This week I had a chance to speak to Draft Insider.net’s Tony Pauline. Recently he’s been providing Pro-Day information for WalterFootball.com — you can keep up to date with everything on the circuit by clicking here.
He’s also a recommended follow on Twitter (@TonyPauline).
You can hear the interview via AudioBoom above. Here’s a brief synopsis of what we discussed:
— Tony thinks the addition of Jimmy Graham will be a positive move for the Seahawks — he’s not quite as complimentary about the move from a New Orleans standpoint.
— The Seahawks are interested in Ty Sambrailo but he hasn’t had a good off-season so far. He was unimpressive at the Senior Bowl and combine. He had a chance to go in the late first round but now could provide “excellent value” in the late second. Tony doesn’t believe he’ll be on the board in the late third round.
— Ali Marpet has done “a tremendous job” over the last few weeks boosting his draft stock. Originally considered a priority UDFA, he could now go in the second or third round. Tony believes he can play either guard spot, right tackle or center. That will appeal to Seattle.
— When asked to name alternative center prospects the Seahawks might target, Tony suggests Oregon’s Hronnis Grasu in the third round, Andy Gallik in the third or fourth round range or Max Garcia as a later round option.
— What about Dorial Green-Beckham? It wouldn’t be a shock if he goes in the first round or the third round. Tony says he “wouldn’t touch him in the top-50 picks”. He expects a rush on receivers in round one and that could impact DGB’s stock. It’s not out of the question he’s still on the board late in round two.
— Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett could be a second round option for the Seahawks (something we’ve discussed a lot, along with Sambrailo). He’s a productive kick returner and as Tony explains, he’d offer a needed downfield threat to the offense.
— Zach Hodges has not left a positive impression on teams this off-season. Tony says he’s come across as “aloof” and questions have been asked about his love for the game.
Today I joined Kenneth Arthur and Danny Kelly on the ‘Real in the Field (Gulls)’ Podcast. We talk draft and free agency — including thoughts on the combine, who the Seahawks might target and how to solve various holes on the roster (including cornerback and kick returner). We also touch on a topic I’m going to write about tomorrow — a 2011 trade that would’ve been very appealing to John Schneider.
I’ll update this post as we go along. Feel free to use it as an open thread. The TE’s and O-liners get measured today. Good times.
While we’re waiting — this week I was invited to join Adam Emmert and Brandan Schulze on the official Sea Hawkers Podcast. We talk free agency and the draft.
Jake Fisher (T, Oregon) — 6-6, 306lbs, 33 3/4 inch arms
Ereck Flowers (T, Miami) — 6-6, 329lbs, 34 1/2 inch arms
Cameron Erving (T, G, C, Florida State) — 6-5, 313lbs, 34 1/8 inch arms
Cedric Ogbuehi (T, Texas A&M) — 6-5, 306lbs, 35 7/8 inch arms
Andrus Peat (T, Stanford) — 6-7, 313lbs, 34 3/8 inch arms
La’el Collins (T/G, LSU) — 6-4, 305lbs, 33 /14 inch arms
Jeremiah Poutasi (T/G, Utah) — 6-5, 335lbs, 33 7/8 inch arms
D.J. Humphries (T, Florida) — 6-5, 307lbs, 33 5/8 inch arms
T.J. Clemmings (T, Pittsburgh) — 6-5, 309lbs, 35 1/8 inch arms
Rob Crisp (T, NC State) — 6-6, 301lbs, 34 1/2 inch arms
Terry Poole (T, San Diego State) — 6-5, 307lbs, 33 1/4 inch arms
Corey Robinson (T, South Carolina) — 6-7, 324lbs, 35 5/8 inch arms
Ty Sambrailo (T/G, Colorado State) — 6-6, 311lbs, 33 inch arms
Brandon Scherff (T/G, Iowa) — 6-5, 319lbs, 33 3/8 inch arms
Donovan Smith (T, Penn State) — 6-6, 338lbs, 34 3/8 inch arms
Tyrus Thompson (T, Oklahoma) — 6-5, 324lbs, 34 7/8 inch arms
Daryl Williams (T, Oklahoma) — 6-5, 327lbs, 35 inch arms
Some comparisons from last year:
Taylor Lewan — 6-7, 309lbs, 33 7/8 inch arms
Joel Bitonio — 6-4, 302lbs, 33 7/8 inch arms
Justin Britt — 6-5, 325lbs, 33 1/2 inch arms
Zack Martin — 6-4, 308lbs, 32 7/8 inch arms
Jake Matthews — 6-5, 308lbs, 33 3/8 inch arms
Greg Robinson — 6-5, 332lbs, 35 inch arms
Some thoughts on the numbers here:
— Cedric Ogbuehi, Corey Robinson and Daryl Williams have incredible size. Someone will get a nice player in Robinson later on. Ogbuehi is recovering from a torn ACL after a disappointing 2014 season.
— Ty Sambrailo is a T-Rex — 6-6 and 33 inch arms. It’s hard to imagine he’ll play tackle at the next level and should kick inside to guard, although it’s worth noting Justin Britt has 33 1/2 inch arms and the Seahawks were comfortable playing him at right tackle.
— D.J. Humphries has cracked the 300lbs mark — if he moves well in drills he’ll continue to bolster his stock. I skimmed two Florida games on Monday and came away impressed.
— Brandon Scherff has almost identical size to Riley Reiff and Robert Gallery. And like that pair — his future is almost certainly at guard or right tackle.
— Rob Crisp has good size — he’s a later round sleeper to keep an eye on. He did a great job against Vic Beasley in 2014.
— Jeremiah Poutasi has been compared to Mike Iupati. You’ve got to like his size working inside at 335lbs and 33 7/8 inch arms.
— Ereck Flowers looks the part at 6-6, 329lbs and 34 1/2 inch arms. Andrus Peat was as tall as advertised at 6-7 and has 34 3/8 inch arms.
— Is Donovan Smith too big at 338bs?
Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams will be meeting with the Seahawks at the combine:
Minnesota's Maxx Williams, regarded by many as the top TE on the board, said Seahawks are one of the 21 teams he will meet with at Combine.
E.J. Bibbs (Iowa State) — 6-2, 258lbs, 31 1/8 inch arms, 10 1/4 inch hands
Nick Boyle (Delaware) — 6-4, 268lbs, 33 3/8 inch arms, 10 3/8 inch hands
Jeff Heuerman (Ohio State) — 6-5, 254lbs, 33 1/4 inch arms, 10 1/8 inch hands
Jesse James (Penn State) — 6-7, 261lbs, 33 inch arms, 9 3/8 inch hands
Ben Koyack (Notre Dame) — 6-5, 255lbs, 32 5/8 inch arms, 10 3/4 inch hands
Tyler Kroft (Rutgers) — 6-6, 246lbs, 33 inch arms, 9 5/8 inch hands
Nick O’Leary (Florida State) — 6-3, 252lbs, 29 3/4 inch arms, 9 3/8 inch hands
Wes Saxton (South Alabama) — 6-3, 248lbs, 32 inch arms, 9 5/8 inch hands
Jean Sifrin (UMass) — 6-5, 245lbs, 33 3/8 inch arms, 11 inch hands
Clive Walford (Miami) — 6-4, 251lbs, 34 inch arms, 10 1/4 inch hands
Maxx Williams (Minnesota) — 6-4, 249lbs, 33 1/2 inch arms, 10 3/8 inch hands
— Jean Sifrin is a basketball-style talent with massive 11-inch hands. One thing to remember though — he’s already 27. Meaning he’s two years older than Rob Gronkowski.
— Maxx Williams matches his listed size by Minnesota. He has decent length and huge hands. He doesn’t drop passes on tape. Very consistent catcher. Only one receiver in the 2014 draft had hands as big as Williams — Jordan Matthews. Mike Evans’ hands are 9 5/8 inches. This is a major positive for Williams.
— Jesse James is 6-7, but has shorter arms than Maxx Williams and only 9 3/8 inch hands.
— Devin Funchess was originally listed to work out as a tight end. He didn’t measure today or take interviews. Presumably we’ll see him with the receivers after all.
Yesterday we debated Melvin Gordon’s stock. If you need convincing over his willingness and ability to run up the middle, get the tough yards, patiently set up blocks, exploit small holes to make big gains, push the pile for extra yards, produce in the red zone and be a chunk-yard specialist — here’s the tape vs Auburn:
I had the chance to speak with Kevin Williams (Vikings), Ramon Foster (Steelers) and Donte Whitner (49ers) earlier today. Most of the piece was about the London games this year, but I had a chance to ask a few topical questions too. I’ve cut them up in the audio above.
Best line? Probably Kevin Williams on the Percy Harvin trade: “Initially you’re like, ‘What in the world are they doing?'”
I had the chance to speak with Daunte Culpepper (former Vikings quarterback) and Fred Taylor (ex-Jaguars running back) today. We talked about Sunday’s Super Bowl… so if you can bear to hear about the 49ers in the big game, have a listen.
