This week Kenneth and I discuss some of the prospects who could be on Seattle’s radar, look at the Seahawks going into the bye and the state of the NFC.
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Rob Staton
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Rob, who do you think Seattle likes on this Clemson team?
They’re scouting them again this weekend. 3rd time this season in 6 weeks. Last year they scouted Cal, Ohio St, and ND the most and selected a prospect from each team.
It’s a good school traditionally for WR, CB, RB, DL. Wouldn’t be surprised if there’s several guys they like. Probably not the big names. Byron Maxwell was a 6th rounder from Clemson.
Yeah, I could see that. That’s why I was asking. We know the big names, but there’s gotta be someone that’s caught their eye who’s flying under the radar.
And Zac Brooks was a 7th rounder, as we know, S Robert Smith was an UDFA.
Another question for ya.
Outta those Florida corners, you like Teez Tabor or Quincy Wilson more? For me, Wilson is probably the most underrated corner in the country. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him end up a 1st round pick.
I think they’re both pretty level. Prefer the safety Marcus Maye over both.
Maye’s a stud for sure. Looks like a pretty damn good safety class.
Not a 1st rounder or anything, but another hybrid I really like is Michigan St’s Montae Nicholson- 6’2, 220 lbs. Flys around the field, looks highly athletic, lays the wood on dudes, good instincts, good coverage skills, ‘speedy.’ Just a very physical player that makes his presence felt.
He’s improved his game a ton from last year.
There were reports scouts liked Wilson more overall…. but both could find a home in the NFL.
Tankersley (CB), Gallman (RB) and Watkins (DT) would be some that I would suspect.
Tankersley is a bit high profile (currently around 50-90 overall). But he has the size/length prerequisites and appears both very accomplished in the jam/bail technique and is a terrific tackler.
Personally, I see Seattle going with the strength of the draft. In this case pass rushers, RBs and CBs. Seattle has double dipped at strength points in most of the recent drafts. I doubt very much we’ll throw more high value draft capital at the RB position considering we triple dipped last year. So that kind of leaves DE/CB. Which should still have really good quality options even late.
Gallman is a day 3 guy who fits size and style.
Tankersley could be in play even at #64.
Watkins is a late 3rd/mid 4th kind of guy currently. Could be a plan B if they covet a guy like Caleb Brantley who plays similarly but better.
I’m thinking the LB/S spot or the DE/LB spot…. as the possible targets. Guys who could play either or…. on consecutive downs. Maintaining flexibility while combating hurry up NFL offenses.
Wow! Ohio St’s Curtis Samuel is on pace for 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards. Something no other FBS player has ever done.
And NC QB Mitch Trubisky is a stud. Over a 62 completion %, 0 INT’s, and this dude has ice water in his veins. Talk about clutch. Led his team to a win over Florida St with :34 seconds left, and I can’t remember against who, but led his team to a win down by 2 TDs with under 4 minutes left as well.
If ya haven’t watched him, please do.
Samuel sticks out to me more than Fuller did last year. Not that sure if he is just a 3rd down back or a WR? OW at the next level for sure.
Just like with Michigan’s Jabril Peppers, get him on the field, cater to his strengths, and figure it out from there.
Trubisky has that prototypical size for an NFL QB (6’3″, 220 lbs, too. While he did lead his team to the win against the Seminoles, that final drive in the last 30 seconds consisted of a wide-open pass for twenty or so yards, followed by a pass interference call that left you wondering what the cornerback was thinking, so I wouldn’t necessarily applaud him being clutch in that game. His previous game against Pittsburgh though was remarkable: 17 plays in three and a half minutes, including three fourth down conversions, for the game-winning touchdown with two seconds left. I wonder if he’d declare, though; this is his first season as the starting quarterback.
There’s stuff to like with Trubisky. Mobile if not any threat as a runner. Like the way he extends plays and moves his feet, resets and delivers a nice ball. Throws are generally accurate and he has some touch. Just wonder though — the Fedora scheme is underrated and smart — it’s not the most complex but makes the most of its parts. They do a good job finding mismatches for Switzer and it makes Trubisky’s life easier. He’s still made some clutch throws and the zero turnovers isn’t a fluke — in none of the two games I watched today did he come close to a pick. He’s really intriguing. Doesn’t have a major ceiling but there’s stuff to work with.
Yeah, some of his stats are from Switzer and TJ Logan, but Fedora does a great job scheming to get his playmakers touches in space.
Love his poise, pocket presence or awareness, his ability to locate the mismatches, seems to have quick eyes, good ball placement on his deep shots, really not a throw he can’t make.
He could this years QB that cracks the 1st round.
*sleeper QB. Obviously there will be QBs taken in round 1.
He also uses his eyes very well to manipulate coverage
Clemson- CB Cordrea Tankersley, DT Carlos Watkins, WR Mike Williams (probably 1st WR drafted), TE Jordan Leggett, RB Wayne Gallman, S Jadar Johnson, CB Marcus Edmonds
BC- DE/LEO Harold Landry, S John Johnson (very similar to Justin Simmons from last year), RB Jonathan Hilliman, QB Patrick Towles, LB Matt Milano, LB Connor Strachan
Clemson- LB Dorian O’Daniel, LB Ben Boulware, WR Artavis Scott
Hmmm. BC’s Harold Landry- 6’3, 250 lbs. has the ACC’s highest pass rush productivity by an edge defender with 20 QB pressures on 82 snaps to go along with 7.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks.
His tape was pretty hit and miss last year for me, but he did flash quite a few times and has a lot of transferable traits. Haven’t seen him yet this year though.
Described as a ‘film junkie’ and perfectionist.
I liked Boulware.
He’s got a mean streak and is always around the ball. Really has a nose. Might be a subpar athlete compared to who we usually bring in, but he’s a great competitor and very classy person to my knowledge.
I’d have Boulware on my squad. You can go into battle with a guy like that. Just not sure he’s the athlete SEA loves. Probably end up in Baltimore or Cincy.
Not necessarily a list of guys I think are ‘Seahawky’ just guys that I think have draftable talents.
With our current team what do you think is our biggest need, OT or OLB?
I think we are pretty solid across the board everywhere else, we just need to bolster the depth. I just think those are the two key positions that we need to scout and try to find a starter in the early rounds. I’ve always been against reaching to fill a need, but finding one in this draft class would be nice. It looks like it is a better class for linebackers than tackles.
I think that Vanderbilt’s Zach Cunningham could be a good one to look for at the end of the 1st round, but he would excel in coverage more than be a pass rush specialist like Irvin was. TCU’s Josh Carraway has also impressed me as someone who could fill Irvin’s spot, and he could be there in the middle rounds.
I am already getting the feeling that this is going to be another deep draft, without the potential game-changers in the positions that we need to fill.
I saw someone, Kiper was it, that comp’d Cunningham to NE’s Jamie Collins. I kind of like that comp honestly. Not sure if he has the rush skills of Collins, but interesting nonetheless.
Weeks 1-4, these are the percentage of snaps Mike Morgan played. 19%, 52%, 23% and 13%. You can see the difference in schemes offensively in week 2 against LA.
With more and more NFL teams going with up-tempo, spread schemes and has incorporating stuff from the college game, it’s going to bed harder to get out of your base defense and get your sub-package guys in. So I’d love to see Seattle add a S/LB hybrid. Yes, that’s Chancellor, but even with him Seattle has shown interest in guys like that.
At the same time, they are a 4-3 defense. So do they look for a more traditional off-ball LB like an Azeem Victor from Udub or more of that OTTO role Bruce Irvin played, like a Marquis Haynes from Ole Miss?
Just what I always call ‘food for thought.’
For sure. I would love to see someone like Azeem Victor. Cunningham might see a Leonard Floyd type rise up the boards closer to draft time as well if he performs at the combine like many expect him to. Given his off the field issues, you think Tim Williams would fall to the Hawks? I’m not quite sure how he would fit our scheme but he is a heck of a player.
Good question.
I think it’ll depend on how he interviews between now and combine time. He’s talented enough to go top 15 even if he’s a designated pass rusher right now.
Personally, I could see Baltimore liking him with Ozzie Newsome’s connections to ‘Bama.
This looks like (to me) an extremely deep class for defensive back, edge rushers running backs… a historically pathetic class of wide receivers and offensive linemen, and a fairly average class for quarterbacks, interior defensive linemen and linebackers.
Anyone agree with my assessment here? Am I far off on anything? I don’t see a single wide receiver who looks like a first rounder to me so far.
Yup. Agreed. TE for once is also very good and deep.
Clemson’s Mike Williams is the only receiver that looks like a 1st rounder for me so far.
Actually LB is pretty good too. And OG is OK.
It’s absolutely a defensive heavy draft. Except for TE’s and HB’s.
Yup… I forgot to mention tight ends. Excellent class.
How high do you place John Ross III Vol?
2nd-3rd round.
Could absolutely see him going in the range P-Rich did.
Thanks, Rob and all for great early info on prospects! Honestly, I’m just not into CFB except in what pertains to potential Hawks’ draft prospects, so your thoughts give me some idea without ever watching any games. (player highlights, of course yes)
Also, just as a side note, the user Legion of 12 over on Field Gulls has an amazing series going that breaks down individual performance of our OL snap by snap. Regardless of whether or not one cares for his scoring system, the analyses are about as objective as it can get. Finally, a way to get a real grasp on the true state of our oft-criticized OL. I highly recommend cheking them out. (fanpost section)
After watching the debacle, which was TNF with the 49ers / Cardinals.
Will the 49ers utilize a top 3 pick on a QB? Who would fit the “Chip Kelly” system best?
All I know is…. the QB is not on their roster right now. Gabbert single handily lost the game for the 49ers with costly mental errors and turnovers. I am also glad that I’m a Seahawks fan. Talk about embarrassing. This is ~1990 Seahawks Bad or the 2016 Browns Bad when talking about the 2016 49ers. EPIC-LY BAD. This is a 3-4 year project to put them back together…….
It’s not a mobile QB like everyone thinks. Of course that helps and there has to be an element of it in Chip’s offense.
He wants QBs that can make quick decisions, quick throws, and get the ball out in front of their playmakers for RAC or YAC opportunities.
Maybe Miami QB Brad Kayaa?
They need to fire Baalke and start over. How do you trade up into the first round to draft a guard, and then not even play him through 4 weeks?
I think I just answered my own question, Garnett came in late in the game and didn’t even look like he belonged in the NFL. He was responsible for giving up that safety.
I’m not going to knock the guy for giving up the safety (whiff on a block). The whole defense looked like it pretty much gave up in the early 4th quarter…. due to the POOR QB play. Now, the rumor is CK7 may start next week, with a renegotiate opt-out clause in his contract, which would offset any guarantees vs injury.
Hate to say it, but CK7 will make the 49ers more dynamic, probably too late to change this season.
Marcus Golden of the Cards seems like a stud – he’s excellent as a pass rusher and stout in run defense. The Cards took him in the 2nd round in last years draft. I do not recall him being covered here. I am wondering how we/Seahawks missed him?
We covered Golden extensively. He was one of my big favourites from the 2015 class. If you google ‘Markus Golden Seahawks Draft Blog’ you should find the pieces.
Here’s the first piece I wrote about the 2015 draft right after the 2014 draft (date of piece was May 15th 2014) — Golden is featured heavily https://seahawksdraftblog.com/an-early-look-at-2015-in-particular-mizzous-markus-golden
My apologies Rob as I should have looked better. I’m still new here 😉
Speaking of Mizzou, How about Charles Harris, Rob? You seem to lately have favoured Williams, Barnett, Lawson over Harris … I’m not ruling him out as the Hawks always want pass rush but am waiting for more tape this year esp vs Bette competition.
Not had a chance to watch Mizzou yet — and while I’ve not watched Auburn either the athletic profile of Lawson intrigues me.
What’s people’s thoughts on Royce Freeman to the Hawks? Dude can wear down teams, would be a good fit depending on what happens with Rawls.
Rawls Royce would be the best NFL nickname bar none! I love Royce, he might not posses elite burst but he’s not a plodder like Alex Collins either. He’s carrying an absolute garbage Oregon team this year. Royce seems like he’d be a solid fit in our scheme too.
I feel like he doesn’t use his size near enough; great athlete esp when fit but a bit too much tippytoeing for my liking
Love his feet. Can play on the X, Y, and Z axis. Love his ability to work in small spaces. Lateral agility is outstanding. Good lower body power, good balance, runs horizontal to the line of scrimmage because of the scheme he’s in, but has the explosive ability to make that 90° cut. Probably has the best jump cut of any RB in this class. Blown away by his ability to break tackles.
Would like to see him get north and south more often or downhill, long speed is ‘meh,’ doesn’t have the feel for the game nor can he feel the flow of the defense like a Dalvin Cook can, but that’s OK.
Perfect fit for a ZBS.
He’s a big back that can do anything these smaller backs can.
I love this D’Onta Foreman from Texas though.
I don’t think he does wear teams down personally — a big back but pretty finesse. Doesn’t have a second gear, not overly physical. Like his feet for his size and he’s at least quick enough to capitalise on an opening — but I was pretty underwhelmed when watching him the other day.
Rob, hzve you got to watch any Miami games?
Not yet. Think they’re on British TV vs Florida State this weekend.
Nice. Was just wondering if you had seen RB Joe Yearby. Just like C-Mike it seems like his feet move to fast for his head. Talk about suddenness.
Panthers cut Bene Benwikere. The poor get poorer somehow, and I’m not sure how that is even possible given the state of their secondary. I would take a flier on Bene, he was solid before breaking his leg last year, and was still not really in game shape yet (he was winded trying to cover Julio). The dude is talented though and I doubt Richard would make him cover Julio one on one like Carolina’s brain trust did.
He was dogging it and not playing sound football within the scheme. Carolina didn’t keep Norman… it is costing them dearly. The Superbowl hangover is real….. I never would have said that, until I watched what happened to the Hawks in 2015.
Wow, Arizona’s Mike Iupati and Evan Mathis look they’re headed to IR.
Worst case scenario for a QB like Carson Palmer.
Definitely unfortunate for the Cards, but good news for the Hawks. I’d be disappointed if we don’t run away with the division.
WOW, that is crazy. That is just huge.
The Vikings are IMO Seattle’s toughest competition for the #1 overall seed this year. Their cream-puff schedule will certainly help, and they are still being underrated. They’re absolutely stacked at all 3 levels of the defense. Griffen, Robison & Hunter make for a great rotation at DE and Joseph gives them a mountain run-stuffing DT on early downs. Kendricks is already a solid LB and Barr is one of the most dynamic LB’s in the NFL. Rhodes, Waynes, Newman, Captain, Harry Smith in the secondary – the talent on this defense is elite.
Bradford/McKinnon are solid at QB/RB, despite the poor OL play and Diggs & Rudolph are performing at a high level. They shouldn’t be taken for granted as a pretender.
Vikings have had some injuries creeping into the roster. And let’s be real…. Bradford at QB.
They are playing exciting football.. and my FF defense love them for it, but I would have real concerns if they have to score a bunch of points on a quality defense.
Currently… Zimmer is #1 for coach of the year.
Just wanted to update and seek clarification for where Seattle stands regarding 2017 draft picks.
We have by round;
1
2
3
x4 (traded to NE)
4 (comp for Bruce Irvin per OTC)
x5 (forfeited per NFL rules violation)
5 (comp for JR Sweezy, could be a 4th per OTC)
6
7 (from Carolina)
x7 (traded to Oakland for Dewey McDonald) not sure if this is a 2017 or 2018 trade
Conservatively we are sitting at 7 picks, 1 per round.
Bit of a bummer the way Okung’s deal deal with Denver came out so low.