper, agreed that would be bada$$. I have other talent tho
Seattle should draft WR in the 2,3, and 7 round. They never draft in the 4th round because never make the team.
Currently it seems that the most athletic QB is Richardson. The most talented WR is Richardson. The most talented TE is Richardson.
Can he play DE?
A useful little list if anyone wanted to see who might come free soon…
https://overthecap.com/potential-2023-nfl-cuts
A few centers on the list. Thoughts?
Talk about some big time edges, Clark, Mack, Lawson…
Are you surprised Dallas used the franchise tag?
Asking Cha.
On Pollard?
They officially did? I hadn’t heard that.
Just checked. Heard Rappaport say it yesterday.
If they don’t reach an agreement by Tuesday, they will franchise Pollard.
And I noticed Zeke is on that list.
By the way, when I saw Ian Rappaport up close in person at the Senior Bowl, I was surprised how short he is.
I think John Schneider can take him.
Ah OK.
RB is the cheapest tag in the NFL aside from Kicker. Pollard had taken the bulk of prime reps from Zeke already so it isn’t a surprise.
Not a shock that Elliot will probably be cut. Just another example of why you don’t extend players before you have to. They extended him after 3 years, and could have waited a full nother year, and maybe even two more years with the 5th year tender.
They signed Elliot in 2019 and he’s still the 3rd highest-paid RB in the NFL.
His leverage was that JJ loved him.
Think Dallas would target Bijan Robinson?
At #26? They’d be stupid not to.
And given where Bijan played his college ball, there might be a riot if they pass on him.
Darnell Washing with a 4.08 ss !!!!!!
Washington*
10 yard split 1.57.
Second fastest short shuttle between all wr and TE. Only JSN went faster at 3.93
Once again Rob, thanks for all the time you put into this; I am slowly becoming a draft junkie. I struggle with one thing on Levis. He couldn’t beat out Sean Clifford who is way off the radar and transfers to KY and suddenly is a star. Could be gold much like Burrow at LSU but I did read an article against him where he struggled a panic type of accuracy with pressure in his face.
Keep up the great work, get some sleep and don’t forget your family 😉
B
Joe Burrow couldn’t beat-out the guys at Ohio State and had to transfer
He’s the second best QB in the NFL now
Jalen Hurts transferred out of Alabama after losing his job and just played in the Super Bowl
It happens
RW lost his job to Mike Glennon at NC St because he missed spring FB to be at spring training for…the Rockies I think.
AR’s official 40 time is 4.43 seconds. They keep playing the 40 on NFLN. They showed one from the head on view. He runs to the right and then left. If he runs it straight, that’s sub 4.4. They also said the Seahawks have met with Richardson. Cheers!
Thanks Rob for all of this amazing content. So much good reading! And videos!
I have takne my pants off. I like Levis and Stroud, but if JS can find some way to land Richardson, I will assuredly wince at the cost, but still be ELATED. I have fully gorged the Kool-Aid. I want that BAMF as our QB!
After today I can definitely see Anthony Richardson going first pick in the draft .who has more upside and if you are going to trade up for that pick you probably not just not one player away. Physical attributes he has you can’t teach. Josh Allen had many questions marks coming out of Wyoming . If I am Chicago I am so happy to see these QB look so good. That price for number 1 pick keeps going up.