UNC's Robert Quinn is one to watch
The college football season kicks off on September 2nd so with less than a month to go it’s time to start concentrating on the prospects we’ll be talking about leading up to next April’s 2011 NFL Draft. I’ve listed some of the more familiar names worth keeping an eye on from a Seahawks perspective. This preview doesn’t take into account potential draft position, but it does consider the kind of physical or schematic fits the new regime may target.
Robert Quinn (DE, North Carolina)
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 265 lbs
Projected stock: Top 10
Athletic, speed rusher who could thrive as Seattle’s ‘LEO’ or ‘Elephant’. Defensive end remains a position of severe need for the Seahawks.
Jake Locker (QB, Washington)
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 225 lbs
Projected stock: Top 10
Local product who has shown promise as a mobile quarterback in a pro-style offense. The Seahawks need to know their long-term direction at the position.
Rodney Hudson (OG, Florida State)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 292 lbs
Projected stock: Rounds 1-2
The prototypical interior lineman for the zone blocking system. Ultra-talented, deserves serious consideration in the first round.
Jonathan Baldwin (WR, Pittsburgh)
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 225 lbs
Projected stock: Top 25
Tall receiver with good size who can get downfield and make electrifying plays.
Prince Amukamara (CB, Nebraska)
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 200 lbs
Projected stock: Top 15
A converted running back who excelled as a junior, he has the coverage skills to work in a cover-2.
Mark Ingram (RB, Alabama)
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 215 lbs
Projected stock: Top 25
Power, speed and fluid change of direction skills. Ingram is a stud running back who would produce in the NFL today.
Jerrell Casey (DT, USC)
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 295 lbs
Projected stock: 1st Round
A disruptive three-technique who’s always in the backfield, not dissimilar to Brian Price.
Christian Ponder (QB, Florida State)
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 220 lbs
Projected stock: Rounds 1-2
Mobile quarterback with nice touch and good with his feet. Intelligent and hard working off the field, his stock could soar.
Ryan Williams (RB, Virginia Tech)
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 206 lbs
Projected stock: 1st Round
Production machine in 2009, Williams is an outside candidate for the Heisman this year.
Michael Floyd (WR, Notre Dame)
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 220 lbs
Projected stock: Rounds 1-2
A big playmaker with excellent body control and sure hands. He needs to prove injuries are behind him.
Love the new look. Do you know of any other sites like ours out there? (Team-specific draft sites) Would love for us to do a mock draft or something together later this year.
There must be others, but I’ll be honest and say your NE Patriots Draft is probably the only other team-specific draft site I visit regularly.
Hey Rob, I’m a big fan of A.J. Green but I noticed he wasn’t on your list. Do you think he’s a bad scheme fit?
It’s not that he’s a bad scheme fit, clearly he’s a very talented prospect. However, I just feel if Seattle are picking high enough in the draft to target Green (and it’ll have to be early if he performas as expected in 2011) they would potentially contemplate the options at QB and DE first. I looked at two prospects in each different stage of round one depending on where the Seahawks might be drafting. For example, let’s say Seattle picks first overall next year. I think a QB like Locker or DE like Quinn (expectation, performance and health considered) would likely be the target ahead of a receiver, albeit a very talented one. That doesn’t mean Green wouldn’t be the pick, but I didn’t want to just look at the top prospects.
I understand. And really, that’s what makes my admiration for A.J. Green so bittersweet. I’d love to see him in Seahawks blue, but agree that if we’re picking that high DE and QB may be bigger priorities. Especially when this year proved that sometimes playmaking WR can slip into the 2nd round.