Senior Bowl day two: Possible Seahawks targets

Unfortunately due to bad weather in Mobile, the Senior Bowl practise on day two has been moved indoors. This means no live NFL Network coverage and no media presence. We’ll see if they show the 1v1’s and other highlights later.

In light of being unable to post practise notes, here’s a list of prospects I think might intrigue the Seahawks with their first pick. I’ve also been invited on the Seahawkers Podcast today so keep an eye out for that too.

Senior Bowl day one notes & measurements

Possible targets for Seattle

The Seahawks love traits. Just look at the players they’ve taken with their first draft pick in the past. In reverse order — Rashaad Penny, Malik McDowell, Germain Ifedi, Frank Clark, Paul Richardson, Christine Michael, Bruce Irvin, James Carpenter, Russell Okung. The list includes some of the all-time top combine performers, players with unique size and/or length and dynamic playmakers with X-factor athleticism.

They also spent first round picks on Earl Thomas, Percy Harvin and Jimmy Graham.

With that in mind, I wanted to run through some possible candidates to be their first pick in 2019 — based on upside and traits.

Montez Sweat (EDGE, Mississippi State)
Sweat combines unique length (35.5 inch arms, 84.5 inch wingspan) with great quickness and athleticism as a pass rusher. He’s 6-6 and 252lbs so a good size. There just aren’t many human’s with Sweat’s physical profile. By the end of the Senior Bowl he could be a top-20 lock based on what we’ve seen so far. If not (and there are some questions to be answered about his departure from Michigan State) he could/should be on Seattle’s radar.

Terry McLaurin (WR, Ohio State)
We’ve been discussing McLaurin on the blog for a while but get ready — because he’ll leave Mobile as one of the big winners this week. He dominated the 1v1 drills on day one. McLaurin is a sudden, exceptional athlete who easily creates separation at every level and is still capable of winning contested catches. He has special teams value and he’s willing to do this as a blocker. He’s a ‘Seahawks type’ receiver. He also has superb character, he interviews extremely well and he recorded an elite 141.96 SPARQ score in High School — running a 4.41 and achieving a 42-inch vertical. He could be Seattle’s first pick after they inevitably trade down.

Kyler Murray (QB, Oklahoma)
I think he’s the most talented player in the draft. And like Baker Mayfield, I suspect he could defy media predictions and be the #1 overall pick. Murray is a sensational downfield passer with great accuracy and arm strength. He’s adept at extending plays, making explosive throws and he’s the ultimate weapon when he breaks contain as a runner. The Seahawks are facing a showdown with Mark Rodgers, Russell Wilson’s agent. There’s no doubt the Seahawks will want to extend Wilson’s contract. It’ll be a tough negotiation though. Wilson’s best bargaining chip is a lack of an alternative. ‘If you’re not paying me $35-40m a year, what are you going to do?’. Seattle’s best bargaining chip will be acquiring a talented quarterback so they can ask, ‘how badly do you want to stay here, because we have this guy now’. If Murray lasts into range, I’m not sure John Schneider will be able to resist such a talent.

T.J. Hockenson (TE, Iowa)
Hockenson’s stock is rising to the point he could end up being a top-15 lock by April. He’s an exceptional blocking tight end with an exquisite attitude and approach to his duties as an in-line TE. Hockenson is also a terrific athlete, capable of creating separation as a mismatch at the second level and also running downfield for deep shots. He high-points the ball, has great catching technique and has hardly any flaws. He’s the best tight end prospect to come into the league in a long time.

Parris Campbell (WR, Ohio State)
Another Ohio State target but this time a converted running back. Campbell is a Percy Harvin-type without any of the character concerns. He’s 6-1 and 208lbs and had a similar SPARQ workout to Terry McLaurin — running a 4.41 and jumping a 40 inch vertical. Campbell can take screens to the house, make chunk plays downfield and be a factor on sweeps and misdirection. He’s a modern-day weapon.

Devin Bush (LB, Michigan)
He’s not the biggest linebacker at a listed 5-11 and 233lbs but he’s the best bet to find a Mychal Kendricks type in this draft. A reminder — Kendricks was 5-11 and 239lbs at his combine in 2012. He ran a 4.47 forty, jumped a 37.5 inch vert and a 10-7 broad. He ran a 4.19 short shuttle and a 1.53 10-yard split. These are special numbers for the position. Bush has the quickness, explosive athleticism and physicality to think he could have a similar combine performance. If he does, he has to be on the radar.

Cody Ford (T, Oklahoma)
Ford is absolutely massive with a 6-4 and 338lbs frame. What makes him unique is despite this hulking size, his footwork is sensational. His ability to drop quickly and set with balance is rare for a man with his size. He might not have the length to be a full-on left tackle prospect at the next level but he could be a top-level guard. It won’t be a surprise if he nails the short shuttle and the mirror drill at the combine. Seattle likes size on the O-line. If Ford lasts into range, it won’t be a surprise if they like him.

Marquise Brown (WR, Oklahoma)
The cousin of Antonio Brown, Marquise just made play after play for Oklahoma in 2018 and was the perfect compliment to Kyler Murray. He has the speed to create separation downfield but also the quickness and savvy to settle into zones and provide an easy target. He’s a big play waiting to happen and has YAC potential too. It won’t be a surprise if a team like Buffalo tries to pair him with Josh Allen’s arm strength. The Browns could try and reunite Brown with Baker Mayfield. If he lasts into Seattle’s range, he’s the type of dynamic target they really like.

Rodney Anderson (RB, Oklahoma)
I don’t think there’s any chance the Seahawks take another running back early. However, I wanted to include Anderson here because he’s the forgotten man of this draft class. A knee injury ended his 2019 season early. Without it, there’s every chance he could’ve been a top-20 pick. He’s 6-1 and 220lbs and plays with fantastic explosion, power and speed. He’s a complete stud. At SPARQ he ran a 3.97 short shuttle — that’s insane agility at his size. He also jumped a 37-inch vertical. If the Seahawks weren’t stacked at running back, they’d surely be taking a long look at Anderson.

D.K. Metcalf (WR, Ole Miss)
It feels like Pete Carroll has been searching for a dynamic big receiver forever. The point is, they’re not just looking for a guy with size. They want the athleticism and length to go with it. Metcalf is 6-3 and 225lbs with long arms. He’s reportedly been timed in the 4.4’s and is capable of a 37.5 inch vertical and an 11-1 broad jump. Plus he can bench 330lbs and power clean 350lbs. Metcalf might last because of a serious neck injury that placed his career in doubt during the 2018 season. We’ll see how early teams are willing to roll the dice. The Seahawks might be willing to take a gamble if he’s available after they trade down.

Renell Wren (DT, Arizona State)
Wren is an absolute beast some of the time and occasionally an out-of-control liability. Tony Pauline believes he could land in round two so I’m going to include him on this list. Wren is built like a tank at 6-4, 315lbs. He has an 81-inch wingspan. Apparently he’s capable of a 4.85 forty, a 34.5 inch vertical and a 10-0 broad. He can also bench-press 430lbs and squat 600lbs. That’s a profile you can work with. Wren has some outstanding plays — shooting gaps, demolishing center’s. He also has plays where he’s too reckless, loses balance and is too-easily handled. You can teach technique and control. You can’t teach natural power and a 4.85 forty at 315lbs.

Kaleb McGary (T, Washington)
McGary measured at a massive 6-7 and 321lbs and was unquestionably one of the top performers on day one at the Senior Bowl. He was on a different level to the other offensive linemen. He won all his reps, appeared in complete control and his technique was generally on-point. The Seahawks like size up front. McGary also has a gritty backstory, the kind that often appeals to Seattle. Along with Greg Gaines and Terry McLaurin, McGary was a day-one star in Mobile.

Andre Dillard (T, Washington State)
As with T.J. Hockenson, Dillard’s stock is trending a certain way (into the top-20). His agility and ability to set is impressive. Whether it’s inside at guard or as a possible long-term fixture at tackle, Dillard could be an option if he lasts. He has 34-inch arms and an 80 1/8 inch wingspan. The Seahawks drafted the best run blocking tackle in 2011 (James Carpenter). Dillard would be the best pass protecting tackle in 2019. The way he tests at the combine will shed more light on his potential fit in Seattle.

There are others you could include and the combine will shed more light on potential targets. There’s no point listing players like Rashan Gary, Christian Wilkins and Jachai Polite because there’s barely any chance of them lasting to #21 — let alone lasting after a trade down. You could argue that’s the same for players like Kyler Murray, Marquise Brown and T.J. Hockenson. I think there’s less of a consensus belief that they’ll go early — even though I suspect all three will be gone in the top-20.

Jeffery Simmons is good enough to go in the top-10. He has Ndamukong Suh potential. If he doesn’t go in the top-10, it’ll be because of the High School incident. He seems like a reformed character but teams will still grill him about it at the combine. I no longer think he’ll last into Seattle’s range.

It won’t have gone unnoticed that there aren’t many defensive linemen or defensive backs listed above. The D-liners will go early and often and Seattle might be forced to wait on that area. Thankfully the depth is there. If players like Greg Gaines, L.J. Collier and Charles Omenihu continue to perform as they did on day one — it won’t be an issue. It’s a shame players like Gerald Willis III, D’Andre Walker and Christian Miller are unable to compete in Mobile.

Free agency will present some opportunities too. If Anthony Barr reaches the market, he’s the type of player (age, athletic profile, scheme) they could target. Others, like Darius Philon, could help the run defense. Hopefully they’ll save some money for an accomplished veteran kicker. I’ll be doing a piece on free agency next week.

The D-line dilemma will be a talking point going forward. With around 10 expected to go in round one and with Seattle destined to trade down (they won’t be picking only four times) they might miss the better options. It’d be frustrating given it’s arguably their biggest need. However, Pete Carroll was adamant at the end of the season they didn’t have any glaring voids. So they may feel they can address this issue one way or another and not feel handcuffed with their first pick.

As for the defensive backs — it’s not a good class at cornerback or safety. Waiting on both positions feels inevitable. Again, that’ll be fine with players like Jamal Peters and Marquise Blair potentially on the radar.

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98 Comments

  1. schuemansky

    Thank you, Rob, for your thoughts on possible Seahawks targets. It seems like PC’s comments as to there are “no glaring holes” opened up the list quite a lot.
    I read the measurements of Isaiah Johnson and looked up his highlights. Do you ever watched any tape on him. His playing style could be a fit for the Seahawks for a mid round pick?

    • Rob Staton

      I’ve not watched him unfortunately. I will do though.

  2. clbradley17

    @JimNagy_SB
    15h15 hours ago
    The @seniorbowl will always put player safety first. Due to expected heavy rain and thunderstorms, we are moving tomorrow’s practice to the South Alabama indoor facility. Practice schedule will not change. To all media, I sincerely apologize for no access. We truly value you.

    @JimNagy_SB
    14h14 hours ago
    To all media, please know the @seniorbowl is limiting each NFL club to 2 representatives at tomorrow’s practice at South Alabama. We are trying to make the best of a difficult weather situation. The main priority is getting two good practices on tape tomorrow for NFL to evaluate.

    This stinks if it’s as it says. That means no ESPN coverage or Tony Pauline twitter/podcast or any other coverage for day 2 practices at the Senior Bowl. Never heard of this before. How can we find out who played well or not for the North and South? Rumors and hearsay from the few NFL people and the college players allowed in there?

    • Rob Staton

      I suspect the NFL Network will record some highlights.

  3. KingRajesh

    Why does everyone bring up Mark Rodgers as a huge roadblock to a Russell Wilson extension? Russell signed a pretty standard deal before training camp, and signed for less than Aaron Rodgers signed for. Isn’t that what we want? Everyone (especially Hawkblogger and his cronies) bring up that he’s a baseball agent, but he drafted a pretty standard deal for Russell last time – why think anything is different?

    Honestly, if we want Russell to take less than he’s worth, I think offering him a 3yr, 100m fully guaranteed contract with a decent-to-big signing bonus to spread out the cap hit could be interesting. That puts his APY in new money at around 33.3m, which is less than Aaron Rodgers got when he signed for 33.5m last year.

    • Rob Staton

      Mark Rodgers was a pain in the backside last time. He made an easy deal difficult. And was in the media every five mins telling everyone about it.

      • KingRajesh

        That being said, Russell Wilson and Mark Rodgers still took less than what they could have got. Isn’t it the point of an agent to zealously advocate for their client?

        Even if Mark Rodgers is full of bluster again, I just don’t see why a deal would be hard to do.

        • Rob Staton

          Here’s what happened with Wilson’s last deal. The market was set quite clearly because Cam Newton and (I think) Aaron Rodgers had just got paid. Wilson’s range was clearly defined. It should’ve been an easy deal and everyone expected it to be a formality. And Mark Rodgers spent an entire off-season trying desperately to change the structure of NFL contracts forever. And then he was in every paper, website and radio station talking about it.

          It turned the contract situation into such a saga that a week before training camp it seemed like they weren’t going to do a deal.

          And Wilson’s camp buckled at the last minute. Why? Because he was set to earn an absolute pittance (relatively speaking) on a third round rookie contract with no security beyond 2015. So they had to take whatever deal was left on the table at that stage or play out a full season for peanuts with no financial security if Wilson got seriously injured.

          What should’ve been a simple process turned into an aggressive, frustrating mess.

          And it’s about to be ten times worse. Because this time, the Seahawks don’t have the upper hand with Wilson set to earn peanuts in 2019. He’ll earn a healthy contract not a rookie salary. And thanks to Kirk Cousins, players are now emboldened to lean on the franchise tag in a way they weren’t previously. So Wilson’s camp, actually, have the bargaining leverage. Seattle has nothing. And I bet anything — Rodgers and his camp are going to try and do what they couldn’t do four years ago. They’re going to try and change the face of contracts forever. They’re going to want full guarantees, they’re going to want $40m a year. And the Seahawks won’t do it.

          The problem is — there’s no incentive for Wilson to take whatever Seattle offers. Because if he plays out this process and goes down the franchise tag route — he will GET near enough the $35-40m a year guaranteed contract. And it’ll go up and up with every year Seattle franchises him. The moment they don’t — he hits the market and gets a kings ransom like Cousins.

          The Seahawks have no leverage what so ever. The only way they achieve leverage is to have someone else on the roster who they can point to and say — we have this guy now. So if you want to muck about with your contract, fine. But if you seriously want to be in Seattle, have a legacy in this city and play your whole career here — you need to work with us on a deal.

          That’s why John Schneider has been scouting QB’s for the last couple of years. Not because they’re going to trade Wilson or don’t rate him or whatever else Seahawks Twitter was asserting. They love Wilson. But they know a Game of Thrones level battle is on the horizon over his contract.

          If Kyler Murray is there, he could easily be their pick. Their bargaining chip. Their alternative. Their insurance. It might be needed.

          • mishima

            Winter is coming.

            • Rob Staton

              Indeed!

              • Dylan Leptich

                Unfortunately I dont see Kyler lasting to the Hawks, I would absolutely take him.

                No way in hell this happens, but it seems like the play would be to try and work out something with Russell early, if it becomes obvious the demands are astronomical, trade him to move up in the draft get Kyler. And yes I realize I in the outer stratosphere on this. Interesting to think about though.

                • Rob Staton

                  I think you have to go through the process with Wilson though. It’s a business negotiation. Wilson’s position, right now, is to say he wants an amount he knows Seattle won’t pay. The Seahawks, likewise, will make an offer they know Wilson won’t accept. That’s simply called the start of negotiations. If you traded him off the back of those initial talks, you’d be putting the cart before the horse.

                  Essentially this is going to drag on for a while I think. I’d be surprised if they agreed a deal this summer. It’d be a statement from Wilson that he wants to be in Seattle and it’d probably mean him taking less than he can get by aggressively pursuing two franchise tags and free agency. So we’ll see what Wilson wants to do. We’re talking about a highly ambitious individual who will have goals and aspirations beyond football. I don’t think he will be interested in a deal ‘just to get it done’ this summer.

                  So if that happens, you keep talking. Keep checking in. But ultimately either side needs a breaking point. Either it’s the Seahawks taking a hit now knowing they risk paying obscene money down the line (or potentially losing Wilson). It’s Wilson not actually wanting to leave Seattle and doing a deal, probably after two tags, to ensure he doesn’t have to. Or it’s something like the Seahawks drafting a QB so they can say — ‘look, it’s time to do a deal because if you don’t we’re going to trade you and roll with this other guy instead so it’s your move’. But that’s not for 1-2 years.

                  • Dylanlep

                    Yep, agree that it’s most likely that the draft plays out well before those initial offers/demands are made by each side. It’s unfortunate for the Hawks because again, I don’t see Murray getting out of the top ten. QBs are seemingly emerging every year but right now I don’t see a Murray for next year. And drafting any QB outside of Murray this year hardly qualifies as any real leverage at all for the hawks. What are they gonna say, hey we will go forward without you because we have Will Grier?

                  • Picks

                    Paying Wilson 40 mil a year is absurd. I would not be in favor of that deal at all. Rob, have you watched any film on Sam ehlinger? Thoughts?

          • C-Dog

            I’ve been bracing for the idea that both sides may well be willing to play the two year franchise tag game. Brady Henderson wrote a good piece on it today. Seattle could look at it as essentially getting RW for three years at $27 million annually (if you include 2019) and RW’s camp would look at it as him hitting free agency at 33 years old set to get the moon and stars.

            Drafting a QB with starter potential wouldn’t be the worst idea over the next couple years. I know Murray has all world flash, but I think there might be things about Minschew that PC might really love in terms of character and ability. I’m kinda excited to see how he does this week and at the combine.

            • Rob Staton

              Let’s put it this way… people might not know it yet but Wilson’s contract and everything attached to it is likely going to be the story of the off season.

            • GerryG

              I have a hard time believing Brady Henderson wrote anything interesting or worthwhile (giggle)

          • McZ

            Spot on, Sir!
            Add to this the fact, that Peteball requires Wilson to win 3 or 4 of those otherwise botched games, which adds a lot of leverage. Plus, the system doesn’t fit him well, and he may be inclined to play this card.

            With an outlook that bleak, it’s a one last shot type of season in 2019. With the current FA situation, we cannot reliably or even optiministically say, we will have a SB run.

            The alternative is to trade Wilson to a team on the brink of competitiveness, thursty for success, having or creating cap space. Miami comes to mind. Two first round picks and plus a veteran player (Quinn?) or two? Deal!

            This scenario was in fact was the reason I would’ve picked Lamar Jackson last season. He was the bargain chip, that Murray will never be.

            • Eburgz

              I think the system fits him great.

  4. Zxvo3

    Rob, since you have mentioned Charles Omenihu, do you think he could potentially be a fit for the Seahawks? Also do you think he could last after they trade back?

    • Rob Staton

      I don’t think Omenihu will be an early pick so yes he will last. He has the length but let’s see how he tests.

  5. Eburgz

    Great list and commentary. Interesting that Pauline had McLaurin as an UDFA in his pre senior bowl grades. That will change, hopefully he is available in the middle rounds. Great fit I think. Deboo Samuel another name to watch if we are looking at WR early.

    • Volume12

      Man look. I love Pauline but his word ain’t gospel. He also had Hasson Reddick as a 5th rounder and IIRC had Aaron Donald nowhere near round 1 until draft season even though the tape was incredible.

      Lying season has started.

      • Sea Mode

        He hardly ever seems to update the grades on his website. I ignore them completely and just go straight to the good content he puts out in articles and podcasts.

      • Eburgz

        Agreed. He’s been way off on guys every year. Just like to reference it to get a feel.

  6. C-Dog

    Great piece, Rob

    Personally, I love the idea that they don’t feel glaring needs, if true, and they can feel comfortable going with the BPA route that will make an impact.

    That said, I’m kinda salivating a bit on Wren. I know Carroll seemed particularly high on Poona competing for a starter roll, but like the RW situation, if Jarran has anything close to the season he just had in 2019, that could also become a sticky negotiation. Love the way Wren is built and like, you said, there’s traits there that Clint Hurtt can’t teach.

    Personally, I’d prefer them to keep 90 in town a long time, and I think giving RW another legit OW is equally exciting. Third downs, man. You know Carroll wants better production there.

    Going to be an interesting draft.

    • Rob Staton

      Wren is the kind of prospect it’s so hard to get an angle on.

      You could bang the drum for him all off-season based on the snaps where he looks great. And then if he ends up being the next stud interior DL in the NFL you’d look like a sage for predicting it. The same could be true in the reverse. I could write a long article listing all the bad snaps and what he does wrong. I could predict he’ll bomb at the next level. And if that happened, again, it looks like a great prediction.

      The reality is nobody, truly, has a proper steer on what he’ll be. Not even the teams. It really could go either way with Wren. He has all the physical tools. All the potential. But the great players generally find a way to not be terrible on 35% of their snaps. I want to see a level of consistency from Wren then a flash. Not — destroys a center, then gets destroyed himself trying to run across the line and gets nudged onto the turf like a giant pillow case.

      • C-Dog

        Strong takes. I think it’s important for us to be reminded that PC covets real dedicated discipline at DT for his scheme. I think that was why they were willing to go with Jarran early even though he wasn’t twitchy or particularly explosive. Would Wren be able to convince them that he would come into camp willing to work hard to improve that aspect of his game?

        That’s probably the question that they will ask, especially if someone else is on the board with a unique skill set that can help out with impact in another way.

        • Sea Mode

          Yeah, but Reed was consistent. Simply unmovable off of the LOS and a beast vs. the run.

          I don’t think it’s worth comparing those two cases at all. Wren has a long, long way to go before he gets to Reed’s level IMO. But does he have the tools to do it and become something special, sure. I think this will be a case for the scouts to find out how well this guy takes to coaching, cause he’s going to need a lot of it.

        • Rob Staton

          It’s a huge question. Personally I’m not sure I’m enamoured enough with Wren’s upside to find out if he can be consistent. Especially at that position where discipline is so important. It’s no good forcing a five-yard TFL one play and giving up a 20-yard run the next through a lack of control.

          • C-Dog

            Yeah, and this is where I would almost rather have them not get too tied to any one position after potentially a series of trade backs and maybe look a bit further down the draft for value at DT if they aren’t 100% certain on him. They already got a young DT to build around who the team seems to love. Maybe a little dip into free agency helps the depth and competition there.

      • FresnoHawk

        Tony P. suggested Wren always gives 100%? I find that hard to believe

        • Rob Staton

          I think Tony is right. The problem isn’t effort. It’s being reckless.

          • FresnoHawk

            Then we might draft him.

          • WALL UP

            Inconsistencies may be due to defensive schemes, or lack thereof. Placing him within the rotation, with Hurd’s tutelage, will bring out the best of his assets. The combination of speed and power is a rarity, that can be “coached up” to create a dominant player. Wren has the versatility to play 5T, 3T, 1T or NT, and provide consistent push of the pocket, in a combination of Reed & Ford.

            Pauline may be correct, in that he may gaunder a 2nd Rd pick. I was hoping to take him in the 3rd Rd, but to Paulines liking, his recent play may dictate otherwise. I wouldn’t stop just with Wren though. The addition of Khalen Sanders, as well, will provide a young talented DL front up the middle, that will cause havoc for a long time. Trading into the late 30’s or early 40’s will also give additional picks (9-10 total) for other needs.

            Their greatest need is to stop the run and get more pass rush capabilities. That rush could come up the middle. With the addition both of Wren and Saunders, they will help provide that inside push of the pocket, and also stop the run.

            Could the edge rush come thru free agency? There are possibilities out there:

            26 yr old Vic Beasley could become a cap casualty. Atlanta, only $18 million in cap space, could save $12 million by releasing the pass rusher, who hasn’t been doing much of any pass rushing in the last two seasons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdrKwmwwCHo

            Of course there is the possibility of 26 yr old Anthony Barr also signing a 1yr prove deal like the Bennett/Avril signings.

            With the combination of one of them, and those in house rushers, Clark, Green and Martin, and a late Rd selection of DE Malik Carney, the edge rush could be in good hands. The only drawback is the cost is losing KJ. But, they would be getting younger and greater pass rush capabilities.

            Could this be a possibility? One can only hope. Right?

            • jujus

              as important as it is to iprove the pass rush. The #1 contributor to this in my mind and I suspect PC is

              STOPPING THE RUN.

              If you can stop the run 90% of the time. You force them to pass – Giving ur guys more opprotunities, putting them in better positions. More 3rd and longs.

              Having 1 more Edge Screaming down alongside Clark. and stopping the run I think are we need to really create the dynamic rush we have been missing.

  7. Volume12

    Ahhh. So Dillard could be a target after all?

    • John

      Did they meet with him?

    • John

      And Nassir Adderley

    • Rob Staton

      1. Lose the snark. We’re not on twitter.

      2. I never said definitively ‘Dillard won’t be an option’. I said, and I still believe this, that Dillard isn’t a freakish athlete. I also said I didn’t think they’d go O-line first. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to list O-liners as possible targets. I have three listed in this piece alone. Do I expect any to be in Seattle? Not with the first pick. Am I going to shut down the debate and not even remotely consider it? No. Why? Because this is a draft where Seattle are going to trade down probably multiple times and by the time they actually pick, none of us have any clarity on who’ll be left. And if they trade down to #45 and an O-liner is the best option, they might take an O-liner. It doesn’t mean I think it’ll happen.

  8. Volume12

    I saw someone mention Houston CB Isaiah Johnson above.

    There’s a guy I gotta eat some serious crow on. I was wrong about him. Maybe my expectation was wanting to see a 6’3 corner with more ball skills when I should’ve realized that’s not those guys game. Should of been looking at how clean his technique is and how well he uses/sinks his hips already.

    Looks to me like he’s got the kick/T step down too.

    • Trevor

      Have not watched him but will definitely take a look.

      • Volume12

        I need to look at Kentucky’s Lonnie Johnson as well. Didn’t have a ton of production, but I’m inerested to see what he’s all about.

    • Sea Mode

      Thanks for owning up on that one. I had all but written him off after how strongly you expressed how huge of a project he was.

      Anyway, glad to take a closer look now, especially after seeing he’s the only one (maybe with Peters) who meets our size profile and that he clocked a top 10 speed in practice yesterday.

  9. Nick

    I’ve now spent the past week watching Khalil Hodge’s tape. And I can totally see why Seattle is supposedly high on him. He straight up tackles. I

  10. Nick

    Shoot, didn’t mean to click submit. Hodge supposedly had 262 tackles as a senior in high school. One season! That sort of production is absurd and it clearly carried over to his time at Buffalo. I gotta imagine they see him as a third round pick.

    • Rob Staton

      I think Hodge might last into day three. But I can see why they reportedly like him.

      • Robert Las Vegas

        Robi just have a quick question for you Damien Harris was really highly regarded last year was there anything this made him slip or fall in this year draft.from what you seen what are the more noticeable difference

        • Rob Staton

          He didn’t look as good which was surprising to me. Not as explosive, as dynamic. But he’s still a complete runner who excels in pass pro, he’s very explosive with ideal size. If he drops into the middle rounds someone will get a good player.

          • Trevor

            Still have no idea why he did not come out last year. He had buzz last year and that is the one position you come out as early as possible. The less mileage the better. PLus Alabama was loaded at RB so it was not like he was going to showcase. He got poor advice IMO and it backfired. Same for Bryce Love.

  11. Sea Mode

    Chase Goodbread
    @ChaseGoodbread

    Terry McLaurin of @OhioStateFB said he’ll run 4.35 or better at combine, “and I’m not even kidding.”
    Ran a 1.51 10-yard split in baseline testing (upon arrival) at his training facility in Ft. Lauderdale.
    #SeniorBowl

    2:23 PM – 23 Jan 2019

    • Rob Staton

      Not a surprise. He ran a 4.41 at SPARQ. So something close to that would be expected — especially when he’s had two months to practise specifically for a forty yard dash.

      • SoCal12

        If he hits 4.35 at the combine do you think he’ll go Round 2-3?

        I really like this kid, but like all prospects I like I’m worried they’ll test themselves out of our draft range lol.

        • Rob Staton

          I think McLaurin is destined to go in that range. Rounds 2-3. There just aren’t many players like him.

          • charlietheunicorn

            I’m kind of looking at these extremely fast players….. and think they might get pushed up a notch or two. I’m going to call it the Ty Hill effect. Game wrecking speed and play making abilities…. in the new short passing attacks that the NFL has fallen in love with the last few seasons. (Chiefs, Rams, Patriots, Eagles, etc).

            I’m not saying a round 2 lock, but it would definitely not surprise me to see him go after pick #40.

  12. Eli

    There’s a website I like to do mock drafts on, first-pick dot com, and would like to post a mock here for fun if that’s alright. They’re pretty good about updating their database to reflect new info coming in. Not always the most realistic but like I said, its kinda fun to do. Anyways:

    Seahawks on the clock at Pick 21. Players still on the board include Devin Bush, Byron Murphy, Dexter Lawrence, Cody Ford, DK Metcalf, and Christian Wilkins. Decide to take the only trade offer available, from the Colts, and trade down to pick up R1-Pick 26 and R2-P27. Have the option of trading down again for R1-P28 and R3-Pick 27. Decide to stay pat and pick up Wilkins.

    End up trading down one last time from R2-Pick 27 and pick up R2-Pick 30 and R3-Pick 30. Final results of the draft:

    Round 1 Pick 26 (IND): Wilkins, Christian, DT, Clemson (A)
    Round 2 Pick 30 (K.C.): Campbell, Parris, WR, Ohio State (A-)
    Round 3 Pick 20: Nelson, Anthony, DE, Iowa (A+)
    Round 3 Pick 30 (K.C.): Walker, D’Andre, OLB, Georgia (A+)
    Round 4 Pick 22: Williams, Joejuan, CB, Vanderbilt (A+)
    Round 5 Pick 21: Scharping, Max, OT, Northern Illinois (A+)
    Round 7 Pick 21: Gay, Matt, K, Utah (A+)

    Takeaways I got: I think the Seahawks definitely trade down, I think there is a lot of depth in this draft and there will be lots of value in having multiple picks in Rd 3 and later. There also is a ton of WR depth in this draft, so unless there’s a crazy athlete that Seattle just can’t ignore, I think it’s possible they wait until Day 3 and end up taking a chance on someone like Preston Williams or Denzel Mims. That would leave more draft capital to shore up depth on the defensive side of the ball in the early rounds.

    • Hawktalker#1

      I tried this as well, but like most of these sites the results are heavily based on the quality of their big boards. As we might imagine, this one has concerns as well.

      My results:

      Your Picks:
      Round 1 Pick 31 (K.C.): Lawrence, Dexter, DT, Clemson (A)
      Round 2 Pick 30 (K.C.): Allen, Zach, DE, Boston College (A)
      Round 3 Pick 20: Walker, D’Andre, OLB, Georgia (A+)
      Round 3 Pick 30 (K.C.): Campbell, Parris, WR, Ohio State (A+)
      Round 4 Pick 22: Peters, Jamal, CB, Mississippi State (A+)
      Round 5 Pick 21: Gay, Matt, K, Utah (B+)
      Round 7 Pick 21: Cotton Sr, Lester, OG, Alabama (A+)

    • John_s

      That site is fun to play around with and see who’s available.

      Round 1 Pick 31 (K.C.): Murphy, Byron, CB, Washington (A)
      Round 2 Pick 30 (K.C.): Ximines, Oshane, DE, Old Dominion (A+)
      Round 2 Pick 31 (K.C.): Hockenson, T.J., TE, Iowa (A)
      Round 3 Pick 30 (K.C.): Lindstrom, Chris, OG, Boston College (A+)
      Round 5 Pick 21: Peters, Jamal, CB, Mississippi State (A+)
      Round 7 Pick 21: Mitchell, Dillon, WR, Oregon (A+)

      • JJ

        That site says we have a 7th round pick.

        • Hawktalker#1

          And that’s just one of the issues with that site and most like it.

          At very minimum you need to be able to upload a more accurate big board.

          Fun, but not very accurate and therefore, not super helpful mocking anything.

    • KD

      I’ve been massing around with that site for a few years now, and it is a lot of fun. Of course you can get some silly results and falls, but is a simulator so much more inaccurate than a lot of other mocks? To it’s credit, the players fall in roughly the correct range with a few exceptions. The Bosas and Olivers tend to fall within 3-4 picks of where you would expect them to be in the actual draft just as some other players fall in real life that you would never expect.

      It’s just for fun of course, but a very interesting tool if you consider the pick where a player is taken may fall within the bounds of a normal distribution curve.

    • McZ

      If our preferred late round targets are roughly good athletes with coachable traits, Denzel Mims is one hell of a candidate for us.

      • Eli

        I really like both of the receivers coming out of Baylor this year, Mims and Hurd. Both really big athletes, Hurd was a running back at Tennessee before switching to receiver at Baylor so there’s some versatility there that could be interesting

  13. FresnoHawk

    Fresno State lost its OC to Indiana & DC to AZ state. I don’t know how much $$$ the DC got but Indiana is paying our Offensive Coordinator $800,000. Can you believe that? Indiana paying their OC $800,000.

  14. Rob Staton

    I’ve just written a big post on Russell Wilson’s contract situation and why i think they should seriously consider drafting a QB this year. Stay tuned for that — it’ll drop tomorrow or Friday depending on whether the Senior Bowl practises are back to normal.

    Plus I did well over an hour with the Seahawkers Podcast and that should be available tomorrow.

    • FresnoHawk

      Been saying it all summer this year or next year for sure. Is RW for real wanting to be Multi Superbowl winner? We’ll see. The folks his wife hangs out with will blow thru 100 million like a car payment.

    • Kelly

      I’d be all for trading him as long as we got Kyler Murray. Not even going to lie. I love Russell a lot as the QB of our team. Like him a lot as a person as well. But his salary going North of 30 million isn’t going to breed success for this football. It will just hamstring us depth wise. Tom Brady hasn’t had any one of his contracts breach even $16.5M per year as an average. That allows the Patriots to get depth and remain competitive consistently.

      • FresnoHawk

        I had a similar thought process until RW constantly dropped bombs into the bucket, it’s my belief he got better this year. I want to watch RW get better next year. RW is a winner all rookies no matter how good are still unproven it’s not worth the risk replacing RW. I’m on board if we draft a QB who can push RW (he needs it) somebody who can step up if RW gets hurt. I really don’t care which round we draft a QB. I want to win SuperBowls I’m waiting to see how serious RW is about winning SuperBowls clearly Tom Brady is serious. It’s possible RW could piss me off if he wants too much $$$ I will be severely disappointed in him and may want to trade him if that happens.

    • Dylanlep

      Agree with the premise Rob. Just not sure I see anyone worth drafting outside of Kyler unfortunately.

    • C-Dog

      Minschew has rock star moxie and big hands, and A LOT of fans in the PNW. Just saying.

      • H

        I’m still super intrigued by Tyree Jackson.

      • KingRajesh

        Gardner Minshew is trash, my dude. Dude can’t play in the cold, and it gets cold in the NFL.

        • Rob Staton

          Bit of a sweeping statement. I’m pretty sure it was cold most weeks during the season at Washington State. Or are we judging him based on one snow game?

    • mishima

      PC/JS looked at top 10 quarterbacks, last year, and will look at and love Kyler Murray, this year. However, Murray won’t get past the Giants (6), Jaguars (7), Broncos (10), Dolphins (13). So, if the Seahawks want Murray as insurance and/or replacement for Russell Wilson, they need to get to pick 6.

      IMO, the Seahawks will only trade Russell if he has indicated that he will not re-sign with them and/or wants too much money AND the FO <3 Kyle Murray. They can't afford to franchise him and/or lose him to injury or free agency for nothing.

      A trade with the Giants makes too much sense. For RW: Bright lights, big city + franchise RB and WR. For Seattle: Pick #6, #38, 2020 1st + future considerations.

      2018 restored my confidence in Pete's vision and methodology. The Seahawks have had great success with a dynamic QB on a rookie contract, a punishing run game and dominating, young/hungry defense. Pieces are there.

  15. charlietheunicorn

    Is there any reliable information on what the projected strength of the 2020 draft class at this time?
    (besides QB)

    Where is there overlap for 2019 and where is there a big drop off from 2019 to 2020 in terms of talent and depth of talent at specific positions?

  16. Dan

    Would the Hawks consider Adderly at FS with their first pick? Is Tedric fast enough to play the single high cover 3?

    • Hawktalker#1

      No they won’t and no he’s not.

  17. Ross

    Rob, what round do you see Haskins being drafted? i think you’re spot on regarding the RW contract situation. Love the blog.

    • Rik

      Haskins is going top 10 for sure and probably top 5. He broke Drew Brees Big 10 TD and yards records that have stood for 20 years. He had good receivers, but if you watch the highlight videos he has a big arm and is an accurate thrower with a quick release. I think he’s going to the Giants.

      • Rob Staton

        I’ve watched more than the highlight videos. In the actual games he looked distinctly unimpressive at times.

    • Hawktalker#1

      Although there may be some difference of opinion of his actual value, supply and demand along with him being at the top of the quarterback list will make it hard for him to slip her out of the first round . . . Especially given the number of teams that still need a quarterback and the recent trend to take them earlier and earlier in the draft. Fear of quarterback loss continues to push quarterback picks higher than they should be in the draft.

  18. Eburgz

    Anyone have any good footage from day 2 of senior bowl practice?

    Found this:
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PfigeqIwJfI

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p2Soa5w8Mdc

    Surprised to see Dieter and Z. Allen get beat like red headed step children. Like (liked?) them both but man they look lost.

    Sweat and Collier are making themselves some money this week. Ominehu too I think.

  19. Eburgz

    Way too early Seahawks mock. Let’s assume we trade back to acquire an additional R3 R6 & R7. Trying to be realistic about where guys might be taken if anyone has input. I didn’t consider stud R1 types like Wilkins, Sweat, Hockenson & Ferguson because I think they will he gone.

    R1 DT Jerry Tillery (assuming none of the studs fall)

    R3 DE Charles Omenihu

    R3 CB Rock Ya-Sin (considered putting one of the Ohio state guys here and Jamal Peters later)

    R4 WR Terry McLaurin

    R5 G BJ Autry

    R6 FB/TE Trevin Wesco (considered Ingold)

    R7 LB David Long (considered a kicker, Gay?)

    • Hawktalker#1

      In order to trade back as they typically do to acquire more picks, we’ll need to trade away our R1 pick so we will likely have a R2 and others and no R1 selection.

      • Eburgz

        In that case. R2 Tillery. He could last. Not into trying to predict trades, John Schneider is a wizard and always gets more draft capitol than I expect.

    • McZ

      Kicker class is deep this season. A guy like Yoon of ND could fall to UDFA.
      I think, if we debate one year wonder Kyler Murray as the top QB, we should consider Cole Tracy of LSU as the top kicker.

  20. Oly420

    Just for fun…

    Trade down and take Taylor Rapp (FS) in the early 2nd
    Take K.J. Hill (WR) in the 3rd
    Joewaun Williams (CB) 3rd
    P.J. Johnson (DT) 4th
    Khalil Hodge (LB) 5thp]
    Cece Jefferson (DE) 7th-FA
    Clifton Duck (CB) 7th-FA

    • Rob Staton

      KJ Hill chose not to declare

    • Hawktalker#1

      Trust me, I enjoy these fun mock drafts as much or more than anyone. However they need to have some semblance of reality to them to have me get the enjoyment I’m looking for out of them. Knowing how rarely Seattle picks safeties or defense of backs early in the draft, I think you really need to change Seattle’s first pick to another position. Also I have to believe they’re going to be making some D line choices earlier in the draft and not overloading with multiple WR pics early, although picking one of the WR guys we have been talking about recently wouldn’t hurt my feelings giving the value they could add to the team immediately. The more I see Paris the more I like him, although I think he’s going to get overhyped and go way too early and take him out of range for us.

      • Oly420

        Drafting a FS in round 1 was the first thing Pete did when he got here. (And that worked out pretty good) Plus I’ve been longing for another Washington grown Seahawk.

  21. Pran

    Pete isn’t going to spill beans when he said we have no glaring needs. By saying that it opened entire draft for the team. Pete looks for game changing talent in draft irrespective of position and value in FA to fill needs.

    • Hawktalker#1

      Or he just knows how to play the draft game and not show his cards . . . Far more likely.

  22. Sea Mode

    Did anyone mention that whoever drafts when we draft McClaurin, we will be getting a Top Gun(ner) as well?

    https://twitter.com/TonyGerdeman/status/1088147851752992768

    • Eburgz

      I noticed but didn’t mention. Great fit for the hawks. How is everyone sleeping on this dude? (not here but elsewhere on the internets). Senior bowl and combine likely change that. Rob thinks he’s destined for rounds 2-3 (I don’t dissagree, especially if he runs a sub 4.4 as expected). But otherwise I can’t find anyone projecting him above the 4th round. Sounds like the biggest knock on him is ball skills.

      • Rob Staton

        Who cares whether anyone else is projecting him above round four?

        We could run through countless of examples the internet has underrated/overrated over the years.

        Talent is talent.

  23. Sea Mode

    Yup. To be expected. Tape don’t lie.

    https://twitter.com/treydaubert/status/1088154750036647936

  24. clbradley17

    On Tony Pauline’s podcast of day 2, said they were able to see the coaches tape and that DT Khalen Saunders of Western Illinois was unstoppable, his defensive player of the day, mentioned his quickness and explosion and said he probably has moved up from a rd. 7 prospect to rd. 4 in his estimation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqTygqcHeUs

    His partner on the podcast picked S Mike Edwards of Kentucky as his D player of the day, said he was able to cover slot receivers and the run. Tony picked only LBs Terrill Hanks and Bobby Okereke, mainly Hanks as being LBs great in coverage and run-stopping and able to run sideline-to-sideline – a 3-down LB. They liked Germaine Pratt almost as much in his day 1 podcast, but said he got burnt a lot in coverage on day 2.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IgqOuB77zc

    Most of the safeties were below avg., Adderley was even beaten and couldn’t catch up to slow TE Sample of UW. The only CBs that were about avg. were Lonnie Johnson of Ky. and Rock Ya Sin of Temple, who was the only 1 to slow down Deebo Samuel once or twice. Samuel was the clear winner both days – especially day 2 at WR, day 1 McLaurin also looked great. https://twitter.com/eric_crocker/status/1088285637038358528

    Tony picked OL Andre Dillard of WSU as his O player of the day, said he looked great in pass pro and overall. He also mentioned OL Javon Patterson of Miss. and Chuma Edoga of USC as looking very good. His podcast partner – Chris Tripodi, picked WR Greg Jennings of WVU. DE/LB Sutton Smith is game and trying, but is constantly beat and not good here. Even Zach Allen’s bull rush is ineffective in 1v1s. Said Montez Sweat is also ineffective unless he beats the OL immediately; if they get their hands on him, it’s over. DE Anthony Nelson of Iowa looked good, as well as Charles O of TX. and LJ Collier looked outstanding, the ESPN crew raved about Collier at the end of the their program.

    Tony’s podcast of day 2 -https://bleav.com/podcast/senior-bowl-day-2/

    Note from Tony’s draftanylst.com Wed. night Senior Bowl Buzz page – “South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel has told people Moreland is the best cornerback he’s faced all week.”

    Draftwire day 1 Senior Bowl article also comments well on some of the same players Tony Pauline did on day 2. https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2019/01/23/2019-senior-bowl-day-1-practice-standouts/

    More on LJ Collier from the draft network – https://thedraftnetwork.com/2019/01/23/second-fiddle-no-more-unheralded-l-j-collier-shines-on-day-1/

    Seems like all the more reason for JS to trade down a few times with various picks and get a WR who gets separation like McLaurin or Samuel with a day 2 pick, in addition to a lot of these day 2 or 3 players like Hanks at LB, Saunders or Mack at DT who can collapse the pocket from the middle and rush the passer/stop the run, a pass-rushing DE like Collier, Nelson, Omenihu or Hollins of Oregon(6’5″ 250;had 10 tackles and 2 sacks in the Shrine game), Peters? at CB, another G/C to push Hunt and Pocic, and maybe a kicker.

    • Morgan

      Collier looks like he’s built very similarly to Michael Bennett. Saw a clip of him from yesterday putting Nate Davis on his butt so badly that I’m surprised the OG didn’t just pack up and go home.

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