Utah State’s Kyler Fackrell could be a target for the Seahawks
Written by Bob Kaupang
Each year fans get excited about certain prospects they hope are drafted by their favorite teams. This year Utah State linebacker Kyler Fackrell is on a short list of players I hope are selected by our Seattle Seahawks. He is big, strong, fast, quick, and impacts the game in a variety of ways.
He simply makes things happen.
Looking at the numbers. The twenty-four year old Fackrell is comparable to Bruce Irvin, who was the same age when the Seahawks made him their first-round draft choice in 2012. Many envision Fackrell as a replacement for the recently departed Irvin — a player who will play strongside linebacker (SAM) on early downs before putting his hand in the dirt to rush the passer on money downs.
With that being said and as Rob Staton pointed out last week, here is a comparison of the two:
Bruce Irvin
Height: 6-3
Weight: 245lbs
Vertical: 33.5 inches
Broad: 10-3
Bench press: 23 reps
10-yard: 1.58
Kyler Fackrell
Height: 6-5
Weight: 245lbs
Vertical: 34.5 inches
Broad: 10-1
Bench press: 15 reps
10-yard: 1.62
While it may be true that Fackrell could take over the role played by Irvin the past three years, Pete Carroll has a track record of moving his playmakers to maximize their talents – chess pieces, if you will.
In fact, Fackrell may be used more like Clay Matthews was by Carroll during his senior year at USC and the way the recently resigned Chris Clemons was used by the Seahawks from 2010-2013. If you compare the combine numbers of Fackrell to both Matthews and Clemons, you will see similarities:
Clay Matthews
Height: 6-3
Weight: 240lbs
Vertical: 35.5 inches
Broad: 10-1
Bench press: 23 reps
10-yard: 1.61
Chris Clemons
Height: 6-3
Weight: 236lbs
Vertical: 35 inches
Broad: 9-8
Bench press: 18 reps
10-yard: 1.72
While many have focused on Fackrell being a replacement for Irvin, let’s not forget that Irvin was drafted with the intent that he would be the eventual replacement for Clemons at Leo. This obviously didn’t happen.
While Clemons has been resigned, the fact of the matter is he’s 34-years-old. Even though Frank Clark is shedding weight this off-season in what appears to be a move to play an expanded role on the outside, this is a team that preaches competition and has a coach with final say on draft day. Carroll noted they hope to address the pass rush — the exact quote was, “we’ll see what happens in the draft.”
General Manager John Schneider and Carroll have consistently stated through the years that you’re not going to find these pass rushers, at least the ones who are going to contribute right away, unless you take them early in the draft.
Whenever Carroll says they need to do something at the conclusion of any season, they go out and do it. In addition to specifically mentioning the pass rush, he also noted that the offensive line is a priority. They haven’t ‘nailed’ that unit yet. There’s a good chance the Seahawks will go with either a pass rusher or offensive lineman in the first round, followed by the whatever they didn’t get in the second.
Adding Fackrell to the edge with Clark, Clemons, and Cliff Avril would give defensive coordinator Kris Richard a plethora of pass rushers coming off the edge. That depth could help prevent fourth quarter meltdowns such as the many squandered leads last season and Super Bowl XLIV when Avril went out with a concussion. The pass rush became anything but a ‘rush’ as hopes of a repeat vanished with Brady surveying the field with time for picnics with Gisele and naps during the nightmarish fourth quarter in which the Patriots scored two touchdowns.
The Giants have proven twice against Brady that the best formula is adhering to the philosophy of one can never have too many good pass rushers and adding Fackrell would be a big step in the right direction.
Even if the Seahawks don’t land a pass rushing defensive tackle in the draft, the potential move of Clark and addition of Fackrell would allow Michael Bennett to spend all third downs rushing from the interior, which would indeed improve the Seahawks push up the gut more consistently, too.
There are various scouting reports on every player expected to be drafted later this month. Unlike reading a report and forming an opinion, I have always wanted to see the player for themselves to form a final conclusion.
For example, many scouting reports said that Tyler Lockett would have trouble getting deep in the NFL because he got caught from behind too often at Kansas State. However, when you actually watched his offensive snaps for yourself, you could see that it was usually the quarterback under throwing a pass and Lockett having to slow down for it, which led to him getting caught from behind by a toasted cornerback running at full speed.
As I watch the only two games available from Fackrell’s senior season, I see a relentless player who is almost always strong at the point of attack and a difference maker when moving forward. He is extremely athletic and has the height and length that Carroll loves.
As I project Fackrell to the Seahawks, I see a player who would spend more time attacking the line of scrimmage than he did at Utah State so a few of the completions you see him give up aren’t as big of a concern for me as they would be for a team hoping to draft a linebacker who would spend the majority of his time in coverage on passing downs.
I had a chance to ask Fackrell a few questions for this story and when it comes to what he can bring to an NFL team, he stated, “I think that one of my strengths is versatility and being able to use me to rush, drop into zone coverage, and cover man-to-man.”
I asked Fackrell about the game above and here was his reply: “The Colorado State game is probably the most fun I’ve had in a game. Our rush was very strong and being able to put on that kind of pressure was important against them because of the threats they had in the passing game.”
Fackrell quote: “The Boise game was something I’ll never forget. To be able to cause seven turnovers in one half was shocking even to us. They just kept coming and our offense capitalized on nearly all of them and I remember there being just stunned faces on our own sideline at the amount of success we were having against a very good team.”
As I was able to ask Fackrell a few questions, I knew there would be certain responses due to the fact that he could be drafted by any NFL team. However, one area of interest reminded me of having the opportunity to interview my boyhood hero, Kenny Easley, last month. When I asked Easley about his career highlights, he talked about the Dolphins playoff win at the conclusion of the 1983 season and when the Seahawks returned four interceptions for touchdowns in a game versus the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984. Two of his three individual highlights was with the team in mind.
Fackrell went from giving politically correct answers to passionately gushing when he talked about the team success in both of these games. It reminded me of communicating with Easley. Some players talk about winning and team success but I don’t know how genuine it is. With Easley and now Fackrell, I got the sense they care (or cared) about their teammates and having success with them and some of what they chose as “individual” highlights was impressive.
Regardless of how Fackrell would ultimately be used in Seattle, there are other aspects important to Schneider and Carroll such as character, competitiveness and grit. Fackrell has these in spades.
I cannot count the number of times I have read comments from Seahawks fans such as, “I can’t believe we passed on Martavis Bryant. How could we have done that?” The only comments from fans today revolve around thankfulness their team did not select someone who finds themselves out of the league for at least a year.
Randy Gregory is the latest poster boy for being careful with early picks. Gregory was projected by many to be a top ten pick last year but slid to late in the second round. Like Bryant, addiction can be a terrible thing to overcome and adding a player like Fackrell ensures you don’t have to worry about these types of potential headaches as an organisation.
Another strength Fackrell possesses is the ability to play assignment sound football. How many times do we hear Seahawk coaches and defenders talk about doing their jobs and trusting others to do theirs on the field? It seems Fackrell is the type of player who would fit perfectly due to his nature of doing his job and not freelancing to be the star. When you can get a star talent who embraces the team mentality — you have a special type of player.
Thankfully Schneider and Carroll have assembled a roster of players who fit these ideals and when someone doesn’t buy into the program, they are often jettisoned out of town. Fackrell would most definitely be part of the solution, not the problem. That’s the kind of players you want with all of your picks.
I was able to ask Fackrell about the upcoming draft and potential fit with the Seahawks: “There is obviously a good history of USU Aggies going to Seattle and I would count myself lucky to have the opportunity to play for the Seahawks.” The last time the Seahawks drafted a Utah State linebacker they were able to add Bobby Wagner in the second round in 2012.
If Fackrell does become a member of the Seahawks, he’s already said that he’ll answer some additional questions for us, too. Here’s to hoping the Seahawks draft another Utah State linebacker in a few weeks!
Fackrell would be a great pick!
R1 – O Line – Ifedi/Spriggs
R2 – LB – Fackrell
R3 – O Line
R3 – RB
R4 – Devonte Cajuste
Round 1 (1) GERMAIN IFEDI, OT/OG
Round 2 (1) BRONSON KAUFUSI, DE or KYLER FACKERALL, SS/LB
Round 3 (2) CONNER McGOVERN, OG / TYLER ERVIN, RB
Round 4 (1) TRAVIS FEENEY, LB
Round 5 (1) DEVON CAJUSTE, WR
Round 6 (1) JAMES BRADBERRY, CB
Round 7 (2) ANTHONY ZETTEL, DE (Convert to OL) / Keenan Reynolds, RB/ATH
PFA Terron Beckham, RB/ATH
If Fackerall is going to give interviews, might as well draft him right? 😉
I’d flip Bradberry with Cajuste.
Bradberry is far more can’t miss. Dropoff from Cajuste to Marquez North ain’t that big.
I like North’s potential — but Cajuste is virtually their ideal WR. Tall, insanely athletic, maxes out his targets, great run blocker, friends with Doug Baldwin.
It’d almost be a shock if they didn’t land Cajuste at some point.
Has talent for showing up big … in big situations. He just appears to be a Seahawks WR to me… I could be off on this one….. but a little birdie told me…
I started writing a piece tonight that argued they might look to trade down at #26 or #56 purely to acquire a pick in the early 4th for Cajuste. Not sure he even lasts until the late fourth where they pick.
I am both for this and against this, it depends on how it effects who we really hope the FO is able to get. If the FO can trade down from #26 and still get a OT they love (Ifedi? Coleman?) then great, do it. If the FO can trade down from 56 and still make sure to get McGovern then great, do it.
But is Cajuste or any WR worth missing out on McGovern or a OT or maybe even Dahl/Haeg? Not in my opinion no.
Hopefully moves made end up looking like the Tyler Lockett move of 2015. We can exit the draft with some stars and with almost or every guy the FO wanted most (please be Ifedi, McGovern, Dahl, Cajuste, Ervin).
His lack of college stats will put off many lesser front offices that base their picks on such things. I can see him being there in the fourth.
I definitely believe they trade down at some point – there are huge gaps between their 4-5-6 and I really think they’ll maneuver around so huge swaths of prospects don’t pass them by.
Excellent. Just excellent. Very little that I’d change here.
Good read bobby.
Well done.
Good stuff
Thanks!
You might be a salesman during the day. You have me sold, not sure about v 26 but 56 sounds good.
So if we drafted Fackrell he could realistically be used like Irvin was or he could be used like Clemons was (pass rusher)…
Well he is on my list of guys I will cheer for if we draft him. My question is; where will we be able to get him? It seems the one spot is our R2 pick. What I dislike strongly about that is missing out on Connor McGovern who I doubt lasts until your first R3 pick. It would be awesome if we could grab our most desired RT in R1, then grab either Fackrell or McGovern (whoever JS thinks won’t last the longest) then setup a trade where JS thinks we can go up and grab the one of the two who we didn’t get. I don’t know if we’d have to trade up from R3 to R2 or just from lower in R3 to higher in R3.
If we can come away from this draft with Ifedi or Coleman, Fackrell, McGovern, Dahl, Ervin, TE, and w/e else the FO wants I would consider this a dream draft for us.
I will say this, I have come around to wanting Clemons to make this team (obviously Pete has to believe he earned it and can produce). I love the idea of him mentoring Clark. I love what JS said when asked about him:
>Clemons as a situational rusher he has some cool juice left. They had to play him more in Jacksonville, more then they wanted to last year. He also has a rough off-season so going into the season he was a little beat up. Our sports science department did a great job so we are excited to get him back, take care of his legs and be able to monitor his body. Natural natural edge rusher. We are excited about getting him back.
Taking into account being banged up and being overused I can over look his sub-par 2015 stats (still healthy all 16 games, durable). I look at his 2014 stats and get excited about his potential when being used correctly by our coaches:
>16 games play, 36 combined tackles, 27 total tackles, 9 assisted tackles, 8.0 sacks, 4 forced fumbles.
Just whoa. If he could stay assignment sound, force a fumble or two, get 5 sacks, tackle well, stay healthy and help mentor Frank Clark? Yes please!
—————————————————————————————–
My only other thought is though i want our best players out there, I will be sad if Marsh can’t find a spot to call home. I have been really high on his potential as a SSLB. Playing the run and dropping into coverage. His quickness, speed, high motor, everything makes me want to find a spot for him to be useful, not just on the bench as depth.
Yeah. He’s only a great target if we can move down from 56.
*scratches 2 OL in 1st 2 picks idea for mock*
I have serious doubts about Fackrell’s lack of speed, especially against NFL players.
One thing you forgot to mention when comparing with Irvin:
40 yd :
Irvin: 4.5
Fackerll: 4.72
Fackrell lack of speed would limit him from going side to side, covering in pass pro, or even attacking on a blitz.
I rather have Deion Jones, LSU. 4.59 / 40
On Fackrell’s speed — he ran a 1.62 split which is very good and 0.04 seconds slower than Bruce Irvin.
He also ran a 4.36 short shuttle at his pro-day.
He might not be Bruce Irvin-fast, but he’s not slow either.
Plus we know the 40 is an overrated measurement of game speed.
Speed isn’t nothing, but it isn’t everything. It’s also about how quick a player can read and react to a chaotic environment (playing football vs doing drills). Irvin wasn’t the best at it. Fackrell looks awesome.
I would be all in on Fackrell if I knew he could rush the passer. He did that well in the Colorado State game (didn’t watch Boise St yet). Already has a better repertoire of pass rush moves than Mr. speed around the corner Irvin. Just wasn’t used nearly as often. Why? Will he be exposed at the next level?
I would also like to throw out their other numbers for comparison so we’re not cherry picking (Irvin really is a freak athlete):
Irvin
20 Yrd Dash: 2.66
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.03
3-Cone Drill: 6.70
Fackrell
20 Yrd Dash: 2.75
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.36
3-Cone Drill: 7.34
My opinion of Bruce Irvin rushing the passer is he runs into the offensive tackle like a magnet and stays there 90% of the time. Once engaged, he’s pretty much done. His fantastic 40-yard dash is simply a number that does nothing when it comes to why he was drafted (to rush the passer) if he’s engaged with the tackle. Now, there are times when he can get after the QB with his raw speed and make plays, but not enough or they wouldn’t have moved him to SAM on early downs.
If you watch Fackrell moving forward, you see a guy who can use his hands more than Irvin could ever hope and I think that is more important than a 40-yard dash being slower than Irvin. Anyone here remember how he absolutely abused Le’Raven Clark one one of the first plays of the Senior Bowl? It was because of his hands and not his 40-time. I also think we get too caught up in numbers because if you compare almost every combine number for Clemons and Irvin, pretty much everything points to Irvin being the star. In reality, Clem has been, by far, the better player for the Seahawks even though he’s significantly “worse” on paper in terms of coming out of college. Irvin simply disappointed as the Leo he was drafted to be, but he turned into a decent player because he developed a niche for doing something else that what he was originally intended to do.
“Now, there are times when he(Irvin) can get after the QB with his raw speed and make plays, but not enough or they wouldn’t have moved him to SAM on early downs.” bobbyk
Irvin was a major liability against the run when lined up at DE. That and the surprising opportunity to get Avril on the cheap were the main 2 reasons why Irvin was moved to SAM on base downs. If PC didn’t like Irvin rushing the passer he wouldn’t have been a mainstay in the NASCAR package.
Aside from one half of football where Irvin abused the Packers in his first or second year, I don’t think he’s a good pass rusher. Perhaps he played in the NASCAR packages is the same reason Justin Britt started this past season and that’s simply because they didn’t have anybody better? Just because one starts or plays situationally in a spot doesn’t mean they are good – just that they aren’t as bad as the others, imo. While Irvin wasn’t a bust (I wanted DeCastro), he certainly didn’t exceed expectations for what they drafted him for either.
Agreed. Irvin wasn’t a bad player but if he was actually the dominant pass rusher that JS/PC envisioned when they drafted him, he wouldn’t have been moved to SAM and he wouldn’t have been allowed to leave in free agency either.
Rob: Suppose John Schneider took either Vermont Butler or Jonathan Bullard in the 1st round.How would you feel about taking Fackrell in the 2nd round?
Ask me at the end of round three.
Hahaha
Lmfao!!!!!!!
“Ask me at the end or round three” which is code for, they then better take 2 OL at 90 and 97…lol
Greg: Actually I love the idea of taking Vern Butler/Jonathan Bullard in the first round. Taking Kyle Fackrell in the 2nd round. Then taking two OL in the third round.
Remember when Seattle made their Super Bowl run in 2013 they were DEEP on the defensive line.
This would follow the pattern set last year. First they took two players who could make a splash their first year. Then they took two developmental Olinemen. Could happen again. It would also follow the pattern of giving Glowinski a year– and Sokoli two, it would seem–to work into the system.
This assumes they miss Ifedi, Spriggs, Coleman. Of course, weird things happen. I’ve seen mocks where Butler and Spriggs or Coleman fall into the second. I’ve seen other mocks where the Chargers want to trade up into the bottom of the first, and trade 2nd and 3rd rounders to the Hawks, giving them everybody this blog likes (Butler, Spriggs, Fackrell, McGovern) in the first four picks. That would be the stars aligning perfectly, but teams have gotten crazier deals. Just look at the Titans, right?
Aside from the fact that the Hawks took three developmental linemen last year (Poole was first), this strikes me as otherwise spot on. I suspect Seattle is willing to give rookie linemen a chance to start (Britt, Sweezy, Carpenter), but also isn’t planning on it. The Webb and Sowell pickups look similar to the Cary Williams’ signing last year – a determination not to have to draft a player at a particular position of need. If Ifedi, or whoever they prefer, is there in the first, or McGovern or whoever is there in the second, they’ll draft them. But if the board falls wrong, I can easily envision Seattle leaving offensive line for late day two or early day three.
He sounds like a great dude, and I’m happy to defer to people on this blog who know much, much, more about football than me, but there’s just something about his play that makes me hesitate. Couldn’t even tell you what it is, so it’s not a position I’m going to defend too strongly. Am I the only one who has doubts over him?
I feel your doubts his tape left something to be desired, he aslo doesn’t seem to shed blocks the greatest, but maybe im wrong others on this blog seem to really like him but i wonder if they are looking more to his character than anything else
I’m in the same boat. I just wasn’t impressed by his tape. but I’m no scout.
I can understand people not wanting him positionally — but anyone who says they weren’t impressed with him vs Colorado State and Boise State — I’m not sure what you’d need to see to be impressed?
I challenge anyone to find two games like that from this draft class where one defensive player has that level of impact.
I’ll go have another look at the tape from those two games later and try to see what I’m missing. Not that I don’t think he’d be positionally valuable, I think what Irvin brought was underrated and will be missed, I just find him a bit eh. Looks like the sort of guy who’s going to come in and be a solid player, but never anything special. Maybe my expectations are set way too high?
If you watch the Boise State game — note how he bends attacking the edge. He dips low and arches his body around the tackle like the best edge rushers in the league. Makes himself skinny and explodes with great balance. Can’t teach that.
His tape here is impressive and there is a lot to like but I also don’t buy the hype he gets from a lot of people. I like him as a pass rusher/Leo but not as a lb dropping back. I also think hes more of a effort guy,which I love, opposed to a technician but that alone won’t succeed at the next level. Can he make a impact like Irvin did his rookie year or will he end up more like marsh? I believe the 56th is best served going Oline and defense in the first if not oline both picks.
What about Montese Overton?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RFkZkmemns&ab_channel=CollegeFBDude
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSNQF_ejL2M&ab_channel=CollegeFBDude
He is likely a sixth round selection, he has more sacks Fackrell has 3 games with sacks and so does Overton, Overton has more tfl. He is a bit undersized at 6’2 225 but i do know Fackrell had better competition in the mac conference. I just think there are better options later in the draft that will enable the hawks to pick o line and DT. I think Jatavis Brown could be another pick he plays like he is 6’5 I’ve been a big fan of him for while. I don’t think Fackrell has bad tape i just am not a huge fan of what i see
I wouldn’t focus purely on sacks.
Very true, i am speaking more to the value of the pick i didnt clarify that comment well enough. I don’t think Fackrell is really worth a 2nd roudner to the seahawks. He may be an extremely successful player but it could be more valuable to spend that pick on someone else and select a player later that is a developmental prospect for Fackrells position since its not a position of huge need and if the developmental prospect doesn’t workout next years draft is very deep overall. Either way i wouldn’t be disappointed if the hawks did select Fackrell i just don’t think they will
Agreed Del Tre. The key being “I don’t think Fackrell is really worth a 2nd rounder to the seahawks.” Think Fackrell is a solid day 2 pick with some upside, but don’t feel like the role he would fill in our defense is worth our #56 pick. We have more than enough edge rushers with Avril, Bennett, Clark, Clemons, Marsh. Fackrell’s main attraction is as an edge rusher. While he can play the SAM position on base downs, playing in space is not a strength of his. I like Kyler Fackrell quite a bit, but feel like he’s better suited as a 3-4 OLB.
I don’t believe we have more than enough edge rushers. You mention Marsh and I don’t quite understand that. He’s been in the NFL for two years and not only do me and you have as many sacks as he does and I don’t think he has any pressures either.
If our edge rushers were better, then you wouldn’t need to count Bennett as an edge rusher because he could spend all of his time rushing from DT (and we’d all love to have more consistent DT pressure, which Bennett could do more of if he didn’t have to spend time on the outside, too).
As I said, adding Fackrell would help the pressure at DT because Bennett could spend all of his time rushing from there on passing downs. As it is now, when Bennett lines up outside to rush the passer, we are really thin at pressure up the gut.
You’re right saying ‘more than enough’ edge rushers is hyperbolic. You can never too many pass rushers. To be fair I did list Marsh 5th on the list. No he’s never recorded a sack, but he hasn’t had a whole lot of opportunity. To point out the lack of sacks for Marsh, while making a case for Fackrell is puzzling. Its not like Fackrell put up big sack numbers in a smaller conference.
Bennett already spends the majority of his time rushing from inside on passing downs. Now that Clark has slimmed down defining his role on the edge, who rushes inside next to Bennett? Hill for the 4 games he’s healthy enough to play? The 2 super bowl years we had a rotational DT with 5+ sacks. We lacked that interior pressure last year, and it showed. Getting a rotational interior pass rusher seems like a bigger need than another edge rusher. imo
Bobbyk you make a solid case for Fackrell. I like him as a prospect and think he has a promising future, but am not convinced he’s a great fit for the Hawks. Even if Bennett rushes from the inside every passing down how many snaps do you think are there for Fackrell rushing the edge? It would be surprising to see him beat out Avril, Clark and Clemons for many snaps.
Was expecting Overton to test better than he did. JS/PC typically want their OLB’s to run in the 4.4-low 4.5 range-Wagner, Smith, Irvin, Morgan, KPL, Pinkins. Overton surprisingly fell well short-4.61 40 with a nice 1.59 10YS. Still like his skill set and would be cool with a 6th-7th round pick on him, if we don’t take a OLB/$LB earlier.
just watched the boise st tape again. and I still see nothing special. seems like a great kid, but second rd too high for me. I hope he proves me wrong
Most of the interest here in Fackrell apparently comes from video of two games against lesser college competition – Colorado State and Boise State. While it’s not wrong to find positives in a small sample size like that, you are also not wrong in wanting to see more. I’m in the camp of needing to see more also. But if we draft Fackrell at 56, I’ll take it as a sign that PCJS have dome their homework on much more game tape than we’ve seen and that the CSU/BSU tape is for real.
There is also a game from 2013 against USC and some short clips from various games to go on. Here’s the USC game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa0d12fzLUk
Here’s a sweet game winning INT against HI. Keep in mind, this guy is best moving forward and attacking the LOS, makes this play even more impressive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnX4RR8sfec
Here’s another game that I just found that was added. The ’15 opener against Washington: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eudPHholv2c
Fackrell would be a nice pick in the 3rd round. The trenches need to be addressed first IMHO, and if they go DL or OL with the 1st then I think whichever side of line they didn’t address with the 1st should be addressed at 56.
I agree but with late picks in each round you’ll miss out if he’s your man. I think it’s to high to but a late second is really a glorified 3rd. So if he’s there man the 56th pick is where they have to take him.
I feel the same way. Replace Cajuste with Berger, and Fackrell with Alex McCalister or Weatherly IMO. Focus on DT, LG, RT, backup S, LB, RB…something like that order.
For example: move down for Butler, pick McGovern, (start Sokoli C), trade up for Coleman or pick Clark, TJ Green (not sold on Shead at all), Feeney, other bama rb or Ervin
I tend to go along with this thought as well, but I think he’s a really solid player, and would fit in well with this defense. I can see the pick at 56, and would be happy with the selection. It’s just if they went DL or OL at 26, part of me would be wincing mightily at what might not be available for the trenches on the other side of the ball at 90. But here’s a thought; Perhaps they take OL or DL at 26, take OL or DL 56, and then package up in the 3rd to take Fackrell, or take Fackrell at 56, and then package up to take the best available lineman for the side of the ball that didn’t get drafted at 26.
That could work out nicely because then they might be to get a guy like Joe Dahl or Willie Henry with that move up deal from 90, or like you said with moving up and picking Fackrell. I would like those first 3 picks, so long as the price isn’t to steep.
If think the price would be moving 90 and 97 to about 70 in the 3rd. If that lands Willie Henry, Dahl, Haeg, or with luck McGovern or Ridgeway, that’s a nice haul.
My gut says they will be looking to move back in this draft and target value. Don’t know what that means in terms of OL, DL, LB, RB, WR, etc.. but JS says this is the best draft since 2010 in terms of value. Honestly have a hard time seeing them not land OL and DL or vice versa with the first couple picks, even though the case for Fackrell is a compelling one.
You wrote a fantastic article and i really enjoy guest pieces they’ve proven to be very informative.
For me, I just don’t see it with Fackrell. The hawks don’t exactly need to replace Bruce Irvin his position isn’t hugely important in the Seahawks scheme, he can essentially be replaced by a combo of Frank Clark and Mike Morgan. So in my eyes to spend a second round pick on Fackrell wouldn’t make a ton of sense but i understand what others see in him he certainly has an excellent athletic profile.
I have revised my mock draft as well so here that is
Round 1
Vernon Butler
Run stopper, potential Mebane replacement, has a chance to be a solid pass rusher.
Round 2
Caleb benenoch
Even though he doesn’t meet the tef “requirements” (which i am not critiquing i know that its a formula rob came up with which the seahawks clearly adhere to in some form or another) I could see the Hawks being interested he’s athletic regardless a 4.9 40 at 305 tells me as much. He could be coached up I also wanted to bring someone new to the table that I haven’t seen discussed as much on this site. Maybe i missed it if he was I’m fairly new here
Round 3
Joe Dahl
Lots of discussion about Joe Dahl on this site, i like him i think he has a good chance to succeed in the NFL
Round 3 comp
Javon Hargrave
the butler pick makes choosing Hargrave make much more sense. Butler would be the first 2 down run stopper Hargrave would come in for Nascar sets he is extremely explosive and tests very well. Could replace the interior pressure the Hawks have missed soarly since 2013
Round 4 Jatavis brown
Not giving up on this kid. I think he is just a good football player and could be a high reward low risk option. He doesn’t have prototypical size but I think that the Seahawks are willing to overlook that in late round draft picks as long as they produce (Tyler lockett is one example)
Round 5
James Bradberry
Tall rangey athletic can play safety and corner? Cool sign me up. Will work great in cover 3
Round 6
Deiondre hall
He uses his 34.5″ arms effectively in coverage needs to bulk up and jam at the line more he would add depth to the outside corner back spot.
Round 7
Moritz bohringer
Whatever the Hawks have 0 receivers on their roster that are as big and explosive as mortiz he has a decent route tree from my understanding i watched his highlights and he seems to have a few moves. he has a good chance to succeed with Doug and Lockett helping him develop into a better route runner. You can’t teach speed and you can’t teach size
Round 7
O line convert
Tom cables specialty whoever it is will be a great run blocker I bet
In this scenario I fully expect the Hawks to part ways with tharold Simon by the end of training camp. SJB will likely be gone and seisay as well. This way the Hawks gain unique depth in the secondary. Players who can get out on the field and not just hold a roster spot. The Seahawks corner backs on the roster in season would be
Sherman, lane, shead, smith, Bradberry, elliot and maybe George farmer.
This gives the Hawks enough depth in the slot and on the outside
I just wanted to shake up my pick for the second that’s why I put benenoch there he can play guard at the next level 6’5 long arms
I think Jatavis Brown is a really solid player and the first natural deathbacker. I can see the Hawks liking him he has high character and a chip on his shoulder and hits like a hammer
I think Mortiz has too much potential to pass. He has similar numbers to the likes of Calvin Johnson just an athletic freak. Who cares if he needs time to develop. This is what the seventh round is for priority undrafted free agent signings and why not take a shot on a guy who has the physical build to lead the league in yardage.
I would expect the Seahawks o line to look like this
Gilliam-Dahl-Sokoli-glowinski-Benenoch
Dahl would compete with Webb
the receiving depth chart would look like
Baldwin, Lockett, Richardson, Kearse (at the 4th receiver spot he would exceed his yardage from the year before imo) Mortiz, Smith
On Caleb Benenoch — it’s worth noting that while he might be athletic, the Seahawks during their period of TEF focus (I had no other way to describe it) didn’t select O-liners who tested among the best in agility.
Athleticism and overall agility has clearly been #2 to explosiveness. And with respect to Benenoch — his 28 inch vertical and broad jump and 8-8 broad jump do not stand out. He’s be a massive outlier based on our study.
Have you tried to apply the TEF “formula” to other players on other teams, such as the Patriots.. to try to see if there is a correlation ? This could give us some useful information about possible targets for other teams
I haven’t purely due to time restraints. It takes a whole night to do a TEF study.
No worries. Maybe after the draft, it could be a “side” project. I’m just wondering if other teams are taking players that are high on TEF, especially the later round picks. Maybe I’ll crunch a few numbers and get back to you in a few weeks about this topic.
I’ve applied the TEF formula to several players, based on their combine or pro day numbers when they came out.
Trent Williams 3.11
Jason Peters 2.92
Joe Thomas 3.16
Tyron Smith 3.04
Joe Staley 3.15
Evan Mathis 3.71
Josh Sitton 2.97
Louis Vasquez 3.30
Alex Mack 2.61
John Sullivan 2.61
Not a study in any regard.. I was just curious.
I picked the names off of an article online for the top OLinement in the NFL for 2014. I picked the top 5 Tackles, Top 3 Guards, and Top 2 Centers.
Performance Numbers came from various sites, I tried to double check them with a couple sources.
Yeah i didn’t choose him for that reason i just wanted to not say the same people over and over in my mocks. That makes sense though for sure i knew he was a TEF outlier when i selected him
I could be nuts, but I’m not sure Boehringer makes it to us in round 4, let alone 7. Very raw, obviously, but I think someone takes a shot on the guy much sooner then that. That kind of athleticism in that size body just doesn’t come around that often.
Not convinced Boehringer gets drafted.
He needs a lot of work.
Definitely. I bet somone pulls the trigger 6th or 7th. Just to secure it
Is it just me… or does everyone want Seattle to pick an OG/OT who can maul people?
I miss the good old days of Jones and Hutchinson.
Ifedi has the frame for that.
Those players mentioned had heart & a nasty disposition. I still have Big Walt etched in my mind putting that DE on skates and riding him some 25yds before he plants him on his back, as Shawn trails into the end zone.
Of course you’re talking about a hall of fame. It would be hard to measure up to those standards. It would be good to have at least some of that heart or nasty disposition, wouldn’t it?
Of course he is HoFer… I think he would break the TEF calculation 😛
As Rob mentioned, maybe that is why I keep coming back to Ifedi at #26. Looking for that OL that dominates fools again. I especially want to stick it to the RAMS this year, welcome them back to LA the right way, with a loss.
Assuming the medical checks out, I’m really pulling for them to pick Coleman at 26. His tape is just so good, and he looks to have everything the Hawks look for in an offensive lineman – great length, great lower body power/explosion, nastiness as a run blocker, mobility. He faced a who’s who of great defensive linemen in college this season and was often dominant.
Hopefully the Hawks will consider him even if he isn’t able to test before the draft.
CB battle in camp will be epic, for as much as I like the thought of Bradberry. I would rather Shead back at FS backup if we can’t get TJ Green or Sean Davis (luxury/next Kam?)
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=105315&draftyear=2016&genpos=WR
Kearse replacement/gem who could be layer Rd or udfa
Don’t know much about Berger, but those are some nice test scores. Good Size too. The glue of our team are UDFA’s. Good find Nate.
1.49 10 yard at 204 lbs.
These comparisons are off base.
Fackrell is not a great pass rusher. His sack numbers speak for themselves. He is not an Irvin replacement. He is no Justin Houston/Von Miller. He is not Chris Clemons. He is not worth a top pick. If you are talking pass rusher specifically, there are many who are better, throughout even this weak pass rusher draft.
On the other hand, if all you want is an effort/motor guy “who does a lot of things”, Shea McClellin light, this makes more sense as an argument, but even then, he is more rd. 3 than 1. And then you can drop down and take Joe Schobert and get something similar for less.
Taking Fackrell threatens the ability to take care of the important business at OL and DL.
Ah yes, the inevitable overly negative Steele post on Kyler Fackrell.
There’s really no need to keep banging the drum on those sack numbers while glossing over the number of plays he impacts as a pass rusher.
Haha it is inevitable isn’t it.
Who do you like Steele? Who are 3-5 players you feel the Hawks must get? My favorite are Shon Coleman, Javon Hargrave or Justin Zimmer and Jatavis Brown.
Matt I really like the exact same guys! Throw in Cajuste and Ervin on offense and David Oneymata as a 7th round developmental DL and you round out favorite guys!
Of course Sheldon Rankins and Kenu Neal are #1 and 2 but will likely be gone when we pick.
Trevor-we are on the same chapter on evaluating the vast majority of prospects in this draft. Fist bump. Now hopefully we’re both right! haha Not as high on Ervin though. I like his playmaking ability a ton, but am not convinced he can pass protect well enough to be our 3rd down back. You’ve mentioned picking up Arian Foster to fill that role, and I think he would be an absolutely perfect fit. At this point in his career Foster(often injured 30 year old) would be better off accepting a smaller role, with a chance at getting a ring.
The same Steele who HATED everything about the Tyler Lockett pick. Not fast, average hands, etc. Hahaha. Sorry Steele, had to remind you of your advanced scouting report there
Come on, let’s not go down that road. We really don’t need people taking sides here, we’re all complete amateurs here for fun, and because we love football. It’d be a real shame if this blog got overtaken by egos and group think. Yes it can be frustrating when a person continues to bang on about a point, but it’d be the end of what makes this a great blog if people started getting drummed into silence. Almost every single one of us miss more than we hit on prospects. I know I’ve loved some absolute spuds over the years.
I will also confess to having made some absolutely shocking projections over the years — certainly would always encourage people to think for themselves too and not feel like they can’t speak out.
However — I also think it’s a bit frustrating to see the same comments repeated over and over again and when challenged, there’s never a response. We only have two games of tape for Fackrell online and whether you’re a fan or not — for Steele to consistently say he’s not an effective pass rusher ‘because of stats’ after watching the Colorado State & Boise State games is just bizarre.
I’m not convinced the Seahawks will draft Fackrell. I think they go OL and DT/DE hybrid personally with their first two picks. But to watch those two games and form a negative opinion on his pass rushing ability is kind of like watching Russell Wilson and saying he’s not elusive enough in the pocket.
Oh no doubt. I mean I’m getting annoyed reading the whinging about how TEF doesn’t project good players – can’t imagine how frustrating it all must be for you.
My point was more generally that I hope everyone can continue to keep their egos in check, to keep an open mind, and to learn from each other. Petty point scoring about who scouted who correctly is a path I don’t much fancy heading down.
God, I thought Kuechly would be a bust! Thought he had skinny chicken legs and couldn’t shed blocks haha. “Makes all his tackles well beyond the l.o.s.”
Ha that’s an awesome one. I somehow managed to get way too keen on Sammie Coates last year, can hardly even remember why now. Genuinely wanted him in the first though.
Just spent a lot of time digging up tape on Fackrell and I’ll say this about comparison to Irvin. FACKRELL IN A HEARTBEAT. He is much more astute in his overall play. He does things on the field that don’t stand out on tape. He is very quick to diagnose and react. Excellent hand use. He is very adapt at sifting through traffic sideline to sideline. He is fairly good in coverage and will only get better with coaching. You can tell he studies game tape. He is a better Cassius Marsh. With a little more strength he will become one heck of a player.
I was gonna let this slide…. But to watch those two games and form a negative opinion on his pass rushing ability is kind of like watching Russell Wilson and saying he’s not elusive enough in the pocket-
that’s just insulting. you don’t like what steele is saying(or other doubters) fine. but to say something like that is just uncalled for. get off your high horse
Insulting? Really?
Steele causes frustration conversationally, for exactly the reasons Rob states in the same comment that you cite frowningly. I admire Rob for being polite long after I would be discouraged.
This isn’t a case of ‘doubters’ and ‘believers’.
It’s making the same relentless point about a player when there is no evidence to back up what you’re saying. And when you’re challenged, consistently, on this point — you don’t respond and just wait for the next opportunity to repeat yourself.
And if someone is going to be insulted by a football-based comparison (in my opinion, a very accurate one too) — I think it’s time to stop being so delicate.
Well put Alicamousa. Every scout-professional to arm chair- is often wrong. Love this blog and am very thankful that Rob puts in the fantastic work to make all of this possible. SDB is typically the first website I check when going online. We are privileged to have such a stellar place to freely voice our thoughts and opinions in these here comment threads. Thanks a million for this blog Rob!
sdcoug-was very tempted to go down the very same road. Had many heated debates with Steele and Unger with myself banging the table for Lockett vs a big bodied WR. Last year I was right about Lockett. This year could be different. Let’s keep it cool man. Cheers. BTW there are a few of those athletic big bodied WR’s in this draft who are legit prospects that I’d like to see us get in day 3-Cajuste, Matthews, Boehringer
Relax, just giving him a hard time in good fun
No worries sdcoug. Never thought your posts have been malicious by any means. Didn’t mean to single you out. Cheers
Not directed at you Matt, I didn’t take any offense to what you wrote, just as I hope Steele wouldn’t take offense to my ribbing. But I appreciate your note. If anything, my first comment was a glib reminder that all of us should refrain from axiomatic statements regarding the hawks intentions or any of these prospects.
Fair enough mate, sorry I misread the tone.
Are you watching the same videos? Because in the Colorado State game, I counted ten times where Fackrell’s pass rush directly affected the play in Utah St’s favor. There were at least three times when he hit the QB as the ball was being thrown (one of which was the game-ending pick). There was another play where the offensive lineman was beaten so bad, he had to horse collar Fackrell just to stop the guy from taking the QB’s head. Yet despite his constant pressure, he was limited to just a single sack. If you’re basing great pass rushers on sacks in college, then Michael Sam must have been a top prospect: he had ten his senior season!
Fackrell… I would say is a bit raw as a pass rusher but the potential is there. Remember Michael Bennet went undrafted before turning into one of the leagues hardest players to block. Fackrell has the physical tools, good tape, and excellent character. Remember Frank Clark only had 4 sacks his last year at Michigan, and Seattle took him even with the character concerns.
SAM might not be a top need but I think the Seahawks will be interested in Fackrell.
Oh, I won’t deny he’s raw as a pass rusher. What he does throughout the Colorado St game wouldn’t work nearly as well in the pros, though he did show a few spins that were really nice. But his explosion really pops off on the screen, and that’s a year after he tore his ACL. One more year injury-free should only help him.
Steele – We can agree to disagree but if you feel so strongly against Fackrell, I would love to read your well thought out version of why he isn’t going to be any good.
I don’t think it’s fair to say Fackrell isn’t a good pass rusher because he doesn’t have enough sacks. He would have those sacks if he rushed all of the time. What do you think of Joey Bosa? He’s a DE who pretty much rushed the passer in every passing situation and in every game he played this past season. He ended the year with the same number of sacks as Fackrell and they only finished one tackle for loss different, too. I’d say Fackrell had much more of an impact per play if everything was averaged out in terms of effectiveness when rushing the QB.
Granted, most of the top DE prospects had about 12.5 sacks, but you should factor in that they rushed the passer every single time the opposing QB dropped back, too, which Fackrell spent many pass plays in coverage. To me, that seems like you’re punishing a batter in baseball for not having enough RBI even though he rarely has any runners on base when he’s up to bat.
Spot on analogy Bobby K: “To me, that seems like you’re punishing a batter in baseball for not having enough RBI even though he rarely has any runners on base when he’s up to bat.”
Appreciate the in depth article on Fackrell btw. Well thought out and written. Cool that you got to interview him!
Thanks, Matt. It was fun to write. I hope the Hawks draft him. I just think there is an “it” factor with him in the limited video we have, but I do think it’s enough (4 games) of a sample size to the old adage of where there’s smoke – there’s fire. He can’t be lucky looking as good as he does in four different/random games. Carroll is a master at playing guys to their strengths and I think he could/would really shine with the Seahawks.
Great write up Bob I really enjoyed it. That is what makes blogs like this in preparation for the draft so great you really get some insight into the players and can get passionate about the guys you really like. Often following thier careers even if the Hawks don’t take them.
I was not a fan originally but after watching some more tape I have come around alot more to him. My take is that Fackrell is a really solid 3-4 linebacker prospect but I really don’t see him as a LEO prospect. I think he will likely go in Rd #2 probably to a team like Pitt and have a solid career and be a great team guy. I just don’t see him as a Seahawk given our needs on both lines and the fact that he is not an incredibly dynamic athlete to justify a non OL/DL pick.
Fackrell is not worth a 2nd round pick. Id be pissed if we picked him in round 2.
If by chance, the Seahakws do pick Fackrell, do you not think that you should re-evaluate your own evaluation? After all, what is more likely, your evaluation is correct or John Schneider’s and Pete Carroll’s evaluation is correct?
Can someone explain to me how Vandal Alexander and Jerald Hawkins are still getting Mocked so high? I have seen Alexander mocked to Sea a couple of times in Rd 2 or 3 and it makes no sense to me.
Both guys are poor athletes with lousy tape against strong competition.
What am I missing? Is there anyone else who thinks there is no chance the Hawks take either one and that both are late day #3 guys at best.
Don’t worry Trevor — you’re not missing anything.
It was staggering that just a few months ago people were projecting these guys in round one. Round one!
Both awful.
Nice post. It’s hard to not like Fackrell given his length and ability to make plays all over the field. He’s just one of those guys that might be in no man’s land for us in the draft. He could be a great pick at #56, but part of that depends on who is still on the board at #90 and #97. Take him at #56 and I could see a potential to have buyers remorse by the time #90 rolls around. I think many of the OL/DL guys that we have discussed on this blog could very well be gone by #90.
The thing with Fackrell is I really can’t see us going defense in the first 2 rounds (assuming we keep #26 and #56). If our guy on the OL isn’t there at #26, perhaps they go DL instead, making Fackrell in the 2nd somewhat less likely.
Of course, we also have no idea what the team thinks about guys like Marsh and Pinkins in terms of their ability to play SAM. Or maybe we get lucky and someone like Fackrell or Josh Perry falls farther than we thought possible and we can make a move for them in the 3rd. For all we know they might not have LB as a position to go after until day three. But that’s all part of the fun come draft day.
With Bullard, Butler, Dodd, a reported first round grade on Rankins, they seem to be looking at a fair amount of DL that offer various forms of versatility that would be considered high round picks.
In terms of OL, they are linked to Ifedi, McGovern (from the Mizzou workouts), possibly Haeg and Dahl, and then Rees Odhiambo, Lene Maiava and others who are probably more mid to late round picks.
In RB, they have looked at Henry and Ervin probably both backs that should be taken in the first two days.
In terms of LB, they haven’t shown a lot there outside of Reggie Ragland who is being flown in who by most accounts projects as a thumber MLB (maybe a SAM?) and a potential first round pick. Sooooo.. they are looking at at least one LB to take high.
If they take DL with the first pick, is probably reduces the likelihood of Fackrell at 56. If they want interior rush more than edge, that probably reduces the likelihood of Fackrell at 56, but if they take him at 56, they do have ammo with two 3rds to then move up to take best available lineman after Fackrell.
Just on Ragland, I think/hope they’re bringing him in to suss out who else he’s been talking to. Doing their research, setting up how they think the draft is going to fall. I really can’t imagine them being interested in the slightest, he’s slow as treacle. A two-down MLB with very, very, limited coverage skills? Not so Seahawky b
Ragland ran a very, very good 4.28 short shuttle. I think that’s probably one of the reasons they brought him in. He’s a difficult one to judge in terms of athleticism.
Did he? I missed that, bizarre. There are some very odd athletes in this class, hugely impressive in some areas but very weak in others.
Clemson’s Kevin Dodd is very intriguing. Technique is on point.
Self made man, came from a military academy, described as a great teammate, had some setbacks, and guys like Shaq Lawon, Tavaris Barnes, Corey Crawford, stepped in due to those injuries. Highly mature.
Can play 2 positions, and occasionally drop into coverage/flats/zone.
This is a guy that had 23.5 TFL, 12.5 QB sacks, and an astonishing 60 QB pressures.
Seattle has edge rushers that can win with their first step or are explosive. How many do they have that can win or beat O-lineman later in the pass rush once they’re stalled?
I really think what we saw fom him, is who he is. Scratching the surface.
Andwe know PC/JS seem to like or want older defensive lineman. Check.
Not necessarily older, but D-lineman that have somehow had to battle or are mature beyond their years.
I’m a big fan of Dodd if the Hawks picked him and a d tackle up in the second round I would be ecstatic. That d line would be a dominant force.
I guess not everyone thought Dom Easley was a bad guy. Something tells me it has more to do with the condition of his knees and Bellicheck is just trying to make a example of him to keep guys in line. The player wanting to remain anonymous is typical with the Pats.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/04/16/unnamed-patriot-vouches-for-dominique-easley/
Eh. Not everyone thought Percy Harvin was a bad guy either (Adrian Peterson), including Darrell Bevel once upon a time.
Valid point.
Marshawn loved Percy
Not sure how good of a character reference AP is. Peterson obviously doesn’t have the same issues as Harvin on the professional side of things, but he seems like a huge dirtbag all the same IMO.
Sure, and how good of a character reference is “unnamed former teammate”?
I don’t know what Easley’s deal is, I just know there’s little to make of these reports.
Percy the Player.. on the field… was everything you wanted in a player. Percy.. the teammate.. in the locker room… was not right. It is a shame, the guy could have been a superstar in the league. A legit superstar…. a very gifted athlete that never was able to feel at home or be complacent with his surroundings.
Just think about this…. check out his CFB team mates at Florida…. then you will find the dis”FUN”ctional locker-room. Tebow, Harvin, Hernendez and others….
Problematic knees makes the most sense as to why nobody is sniffing Easley. Even Greg Hardy got a second chance-not a 3rd. Easley is young and has produced well in the small amount of time he’s been healthy enough to play. It’s not like he got suspended by the team or league for being a knucklehead.
I think that and this is a deep draft for DL. I think after the draft is over, he gets picked up somewhere.
Good point C-Dog. Agreed
I agree completely Matt that was the point of my post. Easy for Billicheck to make example of a guy who has bum knees. I really liked Easley a lot coming out, without the injuries he could have been a star.
Atlanta possibly interested in trading out of 17, to add to their five picks…at least so the whispers say. If Rankins slips past N.O. and is there at Atl’s turn, I wonder how tempted JSPC will be to give Dan a call
Have to think Quinn would want him for himself but if not Rankins is my dream pick in Rd #1. The though of Bennet and Rankins lining up inside with Avril and Clark off the Edge would be the best pass rush in the NFL IMO.
you’re right, he’d be a great pick for them, but trading back with that first round pick is the most realistic opportunity to add picks. they may feel adding another pick or two to help fill out the roster is more valuable than any specific player at 17. Or perhaps those whispers of trading back is their contingency if their guy (Rankins) is gone
I don’t know if they’ll trade up in round 1, tempting for sure if Rankins is there, but there’s gonna be a really good O-lineman or D-lineman at 26. I’d bet on it.
However, I kinda get the feeling they will trade up somewhere in this draft.
Yeah I don’t think they will either; I suspect they will want to keep that 2nd rounder, but Rankins would probably at least make them think twice
Yeah, I think that’s likely as well. If they do take Fackrell at 56, I can see them trading up in R3 to take a DL or OL they covet, depending on what they do at 26. I think it’s more likely that trade back from 26 to collect another pick or two if OL or DL isn’t there for them.
Yeah, someone mentioned in the comments the other day that it may actually end up being counter-intuitive how the Hawks might move in a deep draft. It seems like the tendency would be to move down, since there will be good players still available later. But it could also make it worth it to move up and get a player you really want, because you know you will still have more options than usual in later rounds/UDFA.
Rankins at 17 would be tempting if he falls. Guess it all depends on the cost.
12th man rising has the Hawks trading down for an additional 3rd rounder. What do you guys think?
https://12thmanrising.com/2016/04/15/seahawks-7-round-mock-draft-with-no-first-round-pick/2/
Not sure how realistic it is but if we came out of the draft with that group of players I thinks fans would have to be ecstatic. I know I would. Highly unlikely however.
The picks and thought process make sense. Butler and McGovern are two realistic picks IMO — along with Haeg and Dahl (this is a TEF dream). I would have two slight issues:
1. I don’t see them drafting a tight end in the first three rounds. If a blocking TE addition was important to this team, I think they would’ve been looking at options in FA. Blocking TE’s aren’t that expensive.
2. Kenneth Dixon fits the Seahawks in many ways — but ball security has been an issue for him. And we know how much the Seahawks preach ball security.
I agree with all of this. But if this scenario brought the likes of Butler, McGovern, Ervin, Haeg, Feeney, Cajuste, that would be pretty drooly.
That would be a nice collection.
Indeed!
I for one think they will select a TE inside of the 4th round.
While 12thManRising doesn’t get it in some areas (I agree about TE so high, and about Dixon) I do love how they totally get it in regards to the OL. McGover, Dahl and Haeg? Ummm…yeah I am pretty sure that is in the top 3 of my “best draft outcomes”. 1st I believe would be Ifedi, McGovern and Dahl.
I wonder if 12thManRising assumes Bullard is there to be had or if he would be gone. I honestly don’t know who is the better pick for us; Bullard or Butler?
Meh. There’s some redundancy in this draft. Mcgovern, Dahl and Haeg…where do they fit? 2 WR’s-Peake and Braverman…one would be cut. Good haul of talent, but not very impressed. tbh
26: R1P26
OT SHON COLEMAN
AUBURN
56: R2P25
DE BRONSON KAUFUSI
BYU
90: R3P27
RB DEVONTAE BOOKER
UTAH
97: R3P34
G JOE DAHL
WASHINGTON ST.
124: R4P26
DT JAVON HARGRAVE
SOUTH CAROLINA ST.
171: R5P32
OLB JATAVIS BROWN
AKRON
215: R6P40
S K.J. DILLON
WEST VIRGINIA
225: R7P4
WR KEYARRIS GARRETT
TULSA
247: R7P26
CB JAMES BRADBERRY
Neither one of the mocks are very realistic. I’d take Boehringer or Mitch Matthews over Garrett, but they aren’t present on the NFL.com draft board. Feel like mine is more well rounded…go figure huh. 😉 Thoughts?
Could replace either one of the late DB picks with OL convert Joel Heath.
“Mcgovern, Dahl and Haeg…where do they fit?”
Infusion of talent, natural pass pro and quickness.
McGovern would challenge Britt for LG, Haeg would challenge Webb for RT and Dahl would challenge Lewis for C.
Fair enough. I stand corrected. Not convinced that Haeg can stick at OT, but you’re right there’s room for them. They just look like similar players to me, especially the 2 Joe’s. All 3 are quality athlete’s along the OL I can’t complain about that!
At worst, Haeg could be a back-up OG in year one. They need some depth as well as quality. I’ve not heard of him being considered/projected to OT in the NFL, but who knows.
I do agree, Seattle will take a Wr in the draft, but who it is and what round is a bit of a mystery. I love Cajuste, but there are others that could be equally a nice fit in Seattle long-term.
I’m thinking Bradberry goes late round 5, no way he lasts until round 7 imo.
If we’re going to draft a WR from Western Michigan, get me Corey Davis next year.
I think we are rating Ifedi a bit too highly. Ifed, due to injury concerns and some sketchy technique, could easily be there early in round two, making him a trade down target.
Injury concerns??
Agreed. I’m concerned he might injure someone too . . .
There is simply no way that Ifedi would be available at 56. Early round 2? Possibly.
Really good piece. Articulated well and the exclusive interview with a second if he comes here?
Great work bobbyk
Thanks. I liked yours about Spriggs/Ifedi, too.
you guys are both awesome! Loved both of your articles! Some fine insight, if I do say so myself!
Bobby, nice piece you wrote here. How were you able to interview Fackrell? He’d be a 24 year old rookie, I have no problem with that. Aside from attacking the line of scrimmage, how well do you think he would be able to cover tight ends at the next level?
Rob, could I maybe lobby for a Vol.12 guest article?
Second!
I like this blog because of the variety of commentors.
We’ve got scouts, armchair gms doing mock sims, twitterers that are quick with the updates, and then guys like Volume doing a lot of everything
I like Fackrell in round 2 but I think #26 is a little rich for my taste. Nice interview/article.
Rob, have you watched DE Trent Corney? He’s the #1 SPARQ edge rusher in this class and he’s from a big school – Virgina. From what I have seen he looks awesome. Wondering what your thoughts are on him? How high do you think he goes?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M4fJHFCgQOc
Can someone check my TEF math on Trent . . .
Vert = 38″/31 =[1.22], Broad = (10’6″/9)3 =[1.56], Bench = 34/27 = [1.25] . . .
I get a TEF of 4.03 That can’t be right.
Thx
Looks right to me. WTEF just under 103 puts it in decent perspective. Sounds like a guy the FO would take a flier on
Those are some pretty amazing #s. How is his tape?
From what I could find Trent Corney looks like a stud. His effort is off the charts. Only one year playing at Virginia though – from Canada.
Holy cow, that’s some impressive highlight tape. Elite closing speed, vision, and change of direction. Can’t say how consistent he is from what’s available to view but when he makes the play he really makes the play.
I liked the way fackrell used his hands. He seemed to shed blocks well and keep linemen away from his body. but more than anything I couldn’t stop watching rashad Higgins on the other side. He looked pretty quick and kept making plays.
Higgins is a super sleeper in this draft…
I swear I’m practically living for these simulated mock machines. I don’t know what that says about me.
Anyhoo.. as things are narrowing down closer to the draft, I think we all got our favorites. Bobby K wrote this great piece about Fackrell, who he and Rob really see the special merit in. I think if Seattle takes him, they probably get a really fine player. Love his maturity. He’d be a good pick, IMO.
Ifedi seems to have all the physical make up for what they want out of LG, or RT with possibly the ability to play LT down the line. Really tough to argue against him. I think he’s probably the OL they would target at 26.
For me, I admit, I’m waaaaaay stuck on Butler. It’s the upside thing with a guy with his size and explosive and plays with his hair on fire in the interior DL, and how that would make everything else go behind him. The draft is deep for DL, they can certainly wait until later, and maybe walk out with a pretty good player, but for me, I want the potential of a great player locked into a rookie deal for 4 or 5 years.
The great thing, maybe brilliant thing, and maybe the stupid thing about these simulators (I used Arrowhead data base which was dated most recent) is that they kind of these guys slated right around where I want to grab them.
26: R1P26
DT VERNON BUTLER
LOUISIANA TECH.
56: R2P25
OT GERMAIN IFEDI
TEXAS A&M
90: R3P27
OLB KYLER FACKRELL
UTAH ST.
97: R3P34
OT JOE DAHL
WASHINGTON ST.
124: R4P26
RB TYLER ERVIN
SAN JOSE ST.
171: R5P32
WR DEVON CAJUSTE
STANFORD
215: R6P40
CB JAMES BRADBERRY
SAMFORD
225: R7P4
FB DAN VITALE
NORTHWESTERN
247: R7P26
OT HALAPOULIVAATI VAITAI
TCU
Butler adds interior disaster for opposing interior OL. Ifedi is a raw Hulk of a man, perfect project for Cable to get his hands on, somehow lasting until 56. Fackrell is a playmaking SAM, and a stand up team guy. Dahl is a fav TEF guy to take over at center.
Ervin lasts until pick 124! and the Seahawks select him. Cajuste lasts until 171! Seahawks gobble him up.
Bradberry gives us another tall corner, possibly safety. Vitale is a play making FB and we need a FB. Vaitai brings some TEF.
Will it happen this way? Probably not, but to mimic Matthew McConaughey in Dazed and Confused, it would be sweet if it did.
Go Hawks.
Wow, that’s a great (fantasy) draft. Doubtful that you’d find most, if any, of those guys where they’re listed.
It’s a dream for sure.
I agree on Butler. At the risk of sounding like a groupie, Butler’s potential and aggression have me itchin’ to see him in action blue. Some folks say Love.Our.Brothers. was missin’ some of that boom… Butler is doin’ the most to bring the effin’ pain snap by snap.
Never seen someone that size play that way.
Yeah, I’m all in on Vernon Butler. My Spidey sense is telling me that he might be long off the board by the time it gets to 26, but if he’s there, man, I hope they take him.
That would almost be a perfect draft IMO. I would change Rd #7 but that is just personal preference at that point.
Unfortunately I don’t think Ifedi will be there at the end of Rd #2 but you might get Coleman there who would be a good replacement.
If you could get Dahl, Ervin, Cajuste and Bradbury in that order it would be awesome as I think all 4 would make the roster.
Yeah, I think it’s a mighty stretch to say Ifedi lasts until 56, but a lot of projections out there have him as a 2d rounder. He could very well be a guy they drop back for at 26, or move up for from 56.
Rob is their a hybrid safety/linebacker the Hawks could take in the later rounds? A poor man’s Deone Buchanan.
I would love it the Hawks went Vernon Butler/Jonathan Bullard in the first round. Kyle Fackrell in the 2nd round. Then went OL/OL in the third round.
Remember when Seattle made their Super Bowl run? The Hawks were DEEP on the defensive line. When Denver made their Super Bowl run in 2015. They were DEEP on the defensive line.
Last year the Number one reason Denver beat New England in the AFC Championship was they were in Tom Brady’s face all day long
Miles Killebrew is probably the best bet, but probably a long shot to last until pick 124. Tevin Carter could be a hybrid type to monitor in later rounds, JS scouted Utah a bunch this year.
If John Schneider wanted Killebrew he probably has to take him in the 2nd round. Because of the success of Deone Buchanan this is going to help a player like Killebrew.
Sorry but I don’t see us drafting this guy. Not in the 2nd round. I think drafting a 3-Tech DT is far more important than drafting a Irvin replacement.
1st Rd – OT
2nd Rd – DT
3rd Rd – OG/C
3rd Rd – LB/RB
FWIW Carroll has called Rubin the best 3tech we’ve had since he’s been here.
They’ve also not blatantly pursued a 3tech in the draft. Perhaps Jesse Williams was, but I think PC called him a 5tech ala Red Bryant.
Jimmy Staten and Jordan Hill are both NT’s for us.
Does it seem to the community that Carroll has been running an attacking or base 4-3 since Quinn left? (The difference being ‘do they ask the DT’s to get upfield’)
I think at first Carroll was high on Jesse competing at 3-tech, but with his knees, he could never get going in camp.
Going back to my fandom on Butler, I think he can play both 3 tech and 1 tech. Rubin plays 3 tech but has also played a lot of nose in the past. If paired together, you could, in theory, switch them around depending on the match ups. That’s two BIG powerful men with versatility inside, about 650 lbs, and one of them has darn near the athleticism of a linebacker.
Bobbyk. Great article. I love Fracknel too. He has all the tools and moves so well, you can just see he’s going to be an impact guy at the next level
What round do you think is required for Fracknell? Problem I have is that I think he must’ve taken in the 2nd. Believe then it will be a straight up choice vs McGovern and I’m drinking the coolaid Robs been making as I’m one of those convinced McLovin-McGovern is a guy we can’t leave the draft without. Would area fracknell last til 3, does McGovern need to be taken in 1? Still leaning to OL/DL in 1/2 but interested in people’s take
Tough for me to figure out. He does flash, but he also seems to get caught up with blockers a bit, and plays kind of high. Didn’t blaze in the 40, but had an impressive vertical. I think he could go into the 3rd round, but probably not far into it. I’ve seen him mocked or graded into the 2nd or 3rd round. I can see a team running a 3-4 that might take him potentially relatively high-ish R2. IMO, he has the makings of a solid if not spectacular player suited for the 3-4, which for Seattle, they like 3-4 personal in their 4-3 defense. May not be a pro bowler, but should be a solid starter. That seems rounds 2 or 3.
If Seattle misses out on Fackrell, there could be some other interesting LB options in Josh Perry, Travis Feeney, Deon Jones, but I think Fackrell would most ideally fit what they want from SAM. he’d be a good pick at 56. IMO, Perry and Feeney could be really interesting as well. Big fan of both those guys, great R3 options.
Regarding Fackrell – I think he has some traits that the Hawks certainly love. However, 56 might be a bit too early, and 26 is just way to early.
Players already on the roster, such as Frank Clark, Cassius Marsh, and KPL can do a decent job (at the least) of playing SAM LB. I also think on sure passing downs that Frank Clark and Marsh in particular could fulfill the pass rushing part of the “Bruce Irvin role”.
That is, that the 2 functions could be split into 2 players (specialization). It’s really hard to find players who can do that Irvin thing at a high level, the 2 functions do require slightly different skills and body types.
And I think that there’s really an urgent need to fix the OL with premium picks, the ONLY reason I wouldn’t spend the 26 on an O-lineman is if a truly special player is there (i.e., Butler or Bullard). Butler more than Bullard because Mike Bennett is starting – Bullard wouldn’t start, at least not right away.
You want pass rushers it’s gonna cost ya
2 versions of a (partial) mock, barring trades:
Version 1:
26 – Ifedi – primarily to play LG, but could be a backup plan for RT if Haeg doesn’t pan out
56 – Fackrell – terrific SAM/DE hybrid, no need for McGovern, as Ifedi pick aimed at LG
90 – Ervin – no explanation needed (haha)
97 – Haeg – I’m not as big a fan of the 2 Joe’s, but Haeg potentially could play RT
OR
Version 2:
26 – Butler or Bullard – I would prefer Butler. This is the player I most want at pick 26
56 – McGovern – since Ifedi wasn’t picked, still need a LG and Connor McG has the core strength
90 – Fackrell or Ervin – pray Fackrell is available, if not – Ervin
97 – Haeg – for RT, hope it works out
Other players on my wish list for the Seahawks (this is just a pool of players from which I hope they pick from, it doesn’t mean they should try to get all of them!):
Cajuste, Bradberry, Vannett, Justin Zimmer, Brandin Bryant, Boehringer (the man with the Midas touch), Keenan Reynolds (from Navy), Terron Beckham (Odell’s SPARQy cousin), Maliek Collins, Javon Hargrave, Kaufusi
Sorry, I forgot to add Jason Spriggs as an option at 26 in both mock versions. So, at pick 26, my order of preference would be:
1 – Butler
2 – Bullard
3 – Spriggs
4 – Ifedi
If Spriggs is selected at 26, still need McGovern for LG, probably take him w/pick 56.
If Ifedi is selected at 26, then I would look to a guy like Fackrell, because Ifedi would play LG, therefore not as much of a need for McGovern then.
Therein lines some grounds as the outside chance Seattle waits until R3 to address OL.
I think they get one early, one mid, and one late.
O-line that is.
There’s a C sitting in the late rounds that could be ideal for this team. Comes from a ZBS too.
Not ideal, but very close for a late day 3 guy.
Always so cryptic!! Hahaha
Henry from Boise State!?
There is a lot to like about Fackrell. But for me, he is too much like KJ Wright. I think KJ is going back to SAM. And a smaller, quicker LB will win the WILL spot. This gives our D more scheme diversity and hopefully better pass coverage vs TEs and RBs.
Just a thought Rob; I’d love to see another (it’s been a while) 7 round mock draft from you, or if that takes too long maybe some lists.
What do I mean? Well how about your favorite prospects for the Seahawks to draft in lists categorized by their position, and next to their name put the round you project them to go in or the round you project the Hawks to take them (you choose). Also mention if you see them going top, middle or bottom of round.
For example:
“My favorite OL players for the Seahawks to draft:
G/C – Connor McGovern (R2-mid to bottom)
T/G – Germain Ifedi (R1-bottom to R2-top)
T/G/C – Joe Dahl (R3-mid to R4 top)
T/G/C? – Joe Haeg (R3-bottom to R4-top)”
Assuming that is accurate for you (not saying it is) then you’d do one for WR’s that you like most and where you think they’d go (or where we’d take them) and TE’s and CB’s and RB’s etc. Doesn’t have to be 10 names, 3-5 is perfect.
Would be cool to have a list of the guys you like most and think are the best fits for the Hawks at each position and such. You concentrate a lot of time on rounds 1-3 and OL & DL (very understandably given our needs & the strong assumption based on evidence that we draft those positions) but it would be nice to have an article that has all of your favorite prospects in it.
During the draft we could look at it and go “sweet the WR the Hawks just took is 2nd on Rob’s list” or “Oh damn, the WR the Hawks just took isn’t even on Rob’s favorite 5 guys.”
(A alternative that is a bit of an adjustment with DL/OL is to be more specific, instead of the names falling under OL you can do specifically a RT list, a LG list, a OC list. For DL you can do a DT list, a DE/DT list, a DE list. If you want.)
Just an idea.
After reading the reactions to what Steele had to say i went back to watch Fackrell’s tapes again. I’ll try to voice my opinion carefully in view of the above reactions.
I have watched those tapes several times already. There are two positives to be said about him:
When he goes for the QB flat out, he is disruptive and gets to his target zone most times. However, he does that rarely and has the benefit of surprise on those rush attempts.
He is assignment correct and plays with discipline.
Those are positive traits.
However, whenever i watch those tapes, I feel like he is around the ball a lot (discipline…) but he rarely exhibits that final closing burst to get physically into the mix of things. You find him ending his pursuit a yard or two short when others are in the mix. You never see him fighting to put in the extra hit. He doesn’t play physical. He will not terrorize anybody. He just plays sound football.
When he drops back, and he does that a lot, he is lost in space. He moves slowly and doesn’t look like he has a target in mind.
I understand why he could attract attention but to my eyes he lacks the rabid dog physicality that I expect from a Seahawky player.
Sorry, don’t get mad at me but NO, I do not want this guy.
And yes, he has the same number of legs and arms that Clem has. I think the comperison between those two ends there. If there is one thing that Clem needs to teach Franck Clark it’s “Do not play like Fackrell, play like a Seahawk”.
Nobody is getting mad at anybody.
I’ve said what I needed to say to Steele above. It’s not about people wanting or not wanting Fackrell. I have no horse in that race. But to constantly repeat that he doesn’t impact games as a pass rusher — when all we have is two games of evidence where he consistently impacts the game as a pass rusher — that to me is bizarre. And when challenged on that position, to never respond until the next opportunity to make the same negative opinion in a different comments thread — I think that’s worthy of being further challenged.
Just spent a lot of time digging up tape on Fackrell and I’ll say this about comparison to Irvin. FACKRELL IN A HEARTBEAT. He is much more astute in his overall play. He does things on the field that don’t stand out on tape. He is very quick to diagnose and react. Excellent hand use. He is very adapt at sifting through traffic sideline to sideline. He is fairly good in coverage and will only get better with coaching. You can tell he studies game tape. He is a better Cassius Marsh. With a little more strength he will become one heck of a player.
I was never such a great fan of Irvin. IMO he was not a great student of the game and used his incredible athletic traits to make up for it. Fackrell is indeed much more of a football player than Irvin.
I do not know what you saw about his cover skill and things that do not stand out on tape.
I know what i did not see in those two full games – I did not see him once throwing his body into someone and making a bit hit. I didn’t see that final burst that players like Wags, Kam or Neal use as they close it for a hit. His tackles are all wrap and twist. His shoulder is not hitting…he plays nice…too nice…
He may become one heck of a player but at this point i’d rather he do it for another team.
Sums up a lot of my thoughts.
It’s not even that I don’t want him per se, it’s more that I don’t want him in the first or second. In the third or fourth, sure. But I can’t shake the feeling that he’s just a guy. A good player, a good guy in the locker room, but nothing special. Not going to be great.
People need to learn to comment and move on. Keeps the anxiety level down. 🙂
I Love what you did here, bobbyk. Seen your posts and feel your Passion. It’s what the people who come this Site all share.
Passion’s my point here. I will never forget listening to BBC radio broadcasts while working Graveyard Shift during the Seahawks Superbowl run, and hearing a man with an accent saying exactly the things that were in my heart. Rob Statton was next to me those nights, going thru the sleep deprivation and whatever, delighting me from half a world away with the Idea that we loved the Same Thing. i had read this blog before, but from that moment on I felt it was a brother I was reading.
All the opinions, all the ideas that People bring to this place are worthy, if they’re driven by passion. And We all have to forgive each other when we disagree.
Thanks Rob, for letting us all have a place to love the Seahawks, each of us in our own way.
Rob, got something for you today I think you are going to like.
Check out what Gilliam said in his radio interview yesterday on 710 ESPN. No way he is just coming up with that stuff all on his own:
Gilliam is muscular and relatively lean at 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, which is not typical for his new position that is generally responsible for blocking the other team’s premier pass rusher. When asked about his size, Gilliam said his body type might be what’s needed to handle the NFL’s increasingly athletic defenders.
“You know how I said this is an evolution as a player from tight end to right to left? Maybe this is the evolution of an offensive lineman,” he said. “These defenders are getting crazy athletic and way faster so you’ve got to compete with them. In order for you to do that, your body has to be able to move in that way. A moving body, if it (means having) a six-pack and a little bit more ripped, then so be it.”
http://sports.mynorthwest.com/115478/garry-gilliam-talks-next-step-evolution-seahawks-left-tackle/?
(3:30-4:00)
I believe we have yet another first-hand confirmation of the comments you have been making about “fight fire with fire” and the thinking behind TEF!
Thanks for passing it on — very interesting remarks. The game is certainly changing.
Great piece of info confirming what Rob has been preaching about the Hawks thought process on OL. The always seem ahead of the curve a little.
Ok, Fanspeak is fun. Here’s another mock skipping early o-line and working in apparent Seahawk target Butler and subject of this article, Frackell:
26: R1P26
DT VERNON BUTLER
LOUISIANA TECH
56: R2P25
OLB KYLER FRACKELL
UTAH ST.
90: R3P27
G JOE DAHL
WASHINGTON ST.
97: R3P34
G CONNOR MCGOVERN
MISSOURI
124: R4P26
WR DEVON CAJUSTE
STANFORD
171: R5P32
S KEVIN BYARD
MIDDLE TENNESSEE ST.
215: R6P40
DT D.J. READER
CLEMSON
225: R7P4
OLB JATAVIS BROWN
AKRON
247: R7P26
CB JAMES BRADBERRY
SAMFORD
Took Butler over Kevin Dodd (and Bullard, who was also available) as I liked the athletic potential of some of the sleeper DE’s…but then didn’t take any. Managed to get my favorite player in Kevin Byard which pleased me, but the tackles went early. I could have taken Haeg over Dahl but I envisioned Gilliam and Webb at OT and Dahl beating out Britt for LF and McGovern trying for C.
That’s a great draft, IMO.
I was watching the Utah St / Colorado game and thought Utah St #51 David Moala, DT, had a good game. I don’t think he is rated on draft boards so he should be cheap. He showed some abilities in splitting between blockers and some hustle to get into plays. 6’2″ AND 300 LBS. He would be a good UDFA choice.
Just did another Sim with the NFL.com board. Some of the rankings seem crazy…
26: R1P26
DT JONATHAN BULLARD
FLORIDA
56: R2P25
S KEANU NEAL
FLORIDA
90: R3P27
OT JOE HAEG
NORTH DAKOTA ST.
97: R3P34
CB KEIVARAE RUSSELL
NOTRE DAME
124: R4P26
G CONNOR MCGOVERN
MISSOURI
171: R5P32
RB TYLER ERVIN
SAN JOSE ST.
215: R6P40
OLB JATAVIS BROWN
AKRON
225: R7P4
WR KEYARRIS GARRETT
TULSA
247: R7P26
CB JAMES BRADBERRY
SAMFORD
Even though my first concern would be offensive line, I like your choices. It gives me some confidence that even if the Seahawks go defense the first two rounds there are still good offensive linemen available. As defensive picks go I like Bullard, he has a good record in college. Neal is a surprise but I wouldn’t mind having a good backup Safety who could also be on the field as extra secondary on passing down.
Just one question: Are you a big Florida Gators fan? 🙂 I confess I didn’t see many of their games last year. They are a dynamic team.
Wow Love That Mock Except For The Pick At 97 In That Scenario We Wouldnt Be Able To Get Mcgovern at 124 And Ervin Wont Be There At 171 Other Then That I Like The Hawks Adressing the D In This Draft I Like Going Qb With Out Round 5 Pick Nobody Has Mentioned Adressing Qb that Ive Seen Wilson isnt Captain America At some point in his career He will Get Hurt Then What? Travaris Jackson? Yeah Right With Last Season O line scares Its Very Likely Wilson Can Go Down This Season and that will be bad for Us Very Bad Its Hard To Imagine Life In Seattle Without Wilson But We Are Doomed If He Goes Down We Need To Prepare a Backup who can Perform and travaris is Not The Answer O line Is Going To Be A Priorirty in This Draft
With Our Round 5***
Is it true that Brandon Browner is coming back! I don’t know about other people, but iv’e always liked him and the personality he brings to the LOB. Not just cause the name!
To reunite Brandon Browner with Legion of Boom, Seahawks gave their former CB a one-year deal, per source. Browner back to Seattle. – @AdamSchefter
https://twitter.com/search?q=brandon+browner+seahawks&ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Esearch
I have to admit I’m completely shocked. I honestly thought BB’s suspension for marijuana was going to prevent the team from ever wanting to bring him back.
Seems like kind of a curious move, especially with the draft less than 2 weeks away. I’m not sure we really need any camp bodies for the secondary; they’re pretty deep as it is right now. I wonder if this is the first part of another move…
Check this out, maybe he can bounce back:
Per Chris Wesseling, NFL.com
Browner, 31, recently revealed that he played the entire 2015 season with a torn MCL suffered in the first preseason game.
“I never wanted to make an excuse, so I played thru it,” Browner said. “… Last year was the most frustrating year for me, those who know me knew I was affected by it.”
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000653647/article/brandon-browner-rejoining-seattle-seahawks
THE HAWKS BROUGHT BACK BRANDON BROWNER, BOOM
Biggest needs in my book. Interior offensive line and interior defensive line. Spriggs looks to be a great athletic tackle, but it almost seems to be a luxury at this point. While Gilliam and probably Webb aren’t Walter Jones, the biggest problem the Hawks have won’t get fixed with the 1st or 2nd round picks are OT. So, with how the draft falls and looks, the first pick should be DT (Bullard/Butler/Rankins) or trade back. Get your OG and OC in the 2nd and 3rd.
1st DT
2nd OG
3rd C
3rd RB or LB or Hybrid LB/S
Gilliam/McGovern/Sokoli/Glowinski/Webb
Avril/Rubin/Butler/Bennett
Brandon Browner back in Seattle.
Danny Kelly tweeted along the lines of “with Clemons and Browner, this is about SEA re-establishing attitude.”
Browner and Clemons were good players for Seattle, but not the types that you give a sentimental contract to. I think Kelly has nailed it and I think this should make us all look at the Draft in a slightly different angle. Seattle has always wanted tough players with attitude, but perhaps we are not putting enough emphasis on it.
With that said, how does that change our opinion on guys like Jason Spriggs and Germain Ifedi, who are not exactly what I’d call tough guys with attitude. Both seem pretty soft, IMO.
With that said (total speculation); here are the guys that I have watched that scream Seahawk (regardless of position):
Keanu Neal
Shon Coleman
Sheldon Rankins
Vernon Butler
Karl Joseph
Kenneth Dixon
Josh Garnett
Jonathan Bullard
So, again; perhaps we should be putting a higher emphasis on “tough guys,” because from my view, it looks like this might be the biggest emphasis this offseason. Thoughts?
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
and not a minute too soon…lets hope they bring Kam back too….
Is Kam going somewhere?
I don’t know, havn’t seen him since the NE game…
I Agree Things Need To Go Back To How They were 2013-2014 People Use To Fear Us Literally We use to beat teams up! O Line Doesnt Help Us Beat Teams up But Our D does Its going to Hard To Be Able to Find A balance Between O line and Building that D back where its mentality and Versatile play making ability is at its peak This Draft will be the most prominent draft for our ball club in the last 3 years IMO that window for a super almost makes this draft be a sink or float draft we have to get every pick right and make it work this draft has to be better then last year not saying last years was a bad draft but i wouldnt call it great! I really like us Going Defense heavy but then again i like us going O line with the first 3 of Our 5 picks im torn between it
I’m not sure. I mean, not every player has to be a tough guy per se. There’s also room for a specific skill set.
And while Ifedi and Spriggs aren’t exactly Brandon Browner — they’re not exactly the Care Bears either.
I agree, but while Marshawn didn’t contribute much last year, he was still present on the team, with his attitude. I bring this up, because he had such a colossal impact on the attitude/perception of this team. With him gone, it leaves a major void…hence thinking out loud about Kelly’s “attitude” tweet. It makes a lot of sense to me.
IMO, if Shon Coleman checks out medically, he absolutely should be the pick at 26. He provides attitude while bringing a great skill set.
I’m really just thinking out loud about this. It was an interesting point he brought up and it’s making *me, look at this draft a little differently, with the thought that they want a bunch of “bad dudes” (not bad people) to re-establish what was the bread and butter a few years ago. Just my opinion.
I agree Rob both guys are far from soft and play hard, but neither guy is what you call nasty and even though Sweezy had his flaws he certainly brought and edge to the OL. I don’t think either of these guys would do that.
That is what I love about Coleman he is the nastiest OT in this draft class IMO.
Great post MJ and I love that list of players! The first 3 guys you list are my 3 favorite in whole draft.
If we came out of the draft with even two of those guys I would be real happy.
As would I. I just really think that Marshawn’s departure and the sudden rekindling of the relationship with Kam might be some obvious keys that “becoming the bad guy again,” might really be the priority. I don’t think it drastically changes the draft, but I do think there are some guys that might not appeal as much, despite obvious athletic traits.
Again, just an interesting/different angle to have a draft conversation.
I am surprised but glad they are bringing Browner back as him and Clem will bring a certain attitude to the locker room with this young group of players. Not sure where he fits though. I assume he, Simon, SJB and Seisay will compete for the 2nd outside CB spot and Lane will be in the slot.
That is going to be quite a battle in training camp. When I look at the depth at CB I would be surprised if they take a guy this year as the already have SJB, Seisay, Ty Smith and Farmer as developmental guys.
Seems clear that PC/JS felt that there may have perhaps been a lack of leadership last year particularly when Kam was holding out.