Mel Kiper has the Seahawks going corner and center in rounds 2-3
Mel Kiper insists this isn’t a projection (using capitals for emphasis) but it does give us another projection, errr, I mean list of names to run through as we consider options for the Seahawks in rounds two and three.
There’s a pay wall involved but basically we need to concentrate on the range from pick #45 up to #63 and then the end of the third. Kiper’s piece again highlights the possible attraction in moving up in the second frame versus staying put.
At #45 the Vikings take Dorial Green-Beckham. This could be the earliest he starts to garner consideration. We’re going to see a cluster or receivers go in the first round and that doesn’t help DGB. The likes of Nelson Agholor are going to be seen as athletic, consistent and safe. Good solid first round picks who can contribute early. Phillip Dorsett also falls into this category. Kiper has Agholor at #14 to the Dolphins and Dorsett at #31 to the Saints. Both picks could happen.
Eventually Green-Beckham is just going to provide too much value, too much upside. I’m sure several teams are going to be looking at moving up for him.
The Seahawks might be able to get into this range for the cost of the fourth round pick acquired from the Saints in the Jimmy Graham trade. It depends what counter offers are out there. It depends on a teams determination to move down. A team like Cleveland at #43 might be willing to move down if, for example, they give up their two first round picks to move up for Marcus Mariota. However, the latest report from Jason Cole has the Chargers moving up for the Oregon quarterback.
What a deal that would be for the Titans. You get the #17 pick, some change and Phillip Rivers? Talk about a bounty. At the same time, it could be a smart move by the Chargers too. Rivers is soon out of contract. It’s not often you get to replace an ageing long term quarterback with a highly rated prospect like Mariota. By accepting the situation they can solidify their long term future at the position for some initial growing pains. And they don’t even lose a single first rounder to make the move. Look how much it cost Washington to move from #6 to #2 for RGIII in comparison.
Back to the topic at hand. Can the Seahawks jump the Vikings for DGB? Again, yes if the right team likes the deal enough to drop deep into the late second. It’s a solid class with O-line depth in particular stretching into round three. Is that enough to consider dropping twenty spots in round two? Unlikely but not impossible. It might take a bit of extra spice to get it done.
Kiper has Devin Funchess leaving the board at #48, Tyler Lockett at #52 to Philadelphia and Sammie Coates to Carolina at #57. You can see the second run on receivers, leaving limited options for Seattle at #63. If they want to attack the receiver position in round two, they almost have to move up. It’s looking that simple. For a fourth and some change you have a chance to acquire a first round talent — a field-tilter according to Mike Mayock (DGB).
It’s an enticing proposition.
In this mock the top receivers are gone at #63 and Kiper isn’t including trades. For me in this position they’re likely to take the best O-liner on their board. Ty Sambrailo has the potential to play multiple spots on the O-line and would be a nice fallback option here. He leaves the board at #84 (Philadelphia) but could easily be a second round target for the Seahawks.
Instead Kiper has Seattle taking Florida State corner Ronald Derby. It’s an interesting pick because while he has plenty of athletic qualities and the ability to work the slot — he’s also fairly limited to that role. The nick corner is more important today than at any point in the leagues history. Is this a priority though? Derby tested very well at the combine but for a team that has consistently found starting corners later on, this seems like a high pick. You wouldn’t rule it out though.
The mock again emphasizes how difficult it could be to fill the greatest needs at #63 (receiver, guard, tackle). Unless they are smitten with Sambrailo, it could be a tough sell. Without wanting to labor the point, this is why it’s very easy to see them moving up this year. They haven’t done it often under Schneider and Carroll, but this might be as good a time as any.
In round three (#95) they get Oregon center Hroniss Grasu which appears to be great value and shows that they don’t necessarily need to go O-line at #63. The options in the middle rounds this year are pretty much as good as it gets. Grasu has nice length and size, he’s a technically gifted player and he’s a good fit for the ZBS.
In terms of my most recent seven-round mock, there’s some crossover here. I had the Seahawks moving up to take one of DGB, Lockett or Coates in round two (all somewhat attainable) and then taking South Carolina running back Mike Davis in round three. Davis is still on the board in Kiper’s mock at #95.
We don’t have to wait too much longer to find out what the Seahawks are going to do on day two. Finding ways to manipulate picks to get their key targets at center, guard and receiver seems like the key.
I don’t think Kiper knows the Seahawks in any great depth. Ron Derby doesn’t fit what the Seahawks like in corners. I can’t see CB as a need worth a top pick. And if, by stretch, the Hawks do look for a slot, Derby isn’t the even best slot option. In fact, there are many better througout the draft.
As for DGB, again, so much would have to happen for the Hawks to get him, requiring luck, willing trade partners, a lot of effort. If they leave WR rd. 3 and below, sure they miss the more obvious “field tilters”, but they could still land the speedy WR/returner as well as a tall WR.
“I don’t think Kiper knows the Seahawks in any great depth” is an understatement, to say the least.
The kids name is Ronald Darby, not Derby.
He has world class speed at 4.38 in the combine which seems to be a slow track. Not only does he play nickle corner but is my No .2 selection to back up ET at free safety. Teams avoided him in college because he is a ball hawk. He can definitely keep a lid on the defense.
He’s a world class athlete no doubt, a very good cover corner, and one of the best nickels in the draft. But I don’t know that he plays physically enough to be effective in run support the way ET3 is. Then again, not many are.
I will take the speed and assume we can teach him to tackle better. We know PC/JS love athletes that tilt the field athletically.
I get a chuckle from that spelling.
And to bust your balls a bit, it’s “nickel”
In any case, I don’t see a Darby derby. Definitely not at the top and not unless the Hawks change their standards. A pure nickel is not bad thing to have when you face Edelman. Of course, that is what Lane and Burley are for.
I agree Steele. Darby’s a great athlete for sure, but if the signings of Williams, Blackmon, and Tray Walker at the VMAC are any indication, which they are, this team isn’t going to deviate any time soon from the arm length/wingspan parameters.
Will Blackmon is starting to grow on me. We may all be pleasantly surprised by him come August.
What’s the arm length/wingspan on Burley?
Burley cost a late 6th round pick. He was acquired to play a specific role on this defense as fairly deep depth (inactive for SB49). He is the backup nickel (projected starter with Lane on PUP), IF he can beat out Will Blackmon in TC. I doubt they value his role enough to draft his replacement/competition in the 2nd round.
According to PC he was only inactive due to Kam’s injury the last practice before the SB so they had to active Steven Terrell in case Kam couldn’t go. Since ET3 was also banged up they had to play things extra cautious in order to have a replacement in case both couldn’t go with Jerome Johnson being the normal backup for both spots. The mistake obviously proved fatal since Edelman requires a slot CB to cover him but given how banged up the two starting safeties were, it was understandable why they’d take their chances on their healthy slot corner not getting injured.
I think you’re right that Kiper and some of the other draft “experts” don’t know the teams in-depth.
I think Kiper is projecting a value at #63, not so much a prediction of who Seattle will pick. If the draft falls this way and Seattle doesn’t move up for one of the receivers or o-linemen, they’ll trade down with someone and acquire some more day 3 currency. If you look at the pick as #63 and forget it’s the Seahawks, Darby makes a ton of sense with his skills.
I actually do like Darby a lot as a slot CB for the Seahawks, just that 63 could maybe address a more urgent need, namely OL or 3-tech. I wouldn’t mind looking at a small slot CB type in mid-to-late rounds.
I could see Lockett or Dorsett getting picked up as an immediate returner ( Hawks avg forcing 8 punts a game can equate to 8 WR targets a game ) . Then 3-4 years to see if he breaks the WR rotation . Considering Walters was the best choice of an elusive possession receiver , it needed the upgrade , partcularly with this defense . Could also see the Hawks moving away from the big tall WR for more of a WR/TE hyrids with this run style offense . Tall physical possession WR that can throw blocks sounds like a TE to me 😉
“Then 3-4 years to see if he breaks the WR rotation ”
That’s not the plan for a guy you pick until much later. You could pick one of those guys, but it’s not without planning to use him significantly in the passing game before the end of year one.
Also, the 8 punts per game doesn’t really equate to 8 great chances, considering the number that are not returnable for various reasons. Walters wasn’t seen as the best option last year, just the safest after the decision to be extra conservative on punt returns.
I think that Jaelen Strong will fall because of his injury, maybe SEA can get lucky and he falls into trade spot. DGB is impossible to predict, i can see him going to SF or NO, but he has a bigger chance to fall into trade spot than Jaelen. If Strong,DGB or Perriman (the other guy SEA could trade up to get) are not there, i see them going with plan B and catching Devin Funchess, who is visiting the Seahawks today. If a big defensive player is not at 63, like Byron Jones, i dont see SEA picking a guy that is not a OL or a WR.
I see Strong slipping a bit, but not much, into late rd. 1 or at most top of rd. 2. He and DGB, at the moment, look just out of reach, requiring tremendous effort to get. Perriman, forget it, he’ll be gone in the first.
Funchess and Coates look more likely to be available. I’m intrigued and scared by both. If either is the pick for the Hawks, I would get a crazy risk boom/bust rollercoaster feeling hearing the news.
Would they go for defense at #63? Possible, but I don’t see any great defensive names (worth sacrificing OL or WR for) projected around that spot. Round 1, sure.
Lorenzo Mauldin LEO/OLB
I don’t understand why people aren’t more excited about the possibility of Seattle taking Devin Funchess. There was some momentum but aftet the Graham trade and the 4.7 40 I haven’t heard his name one single time.
Sure, now we have a big guy in Graham but he still lack a big target on the outside. As far as his 40-yard dash time, it’s slightly problematic but in my opinion he plays faster on the field than his 40 says. His hands are also a weakness, but its a problem for so many pass catchers this year we can’t be too picky (examples Sammy Coates, Breshad Perriman).
Its pretty much sacrificing DGBs speed for a guy without question marks off the field who still has the chance to be a dynamic receiver.
“Its pretty much sacrificing DGBs speed for a guy without question marks off the field who still has the chance to be a dynamic receiver.”
There are still question marks. Funchess had a thoroughly underwhelming college career. He didn’t play with any fire, he coasted along. Speak to Michigan fans and they’ll tell you how disappointing he was. He had one touchdown in his last eleven games. DGB had something like 17 touchdowns in 87 targets in his short college career. Funchess lacks the suddenness to play receiver and the skills or size to act as an orthodox tight end. He’s not totally awful but neither is he a dynamic target on the outside. He just doesn’t seem like a Seahawk.
From what I’ve read about Funchess, he’s not fast enough to regularly get separation and his hands are questionable also. His biggest attribute seems to be his size so to me, he’s just another guy, not terrible but probably not an improvement over what we already have on the Seahawks either. How is he a significant improvement over Matthews or Norwood or some of the other warm bodies on our roster? If WR is going to be the Hawks’ first pick this year, I’m really hoping it’s someone that brings something different to the table and can actually make an impact.
Here’s a great analysis of Funchess over at fieldgulls. http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/4/17/8398675/2015-nfl-draft-devin-funchess-breakdown?_ga=1.100327256.759525594.1398723442
That SB Nation piece projects him to be a TE. I disagree. As a TE, he is not physical enough, isn’t that big, and therefore is not a good mismatch. He would be beaten up by LBs.
Whereas, as a WR, he is big vs. corners, and a great mismatch. The question if you put him at WR is if he has enough quickness to separate, or the power to beat up the corners and safeties.
With a lot of work, he might be able to compete with Matthews for the big WR role. But there are so many question marks, I’d be much more comfortable with a number of other big WRs in this class, who do not lack speed, have shown good route running, and no problems with motivation.
I think that article highlights the questions about Funchess. He doesn’t block well enough to play TE and has yet to prove that he’d be a huge mismatch against LBs. On the other hand, he’s not fast enough to consistently get open at WR against NFL caliber CBs. If he can’t overcome these major questions, does he really have an effective position in the NFL and therefore worthy of an early pick? I think there are too many questions about Funchess to draft him unless he’s available in the later rounds, which is probably doubtful.
Funchess would be a terrible pick.
“Sure, now we have a big guy in Graham but he still lack a big target on the outside.”
Chris Matthews ran the outside routes quite well in the SB. I know people keep pointing to him being unproven but look at it this way, he’s a helluva lot more proven than any tall receiver the team has any chance of finding in this draft. He’s got a better shot at making an immediate impact next season than any of them.
“He’s got a better shot at making an immediate impact next season than any of them.”
We’re talking about an undrafted receiver who went to play in Canada — and he’s had one good game for the Seahawks. Are we really going to compare that to some of the really dynamic options in this draft and rule out the possibility that some of this excellent class of rookie won’t be able to provide more?
Matthews is essentially one more game proven than any rookie they draft. There’s little chance they’re pinning their hopes on Matthews going forward as the unchallenged big bodied wide out on this team. They know they needed to get better pass catching options for Wilson. Graham was just the start.
Rob – I agree that we need to get more weapons for Wilson. But, I don’t think we need to downgrade Matthews and what he has contributed when asked to do so. I personally don’t know how he has performed in practices, how he gets along in the clubhouse, etc. All I know is that when he’s been given a chance to contribute in game situations, he has delivered. And, if you don’t reward guys who step up when asked to do so, I think you are left with some backup players (who are fighting for a chance) scratching their heads and thinking what more could I have done?
I don’t think it’s a question of “ruling out the possibility that some of this excellent class of rookie won’t be able to provide more”. But, I do think it’s unlikely that the Seahawks are going to find a big-bodied wide out at #63 that isn’t at least one season away from contributing the way I expect Matthews to do. If they find a way to move aggressively up in the draft, I think there are guys who could contribute faster.
I would agree here. While I’m not going to bang the drum for this guy, I think it’s telling that guys like Matthews and Gilliam stuck around on the active roster all season.
Sometimes, all it takes to make that next leap is a measure of confidence. The kind you get from success. I’m intrigued but not to the point of calling off the search for a quality WR to start.
I wouldn’t dispute what you’ve written Phil about rewarding him (and IMO rewarding means a legit chance to compete in camp, he can’t expect more than that).
The issue I have is with the suggestion he has a better shot at an impact next season versus players, to pick one name, like DGB. We’re talking about insane physical potential here. The learning curve for rookie WR’s is much smaller these days. A rookie has as much chance as Matthews to impact the team next year.
I’m skeptical of a rookie making any impact with Wilson until he’s built rapport and feels comfortable that he can trust him. He’s never been the type of QB where you can plug in an unfamiliar receiver and expect instant great production because he’s never shown himself willing to take that leap of faith with a guy he’s not comfortable with yet. Even though PRich was getting open plenty last season … he preferred to look to Kearse and Baldwin first and give them the initial opportunities. I expect he’ll mesh with Jimmy given the time they’re spending in the off season and that Jimmy’s a vet. He’s never clicked like that with a rookie, and I don’t expect it be instant production with a rookie as raw as DGB.
I do expect that won’t hesitate throwing the ball to Matthews though. If they’re in the same lineup I’m sure Wilson would naturally be inclined to throw to Matthews before DGB sheerly out of comfort level and familiarity. That’s why he’s poised to make a bigger impact than DGB.
Just because DGB might be able to get consistent separation, doesn’t mean Wilson will consistently loft it his way, as PRich last season proved.
Your doubts about Matthews appear to be mostly centered around the fact he wasn’t drafted, but since he’s proven he can play at the NFL level shouldn’t that be irrelevant? It’s not like his combine numbers were so terrible that he wasn’t worthy of being drafted, his 4.5-4.6 40 time is good for his size, and he had 3 cone time that would be elite for a mid sized guy let alone a 6’5″ one. His knock was he only had one decent year at Kentucky because he was a JUCO transfer he only played two years in the SEC and improved greatly from Jr to Senior years, it’s not like he regressed … but his CFL RoY honors alone should have made clear that he SHOULD have been drafted. The Patriots had him in for a private workout pre-draft and laments not picking him up in the late rounds. I really don’t see why you would use the fact that he wasn’t drafted as a cudgel to downgrade him now when he’s already proven that he should have been drafted given that we know he can play.
Comfort level and familiarity??
Matthews had one game. He spent most of the year not even part of the roster. He was called up later on to play special teams. He has essentially a one game head start on this rookie class.
A one game head start, plus just about an entire year of OTAs, training camp, practice squad, then reps in practice once he made the active roster. Does that count for nothing? You don’t think Wilson’s trying to get as many reps in with Jimmy right now as possible to get familiar with him?
Consider that in that game he outproduced the career days of every receiver on the roster except Baldwin.
“Does that count for nothing?”
Pretty much.
He didn’t spend any time with Wilson on the practise squad and his main duties until the SB were on special teams. It’s unlikely he had loads of reps building a chemistry with the QB at any point last season. He’s a one-game wonder until proven otherwise.
To echo what Phil and Attyla said, I’m not saying they shouldn’t draft a receiver. But let’s be frank, any of the options available to them at #63 and after are going to be far less polished and ready to make an immediate contribution as Matthews has.
He’s had a year in the system and the key there is that Wilson appears now to trust throwing him the ball that’s not going to be there with any rookie they draft until a similar in game rapport is established. It’s just not. Look at how long it took Wilson to warm up to PRich. Wilson would sooner take off running than throw the ball up on a timing pattern to any receiver aside from Baldwin last year, even if it meant guys were wide open after they came out of their breaks. Part of the problem was him not seeing them, but the issue remained that Baldwin was the only guy I saw when going back through All 22 that he seemed to be willing to toss the ball to before making their breaks. He was incredibly gun shy throwing it up to anyone else unless he had a clear line of sight and he ended up missing many opportunities. PRich was in fact getting open on medium and deep routes but Wilson wasn’t looking for him when he was as he’d be his third read after Baldwin and Kearse.
That appeared to change in the Super Bowl as Wilson appeared for the first time willing to throw passes to a receiver aside from Baldwin when it was likely to be contested. That’s where Matthew’s height seemed to factor into his comfort level. I just don’t see a similarly tall receiver at #63 that will be anywhere near as polished as Matthews is right now that will be able to win Wilson’s trust enough to make an immediate impact.
Even if they somehow were able to select DGB, which I think is unlikely, but even if they were … can you honestly see a guy that played one year of college ball two years ago being anywhere near where he’d need to be to win Wilson’s trust and beat out a guy who actually has had a year of seasoning in the CFL (where he won rookie of the year honors) and a year of training camp and practices with the Hawks and had already earned Wilson’s trust going into camp? I honestly cannot.
“any of the options available to them at #63 and after are going to be far less polished and ready to make an immediate contribution as Matthews has.”
We have absolutely no way of knowing how polished Matthews is. He is a total unknown. Just like many of these rookies.
But that’s the thing. We actually do have a game that gave us some idea of how polished he was. The Super Bowl. The question is only whether he’d be able to sustain his play over a greater sample size. But it answered the question of polish. We know absolutely that he is not at all what you can call a’raw’ developmental talent that many of these rookie receivers are going to be. He wasn’t a finished product, but he demonstrated the polish of a receiver with knowledge and mastery of the scheme he was playing in while demonstrating the polish of a receiver that had been in the league a few years. He was capable of running the curl, dig, out, comeback, post, corner, fade … essentially all the medium and long routes they had him run, he showed an ability to run effectively while getting a jump on his defender with a quick release.
Just like he showed outstanding body control and a natural ability to create vertical separation that you might think is just innate talent, but he also demonstrated polish in his contested catching and hand fighting technique at the NFL level that we can’t possibly expect to see in a raw rookie. He also showed the polish being able to get a quick first step off the line to establish superior positioning on his defender to come down with the ball on his route. He also showed some ability to go toe to toe blocking against a high end secondary.
It really seems to me like people are quick to write him off because he wasn’t drafted and seem to unfairly minimize his CFL background as RoY.
Can you honestly say you’d be treating him as dismissively if he had the pedigree of having been drafted? Would you still have your sights set on raw rookie to come in and be a more impactful player that would beat him out for a starting job?
It’s one game arias. One freaking game.
I’m just surprised that you think a wide receiver they could grab at #63 who in all likelihood will be raw and not in position to make an instant impact should be guaranteed a roster spot while you don’t think Matthews deserves anything more than a camp invite.
That’s not how I see the situation though arias. I appreciate a rookie might struggle to have an immediate impact. I also wouldn’t rule out the opposite — I think Seattle is determined to improve the passing game with better talent and I think they’d use a receiver drafted in the second round a lot more effectively than P-Rich last year, especially if that receiver has the skill set of a DGB. I think they dropped the ball at WR last year thinking they didn’t need to go big.
I think Matthews deserves a chance to compete too for serious playing time. But I also think he’s had one good game. And that isn’t enough to put any kind of distance between him and a rookie drafted in this excellent class. He didn’t even spend most of last season on the active roster.
Kiper talked about (in the article) this being where the players “Values” are.. not which team specifically will be taking them at each position.
I would LOVE to see Mariota go #1, then watch the draft meltdown / crazy trades would then commence. I could then see the Chargers or Jets making a move to #2 for Winston. Might as well tear up your mock drafts, because chaos would ensue. Outstanding Theater.
Yup, I agree. Round 1 of the NFL draft is must-see reality tv every year.
CB Tray Walker visiting the Seahawks today (along with Funchess). He looks like he’s be worth the 5th round comp pick.
Interesting reading Tony Pauline’s player round predictions by position; very different to my own amateur understanding of a lot of the players I like! http://www.draftinsider.net/rankings/2015/DT
Check out this new analysis of Tray Walker’s game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb-7GV3Qlpw
An ideal Seahawky prospect, can play either CB or FS.
Based on the attention he’s getting from teams around the League, he won’t be available in R5.
He is still a late round prospect… nothing much has changed except that his name is buzzing around draft landscape.
Love this Tray Walker kid. I was watching that highlight tape last night and was blown away. Also as you g
Was going to say also as you guys know I’m super high on Buffalo DL Kristjan Sokoli as well. Highest SPARQ score of any D-lineman? Comparable workout numbers to JJ Watt? Can we get this guy in the college navy, wolf grey, and action green ASAP?
Steele-Thanks for the link to Tray Walker’s “Czar” analysis. He looks like a really good fit in our defense. Walker has visited with a lot of teams, so I agree that he may have worked his way into the 5th round.
Vol12-Great to have you back on here! There’s been discussion about Sokoli being moved to OG-like Sweezy. Do you see him staying at DT? In the very limited tape I’ve been able to find on him the athleticism showed, but he looked like a drag down tackler. Either way I’d like to see the Sparq champ on our roster!
Thanks buddy. I do see him staying at DT. He’s more along the lines of a Tony McD or a 3-4 DE. He’s raw for sure, but who isn’t out of the list of VMAC visitors? Sokoli moves so well in space, fires out of his stance, and is a tremendous hand fighter.
V12! Great to have you back. Looking at the list of visitors, it seems like it’s primarily a way to schmooze with those prospects that you think have a say in their destination (UDFAs), and do some in-depth research on guys you have questions on (Sambraillo, Davis, Funchess). Really smart. Whereas the other teams picking in the first round have to show their hand to make sure they’re 100% behind a round 1 pick, we can take bigger risks on ‘less’ valuable picks going for players who we haven’t been seen with.
I’m viewing him as a poor mans Aaron Donald. Perhaps this is unfair, because Donald blew up the tape and went high in the 1st round… but if he is 50% as good, you have to take him in the 4th or 5th round.
One would think, with a draft so deep in OL, SEA wouldn’t want to spend a pick on a DL convert.
But if they do, my prediction is CLEM DE Tavaris Barnes.
6’4″285#
4.80/2.79/1.67
4.65 SS
7.50 3C
110″ BJ
31″ VJ
22 BP
What am I missing when I watch Chris Conley’s tape? I admit he doesn’t always play with suddenness, but he has the potential to play quicker and that can be coached up. He is super smart and has a great work ethic. So his potential to be teachable and get better at playing faster, improving his routes and cuts and better selling his fakes are likely to be realized. If so, you have a great WR that can blow by the defense, which demands a huge cushion that can be exploited underneath. You also have a long armed, big handed, high pointing ball plucker who can jump out of the gym. Why wouldn’t we draft him in a trade down from 63 and pick up another 5th? I feel like this kid is gonna make 31 teams look silly for passing on this unique combination of talent, intelligence and character. What am I missing???
Just my opinion but…A.J. Jenkins
I’m not saying Conley is the same kind of WR as Jenkins, or SEA is in the same kind situation as SF.
All I’m saying is that sometimes a college prospect looks good on paper, but for whatever reason he can’t make the jump to the NFL.
For the record, I think Conley is an interesting prospect worth a R4 or later pick. But even then I wouldn’t be expecting much. To my eye he just doesn’t look like a footballer. He looks like a basketball small forward lost in a strange sport. He plays with timidness, never breaks a tackle, doesn’t fight through traffic well, and I’m not sure I’ve seen film of him throwing a block.
Again just my 2 cents.
Conley was off the radar screen, then blew up the combine…. he will get over drafted.
OK, but have you researched him yourself? The Seahawks have been to 2 Superbowls and nearly a 3rd in the last 3 years with a team they built with ragtag players that weren’t on anybody’s radar? So maybe Conley is our kinda guy?
That’s the main thing I check when trying to determine if a prospect will be on SEA’s radar.
But I haven’t seen anything linking Conley to SEA other than a couple of op-ed type articles suggesting him as a possible WR target.
We (this blog) linked him to Seattle. 😛
In all seriousness, he will get drafted higher than he should, which would be opposite of what Seattle tries to do in drafts…. except for Britt.
Irvin, Wagner, ET and probably others were drafted early because PCJS wanted them for their unique set of skills and upside.
Chawk Talker, I hear what you’re saying, and have some of that feeling about Conley, too. Wish there was more film. There is a risk. The fact that he is one of the taller WRs, and SPARQy, makes him more attractive than he has shown.
I want to like him Steele.
But I can’t get around the fact that despite being his team’s #1 receiving option, and despite his overwhelming athleticism and freakish size against smaller slower competition, he never established himself as a dominant WR.
For me, Matthews is a better “prospect” for SEA than Conley. Both are about the same size. Conley is the superior athlete no doubt, but Matthews showed something in SB49 that begs for more opportunities, he’s already on the roster which saves the draft pick, etc.
I see totally different kind of players. Matthews is a tall WR, who will mostly rely on winning contested balls with his height. Conley is super fast, has good length and tremendous hops. He must get better at sudden cuts and selling the fake in his routes to create consistent separation. He will command a cushion because of his speed like PRich did, which creates opportunities underneath.
Yeah that was poorly worded. Obviously they’re not the same size physically, but they play the same size in a catch-radius way if that makes any sense.
As you put it, one relies on height the other on hops. Matthews is more of an outside shoulder, fade route, overthrown ball catcher who excels at winning the contested high ball (at least as far as SB49 showed); Conley more of a vertical threat who thrives on getting separation.
I don’t really care which type of WR SEA gets to exploit this year. I just hope whichever one it is does some serious exploiting. My point about Matthews is that he’s a somewhat known quantity that could fulfill SEA’s desire for a tall outside receiving threat (as opposed to a seam-busting red zone target like Graham).
Yeah, I don’t think Matthews and Conley should be compared. Ideally, I would like to see both types on the roster.
I do not consider Matthews to be a lock, which is why I feel strongly that a player with a similar game as Matthews is drafted.
Wish list: one tall target, one vertical deep threat (over 6-1), one returner.
I am pumped about Matthews this year. I was going out of my mind last year when we called him up, but would not use him as a red zone specialist despite our comical impotence there. Added to my WR frustration was PRich never being allowed to bust a double move and go get a 60 yard rainbow with his world class speed. When you do the math, Conley’s catch radius is absolutely astonishing! He has the arm length of a 6’7″ Goliath to go with those insane hops and ridiculous speed. I’m dream’n about it now…
Well guys, this is exactly why i added my post about the 20M talent cut next year.
Conley has one obvious advantage over Matthews –
HE WILL NOT BE A FA NEXT YEAR !!!!
this should be part of our evaluation. A good 2015 by Matthews and he is in the pro bowl after 2016 wearing the lions uniforms.
Eran – so what are you saying? That we should hope that Matthews does not play well? That instead, we should draft another developmental project so he, too, can sit on the bench for a couple of seasons?
Phil, Matthews’ status only makes finding another tall WR even more important. If he goes into free agency, having another keeps the Towers concept intact.
1. Georgia ran the ball 55% of the time.
2. They have a possession WR named Michael Bennett, who caught more balls for less yards.
3. The SEC has great athletes, they may have been smaller and slower as many are compared to Conley.
4. Georgia never had a strong armed QB. Conley still averaged a ridiculous 24 yards a catch.
Good intel…provides context and helps to clarify the big picture when trying to evaluate these prospects and forecast their potential to become productive NFL players.
have you watched his videos on draftbreakdown? in 2013 he looks pretty passive and “off his game”, but the 2014 game against Arkansas he makes contested traffic in catches, takes a few big hits, makes an impressive catch or two, blocks “well enough” as in willing to block and annoys a defender long enough to let his RB by even if it’s not a good block. All of his catches are all hands, and he tends to snatch the ball out of the air. He runs some decent routes in the 2014 tape, and seems to find space in the zone pretty easily.
To me he looks like a guy who was a few years behind his peers in physical development, only started to be competitive in 2013, and only started to learn how to play football/work on craft as a senior when he got a few more touches.
I haven’t followed him through his college career, nor do I watch much college football, but I’ve seen lots of tape at draftbreakdown and I certainly don’t think the Conley I saw looked timid. I mean he is not a power RB or TE, but he takes a few hits, doesn’t short arm in traffic (maybe he did once but it’s impossible to see on the one play where the defender was draped on him about 10 yards up the seam).
Is there other tape I should take a look at to change my perception?
I’ve never seen the draftbreakdown tape. I’ll look for it later. Do you have a link? This is a new tape of highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBzaad4INAE
go to draftbreakdown.com, click on the videos tabs at top, select prospects, and see lots of tape organized by position and school. They only have two games of Conley, but it shows good plays and bad plays. I personally think he looks unimpressive in 2013 and think the jump he takes to 2014 suggests he only started to figure it out.
don’t blame me if you get addicted to the site.
I blame PCJS and a motley crew of over achievers with chips on their shoulders for my Seahawkism. Thank you for the intro to DBD!
pqlqi, curse you for draftbreakdown.com. I will now look at…everyone.
Pglqi- nice one. Now with days left before the draft a bunch of this community is going to have to burn sick days and alternately fake having to go to work to avoid household obligations so they can hide out and watch hours of draft breakdown.
It’s funny. My assumption was that everyone here knew about that website.
Not everyone that smokes too much weed knows about free basing!
Easy there Robert, we already lost V-12 there for a couple weeks, his issues were a little more technical I believe, but we don’t want you having a heart attack on us there buddy. Having a man down there for two weeks was stressful enough.
Robert, I am a Conley fan. Prototype physicals, potentially prototype #1 WR game. Yet there is a gap between his ridiculous test numbers and his game film. No huge deficiencies, but many minor and fixable rough aspects that prevent me from being ecstatic. He could be even better than he has shown. I don’t think there is any need to trade around for him, he should be available where the Hawks will be.
Don’t forget he didn’t start playing football early. I love him, too. I just don’t get how some people can be down on him?
Not really down on him, just adequate caution.
I wonder if it’s because we have been duped by SPARQ demigods before? Heck, we even have Lockette as an under achieving poster child. I am speculating that good intelligence, character and work ethic likely offset some of the possibility of unfulfilled potential. And Conley has ALL those in abundance. He does not play like he relishes contact and the opportunity to dish it out. But neither do a lot of WR’s including Baldwin. That is not a prerequisite for realizing potential. I do not know…but I do know that if a guy is cruddy at catching and high pointing, I hope we do not draft him!
Robert, I don’t see Conley shying away from contact. I see him winning contested balls and taking hits. If you want to see a WR dishing out punishment, well, that’s a different kind of WR.
What I do see with Conley is ridiculous acceleration, almost Dorsett-like. But in a guy 6-2. Once he has a small bit of room, he’s gone. High points well. There is a rougher quality to his routes and breaks, but he is so quick he makes big plays anyway. Now with coaching and refinement, I do think those things will be fixed.
He remains very high on my list.
Robert, I agree with you 100%. I have been on the Conley band wagon for awhile now, and he screams #1 WR. He would be the replacement for Richardson who is out for the year with an ACL. But, I believe he is a better version, he is taller, faster, larger hands, hands catcher, high points.
Hey, we need to keep quiet about this so he can last until #63
Fist bump! Maybe you’ll like this guy too. Late round flyer on a kid who likely would have been a 1st round pick. But his father became ill, so he transferred from Florida to be closer to home.His Father later died from diabetes, but the kid held tough and will now get a shot at his NFL dream. He is around 6’1″ 220 and ran a 4.28, 4.33 at his Pro Day last week. Lethal in space! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHVMS95q9gY (re-post)
STEEL? I Think posted a link for another small school kid. Something williams, I believe Terrell? I didn’t get the name of the school though.
Robert and rowdy, I posted links to Coxson’s film previously.
There are two Williams Ed Williams, who visited VMAC.
And Tyrell Williams 6-4 210
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1gvpnXtJpw
I forgot it was you. I promise I was not trying to plagiarize your post! But the kid has mad skills and the back story could not be more inspiring while explaining why he isn’t the top 20 pick that his skills indicate. This kid has a fire burning in his heart to honor his deceased father’s wish that he fulfill his NFL dream, which he compromised when he quit Florida to be close to his ailing father. He has as much talent and upside as any prospect and the broken heart of an unstoppable young man!
He was better at the combine then Richardson but Richardson was way better on the field. Especially when you consider Richardson was the only thing the d had to game plan for and they still couldn’t stop him.
Watching Conley on game video and listening to his interviews, he seems like very athletic, high-character individual with a low-level of natural football instincts. All the SPARQ excitement over WRs usually translates into an expectation of dominant horizontal sepazration ability and as I have stated before Russell would be better served with receivers that dominate at vertical separation. Matthews, already on our roster, is that type of receiver. Waller is that type of receiver, as could be Strong and Funchess. Just go 20 yards down field, go way up in the air and come down with the ball. YAC, while nice, is not necessary if we can pick up chunk yardage at will like we saw Matthews do in the SB. I haven’t seen anything from Conley to make me think he can consistently dominate vertically or put Russell over the top in the horizontal separation game.
Not a lot of film showing conley winning or losing contested balls because Georgia mostly runs, Bennett was a great possession receiver and Conley seemed to create separation with his speed on virtually all the plays I have seen. But he does demonstrate good ability to pluck the ball away from his body and those long arms and big hands combine with great hops to indicate good potential in a contested ball situation.
Robert, Kiper’s mock is another example of why Seattle might trade down as you suggest and take Conley with their first pick in the 3rd – all the other options are already off the board by 63, and requiring precious picks to trade up to acquire, something JS is loathe to do.
Even if this is a round too early based on how most people rate him, if Seattle sees Conley like you do (and like I do) he may be this year’s Irvin/Wilson. In other words, an over-drafted player that Seattle favors and is willing to pay for.
Really surprised that not more people knew of Draft breakdown.com. Interesting. Thought that was the first place people looked for videos or game tape. Oh well, glad some of you guys found it though.
Word. Rob has mentioned it numerous times. Kinda makes me wonder where all these opinions come from without watching tape…the eye test from watching games is a different beast than watching tape.
Agreed. I found out about it in here and have been obsessing over it for a couple of weeks.
YouTube. The exact same 2 videos on draft breakdown for Conley are also on YouTube. In addition, there are many other videos about Conley…interviews, practices, other games, highlight film etc.
I was starting to think if there was something to this it would be Tyler Lockett. I don’t like it but he does fill the returner role and he would have a special interest with RW in building a chemistry because he considered a film rat. To me he’s a 3rd round pick that should be at 63 regardless of what Kiper says.
He’s an instinctive playmaker who can impact a game more than his size would suggest, and that was with a second rate QB. I think he could do really well with RW, even if there’s some redundancy to having him on the roster. Statistically, he’s the best PR in the draft, and a better than average KR, which is a nice plus.
I wouldn’t advocate moving up for Lockett. But I’m not upset if he’s SEA’s pick at 63.
I’m totally against moving up. that 4th round pick is just to valuable being so early in the 4th. I also think there’s a very good possibility that Lockett could be there at 63. If no OL. I’ve soured on Ty Sambrailo to my question marks with him for me.
The only prospect I’d be in favor of moving up for is DGB. That’s it.
Don’t sour on Sambrailo. He’s going to make Rob look smart. He has the size and attitude to play multiple positions. All he needs is strength and conditioning. I firmly believe he will end up being one of the better OLs from this class.
He’s also a drunk partier who gets into fights and pulls out knifes. Walt’s mock has him dropping to 184 already. This not a guy we need in the looker room.
There’s that, and some injury issues. So good, let him drop. We need the board to shift downward.
I prefer Ty Montgomery to Lockett. Better returner. More upside, can play all WR positions. Has some size.
Lockett, Agholor and McBride are guys who are pretty good, but what you see is about what you’ll get.
Steele- Out of the 4 WR’s you mentioned you like the one with obviously the worst hands? I like Montgomery too, but mostly as a return man. He’s got playmaking ability at WR with upside sure, but stony hands.
But Montgomery actually doesn’t have terrible hands! Watch this very detailed analysis of him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiqHjCimeFI
I see a guy who is quite good technically, who is improving. I think he just a little bit of coaching from being a dangerous all-around WR.
Whoa that video is a little too in depth for me…75 minutes long? I’m going back and watching his tape again. First off I had Montgomery as a 3rd round talent from watching Stanford games the last few years-before watching tape. I don’t understand why Kevin Hogan is considered a top prospect nationally. Good athlete, extremely slow delivery with big accuracy questions. Does throw some dimes, but misses way too often. Watched 5 games on draftbreakdown-all except the UC Davis game. Counted 5 drops 3 of which came vs ND-a game where he did not look healthy. So his hands maybe aren’t as bad(slightly below average, not terrible) as I thought, but there are throws on his numbers that bounce right off his hands-hence the “stony hands” comment. When he does catch it…look out! Dude has good speed/accel/agility, with excellent vision and can routinely run through arm tackles. The return skills Montgomery has are game changing and completely legit-as expected. His route running needs work, especially comeback routes. He does a poor job at working back to the ball. He’s able to find soft spots in zone coverage well, but lets the ball come to him as opposed to attacking it. These are things that can be taught. So re looking at his tape I’m thinking 4th round is the place to get him. The lack of natural hands are concerning, but definitely has play making ability as a KR and with cleaning up his routes could be a nice #2 WR for us-possibly as early as mid season 2015,probably more likely 2016.
Montg9mer would be a gadget player and return man, in my view. His hands are worse than Darrius Heyward-Bey’s. He’s closer to a RB than receiver. Anyone remember Chris Harper?
He’s a hell of a return man if that’s all he turns out to be. Could be more than that, but if not then we still have a big weak spot upgraded immensely. For the record I want Lockett at 63-if he’s gone then Montgomery is a very nice fall back option in the 4th.
I’d even say that Montgomery is good value in the 3rd round. IMO he’s that unique.
I like Montgomery as a return man who could also contribute as a receiver, but for return men, have you watched any tape of RB Corey Grant?
Montgomery is my favorite return man in the draft. I think he has huge potential as a YAC receiver. He’s strong, fast, and elusive. I’d pick him early 4th and wouldn’t be upset if the Hawks take him in the 3rd.
Hsu is reporting that of the 21 VMAC visits, 13 are defense – mostly EDGE/DL from smaller schools. The 8 offense visits were mostly big school prospects.
That would suggest another “typical” JS/PC draft as outlined in Rob’s post a couple of days ago – O picks high, D picks low, at least with respect to the DL position group.
They might be looking for the quality UDRFA signings.. for the EGDE or DE/LEO after the draft has been completed. I like it…. leave no stone unturned.
Yeah I love all the D-lineman they’re bringing in and the fact they seem to have their eye on the hybrid pass rushers this year.
Are we really shocked that they place an emphasis on guys that are raw with loads of potential? It’s the way to go. Go get PC guys that don’t have bad habits and can be molded/sculpted into his brand and style of football.
Plus these types of players know they have to get better and compete on a weekly basis to even be a small part of this team.
A couple of points that are head scratching:
1. I count between active roster and PS players 8 olinemen. Seattle rarely seems to corner themselves in the draft starting with matt Flynn as proxy for Wilson. Bit days before the draft LG is a Need. Its odd they didn’t get even one league average starter vet on a light contract to buffer in case something goes wrong in the draft. Unless they think a. They already have their LG or there are so many candidates they can get a guy in any round.
2. This was brought up as a joke but then it made my ears perk up that Seattle signed a ton of run stuffing DT’s and then alternately brought in every mid to late round “heavy/long” DE/DT hybrid they could find. The common trait I could see with all besides Sokoli the outlier, is they are all size wise in Bennett’s wheelhouse. Now I do not think Seattle trades Bennett….but…..i didn’t think they would trade for harvin then dump him for a,6th or graham, or get the best RB in the league for pocket change…
No. 2 is a great point/observation Peter, and something that’s caught my eye as well. I really like Frank Clark and think he’d be tremendous value in the 4th round and could do some of the same things as Bennett.
Also keep an eye on this Arthur Miley kid from Southern. I’d say take one of those 2 for a pass rushing DE and then SAM LB Sam Wren in the 7th. Just my opinion, but then again, what do I know?
I’ll check out Miley!
There’s strong buzz gathering around Hundley. Not sure who it was (maybe V12 – great to have you back btw bro!) that predicted he would be the 3rd QB taken and maybe as high as early R2.
If they can’t/don’t make a move for Mariota in R1, NYJ may at 37.
Happens every year the overdrafting of QBs. I’m not knocking Hundley – he has nice tools – he just makes poor decisions. He needs to mature slowly as a backup behind a solid starter.
I hope both Hundley and Petty go in the 2nd round so more players fall to the Hawks. The more QBs, RBs, LBs and TEs that go in the first two rounds the better for us.
I saw someone speculate DAL taking Petty at 27!
The guy who is intriguing is Mr Petty. We will see. He is the guy I could see landing in PHILADELPHIA in the 2nd or 3rd round. I think he would be outstanding there, with a powerful rushing attack to keep the heat off of him.
I wonder if he is a heart breaker as well??? 🙂
Well, so does Jameis with his 20+ INTs and his rape history. So it’s got to be more than just that.
Hopefully he doesn’t go Jamarcus Russell and go off the rails. I would rather see quality QB play and new exciting players in the NFL, than continue to see Brady, Brees and Manning hanging on/playing too long… for a few more years.
Thanks man. Can’t tell ya how great it is to be back.
Could not agree more. Love Hundley’s upside, but he definelty needs to sit and learn the ropes for a year or two.
Just a feeling, but it seems to me to be a very poor year for quarterbacks. There is some talent, but there is no Luck, Wilson, or Brady in this bunch.
Just because…. a mock (5.0) with a few new names to consider ****
1st Traded
2nd Tre Jackson, OG, Florida State (DT)
3rd Davis Tull, OLB, Tennessee-Chattanooga
4th (1) Kenny Bell, WR/KR, Nebraska
4th (2) Justin Cox, CB, Mississippi State (FS)
4th (3) Darren Waller, WR, Georgia Tech (TE)
5th (1) Kristian Sokoli, DT, Buffalo (OL?) ****
5th (2) Darryl Roberts, CB, Marshall (KR) ****
6th (1) Laurence Gibsen, OT, Virginia Tech (OG)
6th (2) Corey Grant, RB/KR, Auburn
6th (3) Edmund Robinson, OLB/ILB, Newberry
7th Nick Easton, C, Harvard ****
Breakdown: 1 RB, 2 WR, 3 OL, 1 DL, 2 LB, 2 CB
I can’t seem to fit a QB in.. but QBs Sims and Marshall are on my radar for different reasons.
One as a true back-up QB and the other to play CB.
Three OL are added which is good, but for a team with gaping holes at LG and C… I would hope they pick more than 1 OL by the time the 6th round starts.
It is hard to fit em in, due to other needs. I’m thinking the 4th round oif the best fishing spot for WRs. The 2 CBs… I admit, seems like a reach. I think only 1 will get drafted.. then sub OL/DL or other luxury pick in…. however, Roberts blew up on SPARQ.. peaking my interest.
I don’t think 2 CB’s is too much of a reach. To me only Sherman and Williams are guaranteed spots. Lane will probably be on IR, Simon can’t stay healthy, Burley wasn’t active in the SB(probably should’ve been), Blackmon is insurance in case we don’t find a CB and/or a returner in the draft. After preseason injuries at CB we were really thin and had to trade for Burley and throw him into the fire. After some growing pains he did OK. Point being we should get more depth.
I agree. Cary Williams and Blackmon have quieted the clamor for CB depth, but that could change quickly if either or both of them underperform. Which, in Williams’ case, is possible. I am all for taking Tony Lippett and another corner later in the draft.
Here is what I got off Fanspeak targeting Ronald Darby.
63 – R2P31 CB RONALD DARBY FLORIDA STATE (Free Safety)
95 – R3P31 G ALI MARPET HOBART (Center)
112 – R4P13 OT DONOVAN SMITH PENN STATE (Offensive Guard)
130 – R4P31 DT CHRISTIAN COVINGTON RICE (3- Tech)
134 – R4P35 WR CHRIS CONLEY GEORGIA
167 – R5P31 WR TY MONTGOMERY STANFORD (KR/PR)
170 – R5P34 OLB ZACH WAGENMANN MONTANA
181 – R6P5 ILB BRYCE HAGER BAYLOR
209 – R6P33 OLB FRANK CLARK MICHIGAN (DE)
214 – R6P38 TE NICK BOYLE DELAWAR
248 – R7P31 DE KRISTIAN SOKOLI BUFFALO (OG?)
Charlie, I just can’t jump on the Tull bandwagon. He looks underwhelming on tape. At least, I don’t see him as more than a deep day three flier.
Thought I’d put one together too:
63: R2P31
WR TYLER LOCKETT-KANSAS ST
95: R3P31
OT CEDRIC OGBUEHI-TEXAS A&M
112: R4P13
CB TONY LIPPETT-MICHIGAN STATE
130: R4P31
WR CHRIS CONLEY-GEORGIA
134: R4P35
OG TERRY POOLE-SAN DIEGO ST
167: R5P31
DE SHAQUILLE RIDDICK-WEST VIRGINIA
170: R5P34
DT TYELER DAVISON-FRESNO ST
181: R6P5
OLB DAVIS TULL-UT-CHATTANOOGA
209: R6P33
OG KRISTIAN SOKOLI-BUFFALO
214: R6P38
C DILLON DAY-MISSISSIPPI ST
248: R7P31
CB DARRYL ROBERTS-MARSHALL
These sites are pretty fun, but not very realistic. I left a number of first round types go because they had no business still being on the board.(Devin Smith and Dorsett both went in the 4th!?) Couldn’t let Ogbuehi slide though! I waited on a Center because PC has said it would be really tough for a rookie C to come in and start. It feels like FA is the route we’ll go for an upgrade to Lewis.
I interpret PC’s comment to mean that any C will learn the position before starting. I don’t think it precludes them from drafting a C with a high pick. If they draft someone like Day, that would mean even more development time, and possibly rotational/backup role only. You will see Lewis and/or a veteran band aid holding down the job even longer. Which is not necessarily good.
Agreed. I wanted Mason in the 5th but waited too long. It just feels like we are going to sign Wiz, Myers or bring Lem back if we don’t get the Center we really want in the draft. JS/PC have said we aren’t done bringing in FA’s along with it being real tough for a rookie center to come in and start.
Give me Florida C Max Garcia in the 5th round. Huge personality, chippy, a team leader on and off the field. Seems extremely ‘Seahawky.’ Him and RW would fit togetther nicely.
I keep coming back to this guy all the time. He just stands out to me. Greg Mancz C Toledo, he’s played every position which would help him with line calls. He got skills, leadership, and just needs a year on a strength program. If Lockett was to fall to 63 then this is the guy I replace Marpet with.
I love Mancz too. Keep in mind he tore his labrum while practicing for the Shrine. He had surgery in January. This might slide him down some boards.
They say he won’t be ready for OTA’s but should be ready for camp. He still needs a year of strength conditioning. What caught my eye was he very good delivery the shotgun snap which is critical in the pistol formation.
“Greg Mancz C Toledo, he’s played every position”
Nice! Versatility is highly valued!
I keep coming back to OG John Miller, Louisville, move to C, if we want to wait later.
I think that Laken Tomlinson is really good, and could be worth drafting in 2nd if there. – even PFF believes this: https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2015/04/13/cff-sig-stats-guards/
That would be an amazing draft for the Hawks if they could pull it off!
Florida C Max Garcia has played every position too.
I like some of the names in the draft, but Tuyll, Sokoli and some others are going to go earlier in the draft/ Tull is a 3-4 rd prospect and Sokoli is a 5-6th round right now. The heat around Sokoli might make him rise into the low 4th round….. The upper round picks look about right, for where they are projected to go.
Roberts is a guy I like, mostly for his SPARQ…. now I have to find some tape on him haha
There’s some footage of Roberts on youtube. Not sue Sokoli goes before round 5, more likely even round 6. The small school guys tend to go later unless they dominate the competition or have unbeleivable stats.
Charlie-I think my mock is fairly accurate on where players actually get drafted. Disagree on Tull I think the 5-6th is where he lands, Sokoli the same. In the mock Devin Smith and Dorsett were available in the 4th round, and I let them slide cause they’ll be long gone. Not overly realistic mock, but pretty fun to do! I’m happy with the players we got in my mock, but then again it’s my mock! haha Give it a try on fanspeak.com.
Draftbreakdown.com has a new tape on Roberts. He’s raw, but the athleticism shows. I like his ball skills-not getting picks, but fighting to the ball and knocking it down, also dude likes to lay the boom! Gotta like that from a CB!
I would be upset if he fell all the way to 45 and we didn’t trade up to get him. If I’m the FO I’m on the phones as soon as he makes it out of the first. Too much potential to risk missing out on him for a couple later picks, especially in a draft with this many picks and so much talent for them to compete with on the back end of the roster. We should spend that capital improving the actual roster i.m.o.
How much capital are you willing to spend? Even though the advanced stats research says the old Jimmy Johnson chart is off on value, the teams still use it as a baseline on draft day. We’d need to give our 3rd plus the Saints 4th to get from 63 up to 44. Do we really want to spend our top 3 picks on a high-risk wide out? Bear in mind we just spent a 1st on Graham, a 2nd on Richardson, and a 1st+3rd+7th on Harvin. Those are sunk costs, but at some point if you use the whole top half of every draft trying to fill the same hole there’s going to be no depth left at any other position.
Well said!
I don’t think the Jimmie Johnson chart has the accuracy it used to. A lot has changed since then, draft picks have become more valuable than veterans, some positions mute valuable than others, and the strengths of reach draft class is different.
If the high fourth gets us to the fifties, the low third and a sixth could get us into the thirties, maybe. Maybe with a veteran thrown in, as per CHawktalker.
I’d rather send the r4, of course, but you can’t always have the cake and eat it too. You wanna move up there’s a cost. To me this looks like a perfect storm of need, opportunity and trade chips.
But if it took the r3 and r4, I’m in.
If ever there was a draft deep enough in positions of need to allow a team with 11 total picks to concentrate their top 3 in one prospect yet still find value on Day 2/3, this is it.
Even so, I’ll be shocked if JS makes that kind of move. The only way I I think he does it if he packages the 2 picks (R2 + R4) with a player like CMike/Kearse.
Hey Rob just wanted to say thanks for this blog. It cant be easy posting nearly every day but its appreciated. You keep the off season interesting and the comments are great too. Everyones got me excited for the draft.
Thanks man 🙂
Yes, Rob – I echo that. I think you do an outstanding job with this blog. Just look at the quality of the comments by your readers! I think that reflects well on you. We may not all agree on everything, but we do agree on this: GO HAWKS!!!
Thanks man. Best thing about the blog IMO is that for eight years we’ve barely had a crossed word in the comments section. Incredible really when you think about it.
Things got a little testy back in the Frank Clark/Domestic violence discussions!
Yup. For the most part the discourse is very civilized, even though people may have differing opinions. What a concept, huh?! LOL But I really do think that reflects on you.
This draft can’t come soon enough (and for dessert, Pacquiao-Mayweather)!!!
Ricardo Lockette and D. Shead just signed exclusive rights deals. Good on Shead, not good, in my opinion on Lockette, not a favorite of mine. He and Kearse are examples of bubble guys who JSPC just will not cut loose. Their presence obstruct opportunities for others, who can easily replace what they bring.
I’m unclear on what “exclusive right deals” are…
Exclusive rights free agent tenders.
Minimum salary for a player with less than three accrued seasons. 660 K. And it is not guaranteed.
Yep, we lost Bates last year who was starting to look promising.
Lockette isn’t a great player but I think signing Lockette for $660,000 for one year is a good move. His signing is just a hedge against the possibility they don’t find a better WR in the draft or as an UDFA. PCJS aren’t go to say “sweet, we signed Lockette, now we don’t need a WR as much in the draft.”
I know we get all hot and bothered about all the WR prospects in this draft but I would be surprised if any of the prospects that we could get in rounds 4-6 would be a lock to beat Lockette out next year. Especially when you factor in ST play.
It is a good move although I still react react to just reading his name, this long after the sb, well I guess it hasn’t been that long… I think he’s a pretty solid wr6, experience, speed and size, occasional deep threat, gunner extraordinaire… but I don’t want to throw to the wr6 on fourth and superbowl.
I think we’d be hard pressed to find all of Lockettes strengths in a rookie, unless that rookie could return kicks, and punts.
He has to make the team to get that 660,000 for a year. To be honest that last play of the SB was an outstanding play by the Patriots CB. He jumped it all the way and had the position and as heartbreaking as it was they still should have run the damn ball period.
No doubt an outstanding jump on the ball by the db but if lockette came to the ball and russel threw it sooner, it’s probably a td or incomplete.
With the jump that safety had the best they could hope for was an incomplete. Really the play calling was BAD!!!
Agreed and bad is being generous. Well, live and let die…
He would have been down around the 1/2 yard line, failing to score.
Where do you ideally want to throw a slant…leading your target waist high. The pass was shoulder high, Butler wanted the ball more than Lockette. We lost. It sucks. It wasn’t the call I would’ve made, but it wasn’t terrible. If we had better personnel(Lockette) it would’ve worked. Ah well. Now it’s draft time to find a WR who will fight for it! Graham is a stellar start in improving our passing and red zone game. Go Hawks!
One of the reasons it was bad was BECAUSE of the personnel on the field when the play was called. That is on the playcaller–to know the personnel, and the matchups.
The way I’d put it was that it was a bad call that would have been more defensible if it was to Jimmy Graham, as opposed to a 4th string, speed merchant special teams guy. Even then, though, the call would not have been great, and certainly not the best pass to call in any event.
It’s tough for me to be happy that Lockette is back, until I re-watch the second beast-quake. If I remember correctly, Lockette blocs 4 different players on that play, and most impressive was after he took a guy out of bounds, be sprints to catch up to lynch, runs past him and blocks another guy. We gotta love that.
He was a monster on that play.
The guy looked like he was in fast forward, while everyone else was on regular speed
And there is real value in having a good gunner. Not quite like a good returner, but special teams are a big part of field position.
I am increasingly skeptical that Chris Matthews is going to be a starter. The SB was one game. With the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, he was CFL rookie of the year, but dropped off completely, then wound up working at Foot Locker until he tried out for the Hawks. He didn’t do anything in the 2014 preseason. So all we have is one good game, some nice special teams plays, and that’s it.
His Winnipeg highlights don’t impress me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbfHpeaVUeA
If this were a 2015 draft rookie, I’d say he’s one of the several big body WRs in UDFA, and not even the most skilled ones.
This makes me even more adamant that they need “the Chris Matthews type”, but even better. As well as for Chris Matthews himself to prove himself.
Fair point. I also think we maybe could look at Corey Grant to fill a Welker/Edelman/Vereen type of role with the Hawks. He can be a safety valve hybrid RB/WR type.
Love Corey Grant. Does Bevell’s offense include this type of play? If so, Abdullah, if they use/waste a high pick on a RB. Grant later (but I think Belichick will get Grant).
You’re right – at Auburn’s pro day, Belichick was almost drooling watching Grant run, catch the ball, and do drills.
Steele – just curious. What more would you like Matthews to do to “prove himself”? When given a chance to play — he has delivered …. Instead, some are saying that we should draft another guy who is his “type”. But what seems to be available are developmental guys who are likely to be riding the bench for a couple of years. Why not just face the facts that he was an instrumental part of our victory over GB and that he had a great game against the PATs? Let’s celebrate his success ….
Phil, what we know is that what Matthews did in that one game worked. We also know for a fact that big targets=mismatch nightmare. And I am with EranUnger,who believes that tall targets better suit Russell Wilson’s game, and that multiple tall targets fully offer mismatches that having just one tall WR might not.
JSPC got Jimmy Graham, who will do this job. He is one tall target, but also a hybrid TE, which is a different set of route trees (with some overlap).
How can anyone have full confidence that Matthews is a starter based on one game? Do we know he won’t regress or get hurt? To me, he is at this point no more than a developmental/rookie himself.
It just seems logical to have tall WR depth and competition. Great prospects should not ride pine very long, if the coaching staff knows what they’re doing—and they don’t let existing (mediocre/underperforming) veterans become habits.
I think there are guys who can not only do the same things as Matthews, but do them better.
It is not just one game. It is one game the fans have seen. To make it on to the Super Bowl roster Matthews had to perform in practice. The coaches asked him to improve in certain area and he apparently did. The coaches choose Matthews over Norwood. You either trust the judgement of our coaching staff or you don’t. If the coaches thought he could not make plays consistently in games they would not have him on the roster. Anyone that comes into the Seahawks organization is going to need to dedicate themselves to improve before they get a lot of time on the field. They are starting a year behind Matthews and the others.
They chose Matthews over Norwood for special teams.
Obviously not, at least not for the Super Bowl. Those plays to him as a WR were part of the game plan, by all accounts.
I think he’s a notch above a rookie, after his performances last year. At the very least, he’s earned the chance to compete for a top spot. I suspect this staff is hesitant at times to put untested talent on the field. Many examples of this over the past couple years. Mathews has been tested. Do I have full confidence in him, no, I’d hedge my bets here, but he better get some Baja therein his way.
“Get some balls thrown his way”
Eh, close enough…we knew what you meant.
I think he has earned a chance to get more playing time and more reps in practice. With him on the field along with Graham and Willson, we will have “triple towers”.
I’ve been a believer in Matthews since day one. When he finally had a chance to prove himself on the Seahawks he did. If they had thrown the ball to him a few more times in the superbowl they might have won. Now I don’t know whether he will be a starter or not. But I think the time to question Matthews abilities is long gone and is in poor taste. He deserves a shot at being a starter.
And yes the more tall receivers they can find the better.
How is questioning a guy with a spotty history plus one game and some special teams play “in poor taste”? How is he an assumed starter based on that?
Nobody is saying he doesn’t deserve his shot. Far from it, I want to see him become a pro bowler. The point is, he is an unknown quantity. If you like the kind of plays he made in that one game, and you agree that strategically it is the way to go, then clearly there should be a reliable starter capable of doing it. Whether it is Matthews himself, or one of the many other tall WRs they could land in this draft class, it really doesn’t matter.
“Poor taste” is a very weird way to put whatever point you are trying to make. Steele’s skepticism is understandable. I think most agree, though, that Matthews has earned a close look. Let’s see what he does with it.
I am still in belief that the hawks will target Dezmin lewis with their 1st pick. some might say no to him because hes seen as a project type but didn’t Paul Richardson seem like that? people were a little stunned when we took him with our first pick last year. I can easily see them taking Lewis with their first pick. its a little out of nowhere and well it fills a need. Although if they don’t I don’t mind them taking a DGB if he is there or a Lockett and then Greenberry in the 4th or 5th.
So excited for the draft. such a loser. I took those days off but been working OT to make up for the lost hours. Haha.
Interesting for sure. Greenberry IMO will go undrafted. I’m of the same mindset as Rob, in that the all the recivers are going to be off the board by pick 63, and there’s just too much talent in the mid,late, and UDFA period to panic for a wideout.
By all the receivers I mean DGB, Agholor, Dorsett, Smith, Coates, Funchess, Strong, Perriman, etc.
Do they need size at receiver? Sure, but the Jimmy Graham trade really let’s them sit back and take the best fits for the teamragardless of the shape or size. Don’t be surprised if that big WR comes from the UDFA ranks. Keep an eye on Lemar Durant.
I think the hawks went to his workout or something too (Lemar Durant) and I believe it was just the hawks and besides another CFL team. I think if anything he will be a UDFA. hes big and well his 40 showed it. running a 4.5 and 4.7. high bench numbers though at 27.
will be an interesting draft for sure.
And don’t know if the hawks really panic when it comes to picking guys. they will reach but its reaching in the eyes of the experts. they grade players differently then how other teams do. they grade against their own not the NFL. honestly my relationship with this WR group is strained. the only one I truly trust coming into this season is Baldwin. the rest have been there because I believe there hasn’t been too much high stock thrown into WR (minus Richardson which he was beginning to shine towards the end of the season) I am hoping that the hawks draft a couple more WR and slowly are able to weed out the lesser ones.
McNiel- is more or less a camp body potential Lockett replacement
Kearse- does just enough to stay on the team inconsistent though.
Matthews- is the big question. he had such a great SB and got me pumped when one of his catches he threw browner to the side on a comeback. really am hoping he can come up big in the offseason. but I am tempering my excitement. because as of now he is a camp body and PS/ST player and came in to play when our smaller WR’s were getting man handled during Man coverage.
Norwood-I am not sure why he hasn’t played more. maybe practice or what. but I was impressed when he got chances. I remember a play where he caught a quick 5-7yd bullet from Wilson over the middle and I honestly was waiting for him to drop it. but hung on. hope this offseason he can come in and show some stuff.
Richardson- shined during the latter part of the year after Harvin was traded. Injury sucks. thought is he wont be back till mid season, if that. who knows if he will have his speed too. main reason he was drafted was for that attribute.
I am sorry. this wasn’t meant to be this long haha. I work night shift and tend to ramble so forgive me haha.
Fully agree with your assessment. Nobody should rest content with this position group. Seattle could easily draft three WRs in this draft and that wouldn’t be excessive, given the opportunity for improvement. I don’t need to throw out names – we all know the options. Just wanted to support your basic point.
We want to have competition at all positions, but it seems likely that there will not be starters from this draft. Perhaps at Guard or Center because of the vacancies, but still even those are not likely. So, almost everyone we draft is developmental, and each is more likely to contribute after a season, or hopefully, late this season.
With that in mind, there is much to hope for in some of the projects from last season. Norwood may be the most obvious. Lest we forget, he came as a 4th round pick from Alabama, 6′ 2″ and ran 4.44 in the 40 and last year caught basically everything thrown near him.
We have some other talent that has been practicing with the team on the practice squad, like the man mountain Nate Isles OG.
Most of the players we are excited to get this season in the draft will be likely shunted to the side until seasons in the future.
Dezmin Lewis is my top pick for a big WR after DGB. I’d be very happy seeing the Hawks take him in rd. 3-4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOwQZRAtdNk
He has the outside game the Hawks need. Keep in mind he looked great in the Senior Bowl, and Bobby Ingram of the Ravens is very interested in him. Ingram knows.
Said to be a very natural, fluid receiver who played well with a weak-armed quarterback. Tall and fast, has soft hands. I haven’t heard about any off field issues. I prefer him to Waller because of the fluidity, the natural receiver smarts and the lack of off field issues.
Of all the WR prospects in the past few years, Dez reminds me most of Sydney Rice.
Steele-It’s Bobby Engram former Hawk, Bear and Nittany Lion. Sorry it was bothering me. Lewis isn’t my favorite,but does look a lot like Sidney Rice. I’d be alright with him in the 4th. Just don’t see much explosion from him. The length and hands are intriguing no doubt. He’s 6’4″ and thin-doubtfully a special teams contributor. Look at Norwood who rarely suits up because he doesn’t contribute on special teams.
Yes, “Engram”. Sorry about that.
Your point about Lewis is fair. But in the case with most of the bigger WRs, explosion is harder to find. Most are longer striders. Lewis already has one of the better 40 times among this group. What I’d be looking for with the big/tall WR are consistent chunk plays, red zone. Yes—Sidney Rice.
There are others that I am looking at as well.
I like the pick of Ronald Darby, but I don’t know if PCJS will agree, since they have never drafted a cornerback earlier then the 5th round. I actually think that there are a lot of good developmental cornerback propects in the late rounds that PCJS will like, such as Nick Marshall, Cam Thomas and Tray Walker. Also, I feel that it’s unlikely Hronnnis Grasu falls to he end of round three, but if he does, we have to take him.
If DGB goes too early for us to trade up, I am more on the Dezmin Lewis bandwagon than the Darren Waller bandwagon, I would take him in the 4th, but no earlier. I would only trade up for DGB so the second pick I would spend on Cedric Ogbuehi, if he is still there.
The later rounds, I would like to see them pick up two corner backs, and if they don’t trade up, an additional safety. Than Kirstjan Sokoli would be another guy I hope they draft, and play him as guard.
Montgomery is starting to grow on me, I’d spend a 4th on him and we can improve the return game without loosing CMike, who might be getting more touches in 2015 if Lynch slows down (but Lynch probably won’t slow down).
Use the remaining picks on the defensive line and defensive ends.
This way:
2 wide receivers, the “tall future #1” and the “kick returner who can contribute in the passing game”
3 Linemen, the “left tackle of the future”, “the center to compete with Patrick Lewis” and the SPARQY “Sweezy 2.0” guard.
2 Developmental Corner Backs of the future
1 Safety, providing Depth
Three extra picks used on defensive line and defensive end, to prepare for the gutting that will happen at those positions after next season.
Didn’t they take Thurmond in the 3rd/4th?
Actually, it’s looking more like Grasu is dropping.
From 247sports about Oregon pro day:
Grasu did not partake in drills nor media availability at the NFL Combine as he continued recovering from injuries suffered during the 2014 season. It remains unclear what, if any drills he’ll go through during Oregon’s pro day but he has spent time working out in Eugene; I saw him in the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex while interviewing Tyler Johnstone.
Grasu’s medical examinations will be crucial to his going in the first three rounds of the NFL draft since he’s coming off of those injuries and he’s a bit undersized compared to most NFL centers. His technique and consistency during his four years at Oregon are unquestioned though, so we’ll see if he can put up numbers validating what’s seen on film.
If he drops to the bottom of the third, would you take Grassu or would you take another lineman, or a player at another position?
Health concerns could drop him into the 5th round. He might be perfectly fine, but there are lots of centers and not so many positions. So he has a lot of competition.
Guys, Grasu did participate in the pro day in March, and did all the drills
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25104937/nfl-draft-marcus-mariota-delivers-at-oregon-pro-day
In fact, his stock went up after this. I see him rd. 2 on many projections, and I think that is where he will be, and deserves to be the #2 center after Cam Erving. If he drops, great. He’s technically great, especially good for zone blocking. I would be fine with Grasu, Mason or Gallik. Not sure if Cable will prefer a conversion type (Morse, Marpet, etc). I want every prospective Hawk to fall into the bottom half of the board!
He did nicely at his pro day but he still has some red flags health-wise.
That’s the rub of this draft. OL is stocked to the gills, particularly G and C.
That’s how a quality C prospect like Grasu can get lost in the crowd – he’s on the smaller side, he played in a spread offense working out of the shotgun, he has medical issues, etc.
My only problem with Gallik is his snaps in the shotgun. They are crisp and consistent, but always at knee or shin level. This could be correctable, but I believe the snap should not lower the eye level of the QB too much, and his seem to do that. I like to see the snap come to the QB at the chest level or even a touch high, so that eye focus does not need to fluctuate so much. With only split seconds for decisions, this can make a difference.
In general, though, I like his play, and that is the only knock I can come up with. He will be a good player.
Hsu is characterizing the talent in this draft as solid value in R1-R2 and R4-R5, but there’s a “bottleneck” in R3 with a mix of R2 fallers and R4 overdrafts.
I think Grasu might be had at 130/134. So if the choice was mine, I’d look at straight BPA in R3 – the “luxury” pick of this draft if there is one.
Bucky Brooks’ last tweet:
“Vet NFC scout told me Northern Iowa’s David Johnson, USC’s Buck Allen & South Carolina’s Mike Davis as the “hidden gems” in ’15 RB class”
There he is – Mike Davis.
I wouldn’t be upset with a Mike Davis pick, especially if the Hawks see something in him, but I would pick Buck Allen if I was selecting from the three.
I get the planning for the future but id Seattle dials up starters and depth this draft they’d have say 8-10 picks next year to focus on RB. No one is lynch but perhaps if they don’t yet again trade away the first pick they could have something in the first round to look for a generational RB talent next year. Buck Allen late or Davis not in the third might be okay. But Davis in the third to sit behind lynch Turbin c mike is a luxury to me since his tape even from the 2013 season is not outstanding. Its good maybe very good but nothing more.
Mike Davis is one of the better HBs in this draft. Love his character and reason for declaring early. Great pass catcher, runs behind his pads, falls forward, moves a pile, can feel a defender, etc. His tape is underwhelmig, but he also was banged up and not in great shape. He’s a luxry for sure, and not a replacemtn for Lynch per se, but more of a hedge against losing Turbo or C-Mike next year.
He’s banged up, not in great shape… And he’s a luxury???
He was banged up and not in great shape during the course of the year.
He’s a luxury because Seattle has 3 possibly 4 good backs already on the roster.
C-mike was a luxury pick. Picking this guy (before the 6th) would just be a head scratcher, though apparently the inside word is that he is drawing a lot of interest.
His tape from last year was underwhelming. If you go back and look at his tape from 2013 a bit of a different story. I discovered Davis last year when I was studying up on Bruce Ellington. If you pull the 2013 SC game vs Arkansas up you may see a bit of what I’m talking about. His running style reminded me a bit of Christine Michael and I agree that he consistently moved the pile forward. He also had great burst and got up to speed quickly.
You’re right V-12, I think he is a hedge against CMike to be honest, because I have a feeling Turbo will be cheap enough to bring back and they may be looking to replace CMike with a less expensive option since it looks like things may not be working out with CMIke.
Hopefully we get a 5th-7th rounder from a team like Dallas for CMike if in fact Davis is drafted and beats him out. Not so likely, but hopeful someone like Jerry Jones will channel a little Al Davis and go for the bait.
I would be upset with the Davis pick. The list of better backs is very long, going into UDFA. Ajayi, D.Johnson, Yeldon, the scatback Abdullah, etc. etc.
If the Hawks want a Lynch heir apparent, they should target Jay Ajayi or Matt Jones. Josh “Bowling Ball” Robinson is also interesting. Jones might be the closest in style.
Just like with corner backs when Seattle drafts a running back that isn’t 5’9-5’11, 210-225 lbs. I’ll believe it, but until then not so much. Jones is an interesting and intriguing back for sure, but runs too upright.
I’m intrigued by Josh Robinson as a 6th round to UDFA. There are plenty of other choices so no need to get excited about any of them.
Allen would be my guy, too, I think, just because he seems like the safest of the three. I’m not sure I like any of them to be a lead back, so I want the guy to at least be a solid backup.
Really, though, after checking out a post on FieldGulls, I’m actually excited about Zach Zenner. Am I crazy? He reminds me of Lynch as much as anybody, honestly. Quick feet, solid base, not blowing by guys in the open field but fast enough to stretch long runs if he gets space. I was just really impressed with his ability to make quick cuts into the hold and shed the first would-be tackler.
I like Zenner as well, and also Tyler Vargas from Yale. Vargas blocks, catches, and is a load to bring down.
Does Seattle have 3 5th round picks or 3 6th round picks?
Rob, do you have the pro day numbers for Appalachian St OT Kendall Lamm ?
We have 2-5th 167 and 170, 3-6th 181, 209, and 214
App. St. OT Kendall Lamm – 6’5″ 302#
40yd/20yd/10yd – 5.27/3.05/1.93
Short shuttle – 4.61
Three cone – 7.39
Broad jump – 109″
Vertical jump – 26″
Bench press -25
Don’t know his arm length.
Thanks CHAWK. Those numbers are interesting for sure.
What about Cincinnati OT Tyreek Burwell?
CIN OT Tyreek Burwell (Reeeeeeeeek!)
6’5″ 302#
40/20/10 – 5.00/2.87/1.69
SS – 4.79
3C – DNP
BJ – 109″
VJ – 32.5″
BP – 30
Again, no info on arm length.
The OL class in this draft, in particular, the interior OL class, is insanely deep. I know the team needs C and OG badly, but I’m not sure they need to use any pick before Day 3 in order to get quality prospects.
Wow those numbers are even better. Did he attend a JUCO school before Cincinnati?
Last one. What were U-dub LB John Timu’s numbers?
Comment from 247sports Bearcats fanboard:
“It’s not unusual to see a tight end be transformed into an offensive lineman, which is how UC senior Tyreek Burwell has found the starting line-up.
At Walt Whitman High on Long Island, Burwell did play some offensive line, but had just 230 pounds on his 6-foot-5 frame. His first college stop, SUNY-Cortland placed him at tight end, before eventually deciding he needed pancakes in his diet and on his resume.
Now at 295 pounds (and looking to add more to help his NFL chances) Burwell has found his way into the starting line-up and has played a big part in the run game of Rod Moore and Mike Boone.
By the way, for trivia geek purposes, Walt Whitman High in Huntington, New York is where would-be heavyweight champion Gerry Cooney prepped. Cooney’s title chances were derailed by Larry Holmes in 1982 and he had subsequent losses to Michael Spinks and George Foreman and finished 28-3.
For the record, I think Burwell could take him. Then again, Cooney is 58.
http://youtu.be/KK3xKdzRCOs“
ILB John Timu 6’0″ 243#
40/20/10 – 4.80
SS – 4.47
3C – 7.07
BJ – 112″
VJ – 32″
BP – 33
That 40 time hurts man.
Do you know where ‘The hair’ aka Mel Kiper had Jake Fisher going in his 3 round mock draft?
I’m not a fan of “the hair” but Fisher is a lower 1st round pick to higher 2nd round pick… according to other sources.
ooops forgot the 40 splits
40/20/10 – 4.80/2.74/1.64
The Hair sez:
With the thirty third selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans select Jake Fisher, OT Oregon.
Selecting a CB/safety anywhere in this draft wouldn’t surprise me, even the first pick. PC can’t be comfortable with the depth in the secondary, and perhaps believes his current starter at RCB can be improved upon (Williams/Simon?).
There appears to be a significant drop between their starting safeties and primary back up. Given the importance of safety in PC’s defensive scheme, I can see PC targeting high-potential back-ups at all three positions (FS/SS/CB).
And maybe even a potential starter at nickel-back.
#63 will not be Darby.
This.
Thanks. My thought as soon as I read this pick. Only thing more shocking would be a RB or QB in the second.
Could, though, be Alex Carter. Corner from Stanford, 69.63″ wing span, 32 1/8″ arms, 6′ 1″ and 196 pounds, and ran a 4.51 40. Productive player and very smart. 40″ vertical as well. These Stanford players seem to be working out well.
“If they want to attack the receiver position in round two, they almost have to move up. It’s looking that simple. For a fourth and some change you have a chance to acquire a first round talent — a field-tilter according to Mike Mayock (DGB).”
I absolutely have thought this, continue to think this, and am anxious now that more and more people are talking about it. Actually, it’s looking more and more logical and it’s certainly not impossible.
Perriman or DGB would be worth doing this for, though I prefer DGB.
In our favor, the team has shown us that we know receivers don’t grow on trees and that you have to be aggressive in order to get good ones – or good ones with great potential – to positively affect an offense. I think we will have to be very aggressive to land our guy.
To me, Perriman is a bigger, stronger Tim Brown with much more speed.
Same body stiffness, same lack of grace in routes. His hands need work.
His 40 time has inflated his status.
Tim Brown is a borderline Hall Of Fame…
Perriman isn’t perfect but has all the tools to become a viable #1 WR. He does need work, but worth the risk as early as round 2. I think he will be out of our reach, however.
Where does Kiper have Devin Smith going? I don’t have insider access at the moment. Really like what Smith brings to the table!
My draft thoughts of the day…focus on WR
Word is MIA will take a “big-bodied” WR in R1 or R2 this year. By my board, that means they get lucky and Parker slides to 14 (though it will be tough for him to get past MIN, CLE or NO); otherwise, I’m betting they’ll take Sammy Coates at 47.
Most expect JAX to take Cooper at 3. BUT (and that’s a big but), if they go D in R1 instead, then I’m betting they take Rashad Greene at 36.
If MIN misses/passes on Parker at 11, they’ll be waiting for DGB at 45.
BTW, Matt Miller reports that SEA is setting up their draft board to focus on power RBs on Day 3 (R4-R6).
My predictions for WR in this draft are Jets-Cooper, CHI-White, MIN-Parker, HOU-Perriman, BAL-Smith, OAK- Strong and the rest i dont know.
I like the logic behind this post. I could see the Raiders double dipping WR in 1st 2 rounds (or a hybrid TE/WR in rd 2). They need the fire power to make Carr shine.
Miami sure needs a big WR with basically only Kenny Stills and Jarvis Landry on the roster. They’ve got the vertical threat and slot set. Now they need a big WR.
Rob and readers, what about trading up using the 4th we got from NO and a 2016 3rd? We will have a comp pick in that round because of Maxwell, and to get a top receiver like DGB, Strong or Perriman we have to pick before MIA,SF,HOU,KC and even MIN, in round 2, because they will target receivers in this round. Is this scenario possible?
Personally I’d be open to it for the right player. Highly doubt that JS would do that though. He very rarely trades up and tends to value quantity over “quality”.
31 Jimmy Graham WR/TE :Saints
63 Tyler Lockett WR/PR/KR : Kansas St.
95 Daryl Williams LG/ROT : Oklahoma
112 Marcus Hardison 3-tech : Arizona St.
130 Tyler Davidson 1-tech : Fresno St.
134 Sequen Golson CB : Ole Miss
167 Lawerence Gibson OT: Virginis Tech
170 Greg Mancz C : Toledo
181 Shaquille Riddick Leo/OLB : W. Virginia
209 Alana Fua OLB : B.Y.U.
214 Thomas Rawl RB : Central Michigan
248 Jake Rodgers OT : E. Washington
The return game is very important especially the way PC talks about field position. By drafting Lockett he will be in uniform no matter what and that gives us another WR on the roster during game day. He can backup Baldwin in the slot position and with this guys route running skills could see the field earlier taking PRich’s position on certain plays. He’s a film rat and that would be his ticket to build a bond with RW after practice. He a 3rd rounder but then pick 63 is in many ways a early 3rd round pick anyways. If push comes to shove and a move up is needed we just use the one we got for Harvins because we wouldn’t need to move up that far. I think he’ll be there at 63.
I have to disagree with you Rob about Williams. He has Carpenters size Athletically and Physically but his mental makeup is very different. You want to talk about grit. This guy has it in spades. He likes to bury people into the ground and has that Breno attitude that this OL seems to be lacking. I’m not going to throw him into ROT spot and move him to LG after he’s injured. I’m going to put him there to start with and I believe he will have the mentality to excel with his work ethics that Carpenter seemed to lose after his injuries.
Someone said that Marcus arms doesn’t physically match what PC/JS criteria. Your wrong he has 33 1/2″ arms and He’s quick off the snap and knows how to make himself skinny to shoot the gaps. He one of the best 3-techs to come into our range that we have an ability to get our hands on. He is not a DE and that why he’s here. The 2nd half of the season it all came together for him when he moved back inside and the film shows this. He will be a rotation with Jordan Hill and could cause McDaniels to move on this year.
Tyler Davidson at 130 might be a problem because Dallas needs a guy like this and might take him at 127. I’d be willing to trade up ahead of them using the 7th to get this guy. He is a younger version of Mebane and with 1 year learning from Mebane he would step right in when he leaves next year. The guy is unbelievable strong and is the perfect fit for the 1 tech position. 1 Williams has not resign and the other Williams we have no clue if he can stay healthy. This is a good draft to grab a couple guys for an expensive aging DL.
Golson fits everything you want in a CB except his height. 2 things that he does that really stand out to me is the ability to rotate his hips and turn and run with the receiver. The other is the ability to watch the receiver and QB at the same time. He’s a ball hawk 9 interceptions and 16 passes defensed. Big tall CB don’t do well in the nickel corner position in the middle of the field. It’s a new position in this pass happy league and you need a smaller quicker CB for these slot receivers.
Gibson is the perfect project for tackle position. He has the physical and athletic trait but is in dire need of being coached up in technique. A perfect project for Cable to work on in a year for when Okung’s contract expires. His combine numbers were just crazy good.
Mancz is the guy I gave up Marpet for. He’s everything Cable would want. He’s football intelligent having played all the positions he understands every ones job. His skill set is so far off the chart and well as his leadership skills. He needs a NFL strength and conditioning program like most players coming out of college.
Riddick is a project to take over O’Brians spot. He’s a raw prospect Irving which might give us and edge in development since we have done this before. Make no mistake thou if I have to trade this pick to get Lockett I would.
Fua is another fascinating project who is versatile and has played in multiple positions. Had a growth spurt and needs to add a few pounds which would put him in the same size as a K.J. Wright. He could make the team on ST and supplant a mike morgan going into the future.
Rawl that running back that would come in and push Michaels for his spot because I think Turbin will play out his year and we know Beast is here for a year no matter what.
The 7th round pick as I said before could be used as a trade in the 4th but if not I grab another OT project who has been compared to Breno. No matter what anyone says I like Breno and if this guy could develop and become like him. I’m all in.
I have no illusions that this is a perfect mock but I just wanted you all to see that I have put some thought into it and had a blast doing it.
I like this mock and it was probably me who flipped hardison’s arm length with someone else. I worry about the transition from 3-4 end to 4-3. Other then that I’ve got doubts about senquez and his overall size.
Burley was not a draft pick per se and doesn’t hit all the boxes but lane the presumptive nickel corner had the right length and quickness. Golson is a nice player and a ball hawk but Seattle has yet to budge on their numbers.
Laken Tomlinson could be good enough to take in the 2nd, per PFF
I’m down for DGB/Coates/McBride/Bell/Lockett, but think DeAndre Smelter has to be UDFA or 7th rd redshirt
I like Josh Shaw to replace Shead
I like Ron Fields/Alex Carter at CB
I like Malcolm Brown at rb. Zach Zenner seems more like a Sherman Smith type FB, but maybe a Alfred Morris type.
I’m with ya on Duke OG Laken Tomlinson. High character, team leader, moves well. He’s definetly someone I’ve had my eye on as a target in round 2.
From the videos I have seen he really pushes people out of the way. I like him a lot.
Zach Whitman seems to think the Hawks tend not to take WRs in the late rounds. But he is basing that on past patterns. I hope that is not the case. There are some exciting WRs in late round and UDFA.
The Hawks interest in Damarious Randall is worth noting. He is 5-11 with only 30 inch arms. That doesn’t fit the size/arm length model at all. But Randall is a ballhawk, can play both S and CB and—-he is a returner.
Could JSPC go for Randall with pick #63?
It is the kind of huh? kind of thing they would do.
I think wingspan is more important overall than arm length. Besides, it’s not as crucial a measurement for the FS position.
I can’t find ET3’s wingspan measurement but his arms are exactly 1″ longer than Randall’s. However Randall is an inch taller and his wingspan is 73.875″.
I think 63 is too early. He’s worth it at 95 for sure though.
Would they look at Randall for nickel corner?
I would think they’d look at him both as a viable backup to ET3 and the nickel.
I disagree. This is what I have to date.
63 S Demarious Randall, ASU
95 DE Frank Clark, Michigan
112 C Hroniss Grasu, Oregon
130 WR Kenny Bell, Nebraska
134 OG Mitch Morse, Missouri
167 RB David Cobb, Minnesota
170 WR Jordan Taylor, Rice
180 CB Tray Walker, Texas Southern
209 LEO/SLB Jordan Hicks, Texas
214 DT->OG Kristjan Sokoli, Buffalo
248 LB Reshard Cliett, S. Florida
After the draft signees:
DT Tory Slater, West Georgia
WR Ed Williams, Fort Hays State
OL Robert Myers, Tenn State
OG Desmond Harrison, Community College
It’s time to revisit Tre McBride. A brand new RSP analysis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKV7ANCzuhg
He’s been a longtime favorite in here, I have been back and forth on him. As these analysts point out, McBride’s game is so polished and smooth, that it’s almost quiet. Yet what he is doing is, in fact, explosive. (Compare this to Chris Conley, who “looks” spectacular because he is not as finished.) To me, McBride ticks all the boxes except for height (6-0 to me is near-smurf), but he makes up for it with great catch radius and high point. He has enough pure speed, but is not a burner. Excels at both kick and punt returning.
I think the comparison to Amari Cooper is a good one. He also reminds me of Derrick Mason in his prime.
If the Hawks take him in rd. 3, it would be a solid pick for sure. Kenny Bell, similarly solid. Are they “field flippers”, though? Do they add beyond what the Hawks already have in Kevin Norwood?
Is McBride Golden Tate-ish?
Yes Steel, IMO he is.
He has extensive basketball background and body control plus great hands to go up for the rebound catch and come down with the ball. he plays taller then his 6-0 and will naturally use his body to block out a corner and secure his catches.
If his PR/KR are as good as advertised he’d be my favorite for that position.
P.S. – He is my favorite for the KR/PR WR duties. Conley IMO is a candidate for a totally different role on the outside and they are not competing for the same role. Conley’s competition is Matthews and McNiel on the roster the the likes of Funchess, Waller etc. in the draft.
Steele – You say McBride “excels at both kick and punt returning”. I just wonder where this assessment comes from? I recall that he has returned a total of 11 punts in his career, for an average of about 11 yds., no TDs. Similarly, he has zero kickoff returns for TDs.
Living in Williamsburg, I hope that our W&M guy makes it big. But, I think some of the buzz about him is a little overblown.
Taking my point about his kick return skills a little farther, keep in mind that W&M plays most of its games against small schools like Towson State, U of Maine, the Richmond Spiders, James Madison University, etc., etc. The guys that are playing on special teams at these schools are not world-class athletes. So, even if McBride’s return skills were excellent, I would be very wary of then extrapolating those stats to the NFL.
Phil, the assessment of McBride’s return abilities comes from the film analysis, which shows him doing it. What it shows is that he does it well. Even if he doesn’t have a Ty Montgomery resume on that, he can do the job. I don’t know how the team’s special teams duties were laid, out, if you have better knowledge of W&M, love to hear about it.
EranUnger, I’d be comfortable with McBride and Conley as the picks. It would be a responsible way to go, without trading up for anyone.
Steele – Lockett would be my pick for a WR/KR. Comparing his return stats to McBride’s:
PR: Lockett 32, McBride 11
Yds.: Lockett 488, McBride 122
Avg.: Lockett 15.3, McBride 11.1
TDs: Lockett 2, McBride 0
KRs: Lockett 77, McBride 56
Yds.: Lockett 2196, McBride 1294
Avg.: Lockett 28.5, McBride 23.1
TDs: Lockett 4, McBride 0
Well, yes, of course, Lockett has better return numbers. So does Ty Montgomery. I just think McBride offers a better all-around receiving game than either, and he is more likely available in rd. 3 or even rd. 4. And McBride and Montgomery both have non-smurf frames and catch radius.
I guess I could have mentioned that Lockett had 108 catches last year alone. I have not checked, but I don’t think that McBride, playing in a run-first offense, has had many more than that in his entire career.
Size and athletically he’s a lot similar to Roddy White. I like Tre potential compared to the others who could be available at the seahawks 2 and 3 rd round picks
I rarely listen to Mel Kiper. I personally think Mike Mayock does a much better job with the exception of last year and his rating of the Cleveland wannabe Johnny Manzel. Plus Mayock already explained his views and said what he should’ve done which is include the guys character. As Mayock put it if there are character concerns and there is a pattern that pattern will probably continue. With that said, I’m still a believer in second chances and like the prospects of DGB in Seattle. Realistically, teams that are not afraid to take chances on problem players (Raiders, Bengals, Vikings) might all be willing to.roll the dice. I think IF Seattle really wants a go to receiver that creates match up problems ( another way for seattle to exploit defenses )Ala the Jimmy Graham factor, Seattle will need to find a trade partner like the Dolphins who don’t have many picks in this draft to get DGB.
I see Seattle going:
DGB
H. Grass
Donovan Smith
Ray Drew
With the first 4 picks.
If Seattle wants DGB they will need to find a team with a higher 2nd pick then the Dolphins, I could see Atlanta or Minnesota being potential trade partners, they will probably want more than a 4th, possibly a player. Even if the trade works, there is no guarantee that DGB will make it past the worst teams in the second round, or even into the second round.
Okay, great idea here… How about we send anyone who will take it, a 4th + Darrell Bevell, to move up and take DGB, because I humbly believe that DGB is slightly less of a risk than relying on Darrell Bevell to make the right call when the heat is on.
This.
I’ve not seen anything to suggest MIA is interested in DGB.
On the other hand, he’s had private workouts with TEN (33), STL (41), MIN (45) and SF (46). I don’t know whether TEN or STL would take him, but I bet either MIN or SF would.
SEA would need to go higher than MIA – at least to 44 – to ensure they get DGB.
SF, with their talk of “class”, may think twice about DGB. Of course, their “class” standard is bogus and inconsistent, they have a lot of guys with arrest records.
VMAC invitee ID DT Quayshawne Buckley
6’2″ 291#
40/20/10 – 5.08/2.90/1.75
SS – 4.65
3C – 7.58
BJ – 111″
VJ – 35″
BP – 22
Highlight videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvCyNDRdNL0&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyrKTnRDhaw&feature=youtu.be
This guy absolutely dominates against lower competition. He lines up everywhere on the line, in both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts. He has an effective swim move and, perhaps best of all, he truly plays whistle to whistle.
Korey Toomer and Benson Mayowa have me leery of expecting much from ID recruits. But this kid may be different.
This was a guy that me and Rob were discussing a month or 2 ago.
He was originally a WSU recruit, but didn’t qualify. Was a highly thought of prep, but grade issues limited his offer sheet and knocked his scout rating down.
VMAC invitee UWGA DT Tory Slater
6’5″ 290#
40/20/10 – ?
SS – ?
3C – ?
BJ – 123″
VJ ‘ 35″
BP – 31
Power cleans 401lbs
This guy is fun to watch. He looks pissed of for greatness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVdd_LCbxh8&feature=youtu.be
VMAC in vitee BUFF DE Kristjan Sokoli
6’5″ 290#
40/20/10 – 4.86/2.68/1.55
SS – 4.36
3C – 7.25
BJ – 119″
VJ – 38″
BP – 31
There’s just not really any game film of Sokoli available. Unfortunately, what is available doesn’t inspire much confidence. It’s not fair to try and judge a prospect by “snippets” of plays, but I’m really troubled by the lack of physicality and aggression in Sokoli’s tacking. He doesn’t so much tackle as he drags down. I dunno. He may be better suited to the OL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh1RQ4Sauyw&feature=youtu.be
They might be looking at Sokoli as a conversion to OL anyway. Great attitude, though.
Sokoli’s athleticism and size/length is what I’m after. Have no idea if he’s better suited for DT or OG but man did he test out as an elite athlete! Worth a late round flier.
He’s worth a 5th or 6th for sure. You can’t teach his athleticism and arm length. His tackling technique doesn’t much matter because PC and staff will indoctrinate their draftees with their style of tackling regardless. He is not an OG conversion candidate IMO. A 285 OG that would take a couple years to learn the zone blocking scheme?
Sokoli is by far my favorite DT in this class. Great versatility and highly mature with a big personality and freakish athleticism.
If you want a DL convert that’s a SPARQ freak, then check out Idaho OT Jesse Davis.
2nd Funchess (WR)
3rd Smith (OT)
4th Hardison (DT)
4th James (TE)
4th Mason (C)
5th Montgomery (WR)
5th Riddick (DE)
I’m not a fan of Funchess. Never dominated at the college level, slowish, and doesn’t have the quicks to achieve separation. I’d be surprised if he excels at the next level. Scored 3 TD’s against heavily overmatched Appalachian State then only scored 1 TD the rest of the season. Remember, too, that Luke Willson is much faster than Funchess.
And the Wiz signs with JAX
There goes the idea that there was a handshake agreement in place. Oh well.
Bummer
I’d say that puts us back to best OL available..
I’d rather sign Chris Meyers to a 2-year deal anyway, if still possible. Experienced competition, low-ish cost/risk, means we could focus on more high-reward positions (WR, CB, DL) in the earlier parts of the draft and worry about a C to come in and learn for a year or two in the later rounds.
I agree.
Nobody sits and learns for a year or two unless you are a QB or on the practice squad. If they make the 53 man roster you have to expect at some point in the season they are going to get significant minutes. If they don’t make the 53 man roster they will get claimed by some other team. The question is: When Patrick Lewis goes out with an injury, who are we going to line up at Center? Do you honestly want some guy that isn’t ready making the line calls and picking up the blitz that keeps RW from getting killed next season? Without solid blocking up front you can forget about throwing deep to a tall WR.
I am thinking a bit about CB Senquez Golson. Serious baller. Should the Hawks take a shot at an almost exclusive nickelback to counter the Edelman types? That has been a vulnerability, and having someone like Golson or some other smaller CB would address it. Gives up a lot if forced to move outside.
Here’s an updated list of players that have been worked out by the Seahawks or have been to the VMAC. (Thanks to Field Gulls reporters) I have my eye on the **** guys already, interesting
DL David Irving, Iowa State 6’7, 273
DL Arthur Miley, Southern 6’6, 263
DT Kristjan Sokoli, Buffalo 6’5, 290 ****
DT Tory Slater, West Georgia 6’4, 275
DT Christian Ringo, Louisiana-Lafayette 6’1, 293
DT Justin Hamilton, Louisiana-Lafayette 6’1, 311
DL Mario Edwards, Jr, Florida St 6’3, 279
DE Frank Clark, Michigan 6’3, 271
CB Tray Walker, Texas Southern 6’2, 180
S Demarious Randall, Arizona State 5’11, 196
S Akeem King, San Jose State 6’1, 215 ****
LB Reshard Cliett, U South Florida 6’2, 222
LB Josh Shirley, UNLV 6’1, 234
LB Sam Wren, Oklahoma St 6’2, 255
RB Mike Davis, South Carolina 5’9, 217 (This is very intriguing as well)
OL Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State 6’6, 311
OL Robert Myers, Tennessee State 6’5, 326
OL Laurence Gibson, Virginia Tech 6’6, 305 ****
WR Ty Montgomery, Stanford 6’0, 221
WR Chris Harper, California 5’11, 182
WR Ed Williams, Fort Hays State 6’1, 198
Both of the safeties—Randall and Akeem King—can play corner. And Tray Walker can also play CB and S.
Here is some King tape:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N01WpkSKKpM
Big at 6-3. A Brandon Browner type?
I would be fine if they took any of these guys. Randall is rd. 2 (I don’t think they should go for defense at the top), the rest late round. I also really like Devante Bausby, Swag Roberts, and Tye Smith.
King is late round prospect, but has very similar numbers to a much more well know safety prospect, Tartt. The difference, one is a 3rd round prospect and the other a ~7th round prospect. That is amazing value, if he is 95% as good as Tartt. They both rank eerily similar in SPARQ as well.
Randall is trending upward, now a 2-3 round pick on some sites.
I also like Tray Walker, worth a flyer on him in the 7th. Good size and some speed. Interestingly, he is not on any SPARQ rating I can find currently. Definitely off the radar… haha
Here are some more names to add. SEA scouts on hand at Pittsburgh St. (KS) pro day.
PS SS Keeston Terry 6’1″ 209
40/20/10 – 4.65/2.68/1.57
SS – 4.08
3C – 6.87
BJ – 122″
VJ – 34″
BP 13
PS CB DeVante Bausby 6’1″ 177 (thanks to Steele1324)
40/20/10 – 4.58/2.52/1.56
SS – 4.32
3C – 7.24
BJ – 132″
VJ – 37.5″
BP 14
PS WR Gavin Lutman 6’3″ 214 (thanks to Phil)
Pro Day results (relative rank in Combine – WR position group/CB position group)
40 – 4.46 – 17th of all Combine WRs; 10th (tied) of all Combine CBs
SS – 4.09 – 6th of WRs; 12th of CBs
3C – 6.65 – 3rd of WRs; 2nd of CBs
BJ – 130″ – 6th of WRs; 3rd (tied) of CBs
VJ – 36″ – 20th of WRs; 15th (tied) of CBs
I compared Lutman to Combine WRs and CBs because he looks like an interesting CB prospect.
And what about Pitt St OT Vincent Brown-6’6, 325-330 lbs.? What were his pro day numbers? Former So Miss player, and those guys tend to be great athletes.
Can’t find any pro day numbers on Brown.
Dates: 03/26/15
Height: 6060
Weight: 344
40 Yrd Dash: 5.29
20 Yrd Dash: 2.95
10 Yrd Dash: 1.89 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 20
Vertical Jump: 21
Broad Jump: 08’01”
20 Yrd Shuttle: 5.34
3-Cone Drill: 8.85
He seems a bit chunky at 344 LOL
Three more names to watch:
ECU pro day (SEA scouts in attendance)
QB Dominique Davis 6’3″ 221
40 – 4.56 & 4.60
SS – 4.27
3C – 6.93
BJ – 124″
VJ – 36″
BP 15
That’s a pretty agile/explosive 6’3″ QB
WR Lance Lewis 6’3″ 208
40 – 4.58
SS – 4.40
3C – 6.94
BJ – 125″
VJ – 34″
And keep your eye on Ross Scheuerman RB Lafayette 6’0″ 204
Combine vs Pro Day results
40/20/10 – 4.62/2.73/1.65 vs. 4.45/2.51/1.51
SS – 4.11 vs DNP
3C – 7.08 vs 7.29
BJ – 121″ vs DNP
VJ – 33″ vs 32″
BP – 15 vs DNP
SEA scouts on hand for his pro day. He plays RB, but he’s a “quick-twitch” athlete projected as a Julian Edelman type WR in the pros.
You forgot Adrian Amos S/CB penn St. Chawk. Hehe
SPARQ warrior. I just can’t seem to find a way to work him into any of my mock drafts. Definitely a potential diamond in the rough.
It’s will always be this way in the later rounds. I was just having fun with you continuing the information overload. Who can know if Seattle is really interest.
I think this is actually a problem now, everyone is throwing guys at the proverbial wall.. to see if one guy sticks. Time to dial it in, 2 weeks to go!
I usually pay attention to all the hype that happens after the combine and then the pro days. Then I consider whether if that’s all it is. I always go back to a website that at least gives me a prospective of where these guys were projected after the season and before all the hype and use it to reevaluate my players I picked.
http://optimumscouting.com/rankings/static-rankings/rb-rankings.html
Chawk, thanks for the heads up on Lance Lewis. Here are some freshman clips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZN-whn0cyk
Looks like the real deal. Good hands, high point, works the sideline, comeback routes. On fumble, but some spectacular stuff.
just played around with an attempt at an upside down draft technique on fanspeak
2.31 Shaquille Riddick, EDGE, Avril is getting old, Irvin will be getting expensive, Riddick would be the next developmental player for the EDGE and could spend a year getting stronger and learning scheme.
3.31 Jay Ayaji, RB, Churn churn churn. Too much talent to pass up here, Turbin will presumable be gone in one year. Michael will step up to the #2 spot in 2016 and Ayaji does it all as the #3
4.13 Marcus Hardison, DT, would be surprised if he dropped, but he did here and it was a no brainer to take a SPARQ star with solid production in a big program against high end competition.
4.31 Shaq Mason, C, highly rated SPARQ athlete, provides instant depth at the C position, has enough size to play backup guard, and provides pressure for Patrick Lewis to stay sharp.
4.35 Nick Marshall, CB, we know all about the measurables. End of 4th is a bit high, but if you think he’s gonna give you 3 years of starter quality play after his first year of development, you take him now.
5.31 Mitch Morse, OT. Probably a guard convert, but he could also project out at tackle. He has a year to learn the system and would currently slate as our 8th OL depth wise. Athletically you could do a lot worse.
5.34 Vince Mayle, WR. Maybe I take Kasen Williams here instead.
6.5 Ty Montgomery, WR. Appropriate spot for a returner who still doesn’t look like much of a WR.
6.33 Josh Robinson, RB. Need bodies in preseason to make carries. This guy has heart enough for three RBs. Could he be a PR/KR candidate? compact, quick, decisive.
6.38 Obum Gwacham, OLB. It’s a bad year for LBs. Obum is one of the few remaining halfway athletic talents left in the draft, and we can always use more special teams guys.
7.31 Zach Wagenmann, OLB. OLB is pretty thin. Take two swings, hopefully you get a hit on one of ’em.
I’d take SAM LB Josh Shirley over both Gwachum and Wagenmann. Shirley’s 4.59 40 and explosion numbers have “Seahawk’ written all over him.
Bingo. He compares favorably with Wagz
BWagz 6’0″ 240
40/SS/3C/BJ/VJ/BP – 4.46/4.28/7.10/132″/39.5″/24
JShirley 6’1″ 234
40/SS/3C/BJ/VJ/BP – 4.53/4.44/7.44/122″/38.5″/31
He does compare favorably to BWagz now that I see the numbers side by side. But this dude is a pass rusher plain and simple. Think NE OLB Jamie Collins and a bit of Bruce.
He’s actually 6’2 with shoes on and could still get up to 240 or so if they wanted him too. Very unique player, because he can also play with his hand in the dirt and has 33 inch arms.
2 RB, 3 OLB(if you count Riddick who is a project), 2 WR in the back end of the draft. I like Hardison pick but you left the OL completely lacking with only 2 guys.
The deal with Shirley is off field, and whether he can be a consistent force. As a freshman, he looked like a rd.1 pass rusher, then derailed.
I agree about the off field issues, but Seattle has never shied away from guys like this. Ecspecially in the later rounds. Having his cousin P-rich on the team would also be good fo him.
Didn’t necessarily want to reveal this cat until my mock draft, but no one’s talking about him, and he’s still my personal favorite CB in this draft.
Kansas CB Dexter McDonald-4.39&4.42 40, 6’1, 205 lbs.’ 42 inch vertical and an 11 ft. broad jump, with 15 passes defensed this year. He’s a big time trash talker, with over 32′ inch arms. His tackling technique could be improved, but he’s a guy that loves to lay the wood. Love this dude.
Players, such as McDonald, King and others can be had in the 7th round, so I’m not convinced more than 1 early pick might go CB/S. As for McDonald, there will be at least 3 other teams taking a peak at him… Jaguars, Falcons, and Jets… all with excellent HC who know quality defensive players (and need CBs).
That doesn’t mean anything. Every prospect has met with more than 1 team. Tray Walker has also met with teams that need corners.
McDonald has proven against the likes of WRs Kevin White, Mario Alford, Sterling Sheppard, Josh Doctson, etc. that he can hang with NFL level talent. He can also play inside and outside unike Walker who will be strictly an outside corner. Now I still ike Walker, but McDonlad is just as good.
Volume 12, good one. There are some great prospects down in the low rounds and UDFA. Many much more interesting than those in the top rounds.
Certainly fits the profile…
Seattle has a big gap from pick 134 to 167. We can’t trade the comp pick but we could trade the 130 to move back into the 150 range but I’m not sure what the other pick would be. Anyone have a thought on that?