Super Bowl mock draft: 5th February

Feel free to use this as an open thread for the Super Bowl. And if you’re struggling to handle a Seahawks-free Super Bowl — here’s a mock draft to talk about instead.

Scroll down for notes.

#1 Cleveland — Myles Garrett (EDGE, Texas A&M)
#2 San Francisco — Solomon Thomas (DE, Stanford)
#3 Chicago — Malik Hooker (S, Ohio State)
#4 Jacksonville — Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU)
#5 Tennessee — Jonathan Allen (DE, Alabama)
#6 Jets — Marshon Lattimore (CB, Ohio State)
#7 LA Chargers — Jamal Adams (S, LSU)
#8 Carolina — Garett Bolles (T, Utah)
#9 Cincinnati — Reuben Foster (LB, Alabama)
#10 Buffalo — O.J. Howard (TE, Alabama)
#11 New Orleans — Marlon Humphrey (CB, Alabama)
#12 Cleveland — Sidney Jones (CB, Washington)
#13 Arizona — Mike Williams (WR, Clemson)
#14 Indianapolis — Taco Charlton (EDGE, Michigan)
#15 Eagles — Corey Davis (WR, Western Michigan)
#16 Baltimore — Jabrill Peppers (S, Michigan)
#17 Washington — Haason Reddick (LB, Temple)
#18 Tennessee — Tre’Davious White (CB, LSU)
#19 Tampa Bay — John Ross (WR, Washington)
#20 Denver — Ryan Ramcyzk (T, Wisconsin)
#21 Detroit — Charles Harris (EDGE, Missouri)
#22 Miami — Zach Cunningham (LB, Vanderbilt)
#23 New York Giants — David Njoku (TE, Miami)
#24 Oakland — Dalvin Cook (RB, Florida State)
#25 Houston — Derek Barnett (DE, Tennessee)
#26 Cleveland — Mitch Trubisky (QB, North Carolina)
#27 Kansas City — Deshaun Watson (QB, Clemson)
#28 Dallas — Justin Evans (S, Texas A&M)
#29 Green Bay — Gareon Conley (CB, Ohio State)
#30 Pittsburgh — Takkarist McKinley (EDGE, UCLA)
#31 Atlanta — Adoree’ Jackson (CB, USC)
#32 New England — Tim Williams (EDGE, Alabama)

This projection highlights the recent talk of teams not being enamoured with the quarterback class. Today, the 49ers were added to the growing list of suitors for Jimmy Garoppolo. Apparently Matt Schaub (!!!) is an alternative option while the Jets are reportedly eyeing Mike Glennon.

Is this unrealistic?

San Francisco — Matt Schaub
Chicago — Jimmy Garoppolo
Jets — Mike Glennon
Buffalo — Tony Romo

It’d have a major impact on the top of the draft, with potentially Cleveland (not an attractive proposition for any of the names above) being left to consider their options.

In a scenario like the one above, moving back into the first round might appeal to the Browns — having already landed the drafts best pass rusher and arguably the best corner too, they can still land a QB.

They might want to get ahead of Kansas City. The Chiefs need a long term answer at QB with Alex Smith turning 33 in May and seemingly incapable of leading a deep playoff run.

Using the draft trade chart, this type of deal could make sense:

Cleveland gets:

R1 #26 — 700
R2 #58 — 320
Total trade value = 1020

Seattle gets:

R2 #33 — 580
R2 #51 — 390
R5 — 44
Total = 1014

It’s just a bit of manoeuvring by both teams. The Browns jump from #33 to #26 to get a quarterback. Cleveland owns Tennessee’s second round pick (#51) so they swap with Seattle (#58) and throw in a fifth round pick to match up the value.

The Browns have two fifth rounders anyway (acquiring a second from New England) so it’s not much of a sacrifice on their behalf to get a possible answer at quarterback.

It also gives the Seahawks a better chance of landing two of the names below at #33 and #51.

Players still on the board at need positions:

Obi Melifonwu (DB, Connecticut)
Kevin King (CB, Washington)
Budda Baker (S, Washington)
Rasul Douglas (CB, West Virginia)
Quincy Wilson (CB, Florida)
Fabian Moreau (CB, UCLA)
Cordrea Tankersley (CB, Clemson)
Jarrad Davis (LB, Florida)
Tyus Bowser (LB, Houston)
Alex Anzalone (LB, Florida)
Dorian Johnson (G/T, Pittsburgh)

What would you do in this situation?

Let me know in the comments section.

340 Comments

  1. Volume12

    That’s one of the best mock drafts I’ve seen yet. Really appreciate the fact that your trying to mock what teams would do, not you personally.

    That’s a dope trade scenario. Could get behind that all day. Maybe with that extra 5th a possible trade up into the 4th would make sense as well.

    Personally? King or Douglas and then Bowser. Although Jarrad Davis is increasingly enticing.

    • Hawks22Fun

      Great Mock…I want Seattle to strengthen what started our greatness to begin with – the Secondary! I’d take 2 out of these based on their combine and interviews:

      Obi Melifonwu (DB, Connecticut)
      Kevin King (CB, Washington)
      Budda Baker (S, Washington)
      Rasul Douglas (CB, West Virginia)

      We need to be able to beat Atlanta in the years to come. With Sanu, Jones, 2 TE’s, the 2 RB’s…we need to BEEF UP that secondary… If we had BOTH King and Douglas, our Secondary would have that depth that won 2013.

      Depending on how Melinfonwu runs and performs at the combine, he might be a great BIG guy match up…seems to tackle well and hit hard…

      I just feel it is the time to double down on excellent CB’s/DB’s…Sherman is beginning to age a bit, and we always seem to have a major injury in the secondary…Lane…Sherm…Now Earl and Shead! How could QB’s throw on this:

      Earl Thomas, Kam, Sherman, Douglas, King, Lane… SCARY

      • Rob Staton

        And if it’s about being bigger/faster/stronger…

        Imagine adding King or Douglas outside and having Melifonwu inside as a matchup piece.

        It’d be the biggest secondary in the league with no lack of athleticism either.

        • Hawks22Fun

          …that’s what I see too… #IntimidateAGAIN

          Did you here Demarius Thomas talk about that Kam hit in SB 49?

          He said it was the hardest hit EVER, and the offense went FLAT after that… WOW

          Obi And Rasul would bring it!

        • AndrewP

          I like the term you keep using/coming back to: ‘match-up piece’. A guy they can plug into the secondary or LB crew that can play at multiple levels of the D is something I really want for the reasons many have already mentioned, and I’d be pretty shocked/bummed if they left Day 2 without having acquired one.

          Good news, there appear to be names that would fit that mold, thus improving the D, in the first three rounds.

          • Hawk Eye

            I like the idea of a trade down.
            I doubt the blue chip players they really want will be there at 26, so try to improve the position in rd 2.
            Hoping the get 2 db’s and a LB with the first 3 picks (and at least 2 OL vets for competition in FA)
            Love the idea of Budda Baker as Honey Badger nickel/safety, and would love to see a really good corner who can start, and SPEED at LB
            But I won’t be disappointed if they get a penetrating DT instead of a db

        • BHarKnows

          Rob, a few weeks back we talked a lot about Baker as a similar player who could possible fill multiple rolls on this defense. If they took a CB first (either at 26 or after a trade down) and you had your choice of Melifonwu and Baker… who would be the better fit based on the scheme the Hawks run?

          • Greg Haugsven

            For me I’d like to trade back and I know the points match up but your dropping back 7 and moving up 7 and getting a fifth doesn’t sound good to me. Would rather take there second and third and call it a day.

  2. Volume12

    I know its not a big need, but how would you feel about LSU WR Malachi Dupre in round 4? Does a USC WR Darreus Rogers or a Wazzu WR Gabe Marks make more sense as a priority UDFA?

    Getting a little fatigued going back and watching tape on guys I was unsure on, but I liked Dupre’s. A lot.

    • Rob Staton

      I like Dupre. Not a burner but can jump. LSU QB mess has hammered his stock. Almost impossible to know how good or bad he is considering the joke show at QB.

      Would certainly consider it.

      • RealRhino2

        It was just TV copy, but I remember a game this year where LSU was trailing and needing to throw, and they kept showing ISOs of Dupre getting open and helplessly watching as his QB failed to deliver the ball. Not to mention all the times/games where the WR just doesn’t put forth max effort because he knows his QB is going to fail him. Rob, as somebody who covers footy you know, a forward will make a dozen runs, but when the mids don’t ever get him the ball and reward the run, pretty soon he stops going 100%. Human nature.

        I like Dupre as a late round guy, also.

    • Mitch

      Really like the idea of Dupre in round 4. Gives us supreme leaping ability and a down the field presence which would really help this offense. Played in the slot and outside this year at LSU and played unreal against Louisville when given the opportunity to make plays with jump balls etc. We have plenty of small shifter receivers but I feel dupre is a really talented player who will fall due to LSU and it’s scheme/ QB production and he could easily step in to Kearses role and make many more of this contested catches. Also a willing run blocker and doesn’t demand the ball which is another huge benefit

  3. Cyrus

    Take budda baker and Kevin king

    • Cyrus

      That would solidify our defense take a linebacker and a lineman in round 3 and a DT in round 5

      • Greg Haugsven

        It will be ino erecting to see if they will UW double dip

        • Greg Haugsven

          Interesting

          • Redhawk87

            awkward…

  4. Ed

    Vol beat me to it, but that is best mock for 2017 I’ve seen. I have thought for a while LF would be the best pick for Jaguars. The defense is solid, QB and WR have shown the ability to make plays, they just needed a spark at RB.

    As for Hawks, love it as well and hope for that situation. Would love to say go CB (King) and S (Baker), but I almost think getting the replacement for Irvin (Anzalone/Bower) would be better than S. So King and Anzalone for me.

    • BHarKnows

      Maybe with the trade down you could use a couple of the 3rd rounders to move up and still get CB, S AND LB?!?! Dare to dream

  5. LeoSharp

    Is Orion Stewart (safety 6’2 205lbs) a likely pick or is the Baylor fiasco just ruining that chance. 6 Ints, 4 PBU, and a sack

  6. C-Dog

    I’m going to lean on corner being the biggest need, so I would say whoever they like most out of the corners. Menifonwu and Baker would also be pretty tempting. Personally, I think it might come down to King or Douglas. I’d go best corner available, if I feel the drop off between what’s available there and what would be available at 51 is significant.

  7. Hawks22Fun

    I feel Seattle MUST solve ONE of its’ Tackle problems through FA.

    Not a weak sauce fix, mind you, but an BIG investment in a QUALITY player that will END the look for that spot for YEARS. We can do that!

    #1 Path) I saw one post here asking for Sebastian Vollmer (32) at RT and Andrew Whitworth (35) at LT. BOTH had good years last year, are older, but actually have experience and SKILL at their Tackle positions. This seems like a path that could be very useful. Sign Whitworth to a decent 2 year deal and have Odhiambho and Fant study behind him…If either rise up for year 3, Solution Found!
    We could let Gary Gilliam go, maybe draft 1 OL in 2017, but we would BUY TIME, with QUALITY in place. After basic monies spent, we have around $29 million…we could get these 2 guys EASILY…Whitworth for 2 years, and Vollmer for 3…Then high picks in this draft can solve CB/DB/LB/DT positions…and RB…

    Anyone like that path? 2-3 years of solid LT/RT!!??

    Otherwise I feel we should simply pay one OL well to come in as a Veteran and solidify one side…either LT or RT…

    #2 Path) For me that is ONLY the QUALITY and SKILLED Options:
    Riley Reiff, RT – he is only 28, is a good player, and RT would be done for years barring injury. He has only missed I believe 3 games in 5 years… He might cost $10 Mill per, but I DON’T CARE!

    Glowinski / Britt / Ifedi / Reiff is a SOLID start. Reiff would make Ifedi WAY better…

    #3 Path – or…if Pete believes he can resurrect Matt Kalil’s career, he might come in at a discounted price since his play has been up and down, and himself injured some. Would a USC Pete guy with a slightly discounted LT contract sound desirable??? Maybe…

    I would prefer #2, with a 2017 OL draft pick, then #1 for Veteran Solidification…

    You?

    PS. (Anyone pissed that we drafted a 1st Round RT and a 3rd Round LT, and didn’t play EITHER at their positions? 8th grade TE instead?? ARGH! Ryan Robinson OL said playing RT is actually a bit easier the RG…just block whose it front of you…but Ifedi was NEVER even allowed to compete for RT…)

    • AlaskaHawk

      I like your post and would love to see them add a quality tackle in free agency. But like you said that will be a 8-10 million / year payout. Well it serves the Seahawks right for screwing up in the draft so badly. Yes I’m pissed that Fant ended up at left tackle when they clearly knew they had to fill that spot. I wouldn’t mind if they had trained him up – but to throw a UDFA rookie in their is criminal.

      Gilliam, well who could have predicted his weird year? I guess he was better in the last two games???? Still got some hopes for him, but yes we all though Ifedi would be a tackle. Still not sure if he should be at right tackle, but he should be able to play guard if he could just pick up the stunts. Does fine when he knows the play and nothing unexpected happens.

      anyway, good post.

      • Rob Staton

        I don’t want to go over old ground again — but how did the Seahawks screw up in the draft at the tackle position?

        Which great tackle have they passed on?

        • teejmo

          You could have possibly made an argument for Terron Armstead (2013, 3rd round) before this year… but considering he came out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, it was arguably surprising he went that early, even if he did blow up the combine.

          Just playing devil’s advocate.

          • Rob Staton

            Passing on a third round tackle from Arkansas-Pine Bluff that you would’ve had to take in R2 who ended up being pretty good isn’t ‘screwing up the draft’ though is it?

            • teejmo

              Haha, no, it isn’t. If that was the criteria, then thirty other teams also screwed up. That’s just the best possible candidate for “offensive tackle Seattle passed on ” that I could think of. Further possible evidence for that would be how bad the Seahawks’ draft class ended up that year, but again, a third round lottery ticket can’t break a draft. Like I said, just playing devil’s advocate.

              • JUJUS

                the biggest draft mistake was 2015 where we picked Terry poole in the 4th rather than Grady Jarett IMO.

    • Rob Staton

      I suspect we’ll see a tackle added, with a degree of aggression, in the off-season. Might be some kind of trade. But I think one will be added for the reasons you offered.

      That said, I also think it’ll be one tackle (and if there is a second, it’ll be a cost-effective veteran for competitions sake). They seem to have faith in George Fant and Gilliam probably stays on a RFA tender. Odhiambo can compete too. So I think we’ll see competition among 4-5 players for the two tackle spots.

      • Hawks22Fun

        If we got a RT in FA that would be solved for a while…

        Why do you think Odhiambho wasn’t allowed to play. He has 2 years of LT college experience, and they played an 8th grade TE???!!??

        My point being, they are either over thinking it, over analyzing it, or they FAILED again on drafting an O Lineman…

        I feel an arrogance in Cable/Pete. Instead of letting Glowinski STAY at RG like 2015, they MOVE him to a new spot, LG. The draft a 1st round RT, andmake him play RG…which he hadn’t done in over 2 years!

        Then they play Fant, an 8th grade TE at LT, when they drafted a LT with years experience. Is FEELS to me they are not trusting the players and their experience enough…they have made everyone start over, and ONLY Britt excelled at it! All other 4 were Mediocre…

        This scares me…Pete and the coaches are ‘forcing and reaching’ to me, and the fact they started the ‘Kearsed One’ in front of Tyler Lockett is ABSURD…

        • Rob Staton

          He was hurt going into the draft. Did a workout for Cable but wasn’t at the combine and had no good testing. That might’ve set him back all season.

          • Hawks22Fun

            It just seems if Reese was hurt early, he would have healed up…

            …and when he did play LT, he was Solid. RG, not so much…

            Perhaps healing 100% and going into year 2 that do trust him at LT..?!

            Do you trust him their at LT?

            • Volume12

              He was coming off a broken ankle and adjusting to the NFL.

            • Redhawk87

              I really hope that they have Odhiambo seriously compete at LT. He actually did decent there against the Panthers; he just failed horribly at RG. They tried to have him be the backup across the line, but I don’t think he can adequately do that job.
              I think that for the left side of the line, they’re probably not going to do anything: Fant, Odhiambo, and Glowinski are all going to be on the left side (but there may be some swapping in starting order). Britt obviously will stay, and I think they’re going to stay with Hunt as backup. Only Ifedi is a lock for the right side, so I see that they have to grab a starting quality RT (or RG if they move Ifedi to RT) in FA and draft a backup for the right side of the line. They won’t go into the draft with not all starting positions at least initially covered.

      • Austin Hall

        It seems like Okung is a likely cap casualty. Would be an decent option for a fair price, which he hopefully has more perspective on his worth now, and after his hypothetical cap casualty cut.

        • Rob Staton

          I suspect that ship has sailed.

          • Austin Hall

            I’ve never been an Okung fanboy, but I’m not aware of any irreconcilable ill will between the Hawks FO and Okung. He could be a consolation prize if they’re unable to trade for or sign a preferable UFA. Maybe they’re content with the Fant vs. Odhiambo competition at LT. Adding Okung to the competition would be interesting though. Certainly within the realm of possibility.

        • pqlqi

          I think the problem with Okung is he wasn’t always healthy (not his fault), when he was healthy he wasn’t very good, and he wasn’t getting any better. Now he’s another year older than when they let him walk, and not any better.

      • RWIII

        The Hawks will probably sign at least one tackle in free agency. They will also take at least one one tackle in the draft.

        • Greg Haugsven

          I’d take him back in a Second. Good continuity, he’s not too old, wouldn’t break the bank. Just don’t know if that bridge is burned

  8. Nathan_12thMan

    I know it is part of the process but it really ticks me off to read weeks if not months of hype on certain players, mock them to us, watch their tape, get excited, then come the Senior Bowl and soon the combine and they are all going top 20 and likely way out of our reach (talking about Bolles, Reddick, Njoku, etc). It isn’t your fault at all, but it is none the less, annoying.

    In regards to the mock, assuming there isn’t anywhere there at 26 that they love (that possibly slipped through the cracks) then trading back is absolutely attractive (as annoying as sitting through Day 1 of the draft only for the Hawks to move down and out of it is).

    It would be great if someone like Shalom Luani could last till the 3rd round. I still really want us to get a safety (this class is too deep to not grab one) and I’d rather it not be a lower round one unless the FO loves the guy and sees something the rest of the NFL doesn’t.

    Whether or not we grab a linebacker depends entirely on if we want to play more base defense and if that linebacker can rush the passer at all or not. If we are talking about a straight up Mike Morgan replacement then consider a R2 pick spent on a LB unappealing. But if we are trying to get a SAM linebacker (Irvin type) then I get it.

    Besides that, we really gotta get a high quality CB (like Kevin King) who has a really good chance of winning the open starting CB job. Assuming the FO doesn’t love and think highly of one of the CBs already on the roster.

    The difficult part is where do we grab a offensive linemen? Obviously OL is the biggest need on our roster but at the same time I can see this FO sticking with what we got in the hopes of development and continuity leading to higher quality play. Even so, I am tired of seeing our Def look…how it has looked. I want a corner, I want a safety, I want a linebacker, I want a defensive linemen (unless we sign Campbell). On offense we could clearly use a WR but I’m so “meh” about that right now. We need a TE because I believe Luke is gone. We could use a RB but TBH going into camp with Rawls, Prosise, Collins, Pope, J. D. McKissic. Cottom and Reece feels pretty good.

    All in all we have some needs on Off but it’s just so difficult to think positively about our offense as long as our OL is as scary as it is. And if our OL was to somehow play well (miracle) I believe Russ could slaughter defenses even with Kearse, Lawler, McEvoy, Vannett & Kasen Williams on the 53. Obviously him having Doug, Tyler, Paul, Jimmy & Prosise means it would be a blood bath. But I refuse to bet that our OL will improve much. I just can’t get myself to be optimistic anymore. My refusal to slit my wrists due to our OL is thanks only because of the play of Britt. He is proof that there is the potential for light at the end of this dark, scary tunnel. (The scary thing is we could totally improve the OL & have a defense heavy draft class but that would require us to pay offensive linemen in FA, and I just don’t believe it will happen).

  9. Adog

    I see the draft going this way…everyone freaks out because the Seahawks do not take a offensive lineman until the 5 th round. They got their guys…and they will develop them. Where I expect the Seahawks to draft is on the other side of the ball. I expect two out of the first five picks will be on the interior defensive line. They need depth there badly…they will look to improve upon Rubin and McDaniel.

    • Rob Staton

      Let’s not forget though that we’re only a year removed from PC proclaiming Rubin is the best three technique he’s had in Seattle (just before they re-signed him) and McDaniel was often talked about as an unsung hero during the season.

      I’m a big advocate of SEA finding more interior rush — but Carroll’s defense appears to place a higher value on gap control, discipline and effective run defense. The guys they have continue to excel there. What they’ve lacked is that complimentary 6.5 sack guy who can come in for the money downs. Going into this season they probably hoped Jordan Hill or Quinton Jefferson could do that and both got injured. So we’ll see how they approach it this year — because they need that guy and it’s unlikely they put all their faith in Jefferson returning.

      Could see a veteran FA coming in, perhaps not a household name.

    • BobbyK

      Rubin isn’t going anywhere this off-season. He’s set at 3-tech whether we like it or not (I’m perfectly fine with it). Reed is going to be just fine in his sophomore campaign. We’ve got two guys who can stuff the run on early downs. That’s what we need. Bennett and Clark stuff the run on the outside. Nobody stuffs it like Wagner from the middle. Our run D looks awesome. Clark and Bennett can both rush from the inside on money downs.

      But a wild card is Jefferson. Carroll talked about him being a slippery guy who can get skinny like Bennett last year. He simply got hurt, but he could be a guy who may make a huge difference on third downs in 2017. He is our 4th round pick this upcoming draft (that’s why we don’t have a 4th rounder).

      That would allow Clark or Bennett to stay outside on passing situations. With that being said, if a Reddick could still be around to rush from the outside on passing downs… that would be awesome. I’d rather have a SAM who can rush the passer in round one. If it’s strictly a SAM we draft, I’d prefer it be in the second or third. I just don’t want to see Marsh on the field very often in important passing situations. It’s almost like rushing three guys with four players. I’m fine with him on the field in run downs though.

      If Reddick isn’t there, I’d rather go with Baker or a CB like King. Thankfully, that second round pick is going to be still there to get another good, young defender.

      If you think about it, of their 5 picks in the top three rounds last year… 4 were offensive players. Young offensive guys almost always take longer to develop than young defensive players (and our one draft pick on defense was a DT… who takes longer to develop than most other defenders). So if we go with 3 defenders in the first three rounds (4 picks, probably), we may see that infusion of contributing youth that we want/need so badly to help the core.

      • BobbyK

        Atlanta got a nice infusion of youth with Neal and Jones last year. We should be able to get a couple of defenders (LB and DB) who can contribute in the first two rounds next year, too. As good/great as the core is… that (talented) youth would be huge.

        • Adog

          Some of the biggest plays in the super bowl are being made by the interior rushers…Grady Jarrett for the Falcons, and flowers for New England. How many times did we watch Ryan step into a clean pocket and burn the seahawk d?

      • WALL UP

        What about Avril? I see Avril & Clark on the edge for pass rushers. That would leave out a Sam on the edge to rush. Perhaps as a blitzer? There greatest need for rushes is up the middle to help Bennett.

      • C-Dog

        I tend to think there is legit hopes for Jefferson being a bigger pass rush contributor this year. When they released Jordan Hill, Carroll said it was because Q Jeff beat him out. I think they also might have some hopes on Garrison Smith coming back, but I agree with Rob that they aren’t going to pin all hopes on Q Jeff, and they will look to add in FA or the draft.

  10. Jorel

    Budda. I want him with our #26 pick if he was available.

    • BobbyK

      I don’t think anyone would complain if the pick was him.

    • BHarKnows

      Even better if you can trade down and still land him PLUS another guy who can come in and add to the defense

  11. Ishmael

    Ugh, why are Buck and Aikman doing the Super Bowl?

    This is a great mock though, especially like the trade down for the Hawks. The Chiefs should be over the moon to get Watson, I personally think the Browns are mad if they don’t have a swing at him – he’s a leader.

    Free agent thought, Ty Nsekhe anyone? He’s 31, but comfortably better than either Gilliam or Fant. McLaughlen seems to stilll have a pretty good relationship with the Hawks, so might be able to get something done. Say we get a tackle in FA, then stock up on defence in the draft… We’ll still need everyone to stay healthy, but could be enough to push the Hawks over the top.

    • Volume12

      Fox needs to go w/ Charles Davis and Spencer what’s his name as the lead broadcast teams. Those 2 are tbe best duo in the biz.

      • Sea Mode

        +1

  12. Ishmael

    Think the Pats win this 27-22, but in a pretty comfortable ball-control way. But I would really, really, like to see Atlanta demolish them, with Jones going for like 350 yards and leaving Brady and the Deflategate truthers crying into their Trump caps.

  13. Ground_Hawk

    Great post Rob, especially since it seems realistic! Earlier today I was looking at similar trades, but I liked the potential of Seattle trading their 1st (26) to Minnesota, for the Vikings natural 2nd (pick 47 or 48), 3rd (pick 78/80) and 4th (pick between 115-120 perhaps?).

    • Ground_Hawk

      I think the Vikings jump ahead of the Chiefs, and draft QB Watson at 26. I’m not confident that Bradford can lead Minnesota deep into the playoffs, and it’s sounding like Bridgewater might have to retire (that’s what I heard on the radio, but I hope not, because Teddy B. was looking like a rising star).

      • Rob Staton

        Minnesota would have to trade up 20 spots for that type of deal. Considering they’ve already spent two first round picks on Bradford and Bridgewater, I think they’ve made their bed at that position.

      • Ishmael

        Bradford was actually really good last season, just dealt with absolute trash all around him. Cian Fahey did some good work analysing his play, he’s far from the biggest problem with the Vikings.

        • HI Hawk

          No, Bradford started very well and faded back into Bradford by mid-season. He is a below average QB in the NFL, he has proven it time and again.

    • Rob Staton

      After making such a significant move for Sam Bradford only a few months ago, I’d be surprised if Minnesota was willing to trade nearly all of its draft for another QB.

      Their draft class for this year would essentially be: Sam Bradford, Rookie QB.

      I think they’re more likely to try and build up the O-line and draft a replacement for Adrian Peterson.

      • Ground_Hawk

        With their first pick being near the middle of round 2, they might be willing to move up that far if they want back into the 1st round action. Minnesota is also receiving Miami’s 3rd and 4th round picks, so they will have some ammo left. It’s a possibility. Cheers!

  14. LLLOGOSSS

    I go back and forth between Douglas and King.

    Rob, what kind of range could we see for these two in draft position? I’ve heard anything from 1st to 4th round for them. It always depends on who Seattle thinks is “their guy,” and they won’t hesitate to take him “early,” but is there a scenario where we could get both, or wait on one? Is Douglas a 1st-2nd rounder to other clubs, or could he — or possibly King — slip?

    Here’s how I see it, correct me if I’m wrong: I think King is a borderline 1st-rounder, and I think other teams (currently) might view Douglas as a 2nd or 3rd. In terms of value I’d be very happy with Douglas at #51 if at all possible (am I right to assume King will not be there?). He seems to have that hawkiness about him, and could potentially start right away. King tends to profile as a more elite athlete, but Douglas has the production and tenacity.

    If we can get Douglas with our second pick, I’d prefer to use our first pick for another need. Problem is I don’t see many players I consider fits in that range. You brought up a very good point in a comment the other day about wanting to know how the Seahawks really feel about being in nickel — do they want to run a hybrid player out there consistently, or do they want want to stay in base with an athletic LB? Personally, I don’t get Melifonwu. He’s Kam-light, and you’d have to invent a position for him. Not enamored with his cover skills in zone, and I have nothing to go on with him as a press-corner, to me he’s a downhill player. Baker is the type of athlete that should go in the 1st round, so I could see possibly taking the upside, but again, you’d have to stretch the playbook to get him on the field.

    I’d prefer an OT, LB, or DT worthy of being picked that high. Does that player exist though… unsure that Davis is a SAM; does he show elite athleticism? The draw to Reddick was he could stay on the field in multiple ways, and excel at different things. Davis seems like a much more traditional player; is he someone who would stay on the field on passing downs? I’d love to hear more about Dorian Johnson, sounds like he might be a riser. I’m open to being persuaded there… but again, it’s more about matching a need with a player worthy of the pick.

    Are there no DT’s with elite athleticism that might be considerations in the early-second round?

    For now I’ll say:

    #33: Bowser
    #51: Douglas

    Or,

    #33: King
    #51: Douglas

    Lane will likel be phased out in 2018, Shead has a long recovery and will be a UFA in 2018, and we know how much this team has benefitted in the past from extreme depth at CB.

    What do you think?

    • Rob Staton

      It’s hard to say and here’s why — another WVU cornerback Darryl Worley was almost the exact same size as Rasul Douglas, ran a 4.4 at the combine and had six interceptions in 2015. In terms of physical profile and production — Worley is at least the match of Douglas. And yet he was a mid-third round pick.

      I’ve watched Douglas and thought he could go top-50 if he runs in the 4.4’s. And yet I remember feeling the same way about Worley and he goes R3. So for now, it’s difficult to project. It really comes down to how badly you want the player. In a good CB draft, Douglas could last longer than people expect.

      King’s stock will depend on his combine workout. There aren’t many 6-3, 195lbs cornerbacks. If he can match his 2016 Husky combine and run what would be a combine-best-ever three-cone, jump a 39-inch vert and a 10-10 broad he could go in round one even with a 4.58. That would be a freaky physical profile, just minus the long speed.

      If he doesn’t manage to test as well, he’s probably still a top-60 pick. There’s a reason he’s being talked about as a fringe R1. A lot gets said about his speed, but he’s sticky in coverage.

      • LLLOGOSSS

        Curious, have you kept up with how has Worley performed so far in the NFL? I have no idea.

        • HI Hawk

          Worley progressed nicely as the season went along. He had some rookie moments – most of which were early in the year, but he was the best DB in Carolina by mid-season and significantly outperformed their 2nd round pick James Bradbury.

    • Ishmael

      DTs with elite athleticism tend to go top-15, they’re a pretty rare beast.

      • LLLOGOSSS

        Understood, I guess I was thinking about maybe someone with limited technique or other concerns that might push him down the board. I’m thinking like Frank Clark a couple years ago; granted he had the DV thing which you don’t always want to revisits, but he wasn’t being touted as a 1st rounder by many people regardless. They said his tape was average, and yet, he did possess that elite athleticism.

        Seahawks are great at finding those guys that simply need coaching.

        • Volume12

          His tape was anything but average.

          DEs are only going to win about 5-7 snaps a game. Anything more than that and your talking dominant. Or just flat-out bad O-line play.

          • LLLOGOSSS

            That’s not what I heard, even after the selection. Not that I agree with it or not (I don’t know, personally), but I distinctly remember “experts” doubting his tape, and citing that he wasn’t a 1st-rounder on many boards regardless of the DV.

        • Ishmael

          Clark was a DE though, like Mario Edwards and Chris Jones, even Rasheed Hageman. They’re guys who can kick inside, but they’re not true DTs. Those guys will slip, but dudes like Donald, McCoy, Atkins, Suh, the real game wreckers, they go early.

          There’s no real answer unfortunately. I think the best thing the Hawks can do is add a penetrating one-gap kinda guy, bit like what Atlanta did with Grady Jarrett. Probably won’t hold up too well against the run, but can do some damage. Maybe that’s what they thought they were getting with Jefferson though?

          • LLLOGOSSS

            I was pretty disappointed we didn’t go after Jarrett, especially after Rob highlighted him. Didn’t he last awhile? Seems like a mistake.

            • LLLOGOSSS

              Aaaaaaand as he ties the record for sacks in a super bowl, it looks even more like a mistake

              • JUJUS

                yes we picked terry poole when Jarett was still on the board FML.

  15. Hawks22Fun

    The Patriots just got a super NO CALL on Atlantas 3rd down…the DB just tackles a WR, NO PENALTY!!!

    • BobbyK

      On the flip side, the Falcons could have gotten 15 yards for that hit out of bounds they did not call on Edelman. That was close.

  16. JT

    We see you Deion Jones

    • Volume12

      Yes we do. They found their Bobby Wagner.

      • Ishmael

        He can fly that boy. Pats should have been running it down Atlanta’s throat early.

  17. Scraps

    I don’t think Alex Smith is incapable of winning a Super Bowl; he’s a good quarterback heading up a good team, and that’s not enough. Joe Flacco and Eli Manning, not to mention Brad Johnson or Trent Dilfer, didn’t have a magic touch that enabled them to win the Super Bowl, and while lots of fans probably believe Alex Smith is incapable, most professionals (I think) are different. Kansas City could just be a piece here and there from winning.

    Now, if somebody offered the Chiefs a good deal, or a good quarterback that they liked got left on their pick, that’d be one thing; but I don’t think they would be anxious for a quarterback this year.

    Of course, I’m just a fan; I Could Be Wrong.

    • Rob Staton

      Something else to consider though — Smith is 33 in May and his cap hit is $17m in 2017 and $20.6m in 2018. And this is a Chiefs team in major cap trouble. He might be cut in a few weeks. Apparently they’re interested in Romo.

      Chances are they’re moving on after 2018 anyway, so preparing for the future now wouldn’t be a bad move. It’s not like they’ll be picking early in R1 any time soon.

      • Scraps

        Okay, I can see that.

  18. swisshawk

    This atlanta d looks a lot like the hawks d in 2013, hungry, agressiv and faster as anyone else, wow… Just amazing what coach quin built up in only 2 years!

  19. RWIII

    Seattle NEEDS to get Younger on defense. At every position. They need to get Younger at linebacker, secondary, and their defensive line.

    • BobbyK

      I think Reed and Jefferson are allowing them to get younger on the DL next year. Reed will be a key cog in his second year. Rookie DTs rarely come in and play at a high level. Reed is going to be a stud. I’m not worried about him one bit (at least in terms of stuffing the run). Jefferson is a wild card.

      • RWIII

        Bobby agree. However, Cliff Avril is 30 and Micheal Bennett is 31. They are playing great but they won’t play forever. Plus even with a healthy Avril, Bennett and Frank Clark the Hawks could use another pass rusher. Maybe that guy is Quinton Jefferson. Maybe. Maybe not. Don’t know.

    • Volume12

      They’re still relatively young at LB. Wright and Wagner are in their prime years.

      Atlanta’s D-line ain’t young. They got 2 10+ year vets out there still being an assert.

      • Hawks22Fun

        I wanted Deion Jones last year… Imagine if his speed was in Seattle!

        • Volume12

          Your not the only one who did. So many people thought he wouldn’t hold up in the NFL.

          The days of having 250 lb LBers is close to over. If you can find those guys, great, even better, but they aren’t needed at all 3 to 4 spots anymore.

        • Ishmael

          He’s heaps of fun, but where would he have played? No room for him in Seattle unfortunately.

          • Volume12

            And where is Cunningham going to play?

            • Ishmael

              Exactly. I don’t really see the point of him in Seattle. He’s a very ordinary tackler, and he doesn’t fill a hole that’s missing. He doesn’t look like a SAM, and doesn’t seem like he’s going to get a lot of push off the edge. He’s going to be a really good player for someone,

              IMO we either need someone to fill the Irvin role, if we want to get back to base, or we need a really strong nickel corner/chess piece if we want to play more nickel. At the moment I like a trade down and then taking whoever drops out of King/Budda/Melifonwu, maybe even Bowser.

    • Cameron

      Bobby Wagner is 26, KJ is 27. Hardly old. Earl Thomas is 27 (!!!) Richard Sherman is 28. These guys aren’t all that old. The oldest guys are Cliff, Michael Bennett and Kam. Those are the guys I’m starting find hedges for in this draft although you could argue we have our next Mike Bennett in Frank Clark.

      • Rob Staton

        Also worth noting they found Bennett and Avril in FA… could be the route they eventually go to replace MB and CA.

        • LLLOGOSSS

          Both being extremely underrated at that time, though. I’d like to think the team was just that much more privy than the rest, but Pete has admitted they were both better than they expected.

  20. BobbyK

    The Falcons got Neal and Jones in the first two rounds last year. We can do the same thing this off-season with a DB and LB in the first two rounds.

    Sure, they already had some good/great building blocks, but those two picks really helped put them on the top defensively. But we have Clark, Bennett, Wagner, Wright, Sherman, ET, Kam… so our pieces are pretty incredible, too.

    The way things are going, the Seahawks may have given the Falcons their toughest playoff test this year. That NFC South looks pretty good moving forward (Carolina was 15-1 just last year and the Bucs are up and coming).

    • Hawks22Fun

      I did the research. Carolina was bad this year, why?

      Because they were average LAST year!

      They only played 1 team, ONE, with a winning record ALL YEAR!!!
      (At the time they played them)

      Mediocre Schedule, Mediocre Team…

  21. Ishmael

    Atlanta are so grabby in the secondary, makes me appreciate how disciplined our corners are.

  22. Volume12

    OK. These flags are getting shady man.

    Only on 3rd down? Come on!

  23. Volume12

    Ballgame!

    Sit down NE.

  24. Ishmael

    Nah, I love a good Pats conspiracy theory but these have just been stupid. That last one he was on the Pats players jersey like he was waterskiing. Young guys getting handsy under pressure.

    WOW! Great pick!! 80 yard pick six!

  25. Hawks22Fun

    The NFL with its need for ratings and using the REFS to equalize games??? #SHITcallsOverAndOver

    INSTANT KARMA baby

    21-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  26. Ishmael

    That’s a really good play from Bennett, he’s an excellent player.

    Atlanta are getting to Brady, and his feet are starting to get hot. Getting pressure with four is such a gamechanger, Quinn has done an amazing job with this group. Speed kills.

  27. Hawks22Fun

    I bet some teams are happy they didn’t hire Josh-e-Boy McDaniels!

    3 points in the first half of a SB! HAHA

  28. Elliott Atkinson

    The similarities to the 2013 Super Bowl are pretty shocking.

    • Trevor

      Yep it is like instant replay! I thought the exact same thing.

      • Volume12

        I think we have the 4th best odds of winning or making the SB next year according to Vegas. But, I’m not 💯 on that. And this is before FA and the draft.

        • Volume12

          I still beleive that Seattle is their own worst enemy. They only get beat when they shoot themselves in the foot.

      • Hawk Eye

        was thinking that also, hope it ends the same way.
        I have great respect for Bellichek, but hate Brady and their fan base

  29. Trevor

    Absolutely love both the Mock and trade Rob!

    If they did this and went Obi and King wow! LOB reborn. In today’s NFL that would be the biggest and most athletic secondary in the league. They could physically matchup against the big WR and tight ends that give most yams trouble.

    I still think they could get a really high quality LB in round #3 with the depth in this draft.

  30. TJ

    Slightly off topic… congrats to Kenny Easley. Great to see another Hawk get into the HOF. Five years ago there was only one, now there’s about to be four.

  31. Totem_Hawk

    I like this mock with the Cleveland trading up scenario. Interesting twist.
    Gotta think Seahawks go with a DB with their 1st pick and a LB 2nd.

  32. Matt

    The scary part of this game is how much the Seahawks need to improve if they want to beat ATL in the future. ATL is otherworldly on offense.

    • Matt

      And their defense looks like it has serious potential once some young guys mature.

    • Ishmael

      Good thing Shanahan is leaving then. All great offences come back down to earth eventually, and even today the offense hasn’t been anything like what it was in the last couple of weeks.

      • Matt

        They have the QB, OL, and all the weapons. They will take a step back, but overall they might be better next year because the defense will grow.

        Seahawks have to completely nail this offseason.

    • HI Hawk

      This otherworldly offense was held in check in Seattle. This Falcons offense scored on two blown coverages and their third biggest play was a missed tackle on a 7 yard pass to a RB. They had one good quarter, but even then, were held to less points and yards than their average by a wide margin.

      The Falcons offense is very good, but a healthy Earl Thomas and a recommitment to the running game makes Seattle the superior TEAM. I don’t fear any team in the NFL. Seattle’s overall talent is still superior, in my opinion.

  33. Ishmael

    Great drive. I love their running game so much. Those big dragging outside zone runs are awesome, the way they keep rolling Freeman and Coleman through… Bam there we go, Coleman leaking out into the flat. Matchup nightmare.

    I think Prosise comps pretty well to Coleman, and I reckon that’s exactly the role the Hawks envisaged for him. If Rawls and Prosise can stay healthy, which is a huge if, we could be looking at something similar.

  34. Volume12

    Anyone else find it interesting that out of the reported players Seattle had formal interviews with at the SR bowl, all of them but Obi are older prospects?

    Antonio Garcia is gonna be 24. Carroll Phillips is 23-24. Issac Asiata is 23-24. Carlos Watkins is a 5 year SR (23?).

    If you can get 5 good years out of a rookie on that 1st deal, age isn’t a huge factor. Most careers are so short anyways. They’ll always draft one or two guys like this almost every year.

    • Hawk Eye

      in theory, you can get an older rookie below their draft value because they are older.
      I agree on the 4 or 5 years being more important than having them for 10-15 years. That only counts for qb and a few key players, which the Hawks already have

    • Matt

      IMO, age is a huge factor, especially when evaluating players that play on the OL/DL.

      I’d love to see a study on the success rate of older prospects at these positions. My hunch is that it’s very low as they have a big physical advantage in college and none in the NFL.

      24 year old playing 18-21 year olds is a massive advantage, physically and I don’t mean weight room strength. I mean just physical maturity.

      • Hawk Eye

        good point, did not consider that

        • Matt

          I don’t know if it’s right, but it just seems like a common sense thing to me.

          I’m sure many will dispute it, but I do think it’s something to consider.

      • Volume12

        Age is way overrated on the D-line.

        • Matt

          It’s overrated once in the NFL.

          It’s most certainly not overrated when evaluating a player based on playing opposition that is 2-5 years younger.

          Again, I’m not saying it’s a disqualifier, but I think it makes the evaluation process much more difficult.

          • HI Hawk

            Using your reasoning, getting a 21 year old OL makes no sense since it won’t be until year 3 (his second to last year under contract, at age 24) that you get his full potential. If you believe young players (sub-23) are not developed yet, why would you try and match one up against Calais Campbell? A 24 year old, who’s already matured makes more sense if you’re just considering their rookie contracts.

            • Matt

              Ok…some of you are not getting the point at all. The reasoning doesn’t make sense when you think about it like that, which is not my point.

              This is 100% about evaluation/scouting and nothing to do about once in the NFL. Simply put; is the OL/DL performing at a high level in college because of skill OR physical maturity aka simply being that much older than the competition?

              Being older is not a disqualifier. IMO, it simply makes the evaluation process that much more difficult. If you don’t think a 24 year old competing against a 20 year old has a big advantage, then I don’t know what else to say. If a front office determines/believes the performance is based on skill and can translate; then yes, age doesn’t matter here. This is all about evaluation and nothing about age in the NFL.

              Does this make sense now? If there’s a 27 year old Left Tackle in the draft who can play because he can play, and not because he dominated young adults 7 years younger; then I don’t care about his age.

            • Matt

              I get where you are trying to go with that, but what I’m talking about is a 21 and 24 year old of similar college performance. Both guys are going to physically struggle against Calais. But if all you have to go on is performance against 20 year olds, this is where it gets tough to evaluate who is truly better and I don’t think you can ignore the age factor in this equation.

    • C-Dog

      I find it interesting that they were interviewing DT Carlos Watkins, though, and a couple O-liners.

  35. Hawk Eye

    Falcons playing with the Pats.
    Love it, hate them.
    Pats D was way over rated, best scoring defense, but only played one good qb all year, Russell, who beat them.
    Men lie, women lie and statistics lie.

  36. Ishmael

    Who do we like as MVP?

    Deion Jones has to go close, maybe Mack, maybe Freeman? Although Ryan only has two incompletions, and one of them got flagged for pass interference.

    • Hawk Eye

      Alford has pic 6 and fumble recovery, couple deflections
      he might Malcom Smith it

      • Ishmael

        That’s a good shout actually, didn’t think about him. Probably has enough splash plays to get him over the line.

        • Elliott Atkinson

          It will go to Matt Ryan.

    • Misfit74

      Ryan’s 158.3 (perfect) passes rating through 3 QTRs should go a long way if they hold on and win.

      • LLLOGOSSS

        Ryan or Jarrett…

  37. Hawk Eye

    NE “Haushed” the extra point.

  38. Ishmael

    Falcons getting tired and sloppy. Some very lazy tackling. Not over yet.

    • Hawk Eye

      Falcons need 1 more score to put this away

  39. Hawk Eye

    Grady Jarrett
    3 sacks, interior pressure
    would be nice to have

    • LLLOGOSSS

      Yep. What round did he slip, to again? Really wanted us to nab him…

    • Nathan

      5th round.

      • LLLOGOSSS

        That is criminal.

  40. Elliott Atkinson

    Atlanta is CHOKING

    • Ishmael

      They’re not choking, they’re exhausted.

      And like Simon in ’14, Collins really isn’t up to covering anyone in the slot. They’ve done him twice in the end zone.

      • Ishmael

        Okay now they’re choking haha

        • Volume12

          Shannahan is shi**ing the bed like he usually does.

          • Ishmael

            Disgusting. How do you give away a lead like that?

            • Volume12

              Calling plays with 13-15 seconds on the play clock is just stupid.

              • Volume12

                This is why I don’t get it when people get upset that Sherm doesn’t follow the other teams best receivers around. You telegraph your defense pre-snap.

                • Volume12

                  Atlanta has done this the whole 2nd half. Not having Trufant came back to bite them.

                • HI Hawk

                  It’s not hard to hide it though, just have Alford follow Edelman on EVERY snap – whether it’s zone or man. Or run man occasionally with someone else on Edelman. The Seahawks swapped Sherman with Jones/Bryant/etc, but kept him outside (never in the slot) on every play whether zone or man, so they did not tip to the offense like Atlanta did.

  41. WALL UP

    MATT gave a good suggestion for a RFA OT – http://redskinscapitalconnection.com/worried-about-ty-nsekhe-you-shouldnt-be/

  42. Volume12

    Julio is a freak!

  43. Ishmael

    Julio is the BEST!

    Best receiver in the NFL bar none. Brown, Beckham, Green, Dez, all those guys can fight for seconds. That was absolutely ridiculous.

    • Volume12

      What a catch by Edelman. Whoa!

  44. Volume12

    Shaq Mason is getting worked! A 6’1 guard?

    • nichansen01

      wow i didn’t realize he was that short.

  45. Ishmael

    Collins has been brutally exposed tonight. Given up so many first downs, along with the two TDs.

    Man, I hate the Pats so much.

  46. Elliott Atkinson

    WOW

  47. Ishmael

    Disgusting. It’ll be absolutely sickening if the white nationalists win again.

    • Volume12

      I hate ’em too, but Brady is unreal.

      • Ishmael

        Sure. My issues with him are personal rather than football. He’s a machine.

        • Volume12

          I figured as much. I know you respect his game. We’re on the same wave length here. I feel the same way.

          • LLLOGOSSS

            Yep.

  48. vrtkolman

    Dan Quinn must hate the Patriots. This could be a franchise crippling loss to a team with a bright future, much like Seattle’s 2014 loss.

    • Kenny Sloth

      Lmaao

      ‘crippling’

      • Del tre

        I dont know why youre laughing, this has a chance to completely ruin that teams confidence and chemistry. The Seahawks are still fighting over the end of sb 49 and PC is a master of controlling his locker room. Atlanta blew one of the biggest leads in nfl history in the superbowl, it doesn’t get worse than that.

        • Kenny Sloth

          Because it’s absolutely ridiculous and knee jerk to suppose a single loss can have drastic effects on a franchise.

          The Bills lost like four in a row. Did that cause OJ’s scandal? Did that give Jim Kelly cancer?

          The Broncos recently got blown out and came back to win it the next year. With a certainly worse team.

          • Del tre

            I mean the bills haven’t won the superbowl or made the playoffa lately, we are talking about football not what happened with the players personally lives. And why bring up the 2013 Broncos? The 2013 Broncos weren’t just a better team than the Falcons but they didn’t go up 28-3 and then choke it away by not being able to make the play when they needed to, the got smoked in the superbowl and completely changed their team into a defensive juggernaut. I’m willing to bet this loss is a huge problem going forward. After Julios big catch they could have taken a knee 3 times and probably won, people aren’t going to trust the coaching staff as much its going to be a big problem

            • Kenny Sloth

              A super bowl loss is not a good indicator of futire failure.

              To suggest a very successful Seahawks side is struggling because of their superbowl loss is not only falacious in premise but illogical in reasoning

            • Kenny Sloth

              I bring up Denver because they recently were the number one offense beaten by the number one defense in the super bowl

  49. Volume12

    Give me Darrell Befell and PC over DQ and Shannahan every day of the week.

    • Volume12

      *Bevell

      • Ishmael

        Mmm PC > Quinn, Shananhan > Bevell.

        PC will go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, defensive coaches of all time. Atlanta’s defence have had to play too much tonight, like the Hawks against Arizona. The offence haven’t held up their end of the bargain.

        Ugh the Pats are going to win this. One of the all time metdowns. This will haunt Atlanta for decades.

        • Volume12

          I’m sorry Shannan is overrated.

          • Ishmael

            I think he choked tonight, but their offence has been extraordinary this year. I’d love to see Bevell work some of their concepts into our offence, their stretch run plays have been a thing of beauty. The RPO stuff with Coleman and Freeman has been magic as well.

            Didn’t deliver when it mattered though, the Whiners are welcome to him.

            • Volume12

              He did have a great year. He just always seem to falter. ?

              Run the ball twice. Even if you get 0 yards, FG. And the game is over.

              • Ed

                Yes and no. Ryan should know to get the rid of the ball. Terrible decision by him to take that sack.

                • HI Hawk

                  Two runs also forces the Pats to burn timeouts or burns clock. Take the no risk approach, Bryant is over 90% from that range. Game over.

              • Ishmael

                That’s the risk you take with a young coach right? A guy like Shanahan, hasn’t been there, pressure starts mounting, decision making starts going to pieces. Doesn’t mean he’s a bad coach, means he needs someone experienced, or a numbers guy, someone he’ll listen to, who can get in his ear at the crucial moments and get that sort of thing to him.

                • Volume12

                  Yes, not a bad coach by any means.

                  Bevell would’ve ran the ball with an 18 point lead. Even if they banged their heads against a wall. You know as well as I do, we all do, you run to win and throw to score. Atlanta had enough points.

                  • Volume12

                    Actually they didn’t. Jesus.

  50. Elliott Atkinson

    Super Choke!

    • Ishmael

      Yep, you called it.

      Disgraceful from the Falcons. Only thing I’ve even seen come close to that was the All Blacks against France in the ’99 Rugby World Cup. That’s going to haunt Atlanta for a long, long, time. Shanahan should come back and make reparations for this game. They went 1/8 on third downs, 1/8!

      Time of possession: 40:31 to 23:27, no defence is going to be able to hang on against that.

  51. Hawk Eye

    Patriots are great, but Atl choked that away.

    • Volume12

      25 point lead!? There was no grit. Finesse man.

      • Volume12

        NE? That’s grit right there.

    • WALL UP

      It’s a will to win. Pats have it.

  52. negative neil

    The vaunted Falcon offense couldn’t score a point in the 4th qtr and gave up 19 unanswered. Does that move the Seahawk blunder down to number 2 on the Super Bowl list?

  53. Volume12

    That was maybe some of the worst tackling from Atlanta I’ve ever seen. Holy sh*t.

    • Ishmael

      Was incredibly bad. Started after that TD to Coleman. They started playing off, got sloppy, got lazy. I thought they were tired, but they thought they had it in the bag. Could see when they really got tired, got absolutely no push up front.

  54. Ishmael

    How many years in a row now is it that the top ranked defence has won?

    That’s where the Hawks need to focus in this draft.

    • C-Dog

      I think there’s a strong chance that’s what they do.

  55. Ed

    That’s what coaching and adjustments can do for you. BB is the best. Schemes, then can change on the fly. Impressive.

    It’s all you now Rob, get us through the offseason. The motto for the Hawks this year should be

    Be a TEAM, in 2017!!!!

  56. Forrest

    I think Tom Brady just breached god territory…and if he hasn’t then Belichick definitely has…hey, for what it’s worth the Seahawks were the last NFC team to win a Super Bowl, and as long as they are healthy next season and make some good moves in the off-season, then they seem to have a pretty good shot at making it back. I can’t wait for FA and the draft, go Hawks!!

    • Del tre

      If the Hawks can draft 1 or 2 corners that are upgrades over the current starters and a linebacker thats an upgrade over mike morgan late while snagging Calais Campbell in free agency then i think the road to superbowl 52 is a straight and clear shot.

      • LLLOGOSSS

        I love that formula. Above I pitched to Rob that we go King, Douglas, 1-2. Or maybe if Douglas slips go King, Bowser, Douglas (this provided we do the trade with Cleveland). Campbell would be unreal to have on our interior. Then we only need to worry about adding a veteran RT and some S help.

  57. Ground_Hawk

    It has to be gut-wrenching to be an Atlanta fan right now. As painful as it was watching Seattle lose to NE, the Seahawks still managed to fight to the end. The Falcons just rolled over and died.

    • Ishmael

      Spot on. They were just lying there getting kicked.

    • Volume12

      I just can’t get over the fact an NFL team gave up a 25 point lead! Unheard of.

      You knew NE was gonna get some points on the board, but 25 unanswered? Atlanta’s got some work to do. All they need is a TE and RG my a**.

    • AlaskaHawk

      What a crazy game. I got to hand it to new England for persevering and going after the win! Tom Brady is the God of football.

  58. John_s

    Marshawn tweet

    “I kno y I didn’t get the ball now. Yes Lawd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

    http://twitter.com/MoneyLynch/status/828449411202048001

    • Volume12

      Is he saying the game is rigged or…?

      • Vista

        I have no idea what he is saying, but that seems to be the narrative pushed by the people who are responding to the tweet.

        • John

          I wonder how it could have been rigged? Or is he questionnng Quinn’s decision making?

          • Kenny Sloth

            Well James White ran it in pretty well

      • Ground_Hawk

        He might have been taking a shot at PC and Bevell. Aside from the Shadow, who knows what Beastmode is thinking.

  59. Ishmael

    I can’t submit images here can I? But, well, this is everything you need to know about the teams and their fanbases.

    https://twitter.com/seanspicer/status/828444423952416769

    • pob12

      Right, Massachusetts is a noted conservative hotbed.

      Can you please keep politics off this board?

      • Smitty1547

        No Sh&% !

    • New Guy

      It would be more appropriate to post political commentary on some other site.

      .

      • Kenny Sloth

        It really wouldn’t be appropriate on any site.

    • LLLOGOSSS

      I feel ya, Ish.

  60. Rob Staton

    Deion Jones is listed at 6-1, 222lbs.

    Obi Melifonwu is 6-4, 219lbs.

    • Volume12

      Obi is one of the most unique prospects I’ve seen in a long time. Might not be a thumper, but the way that guy moves across the field is a sight to see.

    • Del tre

      Rob if the Hawks trade back like you predict do you think that increases the odds of drafting Obi? I would love to see him at OLB as i think he gives the hawks a base 3 down set. Given your scenario i see the hawks going
      33-Obi
      51-
      Round 3 Rasul Douglas
      Thats a very secondary heavy draft but i could see the Hawks doing

      • Del tre

        Woops my bad! I was going to look up

        • Del tre

          Wow double reply fail i was looking up Carlos Watkins for my round 2 pick, i think Obi as the first pick negates the need for a new slot corner as we can live with Lane and Obi will be particularly adept in coverage. Watkins could give the hawks the 5 or so interior sacks they desperately need and Douglas makes a great CB #2 in the hawks system because A. He comes from a 3-3-5 defense meaning he has to cover longer so he will be fine at forcing coverage sacks B.he has great ball skills so hopefully high volum of passes=lots of picks C. He’s just a seahawky prospect

      • LLLOGOSSS

        I could get behind that. Bowser at #51.

  61. WALL UP

    Speed slows down when fatigued = level playing field. Good rotations will help fight fatigue.

    • LLLOGOSSS

      True, that’s why we were so dominant in 2013 — we could send wave after wave of fresh guys with little talent drop-off.

  62. Volume12

    Was anyone else as shocked as I was that Joe Buck didn’t mention Aaron Rodgers?

  63. Ehurd1021

    I will continue to scream at the top of my lungs the importance of having an interior pass rush. Grady Jarrett is what Seattle used to have with Clinton McDonald – at least in the first half lol. The ability to force Brady off his spot and make him move was crucial to ATL building their lead. Seattle has to establish the interior pass rush once again for the defense to return back 2013-15 form. Even the ability of the Patriots to generate an interior pass rush with 4 was key in the 2nd half – which could be due to flowers stepping up for the Patriots and/or simply Alex Macks broken fibula. Something that has to be addressed along with our secondary and LB (Sam) depth.

    • C-Dog

      I think Jarrett is > than McDonald personally, and would have loved for Seattle to have landed him. I do think Seattle has always looked to have someone on the roster to be that guy, and I think they hoped Quinton Jefferson would have been that guy last year before he was lost to injury. Per Carroll’s own words, Jefferson beat out Jordan Hill for that job. I think they also claimed Garrison Smith off wavers to add there. My hunch is that they will actively seek out that position again in FA and or the draft.

      I think it’s also worth noting that they added another DL coach without subtracting the DL coaches already on the roster. Probably a sign that they are looking more intently to develop within possibly with Reed, Jefferson, Smith and whoever else they bring in.

      • Ehurd1021

        Of course. Jarret is clearly the superior player/talent. What I was speaking to more so was relating to their skill sets and body types; based on their ability to push the pocket and keep a QB off their spot and help the outside and edge pass rush. Quinton Jefferson could be that player but our depth and talent at the position is still lacking and a huge area of concern which is hindering our defense.

        • C-Dog

          It is interesting though that Pete Carroll didn’t list is as an area of concern, at all, that it was corner and LB. In fact, I think he said he was happy with his pass rush.

          I think part of the thing is that in Seattle’s defense, they don’t ask the DT’s to charge up field and disrupt. So I think to a certain degree, based on this gap discipline, fans are always going to feel some dissatisfaction. The DTs do the ugly work so the ends and linebackers can make plays. I think there’s a chance they might look for another inside/out player, or maybe a pass rush nose, but I think they fact that Frank Clark, Michael Bennett can rush inside, and they have Q Jeff and Garrison Smith coming back, along with the further development of Reed, they might feel good there. I think the hiring of Clint Hurtt probably signals they are looking to coach up more there.

          • Ehurd1021

            Seattle is a gap sound defense but the inability to create an interior pass rush on 3rd downs and in our nickel packages has continued to be an issue. Seattle’s defense has adapted to not having an interior pass rush and the benefit of a solid rotation and depth the past two seasons; resulting in the defense blitzing much more from the LB position to generate an interior pass rush on key passing (3rd) downs and in our nickel situations than in previous years. The defense has definitely adjusted, the concern I have is that those adjustments haven’t shown to be too successful IMO and came much more as a result of depth and talent issues along the d-line more so than a growth in Seattle’s defensive scheme.

            As far as Petes comments about our defensive needs I can’t really comment on. I deeply believe our lack of talent and depth at the D-line is much more of a concern than at LB – which needs to be improved as well especially at the SAM position. Maybe the talent is on the roster with Jefferson, Smith, and Hurtt already like you mentioned, only time will tell.

            • C-Dog

              Yeah, I agree with pretty much all this. I do think they look to add there in FA or draft, but like Rob suggested above, likely not a big name player.

            • AlaskaHawk

              But they have made some early to mid round picks at defensive line each year. They have been loading up with Clark and Reed. The defensive line is in better shape than you think – it just isn’t performing the way that the fans want. They do have enough guys for 6-8 man rotation.

              This in contrast to the secondary with a safety hurt, a cornerback hurt, and another cornerback that either needs to step their game up or should be replaced. And there is no one left who is capable of filling their shoes.

              The same could be said at linebacker, I like who the Seahawks have starting, but no decent backup.

              • Volume12

                Keep an eye on DT Terrell McClain.

  64. HOUSE

    Rob,

    Great mock!!! I love the trade scenario and would love to grab Kevin King and Tyus Bowser/Jarrad Davis with those 2 picks. I think King can learn a lot from Sherman. Bowser/Davis could immediately step in and play Mike Morgan’s role. I’d be stoked with these guys!!!

    In regards to the OL, I think a vet (ie Whitworth or Vollmer) comes in to give the line some stopgap presence. I think our OL has the ability to play together, but time will truly tell.

  65. nichansen01

    Wow… New England showed mental toughness, grit and fortitude. Everyone is going to praise Brady but that was a team effort. Those wide receivers who made some rediculous catches (the Edelman catch though), tough as nails offensive line and great performances from the running backs… gritty linebackers and the pass rush grew more ferocious as the game went on. Atlanta was faster and flashier but when the going got tough they crumbled .

    I think this win teaches the Seahawks this: evaluate #1 based on character and toughness over measurables. In the NFL, everyone’s a good athlete. It’s the intangibles that separate the champions from the pretenders.

    • 503CHawk

      You nailed it!

    • AlaskaHawk

      this win teaches the importance of perseverance, of having a good quarterback and sure handed receivers, and adjusting your plays at half time (I’m looking at you Pete Carroll).

  66. John

    Just an observation. I think this was Karma for Quinn. In SB 49 he left KJ on his own to cover Gronk and with no safety help and this led to a NE TD. This is not something that the Hawks D had done all season. Pete was visibly upset with him on this and it seemed like he had somewhat checked out as he knew he got the ATL HC gig. Shanahan seemed to have checked out as well somewhat today….

    On a separate note, it looks like Quinn took a page out of Pete’s book and took the foot of the pedal and started relying on his defense rather than going for it. This is what destroyed ATL today….

  67. nichansen01

    I hope soloman thomas falls to 26.

    • Hawktalker

      Me too. And I’m also still hoping to win the lottery.

  68. 503CHawk

    Give credit where credit is due. There’s probably not another organization that could have come back from such a deficit. But… How the ___ did ATL & Quinn choke that one away?!
    At the end of the game, my beautiful Mayan wife who knows Quinn’s connection to the Seahawks, looks deep into my eyes and says; “That looked just like your Seahawks.” GULP!

    • nichansen01

      haha ouch!

    • AlaskaHawk

      wow, what a burn!

  69. Donald

    I don’t know, for me I would keep the #26 and pick a higher first round talent that is remaining. Then, I would trade the #56 and #90 to for Buffalo’s # 44 pick. I would still have the 3rd rd comp pick to get someone . This would result in (2) overall higher quality prospects. Its not quantity but quality that I am after.

    • AlaskaHawk

      I’m not sure how to get there, but I would keep our first and second round pick, and bundle our 5th round and lower picks up for another second, and then have the two thirds. Might have to throw a third in to sweeten the deal. I would rather have 4-5 solid high round picks. Plus Seahawks always pick over the UDFA players, so they don’t really need the 5-7 round selections.

  70. Coleslaw

    I would take Kevin King. I have always believed that the positions where you have more than one on the field all the time, it is crucial to have good players in each. Be it Corner, receiver, DE, outside linebackers, inside linebackers in some cases. It’s simple logic, really.
    I was split between King and Budda, and while I like the versatility Budda would give us, King would give us that one-two punch at corner again. This should help whoever is playing in the slot whether it’s lane or Shead maybe even Elliot. Also King can play in the slot too so he’s actually pretty versatile himself.

  71. Robertlas vegas

    Rob I loved your mock I like the idea of trading back my guess it just might happen because there is always somebody who wants to trade back in and the Hawks do have that reputation of trading w.brutal loss for ATL .on that two point conversion were those patriot receivers blocking while that throw was in the air.and the last play review if not Dan Quinn why not it seemed like the just rushed on the field

  72. Darnell

    I think I’d be choosing between Cordrea Tankersly and Demarcus Walker at that point.

  73. Schuemansky

    Just a question to our more knowledgable contributors as I do not have a long history in NFL drafts.
    When did it happen the last time that no QB was taken with the first 25 picks?

    • Schuemansky

      Having some time I just looked up the last 10 first rounds selected.
      At least 2 QBs taken within 25 in 9 out of 10 years.
      Actually I also checked OL. An average of 7 OL men taken in the last 10 draft classes.
      What I want to say is that from a player quality standpoint Rob’s mock is probably very accurate but even if the NFL sees it the same way at the end of the day there will be some QBs and more then 2 OLs taken in the first 25 spots because the league needs them as much as they need defensive talent…or at least I hope so to get one of our favorites.

      • Trevor

        That is why I think both Feeney and Robinson have early 2nd round talent but will go in Rd #1.

        • Schuemansky

          Exactly my thoughts. I would even add Lamp as a Guard.

      • Rob Staton

        Possibly — but the problem with analysis like this is it assumes every draft is somewhat similar. You might have 5 OL taken in R1 every year for 20 years and then get a year with zero OL going in R1 if that’s what the talent dictates.

        The only trends I think are worth paying attention to are team trends (physical or positional preferences) and physical trends (a player with X skill set or profile will usually go early).

        • Trevor

          It is a dreadful OL class really isn’t it. Goes back to what you have been preaching when discussing TEF all the great athletes play defense coming out of HW now.

          Must be a trend that has OL coaches up at night.

          I really think the lack of talent in this OL class is why the Hawks took a flyer on Fant and stuck with him despite him clearly not being ready. The only two OT I would take over the year #2 version of Fant are Bolles and Ryan R.

          • AlaskaHawk

            yes the talent lays on the defensive side this year. First round will probably be 2 offensive tackles and 2-3 wide receiver/tight ends, and Watson is a lock as a QB in first round. Not sure about the other 2 QBs that have been discussed, but some team will probably bite on them in the first round. So about 8 offensive players out of 32 picks? And it will be the same in the second and third rounds.

  74. C-Dog

    Going to go almost entirely defense with this mock with Seattle spending free agent $ to add OL, RB, and DL. To make things extra spicy, they bring in a FA quarterback to add veteran experience there.

    For sake of argument, they shell out for Stephen Paea who was coached by new DL coach Clint Hurtt in Chicago, and had his best pass rushing production playing for Hurtt. They add Riley Reiff who could compete or start at left or right tackle. Latavius Murray finds a chilly market and signs with Seattle on a short term “prove it” deal. They shock the Seattle fan base by bring in Colin Kaepernick who’s activism has gained respect in the Seattle locker room, and he wants to stick it to York by signing with the rival up North. Seattle will be judicious in spending as they will be working on deals to extend Chancellor, Britt, and Graham.

    Cornerback, Safety, and LB depth becomes the primary focus of the draft. As they shown in previous drafts, they double down addressing top needs.

    33: R2P1
    CB RASUL DOUGLAS
    WEST VIRGINIA

    51: R2P20
    S BUDDA BAKER
    WASHINGTON

    90: R3P26
    LB ALEX ANZALONE
    FLORIDA

    105: R3P41
    EDGE KEIONTA DAVIS
    CHATTANOOGA

    146: R5P1
    EDGE CARROLL PHILLIPS
    ILLIONIS

    184: R5P39
    CB AHKELLO WITHERSPOON
    COLORADO

    211: R6P26
    OT JERRY UGOKWE
    WILLIAM & MARY

    229: R7P8
    RB DE’ANGELO HENDERSON
    COASTAL CAROLINA

    Seattle finds is prototypical cornerback in Douglas, and then finds themselves benefiting Budda Baker sliding to them at 51 (As Tony Pauline reported his range with scouts very). In R3, Seattle takes the best LB available in Anzalone, and does a sort of Rees Odhiambo-like-Who? pick taking Keionta Davis to develop as another pure pass rushing DT/DE. They go defense yet again in R5 doubling down on Edge/LB with Carroll Phillips (Carroll mentioned they would like to add a couple LBs), and outside corner in Ahkello Witherspoon.

    In R6 they find unique OL value in 6-9 305 lb Jerry Ugokwe, who is a bit raw, but is described as making good use of his long arms and big hands, quick footed, gets to the second level, plays with a nasty streak, has outstanding intelligence, and is moldable. – kinda sounds a like Tom Cable kinda guy.

    They find RB help in De’Angelo Henderson, another one-cut runner, ran a verified 4.49, described as running bigger than his size, unafraid of contact, decisive, a la Thomas Rawls, but also a willing pass blocker and pass receiver.

    QB; R Wilson, Kaepernick, T Boykin

    RB: Murray, Rawls, Procise, Collins, Henderson

    FB; Cottom, Johnson

    WR: Baldwin, Lockett, Kearse, P-Rich, McEvoy, Lawler, K Williams

    TE: Graham, Vannett

    LT Fant/Reiff

    LG Glowinski/Odhiambo

    C Britt/ Hunt

    RG Ifedi/Myers

    RT Gilliam/Ugokwe

    RE; Avril, Clark, Marsh

    DT; Reed, Rubin, Paea, Jefferson, Smith

    LE: Bennett, Davis

    WILL Wright, KPL

    MLB, Wagner, Coyle

    SAM, Anzalone, Phillips

    Corner, Sherman, Douglas, Shead, Lane, Witherspoon, Elliot.

    FS Thomas, Baker

    SS Chancellor, Shead

    NASCAR DL could feature various rotations of riches in Avril, Clark, Bennett, Marsh, Phillips outside, Bennett, Clark, Jefferson, Davis, and Paea, possibly Reed and Smith inside.

    Anzalone probably wins the SAM job over Phillips, but can also back up Wagner and Wright, providing crucial versatility. Phillips could eventually grow into a starting role.

    Hot Take: Quinton Jefferson and Jarran Reed take significant steps forward in their second years at defensive tackle, and 2017 is the year we can start comparing this DL to the 2013 one. DTs typically take a while to develop.

    • Volume12

      Ugoke- 6’7, 315 lbs., over 35″ arms from the CGS measurements. And got a combine invite.

      He’s the only guy I could think of from William & Mary that Seattle scouted.

      • AlaskaHawk

        I keep seeing Budda Baker mocked and was wondering what he has compared to Peppers??? Isn’t budda a little smaller and faster? Tough ankle tackler. What about Julien Peppers?

    • Smitty1547

      No way Kaepernick comes to Seattle, it does not make since for either. He wants to play and the cash that comes with being a starter and not worth the head ache for Seattle for a bench player. We have enough headaches already.

  75. Trevor

    Wow that was quite the SB.

    I remember earlier this year when the Pats were 4-0 without Brady the talk started to swirl about how the Pats could win with any QB and that Brady was a glorified system QB. It was even brought up here on this blog.

    Can we officically just make two points NFL facts not discussion points.

    #1 Tom Brady if the GOAT QB. It is a fact.
    #2 Bill B is the GOAT HC.

    I will forever hate the Pats for SB #49 but I have more respect for them than any other orgainization in pro sports. The Pats and Spurs led by their HC’s (BB and Pop) are the standard by with all other organizations will be judged going forward.

    When they were down 25 there was no fighting on the sidelines. No blaming of one another. No the OC is not call the right plays. No the WR is dropping too many balls. No blaming guys for missed assignments. Just focus on the next play. If the Hawks can learn one thing this off season then I hope that is it. Passion is great but composure / execution are greater traits when it comes to NFL football.

    • 503Hawk

      Trevor… Nice points about the “hated” (hated because my team isn’t as good as they are) Patriots. Love your point about the sideline demeanor. Dear Seahawks; “Stop, look, and listen!” There is a lot to learn from your arch rivals.

    • AlaskaHawk

      I wonder if Edelman has some sort of half time locker room ritual he uses to get into the zone? Didn’t he have two drops in the first half, then caught everything within reach in the second half!

    • Smitty1547

      Good not agree more, with every point. I hope are Hawks were paying attention.

  76. Trevor

    That 4 Q meltdown just made the Falcons much less a threat next year. We saw what the SB loss did to our team and the brotherhood. Imagine what it will do to a young group like this who have not even won an SB yet.

    • C-Dog

      It could also make them hungrier, and they look to add a few more pieces to put them over the top like Denver did after they lost to Seattle in Super Bowl 48.

      • AlaskaHawk

        They have been hungry for awhile now. I’m not even sure what they need. It was such a nasty collapse. Maybe more of a running game??? I won’t blame the defense, they were gassed and the New England passing attack is killer when it is working. They even have three running backs to choose from – Crikey!!!! Seahawks are happy/lucky to have one running back who is healthy.

        • Volume12

          Guys are going to want and get paid. They never felt like contenders until they beat Seattle the way the way they did.

          Now they have to play NE, Dallas, GB, Seattle, Shannahan to me is overrated but he was the best thing to have ever happened for Matt Ryan. Now he’s very likely gone. How serious are some of their injuries on the O-line?

          They needed a 55 year old pass rusher to help them out. They have 0 playmakers except for Julio and Freeman. Gabriel is a nice slot receiver. Beasley disappears in big games.

          8-9 wins for Atlanta next year. That’s my hot take. 😉

  77. Trevor

    Interesting 7 round Mock just released by Matt Miller at Belacher Report

    Rd #1 Ryan R (OT / Wisconsin) Thought he might fall because of pre-draft injury.
    Rd#2 Cordea Tankersly (CB / Clemson)
    Rd#3 Eddie Jackson (FS / Alabama)
    Rd#3 Comp Carlos Watkins (DT / Clemson)
    Rd#5 Comp Erin Saubert (TE / Drake)
    Rd#6 Ardarius Stewart (WR / Alb)
    Rd#7 Lewis Neal (Edge / LSU)
    Rd#7 Devine Redding (Rb/ Ind)

    I am not a big Matt Miller fan but I love this draft and it is one of the few national writer mock drafts that shows a decent knowledge of the hawks actual needs. I personally would be really happy with this draft.

    Love the 5th round pick of Saubert who would be a perfect replacement for Luke Willson.

    • Rob Staton

      No linebacker though — and it’s an admitted need by the Head Coach.

      It’s a shame, it seems Bleacher Report has deleted the ‘worst pick in the third round and possibly the entire draft’ Matt Miller video from 2012.

      • Trevor

        lol so true

        • Ishmael

          He had a great tweet about Cam back in the day: ‘Cam Newton is not an NFL QB. At all. Great athlete. Heisman contender. That’s all’

          • Rob Staton

            Or the time he befriended Louisville safety Gerod Holliman and kept him in the first round of his mocks despite his horrendous tape.

            7th rounder. Now out of the league.

    • Schuemansky

      Miller’s first round actually looks not that much different from Rob’s besides the earlier QB picks.
      But it’s in part that fact that leaves Peppers, Reddick and Jones on the board at 26.
      So let’s hope that all of the NFL does not break with tradition and goes BPA in the first round.

      • Volume12

        Ardarius Stewart is criminally underrated. He’s gonna be the steal of the draft at WR.

  78. Trevor

    My Post SB Mock 1st Round

    #1 Cleveland — Myles Garrett (EDGE, Texas A&M) Simply the best player in the draft and when you have the chance to draft a special talent you have to take it. I know the Browns need a QB and I think they should take Watson to change the culture of the team but Garrett seems like the pick.

    #2 San Francisco — Mitch Trubisky (QB, North Carolina) Who knows what the Lynch will do really. But they need a QB badly to start the re-build. I prefer Watson but Trubisky seems to be the guy with all the buzz.

    #3 Chicago — Solomon Thomas (DE, Stanford) The Bears need a QB and trade their 2nd round pick to the Patriots fro Jimmy G. John Fox is a defense first guy and knows the value of a pass rush. I think Thomas will be a huge riser after the combine.

    #4 Jacksonville — Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU) No team needs a run game more than the Jags. If they are going to give Bortles another chance then they need to give him a bit of a run game and Fournette is a tone setting Beast. The Jags also need OT help so Bolles could be in play here.

    #5 Tennessee — Jamal Adams (S, LSU) They need a Safety and Adams is a tone setter in the back end.

    #6 New York Jets — Deshaun Watson (QB, Clemson) No QB in recent memory is more suited to play under the pressure of the Broadway spotlight. This could be a franchise altering pick for the Jets if they have the guts to make it. Love Watson as a winner and leader.

    #7 San Diego — Malik Hooker (S, Ohio State) This kid is really special and I think the 2nd most talented player in the draft after Garrett. The Chargers get a steal here at #7 with a future all pro centerfielder for their defense.

    #8 Carolina — Garett Bolles (T, Utah) The Panthers need an OT almost as much as us. Everyone will say this is way too high for Bolles but I think he is going to put on a show athletically at the combine and fly up the board with so little OT talent available.

    #9 Cincinnati — Reuben Foster (LB, Alabama) This seems like the most sure thing in Rd #1. Foster is a stud and the Bengals need an LB. Foster is crazy good.

    #10 Buffalo — O.J. Howard (TE, Alabama) If they don’t re-sign Taylor who knows maybe a QB. If not they get the best TE to come out of CFB in a while.

    #11 New Orleans / Arizona (Trade) Deshon Kizer (QB, Notre Dame)— Arians gets his QB of the future. They are forced to move up two spots in front of Cle to make it happen giving up a 3rd this year and 2nd next.

    #12 Cleveland — Jonathan Allen (DE, Alabama) I don’t think Allen will test that well at the combine and the Browns get a steal here at #11 with Allen he is a playmaker all over the line but I think he will fall a little after the combine. The Browns pass rush next year with Garrett and Allen added to the mix could be really good.

    #13 Arizona / NO (Trade)— Sidney Jones (CB, Washington) The Saints keep rebuilding the defense with the best pure cover corner in CFB IMO.

    #14 Indianapolis — Dalvin Cook (RB, Florida State) If he checks out off the field then the Colts will be getting great pick here. Finally Andrew Luck would have an RB to take the pressure off a little.

    #15 Philadelphia (via Minnesota) — Mike Williams (WR, Clemson) Time to get Wentz some weapons.

    #16 Baltimore — Taco Charlton (EDGE, Michigan) The Ravens need to find an Edge rusher and Charlton is a freak with a ton of upside.

    #17 Washington — Zach Cunningham (LB, Vanderbilt) The Redskins badly need an LB and Cuningham just seems like a Mcloughin type pick. I could also see them really liking a guy like Dan Feeney.

    #18 Tennessee —Corey Davis (WR, W.Mich) My favorite WR in the class. The Titans are building something special.

    #19 Tampa Bay — John Ross (WR, Washington) – Adding the best speed receiver in the draft to go with Mike Evans just makes too much sense.

    #20 Denver — Ryan Ramcyzk (T, Wisconsin)- The Broncos, Seahawks and Panthers all desperately need an OT. Unless one of the teams gets one in FA I think the Broncos take the other 1st round talent at OT here.

    #21 Detroit — Jabrill Peppers (S, Michigan)- The Lions have needs all over the defense and Peppers is too good to pass on here. A pass rusher could also be the pick here.

    #22 Miami — Marshon Lattimore (CB, Ohio State) – My second favorite cover corner in the draft after Jones. They could also go pass rusher or TE.

    #23 New York Giants — David Njoku (TE, Miami)- The have a bigger need at OL but adding an incredible weapon at TE takes that Giants offense to a whole other level.

    #24 Oakland — Marlon Humphrey (CB, Alabama)- They need help at the backend and continue building somethings special with the pick of Humphrey who will be a stud.

    #25 Houston — Haason Reddick (LB, Temple) Have to think Reddick would be the perfect fit in Romeo’s defensive scheme. He has the chance to have a huge impact in year #1. Jarred Davis could also be in play here.

    #26 Seattle / Browns (Trade )— Pat Mahomes (QB, Tex Tech)The Browns need a QB and give up a 3rd rounder to move up in front of KC and Pitt to take a really athletically talented QB in Mahomes. The best OTs and Reddick are off the board so the Hawks move back.

    #27 Kansas City — Takkarist McKinley (EDGE, UCLA) The Chiefs need a replacement for Tamba Hali. This guy is a freak if his medicals check out.

    #28 Dallas — Justin Evans (S, Texas A&M) They need help in the back end and Jerry loves his freak athletes.

    #29 Green Bay — Derek Barnett (DE, Tennessee) The Packers need a pass rusher and Peppers is not getting any younger.

    #30 Pittsburgh — Adoree’ Jackson (CB, USC) The Steelers get one of the most dynamic athletes in this draft class at the end of Rd #1

    #31 Atlanta — Budda Baker (S, Washington) Dan Quinn gets his Earl Thomas to team with Keanu Neal to create LOB 2.0

    #32 New England — Obi Melinofwu (S, UCONN) This guy just seems like exactly the type of matchup player BB would love.

    • Trevor

      Seahawks Picks under the following scenario with the Mock above.

      Rd #2 (Cle Trade) Kevin King (CB- Wash) Perfect CB opposite Sherm and move Lane to slot full time where he needs to get back to pre 2016 level of play. Tankersley is also an option here.

      Rd#2 (Cle trade) Montavious Adams (DT- Auburn) – The Hawks need to start getting more inside pass rush. I think Adams is going to be a beast and would be a steal here. Qyalles is also an option here.

      Rd#3 Tyus Bowser (LB-Hous) Great athlete who is raw but can be developed into a Bruce type role. He would be a great addition to the defense. Alzone is also an option here.

      Rd#3 Comp Karem Hunt (RB – Toledo) – love this guy and think he would be a great addition to our backfield.

      Rd#5 Comp Eric Saubert (TE-Drake) – Ideal replacement for Luke Wilson.

      Rd#6 Derrich Wise Jr (Edge -Arkansas)- I think this guy is going to be an absolute steal for someone in Day #3. He is incredibly raw but has all the tools to be an NFL edge rusher with great length and speed. Really hope we get Wise Jr or Daeshon Hall as a developmental edge rusher.

      R#7 Tedric Thompson (S -Col)- This guy just makes plays and is going to have a huge chip on his shoulder.

      Rd#7 Zane Ganalez (K – Ariz St.) -Lets use Steve H cap space to get a vet OL or Calias Campbell.

      • Jason jones

        In this scenario we receive 2 2nd round pick? What happens to our own pick?

        • Trevorw

          Would go to Browns. We get thier two 2nd round picks for our 1st and 2nd.

          In such a scenario as Rob outlined above we would likely get a late round pick as well or something next year.

        • LLLOGOSSS

          I’m guessing it’s the scenario Rob outlined in the article: we trade our 1 and 2 for two 2nds and a 5th from Cleveland.

          • Jason

            Trevor is missing a pick then. He gets a bonus selection!

            • Volume12

              Does Cleveland trade for Jimmy G at QB?

              • Trevor

                Perhaps. I say the Bears trade thier 2nd rounder for him and the Browns take a guy like Mahomes to develop.

          • Trevor

            Yep forgot to include the extra 5th.

      • HawkTalker

        I would have a hard time passing on Adoree Jackson for Kevin King. Adoree can play so many positions including KR and WR that he brings tremendous roster flexibility. I do like King, however.

  79. Totem_Hawk

    One point on this possible trade. If I was JS I would insist on a 4th instead of a 5th.

    • LLLOGOSSS

      That would make me feel better too.

  80. no frickin clue

    The trade seems reasonable. Given what PC has said about upgrading at LB, I’d say that the Hawks would go with Jarrad Davis at 2.33 and hope that one of the many CBs still on that list slips down to 2.51.

  81. daniel

    Why do you think Cook falls all the way to 24?

    • Kenny Sloth

      Drunk runningback

    • Rob Staton

      I did more research into his character flags.

  82. DLep

    Guys I think Jim Cobern is a worthy follow on Twitter leading up to the draft. He has some great stuff in terms of statistical data as it relates to predicting NFL success of draft prospects. One thing I think is worthy of note, he posted during the Super Bowl in relation to Deion Jones because of how well he had been playing, it applies especially to the LB prospects the Hawks could potentially be looking at.

    It had three stats/columns – the market share solo tackle percentile rank of a player, the age percentile rank of a player, and finally a strength of schedule rank of a player. And then a combined rank of all three put together. These are based on the player as they left college and entered into the draft.

    Players were put into 4 tiers based on the above stats. Tier 1 applied to all players w a 90 pctile plus rank. Its not infallible, there are some duds in Tier 1, but Jim stated that every single all pro lb from the last twenty years was in Tier 1. That is tough to ignore. Deion Jones was actually number 1 overall, which is amazing. But there are other studs littered throughout – Ray Lewis, Kuechly, Wags, Zach Thomas, Thomas Davis, Briggs, Urlacher, Kendricks, Willis, Bowman, Lavonte David among others.

    Even more interestingly, he threw draft prospects in there for 2017 and Zach Cunningham is wayyy up there at a combined 96 percentile score. He said Reddick fits in w the edge lb group so didnt apply here, and he was interested to run the numbers for him eventually. Again, not the end all be all, but the numbers certainly seem to point to Cunningham as a very, very good prospect.

    • Trevor

      Interesting stuff.

    • Ground_Hawk

      Do you happen to have the link? Thanks!

    • Sea Mode

      Thanks, this is quite interesting. Will be digesting in days to come.

      For starters, here’s at least a start to backing up with hard stats the 32in arm requirement Seattle holds to:

      “100% of Multiple All-Pro CBs since the 1998 NFL Draft Class had 32’’ or Longer Arm Length”

      • DLep

        Yep, also another very interesting stat. Hawks obviously have been on the ball as far as the arm length requirement is concerned.

  83. Sea Mode

    Just some interesting (and fun) interviews of NFL players reading their negatives on scouting reports on Dan Patrick show. I guess I’m just trying to learn more as an armchair scout, how to look at what a player CAN do and put the negatives in perspective.

    Here’s Sherman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ku27w2XjpY

  84. Kenny Sloth

    Expecting a dropoff in Tom Brady’s play next year…

    Perhaps even an injury, knock on wood.

    • Sea Mode

      Huh?

    • nichansen01

      Every year people expect a drop off. Hasn’t happened yet and I don’t see why this year will be any different.

    • AlaskaHawk

      Is that because Brady is switching to Russell Wilsons power drink???
      Or because he will be distracted when Gisselle moves next door to the Kardashians and starts clubbing with them?

    • Kenny Sloth

      Because QB’s have a well recorded shelf life.

      • Ishmael

        Yeah, when it comes to Brady I think it’s worth taking into account the miracles of modern medicine and his no strawberries wonder diet. There’s a reason why his deep passing has improved late career rather than regressing

  85. Sea Mode

    “Smart, Tough, Reliable”, a Seahawks draft motto.

    Well, here’s smart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBzZd1aVyJY

    In their war room, they also have written on a wall the adjectives:
    “Open-Minded, Respectful, Continuous*, Industrious”

    (*need to confirm this one, couldn’t get a clear view in the pics/vids.)

    Back in 2012, it used to be:
    “Aggressive, Trustworthy, Comprehensive, Open-Minded, Respectful”

    • AlaskaHawk

      In the fan base war room : “I told you not to run that play Bevell/Cable.”

    • Ed

      We know they didn’t live up to any of those this year.

      Close minded. Disrespectful. Quit.

      It really doesn’t matter the motto. What matters is if PC will hold all players to the motto. Positive is great, as long as you are respected. Yes, PC is respected by the players, but not in the way that keeps them in check. He needs both, or this team will continue to be at best a 10 win team. Which would be fine if this was a Cleveland team with no talent. This team has way too much talent to max out at 10 wins.

      • Sea Mode

        Go easy, man. Talk about unreal expectations… Can’t win SB every year, you know. It’s kind of hard…

        • Ed

          I know that. But to me, this year wasn’t a disaster because of their record, but because how the team handled themselves. Not taking responsibility. Pointing fingers. Distracted. Etc…

          I can handle a 10-6 record and you know they battled but just lost. Never got that feeling. It was disjointed and bitter.

          • AlaskaHawk

            If I were trying to change the team, it would be to stop all the on field antics. No pelvic thrusts and pointing after a play. They need to get out there and take care of business and stop showboating because they got a catch, small run or a sack. Maybe I can live with it on the sacks. But am way tired of someone ripping off a 5 yard run and then acting like they are hot sh*t. I would shut that down in a heart beat. you want to celebrate, it better be a touchdown – or a sack. I just can’t get Bennett out of my head – gonna have to cover my girlfriends eyes lol.

            • Volume12

              2 pumps is OK, but how dare he thrust 3 times!

  86. Nathan

    Hi guys, longtime reader first time posting. Rob with regards to the trade how would you feel about p26 for p33 and we swap 3r picks. think the browns would do that? I think the value works out, that would give us 33,58,65 worth it? P.s great site rob!

    • Rob Staton

      It’s another option for sure, if such a deal appealed to both teams.

  87. HI Hawk

    I think we need to leave this draft with Eddie Jackson. He embodies everything the Hawks defense is about and is a natural FS, that could legitimately back up Earl. He has experience at CB as well, so could add value in sub packages and still serve as the backup FS. He was an ace special teamer and arguably the best punt returner in college to top it all off. He’s coming off of injury, but he should be ready to play early in 2017. Overall, I much prefer him to Budda Baker and he can be had for a 3rd round pick at best, possibly as late as a 5th.

  88. Volume12

    That might be the worst loss in sports. Not just football.

    Brady deserves credit. Nothing to be taken away from them, but that’s the deefinition of choking. Some of the worst coaching I’ve ever seen from DQ and Shannahan. You run the ball 8-10 times with a 25 point lead?

    You could see Quinn on the sideline. He was nervous and tense as hell. Players feed off of that.

    Its OK to go 3 and out by running the ball. Why are they calling plays with 15 seconds on the play clock? Just slinging it? Unreal man.

    • Ed

      That was the early PC days too. Remember.

      Play to win, not to lose.

      That’s what Quinn did, play not to lose and usually you lose. Just like prevent defense prevents you from winning.

      • Volume12

        Surely your not comparing the 2010-2011 Seahawks to what we just witnessed last night?

        • Ed

          Not the size. But how many games did the prevent defense prevent the Hawks from winning in the early PC days. Quite a few. Give up 3rd and 17. 3rd and 23. Still actually happens. Carolina last year. The size of the game was different, but the structure was the same.

          On to 2017, lock it up PC.

          • Volume12

            In regards to the prevent D I see what your sayin’.

    • AlaskaHawk

      It was an epic collapse, but give New England some credit. They are a great team – we don’t fully realize it as we beat them at home this season.

      • Volume12

        ‘Brady deserves credit. Nothing to be taken away from them.’

    • vrtkolman

      Watching Jalen Collins gave me flashbacks to Tharold Simon. Both are bigger guys that struggle against shifty receivers. Collins was getting destroyed in the 2nd half by Edelman/Mitchell and much like in 2014, Quinn didn’t adjust. Belichek is truly the master.

  89. Sea Mode

    Every time I go back and watch him, I become more and more convinced that Melifonwu will be the target. Smart, versatile, athletic, fluid, big, answer to mismatches. The list just goes on and on. He’s really one of a kind, unique, and we know the Hawks love unique.

    So I do that trade and the draft looks like:

    R2 #33 — DB Obi Melifonwu
    R2 #51 — CB Kevin King/Rasul Douglas
    R3 — LB Tyus Bowser/Alex Anzalone
    R3 Comp. — OL
    R5 — RB Taquan “Smoke” Mizzell (absolutely love this guy. Think he is Curtis Samuel value without the Rd. 1-2 pick. Check him out if you haven’t seen him. 2016 Highlights: https://youtu.be/WIdi6bwvN8Y . And if you see his jukes and think he must be 5-8, 170 like Pumphrey, he is not! Actually 5095, 194) Instead of backing up Rawls we back up Prosise and get a OW. I will certainly be posting more on him later!)
    R6 — WR Keevan Lucas
    R7 — CB Jeremy Cutrer

    • HI Hawk

      Mizzell looked great in the Shrine game, vision and quickness were very much on display. No other running backs were able to find any success behind porous OL play, but Mizzell set blocks up and found creases. Could be an interesting addition.

      • Sea Mode

        Yeah, forgot to mention he is a custom tailored fit for our O-line, since he is good at dodging defenders in the backfield… 😉

        • HI Hawk

          I think I prefer Kareem Hunt, but Mizzell would be a nice fall back option to fight with Alex Collins, Troymaine Pope, and maybe J.D. McKissic for the final RB roster spot.

      • Sea Mode

        These other highlights show more of his receiving threat as well:
        https://youtu.be/MpvmhHIqjP8

        • HawkTalker #1

          Owww I have some sensitivity to suggesting another small back, but he is seriously shifty, fast, breaks a lot of tackles with both jukes and physical strength and to top it off may be a better receiver than a RB. Nice package.

    • Ed

      Would be ecstatic if those were the first 3 picks. Starting corner, swing safety on passing downs and Kams replacement and LB on 1st downs and DE on passing downs. Home run

    • Trevor

      Really like the first 3 picks. That would be ideal scenario to rebuild the back end.

  90. HawkTalker

    I just ran Fanspeak’s simulator and so since it is a slow news day let me throw this scenario out there for discussion. While everyone is addressing our needs in R1 we should not forget Schneider has a history of filling those needs in FA. Like others I expect at least one OL willl be brought in to compete. My concern is Tyler Lockett’s leg injury may not heal well or in time which leaves us thin at the WR position. We have long wanted a true No. 1 receiver, In this scenario and several other mocks Corey Davis is on the board at #26.

    R1.26 Corey Davis, WR, Simply the best looking WR I have seen in several years. He could be the next Julio and I cannot pass that up.

    R2.26 Carlos Watkins, DT. He collapses the interior pocket. We may lose two from our DL rotation.

    R3.26 Kevin King. I love Adoree Jackson but there seem to be too many good DB’s to go early. In this scenario I waited to fill the CB2 role and come away with the Sherman clone.

    R3.41 Zack Banner OG. What? Banner is over weight and will always need to manage that. He has lost 25lbs. The thing he does well is move defenders out of the hole. He has uncommon, mammoth size and strength for the RG position. This moves Ifedi to RT and puts Gilliam, Odhiambo, Fant and a FA in competition for 3 OT spots. Banner’s size in the middle helps our running game and frees Britt to help Glowinski. He also will not be walked back into the QB in pass protection. Lincoln Kennedy’s son is simply to big to ignore.

    • Hawktalker

      Hey that is my username. Come on man.

  91. JT

    Daniel Jeremiah on twitter today confirming what we know about this CB class:

    “Finishing updated top 50 list…some really good CBs getting left out. No room. Teams are going to get tremendous value at that position.”

    Very good CB’s are going to fall in this draft. The Hawks may be in a position to land a great value if they wait until 58 to pick a CB. The talent disparity between the CB’s available at 26 and 58 may not be all that different. There should also be a few lengthy CB’s available in the middle rounds.

    • HawkTalker

      I agree. There are going to be a lot of good ones on the board well into day 3.

    • Volume12

      I know he’s got some holes in his game, who doesn’t, but if ‘Bama CB Marlon Humphrey is there, he’d be a great pick. Freak athlete, PC loves him some ‘Bama prospects, and this game is in his blood. He’s a 2nd generation player.

      It doesn’t always mean a player is an automatic lock to succeed, but like Lockett and others, these guys have been around the game their whole lives. They get what its all about.

      Whatever the case may be, as you point out, plenty of corners in this draft to leave with a couple good ones. One early and one later on day 3.

      • Trevor

        I like that trait as well Vol! In general those guys seem to be real students of the game and have a professional attitude as well.

      • Sea Mode

        On the topic of CBs: Vol, you were sending some love CB Marquez White’s way a couple weeks ago in Sr. Bowl practices. https://seahawksdraftblog.com/senior-bowl-day-three-notes-reddick-melifonwu#comment-306184

        I finally got around to watching the 3 games available on YouTube (from 2015) and I’m not seeing it with him. Seems like he is almost always playing in prevent and gives up easy 1st down completions on curls, misses a ton of tackles in all three of those games, gets a bonehead personal foul, and multiple PI calls.

        Anyway, let me know if you think he mada a big jump in 2016, or what I am missing before I pretty much cross him off my list of 32in arm CBs. Sad, cause he does seem like a pretty cool guy.

        P.S. Deep dive… anyone seen if CB Brian Allen, Utah, can run? 6027, 208, 33.38 arm. Neat personality in interviews.

  92. Mike

    I realize that the trade value chart is used as a guide, but I think that it presently undervalues 1st round picks (especially late 1st vs early 2nd). The 5th year option for 1st rounders is increasingly valuable.

    I would hate to lose this (and potentially a player that you want) only to move up seven spots in the late 2nd and grab a 5th that is unlikely to contribute (yes, I know about Sherman, etc).

    Also, I haven’t heard much about WR as a need in this draft. With Lockett’s injury, Kearse’s lack of consistent production, and PRich’s injury history, I feel like we have a need, particularly for an athletic big receiver. Maybe take a flier on Andre Holmes or Justin Hunter for cheap in free agency? Is there a receiver in this mold that we might eye in the draft?

    • Donald

      Take a look at Josh Reynolds Texas A&M. 6′-3 , Good hands, mid to late draft.

  93. Dale Roberts

    There is CB depth in this draft but impact LB seem to be much thinner. Based upon this mock it doesn’t look like a first round worthy LB will be available at #26 so yeah, trade down. However, we will also have a compensatory 3rd round pick for losing Bruce Irvin. We could go the opposite and trade with Detroit:

    Seattle sends #26(700) + #90(122) + #184(17.8) = 840 going to Detroit
    Seattle gets a fast, impact linebacker while retaining picks in the second and third rounds.

    Detroit: #21(800) + #148(32.2) = 832.2 going to Seattle
    Detroit still has a shot at Takkarist McKinley or Tim Williams but get a big move up from #148 to #90 plus a sixth round pick.

    • Rob Staton

      Fair suggestion

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