Monday draft notes: Seahawks trade for Terrelle Pryor

This is interesting.

Given Oakland’s apparent willingness to cut Pryor if a trade wasn’t forthcoming, it’s unlikely to be for much. (Update: The Raiders and Seahawks say it’s a 7th round pick in 2014).

Here’s a theory for you — Seattle may wish to try him at a different position. Pryor’s desire is to stay at quarterback and he’s made that quite clear. So on the open market, he wouldn’t necessarily choose the Seahawks as his team if there were multiple suitors.

(They’d also be last on the waiver wire list as Super Bowl Champions)

Now, he doesn’t really have a choice. He’s a Seahawk. So if they want to switch his position — he can either buy in or force his release. I’m not sure a player with Pryor’s underwhelming résumé needs to be pulling any moves like that.

He didn’t attend a combine as a supplemental draft pick in 2011 — but he did hold a pro-day. At 6-6 and 240lbs he reportedly ran as fast as 4.38 and as slow as 4.54 depending on whose clock you want to trust. Even if he managed just a 4.5 — that’s impressive at that size.

Could he end up switching to receiver or tight end? Perhaps. You could argue it’s worth a shot for both player and team. He turns 25 in June so time is running out if he’s going to make his starting quarterback dream a reality.

Top four set?

Clowney, Robinson, Mack and Watkins have developed into something of a consensus top four among many pundits. Working out which order they’ll go in — and to whom — is the big question.

I think we should expect some movement in the top five. The Detroit Lions have brought in several top players for an offcial visit — including Clowney, Mack and Watkins. Nobody expects any of that trio to fall to #10 — so what are the Lions doing? Is it a smokescreen? Is it advanced scouting?

Or is it just a sign they’re planning to move up for a top prospect rather than settling for whoever lasts until the tenth pick?

They’ve shown a lot of interest in Sammy Watkins in particular. Trading with either the Rams at #2 or the Jaguars at #3 is possible. The Atlanta Falcons have also expressed some interest in moving up.

As for the top pick — there’s been a lot of talk about the Texans selecting a defensive player over the last few days. First Schefter suggested that’s what Houston would do — and today Peter King reported they might prefer Khalil Mack or Greg Robinson to Jadeveon Clowney.

Perhaps this is the cynic in me — but doesn’t this all seem like a bit of a late smokescreen? If the Texans want to draft a quarterback — and that still makes the most sense — they almost certainly would prefer to trade down. They need to convince teams they have legitimate interest in a Clowney, Mack or Robinson. Essentially, you better be willing to trade up to #1 or risk missing out.

In the end if the Texans can’t trade the top pick they might just take a Clowney or Mack after all. They might not be able to convince themselves that a QB is worth the top pick. But the timing of these reports and the sudden shift in media momentum from Blake Bortles at #1 to suddenly a defensive player — to me at least — hints at a classic red herring.

Adams, Richardson the latest receivers to visit Seattle

The Seahawks continue to visit mostly with receivers and offensive tackles. As you can see in the Tweets above, Fresno State’s Davante Adams and Colorado’s Paul Richardson are the latest two in question.

Adams is a player I’ve wrestled with for some time. On the one hand, you see plenty of evidence of him competing for the ball in the air. He wins numerous jump balls in the end zone and that’s what the Seahawks want and need. He’s a sparky, competitive individual with great character. He was ultra productive in Fresno’s prolific passing offense and he has tremendous leaping ability — a 39.5 inch vertical was impressive at the combine.

But there’s just something keeping me from ranking him alongside the Cody Latimer’s of this draft. If you split the receiver class into three with Watkins, Evans, Lee and Odell Beckham Jr in tier one, I’d put Adams in the third tier.

Size-wise he’s just average (6-1, 212lbs) and he has small nine-inch hands. He ran a 4.56 at the combine — the same time as 6-6, 225lbs Brandon Coleman.

While he has great leaping ability — there are just other players with much more explosive athleticism. Donte Moncrief is bigger at 6-2 and 221lbs, but ran a 4.40 and matched Adams’ 39.5 inch vertical. He also recorded an 11 on the broad jump. Latimer likewise shares all of Adams’ hop but blows him away when it comes to size and speed.

I like his get off (and he recorded a 1.53 10-yard split on his second combine run) but he’s a little one paced. He’s not as reliable catching the ball as Latimer (who is?) and while he made some really nice contested catches in 2013 — he also had some basic misses.

You can only play the opponents you’re handed and fair play to Adams for dominating his conference. But you watch Fresno State take on teams like Wyoming where the defensive backs just didn’t look like they knew what they were doing. Time and time again Adams was left wide open. Against the one meaningful opponent they had last season — a poor USC by Southern Cal standards — he was fairly good. Not great.

I can see why the Seahawks are taking a closer look purely because he competes so well for the ball. Not great size or speed, but he’ll make plays and be fairly consistent.

While a player like Latimer or Moncrief would offer terrific, X-factor athleticism and the ability to develop into potential stars — Adams looks like more of a role player. But when I write that down, I realise that’s kind of what Seattle has apart from Percy Harvin. Role players. Receivers who run in the 4.4/4.5 range and don’t have great size — they just compete every down. They go up and win 50/50 passes. That’s Davante Adams

He could be an option at #64 if he lasts, which is debatable. A lack of explosive athletic skills probably keeps him away from the first frame.

Richardson is a slight 6-0 and 175-180lbs. He did run a 4.40 and jump a 38 inch vertical at the combine.

What I think the Seahawks will like about him is his ability to make plays at the sideline despite the lack of size. He’s shifty to get away from press coverage. He’s capable of spectacular grabs in tight coverage. He has the speed to run deep and make explosive chunk plays. Despite not playing in much of a passing offense — his route running is a positive (breaks well, drives off DB’s).

He can act in trick plays and actually threw a touchdown pass against Oregon in 2013. Richardson might also have a role on special teams.

He does have the occasional bad drop. Funnily enough there are times where he explodes into a route, creates huge separation and then fumbles an easy catch. And while he does a great job competing despite a lack of size — there’s no getting away from the fact he’s tiny. Will he have the same success working the sideline against NFL cornerbacks? Probably not.

He’s a difficult one to project because anyone looking for a spark-plug might take him earlier than people expect (R2-3). But he could also last beyond that. And I think he’ll need to last for Seattle to consider drafting him.

If you want to track who Seattle is meeting with before next months draft, I’d recommend following Davis Hsu on Twitter. He’s put together this neat little chart to see who is visiting with the Seahawks:

It’s probably no coincidence that it’s dominated by highly rated receivers and offensive linemen with a lot of later round linebackers thrown in.

Nothing’s set in stone, but it’s a safe bet to assume the Seahawks will target wide out and the O-line early — with further offensive tackle depth plus the usual collection of linebackers and DB’s in the later rounds or UDFA.

Anthony Barr really falling?

John Middlekauff is a former NFL Scout turned radio host.

This is another recent discussion point. I have sympathy with this Tweet and with Todd McShay’s criticism of Anthony Barr. There’s no doubting his upside — but if you’re expecting him to come in and rack up sacks as a rookie it probably won’t happen.

He has to get stronger. There’s no question there. He’s played two years on defense and he’s not capable of engaging pro-offensive tackles, fighting off blocks and doing what he needs to do to be an effective rusher. That’s not to say he won’t get there — he has the length and size to make it happen. But he needs to land with a patient team.

Then you throw in a 4.66 forty at the combine. His ten yard split was good (1.56) but it’s not a blazing time. If he ran in the early 4.5’s you could justify a high pick on the explosive factor. Yet Barr didn’t really wow anyone in Indianapolis.

He might be one or two years from being the finished article. And in a league that demands instant gratification — will a bad or rebuilding team at the top of the draft have that level of patience? I’m not sure.

Yet there comes a time when the value is too good. If Barr is there at #32 it might be difficult for Seattle to pass. They can afford to bring him in and groom him. Playing with Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril drawing attention will also help.

The problem is there are teams ahead of Seattle who will feel the same. The mid-20’s is probably Barr’s floor. But he’s one to keep an eye on.

54 Comments

  1. Miles

    Rob, I thought you were pretty low on Anthony Barr? If he could be a bust, I don’t know I can see the Seahawks taking him in the first round. If there’s a strong possibility he’ll never be anything in the NFL, then why waste a first round pick on him? Sure seems like an awful lot to gamble.

    I’m pretty intrigued by the Terrelle Pryor signing. My first inclination is to think he’s competition for T-Jack. But you make a good suggestion about him competing at WR. If so, that’s going to be a crowded group come training camp. The logistics of the trade makes sense. It’s likely a conditional 7th rounder we’re given up, which works more when you consider we’ll be loaded with comp. picks next year. Pryor is due to make $705,000 on this contract in 2014. The Seahawks are giving up almost nothing to bring him in.

    • Rob Staton

      I am low on him in terms of the top 10-15. Never really bought or liked the hype he was worth a top five pick during the college season.

      He has a lot of potential it’s just there’s a risk factor where he might not do anything for a year or two and then suddenly have a big impact. In the top ten I wouldn’t touch him. At pick #32 — depending on what else is available — I might be willing to roll the dice. And to be fair, it’ll be easier for him to have a quicker impact in Seattle’s defense than it would joining a bottom dweller who doesn’t have Bennett or Avril.

  2. Matt J

    Pryor welcome to Seattle and your new starting role as a WR. Rare physical talent, of course the Hawks traded for him… he’s a beast, I posted a comment a few weeks ago on this blog with this link of Pryor catching a TD at OSU: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lrZYZktLdns

    • Matt J

      Starring not starting…

      • Michael M.

        Can anyone give me an example of a guy who changed positions this late in his career and had success? He’ll be 25 soon, and as far as I know has never competitively played WR. Most guys take ~2 years to fully grasp the position in the NFL, even after playing it in high school and college. Redzone specialist? Maybe. Star WR? Not so fast.

        • JeffC

          Certainly not Kordell Stewart. A monster in the slash role, who switches to full time qb at the end of his rookie deal, gets a big contract, and then promptly sucks.

        • Matt J

          Jimmy Graham, Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and Julius Thomas. They all had less football playing experience than Pryor coming into the league. The transition from QB to WR/TE seems much easier than from a basketball player to a football player…

          • Matt J

            BTW, Pryor was a stud basketball player in high school and considered playing both sports in college.

  3. Stuart

    I understand Terrelle Pryor wants to be a QB in the NFL, and maybe that will still happen.

    The thought of him playing TE with his size-speed is enticing.

    Does anyone know yet if he is open to this idea?

    • Kenny Sloth

      Maybe FB. Quarterback to Fullback. Maybe too tall, but his athleticism there would be insane

      • SunPathPaul

        I imagine they would have a package for him that includes being a ‘backup QB’, but has him integrated into the game plan as a RB, FB, (both possible for motion), WR (set up for reverses, etc), TE or Slot WR for the same…

        He could do a LOT of varied stuff. As Pete knows- and we trust- the hardest thing for a D fence is stuff like this… wow

        Imagine planning for R. Wilson, Harvin, Lynch, Willson, Pryor, Baldwin – and 2 B drafted WR- (J.Finley?)

  4. Stuart

    Thanks for posting that catch by Pryor!

    • Matt J

      It’s a small sample size but he made it look pretty easy. His measurable a are off the charts and exactly what the Hawks are looking for in a big WR!

  5. Stuart

    If……would Pryor be better utilized as a WR or a TE?

    • David M

      Hybrid! Sorta like jimmy graham, that would be neat

      • Brian

        I think people are seriously underestimating the difficulty of playing those positions. They could simply see him as a potential successor to Tarvaris.

        That said, if they can manage to get him to run clean routes and be a willing blocker I would love to see him as a joker tight end.

        • SunPathPaul

          The problem with labels is that…they create walls of definition. Hard to innovate if you stay static…

          Imagine PC/JS see him as not any ‘1’ thing, but able to use his athleticism as a backup QB not only backing up the QB, but actually playing at least a few plays a game due to his shear potential!

          A new paradigm… a backup QB that can actually help the team with the #1 QB healthy… This is a breakthrough…. Now that 1 member of the ‘dressed team’ for a game can do more to help you win than hold a clip board! Nice

          Way to go JS/PC!

          • Robert

            That is kinda where I’m going with trying to guess PCJS’s diabolical plan for Pryor. His 7 on the Wonderlic doesn’t bode well for WR mastery on a condensed timeline. But if he could contribute as a red zone terror, last year’s weakness could become this year’s strength. And that would be huge! Another thought is that his game will improve this summer in our coaching system. With some good film in the pre-season, another team might throw down a 3rd or 4th for him…

            • SunPathPaul

              That’s a good point. If he shows off promise but PC/JS don’t feel a fit, they could easily trade him. He would probably look better w our team around him.

              Yet I feel he is open to playing a new position – the “Q” Back!

              Not the QB, but the “Q” Back… It’s a powerfully athletic human that with his shear build of Speed, Ability, and Size demands respect. Then you throw in the ability and skill set of having been and being capable of, being a QB.

              Imagine Wilson under center with Lynch and Pryor in the backfield, Harvin and Baldwin/Kearse out wide, with Zach Miller or Luke Willson in, coming at an opposing defense…

              Scary

  6. Mark

    Totally expected a surprising move like trading for Pryor. 🙂 Now when everyone gives the Seahawks an F draft grade for reaching in the 1st round the off-season will be complete.

  7. Matt J

    GM John Schneider “Terrelle is an incredibly explosive athlete and we’re excited for him to come in and compete.” http://m.seahawks.com/s/30860/260itemPos=1&itemUri=502402398%2F145214501454109003362121110
    Interesting that he used the words “explosive athelete”, position change on the horizon?!

    • House

      WR or TE… He’s got SIZE and SPEED

      • Matt

        Carroll will convince Pryor that to stay in the NFL he needs to change positions. I mean look at where Vince Young is playing…or isn’t playing. Pryor has the athleticism to be an absolute force in a Jimmy Graham type role. Plus he’s an emergency QB. Low risk/high reward trade. Love it!

        • williambryan

          Carroll also loves trick plays and double passes. This would add another element to that. Christine Michael, Percy Harvin, and Pryor (throw in Luke Willson, and Lockette or a potential rookie WR as well) on the field at once would be a lot of explosiveness.

          • SunPathPaul

            Exactly!!! What a wild attack to try and defend! CraZy

            They have put their philosophy and balls on the line and WON

            Now they can really push the NFL boundaries in aims to conquer the process…

            Loving the ride!

            • AlaskaHawk

              Maybe he will do kick off returns with laterals to the other sideline.

          • Robert

            And maybe Bates. We’d be like the Globetrotters!

  8. me

    Terrelle Pryor, huh? Apparently we need to be handicapped a couple of draft picks per year to level the playing field or something.

  9. red

    If we keep 3 QBs on roster Pryor would be a good at playing Colin Kaepernick in practice the week we get ready for SF.

  10. CC

    Interesting pick up – of course, I do not doubt Petey and Johnny. Pryor isn’t an NFL QB – or one you want if you want to win, but could he play another position? I would hope that coming to a great team, he’s the guy who wants to play and maybe he’ll consider a change. He’s fast and tall – if he could run routes, he could be a nice pick up. Should be interesting – he’s got a high SPARQ – and we know how they love high SPARQ.

    Barr is a good player, but he needs work. He could be Dion Jordon like from last year.

  11. Steve Nelsen

    Terrelle will immediately help prepare for Kaepernick and Newton as a practice squad QB. I understand that he is a strong film room guy so I think he still has the potential to develop into a starting NFL QB and Russell and T-Jack will be a good influence.

    There wasn’t going to be any 6-6 guys with 4.5 40-yard dash times available in Round 7. So, if he is willing to help out the team by trying a different position like Seneca Wallace, he could be a steal.

    • CC

      Really good point – it certainly can’t hurt to have this guy as an athlete to practice against. Also, he did catch a TD pass in the red zone at Ohio St – red zone target too?

      • Steve Nelsen

        He would be a matchup nightmare for most nickel DBs.

    • Arias

      Is there really any indication that the guy can catch passes, run decent routes, battle for position, high point the ball, etc? Because I’m sure with what he has shown he can create separation but I’m hesitant to anoint him a receiving option when he’s yet to ever try and play the position.

  12. Darik

    Take it for what it’s worth, but PFT is saying that the intention is for Pryor to remain a quarterback and presumably compete with Tavaris. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/21/seahawks-excited-by-incredibly-explosive-pryor/

    • hawkmeat

      I don’t see him changing positions, especially with the nuances playing WR. I see him as competition for T-Jack.
      Neat to think of him changing positions, but unlikely.

  13. DoubleJ

    Just like we saw reprised in the rain city redemption movie when they signed Matt Flynn, Carroll and Schneider went on to say that the Pryor acquisition doesn’t change their plans in the draft at all

    Cut forward to draft day 1, which amazingly and vexingly follows the worst case draft of last post – leaving some unusual values on the board

    “And with the 32nd pick, the Seattle seahawks select Teddy Bridgewater, QB from Louisville”

    No? 😉

    • Arias

      UUUUUGGGGH!!!! No Way Man!

    • hawkmeat

      Um, why? Oh… A joke right?

  14. mrpeapants

    I wonder if they have some inside info on finley? I could see pryor taking that roll.

  15. Kory

    Hopefully Adams is still there at 64. The best OT at 32 and hopefully Adams at 64. I’m glad to see he’s coming for a visit.

  16. jake

    I’m not sure how this Terelle Pryor experiment will go. If …he can put aside his pride and ego, he may be a decent prospect. On the other hand, I am almost certain that the Raiders are going to draft QB with their first pick. Can you say Raider QB: Johnny Manziel?

  17. Dumbquestions

    Just for grins, because I think Pryor’s future as a QB (except in emergencies) is extraordinarily dim:

    Chris Matthews – 6-5, 218 (age 24)
    Sidney Rice – 6-4, 202 (age 27)
    Terrelle Pryor – 6-6, 233 (age 24)
    Yet-to-be-determined WR draft pick – ??

    Suddenly it looks like the Hawks are rich at the one position Carroll has been trying to fill since he arrived: that tall receiver with the big catching radius. Plus, all these guys (including the potential draft pick) are cheap dates. Plus, out of the first three in this group, Pryor has the most speed. The odds are very long, but the prospects are intriguing.

    I don’t think Pryor is coming here to play QB. He’s not good enough. Don’t care what anyone says, including the front office. If Pryor insists on that, he won’t be here long. He may have an ego, but I don’t think he’s stupid, and I think he knows Tebow’s name and trajectory. He cannot showcase himself here as a backup QB for someone else – when would he play? The bottom line: no one wanted him for a QB job. Think of all the QB-poor teams out there. None of them wanted the guy, and they could have had him for next to nothing.

    I don’t believe for one minute that Pryor can beat T-Jack for the no. 2 spot. (Daniels, maybe.) As for being a practice player to simulate the Newtons and Kaepernicks – come on. Why bother? Why waste Pryor that way?

    He’s an explosive player, as JS says. Isn’t the point to USE explosive players, and fill the field with as many exploders as possible?

    I can see the scenario some are describing, where Pryor lines up in unusual places to create a strange run-pass attack with RW at the point, along with Harvin and Kearse and Lynch…and…well, go ahead and mix that milkshake, because it looks tasty.

    DQ

    • House

      The tale of the tape you listed above is exactly what I was thinking as well. That is some SIZE!

      Adam Schefter was just on ESPN saying Pryor was brought in to challenge T-Jack for the backup gig… They have to know there is more to it…

      • JeffC

        Remember Kordell Stewart in the slash role with the Stealers? It used to send waves of panic to Dcoordinators preparing for it. And he got maybe seven plays a game behind Neil O’donnell? I think that’s what they may be thinking.

        From Pryor’s perspective, Stewart used the role to gain a huge contract when his deal was up to become a starting qb – which only lasted a few years.

        • House

          I agree. It was funny because when he lined up at WR everyone knew damn well they were throwing the ball to him and he rarely got stopped.

    • Rock

      Well said. Note JS did not state he is an explosive QB. He was referring to his running skills. The team is not going to announce they are trying him at WR until they get him into the building and see if he can do it. To announce he is a WR would put the media on notice and folks would replay every dropped pass while assessing his chances of making the roster. It is far smarter to add to someone’s duties before you take something away.

  18. Mo Fafflebap

    I’m having fun imagining what you could with Pryor split out wide. Every time Harvin goes in motion you have to prepare for the fly sweep, and Pryor could cause similar headaches with the additional threat of the pass. How about a double-reverse when we face Denver again? I think Pot Roast would corkscrew himself into the turf–provided he even has a clue what’s going on…

  19. hawkfaninMT

    A couple of thoughts/questions:

    How far has Jarvis Landry’s stock really fallen? Is it plausible that he could be had in the 4th now? that would be killer value! I am starting to think more and more that OT and WR in the first 2 is what the Hawks want us to believe then they will end up going OLB and DL or something crazy!

    How much will T-Jax contract being guaranteed already for the season impact Pryor’s chances of taking the Back Up QB job from him?

    • Rob Staton

      1. Landry for me is a second rounder. Third rounder at worst.

      2. T-Jax is pretty secure because of the guaranteed contract. I doubt Pryor can win the #2 job. The plan for him is still pretty unclear.

    • Mattk

      IMO, but Matt Flynn’s $26m w/ $10 guaranteed contract didn’t save him from losing his starting spot, so I doubt TJ’s $1.25m guarantees him a backup role. Carroll has said multiple times, contracts don’t mean anything out on the field. It’s all about competition.

  20. CC

    Petey always says it is about what a guy can do, not what they can’t. And if anyone has credibility to get someone to consider another position, it is Petey. Pryor played against USC when Petey was there – he has seen his talent. From all accounts, Pryor is a team guy – he could help them out by running scout teams for Kaep and Cam – but also throw some wrinkles into the offense. Russell will always be on the field, but maybe he lines up in the back field, lines up in the red zone as a read option back or out wide. It is about match ups – this is going to be fun to watch!

  21. kigenzun

    Wow! I can’t believe the Raiders are so dumb. T. Pryor just needed a fresh start. And now he’s got it in Seattle. That’s pretty sweet, FOR US, I must say. 🙂

    On the right team, with a talented supporting cast, and a developmental coaching staff/culture of winning… IMO Terrelle Pryor could actually be better in the future than Colin Kaepernick is now! (Same legs, slightly less arm, but with better football intelligence, mind/character, touch on the football, and on field decision making.)

    With so much cap room this year, the Raiders could have moved up to become a ‘middle of the pack franchise with a foundation for the future built in’ and instead… well, IMO they’ve actually managed to take a step BACK! Blown their cap, and all their wad ‘o cash. And now they’re gonna be paying the ‘5 more years of mediocrity’ piper.

    PC/JS just totally fleeced ’em. Again! Of a 6’6″ 235 4.4-4.5 football player, that could possibly play: joker TE, BIG WR/red zone jump ball-fade threat, and backup scrambling style QB in a pinch. All for 705,000/year. Considering that was, (conditionally mind you), FROM THE (7)#32 SLOT… its pure genius I tell you. Wow. Masterful!

    Terrell Pryor has only been a “losing Quarterback”, because THE RAIDERS ARE A LOSING FRANCHISE! He’s good. Good character. Good film room. Good size. Good speed. Maybe not a starting NFL QB… but hey, who is? Only 32 guys in the entire world, that’s it.

    Still… WOWZA! We gave them Matt Flynn last year for a top ‘o the 5thpick, and they give us back Terrelle Pryor this year for a bottom of the 7thpick. Now that’s blatant Raiders GM/coaching staff stupidity in action!

    I’m curious to know exactly what Reggie McKenzie is smoking, when he believes Matt Schaub, of all people, is a better choice in 2014 behind that sorry ass O-Line. At what? Most sacks, season? Most pick sixes, career? Most broken ribs/vertebrae, game? Seriously, he could DIE back there, and end up immortalized as the NFL’s first fatality!

    Like, OMG!

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