This week I was invited on the Seahawkers podcast to talk about the draft. In this episode we covered the defensive players who recently visited the VMAC or met with the team. Next week we’ll cover the offensive players.
Press play below and it’ll start right at the point where we start talking about the draft:
I also wanted to offer some thoughts on the Malik McDowell situation, given today’s news that he’s likely to be released by the Seahawks.
For starters, I appreciate nobody could predict what was going to happen. It also must be said — none of us know the details of McDowell’s ATV accident. It’s a real shame that his NFL career might be over literally before it began.
None of what I’m about to say is implying this was specifically a projectable situation. It wasn’t.
On April 17th last year it was revealed McDowell and Obi Melifonwu were visiting the Seahawks. I wrote this piece about the visit — and noted some of the concerns about McDowell.
It was always going to be a risky pick.
Here are some league sources, quoting their impression of McDowell before the draft:
“Worst interview we did,” said one team. Added another: “Awful interview. Awful.”
Another league source said the following:
“Does he love football? Is he going to work? I can’t figure out what makes this kid tick. He might be the type who, maybe he falls and it lights a fire under him. I don’t know. But I need that light on more often, and he didn’t like it when we asked him about that. McDowell might never fully show his full skill, but passing on him also means you’re missing out on a potentially rare talent.”
Really, this is the whole pick summed up. The Seahawks took a chance on a rare talent and wanted to roll the dice.
They had no means of knowing what could happen. But there was always a risk that something would happen to prevent him reaching his massive potential. It seems like he put himself at risk of serious harm. That’s a judgement call that warrants questioning.
It’s sad and frustrating for all concerned. Absolutely. But the pick was a gamble. And it’s ended up being a waste for the team (compounded by the fact they were forced to spend another second rounder on a one-year rental of Sheldon Richardson).
I suspect, from the players visiting the VMAC or working out off-site, they won’t be taking a risk this year. Justin Reid, Ronnie Harrison, Austin Corbett, Isaiah Oliver, Christian Kirk. It’s like a who’s who of low-risk talent.
I’m not just talking about character either. There are no lingering injury risks. They all produced consistently.
It might be one of the reasons they ultimately don’t take a running back early.
For all the talent at the position, there are question marks. Ronald Jones II is immensely talented but is undersized and hasn’t had a good pre-draft process. Derrius Guice has reported character flags. Kerryon Johnson is a lighter, highly cut, upright runner who has, predictably, been banged up as a consequence. Nick Chubb has suffered a serious knee injury in his career. Sony Michel fumbles too much.
That’s not to say Reid, Harrison, Corbett, Oliver and Kirk don’t have flaws. They do. But they all have a low floor. They’ve produced. They’re all-football.
And ultimately, their first pick this year might be a departure from the Christine Michael, Frank Clark, Malik McDowell dice-rolling.
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Damn. When it rains it pours. I wish him the best in life.
I have to admit, I was one of the people who was definitely on-board with Malik’s pick. I remember watching this video (linked below) comparing/contrasting him with Solomon Thomas and I came away thinking this kid could be a world-beater. It’s a shame for him and the reciprocal repercussions to the Seahawks. I heard an old saying recently – “life’s nothing but bromides and bullshit”. Meaning life is nothing but downs (a few ups, but mostly downs) and bullshit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGMrKjKbm9U
I feel bad for McDowell to be honest. Poor decisions and immaturity have cost him millions of $. I hope he can still have full health and quality of life.
I hated the pick last year because he quit on his team and had a poor motor. The two things every football player can control.
I agree Rob I don’t think there will be any guys with questionable character drafted this year. Every move the Hawks have made this off season has been about cleaning house and have a team of guys 100% focused on football and pulling in the same direction.
I was almost the Hawks were going to trade back then target Sweat and Kirk but this article has be questioned whether or not Sweat really would be a target with his medical history.
They lost one with malik…but they seemingly got it back with dion Jordan.
Also have to consider the subsequent second rounder dealt to get Sheldon as a consequence.
Still, if Dion Jordan ends up finally delivering on his potential to the tune of what we saw a glimpse of last year, we could still see the rewards of a top 3 pick (albeit in a terrible draft class overall) at the “cost” of the two second rounders associated with the McDowell selection.
Good point. Malik essentially cost two R2 picks.
Too bad. And to think for a while toward the end of round 1, I wanted them to draft Foster. Crazy stuff.
rob,
danny oneill mentioned you on the radio today with your take on the malik McDowell situation and the seahawks not making a risky pick this year.
Thanks for letting me know. I’ll have a listen to the podcast later.
(As someone who listens to Danny, Dave & Moore regularly… I hope they were kind 🤞🏻)
Just listened to it. For me, putting yourself at risk of serious, life-altering injury is a judgement call that warrants some discussion.
^this absolutely.
A week or so before training camp your rookie year, you want someone who is flying to Hawaii to go work out with Mike B and learn pass rush moves…not riding an ATV (most likely sans helmet and doubtfully sober)
Admittedly lots of speculation here, but the point is, all football.
I bet TJ Watt was working out with his big brother while Malik was out clowning around.
TJ Watts career will always be tarniished for me with what could have been.
I’ve never been so sold on a prospect as I was with TJ Watt last year. He checked every box.
I can’t fathom how you can pass on a pass rusher who is virtually guaranteed to be a top 10 pick the following year, you know it, and you pass on him in the late 20s the year before. I’m just real bitter on that one.
100% pertinent. I argued up and down in the comments of Danny’s piece last week where he tried to absolve the Seahawks of scrutiny. I was for the pick at the time; hindsight is 20/20, yet we cannot say that this wasn’t a particularly risky pick with its own unique pratfalls. ATV accident? Of course you cannot predict that, but you can predict focus, maturity, and judgement.
For some reason an argument seems to have been established that because this was an atv accident, that the only way this could’ve been part of the ‘risk’ factor is if he’d tweeted a picture of himself doing Evil Knievel stunts on twitter pre draft.
The specific incident wasn’t predictable. The notion that something was going to prevent McDowell from ever realising his potential was. And here we are.
+1 for Malik Knievel.
^KILLLL
Exactly. “Something” always happens way more often to people with the character risks of a McDowell than they do with “all football” guys. And then for that idiot to get arrested in Atlanta during the season just shows how foolish their belief in him was. I’m sure there will be more future news blurbs here and there about him doing something stupid.
Yup. Odds are if it wasn’t an ATV accident it would have been something else.
Danny O’neil arguing about hindsight bias regarding Malik is disingenuous. In addition to the red flags on his work ethic it seems there were plenty of clear concerns regarding his maturity. PCJS completely screwed the pooch with that pick, much like they did with Harvin.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Either he naively believes it or it’s click bait.
I don’t mind the character risks in moderation, but you don’t do it with trading high picks to get the person and make them rich (Harvin) or taking those players in the first couple of rounds in the draft (McDowell).
Anyone know if ET3 showed up for OTA’s today?
Someone said his wife tweeted over the weekend about heading back to Seattle but who knows…
Cowboys released Dez Bryant over the weekend. They also reported moving S Byron Jones to CB. Looks like Earl’s trip to Seattle may be short.
Glad he’s gone. Close that friggin chapter
I think a lot of players would never have succeeded if they stayed on one team.
Alex Collins, Michael Bennett, Chris Clemons.
Leaving your first team is a huge growth period for pros.
It’s really rare to take a guy expecting to have him more than 5 years.
Seahawks know how to pick a bust, huh?
Maybe JS wised up about McDowell, Christine Michael types
Speaking of which, supposedly Seattle now has interest in Ra’shede Hageman.
Possibly simply leaving no stone unturned. Possibly more. Reserving judgment for when something concrete happens.
Everyone in the NFL knows how to pick a bust. It happens to everyone. Cold stone locks even go bust.
Aaron Curry anyone?! Remember when he was touted as the “safest pick” in the whole draft that year?
In my opinion, this a terrible armchair GM take. I’m very frustrated by the self-righteous Seahawks fans’ “I told you so” attitude about this situation. I think you could argue that we probably wouldn’t have had Lynch, Clark, Jordan, and many other players without taking risks on players with other off the field/on the field situations. Roster management/drafting is part homework, part luck. So much of this situation and the attitude towards it is speculation, and I think very unfair to this kid who’s life has been very negatively affected by this and to the Seahawks who are somehow supposed to be able to predict all freak accidents based on their interview process. If he had ended up busting out due to poor practice/playing or suspensions I’d get the ire towards the organization, although I still think it’s just one of the gambles that you take when you’re trying to get top 1st round talents in the second round. There’s many other trades/decisions that we should be critical of, but I think it’s a bad look to slam the organization and the kid for this.
It’s gonna be a long offseason, fending off the knee-jerkers calling for PC and JS’s heads because they should have been able to extrapolate his “immaturity” into “not wearing a helmet during an ATV ride”.
I do think there was evidence McDowell was a knucklehead. And if he was on an ATV without a helmet, he confirmed that. So it’s fair to critique the decision to draft him in that scenario.
It’s certainly fair to critique the decision to draft him, given red flags and signs of immaturity through the draft process. A good opportunity for self-scouting and improving upon their evaluation process, particularly with regard to attitude and discipline.
It is what it is, there have been worse misses over the years around the league, and it’s ultimately down to how they respond going forward, rather than lamenting missed opportunities. Personally, I’m more excited about what’s to come than I am bummed about what’s been lost.
^ Right on the nose.
“A good opportunity for self-scouting and improving upon their evaluation process, particularly with regard to attitude and discipline.
It is what it is, there have been worse misses over the years around the league, and it’s ultimately down to how they respond going forward, rather than lamenting missed opportunities. Personally, I’m more excited about what’s to come than I am bummed about what’s been lost.”
Very well said Cameron. I am hopeful for the next season. I would not be if the Seahawks had stayed pat. All the off season moves and everything else (like coaching changes) have given me hope for the future, instead of waiting for the floor to drop out like it did at the end of last season. I have hope and am waiting for the NFL to question PC and JS like they did when they first built the team.All you heard was “what are they doing with all the transactions?” “They have no idea what they are doing” What, 6’2 and 6’3 corners???” and again “What are they doing, they are so dumb” Yeah, until ALL of the NFL started to COPY them…lol
Sometimes I simplify the point this way: are we surprised it happened to Malik McDowell and not, say, Russel Wilson? No, we are not surprised by this. Each player has their own set of risks. ATV accident is too specific to predict, but again, we are not shocked about WHO it happened to. If Russell Wilson did this we’d all say, “Well we never could’ve known.”
And, let’s be honest, Russ wouldn’t be riding an ATV unless there was an endorsement deal attached to it.
Young kid, thrill riding. It happens. Maybe his advice at the time wasn’t as good as it could have been.
The recent nightclub thing is actually at least as disturbing to me. Again, it happens, but at some point it starts feeling Boykin-esque, not in the sense of abuse of others, but in the sense of knowing how to keep your head down and staying out of trouble of one form or another.
So who’s to blame for this pick? Is it 50/50 John & Pete or more 25/75 John & Pete? Regardless, this is another blemish on this staff’s draft choice post 2012. In my opinion, this was more Pete than John but regardless who buys the groceries, we all eating the same sh*t.
We really need to hit on this draft as its a pivotal point in their tenure as both are signed for 3yrs together and that’s it. Whose to know which outlast the other but I know the time is ticking for this franchise to maximize Russ’s talents for the next two years.
It’d be nice to have Budda Baker, Kevin King, or Cam Robinson right now…
We’ll never know who was the driving force behind the pick. I don’t blame them for taking a shot on McDowell. But I also think we can, quite rightly, sit here and critique the decision.
Well said.
John Schneider is signed longer than Pete.
I was genuinely pretty excited when they picked McDowell. I applauded the swing for the fences, but also I think I got caught up on wanting an inside pass rusher that badly. Now I’d be happy with steady in not fully spectacular play from Naz Jones and Jarran Reed teamed together.
Sad to see it end for this kid like this. Hope he’s able to find some quality of life. Doesn’t sound like a future in pro football is in the cards for him.
I think as long as that first pick is a really talented player who is dependable and All Football, the position doesn’t really matter for me. I’m warming to the idea of Kirk.
So, about those Derrius Guice “character flags”, I tend to see that mentioned, but never with a specific example or citation. Seems a little unfair to the young man. No arrests or suspensions.
Evidently he’s a weird dude. During the combine he invented a story that one of the team’s inquired about his sexuality. The NFL thoroughly investigated and concluded he was lying. There are also PI reports about bizarre behavior at LSU. Who knows? It might be unfair, but I would rather another team find out than we waste a pick.
and to add to whatever character concerns there may be, for me his on-field production has a pretty big yellow flag as well: the bulk of his production came against the lesser teams, which padded his numbers for the season. Against better teams he was almost always completely shut down.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/derrius-guice-1/gamelog/2017/
Every RB is going to be held in check from time to time by defenses selling out (happened to my guy Nick Chubb as well), but IMO it’s occasional with Chubb whereas it’s a clear pattern with Guice.
I think the concerns are justified. Obviously if multiple teams have legitimately red flagged his character, there’s something going on. To me, he seems like a loose cannon, or a bit of a wild card personality. When people say he has character concerns or off field issues, the automatic assumption is they are criminal in nature when that’s not always the case. And just because someone hasn’t been arrested, doesn’t mean they’re always a guy you want in your locker room. He would make me very nervous, just because there seems like something is very off with him. Like he could go off at any second or something.
When are we going to hold the front office accountable? Since Percy Harvin this team has swung for the fences rather than taking singles and doubles. Again, philosophically we are too hung up on unicorn athletes rather than valuing solid players with proven production and refined technique. We seem to ignore a player`s medical and, even worse, we seem to ignore their psychology, expecting Pete to be Tony Robbins. I am still a huge Carroll fan, but Scheider or someone in that scouting department is using entirely the wrong criteria to evaluate these guys.
We now have a roster in the bottom third of the league in terms of pure talent. We have to reclaim other teams first round busts and hope they develop. We are in a bad cap position due to highly questionable resignings. Our free agent acquisitions have generally been poor. HOF players want out. Our drafts have been below average for several years. Possibly there are solid explanations for a few of these problems. Taken in total, it’s damning.
With all of that said, with merely an above average kicker we probably win 2-3 more games last year, despite all our locker room and injury issues. Carroll did a masterful coaching job just to go 9-7. Unfortunately, he’s being screwed by an inept scouting department or has shackled his scouts by demanding “unique athletes” like Konz, Sokoli, Michael, and McDowell. Whatever the reason, we need to change our approach. The Rams are about to own this division for a while and it’s a damn shame our dynasty was derailed so quickly.
Unfortunately….I agree.
What do you mean by “we” holding them accountable?
Stop attending or watching? Not spend on merchandise? Boycott sponsors?
That’s really all the leverage we have as fans.
What if it is Pete that wants to swing for the fences on talent?
He does have final say the personal decisions over John Schneider.
Hitting singles and double is what the regime prior to this one did that didn’t work either. There are pros and cons to both approaches
What about all the hits we cashed in on? You can’t be good with the good and salty about the bad. Do you know that the first 2 rds have the highest bust rate? Expectations. Had McDowell not wrecked the ATV, who knows what we would’ve gotten out of him. We got a monster out of Shaq Griffin and I see promise in Naz Jones. There isn’t an exact science. The Browns are a Top-5 pick every year and they’re loaded with PURE Talent. How’s that working out?
Exactly this.
I was glad to see Rob mentioned Frank Clark in the piece as well. Sometimes risky prospects bust but other times they become stars. That’s the definition of a risk.
It was also a risk to trade for Marshawn Lynch after he wore out his welcome in Buffalo, got arrested, etc. How’d that turn out…?
I’m not saying the front office should be held above any and all fair criticism, but you have to consider the whole picture, take hindsight out of the equation, and realize that there are 31 other teams competing to acquire talent and sometimes the only way to beat them out is to roll the dice.
The extension for Lynch did not turn out well. The Seahawks got played by a master. After sitting out his injuries on his big contract extension he rewarded the Seahawks by going to play for Oakland. Do you think the Seahawks couldn’t have used him last year???
But I bet most were in favor of extending him at the time…hindsight again
The Seahawks violated their normal procedure when they renegotiated his contract. In hindsight yes that was a mistake.
+1000
It appears to me that they’ve “changed their approach at the plate” this off season, at least in terms of the kinds of free agents they’ve signed. We shall see what kind of swings they take during the draft, but they might already be “holding themselves accountable”. Hopefully they’re done swinging for the fences and missing on high talent head cases.
Additionally, while I’d predict the Rams to win the division this next season, I think them “owning the division for awhile” is a bit of a stretch. The Rams were exceptionally lucky with regards to injuries last year, so I expect to see some regression to the mean going forward. Them owning the division just next season could very well be derailed by the kind of injuries Seattle had last season.
I think you’re being a bit too extreme. We are talking about a team that went 5 straight years with at least 1 playoff win and had one (ONE) “bad” season where they just missed the playoffs. And that was with half their defense injured. Look, I agree that they have had some bad drafts in recent years, but that is going to happen. You can do all the research in the world and still miss on players. It just so happens that this FO had a few bad drafts in a row after having a few great drafts in a row. Part of the problem here is that they were so wildly successful early on in their tenure so it left fans with grandiose expectations. Look at all the other perennial dynasties in the NFL. There are bad seasons mixed in with great runs. Some years the Steelers missed the playoffs. The Panthers went from winning the NFC to being a last place team, then back to a playoff team in the span of 3 years. For everything we know about the NFL, it is amazing that the Seahawks have been as successful as they have for so long. (And for what it’s worth, I do consider the Patriots to be an outlier when discussing league success).
Point being, I don’t think we need to raise hell as fans because they’ve had a few bad drafts, took a few risks that didn’t pan out, and had one season where they didn’t win 10+ games.
It wasn’t just the drafts. The Seahawks could not field a good offense at the start of the last 5 season. There were a lot of coaching issues, there were a lot of offensive line issues. It just never got solved.
Okay, but the emphasis has been on defense. They lead the league in defense for like 4 straight years. In a perfect world, you have a top 5 defense and offense, but we don’t live in a perfect world. Pete is a defensive minded head coach, it makes sense that their defense has been the strength of the team. I agree that the offense was not up to par and clearly the Seahawks agreed based on their offseason changes. There were a lot of coaching issues, which is why they fired most of the staff. Change was needed.
My point was I think too many fans expect Seattle to field some all world team and if they don’t it means that PC/JS aren’t good at their jobs. In reality, our only expectation should be to field a good team and win games. In that aspect they have delivered.
Thanks to all who commented.
If our problems were sctrictly related to our subpar drafting over the last few years, I would agree that it is an inexact science and unfair to condemn a front office just for missing a few picks. But, it’s more than just the draft. It’s bad picks, bad resignings, bad trades, and bad free agent acquisitions which has resulted in a bad cap position.
Yes, the front office was absolutely stellar their first 3 years, but they haven’t just regressed to the mean, they have been substandard, largely squandering the opportunity to become a true dynasty. I am a fan of PCJS and think they are smart guys who know their business, but they’ve clearly gotten too cute and a paradigm shift must follow. It appears it has, as Carroll finally cleaned house. Hopefully, it will be in time to regroup and remain competitive, but just looking at our depleted roster, I just don’t see us in the playoff hunt.
As a for instance, I was complaining about the offensive line and coaching earlier. They could not draft suitable replacements. They finally broke down and brought in two free agents offensive linemen last year, one of whom stuck.
The defense has always gotten the emphasis here in Seattle. If there was no offense, there would still be fans begging for that first pick to be defense. That’s just the culture and expectations. We don’t have a great offense, but we have a top defense. Here is the issue though. They can’t close out on third down. Haven’t been able to for many years. Lets go back to coaching and play calling, because something is going on. Even with the side that they have done well at drafting.
I agree wholeheartedly with both of your Posts TTown! I feel alot of Hawk’s fanatics have become delusional of what a good team is.
We’ve had a rough go only in comparison to the magic of the 2012-2015 seasons and some people have become unrealistic in their expectations. I started watching the Hawk’s when I was in 5th grade, I remember when with Cortez Kennedy and Co. were amazing and would hold teams to 10 and under constantly. If we could have found a decent Quarter back after Rick Myers’s rookie season till Moon wnd Kitna we could have won Super Bowls. Now that was a discouragingly Offense people.
Last year was really tough it just started off like shite and then the deal eith Michael Bennett it was a rough year with absolutely no Running besides a scrambling QB. I have complete faith in Pete he is the one who made have these expectations. For people who call him Pete the Cheat they can F-Off the ignorant twats.
Don’t take things for granted people. Tell those you Love that you Love them every time you see them. Get out into Nature and go Hiking in the Hills. Help people who need help for that someday may be you.
It’s a very entertaining game to watch and I like getting excited for the new players. I never was into it until the “Night we do not Speak of” and I wanted to look past that emotion and focus on the future. I typed Seahawks Mock Draft. Boom Robbie’s Site discovered and you people are very civil especially compared to some comment threads. Seattle Times is the worst, some of those people make me sick. I rarely, rarely ever dare to read judgmentall hate.
Life isn’t Fair and a part of me feels bad for Malik we all make bad decisions especially when we’re young.
That’s just the way the ball bounces
Or in Malik’s case, it’s just the way his head bounced.
I hope he can have a fully functional life.
Oh yeah, I know two cops in Atlanta who are making more money then he probably will next year. How’s it feel Malik?
Bad Pick, at least he isn’t paralyzed.
.
Go Hawks!
Think you mean high floor, Rob.
ya, +1 on the high floor…
Being risk adverse can be just as bad as being risky though that’s how you end up with Aaron curry at number 4 and Lamar Jackson the year before and then you get fired for a guy willing to take an undersized Qb
Lawrence*
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo should totally be on their radar. With Mike B & Avril gone, with Frank Clark a FA very soon, with a host of unproven pass rushers— it just seems to me they will address this position early. He would be a fantastic fit.
He is an amazing athlete, senior captain, and intelligent dude. 17 sacks in 26 starts. Has very long arms nearly 34 inches (despite only being 6’1) as Rob noted at the Senior Bowl. Seattle loves that length.
Alistair Corp noted this on Twitter: “Three times in Carroll-era, Seattle’s drafted the EDGE who posted the best three cone time…Okoronkwo’s three cone of 6.84 at his pro day today would’ve been best among EDGEs at combine.”
Good shout. I need to watch more of him. There are a few physical freak DL this year, but few have much real production to show for it like he does.
Sam Hubbard matched that at 6 84
Kylie Fitts and Harold Landry hit 6.88
Good catch.
He might be my favorite first step in the draft for a pass rusher.
Nice one. Haven’t seen him getting a lot of attention from Hawk fans. The other thing I noticed watching him is that he uses a swim move, a spin move, a bull rush and is able to get around the edge with a speed rush. A lot of guys get knocked for only having one move and I saw him being effective with 4.
He’s not all that big, but that’s probably part of why he’s projected in the 4-5 round range instead of towards the top of the draft.
+1 on okoronkwo
So in last two drafts we wasted picks 35 and 49. It has to affect us in the future.
Jarran Reed?
How is Jarran Reed a waste? He has played a lot, very hard to see how that would be labled a waste…
Who said anything about Reed? I spoke about Malik and Sheldon.
you did not say sheldon, you said pick 49. pick 49 was used to draft sheldon. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sea/draft.htm
Consolation…?
From 2012-2015 the Browns drafted 34 players including 7 in the first round. Only 4 of the 34 remain on the team and none are first round picks.
Defending drafts by basically saying, “At least they’re not the Browns”, isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement.
You could argue that passing on C. Robinson and/or R. Ramcyzk, trading down to select M. McDowell caused the need to start Fant, then trade for Brown and Richardson, resulting in the loss of 3 2nd-round picks and 1 3rd-round pick + valuable cap space.
I hated the McDowell pick, but begrudgingly accepted the risk/reward and the additional talent/picks.
Prior to the 2017 draft, I thought our running game was trash and needed an overhaul. Passing on OL and RB (until the 7th) was the mistake. The pick of Malik was collateral.
It’s worth noting that depending on how you define the term and what analysis you look at, something like 25-50% of 2nd round picks are “busts” (whether due to injury, due to off-field stuff, or just due to playing poorly). At least McDowell isn’t using up a roster spot, I guess…
Without excusing the FO’s many other personnel gaffes, I share Rob’s forgiving attitude to this particular bust: McDowell indeed had high upside considering the value of his position, and it was a pick facilitated by the wise decision to wait on the draft’s position of depth (CB).
But to flesh out the percentages, try mentally pairing him with Clark: they spent two seconds on high-upside, risky-character pass rushers. The two picks turned into one stud. I wish they always spent their second-rounders to such good effect.
Very well said.
Except it is predictable that these kids will get into trouble over the summer. How about some outside mentoring that summer? Maybe if someone was meeting with him twice a week to practice and chat about risky behavior, it would have helped. Why leave them alone ALL summer. Seahawks knew he was at risk. But didn’t protect their investment.
Fair point. Does anyone know what’s usual as far as onboarding/mentoring (whether for a high-risk player or just the null case)? What’s even permitted by the CBA?
I don’t think it is usual, but I would question why teams don’t provide some counseling and peer pressure over that first summer. For that matter, why would any young man be caught on a DUI? Take a cab or a limo dag nabbit!
Awesome podcast! I’m going to have to listen to that a few times to digest all of the great info in there and that was just the defense.
Looking forward to the next one about the offensive players.
Honestly Rob, thanks for all that you do. I feel like my Patreon contribution is woefully inadequate for the amount of amazing content you’re bringing to the table.
Hey, DCD2, I really liked your idea yesterday of switching up my mock draft to get Chubb, Miller, and Price! Who knows, maybe Kirk ends up dropping to 50 anyway and we could get Chubb, Kirk, and still move up for Price. I would do backflips.
I do like Kirk more than Miller still (plus added KR value), but Miller is really good too and adding a potential stud guard or long-term center and leader on the OL would probably make it worth the drop off.
Kirk and Miller are both really good. A lot to like about both. Kirk seems like he’s got a really good head for the game as well. He reminds me of Doug when he’s interviewed. Miller has the chip on his shoulder attitude. Former walk-on that has really made the most of his chances. Either one would be an important add for a team that lost Kearse, PRich and Graham and has Lockett entering his final year.
I really like the idea of adding an interior lineman if possible. Corbett or Wynn would be even better as they’ve played some T as well, but they were off the board. Fluker was a nice signing, but he’s only on a 1 year deal. I think getting one of those guys and Speaks would be more helpful than getting Sweat and a 4th round OL. That being said, Sweat might end up being the steal of the draft depending on where he goes.
I had a little ‘interaction’ with Derrius Guice on Twitter last night.
He made himself look like a total fool then deleted all the tweets and replies of his then blocked me.
He very clearly does not respect women, that’s for sure.
Can you tell us more?
Of course…
An LSU student wrote a tweet saying something like “Guice is meeting with the Redskins today”
He then replied to her saying “keep my name out of your tweets lil girl”
She replied – “(rolling eyes emoji) I’m just doing my job”
I quoted his tweet to her saying “maybe start acting like a man ‘lil boy’ Show some damn respect.
He said – “Why y’all sitting on here talking ish… That’s actually my classmate and friend at LSU…haha mind ya business, why you even following me? Just to talk crap
I said – “Because I actually respect you as a football player Derrius. Even if she was your friend GM’s, coaches and staff won’t know that will they? You’ve got a fantastic career ahead of you if you keep your head down and make smart decisions, if you don’t you’ll only have yourself to blame”
He said – Yeah you respect me as a football player but don’t even know me as a person, I’m actually a very outgoing caring person. I’m not just gone let people talk to me any type of way on here as you just did a second ago. Show respect to recieve it”
I didn’t get a chance to reply as he deleted the original tweet to the LSU reporter and all his tweets to me.
I have screenshots of them though, not that it matters.
He said –
Nothing wrong with NFL teams doing their in-depth research (for obvious reasons) but I’m not sure we can learn much from an average guy trolling a draft prospect on twitter.
Lots of smoke on this one!!! Is it worth it to watch him self destruct?? I’m guessing there is about a 50-50 chance.
Good info from Dallas media on visits, even if it was already obvious:
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article209018694.html
How much money have we wasted on McDowell? What will it cost us to cut him? How much money was he guaranteed when we drafted him?
Why worry about it, it’s all sunk cost anyway and just makes it worse… 🙁 But if you must know:
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/report-seahawks-expected-to-waive-defensive-lineman-malik-mcdowell/
The Hawks clearly wanted an interior pass rusher badly last year and spent a ton of draft capital in that search (McDowell and Richardson)
Did that need suddenly disappear? We still don’t have a guy like that.
Hence the interest in Andrew Brown, Poona Ford, etc. They will keep searching…
I actually like Brown a lot. There are a couple of legit 1st round talents at that position coming out next year so perhaps that will be the target early next year (Oliver, Wilkins etc)
I think it’s still a high priority. They’ve looked at Hurst, Brown, Speaks, and are now bringing in Rasheem Green.
So can someone explain why McDowell is getting such a hard time for not wearing a helmet…..yet the FO were endorsing this?!!
https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/1270573/amp
There’s a bit of a difference between a trained, licensed and experienced pilot doing a few air stunts and getting on an atv minus a helmet.
The hardest thing we do is try to figure out what’s in a man’s heart,” Seahawks GM John Schneider explained. “In the realm of scouting, the easiest things to do are the evaluations of the guys — how he plays, what you think his future holds, how high his ceiling is, what his basement is. You can do all the work in the world, you can do every psychological test you possibly can, but at the end of the day, you don’t truly know what’s in a man’s heart or how he’s gonna react in a certain situation.
“You hope you have a really good feel for that. And hopefully, nine times out of 10, your psychological assessment is correct in how they’re gonna handle certain situations. But you don’t know.”
John Schneider from 2014.
Seemed relevant idk
Pocic said he’d never spoken to Cable, according to ESPN Seahawks reporter Sheil Kapadia.
“We just wanted to be very careful with how much interest we showed,” general manager John Schneider said.
Looking into Seahawks predraft visits and their relevance.
What his basement is? I agree we should only draft the players with sweet Man Caves!
Rob will you please write an article on the draft prospects who have dart boards, pool tables, a wet bar, huge televisions with at least 720P resolution, and Hot Chick Posters. I’d like to know what player’s have the best basements most definitely!
Go Basement’s!
Santo Coppola with a 1.58 10 yard split (idk how he finished 5 second 40)
Antonio Simmons with a 1.5
Peter Kalambayi with a 1.59
Leon Jacobs at 1.58
Ade Aruna ran a 1.59
They join Tyquan Lewis 1.5, Josh Sweat 1.55 , Harold Landry 1.59, and Lorenzo Carter 1.56 as my potential DE targets
Did Taquan Lewis really have a 1.5 10yd split? If so I definitely need to take another look at him.
Probably not flat. Looks like a 1.57 at his pro day.
Antonio Simmons with a 1.53, 4.51 at 252#
Georgia Tech DE deserves a look
On the field, these numbers didn’t show up. Jr year played 12 games and had 1 sack. As a senior played 11 games with 5.5 sacks. Unless you’re talking about a 7th Rd flier or picking him up as an UDFA, I’d pass. I think this year should be about bringing in players who show they produce game in and game out. Guy who have the attitude and will to make themselves unstoppable.
Players with nothing but potential and good workout numbers should be brought in as UDFA and given a chance to prove themselves – not drafted.
Well… I think he flashed that level of get-off.
I’m definitely talking about a 7th round flier, so we can focus on RB or OL early
Christian Campbell, Denzel Ward, Chandon Sullivan, Charvarious Ward, all have 32+ inch arms and jumped further than 11′ broad jumps
Sullivan also with the 40.5″ vert very Jeremy Lane-ish
Jordan Thomas Oklahoma had insane agility drills with 32+ arms
Obviously explosive physical skills and even freakish athleticism are great traits for pro football players, but do you think we put a bit to much stock in their numbers? Its not hard to list several outstanding athletes the Hawks have drafted in recent years who have barely sniffed the field, for any team. I’m thinking of Sokoli, Gwachum, D Elliott, M Tyson, to name a few. It certainly seems like PCJS have been enamored by athleticism, possibly at the expense of game tape. Malik had good physical skills and testing numbers, but it was well known he didn’t always play with a high motor, whereas Rojo doesn’t have eye popping numbers but his game tape is outstanding!!
Clearly this is not an exact science and you have to take chances on drafting outstanding athletes, but the raw numbers most definitely do not tell the entire story or guarantee them success on the field. Hopefully we can hit on our top picks and a couple late rounders this year though.
Elliot has struggled with injuries and Tyson was drafted last year.
Travarius Moore:
6006 199 33″ arms 78″wing 40yard 4.32 VJ 39 1/2 BJ 11’02”
Cornerback?
He played FS at college.
Dane Bruglers: “A one-year starter at Southern Miss, Moore was the starting free safety in the Golden Eagles’ 4-2-5 base defense in 2017, putting together the senior campaign scouts were hoping to see from the JUCO transfer. He posted head-turning numbers at the team’s pro day, which reflect his on-field athleticism and range, flashing fast angles and pursuit speed to chase down ballcarriers. Moore looks to tune up his target, but has room to tidy up his fundamentals in run support. Overall, Moore has yet to play his best football and with added discipline, he has the athletic skills and natural instincts to make his mark in a starting secondary, projecting best as a nickel defender.”.
Mat Miller said that he will have 2nd-3rd round grade for him. Brugler has 4th.
Man, McDowell has turned out to be one of the costliest mistakes I can recall for the Hawks. Trade down twice for the right to draft him, then have to trade another 2 and Kearse just to cover that mistake. Plus the cap hit, such as it is, that we carry forward.
What a mess…
Got to say I’m not sure why the front office felt compelled to trade for Richardson after mcdowell. they were already different kind of players. this is one of the things I want with herring office going forward. More honesty with where they are at currently.
Losing McDowell a young rookie tackle didn’t maintainers suddenly one good runs riffing s tackle away from the superbowl. We view both of these incidents as connected but really they arent. there was no way to know what’s healthy McDowell would have done and thus no reason to panic trade for Sheldon in a hope to “full the void,” of a player you hardly knew.
The team was arguably thin at DT even AFTER trading for S-Richardson. So they needed to do something.
On paper, that team had so much talent, and multiple guys the front office knew would most likely be their last on the team due to salary or expiring contract (JG, Sherm, ET, P-Rich) they rolled dice and went all in.
I think the compulsion was that, with the veteran roster, they felt this was the window to go for it in 2017. While Richardson didn’t get the sack numbers, he was still disruptive inside. I think they wanted that disruption and didn’t want to rely on rookie Naz and Jarran solely
They thought they had a shot at a championship? To me, that’s the real mistake they made, recognizing to late that their vaunted defense was aging, extending guys they shouldn’t. The McDowell pick was a swing for the fences pick when they didn’t really have the luxury for a pick like that, especially after trading away high picks over the last few years for the likes of Jimmy Graham. The McDowell pick and the subsequent use of yet another draft pick to rent Sheldon Richardson was just twisting the knife. The wound was already there.
thats where im at with last year. i literally do not know the last team that was a player away.
and to waste a draft pick on richardson was ridiculous. thin at the line or otherwise its a bit of arrogance to pay for a one year rental.
I don’t think wasting the pick was ridiculous if they really were one player away. But they weren’t. More importantly, it goes against the idea of “win forever” that they have always claimed to espouse.
The worst part is, of course, that it has put them in a position where taking advantage of the strengths of this draft class requires a lot of finagling, which compounds the problem.
And what makes it worse for me is that while MM should have been laying low and rehabbing, he goes and gets arrested for disorderly conduct. Are you kidding me? I was hoping the Hawks cut him right then and there. Also, they should go after any money that they can back.
I think he has to go down as the team’s biggest draft bust.
Did you forget about Aaron Curry?
At least Curry played
Or the Boz- Brian Bosworth…. an oldie but goody. He went on to become an action star. Or at least an action falling star!
Before Boz blew out his should he played well.
*shoulder
Boz had a really solid rookie year.
As the process goes forward, we’ll learn more about the injuries suffered by #Seahawks Malik McDowell. Team has been careful to keep everything under wraps. Extensive brain/eye trauma. It was clear from the moment of injury that it was an extremely long shot he’d ever play again.
@ stranger
Rasheem Green visiting the Seahawks.
Not sure where Stanger is getting his info. Nothing from any of the usual sources who report these things.
Interesting if true. Another one expected to go in the R2 range
Would like to have it confirmed by a legitimate source. If it does turn out to be true, good call by him (though I am sure he will be the first to give himself props, so not like I need to).
It makes a ton of sense, if true. Every USC game I’ve caught over the last couple years that dude has screamed Pete Carroll Seattle Seahawk DLiner.
I wonder if Malik thinks he was wrong. The thing is, he’s never been known as a stand-up Guy. He didn’t show a lot of integrity in his final season in college with the way he freelanced once their season tanked. I was so against the pick that I walked out of the room when it was announced. He’s done nothing since then to prove me wrong. As a coach, you see players at all levels with talent who don’t “get it”. You hope that you can reach them, but many times they are too stubborn or their families are an issue and friends tell them how great they are. I remember a Lineman in Florida who should be playing LT in the NFL now. He STILL blames the high school coaches for him not making it. Never mind the fact that his GPA was like 1.00 and he was a giant baby. I saw him 5 years ago playing at a YMCA 3 on 3 hoops tourney. He was working security. He was about 6’7”, 320 lbs and he was reverse-dunking in his games. Freak of nature. Zero personal accountability.
Sounds like he is making his money from the team. I guess he wasn’t wrong. He can sit at home and play with his millions.
So I was thinking about this last night. Rob, I know you’ve essentially ruled out a draft night trade for ET3, but it did get my mind wandering. Is it possible that Dallas has a few players they are eyeing at 19 and would be more willing to move the pick if those players weren’t available? Say they really like Ridley and Sutton, but both get taken in the mid teens (unlikely based on projections, but you never know – no one expected 3 wideouts to go in the top 10 last year). So both come off the board and Dallas panics because in their mind they had to have one of them. Could they be more willing to move the pick? Could Seattle and Dallas have discussed this so that they essentially have a deal in place if such a scenario unfolds?
Obviously chances are unlikely that this is the case, but I found myself imaging a scenario where it seemed possible. What do you think?
I’m more inclined to say a draft day trade is more possible than I originally thought. I don’t think there’s a scenario where Dallas gives us #19 but I do think a package of picks including #50 might be an option.
Rob, I’m starting to think that there is no way Jerry doesn’t pick his first two picks this year in Jerry’s house this draft. Maybe he gives us their 3rd this year and 2nd next year?
Not enough
WORKOUT NUMBERS
To me workout numbers are almost meaningless unless they are paired with on-field performance. Workout numbers are useful when deciding between two players who had similar production and skills as a tie breaker to decide which one might be the better pro.
I have too often seen mind blowing work out numbers paired with players who did little on the field. Those players either didn’t have the skills to excel, or lacked the mindset to dominate or push themselves. To me, show me first what skills and production a draft prospect brings to the table, and then the numbers might mean something.
I have seen too many times where someone has had the physical gifts to dominate, but once they get into a situation where they are evenly matched, no longer dominant and get hit in the mouth, they curl into a ball and disappear.
I want the Hawks looking at prospects who have proven who they are on the field on Saturdays, shown they have the skills they’ll need, have shown the attitude that when they run into a wall, will get back up and try again, and figure out how to do it better next time.
Don’t just throw out workout numbers, pair it with something meaningful, like how they performed in college, production and skills you think will make those workout numbers translate in the NFL.
This year 30-40 players couldn’t even run a 40 because they pulled their hamstrings. This is the class of dance – how can you even evaluate them? Will they pull another hammy the next time they actually have to do something??
You’ve pedalled this a few times Alaska and I’m not sure why.
The process of the combine is what needs looking at, not the players.
Are you kidding me?? Everyone knows how to warm up. They aren’t babies.
I’ve been through this already. I’m not going over it again.
But if you think ‘warming up’ is the issue you are mistaken.
With respect, you’re asking the team to only draft players with fantastic on field performance to pair with great workout numbers.
You might as well also just say you want to only draft players similar to Adrian Peterson, Andrew Luck and JJ Watt.
Sometimes you have to develop a player who maybe didn’t meet expectations in college, or draft a specific profile. That’s what coaching is all about.
Or the workout numbers don’t matter which is the Tim Ruskell era of safe, big school guys who produced but have low ceilings.
I get what you are saying Rob and don’t disagree, but I think there is a fine line between the two. I look at Cyril Grayson as an example. The guy has world class speed, but translating that to the field is a very large uphill battle. I’m 100% onboard with the Hawks pulling him in and working with him to see what they can make out of him. But I would feel much differently had they used an upper round draft pick on him, purely on physical potential.
I realize he is an extreme example, but he is the best I could think of off hand.
Sure, but Grayson wasn’t even a draft pick. I think we’re talking about draft picks here. And when you get out of round one, there aren’t many (if any) players with great tape and very good workout numbers.
It could be argued that Shaquem Griffin is one of the few, eh? 😉
I remember the good old days when when the Oakland Raiders would draft track and field sprinters to be their deep wide receiver threat. Man they were fast. Turns out it is hard to catch a ball when your running full out, but that’s what separates the great receivers from the sprinters.
The funny thing is = its the track and field guys who will score the highest at the combine.
What concerns me most about combine #’s is the fact that a lot of players, for whatever reason, do not complete all of the testing, that makes the workout #’s incomplete in terms of comparison. The pro day #’s can help but are often taken with a grain of salt due to handheld timing and differences in facilities. The players that don’t do all the tests are subsequently devalued a bit and are looked at in a slightly different light than players that did full testing.
IMO: Physical testing, on-field production & having the right mental makeup all have to be prime considerations when drafting a young guy. Of those, the mental part is likely the hardest to judge. The testing #’s are only one of several aspects of player evaluations, production & mentality count considerably as well.
No, I’m saying that when you run out of high production, fantastic workout numbers guys to draft, you start looking at the highly productive guys who don’t have the fantastic workout numbers, but get it done other ways – the Largents, the Doug Baldwins, the Anquan Boldins, the James Harrisons, the Tom Bradys.
Im right there with ya, not a fan of the combine and pro day numbers. Give me the proven producers.
That’s the thing about workout numbers: they can be and are heavily coached specific to the drill. There is a surprising amount of technique that goes into a 40, 3-cone, Long Jump, etc. Players spend the weeks leading up to the draft in facilities training specifically for these drills. I was at a Strength and Conditioning seminar once where the S&C coach at UGA told us that his players don’t do a regular bench press one time in normal conditioning. The only players that do it are guys that have declared for the draft, and they do it after the season only in preparation for the combine/pro day. There is very little on field application for a straight bench press (ex: hands outside your shoulders will get you flipped on your back side) so they do close grip bench instead (hands inside, thumbs up).
You’ll see players every year that look like superman in the combine, but then dont have the game film to back it up, anc vice versa. Play speed is much different from test speed. Now, that being said, there is only so much that technique can do to help you. You can’t “technique fake” your way to a 4.38 40.
Actually, Rob’s Ballage article made me take another look at him. His numbers, while good, were not other wordly. His tape shows some other worldly game speed though (albeit in flashes, not constant). For me, Davenport is on the other side of that coin. I get really nervous about the prospect of the Hawks drafting him based on athletic potential.
I’ve known some basketball players that could run fast and dunk….But they sucked at shooting and dribbling.
I’ve seen some pros with that problem!!! LOL
McDowell- It sucks, but it’s not crippling. Losing 35, losing this year’s 2, the lack of flexibility its creating now @18 hurts, but…
We’re not talking about a guy who went 1/1-5 here. The franchise was not depending on him to revive it.
What if Malik never got in an accident but ended up never panning out. We just kept him on the squad for years trying to pull out all the ‘potential’. Really I’m just done talking about Malik and glad it’s over. I’m moving on.
Brock Huard, former Seahawks QB and host of Brock and Salk on 710 ESPN Seattle, confirmed this morning that Earl Thomas did not report to the team’s workouts which started yesterday.
This is in sharp contrast to the other supposed “leaders” of the Seahawks—who according to Brock—did show up: Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner, and Doug Baldwin… and to Earl’s former actions, as he has usually shown up to these voluntary sessions.
Furthermore, Earl Thomas’ wife tweeted that they were on their way to Seattle, but apparently, Earl did not report to workout with the team.
From what I understand, Earl DID show up for OTA’s… but in was in Dallas! 🙂
My assumptions are that 1) Seattle trades down with Cleveland and gets #33, #64 and #188 2) Earl gets traded to Dallas for the #50 and #137. Seattle gives Dallas #168 3) Seattle trades 120 and 137 for NE’s 95 during the draft.
This will net Seattle with
33, 50, 64, 95, 141, 146, 156, 226, 248, 250. This will give Seattle 10 picks in the draft. Three 2nds, One 3rd, Three 5’s and Three sevens.
With this I would pick
33 – Nick Chubb – RB – We’ve all talked about him at length
50 – Rasheem Green – DL – He fills the Mike B role
64 – J’Mon Moore – WR – I think he’s underrated. He’s 6’3 and his agility scores are that of a 5’10 WR. Dude has some juice
95 – Terrell Edmunds – S – Older brother of Tremaine, but he is a big time prospect in his own right. 4.47 40 / 41″ vert / 11 feet broad. He’s a physical freak.
141 – Oren Burks – LB – LB with coverage skills
146 – BJ Hill – DT – He’s got the ability to be the pass rushing DT they were looking to get from Q Jefferson and are missing since McDonald
156 – Cole Madison – OL – offers another lineman who can start out at RT and push inside if need be
226 – Josh Kalu – CB/S – He’s played both CB and S. Meets the 32″ arm length requirement. He can be the next CB project. Tested extremely well other than 40
248 – Will Dissly – TE – Inline blocking TE. Was debating Dalton Schultz in earlier rounds, but Will is a poor mans Schultz
250 – Chase Edmonds – RB – Gives CJ and McKissic competition as the 3rd down scat back
Overall a draft that addresses weaknesses at all positions.
I’d like JMon Moore if he could catch
I can hear the jaws theme while you are typing this response. Just chummin’ the waters!☺
You don’t like moore but come on man back to back 1000yard seasons 10/and 8 tds respectively. + 16 yards a catch. Sure had slow 40 but everything else was good to really good.
I mean this is a team that spent picks in Durham ( did nothing in college) harper ( a bit better than nothing in college) and lawler. Slow and did very little in school. So if they ‘re going to pick guys that can’t catch maybe they at least not catch for a 1000 yards and ten tds.
All I can think watching that tape is “Poor Drew Lock”
Nice work. I like a lot of those guys and you definitely covered all the positions.
+1 for Chubb any day of the week!
Kalu is good and they like the secondary coming out of Colorado. Played out of position until this past year then started to thrive again.
I like Terrell Edmunds as well, but I’m just not sure we can spend another pick at SS when we really have no picks to spare this year. He is a real freak though.
BJ Hill has the quickness, but I’m worried about the really poor lack of explosiveness shown in the jumps. They’ve said before how every snap there is an explosion that happens when OL and DL collide, and the more explosive guys usually win. Just a concert to look into.
You seemed to have forgotten pick 188 you got fromCleveland
Continuing on DE/Edge guys that several have been talking about above. I was going through all the 1.6 and below 10yd split guys while working on my mock yesterday.
Nick, thanks for the shout on Okoronkwo. I just watched vs. Georgia, Ohio St., and Texas and came away VERY impressed. Now I know why this dude has the production while so many other highly athletic DL this year don’t: he actually knows how to use pash rush moves! Goodness, seems like about the only one I’ve seen so far in this class who doesn’t just rely on pure athleticism to win.
– His go to is the head fake outside and jump back inside with lightning quickness, adding a swim move when necessary. Incredibly effective and once he hits that gap he’s on top of the QB in a heartbeat.
– After he sets that up, he’ll go pure speed outside with an very nice first step and bend the edge. The thing is though, he not only bends well, but at 6015 is already so low underneath the Tackle and on top of that knows how to use his long 33.75 inside arm to help hold off as well. Bravo!
– Then he’ll pull out the curve ball and put a wicked fast spin on them. Beat Isaiah Wynn cleanly with this, though unfortunately for him on that play the ball came out in 2 sec. This is not a Mike B-speed spin move, but sudden and, most importantly, he knows how to come out of it balanced.
– Also saw him as a QB spy use the spin to get off a block at just the right time and spin right into the QB’s path.
– He often forced the OL to double-team him, opening up lanes for his fellow pass rushers.
– He is quick enough to drop into coverage in the flat and doesn’t get beat there. He’s going to stick to his assignment when not asked to pin his ears back.
– vs. the run away from his side, there were a couple times where he is fast enough straight line to come across the formation and bring down the ball carrier from behind (see him do it to Chubb vs. Georgia).
– forces quite a few holding penalties when he flat out beats the OL right off the snap.
– To put it short, is just a handful the whole game long.
NEGATIVES
– At 253 lbs., he can get swallowed up at times and pancaked by OTs vs the run. Usually he does ok to just try and at least occupy a blocker and be ready to shed if the run comes to his side.
– Late in games, he does appear to take a play off here and there to catch his breath. It’s not too often though and he does still play to hold the edge. The very next play he is back to full throttle though. In no way would I think of writing it off to laziness.
– Will follow in pursuit anything that moves in the backfield or around the line of scrimmage, but I think only once did I see him run down the field to help track down a ball carrier. Probably another energy-saving decision since he never comes off the field. He is a short-burst athlete.
– Does lose his balance at times lunging forward towards the QB, especially when tired late in games. He has short explosions of speed (good for a pass rusher), but not sustained speed (thus the 4.76 40yd).
Anyway, I really like “Obo” now and invite everyone to take a(nother) look at him. To see the body transformation (arrived to college @205 lbs), skills and technique he has put together after never having played football until his sophomore year of high school, it makes me wonder how much more he can develop when he learns to mitigate his deficiencies and if he might not be a great addition to our pass rush in the late R2-early R3 range.
https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/12/27/ogbonnia-okoronkwo-oklahoma-sooners-playoff-rose-bowl
Hubbard stood out to me as a very disciplined guy who will always stick to his assignment defending the edge. And he has the extra size to hold up vs. the run. (270lbs). That said, he has very limited linear speed (4.95 40yd) and explosiveness (35 vert, 9.67 broad) which clearly show up on tape as well and that steered me away from him as a potential early Seahawks DE pick.
Fitts I tried watching right after he posted those testing numbers at the combine, but I could hardly bring myself to watch. Maybe I didn’t give him a enough time, but it seemed to me he had little impact at all and kind of just got pushed around.
Tyquan Lewis with the 1.50 split at 269 lbs. 33.75″ arms and 95% SPARQ. Crazy athlete. I wanted to like him and he flashed occasionally on film, but I’m not sure I saw the effort and fire there. The interviews kind of followed the McDowell pattern of a little more lively in his sophomore year then boring and mumbly by his senior year and the production reached a plateu as well. Would really have to dig to be comfortable with this pick, unless it’s in R5 or beyond.
More to come later… this comment got way too long on me already!
1.57 split for Tyquan Lewis
Fantastic analysis SeaMode. Love reading your views. I’m glad you came away impressed with Obo. He has a host of pass rushing moves and that is incredibly exciting. His spin move is particularly exciting. I remember reading somewhere that he was one of only three of the DEs in this year’s draft to pull off a successful spin move and get to the QB.
My only concern is his height. Will that turn Seattle off? They really like big D-liners. Is he too much of a tweener? Also, does Mingo make his addition somewhat less necessary?
Also, watching him I saw hints of James Harrison. A stacked due with great strength and pass rushing capability. Harrison is 6’0.
I like the Harrison idea. Hadn’t thought of that. There is definitely a spot for shorter guys like that on the Edge if they have that kind of skill set and toughness. Gonna go watch some Harrison highlights now!
Mingo maybe, but I was actually thinking afterwards that if they do target Shaquem he might fill that speed rusher role in the Nascar package making Obo a bit redundant, though their profiles are quite different (227 vs. 253 lbs.). Heck, put Clark and Jordan inside and Shaquem and Obo on either end, and buckle up!
Great stuff man. Cliff’s notes by Sea Mode!
Tony Pauline just did another mock today and has Obo sitting as the highest ranked player going into round 4 (it was a 3 round mock). Speaks is right there too. In fact he has Ronald Jones II at #92!
Could be a lot more value towards the end of round 3 if things shake out this way:
Anthony Miller – 90
RoJo – 92
Micah Kiser – 93
Royce – 97
Turay – 99
Obo – 101
Speaks – 103
That’s just a few. We might see more trade’s down than expected if the the board breaks like this.
He has Justin Reid all the way down at Round 3 as well. Probably says something about this draft class that respected draft guys like Rob and Tony have such high variance in their big boards.
Pauline thinks Reid is being a bit overrated due to his bloodlines and that he is not the sure thing many people think, and is just sticking to his original projection. He’s kind of an outlier in projecting him that low, though.
Maybe his value as the player he is right now is R3, but teams pay a premium for guys with his kind of potential, so I think Rob is closer in projecting him in the range he will actually end up going. Top half of R2 would be my guess for Reid and bottom half of R2 for Jessie Bates.
I get that that’s his grade for the player, but he’s gotta know that the kid is going at least a little earlier than that!!
Welcome aboard for the love “Obo” pick, I already posted in the “maybe just maybe we don’t draft a running back early”, that he would be our second round pick, perhaps first. He seems to be completely Seahawky to me, creates an amazing amount of space early on with his first move.
He is so well spoken, humble, possesses leadership, hard working, intelligent and a fine young example of “all football”. Watch some of his interviews.
I loved your break down on skill set very thorough and thank you.
I for one will be more than pleased should we draft him, the fact that he played Defensive tackle and moved to Linebacker makes him versatile, perhaps undersized but versatile and all heart!
Seattle under Pete Carroll loves to draft the Edge position and I see him as a solid sleeper pick.
He’s an All-American contender – ESPN listed as a mid-season All-American – and a potential first round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Not bad for a former high school defensive tackle who called his transition to linebacker “really hard.” That’s another portion of Okoronkwo’s story that goes unremarked upon. It’s not easy to absorb a new role. Going from defensive tackle to linebacker is akin to an amphibian moving away from the water and onto land full-time. He had some of the skills, but Okoronkwo moved to an entirely different world.
Things weren’t easy for Okoronkwo then, which factored into his early struggles.
But Okoronkwo was also never one to have his drive questioned.
It’s something Oklahoma defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Mike Stoops does often with Okoronkwo. For someone with the talent and history of Okoronkwo, complacency is akin to the devil. So Stoops will hurl accusations of passiveness at his star defender.
Okoronkwo is OK with that.
After all, he’s always been one to respond with ardor when challenged.
“When I get my effort questioned, I take it personally,” Okoronkwo said. “I’m already practicing hard, but sometimes you just need a bit more to show you actually care.”
Go Hawks!
I should add when I say first round pick. I’m referring to Seattle’s first pick which correlates into multiple trade backs into the second round.
Feels increasingly hard to do predictive draft analysis while the specter of an Earl trade lingers so conspicuously above us. It’s such a huge potential variable in what picks the Hawks will have available to them. As Jerry said in Seinfeld — “that’s a pretty big matzah ball hangin’ out there.”
As Rob posted a few weeks back, it does seem in the Hawks’ best interest to establish the draft as a clear deadline for this. But realistically it also feels like they have a price they’re asking and they’re sticking to it — otherwise all this smoke with Dallas would’ve materialized into something by now.
This could linger through the summer. That could end up being fine for the Hawks — look at what the Jets got from us for Sheldon in a very similar situation last year. Maybe an injury will convince a team to pay the Hawks’ asking price. OR, it could end up being pretty negative, like the Pats settling for a 2nd for Garrapolo when his draft day value was reportedly much much higher.
Basically I would really like them to resolve this soon, but fear that they won’t.
Rob,
Do you feel like sometimes SEA gets too caught up in a “body type” instead of focusing on the players themselves? It’s to the point where we can filter out all of the CBs that they will look at and many of the other positions too. You’ve brought up players in the past who you think are fantastic, but you know SEA won’t pick them since they don’t fit their ideals.
Now, it seems like they’re searching for the next MB or Avril right down to the height/weight/explosiveness measurements. I understand that can be a great way to narrow down the candidates or focus on some guys, but it seems like you’ll let good talent slip away because they don’t fit your “specs”. For every Richard Sherman there’s a Tye Smith or Tharold Simon.
Personally, I think this type of evaluation happens far to much. The body type and testing numbers should simply be extra data versus the primary evaluation tools.
Made this same point earlier when you look at how concerned we’ve been with athletic ability, possibly over really good game tape. The brass has overlooked to many character concerns and middling game performance in lieu of athletic potential. Seems they frequently do the same thing with respect to body type (arm length, height, etc).
I argue there’s many more than one Simon or Smith for every Sherman. This is why PCJS get the big bucks though, they have to make these decisions. They look great when they hit on a Sherman or Kam, not so good when they draft McDowell, Simon, Sokoli, etc.
” The body type and testing numbers should simply be extra data versus the primary evaluation tools.”
I agree.
When I look at the testing numbers that Rob posts and then I look at the players’ names associated with those numbers, many times I see nothing but JAGs (at best).
Yeah, but dang athletic “JAGs” that they actually have a shot at drafting and can coach up to match their athletic potential.
The big mistake in my view has nothing to do with looking for specific athletic profiles, and everything to do with moving away from not settling for anything less than the grittiest, hardest-working, forged-by-adversity competitors out there. Starting with Percy Harvin and recently emphasized with Malik McDowell. Both those guys HURT the team bigtime and cost major draft capital that could have been used to try and draft future core players we wish we had now.
I don’t mind taking risks on picks, but if these have taught me anything, it’s that every last guy they take had better be culture a fit with all the best guys on our team.
I don’t disagree with you at all Sea Mode. I think it needs to be a combination of athletic profiles, character, and scheme fit. I was mainly thinking out loud if SEA was too rigid in their qualities they look for and thus passing on some good talent for no other reason than they don’t fit their specific template.
I agree. Maybe I came across too strong in that comment.
It’s definitely a balance. But the one thing I will not budge on any more is going to be character. Not that they are flawless angels with no flags at all, but that they are gritty, competitive, and hard-working to the core.
Agreed. Competitive in the right way, and that can come in different forms. Doug and Bobby are 2 great examples. Doug is more outspoken and fiery. Bobby has that quiet confidence and lets his play speak for itself. Both guys are fiercely competitive.
Well put. As competitors, Chubb reminds me of Bobby and Kirk reminds me a bit of Doug. I’m really set on those two already at the top of my final Seahawks mock draft.
I liked McDowell the football player, too bad it didn’t work out. Nevertheless I hope PCJS keep swingers my for the fences; sometimes it works taking a risk on others with questionable character like Clark or Irvin and sometimes it doesn’t like with McDowell or Michael. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Clearly you don’t produce outsized returns or alpha but picking like Tim Ruskell.
“Swinging for the fences” not “swingers my for..”
Kinda liked Kenny Arthur’s post on Fieldgulls regarding Lamar Jackson. If we do the ET trade and get another first, maybe they consider getting their version of a “Aaron Rogers to replace Farve”. While not yet the passer Wilson is, Jackson is a tilt the field player who can run the same offense.
I hated it, Favre was like 36 when they drafted Rodgers so the two aren’t at all comprable.
Don’t know what been going on with Kenny recently. He even managed to go off on the “never draft a RB early” drivel again. Field Gulls as a whole seems to be going on this whole existential football crisis. Dont know if its the 9-7 record after all the recent success.
Imagine if we only picked once in the first three quartets and our only pick in the first 3 rounds is a backup QB. Unbelievable.
Bonus points for spelling Favre correctly.
Still like the idea. Better leverage with Wilson for contract negotiations, gives team future options and probably will be able to recoup value in the future. Competition, baby.
Not really football related.
But dudes & dudettes.. teach your kids to wear helmets.
I grew up in a time and place where helmets, life jackets, heck even seatbelts were considered totally optional.
I personally have worked very hard to try and change my own “safety culture” if you will to set a better example for my wee ones.
Young men will do crazy stuff. But my hope is that my budding motorhead will do crazy stuff with his damn helmet on.
Good post!
Ronnie Harrison would make sense in the second. They’re going to want to replace Kam. Big hitter. Who else on that D (apart from B-Wagz) hits all that hard? Or inspires fear?
Possibly Delano Hill? We just dont know yet.
From the tape I remember watching of Delano Hill he was an incredibly sound tackler—but not a big thumper.
Tre Flowers has some nice pops on his highlights, as does Holton Hill. Have a look at Tony Brown as well, though I hope with his speed he could pick up the FS position.
Oklahoma State Safety Tre Flowers – Official Junior Highlights
https://youtu.be/EBsXwCsNs7E?t=67
That said, I think we are overloaded at SS right now and desperately thin at FS. McDougald can fill in, but he’s better at SS, where we also have Hill and apparently (per JS interview a couple weeks ago) Thompson in the wings, both of whom they like and deserve a fair shot at winning the job before we go drafting more.
Pretty awesome video. He got beat a couple times but had the recovery ability to still interfere with the catch. He reminds me of someone – even has the right number.
Took the names right out my thumbs
Ronnie Harrison be takin those Taylor Mays angles, b.
Kenny, thanks for reminding us up above about the JS quotes about finding out what’s in a man’s heart and some other things they like to look for. We’ve gotta get back to that this year, cause I think we can be pretty darn sure that PC/JS will.
Here’s another one the like: guys who are dads already. Watch this and you’ll know exactly why.
Keith Kirkwood: A Temple Owl, A Single Digit, A Father
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUkhZlqnsj4
I was actually looking for a quote I had imagined John Schneider saying, but it was from some old personnel guy that became media
Talking about visiting with guys predraft. Only met with character concern guys one year, then guys that were udfa the next, then a mix of the two the year after.
James Cobern lists Royce Freeman as his number one running back, based on analytics:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M92-sJ0hx4E
Certainly makes more sense to me for Seattle than someone like Ronald Jones, who is not in Cobern’s top five.
Jones doesn’t have much of a chance against the criteria for that list.
Offensive Market Share: An individual offensive statistic divided by team total statistic that is then ranked against positional peers.
– Unlike any of the other running backs on that list, Jones had a 4000 yd passer that significantly skewed the team total.
Explosive Lower Body Strength Score: An athletic score derived by the vertical and broad jump measured against mass density.
– Haven’t been able to find any data just how far Jones can jump.
Speed Score: An athletic score derived by the 40 yard dash measured against mass density.
– He ran a 4.48… while claiming to be at 85% healthy.
Flexibility Score: An athletic score derived by the Short Shuttle/3-Cone measured against mass density.
– 7.0, which was just .1 secs behind Freeman… again at 85%.
Meanwhile, Freeman has about 400 more college carries than Jones.
For reals…??? 🙂
I find Cobern’s work interesting for what it is, but also no more than what it is. I take measureables, athleticism, and production into account anyway when scouting, and market share is also interesting, but just don’t make it everything or the deciding factor.
To be fair to him, though, he does always clearly state that these affirmations are only what analytics tell him about the player, not the full picture.
Still, if there were anything to talk me into Freeman over Rojo (and apparently over Barkley as well…?), it would definitely not be just Cobern’s analytics.
Market Share? What an idiotic thing to rank a draft pick on.
Well if analytics says Freeman’s a better fit for Pete Carroll…
🤦♂️
Rob, you got a pro comp for Rolls Royce?
Devonta Freeman or maybe Demarco Murray come to mind, but neither seem quite perfect.
I don’t see Freeman at all. That guy is a punishing runner.
Murray might not be a bad comp. I think Lamar Miller from Houston is a good one too.
The Freemans have identical jump cuts.
Need an endorsement for those still doubting the merits of Christian Kirk?
https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Board/116/Contents/-Live-updates-Nick-Saban-Radio-Show-10-5-17-108465579
[just after 33:08 mark]
That is extremely high praise. Nick Saban thinks he’s the best player in the best conference? Sign me up!
Welcome aboard Captain Kirk’s ship!
Engage.
^that was Picard’s line
Interesting Mock from Josh Norris. Not bad actually considering no trade back or Earl trade. Lacks an RB but everything else seems reasonable
http://rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/79333/271/nfl-draft-needs-seahawks
Two of my favorite players plus a lot of names that have been discussed here.
He even mentions CB with 32″ arms. Must read the blog 🙂
At least he seems informed with regards to what the Hawks look for not like most of those guys.
Wouldn’t be surprised if he has scouted this site. I’d be happy with his first 5 guys. Wynn & Griffin would melt my Seahawk heart. Love them both.
yawn….zzzzz
Ronald Jones visited Eagles today. I still think they take him at 32 and he ends up as OROY.
Again?
I’ve been saying for weeks that he doesn’t make it past them at 32, if they stay there.
More likely he moves up for RoJo than down for anyone else imho
Yeah him and Wentz would look pretty good in that backfield for a long time.
Wentz looked really good, even In a losing effort to us. Impressive stuff. If he keeps that up for a career he will be one of the next ‘greats’
They will NEVER get RoJo at 31.
Because the Hawks will smarten up and take him at 31 after a trade down with NE!!!
No one is moving up in the first round for an undersized rb (with character concerns now). Especially considering the eagles currently rostered rb’s. Could def see them taking rojo at their native pick.
Great piece Rob. Thanks for coming back to the questions re: Malik McDowell and the reasons why he fell in the draft. Also great point on the cost beyond the pick/cash regarding the additional pick we gave for Sheldon to replace him.
Dude was clearly odd. Odd can be good and this staff loves to think they know and can shape odd. But there’s a big difference between oddly gritty and another between oddly not. When interviewed, he seemed to have a “Meh” attitude, not very Seahawk-ish. And, so there were reasons why he fell and why it was always questionable whether he’d be motivated, get it, etc.
So, did it mean he have an accident? Of course not. But it does mean that his choices and ability to reach his potential was a big risk. There are always risks with a pick, but to swing that big on the first choice was hubris.
Hopefully, with some new found humility, we can also evolve to a self-awareness of our blind spot in assessing talent too. At least Cable is gone so no more Joey Hunt mandates.
Go Hawks.
Could be true. But I think there could have been worse mandate picks.
Great listen Rob. Excited for the counterpart on the Offense.
And again with the visiting predraft even
Kyle Allen^, QB, Houston (WOR, PRI)
Abdullah Anderson, DT, Bucknell (WOR)
Dorance Armstrong Jr., DE/3-4OLB/OLB, Kansas (PRI)
Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State (WOR)
Andrew Brown, DT/3-4DE, Virginia (PRI)
Tony Brown, CB, Alabama (PRO)
Austin Corbett, OT/C, Nevada (PRI)
Will Dissly, TE, Washington (COM)
Leighton Vander Esch, ILB, Boise State (PRI)
Poona Ford, DT, Texas (PRI)
Dallas Goedert^, TE, South Dakota State (WOR, PRI)
Shaquem Griffin, OLB, Central Florida (COM)
Derrius Guice, RB, LSU (PRO)
Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama (PRI)
Holton Hill, CB, Texas (PRI)
Khalid Hill, FB, Michigan (PRI)
Manase Hungalu, ILB, Oregon State (WOR)
Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan (PRI)
Natrell Jamerson, S, Wisconsin (PRO)
Christian Kirk^, WR, Texas A&M (WOR, PRI)
Keith Kirkwood, WR, Temple (PRI)
Cole Madison, OT, Washington State (PRI)
Jacob Martin, DE, Temple (PRI)
Alex McGough, QB, Florida International (PRI)
Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA (PRO)
Ryan Nall, FB, Oregon State (COM)
Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin (PRO)
Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado (PRI)
Foye Oluokun, OLB, Yale (PRI)
Dante Pettis, WR, Washington (PRO)
Jacob Pugh, 3-4OLB/OLB, Florida State (PRI)
Justin Reid, S, Stanford (PRI)
Ed Shockley, ILB, Villanova (PRI)
Ito Smith, RB, Southern Mississippi (PRI)
Josh Sweat^, DE/3-4OLB, Florida State (PRO, PRI)
Jullian Taylor, DT, Temple (PRI)
Simeon Thomas, CB, La.-Lafayette (PRI)
Kemoko Turay, DE/3-4OLB, Rutgers (PRI)
Akrum Wadley, RB, Iowa (SR)
Devron Davis CB UTSA
Demone Harris DE Buffalo
Jessie Bates III (S, Wake Forest)*
J.T. Gray (S, Mississippi State)*
Tee Sims (DE, Appalachian State)*
Zaire Franklin, LB, Syracuse
Don’t who they went to see but they were at Arkansas’ pro day
Don’t know who they went to see
Maybe Ragnow (center), especially if they’re bringing in Billy Price for a visit
So I’m right next to Virginia Tech this week, and not sure if I saw a Seahawks scout tonight? I’m repping my WSU polo, see a guy wearing a Seahawks pull over, looks like a scout, carrying some paperwork that he’s working on. Any chance we could have a seahawks scout around here? VT already had their pro day, so maybe it’s just another transplant on the east coast? lol.
Alex Marvez tweet just a bit a go:
Alex Marvez @alexmarvez
I’m hearing that @OhioStateFB C Billy Price is headed for a pre-draft visit with @Seahawks. Recovering from torn pectoral muscle suffered during bench press at NFL Scouting Combine. Beastly college player.
If we end up with (3) 2nd round picks then Price would be an awesome pick. 1st round talent, great leader and nasty attitude.
Sweet
He project as G or C?
Either position. From the sound of things he’d call some great protections. A great Center mind.
3 seasons at G and 1 All-American at C.
Yeah, just saw that. If they are able to get a versatile 1st rd talent in rd 2, go for it.
I remember some article linking Max Unger starting at C being worth 7 pts/gm over his backup(Lewis?). You get a guy in there that can really diagnose the defense and call protections and we might be shocked by the positive results. Mack to Atlanta being a good example. If Price is as good as advertised he could be a great pickup and that injury could help drop him into Seattle’s ‘trade down’ range. Cool that he’s visiting.
Sad news about McDowell. His best tape was awesome, took Quentin Nelson to town. Could have been pretty special.
Feeling pretty down about the Hawks and football in general at the moment. Hopefully the draft gets me back in again.
yeah, I was really hoping the kid could bounce back. That he cannot pass the physical says he has bigger problems than football ahead of him.
Curious to see what the Hawks look like this year. The talent level will be down, but the offense could be good and maybe PC will get creative with the D and play a lot of kids, bring us some hope to see LOB 2.0 coming soon
I hear you Ishmael – is why having the Griffin brothers is going to lift us all up. We will get some awesome players and not swing for fences on players who are not “all football” /highly motivated!
If that doesn’t help try getting into the Mariners. I started last year and am loving them more every day! Stuffed eagles in the big maple grove where crazy Canadians chant “eh” , king Felix, + Dee Gordon steals 2nd and then 3rd in same on base inning, Boom Stick, Cano, Seager, Haniger- Mr RBI, bringing your dog to game … There are so many games way less stressful.