This is a really intriguing (but small) tight end class
The Seahawks currently only have one contracted tight end for 2024 — and you could argue Will Dissly could/should be a cap casualty with a $10m salary. Thankfully, the tight ends at the combine showed they can come to the rescue.
Over the years we’ve talked about the fact that most of the top TE’s in the NFL tend to test well in the short shuttle and record a fast time in the 10-yard split. A shuttle in the 4.1-4.2 range is exceptional and anything faster than a 4.5 is good enough. A 1.5 split is superb. Here are some notable examples:
Rob Gronkowski — 1.58 (10), 4.47 (ss)
Travis Kelce — 1.61 (10), 4.42 (ss)
George Kittle — 1.59 (10), 4.55 (ss)
Mark Andrews — 1.54 (10), 4.38 (ss)
T.J. Hockenson — 1.63 (10), 4.18 (ss)
Sam LaPorta — 1.59 (10), 4.25 (ss)
David Njoku — 1.61 (10), 4.34 (ss)
From this select group the average 10-split is a 1.59 and the average short shuttle a 4.37.
Further to this, we’ve identified that in the Carroll/Schneider era, a lot of focus was placed on agility testing (short shuttle & three cone) at the tight end position:
Luke Willson — 4.29 (ss), 7.08 (3c)
Will Dissly — 4.40 (ss), 7.07 (3c)
Nick Vannett — 4.20 (ss), 7.05 (3c)
Anthony McCoy — 4.57 (ss), 6.99 (3c)
Zach Miller — 4.42 (ss), 7.01 (3c)
Jimmy Graham — 4.45 (ss), 6.90 (3c)
Greg Olsen — 4.48 (ss), 7.04 (3c)
Colby Parkinson — 4.46 (ss), 7.15 (3c)
Gerald Everett — 4.33 (ss), 6.99 (3c)
Noah Fant — 4.22 (ss), 6.81 (3c)
That’s an average short shuttle of 4.38 and an average three cone of 7.00.
Here’s the 2024 class of tight ends:
Theo Johnson — 1.55 (10), 4.19 (ss), 7.15 (3c)
Devin Culp — 1.55 (10)
Tip Reiman — 1.55 (10), 4.26 (ss), 7.02 (3c)
Jaheim Bell — 1.58 (10)
Tanner McLachlan — 1.58 (10)
Ben Sinnott — 1.59 (10), 4.23 (ss), 6.82 (3c)
Ja’Tavion Sanders — 1.59 (10), 4.32 (ss)
Cade Stover — 1.59 (10), 4.45 (ss)
Jared Wiley — 1.62 (10), 7.19 (3c)
Dallin Holker — 1.66 (10), 4.21 (ss), 6.83 (3c)
Brevyn Spann-Ford — 1.67 (10), 7.38 (3c)
From these results, I’d suggest Theo Johnson, Ben Sinnott, Tip Reiman, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Cade Stover are all very intriguing — while several others who didn’t complete all the tests — such as Jaheim Bell and Tanner McLachlan, could easily get into the mix in terms of comparing physically to the league’s best.
It might not seem like an extensive list — but consider that a year ago, in a seemingly high quality tight end class, only five tight ends (including star rookie Sam LaPorta) tested in this range. We now have a legit five already, with the potential for more in a supposed down year at tight end.
There was one clear star of the day and that was Kansas State’s Ben Sinnott. He was one of the more fun players to watch last season but there wasn’t a huge expectation that he would produce a combine performance where, like Braden Fiske a day earlier, he would be on a different level to everyone else. He produced a complete performance — testing brilliantly to start and during drills he was sharp into his breaks, he maintained speed throughout his routes, he tracked the ball well and showed consistently strong hands. He attacked every rep and the best word to describe him was ‘dynamic’.
He also produced an outstanding 40 inch vertical and a 10-6 broad (both the best measurements of the group). Theo Johnson was second in both categories (39.5 vertical, 10-5 broad). Based on what we saw today, I think they both deserve second round grades. Johnson also had an excellent combine.
Look how Sinnott compares to LaPorta:
Sam LaPorta
Height: 6-3
Weight: 245
40: 4.59
10: 1.59
Vertical: 35
Broad: 10-3
Shuttle: 4.25
3c: 6.91
Ben Sinnott
Height: 6-4
Weight: 250
40: 4.68
10: 1.59
Vertical: 40
Broad: 10-6
Shuttle: 4.23
3c: 6.82
Brock Bowers, the biggest name tight end in the draft, didn’t workout or test.
A so-so day for the defensive backs
The cornerback drills always go on too long, with too many coaches being indulged — each wanting to run their own variation of basically the same handful of drills. There were a few standout performances but it didn’t feel like there was a top-10 pick among the group.
I thought Kamari Lassiter was the big winner. He didn’t run a forty or do the jumps but a 6.62 three cone is a blistering time. Jaxon Smith-Njigba basically covered his lack of pure speed with a 6.57 three cone a year ago. Lassiter could equally propel himself into top-20 contention with that fantastic testing result.
It wasn’t just a great three cone though — he also excelled during drills, looking smooth throughout and he passes the eye test with his frame. He was always likely to go in the top-35, now it’s just a case of how high will he move up board?
Kalen King had a rough Senior Bowl and running a 4.61 forty didn’t help. However, I thought he performed well during drills — appearing to be very controlled and natural with his movements and you could see there’s a player in there. If he’s destined to fall into day three because of an under-performing pre-draft process, he could provide real value. On this evidence, he just needs coaching up.
Unsurprisingly Terrion Arnold looked the part and confirmed he’ll likely be a first round selection with his on-field workout. Jarvis Brownlee Jr. has good size and movement skills — I liked his transition and ability to cover ground quickly. I want to watch more of Daequan Hardy and Marcellas Dial after their performances today.
The other three names I want to mention are Texas’ Ryan Watts — who outperformed expectations with his testing. He had the second best three cone (6.82) and a decent 4.13 short shuttle. Watts also jumped a 40.5 inch vertical. Most impressive, though, are his obscene 34.5 inch arms on a 6-3 and 208lbs frame. You can work with this guy. I liked him on tape and have long thought he was a day-three sleeper. Mike Sainristil was someone I really liked on tape review pre-combine and he had a good workout, plus plenty of praise on air for his character. I’m hoping to get a chance to interview him before the draft. Finally, after an underwhelming 2023 season, I thought TCU’s Josh Newton had a good on-field performance.
The safeties lacked star power — at one point the NFL Network showed highlights of Minkah Fitzpatrick’s combine and it just highlighted there was nobody like him testing today. Still, the group did well catching the football during drills — high-pointing far more consistently than the cornerbacks and looking pretty similar during the transition drills.
Tyler Nubin didn’t run a forty but looked solid enough moving around the field. I can well imagine him fitting in Mike Macdonald’s defense but think he’ll be taken in the #50-65 range. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson ran a blistering 4.41. I loved his tape but had no idea he tested this well — I’ll go back and review him to see how high I need to bump him up.
Dominique Hampton from Washington looked like a dude and tested well, running a 4.14 short shuttle, a 6.83 three cone and jumping a 39 inch vertical. He ran a 4.51 which is more than acceptable.
I reached out to a source at UW to ask about Hampton, who I haven’t fully studied but will do after the combine, and I got this reply:
“Freak of nature, smart, consistent and he’s a great dude. Quiet killer. Our defense scheme funneled the vast majority of plays to the strong safety by design and he was good enough in that key position for us to go to a Championship”
Sounds to me like the kind of guy that fits in Macdonald’s defense. In particular, I like the idea of a ‘quiet killer’ at safety rather than a ‘noisy peacock’.
Malik Mustapha didn’t workout which was a shame although I thought Jaden Hicks and Kitan Oladapo both showed well enough to remain intriguing. I still remain unconvinced by Kam Kinchens, who I’ve given a fourth round grade.
I think this is a position where you can find cheap, contributing value in the mid-to-late rounds. That’s what you need to look for in the modern NFL at safety — at a time when the entire league is treating the position, financially, like it’s the running back of the defense.
Other notes
I thought Drake Maye and Bo Nix both gave excellent interviews during their media sessions. Reports said Maye in particular wowed teams with an alpha personality — but I think both quarterbacks will have their admirers and carry A+ character marks. Maye just screams ‘John Schneider style quarterback’ for what it’s worth.
Ian Rapoport reported positive news on Michael Penix Jr’s injury outlook but it all felt very agent-led. Hopefully he’s right and all concerns have been quelled.
Tony Pauline, however, reported bad news on the medical checks of Payton Wilson and yesterday’s standout Braden Fiske.
Diani Russini said on the Athletic football podcast that she’d heard from one source that the top four picks could all be quarterbacks — with presumably the Cardinals trading down.
Finally, I found this clip interesting. JJ McCarthy was asked on CBS which three receivers he’d like to throw to most in the NFL. His first answer was Jaxon Smith-Njigba:
JJ McCarthy gets asked:
What are his Top 3 Wide Receivers that he would like to throw to?
He lists Jaxon Smith-Njigba#Seahawks pic.twitter.com/oDuKQtLu09
— ᴅᴏxx ⚡️ (@new_era72) March 1, 2024
Of all the players he could’ve said — Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Ja’Marr Chase, Ceedee Lamb, Mike Evans — or from the Seahawks, DK Metcalf — he went with Smith-Njigba, a former Ohio State receiver.
Granted, he refers to a 2021 game where JSN led Ohio State in receiving yards in a loss to Michigan. It was still a curious choice — either speaking to how much respect Smith-Njigba commands (while hinting that the Seahawks have a real player on their hands) or could it be, possibly, his way of sending a ‘come and get me’ plea?
After all, what if McCarthy enjoyed the ‘Harbaugh way’ so much at Michigan, he sees this as his best chance to get back to it? John has Lamar Jackson and Jim now has Justin Herbert. Working for Mike Macdonald, the former Michigan DC, could be McCarthy’s best chance to ‘get back in the system’. The pair know each other. It’s an interesting thought.
If you missed my day-two recap stream, you can watch it here:
8.5 hours working on the combine
Finish at 4:30am
Go into the other room
One of the dogs has had diarrhoea all over the carpet
Just… great
No worries. Took two days off to watch the combine and my barns are flooded. Had to drop money on excavators and many tons of rocks to fix it.
Literally watching stuff after your daily recaps 😅😅
Sorry Rob, that is the worst.
We had an older dog with colitis for 3 months when my wife was down with surgery on a broken ankle. Not only was everything a rush to the back door, but when he did have an accident he would try and clean it up. Nothing is worse than a 4 am cleanup and the lingering odor after the cleanup.
Thanks for the great write ups! It has been a spirit lifter while I have been stuck on the couch with a bad back.
Sympathies to both of you
Been there. Done that. Many, many times.
I feel your pain.
God that sucks. There’s nothing worse after a long day then crap. You can’t put it off. It has to bet handled right then.
Thanks for all of your hard work – this is fantastic stuff and I really appreciate your work!
Mentioned this on YouTube wrap up but with Fiske do you think there will be further reports of chronic problems like spinal stenosis or a bad heart. Felt like info was way looser a decade ago. Weird with Fiske getting bad medicals never being injured. Must be pretty serious.
Take Jordan Travis. I literally have checked more than a sane person should and have found zero info on what exactly his injury was.
Maybe red flags on future arthritic conditions accelerating for an NFL player, as opposed to a non-player? Something like a Gurley situation.
I left an entire industry because both my thumbs have issues. The cartilage is too degraded. Jamb them too many times and the hyperextensions and dislocations come back to haunt you.
Rob, just amazing work. Thank you so much for all you do to support the Seahawk community and especially the ridiculous amount of work you have put into the blog recently.
Doubt it matters much but I do wonder how teams/our team feels about guys like Bowers not performing, testing until prodays. He’s not likely to get faster, jump higher from now until March 13th.
I spent a little time rewatching the combine workout for TE Devin Culp.
He put on a nice show. Worth keeping an eye on mid rounds, especially for Seattle.
The broadcast mentioned him as a WR in a TE body. Intriguing.
TE Tip Reiman was also very impressive for his size (over 270lbs), showing off some nice hands and athleticism. More as a blocker type but put himself on the radar with his combine performance.
Culp was also one of the better graded run blocker for a TE on a power 5 school. Color me intrigued.
Culp also reached speeds of 23.25 mph during his 40 yard dash. It was faster than any of the safeties at the Combine. Pretty impressive…
You’re an absolute legend, so appreciate the multi day marathon you’re pulling.
I don’t get why they have the agility testing after a long on-field workout. If they simply re-scheduled that agility drills for after the 40… or after the Broad/Vert, you would get much more participation… right?
Are people less interested in the combine these days?
I’ve never known there be so little online buzz about it. Even on here, a draft blog, it has been quiet this year
My hunch is that there’ll be more interest in the QBs and Oliners. Day 1 people were more interested, because of the DTs.
I love these posts and refresh constantly each day. Speaking only for myself, I do not feel that I have much to add to what’s written. They are objective breakdowns of the combine, which I don’t get to watch. So that may explain the lack of comments.
I also have this strange feeling this year. We don’t have a second so a lot of the interesting standouts won’t be an option, unless we trade back, so that is frustrating. Plus there is the unknown of what we might do at QB that is distracting from the intriguing DL prospects.
I’ll say for myself that I’ve never been a big combine guy and I also have you to report on it/summarize. Lazy? Maybe but I do trust your reporting and judgment on these players. I’m far more interested in then actual draft. Today with the QBs as Mick said I think the interest level will be higher.
Appreciate all that you’re doing with this years coverage Rob! I wonder if there’s just a lack of big name blue chip talent as you’ve alluded to, especially at star positions, so there’s less discussion happening online and even on the broadcast. Seems they can’t have their scripted discussions on players because there’s just less people to be excited about.
The nfl really screwed up the combine. It’s so long and plodding.
Plus you’re doing these great wrap ups which I think everyone loves.
Then qb day is a big day.
I just want to add as well with that round two pick gone go back over and look at the list of names and curiously what round they all seem to go in. It has for me sucked the air out of the draft/combine a bit.
Sweat, sinnot, Ruke, etc. They and many more have “firmly moved into the second round.” Great for them. Sucks for us.
Unfortunately, I have put on the combine and I couldn’t really care less. I have watched it for 10 minutes at a time here or there but I think it is ruined. I am more entertained and fulfilled getting my information from what you are posting and streaming.
You are doing some great work and I appreciate it. It has definitely kept me engaged when I wouldn’t be otherwise.
I believe it all comes down to the NFL Network focusing on the broadcasters and not the event. They know they are the only game in town and seem to not actually care about what’s happening live on the field.
They’ve become ESPN. It’s more about the commentators than it is about the players.
After Mayock left, this accelerated the demise of the broadcast, exponentially. Eisen has reverted to his talk show persona, instead of deferring to Mayock’s commentary as players are testing. He’s more interested in a juicy story than the actual combine happening in front of him.
All this leads to the true combine viewer to be put off and tune out. Hell, I watch recaps and have zero interest in watching live. It’s not worth it to me, anymore. And, I suspect more and more people like me, who absolutely love the event, don’t have the patience and will power to withstand such a mockery of what was.
I applaud you for doing what you do. It’s your passion and that shows.
I imagine this year, in particular, has you amped each and every day as each new position group begins. With Schneider in full control now, and the entirely new coaching staff, the unknowns are truly epic to think about. Especially for a true student of NFL study, like you.
Thanks again for sacrificing so much sleep to satiate our need for information.
The combine isn’t worth me subscribing to NFL Network to watch. I used to watch some of it when it was on ESPN but after hearing how the NFL has screwed it up with the scheduling of events, how boring some of the repetitive drills are as you point out, the lack of participation, the pro days becoming more important to some players, all the data available post-combine….there is no reason for me to watch, let alone pay to watch.
Too many players not doing drills, awful tv coverage…
I think it’s clear the NFL needs younger folks running the program–the Combine and the League. They are driving this thing into the ground.
The measurements are uncanny between LaPorta and Sinnott, and even with me just watching highlights online I can help but see very similar players. Would be awesome to be able to grab him or another one of these TEs at some point.
Rob, do you see the sweet spot for a lot of these high-testing guys being the second round somewhat like last year? Or is there a chance we could be in a good spot to select from this group with one of our thirds? I’m sure you’ll probably cover this with your updated Horizontal Board but have you had any change of opinions of Cade Stover having special traits after the athletic testing, or is there something he does on tape that still stands out amongst some of these other TEs? Thanks for all you do.
I think R2 is definitely the sweet spot
Feels to me like Verse and Chop are almost certainly going to be off the board before we pick. With the OL class looking so stacked (will be very interesting to see this validated by metrics), we can move back and still land a potential stud for the trenches.
Bowers falling could make it difficult to not stick and pick, and with the TE class looking much more solid than expected, him being there at #16 seems a lot more likely now. He’s already the clear game tape star, so satisying Pro Day results may solidify him as a top 15. Still, the value of first round TE picks over the last decade isn’t particularly encouraging (Kincaid, McBride, Pitts, Kmet, Hockenson, Hurst, Howard, Engram, Njoku, Henry, Ebron). Good players all with the jury still out on many, but with the likes of Gronk, Kelce, Andrews, Kittle, and LaPorta all coming out of the 2nd-5th rounds it feels like this is position front offices are not going to reach for.
I can’t shake the feeling that a trade back from #16 to recoup a 2nd round pick and then taking either McCarthy or Penix is becoming very likely. Not just because of the obvious coaching connections, but they (and Nix) offer that same mix of THE GUY ceiling discounted by obvious BUST concerns. I wouldn’t be surprised to see either taken outright at #16 which wouldn’t feel great, but I would understand it. I am sure JS has had his fingers burned trading back before thinking his guy is gonna fall and then scrambling to recover when he doesn’t. The L.J. Collier example being the most obvious one but I am sure it’s happened several times. Can’t see him taking that risk with a position as important as QB, so if he’s high on either Penix or McCarthy, I could see him pulling the trigger at #16.
But if we can somehow trade back into the 20’s and get one of those QBs along with a difference maker for the trenches, that would feel like a coup.
The actual worst part of the LJ collier move was this team did that two years prior in an all time whiff of a draft. One player selected at the very end of the draft was worth a second contract. Looking at tj watt and saying we don’t need any of that we’re smarter than the league for McDowell and/or pretending to not know who Buddha Baker was for three (!!!l absolute bombs at safety in the same draft.
On bowers. I’m not convinced he’s a stick and pick player for this team. I’m taking a page out of half of the fanbase’s play book but with so many holes on the roster I’m not sure a TE at #16 is changing this team.
He doesn’t address the QB shaped elephant, the poor defense, or the abysmal oline. A great TE is a thing to behold. It’s just a weird position in Seattle. From big names to JAGs and three OC’s it’s never changed Seattle’s fortunes whomever is the TE.
Bowers is a BAMF (someone recently referred to him as “a bowling ball made of knives” which I thought was one of the more awesome descriptions I’ve heard in a while). But agreed – as fun as that would be to put out on the field, he’s not what this team needs right now. My hope is that if he does fall to #16, he’s enticing enough for another team to part with their first and second to move up and snag him.
My whole attitude would be different if we had a year of Grubb and we knew TE was a focal point and just needed a boost there.
I know husky faithful you all had TE’s. However I sure saw a lot of 3 wr sets. As of today we have three of those and Will dissly. It’s pretty easy to guess where they are throwing the ball in ’24.
I think we def need a TE out of this draft, possibly 2 if the right value is there. I don’t think Bowers or Sinnott are going to be on the menu given the premium each is going to cost and other glaring issues we have to address, but there is a lot more meat on this Tight End bone than I expected. Theo Johnson, Tip Reiman, Cade Stover, AJ Barner, Erick All etc, all bring different profiles but are the kind of talent we need to replenish the TE room in Seattle.
To me, I think it would be optional to target TEs later in the draft. You can get an inline guy like Tip Reiman and you can get a move guy like Devin Culp.
Optimal*
Yes, a lot of good TE prospects to be had late, it seems. If they double dip, they could come away with very solid move and inline profiles.
I don’t think we can take him at 16 if he’s there. To me it is the same as drafting a wide receiver. One of the lowest needs on the team. Yes, he is THE elite tight end. As a receiver. With our offense and everything, we need a do-it-all player. Not saying that Bowers can’t block. But you aren’t drafting him to do that. And at 16? Compared to what the pick could be otherwise? I don’t think we can do it.
I don’t think he gets past some teams earlier with younger teams needing weapons (cough*Chargers).
Chargers is a good call.
Not sure I’d agree McCarthy has a “THE GUY” ceiling 🤷♂️ He has no exceptional, game-changing traits like the best in the NFL do (Allen, Dak, Lamar, Mahomes). I guess you could say Burrow doesn’t either, but he was the most accurate college QB I’ve ever seen.
I too am more skeptical of McCarthy ceiling-wise than Penix or Nix. But he is younger and his 3rd down conversion stats can’t be denied. He has a knack for making gutty plays when it’s needed and seems to process well and make the right decisions. Unlike Penix, he has never taken over a game with his arm, but he has never had to either. And if he had, he’d already be a Top-5 lock.
I believe that Mike McDonald knows very well what JJ is and isn’t, so if they take him, I’m happily sipping that Kool-Aid.
Burrow controlled the game like I have never seen: the pocket, the play post snap. Didn’t get flustered, knew exactly what was going on. He looked almost exactly like Tom Brady. On top of being as accurate as you described.
McCarthy just doesn’t feel like an NFL quarterback. The only thing that he is better them ‘meh’ at is his athleticism. The team didn’t trust him to be any kind of focal point of the game, so why am I going to want that? He feels like the next Christian Ponder. We’ll go back years later and ask why he was drafted where he was.
Additionally on the combine. The testing whether you think it’s relative or not is the kryptonite of online chatter.
It’s easier to say Carter is as good as Tez and scream “put on the tape!!” Then it is to objectively say damn, Sinnot who knew he was that athletic.
Just look at pur very own qb conundrum. Is he top 8? Nearly elite? Let me site some numbers for the oline? Look at ( this is real btw from two prominent voices) just these seven games!. Oh no he needs more drives, that’s it. Check out this stat on expected points.
And so forth. I still love the combine information. Not the show they’ve put on. And I hate but get players not doing the work there. I’m a grumpy man on this but I think it looks like chicken poop to not test if you are not injured. I’ve yet ro see anyone test so poorly at their pro day that it effected their stock. I’m sure it’s happened.
Take bowers say he’s michael Mayer level Athlete is Sinnot going to suddenly be a potential top ten pick instead of him? Doubt it.
The qbs. All this is doing is helping the stock of Nix, mccarthy, and penix. You can either throw the ball or you can’t. Waiting til your pro day isn’t changing that. Are qbs not throwing because they’ll look goofy next to penix? Why is mccarthy apparently undeterred and nix ( low key is making himself money this week)?
I agree with you. Clearly, Williams, Maye, and Daniels aren’t throwing at the combine because their agents are convinced their markets are already set and an off day could only hurt and not help.
Conversely, Penix, McCarthy, and Nix are all throwing because they know they still have to convince the buyers that they are truly first round prospects. And I’m sure each is confident enough to think they can wow people and, even if they don’t, at least maximize their exposure and gain the goodwil that comes with going out there and making the attempt.
Williams definitely.
The other two? Would not be the first time we’ve seen top of the draft shake up from now til the end of April.
Take Mccarthy. Looks bigger than I thought in interviews. Sounds good. Make it a trufecta and watch him throw well.
A few weeks ago it’s him somewhere in the first round. Then it’s top 16. Then it’s a potential bidding war to get above denver, then raiders. As of today I’m not going to be surprised if come draft time he’s #3.
Daniels is weird. I like him. What happens when Penix gets a clean bill of health and/or he and Nix run as fast, jump as high, both throw bombs today?
Why would daniels be locked in at #2 at that point?
What’s the potential of Jordan Travis, assuming he heals fully from his injury? I’m not thinking for the Seahawks necessarily, just curious if he is viewed as an NFL player.
Solid back up. Probably if he sticks around a Dobbs type. I think he’s a better qb than ridder, Willis, corral, Pitts.
If fully healed and retaining most if not all of his agility speed i can see him spot filling for a few games and doing just enough to keep said team viable.
Was he viewed as a potential starter prior to the injury?
I believe he was, but not a particularly enticing one. Maybe third round material because of his mobility and agility, but having a leg snapped in half certainly took the shine off of that.
From Rob’s board to a few draft sites I always saw him in rnd 3-4 prior to injury. I liked him quite a bit but felt he was more a lottery ticket pick.
He does have accuracy issues though not turnover problems. And very good legs prior to a gruesome looking injury.
I’d still take him over quite a few players like Hartman, milton, others.
Is it just me, or was Sam Hartman truly god-awful at the Senior Bowl? I remember thinking ‘I wouldn’t even waste a camp arm invite on this guy’. But I guess he’s almost certainly going to get drafted.
Admittedly, I have not scouted him and I am sure he has flashed talent, but he did not look like an NFL player to me in that game.
I think he should skip what’s next and get into coaching.
Or modeling for Jesus portraits. He looks like the second coming of Charlie Whitehurst.
If (God forbid) Schneider doesn’t land his QB on day one, does anyone believe these testing results will convince him to trade down multiple times?
If the OL group tests as well as expected, will he be even more tempted to get more day 2 picks and be comfortable with an end of round one, top of round two first pick?
I’m just spit-balling, but if a guy like Beebe, and others of that level are bunched up, ripe for day 2, does John just gather as much ammo as possible to load up on talent?
I absolutely could see him doing that. For the reasons Rob has already laid out here, there is an unusual plethora of Day 2 talent and Round 2 in particular is loaded with potential gems.
What a horrible year to be without a second round pick. If the market is there, I have little doubt John would trade back multiple times for as many bites of that round 2 apple as he could get.
That brings up another point of curiosity with me.
Would Schneider gladly walk away from re-signing Williams? Prioritize Brooks or see what’s out there in the FA market, once cuts around the league have happened?
Will Schneider be more than happy to pocket that money froma failed Williams negotiation and go after several other players who can fill a few holes, instead. Wash away the last of the old regime’s trades (along with cutting Adams, Dissly and Diggs) and start fresh?
I want Schneider to view this year as a way to restructure his roster into something he and MacCarthy are comfortable with. It wouldn’t be a tear down, at all. It would be a re-alignment of values.
Another qb question:
With so many teams needing qbs, can you envision a scenario in which all 6 of the top rated qbs are taken in the first round? Or even in the top half of the first round?
I guess we will see after the QB group gets done. If they truly shine, all bets are off. Round one could get very wild, very quick, with a lot of trades.
Imagine a scenario where the Pats, Cards and Chargers all trade down. That would be epic.
Prediction: Penix is going to drop a lot of jaws today and solidify himself as a top 10 pick.
Fingers crossed.
I see what you did there.
Habu ng trouble following the combine for a second year in a row and it is bumming me out.
It feels like I used to be able to get up, have a cup of coffee and watch the drills without nonstop chatter abiut whether someone is growing a mullet.
No one wants to sit down in prime time kn the east coast to watch, far too much going on for what is largely a passive activity. I’m finding it hard just to get info about measurements and results.
And while I appreciate Rob’s summaries, I’m a see for myself, then listen type.
Sorry to be a complainer, just don’t understand why the NFL is obsessed with ruining a good product.
We are in the age of Stephen A and Pat McAfee. Stories and gossip. No substance. Just drama.
this X1000
They just talked about Animal House for five minutes, then draft day.
It’s atrocious. They are marketing this to casual fans who really have no interest in watching, and completely turning off the nerds like us who actually want to deep dive into what is happening. It’s incredibly frustrating.
Their idea of a football nerd is someone who treats football like baseball and pays attention to advanced statistics like they’re the bible while football is still very much an “eye test” type game.
I don’t even know if it is needs. I think they see what they did with the draft (also ruined it, but increased viewership) and are trying to replicate it with the combine.
Problem is that it is a wholly different event that is best consumed over time and slowly. They really need former scouts explaining heat the key drills are, what to look for, etc…
Same. Fire up the coffee and have a good time.
If it weren’t for Rob I’d be struggling this year.
I mean, the running draft prediction tracker is giving me good laughs, my son and his friends keep saying: So Brock Bowers? The other guy said Jared Verse! What about Chop Robinson?
They’d be better off having the Keystone cops run the broadcast and just show the drills and numbers.
Sinott has been a community darling this year.
Looks like he will be gone by the end of the first, beginning of the second now.
One underrated thing here on SDB is the level to which the commenters are also on prospects, even before Rob. Gets lost in the shuffle sometimes. I can’t remember if it was Peter or BK26 or who that called out Sinott first after Howard was mentioned in a blog post.
Not sure who was first but definitely can remember why I liked him. He looks like a classic TE in height/weight but could see touches of his athleticism on some of the plays.
Some of the others ( wiley?) Run like baby giraffes waiting to be cut down at their legs.
Some guys like Chop just as basic as this is going to sound look like they are built to play on Sunday. Lucas had that. Chubb had that. Guys that look exactly like what you imagine said position should look like.
By the way there’s still room to join BK and I in our “what will howard be if he’s not a multi year backup at a program with no sense about it,” fan club….
I think this is also one of the reasons why the Combine is losing steam. The draft coverage is really a year-long thing now. The amount of information and outlets there are now is pretty mind-blowing.
A lot of die-hard fans learn about these prospects way before the spring or leading up to the draft. They don’t need the Combine to discover or affirm things.
When I first watched Sinott in November or December, I thought a coach like Kyle Shanahan would love to get his hands on him. The YAC ability stood out. The versatility stood out. My mind went to Kyle Juszczyk right away. I’m glad Sinott is blowing up.
Big disagree.
I’m not glad he’s blowing up in the slightest. 😀
Yeah. It sucks for us. But, at least there are some really intriguing guys in the later rounds that ran fast and graded very well as a run blocker.
Connor is a joy to watch move on the field, but good lord he is an atrocious blocker. That does somewhat limit how you can use him, unless you are convinced he can make significant improvements. Looks like a difference making receiving weapon though.
I’m not sure how Sinott autocorrects to Conner…
I have no time or inclination to watch tape on the players. I watch about as much College and Pro Football as I can during Football Season, though
I do appreciate that we can see some SDB commenters talking about prospects ahead of Rob, and Rob is usually way ahead of national pundits on many prospects.
Question…this is a copy-cat league, yes? If you think about lessons learned from the 2023 season, what do you guys think the 30 teams which did not make it to the Super Bowl will try to emulate from the Chiefs and Niners, via the 2024 draft?
Seven teams will take a Quarterback within the Top 40 picks. They will hope to draft the next Mahomes and have an elite Quarterback for the next 15 years.
If that Quarterback isn’t the next Mahomes, then they hope for the next Purdy. A cheap splid Quarterback that they can build around.
A message to the guy that sent a message to Rob on the livestream last night (which I just listened to) stating that Schneider blew the chance to get a QB last year and that “Pete Carroll fell on the sword” taking the blame for that. First of all, as Rob told you, NO ONE wanted to trade with the Hawks and that has been reported numerous times. And secondly, if someone would have traded with Seattle Pete Carroll would have drafted Will Anderson. It has been reported that he and Witherspoon were the only players under consideration by Pete with that #5 overall choice.
Lastly an opinion based on human psychology: I believe Pete wanted to stay with Geno for as long as was viable because he wanted, probably on a subconscious level, people to know he was the reason for the success of the franchise, not Russell Wilson and the best way to prove that was to take a journeyman and win with him. Sadly, Geno is just good enough that it might have worked at least to a divisional round level if Carroll, the “defensive HC” could’ve built a defense that wasn’t utter shit. But he didn’t, nor did he fall on the sword for John.
All this is spot on.
Especially the Geno stuff.
Seahawks met with Zak Zinter, good news there…I would hope that having so many coaches coming straight from college will give us an edge in the draft
Is there a tracker somewhere, or are you just following (ex-)twitter?
Seahawks.kingdom on Instagram
I hope Penix, Nix, and McCarthy all show out today and do some convincing. While this could likely put all of them out of reach for us at #16, it increases the chance that a Jared Verse or Chop Robinson is our consolation prize. I could live with that.
Kiper, for what it is worth, is convinced that McCarthy is not making it past the #12 pick and is more than likely going top 10. An over draft, compared to other players….. but teams are desperate for QBs. He also mentioned he could see 4 go before #16.
I read it that Seattle is in a fine spot to draft a blue chip guy, since other teams might go QB bonkers.
Rob, you are not wrong. There is not the buzz around draft circles that there normally is about this time of year. Was it the extra day Feb 29? Lack of truly generational QB options in the draft? The Chiefs look like locks for a title for 3-5 more years? “election” coverage is sucking the oxygen out of the room for anything else to prosper?
Until you mentioned it earlier, I hadn’t thought about it until this morning, but it is obvious the sizzle overall is lacking for whatever reason this draft cycle.
With that being said, keep up the great blog work. 😀
IMO the difference in the way I feel about the draft this year is simple. Last year the Seahawks had a top 5 pick and three more picks in the top 52 and will they or won’t they get a QB debate. This year one pick in the top 75 very little ammo to move up and at least four QB’s will probably be off the board before they get on the clock and possibly another three QB’s will be drafted before pick 76. Count me in on trading back and recouping some draft capital. I hope they get lucky and find a QBOTF this year but not holding my breath.
As for the draft coverage it hasn’t been good since they stopped letting Mel and other analysts criticize the picks. The NFL took the greatest reality show ever and turned it into a made for tv traveling clown show. If you are old enough to remember the draft when ESPN only broadcasted the first round and part of the second you know how great it was. It’s not shocking that the combine coverage follows the same format. Thanks Rob for all the hard work you do.
Rob,
You’ve watched every bit of this combine – instinctively, what do you think is more likely at this point:
1. John trades up for a QB?
2. Stick at #16?
3. Revert back to the 2013 -2017 John, where with the exception of Ifedi (31st pick) – trade down and add depth?