Welcome to our coverage of the 2019 NFL combine. Every day we’ll be updating events as they happen in Indianapolis, posting workout numbers and information.
This post will be updated constantly so keep hitting refresh.
The live blog is going to end a little earlier today. However, tonight’s review piece will be an extensive review of the combine overall including where things stand for the Seahawks and we’ll have our final combine daily podcast. I want to say a big thank you to Brandan Schulze for the time and effort he’s put into putting the podcast together. We’ll have done nearly four hours of analysis in total by the end of the day and I’m extremely grateful for his fantastic work and hope you’ve enjoyed our daily broadcasts.
I wanted to start today with a quick reflection on yesterday. In 2014 the Seahawks drafted Cassius Marsh in round four. There was a big reason for this — Pete Carroll had recruited Marsh at USC and had a significant background with the player. Yet his workout at the combine was quite similar to some of the other players performing yesterday.
Cassius Marsh
Height: 6-4
Weight: 252lbs
Arms: 32 3/4
Forty: 4.89
10-yard: 1.70
Vertical: 32
Broad: 9-0
Short shuttle: 4.25
Three cone: 7.08
Marsh excelled in the short shuttle and three cone. Seattle used him as a hyrbid linebacker/EDGE. He didn’t have a particularly brilliant spell for the Seahawks and it’s unclear whether they’ll be rushing out to draft a player with a similar physical profile. Yet all we have is history to determine what they look for at certain positions.
Eastern Michigan’s Maxx Crosby topped Marsh in a number of drills. He’s a similar size (6-5, 255lbs) and has the same kind of arm length (32 7/8 inches). However, he ran a much faster forty (4.66) and 10-yard split (1.60), faired a lot better in the explosive tests (36 inch vertical, 10-2 broad), ran a faster three cone (6.89) and a faster short shuttle (4.13).
I’m not sure if they’ll be looking for another hybrid SAM/LEO type with Barkevious Mingo and Jacob Martin already on the roster. Crosby’s workout, however, would suggest they might consider him. I need to go and look at the tape after the combine and see if it’s a role he suits. Is he just a pure EDGE? Does he have the kind of movement and agility his testing results suggest to play in space?
We talked a bit about Chase Winovich yesterday. I’ve watched a lot of his games and without a doubt he’s been one of the most fun players to watch in college football. Relentless effort, an underrated pass rusher. I’ve long felt, however, that he’s better suited to playing outside linebacker in a 3-4 and isn’t the kind of long, lean LEO the Seahawks usually go for. I can’t really imagine, for example, a pass rush duo of Winovich and Frank Clarke (even if they’re both former Michigan guys). I think they’re more likely to go for a longer, more natural EDGE as they’ve tried to do with Dion Jordan. It’s one of the reasons why I think they might pursue Anthony Barr if the price is right in free agency. He’s a natural fit for Seattle as an EDGE, even if he played linebacker in Minnesota. The two obvious options early in the draft are Montez Sweat and Brian Burns, with Ben Banogu a player I need to go back and look at again after his tremendous workout.
Even so, Winovich does test very well in comparison to Marsh. He’s a similar size (6-3, 256lbs) with similar length (32 3/4 inch arms). He was a lot faster in the forty (4.59) and 10-yard split (1.57). He jumped a 30.5 inch vertical and a 9-8 broad. In the agility tests he beats Marsh with a 6.94 three cone and a 4.11 short shuttle.
It’s really about what Seattle feels it needs. Most of all they need someone who can rush the EDGE as they were hoping Jordan could in 2018. They also likely need a replacement starting WILL. Whether you rate Mingo or Martin highly or not, the SAM/LEO type position is somewhat covered. What we’re doing here is just running through possibilities, looking for trends and leaving no stone unturned. The purpose of the blog isn’t to nail the exact 6-8 players Seattle will draft. It’s to discuss the likelihood of scenarios, discuss options, cut through what isn’t likely and cover as many bases as possible. I’m not sure the Seahawks will draft either Crosby or Winovich but the Cassius Marsh profile offered a talking point.
Today the defensive backs workout. Here’s the list of cornerbacks who fit Seattle’s strict size preference:
Blace Brown — 6-0 3/8, 32 arms, 76 3/8 wingspan
Blessuan Austin — 6-0 5/8, 32.5 arms, 76 7/8 wingspan
Deandre Baker — 5-11, 32 arms, 77 1/8 wingspan
Alijah Holder — 6-0 6/8, 32.5 arms, 77 2/8 wingspan
Mike Jackson — 6-0 5/8, 32.5 arms, 77 2/8 wingspan
Isaiah Johnson — 6-2 1/8, 33 arms, 79 1/8 wingspan
Lonnie Johnson — 6-1 7/8, 32 5/8 arms, 77.5 wingspan
Justin Layne — 6-1 6/8, 33 arms, 80 1/8 wingspan
Rock Ya-sin — 5-11 6/8, 32 arms, 77 3/8 wingspan
Joejuan Williams — 6-3 5/8, 32.5 arms, 78 wingspan
Derrek Thomas — 6-2 7/8, 33 6/8 arms, 82 wingspan
Jordan Miller — 6-0 5/8, 32 7/8 arms, 76.5 wingspan
Jamal Peters — 6-1 6/8, 32 3/8 arms, 77 5/8 wingspan
Ryan Pulley 5-10 5/8, 32 6/8 arms, 77 5/8 wingspan
Saivion Smith — 6-0 7/8, 33 2/8 arms, 78 7/8 wingspan
Ken Webster — 5-10 7/8, 32 arms, 77 wingspan
Keep an eye on Marvell Tell too. He’s 6-2 and 198lbs with 33 1/8 inch arms. That’s cornerback size for Seattle and watching his tape, he has the lean frame that they like in a corner convert.
Cornerback forty times
(Players with +32 inch arms in bold)
Deandre Baker — 4.53 & 4.63
Corey Ballentine — 4.48 & 4.47
Kris Boyd — 4.45 & 4.46
Blace Brown — 4.76 & 4.75
Jordan Brown — 4.53 & 4.52
Sean Bunting — 4.43 & 4.45
Hamp Cheevers — 4.54 & 4.52
Xavier Crawford — 4.50 & 4.48
Davante Davis — 4.58 & 4.68
Jamel Dean — 4.31 & 4.33
Rashad Fenton — 4.53 & 4.76
Mark Fields — 4.37 & 4.39
Montre Hartage — 4.69 & 4.69
Alijah Holder — 4.65 & 4.61
Michael Jackson — 4.46 & 4.50
Isaiah Johnson — 4.40 & 4.45
Lonnie Johnson — 4.52 & 4.61
Justin Layne — 4.51 & 4.51
Iman Marshall — 4.54 & 4.60
David Long — 4.47 & 4.46
Julian Love — 4.54 & 4.58
Jordan Miller — 4.49 & 4.55
Trayvon Mullen — 4.46 & 4.54
Byron Murphy — 4.55 & 4.56
Amani Oruwariye — 4.48 & ?
Jamal Peters — 4.66 & 4.63
Ryan Pulley — 4.62 & 4.69
Derrek Thomas — 4.45 & 4.54
Ken Webster — 4.49 & 4.43
Greedy Williams — 4.38 & 4.45
Joejuan Williams — 4.65 & 4.69
Rock Ya-Sin — 4.59 & 4.52
The NFL Network showed a very satisfied looking Pete Carroll noting the forty times for the big cornerbacks in this class:
Carroll is the only Head Coach, for what it’s worth, who has been filmed making notes during every session of forty runs. Most of the other coaches are simply observing or they’re away chatting to other people. Carroll, every year, is right at the heart of the scouting at the combine.
It seems like the best options might be Lonnie Johnson and Jamal Peters. Isaiah Johnson was touted as a second round pick by Daniel Jeremiah (that would be too early for Seattle). Justin Layne is equally expected to go early. Johnson and Peters ran slow enough to last a little, as did Joejuan Williams. Jordan Miller at Washington ran very well and looks lean and long. Derrek Thomas looked incredibly long and fast. Michael Jackson is very athletic for his size.
Nasir Adderley isn’t working out with the safety’s today. He has an ankle injury.
Onto the on-field drills. First it’s the back pedal. Isaiah Johnson was a little clunky and hunched over. David Long, the Michigan corner, had a very smooth and technical rep.
I like the look of Jordan Miller. He’s not quite as tall as some of the other 32-inch corners but he looks smooth and capable.
Saivion Smith didn’t run a forty but is doing drills.
Greedy Williams’ back pedal was horrendous. He was flat-footed, he was leaning back and as he transitioned and flipped he lost balance and nearly fell over. His second rep was all over the place too. Poor.
Deandre Baker struggled on his flip too. The technique is off, the feet too close together and they’re not unlocking the hips and exploding to finish.
Michael Jackson’s rep was a lot better. I like the look of him. Big corner, lots of bulk and length. Looks physical but he unlocked with a lot of ease and quickness.
Jordan Miller fell over on his second rep in an ugly fashion.
Derrek Thomas isn’t running this drill which is a shame because he looked great running the forty.
I’m really like Michael Jackson. His transitions are quick with little wasted movement, he covers ground well in his back pedal. This is a very impressive performance. Lonnie Johnson just had a good rep with several sharp transitions. There’s a bit of stiffness there but it’s fine. He looks the part.
Jamal Peters is also not doing drills. He got hurt in Mississippi State’s bowl game and still isn’t 100%.
Here are the official cornerback forty times:
Lonnie Johnson had a wonderful rep a moment ago. Nice transitions and then high pointed the ball wonderfully downfield.
Justin Layne is going to have a great vertical jump based on the way he just high pointed a football.
Greedy Williams says he’s giving up for the day. He’s cramping up apparently. Not a great day for him. Cramps?
The prospects are performing better in the ‘W’ drill than last years shower. Lonnie Johnson, Jordan Miller and Michael Jackson all had good reps.
They also do a variation of the ‘W’ that ends with a catch. Joejuan Williams had the best rep of the group.
Lonnie Johnson just looks great. Terrific size, faster than his forty suggests. Very fluid. Could be a big target for the Seahawks.
Byron Murphy is getting good reviews from the NFL Network team.
The cornerback workouts ended with an elongated and slightly unnecessary gauntlet drill. I’m going to post the safety forty times and then close the live blog. I’ll have a huge combine review piece posted later and of course we’ll have our final podcast too.
Johnathan Abram jumped a 33.5 inch vertical and a 9-8 broad.
Sheldrick Redwine jumped a 39 inch vertical and a 10-10 broad.
Marvell Tell had an incredible 42 inch vertical and an 11-4 broad jump. Now we’re talking. That’s special. Earlier I suggested he could be a Seahawks target at cornerback. With those numbers, if he runs a quick forty too he’s going to go flying up boards.
Juan Thornhill went even further. He had a 44 inch vertical and then an 11-9 broad jump. Special, special, special.
Safety forty yard dash times
Johnathan Abram — 4.50 & 4.45
Ugochukwu Amadi — 4.52 & 4.54
John Battle — 4.68 & 4.71
Mike Bell — 4.84 & 4.84
Marquise Blair — 4.48 & 4.51
Lukas Dennis — 4.65 & 4.73
D’Cota Dixon — 4.81 & 4.62
Malik Gant — 4.64 & 4.66
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson — 4.49 & 4.50
Saquan Hampton — 4.48 & DNR
Will Harris — 4.45 & 4.42
Amani Hooker — 4.53 & 4.49
Jaquan Johnson — 4.69 & 4.74
Mark McLaurin — 4.80 & 4.78
Taylor Rapp — DNR
Sheldrick Redwine — 4.45 & 4.50
Darnell Savage — 4.39 & 4.37
Marvell Tell — DNR
Deionte Thompson — DNR
Juan Thornhill — 4.43 & DNR
Darius West — 4.40 & 4.51
Khari Willis — 4.56 & 4.72
Donovan Wilson — 4.59 & DNR
Andrew Wingard — 4.58 & 4.57
Zedrick Woods — 4.37 & 4.30
Evan Worthington — 4.69 & 4.64
Marquise Blair was described as a ‘Seahawks style’ safety by Jim Nagy at the Senior Bowl. He just ran a 4.48.
Pete and John are having a good look at the safety’s.
Taylor Rapp, Marvell Tell and Deionte Thompson are not running the forty yard dash.
Darnell Savage ran an excellent 4.37. He was a good SPARQ tester in High School and this was a good run. Juan Thornhill doesn’t look overly fast on tape but he just ran a 4.43.
Johnathan Abram running a 4.45 is a great time for him. That will boost his stock.
Andrew Wingard has come to the combine dressed as Axl Rose.
I’m ending the live blog for now. The comments section is available to act as an open thread. Later today we’ll have our final podcast and a comprehensive review of the combine with thoughts on where the Seahawks go from here.
Do you think Zach Allen would be a good fit to be the DE opposite Clark? He lacks great length but is pretty good against the run and has a relentless motor.
Allen’s length is very good actually (34 3/4 inch arms — so near enough 35 inches). I liked him last year. Very productive. Took over games. Constant playmaker. Whether he’s the type of player Seattle goes for I’m not sure. They prefer long, lean LEO’s.
It’s really hard for me to determine which type of pass rusher Seattle needs/wants. I keep thinking that want an elephant, but then I keep seeing the potential of Rasheem Green growing into that. Then I think Leo, but they have Clark, Martin, and they are one Bruce Irvin signing away for adding there. Then I look at DT and while Jarran Reed is a beast, and Ford seems promising, and Meder could be an interesting addition, they don’t have much inside rush if Reed gets injured. If I had to choose, I think they might really want to add inside or inside/out, and this would be the draft for that, yes?
Yes, I think that’s the case. Their depth at 5T behind Naz is pretty limited honestly. IMO, someone like Renell Wren fits exactly what you’re talking about. Explosive inside guy that could be put over the center or guard. Great burst. Needs his technique to be refined, tho. But his TEF score was insane.
Possibly so. I think they need an upgrade to Dion Jordan. A true, proper EDGE. But that might be one for free agency (Anthony Barr?) with limited options in the draft.
Rob, this comment is a test.
I noticed that yesterday when I posted a comment needing moderation, it allowed all the delayed comments to be loaded. I’m just testing it now to see if it works again. If you don’t mind, please don’t approve or delete it for the next hour.
Just 2 random links
https://3sigmaathlete.com/sparq-rankings-2019/off-los-linebacker/
https://3sigmaathlete.com/sparq-rankings-2019/edge/
Did Jamal Peters skip the drill, or did they just mess up the on-screen names there?
(P.S. Rob, the test worked!)
Hmmm, looks like no backpedal drill from Peters or Derrek Thomas. Shame.
Lonnie Johnson I though looked excellent both times.
Isaiah Johnson a close 2nd.
JoeJuan better on the 2nd rep.
And Ken Webster had a nice flip too, but looks really stocky for our liking.
The rest of the 32″ guys did not impress me with their flips.
Also, how is it possible nobody tells these guys what Deion Sanders is talking about? Makes so much sense. They should literally let him take 30 seconds to explain it to them right then and there, when they do the walk-through at the beginning.
He’s skipping drills. Still not 100%.
Derrek Thomas, a WR convert, 6-3 34 inch arms, 4.45 40, should be available on day 3. Deja vu???
Looked great running the forty and an ideal Seahawks frame
Hi Rob, a question:
Did Simeon Thomas, the CB on Seattle’s practice squad, participate in the Combine last year? If so, how did he do in the drills?
He did not test
Derrek Thomas is very good in press coverage. Though they didnt let him do it much @ baylor.
I also am very high on his Teammate Jalen Hurd as a 4+ rd late WR pick. We know he can run and I think might really surprise with his WR ability.
Great Value imo.
Another WR convert…just read the draftnetwork article, being a perfect Seahawks cover corner mentioned twice…
https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/isaiah-johnson
4.40 speed does not hurt..
Only one of the bunch that I like so far is Mike Jackson. Big, physical, smooth, decent speed, high ceiling in Seattle scheme specifically in my opinion.
Biggest turn off of the rest is the lack, or inconsistency, of run-support in college.
These long commercial breaks cut out the first third of the alphabet guys.
Nice to hear more from Charles Davis today.
Luckily for us, the list only gets interesting starting with Michael Jackson IMO.
My winners for the turn and go drill are (in no particular order):
Michael Jackson
Isaiah Johnson
Lonnie Johnson
Rock Ya-Sin
Justin Layne with the nice hands, but looked stiff.
Also, can David Long play safety?
Mike Jackson looks like a Seahawk kind of corner, long and physical. If he is around in the 5th where they like to pick corners, I could see it.
Hi Rob, any thoughts on Sin? You didnt mention him in the likely candidates but he hits the specs. Don’t like him as a player or will just just be too rich for the Hawks?
Bit of both. Might go a bit too early. He’s tall and has the arms but seems quite compact. Not quite the long/lean corner they usually go for.
Got it, thanks Rob
More pertinent to the last post, but any Anthony Nelson takes? He had a good workout and production seems pretty good.
To Jamal Peters:
I doubt that a mid 4.6 40 yds will be enoughe for PC to consider him, especially without Earl in the backfield.
To Isaiah Johnson:
I hope the truth is somewhere in the middle between the Rd5 grade by Pauline and the Rd2 by DJ. If he’s there at the end of round 3 as was Shaqill he should be cosidered.
I don’t think a 4.63 is a problem. He’s big, tough and physical. Like Browner.
Man, very few of these guys can put their foot in the ground on the W drill.
Lonnie Johnson once again looks the best. I’m really starting to hone in on him.
The other one I thought looked good in this drill was Rock Ya-Sin.
I think we should consider a few of these guys as safeties:
Mark Fields looks like the most twitched up DB out there so far.
David Long has looked good all day.
Ken Webster as well.
I’m fine with Jackson and Miller, but Peters is really slow :-/ I don’t really want anybody over 4.55 with that many fast rookie WRs. Yeah with right technique it doesn’t really matter if a WR runs a 4.45 and a CB only 4.57…but there are a lot of bigger WRs running sub 4.5, even sub 4.4. So yeah, I’d like a 4.4s guy for us or sub 4.55.
Derrek Thomas has a crazy wingspan. If he’s available late (4th round or later), I’d probably take a shot with him. I don’t think this CB class is particularly great, so I’d try to shoot for potential high ceiling guys. He’s big and not awfully slow. EranUngar wrote that he’s a WR convert so he might be OK with catching and tracking the ball. He won’t start, but after 1-2 years he might be good
Brandon Browner says a 4.63 is fine.
I think today’s NFL would say Brandon Browner is not fine anymore.
That’s not the point though is it? Seattle’s best #2 corner in the Carroll era ran a 4.63.
Also worth pointing out that, when looking at Browner’s forty time, Michael Jackson…beat it.
It is true, Browner was slow. To make it work the Seahawks played a lot with 2 safeties at the time (Tampa 2) rather then cover 3 and had a great pass rush to limit the QB time to go deep.
The rules against physical play by corners changed following that season making it harder on slow physical corners….
But then, Sherman at 4.56 is not a blazer and he managed just fine….
If you’re 4.6 and you have amazing technique, you’ll be fine. I’m not sure these guys have or will have amazing technique.
Browner and Sherm was helped by Earl a lot. Hawks weren’t attacked that much deep because of Earl. If Sherm or Browner or Shead or Maxie was beat over the top then Earl helped them out a lot. We don’t have that now. We can select “slower” (4.55+) corners, but with T2 and McDougald it might mean that we’ll get bet a bit more by deep routes
Murphy easily the class of the first group, he’s going to go early.
Joejuan Williams looks good but he will probably go in an earlier round than the Hawks like to invest in DB’s.
Seems like the other teams also covet the big corners now.
Agreed, I like him and the bit where Derek Mason comments he’s the best CB he’s been able to coach outside of Richard Sherman. I’ve seen him predicted in mock drafts in the third round.
https://twitter.com/zacellisvu/status/1019943899220111360
One thing I noticed with Lonnie Johnson was him fighting the ball at times, particularly during the gauntlet. Could struggle to generate takeaways, as evidenced by his lone interception at Kentucky.
Agree, Lonnie’s first run in the gauntlet was terrible. He did much better on his 2nd pass.
Isaiah Johnson also had several notable double clutches.
Deandre Baker showed good hands.
Michael Jackson IMO did it better than a lot of WRs the other day.
Trayvon Mullen looked smooth too.
JoeJuan Williams I thought showed nice control to run along the line as he caught.
Rock Ya-Sin was just ok.
And on the CB to S front, Ken Webster showed easy speed and nice hands.
Hey Rob, I know this is a combine thread but have been wondering if there are legitimate options to add picks via trade without creating other big holes? Britt, Pocic, a running back? The options seem pretty limited.
Sadly not. They need Britt badly and can’t afford to create a major hole. Pocic’s trade value will be practically nothing and if nothing else he provides depth. The only two running backs on the roster other than Penny/Carson are C.J. Prosise and Bo Scarborough.
They’ll need to trade down to acquire more picks.
Rob – ever since you mentioned “Byron Murphy at FS,” and now seeing him run in the mid 4.5s – I can’t help but think he is going to fall into the top of R2.
What if the Seahawks did a trade back or two and drafted him as a FS? He is one of the most instinctive players I’ve ever seen (I thought the same about Marcus Peters when he was at UW). I think it is an interesting proposition. I think FS is a much, much bigger need than many folks make it out to be.
So what say you?
Trade 21 for 35. Pick up an extra 3rd and 4th rounder.
35: Murphy
R3: DE
R3: DT
R4: TE
Murphy is going to be a great player in the NFL. I don’t care if his 40 time wasn’t spectacular. I think he is an absolute steal in the 30s.
I don’t think they’re taking a safety with their first pick. I think they like the guys they have but will consider adding competition later on. And a corner convert running a 4.55 doesn’t seem like a Seahawks type of move.
Savage 4.39
Thornhil 4.43
CGJ 4.49
And JS with binoculars. 🙂
My safety class and seahawks 1st pick. 🙂 🙂 🙂
You’re not taking any of those guys with the first pick.
Something is not tracking right with Lance Zierlein evaluation of Zedrick Woods. Lance says he is slow to accelerate and has poor makeup speed but he just ran a 4.37
Not that uncommon, Lance is basing his assessment off tape. A lot of players look slow on the field and have great straight line speed, and vice versa. Shaquill Griffin’s draft profile says that he “lacks long speed” and he ran a 4.38. So it may be that Woods plays slower than his 40 time, or just that there was a miscue or something that led Lance to make that assessment. Maybe he has slow anticipation so he looks hesitant on film idk I am not familiar with his game, just trying to explain the logic behind it all.
His second run was a 4.29! Maybe he just needs lighter pads like Mark Wahlberg did.
haha apparently the Hawks had a staring contest with Lonnie Johnson.. Another all-pro in the making?
IMO Lonnie Johnson was the best looking of our 32″ CB list out there today, followed by Michael Jackson. Though we do still need to wait and see how Jamal Peters and Derrek Thomas move.
Jim Nagy said the staring contest is a grit test.
Re-posting this from yesterday’s thread:
Gritty backstory alert…!!
http://kentuckysportsradio.com/football-2/lonnie-johnsons-difficult-journey-to-kentucky/
That’s nowhere near the level of Texas CB Kris Boyd being asked if he had both testicles.
If Michael Jackson can moonwalk, I’m sold.
Imagine him doing that for a pick 6 celebration. #epic
Think of touchdown celebration options with Michael Jackson and Mike Tyson in the same defensive backfield!
Will Harris of Boston College would seem like a good possible day 3 draft pick at safety. 6’1″ 207, ran a 4.45, did 20 reps on the bench, and I remember Tony Pauline praising him a couple times during Senior Bowl week practices. Found this from a review of one of the practices: “What an impressive day from Boston College safety Will Harris — not only from a coverage aspect, but as a blitzer, as well. Harris had an interception while in man coverage on UMass receiver Andy Isabella where Isabella couldn’t get away from him. Later in the practice, Harris perfectly timed a safety blitz that would have blasted North Carolina State quarterback Ryan Finley if it had been a game situation.” https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/scout-s-eye-wrs-dts-shine-at-senior-bowl
And Isabella is a small, speedy WR with 4.4 speed. If Harris can cover those kind of players, he may be able to play in the slot as well, or at least nickel/dime packages.
Thanks. Will put him on the list to check out after the combine.
Like I mentioned above, I want to check out some of the CBs as possible safety converts as well if they last into the later rounds:
David Long ran 4.45 and looked excellent in drills all day. Great build.
Mark Fields looked like the most twitched up CB out there and ran 4.37.
Ken Webster ran 4.43 and moved well.
I’ll be eager to see their other testing numbers and check out their tape to see what they might show.
I wasn’t able to watch the Safeties work out, so somebody fill me in if anyone stood out in the drills.
Wowzers, these dudes are some athletes!
David Long 39.5 vert and 10′ broad.
Ken Webster 43 vert and 11’1″ broad!!!
Mark Fields DNP.
David Long had some great #s as a CB for Michigan, and at 5’10 1/2″ with a 4.45 40 and an almost 40″ vert., could possibly play slot CB or safety and nickle/dime packages with us. Not sure how they do the overall grade, but PFF had him with a 37% passer rating allowed and 28% rec. rate allowed, with 0.14 yards per cover snap. Guessing they didn’t throw at him much, AND he’s very good. https://media.profootballfocus.com/2018/12/Long-Declared-768×432.png
Like his attitude too. At a press conference – “Long wants NFL teams to leave the combine believing he is versatile and can do whatever it is they need.
“I feel like I have a lot of assets,” he said. “I can play defense, special teams. Willing and able. And I’m going to raise the intensity in the room, whether it’s in the meeting room, on the field, guys are going to have to match my intensity.”
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/wolverines/2019/03/03/former-michigan-cb-david-long-pitches-versatility-nfl-scouts/3051452002/
Great info. Thanks for digging this up.
And HOLY GUACAMOLE, I just found David Long’s agility numbers:
3.97 SS
6.45 3C
No wonder he looked so quick in drills! That 3C is tied for 5th best in Combine history!
I am officially, officially interested.
Rob- Thanks for putting the combine information together. I haven’t the time to watch it all, so you and the rest of the gang’s opinions are very useful. I’m looking forward to the youtube highlights of the players you think the Seahawks will be interested in.
I’m onboard with your thinking that they will trade down and end up with at least six picks. Which they will probably spread around to cover 6 positions. Should be some good battles to make the team this fall.
Under PC/JS, Seattle has never spent all the picks they’ve had on a different position.
Made a mistake posting on Will Harris’s 40 time earlier. Originally said it was a 4.45, it was a 4.42. Also found this from Senior Bowl week: “I still think Nasir Adderley is the better prospect but Will Harris had a better week. The safeties were put into a bunch of different situations to see how they would react. Harris looked unfazed by this as he looked good in man-to-man, box zone, blitzing, and even showed good instincts in deep coverage. Adderley really struggled in anything besides deep zone coverage. Harris showed me that he can be used in so many different ways this week and to me, that puts him as the best safety of the week. Big fan of his game.”
https://www.stampedeblue.com/2019/1/26/18198204/senior-bowl-wrap-up-top-player-from-each-position-group
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1088538730464456706
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH59lTXRXOM
Tony Pauline had him as an early 6th round draft pick after the Senior Bowl, could be a good pick in rd. 5 after this 4.42 40 at the combine, especially if we acquire some more picks.
http://draftanalyst.com/draft-analysts-podcast-episode-35-reviewing-grading-defense
Per Peter King, Seahawks met with Kyler Murray!
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/03/04/kyler-murray-nfl-combine-notes-fmia-peter-king/?cid=fmiatw
Gotta do their due diligence ! I was secretly hoping Murray would measure like 5’8″ scare teams off and he would fall in the draft so the Hawks could draft him. But it seems like a foregone conclusion that he goes top 5 now, if not first overall. And justifiably so.
Advanced scouting for future Arizona games.
Juan Thornhill of VA had a 44″ vertical. He was thought to be a bigger slower safety, but combine that explosive vert. with him running a 4.43 and he is probably going to be a big riser up the draft boards. Tony Pauline had him as a late 3rd/early 4th after the Senior Bowl. http://draftanalyst.com/draft-analysts-podcast-episode-35-reviewing-grading-defense
But after these numbers at the combine, he could move up to the 2nd round.
Yeah, I’m not sure we’ll be shopping for safties in those rounds, but still a very impressive performance from Thornhill.
I mean, when you have to scroll down to find the ground… come on.
https://prnt.sc/mt808j
Also went back and found these tidbits in my notes:
From PFF:
Let me just say I love this site for #Seahawks draft content. So expansive and specific. Keep up the fine work and know that regardless of frequency in commenting I’m always here to read up.
Thanks man
Not getting a pic for ET hurts, we need to sacrifice a position because of it. I say we toss DE. We should trade back to the forties and add a top 15 3rd (#47) and a top 15 4th for a total 6 pics. If we want to add 5ths, 6ths, and/or 7ths we can use 2020 pics. Focusing on 6 pics I say we add 300lb plus 3 tech DT, TE, 1 tech DT, OL, CB, and Utah kicker Matt Gay. 2nd round DT, 3rd round TE, 3rd round 1 tech DT, 4th OL, 4th CB, and 5th round kicker.
Agreed having a 2nd round pick for Earl would have been nice, painful getting nothing for both him and Earl
Is Johnathan Abram a slightly smaller version on Keanu Neal?
Similar in ways, yeah. I posted that Abram could excel in the Kam Chancellor role. IMHO.
I didn’t agree with Daniel Jeremiah’s comp there but it’s no slight on Abram. Neal was a top-20 pick for a reason and is one of the best safety’s I’ve watched since starting this blog a decade ago. Abram isn’t at his level but will provide someone with a sparky, competitive strong safety or big nickel.
I’ve liked this safety class since for awhile now. Good to see there’s depth here w/pro days still to come.
I think Seattle likes it as well, meeting with Udub’s Taylor Rapp, Florida’s Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, and probably some others as well.
Doesn’t have a lot of high end prospects, but definitely has what they’ve looked for in safeties. Outside of ET3, they dont seem to look for round 1 safeties. I think they’re very comfortable with guys like McDougald, T2 and Delano Hill, and this class is loaded with them.
Pete is a DB coach, of theres any position that we should just trust him with, its DBs.
Thanks to Eli for recommending an article on The Athletic about Tillery. I read it as one of the 3 free articles/month they offer if you download their app.
It doesn’t answer all the questions for me; I think, as Tillery himself mentioned, he will have been grilled by every team in meetings. But he is right that practicing and playing through a torn labrum does speak to his toughness and dedication.
And there’s no denying that the Seahawks like those taller, uber athletic interior rushers and encourage unique personalities as long as it doesn’t hurt the team. I guess I just wish he showed more consistency.
Also speaks volumes about his toughness that he put up all those reps on the BP with what I’d imagine to be lingering effects from that torn labrum.
Noooo
They have until July 15th to get a long term deal done so we can only hope they do that so we can save that tag for Wilson in 2020 if need be.
Right, I was just hoping that they would be able to work something out sooner.
At this point, it seems to me like a waiting game between Clowney, Clark, and Lawrence. They each want the other guy to get paid first so they can ask for the same or more. Lawrence’s camp has already made it clear that they will refuse to sign the tag.
That’s our only hope or we’re going to lose either him, Reed or Wagner next year. I think Wagner would be most likely to go sadly. Simply due to his age. Hed be on his 3rd contract opposed to Clark and Reed’s 2nd. The likelihood we go DE just shot up big time imo. We need a hedge for him now, too. Or I guess I should say we need a hedge more now lol
This was almost guaranteed after PC/JS made it clear he would be in Seattle next year. Still think they work out a long term deal before July deadline.
KC released Justin Houston. Could he be the new Cliff Avril for Seattle?
Have a solid source on that? It’s being contradicted.
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While it may happen eventually, sources say the #Chiefs have not released OLB Justin Houston, contrary to one report. They continue to have trade discussions involving Houston, on a day several pass rushers have been taken off the market with franchise tags.
Houston is in his 30’s and seems past his best. Doesn’t feel like a Seahawks move.
Hawks franchise Clark according to Breer and confirmed by Condotta.
I read that Mike Jackson may have improved his stock enough to be selected on day 2 (I can’t remember where I read that now) but do you think with his combine, has he performed his way out of the Seahawks range? I know we selected Shaq in the 3rd, but he is the exception. I didn’t see MJs combine, but it sounds like he was a cut above the rest from the descriptions above.
Unfortunately, with limited draft stock, it appears very doubtful they would pick up another DB in the third round or higher. I also very much like Michael Jackson and hope he drops to arrange for the Seahawks can pick him up and add him to our CB core.
Unrelated to the great combine coverage, but potentially significant is the announcement that Todd Gurley has arthritis in his knee. I’m not a doctor but that must be a massive issue for him going forward. As far as I know there is no cure – all you can do is suppress the symptoms. The Rams loaded up for a run in 2018 and have a load of things turning against them in the next few seasons – good news for us.
It’s crossed my mind more than once that running backs should become free agents after 2 years in the league instead of 4/5. They generally have such a short shelf life compared to most other positions. At least Gurley got to his 2nd contract.
If this happened a year sooner it cost Gurley buckets of cash
Isaiah Johnson really seems to check all the boxes to be a future Seahawk corner.
IMO franchising Clark increases the chances that this is Bobby Wagner’s last year in Seattle. Obviously this increases the need for LB, but specifically MLB. Mack Wilson is a real nice player. So is Cameron Smith. I’m sure there’s more. Let me know who’s your guy SDB.
If anything, this blew out draft wide open.
I think Wagner might be the easiest to re-sign of the ‘big four’. The highest paid linebacker isn’t paid an astronomical amount. I suspect at some point over the summer they’ll make him the top paid LB and everyone will be happy.
Why would they let BWagz go? Best player on the defense. Not that old. Plays a lot, rarely injured and no serious injury. Good work ethic, good leader, good locker room guy.
I would rather let Clark or Reed go (they’ll get 20-22M apy contracts while Bobby will probably get 16-18m APY), or trade Wilson (probably more important than Bobby, but he’ll command 30M+ APY).
I’m pretty sure Bobby will stay. In fact, I think he’ll get a new contract the earliest. I think Bobby will get a new contract early-mid season (or this offseason). Clark will also get a long term contract mid-season or near the end of this season.
Reed will get a new contract at 2/3 of the season
And they’ll franchise Wilson next year.
Bobby doesn’t need to prove anything, he’s solid.
Clark showed better and better play as the years went on, but last year might be an anomaly. If he can play that level or better they’ll pay him big time.
Reed is more likely an anomaly than a standard imo. I think he’s more of a 4-6 sack/year dude. If they’d pay him based on last year’s numbers, he’d get at least 20M/year. If he’s a solid run defender and around 5 sacks/year, he’ll get 12-14mil instead.
I was checking FA lists and came across a familiar name-Eli Harold. Wasn’t he touted as a possible target back then? I’m very keen to know your thoughts on potential options of cheap FA pass rushers!