Some notes following the second day of workouts at the combine…
— It’s no secret that this is a mostly underwhelming wide receiver class. There’s a lack of top-tier talent and we might only see one or two receivers go in the first round. That said, Maryland’s D.J. Moore felt like the big winner based on the testing results today. A highly competitive player, Moore has some Golden Tate to his game. He plays above his size and he’s no slouch as an athlete either. That said — I’m not sure many people expected a 4.42 forty, a 39.5 inch vertical and an 11-0 broad jump. These are incredible results. He could easily be the second receiver off the board and he’s a clear top-50 talent.
— Florida’s Antonio Callaway has a laundry list of character flags. Here’s an exert from his NFL.com bio:
He faced a sexual assault trial between his freshman and sophomore year but was cleared of those charges before the 2016 season by admitting during the hearing he was “so stoned” he did not want to have sex with anyone. He was also cited for marijuana possession in May 2017 as a passenger in a car stopped because the driver wasn’t wearing his seat belt; he pled no contest to possession of paraphernalia in July 2017. Calloway never played in 2017 because of his involvement in a credit card fraud scheme with other teammates. Instead of looking for reinstatement or a transfer, he decided to declare for the 2018 NFL Draft.
Callaway might be undraftable. In the same NFL.com bio an unnamed AFC personnel director says, “Our owner will say no and I don’t even think we would put him on our board to be honest.” That said, he was possibly the most natural receiver on the field competing today aside from perhaps Calvin Ridley. He looked crisp in his routes and he caught the ball very well with good technique. He ran a 4.41 and then jumped a 38.5 inch vertical plus a 10-1 broad. Callaway has immense talent and if he focused on his career for once, he could be extremely good in the NFL. Whether that ever happens though is likely too big a question mark for many if not most teams.
— Another receiver who excelled was LSU’s D.J. Chark. He also had a very productive Senior Bowl and he likely solidified his enhanced stock today with a 4.34 forty at nearly 6-3 and 200lbs. It’s important to note, however, just how inconsistent his tape is. At the Senior Bowl he was practically unstoppable. In some games in 2017 (eg Alabama) he was very frustrating to watch. LSU haven’t had a good passing game for a long time so that might be a solid excuse. Chark has exceptional physical qualities but I’m not sure it’ll be enough to push him into the top-30 or 40 picks. He’s possibly a solid second rounder in this draft.
— For some time I’ve been suggesting we won’t see a tight end drafted in the first two rounds. I think that’s less likely now after Mike Gesicki’s combine performance. With the league desperate for TE’s masquerading as ‘big slot receivers’, Gesicki clearly fits the bill with the way he tested today. He ran a 4.54 forty, a 6.76 three-cone, a short shuttle of 4.10 seconds and jumped a 41-inch vertical and a 10-9 broad jump. He did all this at 6-5 and 247lbs. He even has decent length (+34 inch arms) and hand size (10 1/4 inches). In comparison, Evan Engram a year ago — despite weighing 13lbs less than Gesicki — jumped a 36 inch vertical, a 10-1 broad, ran a 6.92 three cone and a 4.23 short shuttle. Gesicki’s numbers are superior in every way apart from the forty (4.42 vs 4.54). I have no idea where to place Gesicki now. He’s probably helped by the fact it’s such a middling receiver class. As a big target with sensational athletic talent, who knows where he’ll land? One point is worth making however. He showed absolutely zero blocking at Penn State. If the Seahawks were going to consider Gesicki, they’d be doing exactly what they did with Jimmy Graham. Adding a highly athletic pass-catcher and then likely trying to turn him into the complete tight end. Do they want to try that again? I’m not sure they do. Gesicki lit up the combine today though.
— Dalton Schultz and Durham Smythe had middling performances. Both players are short armed tight ends (sub-32 inches) and their testing results were pretty mediocre. Schultz ran a 4.76, Smythe a 4.86. Neither jumped a vertical but they had a 10-0 and a 9-2 broad respectively. On tape they’re both really good blockers and that might be the most important thing. Their main responsibility in college was to block — so they’d be coming to Seattle well versed in what they need to do. These testing results could keep them on the board into day three. Nick Vannett wasn’t an amazing athlete but he had long arms (34 1/4 inches) and ran a 4.20 short shuttle. Smythe managed a 4.23 but Schultz ran a 4.40. If they want a blocking tight end, these two seem to be the best options. But they might not be intriguing enough. Quite a few previously overlooked blocking tight ends could become big earners in free agency.
— The quarterback passing drills seemed to last forever. If you ever needed confirmation on the most important position in football, this was it. Well over five hours after the day started, the tight ends got their turn. Josh Allen showed again why he gets talked up as a top-five pick despite his pretty wretched college statistics. He’s simply an incredible, prototype physical talent. Height, mobility and he throws a beautiful football. Some of his passes downfield during drills were unreal. Nobody is going to argue his tape at Wyoming is worth shouting about — yet any NFL coach worth his salt surely has to back himself to work on Allen’s flaws and bring out the positives? Saquon Barkley might end up being the #1 pick but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Allen was the next off the board — either to the Giants or, perhaps, the Browns will move up from #4 to secure him?
— Jaylen Samuels worked out with the tight ends today but he’s a versatile player with running back size. At 5-11 and 225lbs he fits Seattle’s prototype for the position and with a 4.55 forty, 34.5 inch vertical and 10-1 broad he’s also explosive enough for them. He might be a name to monitor as someone they can use in many different roles, including full back.
— Tomorrow is always a very entertaining day with the D-liners and linebackers working out. We’ll see another boat load of explosive linemen (we’ll publish TEF results for the group) and linebacker is one of the deepest and most talented positional groups in the draft this year. The Seahawks could easily look to add another front seven player or two in the draft, so tomorrow is a big day.
— Finally, the cornerback measurements were posted. The Seahawks haven’t drafted a cornerback with sub-32 inch arms so it’s a list worth paying attention to. The players with +32 inch arms are highlighted in bold:
Denzel Ward — 31 2/8 (74 6/8)
Josh Jackson — 31 1/8 (74 2/8)
Mike Hughes — 31 1/8 (73)
Isaiah Oliver — 33 4/8 (80 5/8)
Jaire Alexander — 31 1/8 (74 6/8)
Anthony Averett — 30 2/8 (71 5/8)
Chris Campbell — 33 4/8 (79)
Tony Brown — 31 4/8 (74 6/8)
Andre Chachere — 31 3/8 (75 6/8)
Carlton Davis — 32 6/8 (79 3/8)
Duke Dawson — 31 4/8 (74 4/8)
Dee Delaney — 30 4/8 (74 3/8)
Brandon Facyson — 32 5/8 (78 4/8)
Rashard Fant — 30 (72)
Rashaan Gaulden — 30 6/8 (73 1/8)
Grant Haley — 29 6/8 (72 2/8)
Davontae Harris — 31 1/8 (75 6/8)
Holton Hill — 32 (77 2/8)
Donte Jackson — 29 4/8 (71 5/8)
J.C. Jackson — 31 4/8 (75 2/8)
Danny Johnson — 31 1/8 (74 1/8)
Taron Johnson — 30 7/8 (74)
Chris Jones — 32 6/8 (78 2/8)
Michael Joseph — 30 2/8 (73 1/8)
Jamarcus King — 32 7/8 (78 3/8)
Avonte Maddox — 29 4/8 (71 3/8)
Tarvarus McFadden — 32 4/8 (78)
Quenton Meeks — 31 6/8 (76 2/8)
Kam Moore — 31 3/8 (75 7/8)
Chandon Sullivan — 32 3/8 (76 6/8)
J.T. Thomas — 32 (77 6/8)
D’Montre Wade — 32 3/8 (76 7/8)
Levi Wallace — 32 6/8 (77 3/8)
Isaac Yiadom — 32 3/8 (75 6/8)
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Oliver sure looks the #Seahawks part.
I actually feel like Seattle could handle a single red flagger on offense. Callaway as a later rounder wouldn’t be a bad risk. Especially after drafting Griffin right before him.
Callaway does look smooth and for a late pick I’m in. I just wonder in the vein of Malik why he drifts in and out of games?
I mentioned this before but he had some pretty uneventful stretches of games at times.
Why would we want another Percy Harvin in the locker room? Percy was a cancer and he didn’t have nearly as many red flags as Callaway.
Honestly for how “meh,” today was im extremely excited by tomorrow’s showing.
that said where do you Rob or anyone think moore gets drafted? I see him in top 50’s and as low as a 4th rounder.
I wish Seattle would go after a guy like chark but moore looks like a composite of every seahawks wr.
I think Moore is an early second rounder personally.
A couple of QB questions.
If you could compare Rosen to a QB currently playing in the NFL, who would it be? Maybe Cutler?
Are the Hawks likely to ever spend a draft choice on a backup QB? Wilson has shown great ability to play through injuries but nobody is invincible. In exhibition games last year Boykin chucked some balls up for grabs, that doesn’t inspire great confidence moving forward. There are many more pressing needs than a backup QB but you do need insurance against injury.
Matt Ryan?
@Elmer Sage Rosenfels, Bernie Fiedler, and Sid Luckman are the best comps.
I think Rosen could be a Matt Ryan level player.
Seahawks could take a backup QB but I think it’s unlikely this year given the needs they have elsewhere and limited picks.
So too rich for our blood, unfortunately. in a “normal” year where we had all of our draft picks he’d be a perfect guy for us to trade back and pick up. Gets open, tough, YAC, etc. We’ll have to go bargain shopping, I think. Sigh.
Such an underwhelming day! I guess I was all jacked up on the OL and RB yesterday. Looking forward to tomorrow. Thanks for recapping Rob.
Didn’t get a chance to watch the combine today, but a couple day 3 big WR targets tested well.
Dylan Cantrell of Texas Tech presently has the top sparq score. Don’t know much about him, but he deserves a look. Coming from a spread system doesn’t do him any favors.
Allen Lazard put up good marks at 6’4.5″ 227lbs- 40 4.55s. VJ 38″ BJ 10.17″. His tape has some flashes, suffered from terrible QB play, needs to work on route running.
I’m off the draft Ronald Jones at 18 position. The hamstring issue is a major turnoff. A 1st round RB should probably have the ability to know his body well enough to not tweak his hamstring. I’d like a RB 1st pick after a trade back or two or three, and hopefully Kerryon, RJ, or Chubb are still around. After that, I say attack the OL, DL, and LB on a best player available basis. DB is a low priority. Especially if Mcdougald sticks around, which is a high probability considering his likely low cost.
I’m not sure that’s fair, but given the recent spate of injuries to Prosise, Rawls, and Carson, I wonder if it would spook the Hawks. Not to mention that high-level athletes like Jones are thought to be more prone to those kinds of injuries, I think. Or at least that the ones who get them will tend to repeat them.
With that in mind, ran a simulated mock with us drafting more of a thumper at RB, Nick Chubb. No trades, just took him at #18 and then let the chips fall where they may after that:
1. Nick Chubb
4. Tre’quan Smith, WR
5. Wyatt Teller, G
5. Jeff Holland, DE
5. Jack Cichy, LB
7. Brandon Facyson, CB
7. Will Dissly, TE
7. Darren Carrington, WR
Tried to avoid unreasonable picks (e.g., S Jessie Bates was available in the 7th, I think), filled some needs, would feel pretty good about that, though the DB pick was a dartboard pick, frankly.
@RR
For many reasons, and especially this year, I and many are convinced that keeping our #18 is not an option.
I’d be interested in seeing your revised mock with a more probable (1 or 2) trade down.
Thanks.
Kind of feel the same way. I’ve seen too many tightly wound speed merchants who could never stay on the field because of constantly tweaked hamstrings.
Guys are under huge pressure to perform. Who knows what his family and agent have been saying to him behind the scenes. And hamstrings can be funny, you think they’re fine and then they suddenly go again.
The other side of this is you get guys like Prosise who seemingly need to feel like they’re absolutely 100% to play. I don’t know if I’d take Jones at 18, but dropping him for pinging a hamstring is pretty rough.
Knowing the story behind how it happened and the outside pressure he’s been dealing with could change my opinion. I’d definitely want to be assured that he’s all in on the team’s training program. I think I remember Arian Foster had his brother train him and he was notorious for hamstring issues. His muscular strength and flexibility had to have been trained in an unbalanced fashion as often as his hamstring had issues. Hamstring issues are preventable if warmed up properly prior to vigorous intensity training and as long as the athlete has built a balanced body muscular strength and flexibility wise. The next step is listening to your body while you work out and then determining if overexertion could cause a tweak. If a player has difficulty making that determination, then their stock deserves to be downgraded.
Saw this from the trusted Tony Pauline:
On Monday, I mentioned that the Seattle Seahawks will float Earl Thomas as trade bait here at the combine, and several teams are now openly talking about acquiring the safety and discussing how he would fit in their system.
Looks like its going to happen. 😓
Anyone know of a game by Chark to watch where he catches some above his head? The film I’ve seen shows him get open a lot, but he body catches mostly, and rarely goes high. What am I missing?
You’re not missing anything. It’s definitely a concern with him is that he waits for the ball to come to him regret than snatching it out of the air.
+1
Not ideal catching technique at all, but when he’s got 5 yds of separation, it doesn’t matter much… (yes, he will have to work to correct it in the pros)
Thanks, I’m glad that I am not the only one seeing this.
Must add, if you can get open and catch it. I’m OK with that.
I really don’t see SEA drafting a WR unless it’s VERY late. Rookie WR’s really have a hard time making an impact. Especially for a team like SEA who’s trying to get back to a run based offense.
ADB, Lockett, a FA WR, Darboh & Moore will be the main five WR’s IMO.
BTW, Howling Howling Howling, I am also a Wenatchee native, although a few decades later than yourself. Great town to be from.
Really Oldslow? That’s awesome my Brother, not sure if I’ve mentioned it to you but I always enjoy reading your posts! They’re Creative, insightful, and well written! Go figure we’re from the same kindom!
In the Land of Wenatchee, where the refrigerated Apples Lay.
It was a great place to grow up, spent alot of my youth at Linden Tree park where the kiack storage and Dock is.
Thanks for sharing that with me M8!
Go Team!
Do you need mechanical egineer, specialist for vibrations, there in Seattle? 😀
Wow good for you Millhouse. I hope I didn’t disrespect you alot of people want to move to the U.S. Anyway I was in mood earlier and I could talk to you privetly through Email in the future if you wish.
Honestly, the best thing of the day was Lamar Jackson refusing to do any of the athletic tests.
No surprise to see Josh Allen looking good when he doesn’t actually have to play football. I would lose my mind if I was a Browns supporter and they took him. Go get Darnold or Mayfield, some kid who’s a gamer who can help change the mentality in the locker room. They’re players who win. Get either of those two, then one of Chubb/Nelson/Barkley. Give yourself two instant impact players, no more nonsense projects.
It’s entirley possible the Seahawks look for different measurables in their tight ends. Historically the ones they’ve chosen have been all over the map in terms of size and explosiveness. The length and combine performance of Schultz and Smythe seem fairly middling. However they match up reasonably well to the following numbers: ht: 6’4”, wt: 256#, arm length: 32”, hand size: 10 1/3”, 40: 4.86 secs, vertical: 34”, broad: 9’ 7”, short shuttle: 4.42 secs, 3 cone 7.01 secs which belong to Zach Miller from his 2007 combine.
This doesn’t mean Schultz or Smythe will be as good as Miller but it does suggest their numbers don’t rule out that possibility either.
We need to return to smashmouth football. I panned the Jimmy Graham trade initially because he was a finesse player and a liability to the run game. That proved a valid forecast. I think Carroll realizes they need to return to ground and pound and will look for a mauler TE. No way we take Geisicki.
Our days of hunting unicorns are over. We will prioritize solid, physical, productive players over work-out warriors. This sea change will be especially apparent when we draft OL. The TEF formula is a failure and Solari will seek guys who can actually block.
The TEF formula isn’t a failure. It helped us identify a trend among OL prospects and still to this day enables us to gauge the explosive traits within different offensive and defensive linemen.
And I hate to have to say this again — but it’s never been as simple as ‘just get guys who can block’. The main reason teams like Seattle looked at explosive linemen is because there just aren’t any average athletes who block well in college. There’s an absolute dearth of good linemen. So if you’re needing to coach someone up it might as well be someone who at least has the potential to handle the interior DL monsters playing in the NFL.
TEF is just math, and math didn’t fail the Seahawks. That’s like saying SPARQ failed the Seahawks or bench press results failed the Seahawks. Regardless, it would be more of how those metics were or weren’t used as an absolute (also not true) decision making factor in drafting that might deserve consideration. There are other issues worth more attention than the TEF formula in critiquing Seahawk drafting.
My point is TEF prioritizes physical measurables over technical proficiency and proven production. No one disagrees that a baseline level of athleticism is required for the NFL, but setting that baseline at a 3.0 TEF is myopic. Some players lack elite athleticism but have instincts, heavy hands, smarts, and heart. They get the job done. It’s time to deprioritize Sokoli style athletes that have measurables but lack foundational aptitude.
You’ve completely missed the point of TEF, Saxon. You’re making the same mistake so many others do.
Nobody has ever suggested it offers a review of a players quality. Nobody has ever stated it’s anything more than a measure of explosive physicality. When you start claiming things like ‘it prioritises measurables over technique’ — no it doesn’t. It has never ever ever ever offered any review on what a player is technically.
And we’re using it today as one part of the puzzle, because it’s interesting to see how the class compares physically as individuals. That is all.
I have no idea why people struggle to understand this. It’s maddening. Why can’t people understand that it’s possible to calculate explosive physicality and have a conversation about it without automatically assuming that those interested in the subject pay only attention to the results and not tape.
It’s like me going to a restaurant, praising the main course and then someone shouting ‘YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO APPRECIATE A GOOD DESERT’.
Rashaad Penny. Make it happen, Rob.
Seattle is in negotiations to extend Sheldon Richardson.
Looks like they could go with a cap friendly number in 2018 and escalate more in 2019 to make it happen. Things are getting interesting.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/seahawks-insider-blog/article203290714.html
They almost have to at this point. What a waste of draft capital if they didn’t.
Yeah, I’ve gone back and forth on it. Been kinda convincing myself that they would let him walk, but it doesn’t seem the case. I won’t complain if they reach a deal with him.
If McDowell were to ever come back from injury (feels like maybe a big if), Richardson, Reed, Jones, Jordan, Clark and McDowell could be a pretty interesting rotation, especially if they add edge rusher via the draft in someone like Kemoko Turay. Either FA or draft, they have to add edge rush. Personally, I’d like to see them bring back David Bass if they part ways with Bennett and Avril.
Always liked Bass
+12 was just about to reply with the exact same.
Is LivePD the best show on TV?
Show opens up with a search warrant and rifles drawn
Then we proceed to get these one-liners:
‘I’m gonna beat the dogsh** outta you Michael!’
‘Oh sh**. We got heroin in the room.’ (That was last night)
Also last night, an old man comes outta his trailer, spitting fire at his landlord as his pants fell down around his ankles
‘The only friend I have is sleeping with my girl!’
Questions like this:
‘How much you been drinking?’
‘A lot’
‘Classic 2 beers’
There’s chickens on the loose running around on the street
Hahaha! Wild turkeys, a dog was awarded with a purple heart. I’m dying over here. Probably don’t help I’m on omne right now.
WTF? Are you awake?
Oh yeah. Enjoying the best damn TV has ever produced. Incredible stuff. Highly recommend it’s. Its like cops on steroids.
* best damn show TV has ever produced.
I just watched said dog absolutely wreck a grown man’s shit after a car chase.
There was a guy wearing a county sherrirf’s jacket standing in the middle of the strett with a pole, had no idea where he was or how he got there, and then claimed the cops drugged him.
I didn’t even mention that last night on the show a dude pooped his pops while in custody.
Man, the more i watch him, the more im convinced Kerryon will be the guy, then the Hawks will choose their big back in either Freeman or Scarborough if he falls.
Kerryon is just so physical, he can shake you, but he’s also patient and knows when to shoot the gap and when to wait for his blocks to develop. Plus he can catch the ball.
Liking Royce Freeman more and more too, would be a great hedge bet
I agree Kerryon looks great. If we trade down for picks would you take Kerryon first and look for the best remaining left guard or take Hernandez and look for the best remaining RB? We’ve got Carson but we don’t have a left guard. What do you think?
Kerryon could be the guy. As you say, very physical. Showed he can be the focal point of an offense. VERY explosive.
Rob I’m surprised you didn’t mention Dissly who seemed to fare pretty well today. Mayock says he’s the best blocking TE in the draft and the fifth best in the draft. That’s some pretty high praise from a guy who everybody seems to respect.
I watched the drills (the NFL Network barely showed any of the footage because I think they’d had enough after five hours of QB/WR work). Dissly showed well catching the ball for sure.
He looked good. A bit slow and lumbering, but solid.
I’m all in on taking a swing on Callaway. If ADB and Lockett can’t be a good influence for a guy like that, then I’m not sure who can.
I do recall us all saying a similar thing about Malik.
Although i suppose he never even made it to camp for the vets to have an influence on him
every case is different, you aren’t putting together a troop of boy scouts.
Lots of players on each team are character risks. Some work out, some just work out for a while. Tyreek Hill, Dixon, Marcus Peter, Frank Clark, Big Ben, Ezekial Elliot, Dez Bryant, Josh Gordon, S. The list is endless.
There is a a balance though and depends what their problem is.
7th round, take a shot, but if he has real talent, he won’t be there.
Malik was a freak injury doing something lots of kids do. It was not a criminal act. Don’t some states have laws where you do not need a helmet to ride a motorcylce? Has anyone here EVER been in a car with no seatbelt?
I don’t know enough about Callaway, but I think the two things you need to do your due diligence on are: 1. does he love the game, and 2. do teammates like him. If he doesn’t have both those things going for him then I wouldn’t touch him. I think Pete believes enough in his ability to create a culture to take a risk on guys from tough environments as long as they love the game and teammates will support the guy.
good points. Does not mean it will work, but it does remove 2 problems that are sure to not end well
Good points.
Side note: I have great Tatupu memories. Until I find the right new Seahawks Rush Green jersey, I currently sport my old Blue Tatupu jersey.