Sam Farmer at the LA Times published an interesting mock draft today.
He had the Seahawks taking a tight end in round one…
32. SEATTLE: Jace Amaro, TE, Texas Tech — The Seahawks have a reliable pass-catching tight end in Zach Miller, but he has gotten too expensive. They could groom Amaro to replace him.
He’d be a detachment from previous #1 picks by this front office — emphasising unique physical qualities whether it’s size, speed or length.
Amaro ran a 4.74 at 6-5 and 265lbs. He had the smallest hands (9 inches) among the tight ends at the combine.
He did manage a 33 inch vertical though, which topped Eric Ebron (32 inches). He also has 34 inch arms, meaning quite a sizeable catching radius.
Yet ultimately we’re talking about a player who is more about production than insane physical potential.
He had a historic 2013 season — setting an FBS record with 1352 yards.
But he also featured in a well-oiled ‘air raid’ offense at Texas Tech.
He’s not especially ‘Seahawky’ if you look at his combine performance — but neither is Zach Miller if you look at his measurements.
Here’s what he posted at the 2007 combine:
Height: 6-4
Weight: 256lbs
40 yard dash: 4.87
10 yard split: 1.68
Vertical leap: 34 inches
Three cone: 7.01 seconds
Short shuttle: 4.42 seconds
Seattle’s current starting tight end is not a dynamic athlete.
And yet he took up more cap room than anyone else on the roster last year ($11m).
Clearly they value this type of player, and that’s why they made a big push to sign him as a free agent three years ago.
They probably didn’t run through his combine numbers at the time. He had experience with offensive line coach Tom Cable. They knew he’d fit into their scheme and what they wanted to do on offense.
They weren’t gambling on a rookie, they were buying a proven commodity.
But when they do eventually replace Miller, whether it’s this year, next year or whenever — they might look to bring in a player with similar measurables, with the idea of moulding him into a like-for-like replacement.
And Amaro’s numbers actually compare quite favourably.
He’s 10lbs heavier, but ran a faster forty yard dash by 0.13 seconds. Miller had another go at the forty at his pro-day and managed a 4.74 — identical to Amaro’s.
The vertical numbers are similar (33 vs 34 inches) but Amaro is taller and bigger. He also ran a faster short shuttle (4.30 vs 4.42) but Miller had the better three cone (7.42 vs 7.01).
Plus both players came out of the combine having seen their stock take a bit of a hit.
Seven years ago Miller was competing with Greg Olsen to be the top tight end. His disappointing run and the fact he didn’t do the bench press due to injury drew some criticism. Olsen performed well enough to go in round one to the Bears at #31.
Miller was the #38 overall pick.
Amaro didn’t run quite as fast as people were hoping last week and didn’t look great during catching drills. He went into the combine as a prospective first round pick, but now he might slip into the second frame.
Both players were also seen as prototypical pass catchers.
While Miller’s blocking technique was praised at Arizona State, it was still considered an area for improvement.
Amaro shows plenty of willing as a blocker, but similarly will have to work for it to become a major plus point. He had 28 reps on the bench press, so he has a lot of upper body power.
They both look similar on the field in terms of frame — with comparable body types.
I’m not at all convinced Miller will be released this off-season, although I think there’s at least some chance his cap hit is reduced for 2014 (possibly by adding an extra year to his contract).
But Farmer’s projection isn’t totally out of left field either. If the Seahawks ultimately see Miller as too expensive — Amaro could be a potential replacement in terms of the physical comparison.
I just don’t think the Seahawks will want to make such a sideways (or backwards) step with their first pick. It might save some money, but if you go tight end in round one — you’re not really improving the team.
You’re simply replacing one of your better players with a cheaper alternative.
That seems so anti-‘Win Forever’.
Adding to the offensive line, defensive line or at receiver still seems much more likely.
Just don’t see it either. There’s nothing “special” about Amaro. And if there’s one thing we have learned over the past few years it’s that in the first round, PCJS take players with unique physical characteristics.
If he’s there in the second, then sure. Grab him for value.
Otherwise, look elsewhere.
Amaro ranked top 5 in all measurements except 3 cone. His tape shows a guy that’s very capable running routes, fights for balls, does a great job with downfield blocking, and is tough to tackle. He mostly lined up in the slot so not sure what kind of run blocker he’d be lining up tight. With many offenses wanting to emphasize the TE, he could be drafted earlier than you’d think.
For me, with Willson and potentially McCoy on the roster, I’d like to see them find a guy that blocks like Miller but has a larger catch radius. It just seems like Miller could have done a better job as a safety valve, grabbing balls that aren’t thrown perfectly. I just remember many throws that went just outside his range.
I think Amaro will be on the ‘Hawks board but probably not as high as he’ll get drafted.
I hate this pick for all the reasons you listed. It’s a lateral move at best in the near term, with the potential for minor long term upside. We’re in a luxurious position here; we have a loaded roster with key parts that need to be kept that coincides with a historic rise in the salary cap. We must capitalize on this.
This reminds me of the move the 49rs were forced to make last year at the safety position. They essentially swapped Dashon Goldson for cash and Eric Reid (1st round pick +). Total lateral move in my mind. We’re not in this position, not now and maybe not for the foreseeable future. We should keep Miller and use our draft capital to improve this team.
We might need a RT. We might need a nickel corner (importance of the position rising every year). We may have an opportunity to draft a WR with rare measureables. Those choices all have the opportunity to make this team better right now. That’s how we should approach this.
That’s exactly what it would be — a lateral move.
I see your point Rob – basically the same player for a lot less money. It may make sense,
Lateral moves were the hallmark of the Ruskell era. I have a tough time seeing it here, unless they find a trade back scenario. and if you’re going to go TE, I’m still on the ASJ bandwagon. I see him being able to take over games in a way I doubt of Amaro
ASJ makes me nervous – and I’m a Husky! This latest injury may drop him a bit and I’m not sure he has the grit that Petey talks about – to be on this team. I do think he’s a better blocker than Amaro, but not sure either are worth a first round pick.
The pick that would make me nervous (and obviously not for the ‘Hawks) is Clowney. If I was Houston, I’d go Robinson or QB, if someone wanted to jump up for Clowney, I’d do it.
When you are the defending Super Bowl champs, what’s wrong with a lateral move? I really don’t think that we need to get “better” (we are already the best team in the NFL). Miller is costly and aging. If we can find a replacement for him and groom that replacement for a year (another Christine Micheal red-shirt season), I think that would be ideal. The threat that the Seahawks face is regression not stasis. If we can replace some of our current players that with like talent and save money with the acquisition of those players (possibly releasing Miller next year) than we can have the cap space to sign the irreplaceable talent on the team (Thomas, Sherman, Russel Wilson). The best team in the league doesn’t need to get better, they need to NOT get worse.
I genuinely believe they can get better. Jump ball/red zone receiver, extra pass rusher, improvement on the offensive line.
There are ways for this team to get even better next year. No need IMO to make a lateral move (at best) like this.
You always need to get better if you want to win forever. This team will get better next year primarily due to the growth of the young players on the roster. But, Rob you nailed the three areas where some roster change could yield improvement. The Carpenter/McQuistan combo performed below NFL average standards. So did Giacomini and he missed time due to injuries. The upgrades may already be on the roster (Bowie, Bailey) but adding some players makes sense. We know the big, red-zone, jump ball receiver is not on the roster and it looks like there will be some possibilities to fill that role at #32. The release of Red Bryant will fuel some hungry competition among all the young D-linemen on the roster. I can’t wait to see what that generates. But you never have enough pass rushers and we will have a big chunk of our team salary invested in the D-line when Bennett signs so I can see a pass rusher at #32 and a WR at #64.
What are your thoughts on Jason Verrett? Doesn’t fit the mold but a damn good player and has a Seahawk attitude.
Gritty as hell, faster than expected. Vertical of 39 inches makes up for a lack of height. The only issue he’s not long at all (5-9, short arms) and he has some injury issues you’d have to look into. Not sure he’ll be a Seahawk, but he’s a fine player.
I keep wondering if Verrett couldn’t provide great value as a swing player. A talented corner, albeit not in the Sherman and Browner mold of oversized. and a fast, hard-hitting, tough free safety to back up Earl. I’m not experienced enough to know if you can project corners to free safety but when I read about Verrett, I think of Earl. And that’s obviously a huge positive.
While I’m throwing out names, I wonder if Bennett Jackson could be a UDFA developmental corner. He’s got the feet, size, and character of a Seahawk corner. He is even a converted wideout. It hasn’t translated to the field, but maybe that’s coaching.
I see the exact same thing from him and have been considering Verrett as one of the more likely surprise (typical seahawks) 1st rd. picks if he falls to us. Obviously that’s a big if but I can totally see that scenario playing out. The dude is a straight up competitor and seems like he has the quicks and physicality to be the best nickel corner we’ve ever had with the versatility to back up earl in a pinch.
Ugggg. Wouldn’t be a fan of that pick….I saw Amaro in a game last year (didn’t watch any combine so I didn’t see him in the spandex) and thought “man, dude looks kinda doughy.” Dude needed to hit the gym a bit more.
His midriff is a little flabby.
And then you look at that pic of Johnson you headed the seahawk FA article with….that guy is rocked up!
I just don’t see TE being addressed in R1 unless it’s Ebron(w/ no chance of falling) with needs for a big wideout, OL, and DL. I’m sure they’ve got a late round TE they love, but I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they backed up a position like S early on, similar to them grabbing a RB in last years draft when they went BPA in R2
There’s a slim chance ASJ blows them away at a private workout, otherwise I think you’re right there.
I remember reading an article years ago where Pete and John discussed their free agent philosophy. To sum it up, they want to use FA to bring in younger players at the skill positions. It makes total sense as these are the most difficult positions to evaluate at the college level (outside of can’t miss once/gen guys).
Just look at this years draft, Evans and Wilkens are the top two guys. Beyond that its guesswork as to who the next three best guys are. We have the three littles(OBjr, lee, cooks) and about a dozen guys with good size/speed and questionable tape.
So at WR should we resign Tate and kick the tires on Kenny Britt? Or just gamble on what could be a great draft class at WR and do a double dip?
I wouldn’t have much interest in Kenny Britt. He’s been a liability, and for me you couldn’t trust him to finish a season.
I think you almost have to take a receiver with one of those first two picks. The class is too good. The depth will drop off after round two I suspect, but can’t envisage any reason not to go WR at #32 or #64.
Looks like an okay player, but did anyone else notice that he seems to give up once a play breaks down? There’s also lots of plays where he’s standing around watching the action. Doesn’t seem to have that “play through the echo of the whistle” type mentality to me.
I saw quite a few plays like that and it wasn’t only in the game above but in others games as well.
“I just don’t think the Seahawks will want to make such a sideways (or backwards) step with their first pick. It might save some money, but if you go tight end in round one – you’re not really improving the team.
You’re simply replacing one of your better players with a cheaper alternative.
That seems so anti-’Win Forever’.”
Cannot disagree more Rob. WInning a super bowl in blowout fashion, then making a parallel move or small downgrade so a team can resign its core pieces is ABSOLUTELY the formula for win forever.
Yes it is good to always upgrade but that isn’t done by hanging onto expensive contracts. That is done by maintaining the cap health across the organization and drafting/signing guys who have the potential to beat out players on your team.
FYI Im not a fan of going TE in the first round either. I just don’t agree with your statement. Its possible Seahawks can draft a guy in the later rounds who specializes in what Miller does for us. Blocking and making an occasional play when the defense leaves him alone.
Why isn’t Willson being talked about as Miller’s replacement? With another full year under his belt next year WIllson could step in just fine.
It’s always better not to have to plug a rookie into a #1 role. Usually a guy is groomed for a year or two, if you can help it.
Next years cuts/restructures will be Miller, Lynch and Clemons. We’re fine with our money this year. Tate’s not coming back.
I don’t think the cutting of Miller and re-signing of Thomas, Sherman and Wilson are intrinsically linked.
All three of those players can be re-signed even if Miller stays on his full salary this season. They can also re-sign Bennett and Tate.
This would be a sideways step just for the sake of it IMO. They’d make a saving, but not a vital one.
I suppose we just disagree on what defines a sideways step.
In my opinion, replacing a 7 mill per year contract with a guy selected 32nd and locked in cheap for four years is not a sideways step. That is the win forever ideal. Replace expensive contracts with cheaper ones where possible. Invest in core pieces. Right now, sideways for less money is what we need to lock in core pieces down the road and keep our performance at a championship level.
Maybe signing Thomas, Sherman, and Wilson is not intrinsically linked to this savings but saving that money does help them in other areas.
Also lets not fool ourselves and think that rising CAP means we have more money. We will have a little more to spend but mostly it will get eaten by inflation in player Salaries. Not better players but the same guys at more expensive cost.
I’m with you, Cade — the 4-5M in savings this year from that move feels pretty substantial to me, too, given we’re still clearly “in the window”
Lots of other things I’d rather use that money on, assuming we truly don’t need it for Bennett and Tate — can we get both McDonald and McDaniel back with that? Roll it over to prepare for big money for Sherman/Thomas starting 2015? Some other cheap free agents looking for a title?
If Miller was willing to renegotiate down into the $4-5M per year range I might reconsider my position, but even if we released him I agree I also wouldn’t draft an early TE — I’d get one Day 2, and run more 6 OL formations like we did late in the year
After we repeat with the Super Bowl next season, the national guys might start having a clue about who the Seahawks like and why. If they are 10% right today, it will grow to 25% next season.
Lateral move could not have been summed up by Rob and the posters.
I can hardly wait to say, “Your just the 9ers now…We OWN the number 49!!!”
“better”
Oh and it was 4 weeks ago today – just about now, that the Seahawks became Super Bowl champs!!
Like everyone else here, I am not impressed with the TE pool at the top of the draft. Maybe JS has identified some brilliant prospect he can pick up in R6, but likely none of us have heard of him. Nor am I impressed with the free agent TE pool. The best bet is to re-sign Zack to a $4 mil/yr contract. The next best bet is to re-sign McCoy and put 15 lbs of muscle on Luke Willson. But heck, I was a big fan of Sean McGrath and wish we had kept him on the active roster instead of Caylin Hauptmann (with 20/20 hindsight)….I would take McGrath over any TE in the draft, including Ebron, as the best fit for the Seahawks.
McGrath over Ebron? I understand why you say that (blocking) but it is a ludicrous statement. Ebron is an elite physical talent who would add a dimension to our offense (especially in the red zone) we don’t have. I’ll take Ebron please and thak you!
What do you think of the guy we got who used to play for the NY Giants? Travis Beckum.
I’m not to fond of his blocking, but he is a good receiver. How many TE’s are normal for a 53 man? If Miller is gone, I would like to resign McCoy, have Willson, and Beckum. I would also be pefectly happy with Miller,Willson, and McCoy. McCoy was playing his best football at the end of the 12 season. Sucks he got hurt in training camp because I was expecting him to have a career year in 13. But I hope they resign him to a 1yr contract. But back to Beckum, he could be a starter… but I’ve been following him on twitter and he seems like he is working really hard to get himself together this offseason.
I really don’t expect to draft a TE early in this draft, I just don’t see it.
I could see Jensen or Grimble in a lower round.
I keep coming back to Arthur Lynch as the value side-ways pick. Won’t get him as low as Jensen or Grimble but he’s a better player, in my view. But I’d be surprised if he makes it down to late fourth round.
I don’t see us staying a 32. this is the year we trade up! we don’t have big holes to fill, the line should be better, and we have enough cap space to re sign and add depth. id be willing to give up a first rounder next year maybe a 3 too. I wonder if thatd be enough to get above the rams at 13 and pick up evans or one of the top tackles? I know its not really carrolls way but with the team so stacked and the fact that we do better in the later rounds anyway, why not try to get one of this years “special” players. any thoughts?
If you really don’t think we have any big holes to fill, it would make more sense to trade our first round pick for anyone else’s first and third next year. That way we know that we will have some good picks next year. Not sure who my preferred trading partner would be. Maybe Atlanta, Jacksonville, or Tennessee.
I’ve been thinking about a trade up, too — I don’t think it’s completely out of the question, but think we’d really have to run the table on our free agents above and beyond what people are outlooking (e.g., McDonald AND McDaniel instead of just one, Giacomini at reasonable rate, etc…), plus getting the extensions for Thomas/Sherman sorted, plus finding some bargains on the FA market before the draft to cover whatever our move up doesn’t fill in the OL/WR/DL area
Unfortunately I don’t think we’ll be able to do that before the draft (think Thomas extension will be closer to season, Sherman less clear, FA market will not have cooled yet) so I expect we stay put or move back in true PCJS style
OT: Rob, did you get a chance to look at Calvin Barnett, yet? I get the feeling Jared Stanger over at fieldgulls is high on him, but he isn’t spitting any specifics. Really want to know how you feel about his potential.
DAGNABBIT. I just checked Draft Breakdown’s Jon Dove’s newest mock draft and he has Barnett going to Denver in the first. Oh well, at least take Dove’s word for it. Dis kid rill.
He also has Trai Turner to us right after. He’s another guy I wanted to talk about on here. His tape looks good and he had a pretty good showing at the combine. Not a fan of the pick, obviously, but Turner’s good, too.
I have not had a chance to review him, but will do later today now that you’ve posted the link to the video on here.
Seriously Rob. Just watch his first snap against Mizzou. Holy cow.
http://draftbreakdown.com/video/calvin-barnett-vs-missouri-2013/
Dang big boy can move off the ball.
That’s what I said. He has evident power as evidenced by one play in that footage in which he holds a double team while moving laterally to make the tackle at the sideline.
Maybe he has short arms, because he tends to get tangled up, even in 1v1, the blocker gets his hands inside. But I also read an article in which he states that he has been fighting his nature to play disciplined and maintain his gap(s), perhaps that has something to do with his seemingly hesitant pursuit.
Played 2 years in the JUCO ranks.
Zack Miller’s cap number drops to $7 million in 2014. I think that is very reasonable in light of the replacement cost. I would pay him and not think twice about it. Jimmy Graham is expected to demand $9+ million. The guys in FA all have injury issues.
I think I’d try to get him to shave it down to 6M so I’d be willing to lose him in the process but he could have a much better year if the OLine comes together and shows real improvement.
I still want Lyerla late IF he passes the interview. Matchup nightmare as a joker TE. Former RB with speed and moves. Cool vids on YouTube of him jumping up on a 62″ box or out of a swimming pool from standing in waist deep water…
I’m right there with you Robert.I’ve been enamored with Colt Lyerla since this time last year and I’ve never been able to let it go despite all of his MAJOR off the field troubles. I know JSPC have had enough drug suspensions on this team, which is where the Leave No Doubt 24/7 mantra stems from, but I still can’t help but want him on this Seahawks team. He’s a weapon IF the kid could ever just shape up.
Here’s the thing though… it’s not about passing an interview.
We’re talking about an individual with serious issues beyond just a cocaine arrest. If people think this is just a story about a bad drugs decision, they’d be sadly mistaken.
I’m not going to go into it on here, but people need to look into his back ground. Google is your friend here. He’ll be an UDFA for a reason.
With you on that one Rob. There are other late round TE’s I would rather see come in than Lyerla. I think the Hawks will restructure Miller.
Agreed. Huge no on this kid.
I don’t think they need or will go for a TE in the first round. DT, WR, OT seems likely.
If you are referring to the tweets, Google is your friend. But I recommend a proxy server, if you start digging too deep into that story. There are a lot of people who think that story doesn’t add up…must outlaw firarms…show me a pic of what happens when aluminum flies into steel and concrete…where are all the pics now. Who made them disappear? Millions of people think these stories are the surface of the iceberg. But entertainers are deemed insane if they communicate their upset on a social account.
I just don’t think our current passing offense uses the TE enough to justify an early round TE pick. Having said that, I do think there is value in either renegotiating Miller’s contract, or picking a blocking TE (Niklas?) if one is available in the mid- to late rounds of the draft.
Rob – sorry I’m off topic, but I seem to recall that you were pretty high on Dion Jordan last year. Sounds like Miami might want to trade him — would you give up #32 for him?
I don’t know the cap rules well enough to confirm this, but Grantland’s Bill Barnwell has pointed out that Jordan would carry a dead money hit of $16.8 million for the Dolphins if they trade him this off season. No way does Miami cause that to happen, besides the fact that they’d be trading him at a huge discounted value off last year (not saying it will go up this year, but there is little incentive to not try to find out).
Pity because I’d love to see Jordan get a chance to harness his potential in a defense where he is weapon rather than a cog. I remember just enough toughness from him on the Oregon D that I could see him growing into a terrific LEO. If not, maybe he is takes over the Avril role in a year.
I would not. Liked him a lot, but major alarm bells ring when a team wants to trade a guy like that after one year.
Rob, I was wondering the same thing, although I was thinking that a third round draft pick might be more appropriate. He definitely isn’t worth a first round choice or even a second in my book, but I can see parting with a third and possible a 5th or a 6th. Seems like he physically has the tools to become a good LEO (33-7/8″ arms, 4.60 40, 7.02 three cone, 4.35 shuttle, 10’2″ broad, and 32.5″ vert). I am having vague images of Clemons in my head, even if he isn’t quite as fast as Clemons or Avril.
Then again, we could just wait another year or two for them to cut him.
I think they’ll be looking for a minimum of a second rounder. Seattle’s cause isn’t helped if they were thinking of a deal by their lack of a third rounder. Personally, I’d rather keep as many picks as possible for this draft class. It might even be a deal I’d only consider going into camp — using 2015 draft stock.
I still like the idea of Lyerla real late and/or ASJ if he slips because of the injury. Getting Jenkins in the 2nd and lyerla late in the 6/7 and see if one or both sticks? We’ve seen what offense can do with two dynamic TE and chances are one of them pans out.
Rob, what do you think about the recent report that Shefter/Mort talking about Graham to Seattle for two first round picks?
Lyerla could be the next Aaron Hernandez – why would you want that on your team?
I think Schefter owes someone a favour and wants to give the impression to New Orleans that teams could go after Graham, which is highly unlikely given the cost/compensation.
2 first round picks for NOLA’s Jimmy Graham? WTF! That’s crazy. If you want to get crazy with trading away our 2014-2015 first round picks, why don’t we use the same 2 first round picks as part of a package to trade up and get Mike Evans instead. That would make some sense. Unless you think, as apparently JG does, that he’s a X receiver, and deserves to be paid as one… not a disappear in big games, jokester TE.
NO WAY…
If Miller is out…big if…remember what it was that brought him in. He was a proven blocker and a very productive catcher with the raiders. He didn’t forget how to catch. We have faster Luke and he doesn’t light up the stats sheet. Our TE’s are not incapable, they are not a big part of the receiving plan unless we play Atlanta. Bringing in another potential ball catcher to block is a waste of a top pick. It would be like drafting Kelvin Benjamin to play fullback.
If we need to replace Miller – we need a proven high level blocker and that does not justify a top round pick. If we want a pass catching TE we should pick someone faster…like Luke…and we already have him.
I saw a few mocks with Amaro as our first pick when Benjamin and my favorite player in this draft Jordan Mathews both available. I sure hope that won’t be the picture on drafty day.
OL,WR,DT,DE…anything but a TE on day 1/2. (and no RB either…)
My thoughts exactly! None of the “experts” are talking about Mathews…I don’t understand why. Dudes a beast who has all the skills, numbers and had a superb combine! SEC record holders who light the combine up don’t usually fly under the radar. Hopefully it’s to our advantage!
I would add CB to our list of early targets as WT3 is probably gone. Honestly with a roster as stacked as the Hawks they have the luxury of truly going with the best player available.
Just my take, but Matthews is one of the most overrated players in this class among the draft community. I understand why pundits don’t focus on him to be fair. The tape isn’t great. And ‘beast’ is not a word I’d use. ‘Slot receiver’ are two that I would…
Texas Tech alum here. Amaro is everything that all the critics here have said…except somehow he can just make catches. So many times watching the games I would find myself marveling that somehow Amaro made the catch.
I don’t think he’ll be a Seahawk, though.
I still have hopes that Cooper Helfet will be moved from the practice squad up to the regular team.
Pretty good article here about his role pretending to be Boldin when the Seahawks were practicing before the 49ers game.
http://www.marinij.com/football/ci_24938070/seahawks-have-former-redwood-standout-helfet-their-side
This Jace Amaro selection seems to be trending a lot in the group think Mock Draft circles.
I just don’t see it, for the reasons that Rob stated. First, he is not an exceptional athlete. I also don’t think he is a plug and play guy from a blocking perspective. I would rather roll the dice for Nicklas in the second round (a guy who is bigger and a better blocker) that to use the first rounder on Amaro.
TE is also a position that you can find good players in the later rounds. For a team that prides itself on developing players, I just don’t see the upside to drafting Amaro in the first when you can get a similar or more athletic TE in the middle or later rounds.
Besides, we don’t have a need at TE right now (especially with McCoy coming back). Unlike WR or OT, not to mention the constant need for talented pass rushing DL.
Now having said that, they can go ahead and make the prediction all they want. I like it when the other teams think that they have Seattle figured out for the direction we are going when they have no clue. Makes it more likely that someone we want will slide to us.
I am very hopeful that we see two of: big WR, DL, or OT drafted in the first two rounds.
I like Troy Niklas as a Miller replacement. I think he has the best VALUE of all the TE’s. Big strong kid that plays with a LB’s mentality.
The salary saved could be used to sign/re-sign a player we’d otherwise not be able to afford. If the difference in talent between miller and Amaro is negligible, the team would be better then before, no? Can’t call that a lateral move in that instance. Really just depends on how big a drop off there is between the veteran and rookie.
In a scenario I hope plays out, miller takes a paycut or restructures and the team drafts his replacement for 2015/16.
The difference in salary saved is not big enough to make any substantial signing. Amaro would earn $1-2m. Cutting Miller saved $5m. So what are you going to get for $3m?
I would argue it’s a lateral move at best. There’s no guarantee a rookie Amaro gets close to Miller’s level of play. It could take 2-3 years. The chances are it’d be a significant downgrade.
Good point on the rookie salary counting against the savings. Didn’t think about that. Tho with $3 million saved year 1, that could be could be the difference in bringing back a Breno, Clint Mcdonalds, Schiefield, etc. Not significant signings, but meaningful. Still, you’re right it’s not 5 million like I thought.
And I can’t really disagree in it being a lateral move when drafting an inexperienced blocker like Amero. It’ll take him a year or two (if at all) to catch up to miller, but him or guys like ASJ or Nicklas also have potential to add more to the passing game than Miller (who I really appreciate but see as more a possession TE) to go along with the body size to be great blocking tightends. In that sense, I could see how the front office might see a rookie tightend as more than a lateral move, but an investment for the future. I would consider that part of a Win Forever philosophy.
FWIW, I’m not a fan of drafting Amero and letting Miller walk, but this team is so talented, it’s already hard to make the 53 man roster. We saw last year’s draft was basically red-shirted. A lateral move with the future in mind doesn’t sound so crazy when I consider that fact.
Anyways, cheers. March 11 can’t get here early enough.