New Seahawks seven round mock draft

Twitter rumours.

Who knows if there’s anything in this but at least it presents a scenario to talk about.

In last weeks mock we had the Patriots trading up to #18 to take a left tackle. The Browns could also be targeting O-line.

There are two tackles expected to go in round one — Mike McGlinchey and Kolton Miller. When McGlinchey goes off the board (possibly in the top-15) it’ll create some anxiety.

Other teams in the teens might not be inclined to move down into the 30’s. The Seahawks, with no picks in rounds two or three, would presumably be very interested.

Cleveland and New England are also realistic trade partners because they own multiple second round picks. They can afford to be aggressive and still pick in round two.

So let’s say the Browns move up. Here’s a seven round Seahawks mock draft representing this scenario:

#33 — Running back (Ronald Jones II, Nick Chubb or Kerryon Johnson)
#64 — Josh Sweat (DE, Florida State)
#120 — Kameron Kelly (DB, San Diego State)
#141 — Durham Smythe (TE, Notre Dame)
#146 — Leon Jacobs (LB, Wisconsin)
#150 — Natrell Jamerson (S, Wisconsin)
#156 — Dorian O’Daniel (LB, Clemson)
#168 — Chase Edmonds (RB, Fordham)
#226 — Poona Ford (DT, Texas)
#248 — Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR, USF)

#18 (R1) — Trade down with Cleveland
The Seahawks collect #33, #63 and #150. This turns #18 into two second round picks and another fifth rounder. The Browns move up to select Mike McGlinchey or Kolton Miller.

#33 (R2) — Draft a running back
This could be Ronald Jones II, Nick Chubb or Kerryon Johnson. All three are explosive, physical running backs. Jones II is a Jamaal Charles clone, Chubb fits their physical profile perfectly and Johnson has a very similar running style to Chris Carson. The top running backs in this class will last until about pick #45-50. If you want to take one, you might have to do it here.

#64 (R2) — Josh Sweat (DE, Florida State)
The Seahawks like to draft ‘special’ athletes to rush the edge. Sweat is 6-5, 251lbs and has 34.5 inch arms. He ran an elite 1.55 10-yard split and a 4.53 forty. He also tested superbly in the vertical (39.5 inches) broad (10-4) and short shuttle (4.28). He has a top-10 physical profile and incredible upside ready to be unleashed. The medical checks on his knee will be crucial though. Can he play without a knee brace and improve his get-off?

#120 (R4) — Kameron Kelly (DB, San Diego State)
Kelly is a confident, physical defensive back with size (6-1, 204lbs) and length (32 inch arms). He’s a converted receiver with experience at safety and cornerback. Kelly won’t stand out to many but there’s just something about him that feels ‘Seahawky’. He also has terrific value on special teams. This will be a theme for the rest of the mock draft.

#141 (R5) — Durham Smythe (TE, Notre Dame)
Smythe is a classic Y-tight end who was predominantly asked to block at Notre Dame. He had an excellent Senior Bowl week, during practise and in the game itself. He doesn’t stand out physically and that could keep him on the board into the early fifth round but for the Seahawks he’d be a valued run blocker with some chain-moving ability.

#146 (R5) — Leon Jacobs (LB, Wisconsin)
The Seahawks love speed at linebacker and Jacobs has it. His combine performance deserves more attention — especially his 4.48 forty at 6-1 and 248lbs. He has good length (33.5 inch arms) and managed a 1.58 10-yard split (anything in the 1.5’s is money). The Seahawks could train him to play the WILL or MIKE or they could use him as a situational rusher. Jacobs plays with his hair on fire.

#150 (R5) — Natrell Jamerson (S, Wisconsin)
The Wisconsin defense was really good again last year. It would’ve been nice to find a way to get Nick Nelson into the mock too as competition for Justin Coleman. Jamerson is a free safety who ran a 4.40 at the combine. He also flashed as a kick returner and gunner. He could be an instant force on special teams.

#156 (R5) — Dorian O’Daniel (LB, Clemson)
O’Daniel quietly had an impact for Clemson last season and has been touted as a possible linebacker or safety at the next level. His forty time of 4.61 was nothing to write home about but he excelled in the important agility tests — running a blistering 4.07 short shuttle and a 6.64 three-cone. O’Daniel is also a skull-collector on special teams and would be worth the pick purely for that.

#168 (R5) — Chase Edmonds (RB, Fordham)
The Seahawks could easily draft multiple running backs this year. It’s that kind of class. And they’re paying particular attention to smaller, dynamic and explosive runners like Chase Edmonds and Ito Smith. Edmonds is tenacious and has even been compared to Devonta Freeman by some.

#226 (R7) — Poona Ford (DT, Texas)
I didn’t want to wait this long to draft a defensive tackle and I’ll talk more about that in a moment. Ford is set to visit the VMAC and freely admits his combine-snub has left a chip on his shoulder. He’s only 5-11 but he’s explosive (9-3 broad) and agile (4.47 short shuttle) with long arms (33 inches).

#248 (R7) — Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR, USF)
Speed seems to be the order of the day at receiver and MVS ran a superb 4.37 at 6-4 and 206lbs. He also has massive 10-inch hands. He’s a project but the Seahawks have often drafted day three receivers and given them time to develop.

Final thoughts

Since it became public that Maurice Hurst and Christian Kirk are visiting the VMAC, you almost want to find a way to squeeze in extra round two picks to include them in the mock. Both are terrific players but the reality is Seattle will be limited even if they trade down. They’re badly missing those second and third round picks.

The only way to get them back is to trade trade Earl Thomas. Increasingly it looks like Seattle is open for business but nobody is willing to meet the asking price. When #49 comes around (Seattle’s native pick in round two) you’ll be cringing about the names left on the board.

Hurst isn’t the only defensive lineman it would’ve been nice to include. The likes of B.J. Hill, Andrew Brown, Justin Jones, Jalyn Holmes and Tyquan Lewis might provide value in this draft. Kemoko Turay is a talented pass rusher too and could’ve been an alternative to Josh Sweat. If they wanted to wait on an EDGE, Duke Ejiofor is an option.

We talk about this a lot but the value from about 30-50 is going to be fantastic this year. That’s where the likes of Isaiah Wynn, Austin Corbett, as many as six running backs, Christian Kirk and others might land. The Colts, with three picks in that range, have a chance to come away with a great haul.

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587 Comments

  1. Trevor

    Love this draft if Jones is the pick at 33 but will be really disappointed if they take Chubb or Johnson they high.

    The rest of the draft would be awesome as it adresses a ton of needs and adds much needed youth and speed to the defense. Sweat could be an absolute steal in that range in a draft class with limited pass rusher options.

    • peter

      why disappointed? With no picks until 64 how is perceived value a factor? If jones is gone then chubb and Johnson are there at 33 I seriously doubt they will be there again at 64. Maybe, maybe chubb drops to the third like Frank gore. Maybe. so you might be able to get him at 64. But Seattle has consistently shown that they don’t really care about “value,” and will draft a player they like where they are comfortable with.

      • Trevor

        I guess I just don’t see either as a true difference maker. If the Hawks are spending thier first pick on an RB in a year when they have limited draft capital I want that RB to be a difference maker. I think Rojo is that type of RB. I just don’t think Chubb and Johnson are.

        If we had our native 2nd and 3rd perhaps you could justify it but at 33 the Hawks would be making the cardinal mistake on draft day reaching for a position of nee I have not see Chubb or Johnson mocked as high as 33 anywhere. Perhaps the Hawks love Chubb or Johnson and would pick them at 33 they obviously know a lot more about them than I do.

        JS wanted an interior pass rusher and reached for McDowell. I don’t see him forcing a pick because of need again. If Jones is gone and they are set at taking an RB with the first pick I would much sooner see them trade back into the 40s to acquire another pick and then take one of those guys.

        • C-Dog

          Was it JS wanting interior pass rusher or was it the defensive minded HC and VP?

          • Trevor

            No idea but one of them did.

            • C-Dog

              Not to pick on your points, it’s just whenever I see JS criticism, I tend to cringe a bit because I largely feel he is doing the bidding of PC and what they coaching staff wants. I think that little remark he made to McDowell after the selection that Rob recently brought up might have indicated nervousness over the decision to select him.

              • Mark Souza

                And McDowell wasn’t drafted to play inside, he was going to be a LEO who would maybe slide inside in some situations, like Bennett did.

                • C-Dog

                  I think you mean 5 tech.

                  • drewdawg11

                    Absolutely zero chance he was a LEO project.

        • GerryG

          Doesn’t matter. Their limited draft capital may force their hand. They have to get a RB.

          Plus I wouldn’t put too much stock into where the RBs are slated to go, lots of smoke screens.

          • Tecmo Bowl

            Just like they did with Justin Britt.

          • AlaskaHawk

            Most people are estimating top of second round because the teams will already have picked their most important draft pick in the first. The second round is a natural spot to pick a position which is important but not valued as highly as QB or a left tackle.

            If you don’t care which player you get out of the top five then keep trading down. If you do want a choice, 33 is a good spot to choose from.

        • peter

          Pocic, britt, irvin, we’re all widely panned for being picked to early. Paul Richardson in some circles. Christine michael post draft was not a consensus value pick.

          I think Seattle irrespective of the McDowell pick has shown that they don’t consider their process to be reaching.

          the difference here empirically is perspective of the running backs. And that’s fair. I like jones quite abit.

          I do have serious concerns about his size. Especially for a line that is going to be still a work in progress.

          I like Johnson because he carried auburn. Straight up carried them.

          I love chubb. I’m fine if people also on him because of the “electric,” play of michel. the coaches of Georgia leaned on him on him to do the heavy lifting because that’s what worked for them. His numbers at the come were great. His injury wasn’t a series of soft tissue problems like prosise, he got destroyed and worked his way back. And because he’s my favorite running back in the class……he was a brutally effective difference maker as a freshmen and sophomore in gurleys absence on a run that no other running back in this draft could ever stack up to….

        • D-OZ

          I have seen Chubb mocked in the 1st.

          • Trevor

            Really where? My apologies if that is the case for misstating.

          • Patrick Toler

            Chubb is such a stud, assuming health. I personally think he and Jones aren’t that far off from Barkley (though I’m a bit lower on Barkley than most). Jones and Chubb are solidly first rounders for me.

            • peter

              You and me on jones/chubb not far away from barkely. hate what it’s but jones with another big season or chubb with no injury?

              How far off would either really be from him. Jones is electric and rarely if ever had poor games. And chubb straight battled himself back plus has a good second gear.

              Not down on Barkley but he did have some pretty weak games time to time. And I mean poor games against poor talent.

              • Trevor

                I think the difference between Barkley and Chubb is enormous. Barkley is a freak athlete who has never been injured. He is also an elite pass catcher and and amazing returner. Did he get bottled up at times. Of course he did. He was the complete focus of defenses and Penn St did not have a great OL.

                Does he have weaknesses. Sure his vision and patience could be better but there is a reason he is the top rated player on most analysts boards.

                I love Jones but Barkley is even more of a home run threat and 30-40 lbs heavier. Barkley if the top RB in the class by an enormous margin IMO.

                • Patrick Toler

                  If you design a significant part of your offense around giving Barkley in space, he could be one of the most dangerous weapons in the league. If he goes to a team that insists on giving him the ball behind center 15 times a game, he is going to need to develop a lot. His decision making was really not very good in college. If that develops he can be very good in any system.

                  I think as a pure runner, Jones is the best in this class. He hasn’t proven nearly as much as Barkley as an open field and passing game threat – though he has the skills to make an impact there. He’s better (now) as a between the tackles runner, because he knows when to just hit the crease for 3 yards. Too often Barkley tries to turn that into a big play and uses yardage. A little like Barry Sanders, who was one of the best ever, but suffered from occasional Detroit induced decision making problems.

                  And I think Chubb is an athletic freak who has shown very good decision making, athleticism, burst, physicality. He is the total package.

                  I’ve got them Barkley > Jones > Chubb, but it is reasonably close. Then there is a gap between the next group (Michell, Guice, Kelly for me).

                  • peter

                    I agree with this whole take. there is no doubt that Barkley is amazing but sometimes it’s felt to me his bad games are partially in him and not just teams scheme for him. I mean it’s not like teams aren’t always scheming against him.

                    I think he goes top 4 and I’m not sure any of those teams have a scheme that works for him though tbf if you’re picking top four you don’t really have a good scheme anyways so there is that.

                    I would like to see him stay in the rust belt and play for Cleveland and for Cleveland to have some sense and take Lamar Jackson and not Josh allen. Jackson Barkley could be super fun to watch.

                • peter

                  I’ll take a friendly gentleman’s bragging rights wager and say that Barkley won’t be the most impactful rookie out of the whole class next year.

                  I think he’s a great talent. But I think jones chubb are a lot closer to him than many think.

                  • Hawktalker#1

                    The team he lands with will at least partially determine his success as a rookie.

            • DAWGfan

              Health is the issue with Chubb, he hasn’t proved that he can stay healthy in college why would he in the pro game.

              I don’t understand the lack of love for Guice, while he had some injury issues in 2017 that to me is the outlier. His comp is Marshawn Lynch by the NFL.com draft board.

              http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/derrius-guice?id=2560101

              • Tecmo Bowl

                Chubb shredded his knee in 2015. It happens far too often in football, a lot of the times without contact or forewarning(medical red flags). Other than that he’s been a very durable workhorse.

              • Mac

                I don’t see Lynch, when he runs he looks like Rawls. His hips are high and his feet are clumsy.

                • Kenny Sloth

                  +1 looks like the best backup in the NFL

                • DAWGfan

                  Guice is able to shift his weight and plow forward at full speed, which IMO was one of Lynch’s best attributes and needed behind the Hawks mediocre line. There is little hesitation with him, again needed since he will likely be hit a lot in the backfield.

        • Christian

          Sorry Trevor, but if both Barkley (foregone conclusion), and Rojo are gone (probable by 33 Then if you trade down you miss out on Chubb/Johnson. So you don’t think they are difference makers, ok, and you’re strategy is to trade down??? too draft more non-difference makers, that doesn’t make sense.

          • Trevor

            I would not saying there are not difference makers at other positions. I am not sure what you mean.

            I said if the Hawks feel they need to take Chubb or Johnson then they can likely get one of them in the 40s and pick up another pick so why take one of them at 33?

            If Jones and Barkley are gone I would not take an RB till day #3 given how little draft capital we have early. That was not the discussion point here however.

            • AlaskaHawk

              I think it depends on whether you need to pick who you want or you will take whoever is left over. There are still great running backs available in the second. Keep waiting and you will take whoever is left over.

              I’m perfectly fine picking Scarbough and Coleman in the 6th round or later. That’s why when you visit my house = you are gonna get leftovers.

              • Hawktalker#1

                Nice. 😉

        • TTownHawk

          McDowell was not a reach. If anything he dropped out of the 1st round because of his character concerns (which were obviously valid, but hindsight 20/20).

          He was consistently projected to go at the end of round 1 and would have been a top 20 pick if he had a good head on his shoulders.

          Anyways, just wanted to state that much. Otherwise I kind of agree. I think to take a RB at 33 he would have to be a total game changer. I am extremely high on both KJ and Chubb but that does feel a bit high. Though I suppose if they do end up taking them there, that would tell you just how much they like said player. I have a feeling one of them will drop a bit and you could get late round 2, which I would feel a lot better about. If this trade happens, based on their history I think Hawks would be heavily targeting a defensive lineman at 33.

          • Christian

            I don’t know how we can say the character concerns were valid, it’s not like he robbed a convenience store, or shop lifted. He was out having fun, and fell off a ATV. That’s called an accident, not a validation of character concerns.

            • AlaskaHawk

              Depends on what he was doing. I’ve lost friends due to ATV accidents, playing around in gravel pits.

            • TTownHawk

              I’d wager his arrest in Atlanta was more of a confirmation than the ATV accident. But he also wasn’t wearing a helmet when he was riding an ATV…not the smartest decision. And to be fair, his character concerns weren’t of the criminal nature. More of the maturity and effort nature.

              • Mark Souza

                Right on TTownHawk, and showing such a colossal lack of judgement prior to playing a single down in the NFL is the kind of thing people were concerned about. NFL contracts have wording about not engaging in dangerous sports like skiing, motorcycle riding and ATVs. The kid did it anyway and without a helmet.

              • Christian

                um No, Concussions can cause aberrant behavior.

            • McZ

              Okay, you get drafted in R2, haven’t played a down, and you know, that you whole career depends on your body being fit and healthy.

              If it’s not about character, it’s stupidity.

              • TatupuTime

                How do you feel about RW playing baseball every spring? Graham flying a small float plane? The entire LB group did a bunch of ski mobiling in Montana with Brock Coyle a few years ago. Shit happens. A lot of franchises don’t allow this (Romo wasn’t allowed to golf), but Pete seems to embrace having a life outside of football.

          • Tecmo Bowl

            I don’t think Malik was a reach so much as a player who fell because of red flags. Its truly been worst case scenario with him thus far. The thing that hurts the worst is the players we could’ve had. Players we discussed on here as viable options in that range of the draft. McKinley, Taco, Tre White, Njoku,Watt, Foster, Ramcyk, Cam Robinson, King, Budda, Lamp, Cook.

            • drewdawg11

              His play in his final year was terrible to watch. High risk high reward player but his risk was higher than most.

          • FresnoHawk

            Desperate for 3 tech!

        • Pugs1

          They traded down three times from 26 to 35. Not sure how they reached? Nobody is happy about the McDowell injury and it’s repercussions but IMO it’s not PC or JS fault that McDowell got hurt.

          • Mark Souza

            +1

            Most had McDowell projected in the second half of Rd 1, a few had him in the top ten. We didn’t reach. We thought we had a steal until the ATV accident, and then it was “Oh, those types of immaturity red flags.”

            • Hawk Eye

              +2

              • drewdawg11

                I guess going into the draft, if I had been a GM, he would have been completely off of my board. He mailed in his last season and he as clearly off. At best he deserved to be a day 3 pick based on his performance and his attitude. I think it was a reach because they did it out of desperation for an interior pass rush. In fact, when he was lost JS doubled down and traded for Sheldon. This is the very definition of a reach. They were so eager to fill that position that they took a huge chance on a character risk who produced some prettty embarrassing film as a junior.

  2. D-OZ

    Nice mock Rob, I would liked to have seen you squeeze Aruna in there somewhere though.

  3. Dingbatman

    Curious as to why trading Doug Baldwin never seems to get mentioned as a way to get more draft picks? Lack of value? Too valuable for Seahawks? Is he, like RW and BW also considered “untouchable”?

    • peter

      Not a cheap contract and this is just me. But baldwin is the most or nearly the most under appreciated receivers in the league. I think he’s get maybe a fourth.

      Also pc can coach dbs. He’s proven it time and again. Losing earl would be super tough. However Seattle has zero receivers that come anywhere close to Baldwin and Seattle has shown almost no ability to develop recievers.

      • Patrick Toler

        Yeah, his contract doesn’t look cheap until you look what FA receivers are getting. Doug is an absolute steal.

        • peter

          No it’s a solid contract I’m just speaking from the idea that baldwin is best for those that pay attention but from a fantasy gm standpoint he makes no sense to trade at all. I think he’s a true lifer for seattle and can seriously see him retiring here rather than bounce around aimless for a few years.

          • Patrick Toler

            Yeah, he is legitimately undervalued by those that don’t pay close attention to him. Trading him doesn’t make any sense.

        • Dingbatman

          Imagine The numbers Baldwin would get for the Patriots. He’d more likely get the credit he deserves.

          • 503Hawk

            In that system with those coaches and Brady he would be HoF.

            • peter

              No doubt. Baldwin Brady would have been ridiculous

    • C-Dog

      PC and JS have both mentioned him as a core player moving forward along with RW, Bobby Wagner, Duane Brown and KJ Wright. Curiously, neither mentioned Earl Thomas in that group.

    • Tecmo Bowl

      Without Baldwin our WR core would be the worst in the NFL. Thats why he isn’t mentioned as a trade option.

    • Heliopause

      Baldwin reminds me somewhat of Darrell Jackson; highly productive for the Seahawks but probably nowhere near as valuable to any other team.

      • 80SLargent

        I think you’re either underselling Baldwin, overselling Jackson, or maybe some of both. I think Baldwin is a better receiver than, say Golden Tate, who is also good. Tate also became way more productive for the Lions than he ever was with the Seahawks. Baldwin would be productive anywhere.

        • Heliopause

          What I’m driving at is, not considered an elite talent, productive for a single team for seven seasons, getting to an age where dropoff is possible, therefore probably not a ton of trade value. I was not trying to diminish the accomplishments of either.

  4. peter

    Excellent mock. Listened to to the 3000 podcast and it made me smile to think of Seattle with a young hungry defense.

    the trades are killing them this draft time but I think there’s some interesting/great talent late that Seattle needs.

    Not a big fan of Hurst but I would love to see bj hill may be instead of Josh sweat. I get sweat is the definition of Seattle edge rusher but I think hill brings a swag and presence that would be great with reed and naz jones’ attitude. I’m almost more interested in eijiofor in the fourth as a possible Bennett like inside out player.

    • Tecmo Bowl

      My favorite part was Rob’s reaction to Kenneth saying that Leonard Fournette didn’t have much of an impact for the Jags. Could hear him jump out of his seat trying to withhold himself! Haha

      • peter

        That pause….. “I love ya kenny……”

        • Frank

          The red headed step child treatment of the running back position had me lmao.

      • Trevor

        Yeah to say Fournette did not have an impact on the Jags was like saying Marshawn was just OK for the Hawks. Just silly. A bruising RB like Fournette sets the tone and compliments an elite D like Jags perfectly.

        • Tecmo Bowl

          Exactly. Not to mention Blake Bortles looked like a decent QB with the improved run game.

        • Fairlawn

          Like Kenny, I don’t understand how Fournette and his 3.9 ypc gets half-credit for the defense. Their defense is so great in large part because Dallas stepped into the top-5 RB trap and handed Jacksonville Jalen Ramsey the year prior. The Cowboys surely wish today that they had gone Ramsey first and taken a Derrick Henry in the second.

          • Rob Staton

            This makes no sense. I imagine both Dallas and Jacksonville are very happy with their picks.

            The Jags defense gives up far too many downfield plays. It is a good unit but benefits as much from the running game as the reverse.

            • Fairlawn

              Whether the defense is or isn’t good, and whether said defense’s vulnerability is the big play, or getting picked on by tight ends, or shifty receivers running crossers, or bruisers who can grind between the tackles — none of that has anything to do with the defenders’ offensive teammates.

              At any rate, even if it did, it’s still all a matter of cost.

              Circa last April the 2017 draft and the 2018 draft were both foreseeably deep at RB and many teams did/will use those classes to improve that position on their own roster without discharging a resource as rare and precious as a top-5 pick. I can’t see how it can even be controversial that the delta from Bortles to Mahomes or Watson far exceeds that from even the most generous estimate of Fournette to any of — the many quality day 2 backs in 2017 (Cook, Mixon, Kamara, Hunt, D’Onta Foreman) — or, the many exciting backs that they could get anywhere from pick 20-90 this year. Bortles+Fournette or Mahomes+Chubb. Bortles+Fournette or Watson+Freeman. Team-building-wise, you can have a shot at fixing the hole at your team’s most important position if you forego Leonard Fournette and “settle for” literally any other guy in this marvelous two-year pool, or you can leave the hole and take Fournette. And the rebuttal is that your more efficient offense would somehow make the defense worse? This is taking the hardnosed football aesthetic cliche past the point of absurdity.

              Anyway, I’ve said my piece on this and won’t mention it again this draft season; I know it’s the least favorite subject you battle in every comment thread, and I truly do respect your perspective. Thanks for all your amazing work on this site — it’s got to be one of the best sports blogs ever to grace the Internet and it’s one of my favorite reads.

              • Rob Staton

                And I appreciate contrasting views and the fact you read the blog despite how strongly we disagree.

                But people REALLY have to stop dismissing the link, connection and shared culture that comes between a strong physical running game and a fierce defense. It’s classic football 101. I cannot believe Seahawks fans, of all people, even dispute this. It’s almost like the Marshawn/LOB era has been wiped from memory with one of those ‘Men in Black’ devices.

                Leonard Fournette helped set the tone for Jacksonville. He helped create their culture. The two off-season moves that turned JAX from laughing stock to contender? Fournette and Calais. Toughness, culture, the blending of hard running with BAMF defense.

                Anyone who tries to argue Mixon, Hunt, Cook etc could’ve provided that is talking, as we say over here, out of ones arse. Fournette is a beast. He’s a 250lbs monster. The others aren’t. They drafted him as much for his running style, size, attitude and what he brings to the team as they did his talent (which, incidentally, is also significantly higher than some of the other names listed above).

                He isn’t Marshawn. But what he’s brought to Jacksonville in terms of toughness and culture most definitely IS similar.

                And if anyone needs evidence of his impact, look back at Seattle’s game vs Jacksonville. We sold out to stop Fournette and Bortles had a field day as a consequence. At the end we needed a stop on something like 3rd and 11 to keep the game alive. We knew they were running to kill clock. They knew they were running to kill clock. Fournette takes the handoff and runs for about 14. Game over.

                People need to stop trying too hard to fight this. I don’t know what has gotten into football fans. Maybe the concept on negative RB value has become conventional thinking? I don’t know. But I would’ve thought of all football fans out there, Seattle’s wouldn’t be the ones trying desperately to argue the toss over this.

      • Mishima

        Field Gulls is still running their 12-part series on Eddie Lacy… Enough said.

      • Kenny Sloth

        +3000

  5. nichansen01

    Looks like a really great mock in all honesty. I’ll never complain about adding pass rush.

    However, I am curious about one thing. Why Kameron Kelly over Nick Nelson? That one inch of arm length?

  6. Kenny Sloth

    I’m more and more convinced that Philly goes RoJo at 31

    I think Nick is the pick for me right now.

    • Kenny Sloth

      32 lol

      • Hawk Eye

        31 is what the “experts” predicted before the SB.
        That number was drilled into our heads so much, the mistake seems like reality.

        • Kenny Sloth

          💚💚💚💚💚

        • LLLOGOSSS

          Lol, because you thought Philly would win.

          • Hawk Eye

            if you look back at a lot of comments I have made about NE, I have always said they were beatable. I have never bought into their mythical status, pointed out their SB wins were always small, they have rarely had competition to win their division, and went 10 years without a SB win during “their streak of dominance”. And also pointed out they their D has always been flawed for years, but they out scheme teams and let teams beat themselves.
            I don’t believe Brady is the GOAT. One of them, yes. But football depends on too many players, plus coaches, plus year to year circumstances that makes the metrics to measure that impossible.
            so did I think Philly could win? yes I did. I figured it was a 50/50 game, with coaching decisions and maybe a couple of fluke plays that pushed it one way or the other.

            • AlaskaHawk

              If you watch the way Brady passes and lays the ball into his receivers, he is simply head and shoulders above most other QBs. He has a touch on his balls that reminds me of Joe Montana.

              Is he better? Debatable. Top five in any year. The GOAT part is from staying in that condition for so many years all the way into his 40s.

              Your arguments about the average defense just highlights how great the offense has been.

              • Hawk Eye

                the staying in that condition in to his 40’s is unusual and highly suspicious. I have studied PED’s for 35 years, and he displays a few classic red flags. Let’s see what is revealed in the future.
                great QB, not going to argue top 5. GOAT should always be debatable.
                Doing it without PED’s at his age? Cannot see it.

                • LLLOGOSSS

                  Oooh, do tell. What is the case for Brady on PED’s in your estimation?

                • AlaskaHawk

                  Yes have you ordered his magic juice yet?? I can’t even remember what it is!!! LOL

    • C-Dog

      I keep thinking Green Bay might grab him in the teens.

      • Logan Lynch

        I think they’ll run to the podium if Derwin James is still there. They have a legit terrible secondary.

        Yeah, but Kevin King… Don’t need to hear that argument. He was ok last year when he wasn’t injured, but he and Clinton-Dix (who I think is overrated) are basically all they have right now.

        • C-Dog

          That’s a pretty fair point. Just thinking what they could be matching A-Rod with RoJo.

          • Logan Lynch

            Can we not think about that? It’s a nightmare!

            I live in WI, so I also know that they’re very high on their 2nd year RBs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. Plus, they still have the Ty Montgomery experiment. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets moved back to WR.

      • TTownHawk

        I would be VERY surprised if GB goes runningback in the first. Actually I would be surprised if they drafted a runningback at all, outside of maybe a late round flier. They drafted multiple RBs last year and Aaron Jones is the real deal. They have much bigger problems – their secondary is atrocious and they need an edge rusher in a bad way (Clay is over the hill). Also think WR will be a target on draft day.

  7. Hawk Eye

    would love the draft to fall like that for the Hawks
    an impact RB, and a blocking TE, and speed, speed and speed for the D

  8. Kenny Sloth

    “Mayfield is keeping a list of the media members who have crossed a line, he says, and he stores screenshots of offending tweets in his phone. All of it serves as motivation when he’s working out alone, he told [Russell] Wilson.”

    Thanks for mentioning that some GMs wouldn’t touch Mayfield because I’d be one of them.

    Kid is unhealthy and earned ZERO respect in college.

    Had to walk on twice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you ever heard of that before???
    Hit people in heads without footballs. Got benched for a crotch grab.
    Flag plant fail.

    Opponents refused to shake his hand and stuff.

    Nobody in college wanted this guy around, will you want him around for 8-15 years?!

    • Kenny Sloth

      Everyone talks about Rosens character issues and how Lamar Jackson isn’t ready, but Mayfield is the heismann winning chippy under dog.

      • Kenny Sloth

        What is Rosen’s red flag anyway? He tweeted at media members?

        Baker Mayfield does that ALLLLL the TIIIIME

        He’s the kind of guy that googles himself to see whats new.

        He’s a thermometer not a thermostat

        • Trevor

          I think some teams will definitely be put off by his character and attitude.

          The other side of that arguement is that he sounds a lot like Sherm.

          • Kenny Sloth

            Except Sherm got them good grades and went to Stanford and played two positions

            Baker Mayfield had to walk on twice…. Amd everyone knows it had nothing to do with talent

            • Kenny Sloth

              Havent even mentioned his arrest.

              • Kenny Sloth

                Remember when he left the 3 way competition for starter at TTech?

                I’ve been watching Mayfield for years. Dude’s not the guy

        • Hawk Eye

          Rosen is a social liberal, practically a crime in the US.
          He has also pointed out the hypocrisy of the NCAA, another crime.
          And, he speaks out on these issues. Strike 3.
          NFL likes robots, not humans that think and question authority

          • Trevor

            You have seen what the NFL has done to Kapernick. They don’t want stars who speak up and voice opinions. They want Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson.

            • FresnoHawk

              Exactly! That’s what I want!

          • Austin D Hall

            I thought that Rosen also had the reputation to not play through minor injuries, so he’s perceived as soft.

        • TTownHawk

          He straight up took HIMSELF out of the UW game. Most football players have to be dragged off the field because of their competitive fire, but he just said nope I’m done. No more Vita Vea for me. Rosen just seems like he lacks ambition. Mayfield may be a bit of a spark plug, but I love that competitive fire. Good example: I’ll take that any day over a player who seems complacent.

          • AlaskaHawk

            The only reason they were in the top 4 was Mayfield. They might have won their semifinal game in overtime if they had let him pass the ball. A failure in play calling, not in QB.

            • Kenny Sloth

              I’m not ever gonna doubt his arm

              I just dont want him around my community representing my franchise.

              If I’m a GM I hesitate to stake my job on this guy.

              Not because he’s likely to bust but because he’s not the character I want to stake my professional name and legacy on.

              And it’s not like he’ll be drafted and be an instant scandal starter, but he totally is the face-palm of QBs. Misguided tweets, wrong place wrong time at the one position you can’t have that imo.

              Not really relevant but what would Baker Mayfield’s prospects be if he were black? Lucky to go in the second round imo. Some teams would drop him altogether I bet.

              • AlaskaHawk

                That’s a coaching issue that can be fixed.

                • drewdawg11

                  Coaches in the NFL have very little influence on the personalities of their players. It’s a personality flaw and only a therapist can help.

                • Kenny Sloth

                  No. Coaches can fix the mechanics of Sam Darnold.

                  They can’t change themselves and their culture to fit one whiny guy and his LaVarr Ball-esque fathers ego.

                  One of his 3 choices for the classic “dinner with 3 people alive or dead” was Blake Lively.

                  Oh Hello, second coming of Tony Romo.

                  Only difference Romo went undrafted

                  • Chris

                    Maybe he had recently watched “The Shallows.” That would warp any hetero man’s perspective.

          • Mishima

            Concussion.

      • Kenny Sloth

        “Just spoke with TCU coach Gary Patterson, who, while at practice for the Horned Frogs’ Alamo Bowl match-up vs Oregon, called over the coach who recruited Mayfield, DC Chad Glasgow. “When did we tell Baker Mayfield he wasn’t getting a scholarship?”

        “First week of January,” I heard Glasgow respond.

        Patterson: “I like Baker Mayfield. I think he’s a good kid and that’s what disappoints me.

        “If Baker Mayfield wants to blame TCU for 128 BCS schools not offering him a scholarship, that’s fine. But ask Kliff Kingsbury why he didn’t offer him a scholarship at Texas Tech. Ask about Baker’s dad [James]. He’s an arrogant guy who thinks he knows everything. If people knew the whole story, they might not have a great opinion of Baker or his father.” “

        • Tecmo Bowl

          Wow great info Kenny Sloth!

        • Hawk Eye

          always more to the story when you dig into it
          great work KS, if you like being underpaid and unappreciated, and thrown under the bus, you could be an investigative journalist.

          • Kenny Sloth

            How about unpaid and totally appreciated?

            Way more gratifying to do this with Rob and you guys.

            Thanks for the kind words, I just like to find out who theae guys are in the workplace

            • Hawk Eye

              follow your passion

    • Heliopause

      This may not be the most scientific way of looking at it, but there is not currently a single, solitary QB who went from crazy numbers in the Big XII to long-term success in the NFL. Closest you get are Tannehill and Bradford. Mahomes will get a shot in KC but who knows how he’ll turn out.

    • Kenny Sloth

      The more I learn the less I like.

      • Kenny Sloth

        Every time I look him up “ugh he did what?!?!”

    • Fairlawn

      so you’re saying he’s pissed off for greatness

      • Kenny Sloth

        Some people will absolutely see him in that light.

        I think he’s got a bad way of dealing with negativity and its not sustainable

        Especially when you leave friggin Norman for New York City.

        Broadway Baker? I don’t quite see it.

        • AlaskaHawk

          I think we can all see he needs a mental attitude adjustment. Whether that requires therapy or some good football buddies that can exert some peer pressure. I guess knowing all this, any team that drafted him would be foolish not to give him some help.

  9. Trevor

    Love Shaqueem Grifffin but why would NFL invite him to NFL draft? He is not going to be a 1st round pick. Does this mean they think he goes on Day #1 or 2?

    • Christian

      $$$$$ aka people tuning in to watch

      • Trevor

        I guess but you think people are going to tune in just to watch him sit in the green room? Maybe he is getting Rd 2-3 grades who knows but it seems odd.

        • Tecmo Bowl

          Yes, but not for all the people who always watch the draft. Griffin is an inspiration for amputees and countless others. Having him at the draft couldn’t hurt TV ratings.

          Hope hes not in the green room on day 1. Theres no need for that. Its hard to see him go on day 2 either, but its not impossible.

          • drewdawg11

            Technically, he’s not an amputee. He had a condition from birth.

            • Kenny Sloth

              I thought that his hand was amputated to stop the pain from his birth defect (?)

              • drewdawg11

                Maybe so? I feel like I’m able to google this but too lazy…

                • Kenny Sloth

                  Well don’t correct someone if you’re “too lazy” to know that you’re wrong!!

                  Poor showing m8

                  • drewdawg11

                    Seriously you need to relax. He was born with something called amniotic band syndrome, which caused his fingers to never fully develop. When he was a kid, his prints actually found him trying to cut the ends off with a butcher knife and scheduled to have the ends amputated. So I read that he had a condition from birth. He had some of it amputated. Both statements are correct. You’re kind of stressing about something incredibly silly.

                  • drewdawg11

                    Lol! I scrolled down this thread and I see that you’ve been arguing with people all day. What’s the issue here?

            • GerryG

              Yeah, and that condition resulted in his hand being amputated at age 4.

            • Thy Hawk is Howling

              Shaquem was 4 years old when doctors Amputated his left hand as the result of amniotic band syndrome.He lived with constant, scorching pain every time his jelly-like fingers and hand touched anything.

              I think you were meaning he did not get in an accident and have it amputated?

              He just has to be a Hawk!

    • Overtime

      The networks love his back story … a guy with one hand makes it to the NFL. It gives them something new to talk about while everyone waits for his name to be called and drives ratings.

    • Rob Staton

      It means they’ve discovered Shaquem’s is a great story and they are going to milk it dry.

      • Kenny Sloth

        “NFL makes custom superbowl bracelet for Champion Shaquem Griffin”

        “….but he has another hand?”

        “Yep honorary bracelet get yours only 59.95”

  10. drewdawg11

    I also thought that if you’re going to go DL with that second pick, take Hill or someone who can actually play football. Despite the testing numbers, he’s really not impressive. Rob, you even acknowledged it yourself that he’s got a terrible get-off. I would definitely like to see RoJo as a hawk, but to respond to Trevor, it just depends on what style you’re looking for. To say Chubb isn’t worthy of that pick is something I would disagree with. I think Johnson is a solid second round talent, but I would place him third. I think he’s a Carson type, and I believe that Chris can be our second back. Chubb is just so subtle in most of the things that he does well. I like the frame better, even though the knee history is a red flag. His vision, his feet, his talent, and his character are all great. He’s someone you feel great about having on your roster and he’s going to be productive as well. I’m so over this parade of running backs that can’t deliver. I guess that’s the fun part of the draft process. Everyone has their own preferences. Full disclosure: I’ve been a play caller at the high school level, but never beyond that. I honestly feel that I’m pretty good at it. I see a guy like Rojo and my eyes light up. I can get him into mismatch situations and expose another team’s linebackers in the passing game with his flash, and I also feel pretty comfortable having him run between the tackles, but I would probably use him more on draws, delays, of tackle to best utilize his speed. He’s a bit upright so I wouldn’t want to expose him to a lot of clean shots in traffic. Chubb is the kid you can rely on to keep the Chan’s moving and then boom! He breaks off a run because he bounces off a tackle and gets into the secondary and runs over a safety. Those big shoulders and thick legs on that 220 lb frame are like a security blanket, and psychologically speaking, he’s in the heads of the defense, which makes play action effective. I think his feet when he’s in the hole are very good. I saw some of the same qualities in Mark Ingraham when he was at Bama. Chubb is probably more talented than he is. I dunno man, I think some people aren’t seeing his total value. I think if you take Jones, you need to pair him with Carson and not let either one of them take 20 carries per game too often. I think if you take Chubb, you can give him the ball early and often, and maybe provide or someone else can be that third down back who scats around. But Chubb is also good enough to pass protect and I would take him over jones in that regard as well.

    • Trevor

      I am with you on Jones completely.

      As for Chubb I see him as late 2nd early 3rd and 5-6 th best RB in draft. Like you say that is what makes draft great. What makes you think he can handle a big workload but Jones can’t? Jones actually was a lead RB in college while Chubb split carries with Michel and was never the lead RB except the year of the knee injury?

      We disagree completely on Sweat and Chubb. Funny because both are freak athletes and top recruits whose college careers where not as dynamic as expected. Would the Hawks use their first 2 picks on guys who have reconstructive knee surgery in their medical history?

      • peter

        Chubb carried the rock inn the low 200 carries 3 seasons. Jones only broke the 200 once. Even splitting carries with michel he carried it more than jones did.

        Again I’m not sure there’s a right opinion. Many say he’s the “5-6” best back in the draft.

        for me it goes Barkley but not as a runner but as the whole package, with catching , and return skills. As a runner I think there’s about 4 players who don’t get bottled up as hard as he does in certain games.

        Then this is just me. Jones and chubb are tied. But would work better for different teams or schemes. then johnson. I wonder how he would have looked playing say for usc ? Or with michel? As opposed to carrying the ball so many times game in and game out.

        Then I’m intrigued by michel though surprised by the testing or lack thereof. Also maybe he’s the “most complete back,” in this class but multiple coaches didn’t think so and had him as a third down change of pace specialist but maybe all of Georgia coaches are wrong .

        I like guice but think Seattle may be looking for a different style to him. I like the reckless nature of his rule and think it can set a time but when it doesn’t work, see: rawls, it’s embarassing.

        that’s it for me. then the cliff. I don’t rate penny because sdsu is a mirage. I think they have an absolutely perfectly executed scheme and I wouldn’t be surprised if next year one of the top yardage running backs comes out of that program. It reminds me of what Wiscosnin had going for a few years. I like Kelly but not sure he does anything for seattle that Seattle doesn’t have. As per Chase Edmunds and ito Smith they are prospects in the mold of what schottenheimer adds to his scheme but more than likely neither would be game to game starters.

      • drewdawg11

        Well like I alluded to before, I think Jones is more susceptible to taking shots with his upright running style and his leaner frame. He’s not a twig, but he is 200 lbs. Chubb has those broad shoulders and lower running style. He was splitting time because Michel was a good player as well who earned carries while he was injured. They have different skills sets and they had a dynamic freshman as well. I would be ecstatic if we could nab them both, but that’s not the world that we currently inhabit. Sweat is just slow off the snap and gets eaten alive in the run game at weird times for me. He’s so completely underwhelming that I wouldn’t take him until day 3. I wouldn’t want to have to be frustrated with him, hoping that he suddenly becomes a dominant player. He actually plays like he’s got a bum knee. Chubb doesn’t show the ill effects on the field.

        • Trevor

          Now if we could get Michel and Chubb that is something I could get behind.

          • peter

            Dream scenario.

            • drewdawg11

              We probably lay could if we acquire those extra picks, but realistically speaking, they probably it won’t double-dip until day 3. Sony may not like that too much, though. He’s thinking that he’s finally stepping out of Chubb’s shadow and he can be a feature back. 😛

        • peter

          Mentioned above but bj hill instead of sweat. Get some much needed inside presence to pair with naz

        • Tecmo Bowl

          Drewdawg- completely agree with your Josh Sweat viewpoint. Hes consistently the last guy to react to the snap. Reaction time has little to nothing to do with a bum knee. How much can this be improved? More often than not Sweat is just going through the motions. Like Rob said he does have a top 10 physical profile, his combine #’s are very impressive. I get the intrigue on that front. Just have a hard time believing Sweat is the type of player JS/PC are targeting, when trying to remake the D into a fast, hungry, hard hitting line up. Would way rather get Lewis or Duke in the 4th. Imo

          • drewdawg11

            Cliff Avril always had great get-off. Even Clemons was pretty good. Maybe Sweat is the answer to the constant Michael Bennett offsides penalties? Sweat may never be offsides in his career. 😂😂😂

            • Tecmo Bowl

              Hahaha very true!

            • Kenny Sloth

              Not for lack of athleticism.

              I think youre lacking context with his tape

              • Tecmo Bowl

                ? Sweat is consistently the last player off the ball. Being slow to react to the snap greatly decreases his effectiveness as a speed rusher. A 40 yard dash is timed on the players first movement, not read and react-football skills.

              • drewdawg11

                What context is there? I’ve seen plenty of FSU games. He’s never once made me sit up and say “that guy is going to be great!” An occasional flash does not a future elite edge rusher make. By the time he figured out where he wants to go the ball will be out.

                • Kenny Sloth

                  Thats what context means.

                  I just question what criterion you’re using based on your scouting profile of this player

                • Kenny Sloth

                  Context in that he had that big brace clearly affecting his rush ability and get-off

                  Context in that you can appreciate his obvious athletic profile that clearly shows a player that can go beyond the tape from the couple games we’ve seen.

                  Context in that you realize the injury report on the player and factored that into your evaluation.

                  • drewdawg11

                    I wouldn’t say that I can appreciate his athletic ability because it’s best usage is putting up numbers in a combine setting. It’s not necessarily translating to the football field. I think if you believe that he’s an outstanding football player, I would love to know what makes you think that. It can’t only be that he can run and Jump in shorts and a t shirt. And yeah, he wears a knee brace. Some people who don’t want Chubb point to his injury. However, he came back and actually still looks like an excellent football player. Sweat has never been a dominant player in college.

                  • Tecmo Bowl

                    I’m confused, when evaluating a player what better context is there than game tape? His game tape is underwhelming.

                    Josh Sweat’s major knee injury happened in September 2014. If a knee brace is still affecting his noticeably slow get off then his knee is a major problem.

                  • Kenny Sloth

                    The stats and measurables have to be taken in context with the tape

                    The tape has to be taken in context with the injuries, coaching, mental makeup, athletic profile, and scheme, etc.

                    I can get a good idea of what a players tape is in a very generous 2 minutes of even tv footage imo.

                    The difference comes in when you dig deeper, learn about a player, and go back to the tape with more information to formulate a better conclusion.

                    The tape clearly shows Sweat not fully recovered and clearly the tape and production suffers for it.

                    But we’re not ranking college players based on just their tape and production. We’re projecting scheme and culture fit of professionals.

                    If you think Josh Sweat’s tape from last year is what he will look like next year, then you may just need to rethink your process of prospect evaluation, if I may be so frank with all respect

                    You’ve given me an excellent idea for a piece called “When the Tape Lies”

                  • Tecmo Bowl

                    “The tape clearly shows Sweat not fully recovered and clearly the tape and production suffers for it.” Kenny Sloth

                    A knee that hasn’t fully recovered in 3.5 years is damaged goods.

                  • Kenny Sloth

                    HE TORE HIS MENISCUS LAST YEAR DUDE

                    Maaaaaaaaan the nerve of you

                  • Tecmo Bowl

                    My bad Kenny. I thought you were referring to Sweat’s major left knee injury(ACL tear and dislocation) in Sep 2014, not the minor meniscus clean up on the same left knee in Sep 2016.

                    “He had a little piece of cartilage in there that they clipped out. It was very clean. … He wanted to play with it, and couldn’t do it so we went to clean it out…We’re all very relieved,” Jimbo Fisher said of the severity of Sweat’s injury. Out 1-2 weeks.

                    http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-state-seminoles/chopping-block/os-florida-state-josh-sweat-meniscus-surgery-20160922-story.html

                    If what you’re saying is true and Sweat was impacted in 2017 by the 2016 meniscus clean up, then the knee is a major issue.

                  • Patrick Toler

                    Kenny, I think your whole point about context is one of the most important things to keep in mind when evaluating players. Unless you can dedicate a huge amount of time to knowing all of these players and their circumstances it is impossible to really know their situation. That’s why for me, I find watching for traits to be the most effective way to judge. I almost totally ignore statistics, because I don’t have the time available to truly dig into all of the variables that go into those statistics.

                    When I hear that player X rushed for Y amount of yards in conference Z, I think:
                    What was his O line like? Did defenses have to fear the passing game? How defective was the game plan? Was he given runs that were conducive to success for his traits? What game situations did his carries come in? What defenses did he face? How healthy were those defenses and how did they play that gucen week? How healthy was he? Did he have off the field college stuff that got in his way?

                    I don’t have the time to understand most of those things in depth, so I look for traits and project.

          • AlaskaHawk

            I’m betting Rob will have another pick instead of Sweat by next week!!

      • FresnoHawk

        Great point!

    • Del tre

      This is such a great summary of why i love Chubb, we have explosive athletes who can provide explosive plays in McKissick, Prosise, Lockett, and Doug, we need a guy that can provide Russell 2nd and 3rd and short. Look who drew attention against Bama, they threw the kitchen sink at him, imagine teams doing that with the threat of Russell off of play action. Jones doesn’t strike me as that guy, he seems like the perfect runningback for the type of system they run in NO though.

      • Patrick Toler

        I actually think Jones is that guy. Great at making guys miss it n the backfield or hole, he gets skinny through the crease, and rarely cools around and loses yardage.

        Love Chubb too though.

  11. C-Dog

    Great looking mock, Rob.

    I think this is a pretty solid blue print. IMO, it would be a mistake for Seattle pass on RB with their first pick if there is an explosive player there. RoJo, Chubb and Johnson tick too many boxes.

    Would love to see them nab up a DT sooner (BJ Hill, BJ Hill, BJ Hill), but Poona is really interesting as a potential pass rushing nose, and they don’t really have much nose on the roster beyond Reed.

    Love that you included Kelly in your mock. Even if they bring Maxwell back, they need to find a more long term solution opposite Griffin, and Coleman is going to be UFA next year. But like you said, unless they deal Earl Thomas, they don’t have enough in the chamber to address all the needs this year.

    • GerryG

      Agreed on BJ Hill, but it seems they are addressing DT with cheap vets…no cheap edge signings to be had so kind of have to draft one. Sweat would be rotational depth to start off.

      • C-Dog

        There were things PC was saying on the John Clayton show that makes me feel like they are still searching, though. Bob Condotta tweeted earlier in the week that the team is still looking to add there, possibly signing Bennie Logan or Quinton Dial. If they don’t add another veteran body b4 the draft, I kinda think that might signal a willingness to take one sooner. This would be a good draft to take another one.

    • Trevor

      I like Kelly a lot too!

  12. drewdawg11

    Yeah, I’m not as bullish on Maxwell as some here, but he’s definitely a short-term option. Would be nice to find another young, feisty corner like Shaq. I was incredibly impressed with Shaq from the start. Teams kept going at him. He never backed down. I love that toughness and mentality. It’s too bad we don’t have more draft capital because I do like Oliver from Colorado more than some. He’s a fighter. He is physical corner. He handled Dante Pettis when UW played them this season. Long and physical. (Sigh)

    • Trevor

      Yeah Shaw looks like a future star. Dream scenario is they find another guy like him who can come in and beat out a guy like Maxi for the starting spot.

    • Mark Souza

      I had concerns with Shaq at first. Quick as hell with speed and agility to burn, but in the preseason, he wasn’t locating the ball. The result was penalties when he’d collide with his man when the receiver slowed to meet the ball, and Shaq was totally unaware the ball was coming, or the receiver would take advantage that Shaq didn’t know where the ball was and would make the catch.

      Then at the start of the regular season, he started turning and locating the ball. And voila, we had ourselves a top flight corner.

  13. Trevor

    Shaq not Shaw. Oliver just looks like a Hawks CB. Probably a top 40 guy. What range do you see him going?

    • drewdawg11

      Sounds about right to me. He’s not getting out of round two for sure.

  14. LLLOGOSSS

    Hey Rob, few quick hits:

    *What is the range for Sweat? With his combine I worry that he might be a mid-high 2nd. I’d love to have a chance at him — seems like the athletic equal to Clark, but bigger.

    *I’ve seen you mock Smythe before, and that would be fine with me, but in watching limited tape I wasn’t impressed with him as a receiver. I know we need to recommit to the run-first scheme, but Zach Miller was a prolific pass catcher in OAK, and very capable here. For my money Dalton Schultz looked more like a complete TE — running short routes in limited duty, but also up the seam, using his body to box out defenders and catching the ball away from his body.

    How do the two TE’s compare, and where might each be drafted?

    *Where might Maurice Hurst go, mid-2nd?

    • Tecmo Bowl

      Prefer Schultz to Smythe too, with Dissly a close 3. To be fair to Rob he of tens mentions all 3 as quality options. We’d be doing well to get 1 of the 3.

      • Tecmo Bowl

        *often

    • Rob Staton

      Sweat is R2-3. Some reports suggest he’s firmly in round two. He might not be there in the late second, especially with a dearth of EDGE rushers this year.

      I think Schultz is a round three, Smythe more R4-5. I prefer Schultz but it depends how early they want to go with the position. I think Schultz is a terrific run blocker.

      Hurst to me is going to go 25-55.

  15. Michigan 12th

    Rob you keep mocking Leon Jacobs to us in the fourth round. For the life of me I just can’t see him lasting that long. Is his tape that bad? With the speed and explosiveness, why would he still be on the board in the fourth round? Especially if he plays with his hair on fire as you say?

    Also is Sweat that good? I have read your other comments about the knee brace, but to me he seems to have a hesitation about his game, almost like he is confused at times thinking about what move he will try or something. When I watch his highlight videos against Bama and NC State I just don’t see anything that makes me think he is special. I would rather snag an O-Lineman than Sweat at that spot. Of course maybe you are thinking no O-Lineman will be there worth taking.

    • Rob Staton

      Not everyone can go early.

      Sweat has some issues that need attention but he fits the Seattle EDGE profile.

      • drewdawg11

        Except that he can’t rush the passer…

        • Rob Staton

          Josh Sweat can rush the passer.

          I’ve acknowledged his issues. We don’t have to go OTT.

        • Kenny Sloth

          Nothing about his profile prohibits him from becoming an elite LEO

          What he can do not what he can’t.

          Put that brace on Jadeveon Clowney and well talk about everything he can’t do

          • drewdawg11

            Clowney’s knee isn’t trashed so he doesn’t need one. Serious red flag if he still the brace now.

            • Kenny Sloth

              Dude…. He literally almost lost his leg.

              Its all precautionary.

            • Kenny Sloth

              Im actually kind of frustrated

              Your line of argument shows how little research you’re doing.

              Scouting the draft is not just watching tape OK ok.

              • Kenny Sloth

                Sorry for assuming your level of research.

                I ain’t nobody to be doin that

                I encourage you to watch his combine interview if you can find it or check out some FSU media recently

                • Tecmo Bowl

                  Kenny- How about instead of just saying Drewdawg and I are wrong and lack context, don’t do research etc. you illustrate some positives in Sweat’s game to make your argument. Positives that include Sweat in full pads.

                  You say Sweat is slow off the ball because of a 3.5 year old knee injury. What makes you he can ever fully recover?

                  • Kenny Sloth

                    Is that what I said?

                    I just think you owe it to yourself to get a full scope of what this player’s profile is more than just what me Rob or Lance Zierlein say. Or even the games you watched because I think you are having a problem connecting some very obvious dots here.

                  • Tecmo Bowl

                    So no you’re not able to illustrate positives about Sweat playing football. Cool. ✌

  16. Rad_man

    I guess I’m in the minority but feel comfortable with Carson, Davis, and J.D. going into the season, with another late rounder mixed in. I feel the running game is going to improve mostly by a change in coaching at both the OL and OC position. I really feel the run game and offensive line coaching was a disaster the last few years, and the termination of certain coaches was years overdue.

    Myself, I’d rather see them spend those early picks on other positions, in the trenches or secondary.

    • 12th chuck

      I agree, since the infamous superbowl lack of run on last offensive play, our run game has not been very good, almost like the play calling was the biggest issue. Tag that with an offensive line that played terrible, and your qb ends up being the best rusher

    • FuzzyLogic

      I agree completely. I’m not jumping on the RB bandwagon like I did last year with the CB bandwagon. Every year I make a list of players I would like the hawks to pick in the first 2 rounds….and then I make an X through it because the picks end up not on the sheet I made. I fully expect the same this year. The only non-Barkley RB I would even consider in the first 2 rounds in Rojo.

    • TTownHawk

      If you take out Russell’s numbers on the ground last year, we had the 5th worst rushing attack OF ALL TIME. I have a hard time believing that replacing 1 or 2 OL will completely change that. RB is not THE problem, but it is definitely part of the problem. Seattle RBs had 20 carries inside the 5 for 0 yards. ZERO. Our run game was historically bad.

      I love CC, but we are one injury away from another season of Mike Davis and JD McKissic leading the charge. JD is a scat back, so obviously not going to handle that many carries. Keep in mind Davis was on Seattle’s practice squad for 2/3 of the season before getting the call. No other teams thought enough of him to sign him from Seattle’s PS. He is a solid depth RB, but that’s it. I want a game changer. Carson may be that, he flashed potential, but we don’t really know what he is yet. We haven’t seen enough of him. We need some electricity on the ground. And I really do believe Seattle wants a situation like New Orleans or Atlanta (as Rob mentioned), where they have multiple dynamic backs to split carries.

      • 12th chuck

        I don’t we are as bad off as last year. There is no Lacey to put false hopes in your game planning. It would be a hard thing to do to mimic how terrible our run game was last year, but still possible. I think its a good thing that this draft is somewhat deep in rb, even the scrap pile will have more talent, at least we have that going for us

      • Mark Souza

        TTownHawk, I’m with you. With a line as bad as last year’s, we would need a generational running back like Barry Sanders, who can make his yards without line support. If we’re drafting anything less and the line doesn’t significantly improve, we can expect more of the same.

        I really hope Solari has arrived with pockets full of magic and wisdom to turn this line around.

        I am hoping someone picks up Rawls. It would be interesting if he has a big season. It might be another data point indicating it wasn’t the backs, it was the line. The first being Alex Collins.

        • McZ

          Rawls is a Jet, now.

      • Fairlawn

        Couldn’t you write that same sentence with the opposite conclusion?

        “If you take out Russell’s numbers on the ground last year, we had the 5th worst rushing attack OF ALL TIME … that’s a problem that by definition is more pervasive and fundamental than the particular guy in the backfield.”

    • FresnoHawk

      I like all our RB’s adding 2 more from the draft is a good thing especially when adding Austin Corbett.

    • Rob Staton

      That’s fine if you’re willing to trust the fate of the running game to a guy who played four games in 2017 and took 49 carries in 2016 (and was hurt in 2015), a small receiver/runner and Mike Davis.

      I think it’d be a major mistake to invest faith in that group personally, with so many great RB options in this draft.

      • Kenny Sloth

        I love that “and Mike Davis” is the only descriptor he needs

        • Rad_man

          If we’re going to play the experience card, Carson has more NFL success than anyone in the draft.

  17. Tecmo Bowl

    Looking at Robs last 2 round mock, Christian Kirk was available at #63. Id replace Sweat with Kirk then take Lewis or Duke later. Rojo and Kirk. 2 playmakers.

    • FuzzyLogic

      Agreed, but I think Kirk will go top 45.

      • Tecmo Bowl

        Same here, just throwing it out there.

    • TTownHawk

      I like Kirk, but can he play outside? He seems like a slot receiver. And we already have Doug. Personally, I want an alpha receiver in the worst way. A big bodied, athletic guy to play on the outside. I know there may not be one in this draft, but with Lockett and Baldwin being a bit undersized, I feel like we are desperate for some height at the position. Darboh has the build. I really hope he can develop a bit more.

      • Tecmo Bowl

        Agreed it would be preferred to get a bigger WR. I think Kirk can play outside, but is best as a slot right now. Golden took a couple years to make a big impact on the outside. Don’t think Kirk is the ideal fit with our WR either, but is a legit playmaker. We could use some more of those.

      • Mark Souza

        People said the same thing about Golden Tate, and he proved he could play outside.

    • SoCal12

      I agree. If Kirk lasts until #63 I’d run to the podium. I think he has All-Pro potential, and if not I think his floor would be a high-quality WR2.

      I’m surprised Rob kept Sweat as the end of round 2 pick honestly. I see ‘bust’ written all over him quite frankly. I think he’s one of those ‘athletic’ guys that will be ‘in development’ for a really long time, have maybe one solid season and then get injured and cut. I understand it’s hard to find DE with good traits in this class down at #63. But if guys like Kemoko Turay and Rasheem Green are gone by then, I’d rather wait and draft less athletic but good tape guys like Eijofor or Andrew Brown.

  18. DAWGfan

    My top 5 RB in order:

    Barkley
    Jones
    Guice
    Johnson
    Penny

    I just don’t believe in the Georgia RB’s Chubb’s college career he never seemed healthy and Michel is a 3rd down back maybe 10 carries a game at most. I honestly think Freeman will be a better NFL back than either of these two.

    • TTownHawk

      Chubb’s injury history does concern me. But Michel is definitely not a 3rd down back. For one, he is 5’11” 215, but he also lowers his shoulder and can deliver a hit. He is a very complete back actually, so I think he best embodies a 3 down back. My only concern there is his ball control.

      Freeman has 15 lbs. on Michel, but Michel welcomes contact WAY more. Freeman shies away from contact a bit too much, especially for someone of his size.

      • DAWGfan

        They way he was used in college was very much as change of pace back. Only 7 times in the past 2 years did he have more than 15 carries. He had 8 games with less than 10 carries in that same period.

        I agree with Christian is that he is redundant to Prosise and McKissic, no need to spend high draft capital on what we already have.

        • TTownHawk

          I was speaking more to his skillset rather than his usage. Just because he only received a handful of carries doesn’t mean he is a third down back. It just means he wasn’t their lead back. I’m just saying don’t let his usage in college dictate his NFL projection, his build and skillset are very much that of a 3 down back. He is a very physical runner. If anything I say that makes him more attractive because he has less mileage.

      • D-OZ

        ???? Michel is definitely a 3rd down back…

    • Christian

      Top 5 RB for Seattle:

      Jones
      Chubb
      Johnson
      Penny
      Kelly

      Why not Michel?? Right now his draft stock is in the bottom of the first. If we trade down he won’t be an option probably, plus he would be more like a Prosise, McKissic, replacement, not sure I’d want that with our first pick.

      • Christian

        One thing that hasn’t really been expounded upon but probably should is Schottenheimer coached both Michel, and Chubb at Georgia as their O-Coordinator. Combine that with the fact both of those runners, fit Seattle’s style of running, and preferred body type. Means the lines are very easy to draw connecting the two. And if it is that easy to do for us, it is for 31 other teams as well. My guess is once we trade down a team or two might trade above us, to select one of our preferred options, if they got a RB crush on one of those guys.

        • Christian

          Rob, if Cleveland goes QB w/ 1st and Chubb w/ 4 then maybe they are wanting to trade w/ us to get Rojo could you do a draft where Seattle trades with Cleveland like you speculated but Rojo is gone and somebody trades w/ Eagles to get 32, and picks Chubb or Michel. I’d like to see what’s left in that scenario.

          • Rob Staton

            Kerryon would be left.

      • drewdawg11

        Who is saying that Michel is being looked at as a first round pick? That would be a reach.

        • Christian

          http://www.thehuddlereport.com/valueboard.shtml

          • drewdawg11

            And yet on their “total value board” he’s 48th? Confusing.

            • Christian

              Very Confusing, however I previously linked 5 other articles where it said he was a round 1/2 player but, for some reason it said awaiting Moderation

          • Trevor

            Chubb is rated 101 on that board.

            • drewdawg11

              I really see Michel as a solid player. I prefer Chubb by far. I don’t think Michel is as slow as he ran at the combine, but he’s not as explosive as solenoriginally thought. He’s got some talent for sure but I wouldn’t take him that high.

        • D-OZ

          If he is not a first he is a early 2nd. Com on man????

      • TTownHawk

        What makes you say that he would be a Prosise or McKissic replacement? He’s not a third down back. I’m confused where this notion came from. Watch his tape, he runs through people just as much as he dances around them.

        • Christian

          Because of how he was utilized at Georgia…..that said however if the Hawk’s draft him, it’s because Schottenheimer believes he is just as useful in between the tackles as he was as a pass protector, and a outside HR guy. I just don’t think they will have the chance.

    • Trevor

      I would replace Penny with Michel but agree with the top 4.

  19. drewdawg11

    Never been healthy? He was healthy last year. He had that one knee issue. Aside from that he’s been durable.

    • DAWGfan

      Chubb has 8 games the past 2 years with under 15 carries. I somewhat followed UGA due to Eason being their QB. He gets dinged up and sits.

      • Tecmo Bowl

        Sony Michel had 19 games <15 carries over the last 2 years. After Gurley tore his ACL Chubb was the lead RB at UGA, before and after coming back(too early?) from his major knee injury.

        • Tecmo Bowl

          Schotty spent 2015 as OC at UGA. The year Chubb shredded his knee in their 6th game.

          In those first 5 games
          Chubb averaged: 18.2 carries. 149 yards 8.18 y/c 1.4 tds
          Michel averaged: 8.2 carries 55.2 yards 6.73 y/c. .8 tds

          After Chubb’s injury Michel shouldered the load, but there was a clear drop off in production, the last 8 games averaging:
          22.12 carries. 107.5 yards 4.86 y/c .5 tds

          These stats paint a clear picture of which RB Schotty preferred when he coached both Chubb and Michel 2015. That was 3 years and a major injury ago though.

          • Mark Souza

            That was then, this is now.

            Chubb 2017: 223 carries for 1345 yards, 6.0 yards per carry and 15 TDs
            Michel 2017: 156 carries for 1227 yards, 7.9 yards per carry, and 16 TDs

            So though Michel got 30% less carries, he had almost as many yards and more touchdowns than Chubb, and averaged 1.9 more yards per carry.

            • peter

              I know you’re a big michel fan. And he did have a very productive season last year.

              But over the same games played and multiple coaching regimes, even after a brutal injury, Georgia made chubb the lead back and michel the change of pace back.

              Both players 47 games. Chubb .2 hard per carry more on 260 more carries, and 11 more tds. 1100 more yards.

              • Mark Souza

                No, I’m not a big Michel fan. I’m one of the few that doesn’t think Chubb is special. I remember watching Chubb before he got hurt and was on his way to the Heisman. His highlights reminded me of the Nebraska backs back in the 70s. Everyone thought they weren’t can’t miss. Big, fast, Heisman candidates with million yard seasons. Then they’d get to the NFL and flop. Rewatching those old Nebraska highlights, I realized those backs were a product of those massive Nebraska lines that dominated college. Back in the 70s, the biggest offensive line wasn’t in the NFL, it was at Nebraska. Those backs would typically run through gaping holes and be in the secondary untouched. It’s not that way in the NFL. What those backs didn’t have was the vision to find a small crease, the wiggle to make people miss in tight spaces. I saw a lot of the same thing in the Chubb highlights – a big fast powerful man running wild through gaping holes. When he played against teams his line couldn’t dominate, like Alabama, he didn’t perform very well. So it gives me doubts. Is he the product of a dominant line, or can he succeed in an environment where he’ll have to find and exploit a tiny crack? An environment where the defensive players are bigger, faster, and not so easy to run over. Can he make people miss? I have concerns.

                • Mark Souza

                  In the spirit of full disclosure, I was also the guy screaming at his TV when we drafted Russell Wilson. What were we doing drafting a midget quarterback with no chance of succeeding in this league after we had just spent millions to bring in Matt Flynn as our starter? So there’s that, and I could be way off base with Chubb as well.

                  • Kenny Sloth

                    I cried when we took Bruce Irvin….

                    Thought he was a third rounder because I didn’t understand a complete profile back then

                  • AlaskaHawk

                    Your story about Nebraska dominating reminds me of the old Pac 10 where USC used to have these monster sized linemen. They were the bullys of the PAC and I hated them for it. You had to bring your A game to beat USC.

                • peter

                  I honestly though you were a big michel fan.

                  See my love for chubb comes from arguing with none other than Rob staton that gurley wasn’t that special since this freshman “chubb,” came in and crushed the competition after gurley as injured .

                  I could almost see the nebraska link honestly.

                  I’m some ways the most exciting prospect, for me, is jones but I’ve expressed my concerns about his size. I know fans think he’s the lightning and Carson is the thunder but Carson has already been taken to task for not running as hard as he can and looking to bounce runs outside…..plus the injury…

                  Your concerns about chubb and the line is why I rarely get too excited on any Alabama prospect on the lines. There too much talent and I think that inflated each players presence.

                • D-OZ

                  Chubb is special dude. He will be further removed from his injury by the time he hit’s the big time. I do worry about the injury though, as do you. 🙂

                  • AlaskaHawk

                    I don’t know enough about knee injuries to estimate recovery. Naturally if it happened once you will worry that it could happen again. So its a big chance. I don’t know, I happen to like Michels but I can see where people are worried that he wont carry the load. Given a rotation of backs I think he would do fine, but so would ROJO under those conditions. I suspect most teams would pick Rojo over Michels.

  20. Greg Haugsven

    There are some serious good players there and I would be good with all of them. Not to nitpick but the newest draft chart looks like this:

    #18 pick is worth 286 points.

    #33+#64+#114(Cleveland’s 4th rounder) is worth 286 points.

    • cha

      Do we have a precedent for a trade like this? a 2nd + 4th sounds really high to move up 15 spots.

      Not that I wouldn’t take that in a heartbeat.

      • Greg Haugsven

        No precedent. I was just going off the chart. They might just get the two seconds and thats it.

  21. Frank

    Love the mock and think it’s far closer than any national site on what the hawks want/need. No doubt RB is probably our number 1 priority, followed by DB and then LB in my opinion. We haven’t typically drafted DB very high, except people we relied on to start year one, so I think it’s a slightly false narrative to say we rely entirely on finding late guys in the draft for those positions, with what’s going on with Earl and Kam and the departure of Sherman. I would guess the Hawks shuffle draft picks and go DB, RB, LB. and for late round flyers DB, DL, QB, Rb. James would be in the market if we trade Earl, if not maybe a combo of White, Chubb, Depending on what the know about Malik, 3tech or LB. Scarbrough, Warren the third, or a couple other big backs have to be in consideration after our dismal goal line rushing TD total from last year. I think the speed back thing is 100% smoke screen, unless it’s a big back with speed lol.

    • Christian

      Not sure there is a lot of value in going DB early, seems to be a somewhat weak class at top

  22. Frank

    The safety class doesn’t seem nearly as weak as the CB market, and our corners resemble safety’s anyway.

    • Christian

      Ok Frank I’ll bite with ET, McDougald, Hill, and Thompson, and possibly Kam on the roster, what SAF would you draft early, to fill a CB spot. Keep in mind we currently have Quill Griffin, Justin Coleman, are negotiating w/ Byron Maxwell to come back, and have Nieko Thorpe, Deandre Elliot, and Mike Tyson.

      • Patrick Toler

        I haven’t seen much discussion of Thorpe getting cut. Save $1.6M if you cut him. I guess the cap isn’t as tight as it looked earlier in the season, but was he that great on Special Teams last season?

        • Christian

          Not really seeing value in adding a high pick for probably your 4th CB spot is all I’m saying

          • Patrick Toler

            I’m with you. No urgency there.

      • Frank

        If ET isn’t on the rooster James, or maybe Ried if picked later, if he is depends on the health of Kam. If Kam is out, maybe White later on. Tough to say what we have at DB, PC has seen them practice but the rest of us are unaware of how ready any of them are this year.

        • Christian

          If ET is not on roster sure, but all indications are now that he will return as a member of the Seattle Seahawks aka, nobody wanted to pay 1st and 3rd AND give him a new contract. As for Kam if he doesn’t come back. You still have at that point ET, McDougald, Hill, and Thompson. Hill and Thompson will be 2nd year players. What’s the biggest growth in players? From Year 1 to Year 2. My guess is a 2nd rounder at S is not gonna happen when basically he would be in competition for maybe your third Safety Spot. IMHO Hawks were kicking tires on Reid and others, in CASE a trade could be worked out on Thomas. But I don’t think it can because of $$.

          Tyrann Mathieu signed a 1 year, $7,000,000 contract with the Houston Texans, including a $4,500,000 signing bonus, $6,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $7,000,000. In 2018, Mathieu will earn a base salary of $2,000,000, a signing bonus of $4,500,000 and a roster bonus of $500,000, while carrying a cap hit of $7,000,000 and a dead cap value of $6,500,000.

          Both Mathieu and ET were recently injured, have something to prove coming back from injuries, and were considered at various times the best safeties in the game. If Mathieu only got 7 million, ET ain’t gonna get a raise, no matter how much he wants to be the highest paid Safety in the league, the Market just isn’t there this year.

  23. CharlieTheUnicorn

    Mariners win……… The Marinerssssssss Winnnnnnnn.

    Shocker I know.

  24. James

    Marquez Valdes-Scantling is intriguing but it’s surprising given his athleticism that he’s only got a 30 inch vert.

  25. Tecmo Bowl

    Brady Henderson-
    ” John Schneider says outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo was “pretty much” the team’s No. 1 priority among outside free agents. Mingo projects as Seattle’s starting strong-side linebacker in base packages and an edge rusher on passing downs. Schneider said Mingo will rush the passer more than he’s been asked to by his previous teams: “He’s such a good athlete, people have been putting him in space and letting him run around and stuff instead of letting him put his hand on the ground as much as we’re going to let him do.”

    Makes sense, could be smoke though.

    • Greg Haugsven

      Bruce Irvin part 2.

  26. Mac

    One very interesting back has to be Royce Freeman, if he is the same back he was in his sophomore year, it’s hard not to see a really special player.

  27. cha

    NY Jets official Twitter posts that they’ve signed Thomas Rawls.

    Good luck to you man!

  28. JimQ

    Speed kills, so wouldn’t the Seahawks consider Griffin in Rd-4 instead of Kelly? The kid is very, very fast and IMO might be a good conversion to Strong Safety which could be consideration with Kam’s status. The special teams ability & his “makes you feel good to see him on the field” factor + the positive vibes in the locker room should be well worth a pick in the 4-th round area (IF, he’s there).
    I think other teams will say, yes, he’s a very good player, but…………. and not draft him as high as some might think. IMO many, many in NFL coaching circles have built in prejudices concerning the physical makeup of players, or lack thereof, that would preclude them from ever drafting a disabled prospect that doesn’t fit there normal standards. It’s a shame, if he had two hands he likely goes on day-2 of the draft without question.

    They can still find a high potential, quality CB or two somewhere in Rd-5 or even Rd-7/UDFA — IMO.
    Griffin should be a slam dunk as a Seahawk in Rd-4 (if there), allowing him to play with his brother
    again and he would also provide some “feel good” to every fan of football. Thus the Seahawks can complete there “culture” transition, having rid themselves of the “me first” and “media challenged” players with big mouths and their consistent “distractions” off the field. There must, at least, be some significant value there in drafting Griffin in round 4. + Most Seahawks fans would be very HAPPY for a change and would be extremely supportive of that pick. That how I see it anyway.

    • Christian

      I would draft him in the 3rd if he was available, but if the fact he got invited to the Draft is any indication he probably won’t be

      • SoCal12

        I think the draft invite thing is mostly a ratings grab to be honest. I love Shaquem and I hope we get a chance to grab him, but I don’t see him being picked up in rounds 1-3. Not looking at the hand disability, he is a tweener without any well defined pro role yet. Too light to be a pass rusher, and some people have suggested Strong Safety, but he’ll need a lot of coaching to switch to that role because his play is very downhill and not fluid. He’ll most likely have to start at special teams and work his way into some specialized play designs.

        Sam R. Gold did a good breakdown of his tape here:
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy7bkIxIf0s

        Once again, I’d love to take a crack with maybe a 4th or 5th, but anything higher is a bit of a reach imo.

        • Trevor

          I ageee 100% no higher than he 4th. Love the player but would have no clear role to start with on Hawks. Would likely be core special teamer and occasional pass rusher year #1.

        • Christian

          I think you may be discounting Jersey Sales 🙂

          • SoCal12

            Lol I’ll almost certainly grab one if he plays for us.

            • Greg Haugsven

              You just wonder where he would play? We have Thomas, McDougald, Thompson, Hill, Alexander, and even Kam still at saftey. Could he bulk up a little and play some LB? Maybe a future replacement for KJ if they move on from him?

          • SheHawk

            Bingo. NFL is 1st and foremost entertainment… the network can see his popularity..during combined he was biggest topic on Twitter in the world!

            I plan to get 2 Griffin Jerseys- one for each twin… Hawks HAVE to draft him- no one is more “all football” 💙🏈🏈 Vikings also like him. He won’t last til day 3

  29. white-salmon-hawk

    TE Dallas Goedert has a workout scheduled with the Seahawks.

    • Volume12

      Awesome player.

      I also saw that a Seahawk scout was spending time with S. Carolina’s Hayden Hurst at their pro day.

      • Trevor

        He is certainly a dynamic athlete at TE. I think the Hawks clearly are looking for play makers on offense. I think they could surprise everyone and take a guy like Sutton, Kirk, Goedart if they trade back into the early 2nd. I think we here on the blog underestimate the loss of PRich and Graham and the need for more offensive weapons in the pass game.

        • Volume12

          ‘ I think they could surprise everyone and take a guy like Sutton, Kirk, Goedart if they trade back into the early 2nd.’

          Yes sir

          • Whoops 2488D-OZ

            “YES SIR” 🙂

        • peter

          Not me. I’ve been boring everyone, everyday with my take that the passing game is not going to be fine with just some guys.

          I like kirk, I’m still super into Anthony miller, v12’s dude chark, st. Brown, trequan smith, goeddert.

          If moore can be something that will be awesome and basically the first wide receiver Seattle developed. By developed I mean, baldwin has always been a savvy route runner, lockett came in and was exactly what he was in college, prich when healthy was a pretty good deep threat…..

          If Seattle gets really creative with the picks trading down I would not be surprised to see two picks at wr or te/wr. My thinking is Seattle will miss on most good d line talent barring poona Ford late, the edge rush situation will be out of Seattle’s hands with only two that meet their parameters, I’m starting to think Rob is right that they don’t go with any o line men until late. Leaving a weapon at wide receiver and a running back in the second round.

    • Volume12

      Also met with S. Dakota QB Chris Streveler at S. Dakota St’s pro day.

      6’1, 209 lbs.
      4.45 40 🔥
      38.5″ vert
      10’5″ broad jump

    • Dylanlep

      The same guy who wrote this:

      https://twitter.com/advantalytics/status/979838027139878920?s=21

      He tweeted that based on goederts measurements and pro day numbers, if he ran 4.72 40 (he did not run), he projected as a likely pro bowler. Interesting stuff on the analytics side.

    • D-OZ

      The most underrated TE in this class. IMO.

  30. Jason

    Have you guys heard much about Settle from the national media? Still seems to be flying under the radar.

    • Rob Staton

      He’s been graded as a R1-2 by Lance Zierlein but very little apart from that.

      Someone will get a good player in Tim Settle.

      • Trevor

        He would look great next to Naz Jones and Reed. With the 2 Viking DT vets and Jefferson that would be a solid rotation.

        • Patrick Toler

          It’s already a solid rotation, IMO, but lacking some pass rush. He would definitely give potential for that, though it’s probably too much to ask that he provide much in year one. He’s pretty raw still. I’m a fan.

      • Kenny Sloth

        Yeah Rob, Let’s go Settle and Freeman 1-2 in the next mock

        • Greg Haugsven

          You look at Mock drafts and you see that guy getting drafted all over the place.

    • Rowdy

      I believe a fieldgulls mock draft had us taking them in the 5th lol

      • Hawktalker#1

        Yep, and according to that insightful mock draft we fix our running problems with this:

        141: R5P4 G COLBY GOSSETT, APPALACHIAN STATE
        156: R5P19 RB JUSTIN JACKSON, NORTHWESTERN
        248: R7P30 RB DARREL WILLIAMS, LSU

        Ahhh . . . DOUBTFUL.

        If we can’t improve upon Mike Davis, let’s stop going after crapshoot running back’s.

  31. Jmess

    If we don’t get a interior OL in this draft it’s really going to discourage me. They need to fix the run game. I like DJ flucker but if that’s your plan to fix the run game then your run game is going to be horrible. But I still have faith in the Seahawks. I just think this draft is to good not to draft interior OL in the first 2 rounds.

    • Trevor

      I am with you completely.

    • Patrick Toler

      Yeah, I’m they have some decent depth and competition, but you are counting on some development. I would certainly feel better with another player or two.

      • Kenny Sloth

        If you listen to Pete, he sounds like he’s absolutely counting on some development. He sounds very confident in the pieces we have, so don’t be surprised if we start the year with 5 lineman already on the roster.

        Those that listen to the talk coming out of renton will tell you that the team is excited for some true continuity from last year along the OL for the first time in several several years.

    • Rob Staton

      Try to look at it this way…

      — New O-line coach
      — New scheme
      — New right guard who already knows the new scheme
      — An opportunity for the young, highly drafted players (Ifedi, Pocic) to grow

      • Patrick Toler

        Good point that there is plenty of change. I think with reasonable injury luck our OL as currently composed projects decently. But I wouldn’t say I’m super comfortable with it.

        You are counting on one of Ifedi or Fant to stabalize, but that’s probably a decent bet that one will do so.
        You’re counting two of Pocic and Roos, Fluker and Odhiambo taking a step.

        My preference is to tap into this excellent guard group. But if things don’t fall that way, I’m fine with rolling with what we have.

        • Rob Staton

          I’d happily tap into the guard group. But it’s all about resources. They have #18 and then nothing until #120. If they trade down they might be able to collect third rounders — or get lucky and turn #18 into two second rounders. You still have so many needs to address and minimal picks to do it. Taking a guard just means you bench Pocic or Fluker. I’d rather start Pocic and Fluker, give them a chance to do what they were brought here to do, and then go add some pass rush or one of these great running backs.

          • Greg Haugsven

            I could go either way with it. A line of Brown-Pocic-Britt-Fluker-Ifedi and Dickson on the end with Fant a swing tackle and Roos and Odi backing up the guards seems decent. Like Rob mentioned new scheme as well. Maybe they tear it up?

          • Patrick Toler

            For sure. Guard is no longer the biggest hole on the roster. The needs, in order, as I see them:
            RB
            Pass rush (ideally edge, but could be inside)
            G/OLB/TE

            They really NEED help in the backfield and in the pass rush. They have flexibility in how they attack the other areas, IMO.

      • Simo

        We’ll have a full year of Duane Brown also, and he should be motivated for that final contract. It our o-line isn’t much improved this year, we need to blow it up and start over.

    • D-OZ

      Flucker is a stopgap.They may be able to resign to a reasonable contract depending on how serviceable he is. Don’t hold your breath. 🙁

      • Patrick Toler

        Flucker, LOL.

        The first time he gets embarrassed I’ll be muttering “here we go motherflucker”.

  32. Lewis

    Any reason not to kick the tires on Clive Walford (released by Oak)?

    • Trevor

      I liked him coming out but have not followed his career in Oakland. Sometimes these young guys just need a change of scenery.

      • red

        waiver claim i think. 17 teams get a shot at him before us. one year left before UFA.

  33. Trevor

    If we could add Jacobs to an LB unit if Wags, KJ and Mingo I think that could be the strongest position group on the team and certainly something to build the defense around.

    • Greg Haugsven

      Jacobs would be sweet, I agree. Maybe pick 120?

  34. cha

    Raiders just cut Marquette King per Garofolo.

    • Patrick Toler

      Love me some King. If you are going to pay a bunch of money to your punter, you might as well have one who dresses up like Superman.

      • Kenny Sloth

        Not only that, he’s a big time leader and culture guy imo.

        I think he’s exactly the type of unique weapon we’d be interested in.

        • SoCal12

          I’m curious what Jon Ryan’s status is right now. He had kind of a dud season last year, but I’m not surprised if PCJS still like him as ‘our guy’ and want to keep him as long as he still has a leg. Personally, I’ll always be a fan of the Ginger Ninja, but if Marquette King’s available that’s really tough to pass up.

          • Greg Haugsven

            He has a cap hit of $3.2 million, they have to address that at some point. Either ask him to take a pay cut (his base salary is $2.6m) or release him and maybe even resign him to a non guaranteed contract and sign a UDFA to compete with him.

            • Hawktalker#1

              I have been having a similar thought since I heard the news about the release of King. I have memories of him booming so many points, if we can sign him to a deal that cost us less than Ryan, I think we have to look at that pretty hard.

              The other thing that’s a little bit exciting for me is that I have this feeling our special teams unit is going to be incredible this year. I can imagine us having to punt on occasion and sending one deep and continually Pinning our opponents deep in their own territory. A significant field advantage play by picking up King and having a good special teams unit.

          • D-OZ

            I hope Carrol is not to tied in to his Hollyworld celebs. He is a defiant release.

        • 80SLargent

          As much as Seattle punts, maybe they should carry two punters. :))

          • Hawktalker#1

            Ouch. The truth hurts there a little bit.

  35. Kenny Sloth

    Wowow lot of brave opinions on Nick Chubb.

    Anybody want to tell explain why Nick Chubb isn’t a top 3 back in this class for them?

    I think he is right there with RoJo at around 33

    • JimQ

      —-draftboardguru.com: (no overall rankings, RB’s ranked in tiers by round).
      Barkley(Early Rd-1), Guice(Late Rd-1), Jones ll(Mid-Rd-2), Michel(Late Rd-2, Penny(Late Rd-2), Chubb(Early Rd-3), Johnson(Late Rd-3, Kelly(Early Rd-4), Freeman(Early Rd-4), Scarbrough (Middle Rd-6).

      I see this as very realistic in terms of RB rankings & projections of draft position, I can see Chubb in the very early Rd-3 area due to teams having injury history concerns and I’m not too sure Johnson in the late 3-rd or Freeman in early Rd-4, they should be just a little bit higher IMO, other than that, looks good to me, Most ranking sites I’ve looked at seem to have the top RB’s as:
      (tier #1). Barkley, 2. Guice, 3. Jones ll.
      (tier #2). Michel, Chubb, Johnson, Penny, Freeman.
      (tier #3), Kelly, Scarbrough, Wadley
      (tier #4), Nall, D. Williams, Edmonds, Warren, Franklin, Coleman, et. al.

      • Kenny Sloth

        Thats a good site and I suppose we as a draft needy team are overrating our RB in terms of draft position.

        I think they are basing that projection too much on what the typical ratio of position per round is rather than anecdotally!

        I was honestly looking for some armchair scouts that wanted to talk about his talent or vision.

    • Patrick Toler

      I agree. Barkley > Jones > Chubb for me, but they are all reasonably close. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if Chubb ended up as the top back in this class.

    • CharlieTheUnicorn

      The injury risk might discount him a bit, but I’m not seeing a round 3 pick personally.

      • Kenny Sloth

        This is where I fall.

        If he never got hurt and had like 30 straight 100 yard SEC games, I might even take his profile in the top 12.

        I’ve been spending time on his interviews and he is definitely a culture guy

        • Patrick Toler

          I don’t watch college ball during the season, so am often catching up on who these guys are starting in January. I was aware of Chubb, but Rob’s work on him earlier in the year really got me to take a look at him. Then another analyst whom I highly respect, Matt Waldman, talked about him as the highest graded RB prospect he’d graded. I went back and watched everything of his and became a believer. He has an almost perfect profile. The injury plus that Georgia RB rotation hurt his narrative as a prospect. Plus Barkley establishing himself as a freak. I think he’s going to be a steal in the second.

          • SheHawk

            +1

    • D-OZ

      +12….

    • C-Dog

      I’ve been picking him as a he heavy favorite (literally and figuratively) to become Seattle’s first pick for over the last two months now. No reason for me to change.

    • McZ

      Because Barkley is rated 7.4, Guice 6.22, Jones 6.2 and Kerryon Johnson and Rashaad Penny both 5.83, while Chubb is 5.8. Royce Freeman is at 5.63, Kelly 5.59.
      Mostly durability concerns and questions about him being able to carry the show instead of being a committee back.

      • McZ

        Forgot, ratings by Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

      • McZ

        Poops, also forgot Michel, at 5.86.
        This makes Chubb #7.

  36. drewdawg11

    I wonder what he will fetch as a free agent. You’d have to think over $3 million. He’s an upgrade, but I don’t know if they like the Texas kid in the draft.

    • D-OZ

      I do…

      • drewdawg11

        Happy for you, man

  37. Nickhawk

    Spending a first/second round pick on a running back feels unnecessary. We have Carson back to full health and Davis was great change of pace back. Also Prosise has a lot too prove, oh and don’t forget Mckissic. Take a flier on a RB in the later rounds for competition. My advice is draft OL/DL build trenches, if you can’t win upfront with your OLine what’s the point of having a prized back.

    • Rob Staton

      This is going to be a looooooooong month.

      • Kenny Sloth

        😂

      • Nickhawk

        Haha I’m sure. Probably dealing with others stating the same. Seems like a luxury pick for more of a super bowl contender.

        • Rob Staton

          They’ve stated on multiple occasions that fixing the run is the priority. Drafting one of these excellent running backs available in the top-50 isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.

          • Simo

            Do you ever get tired of repeating yourself Rob? You are very patient!!

            The priority is to fix the running game and none of our RB’s have proven they can stay healthy. Why wouldn’t we spend some draft capital on a top back? It just makes sense!!

          • Lewis

            I think you are both right to an extent. Let’s not forget Alex Collins put up better numbers with a different team than anybody we had. Yes we need to fix the OL, but don’t waste an opportunity to take a premier back. The two are not mutually exclusive.

            I preferred Rawls to Carson, but I don’t think he was 100% last year and now he’s gone. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him have a bounce back sort of year.

          • D-OZ

            So Rob, a RB 1st and a OG 2nd… 🙂

        • Kenny Sloth

          I think we have just discussed the need for continuity and patience with the OL. Don’t forget we have Fant and Odhiambo in the wings.

          Newer is very rarely better on the OL. It’s usually the worst tbh.

          Even Duane Brown had a slim adjustment period when he got here where he wasn’t at his best.

          Another rookie isn’t going to save the OL, but a STUD RB sure could.

          Someone who buys our OL segways for Christmas, you know what I mean

        • Kenny Sloth

          So essentially we agree.

          We’re going DL to build the trenches

          And STUD running back to build confidence and continuity in the runming game for the long term.

          • Nickhawk

            It’ll be interesting to see what path the Hawks decide to take. Pete definitely was adamant about the run game. Christine Micheal anyone? He was a 2nd rounder and the second coming of beast mode…we all know how that turned out

            • Rob Staton

              Well, I’m not sure anyone compared Christine Michael to Marshawn. There will never be another Marshawn.

              If anything though, it shows their willingness to go RB early. They took Michael the year after they drafted Turbin and still had Beastmode in his prime. Now, they have an often injured Carson/Prosise and Mike Davis. So RB is very much in play, especially with this class.

              • Kenny Sloth

                Even if you rate Chris Carson as high as Marshawn in his prime, we’re thin by those margins and due for an explosive tester in the second

              • Lewis

                My wife keeps saying we just need to slap some pads on Dan Altavilla.

      • 503Hawk

        Double 🙂

      • Hawksince77

        I was wondering how you maintain your patience. Not that you are right, necessarily, but the number of times you have addressed the issue. But it just makes so much sense, given what we know about the Seahawks, and what we know about the draft, that taking an RB within the first two picks is simply the most likely scenario. It doesn’t matter what else we think, personally, about the possibilities. We aren’t the ones making the selection, JS/PC are, and it would be truly sensationally surprising if they went a different direction.

        • 503Hawk

          It’s been a looong work week. I’m LOL right now. 🙂 Thanks, I needed that!

        • Nickhawk

          True. First time poster and visitor. I’ll search back through the weed of comments where it was addressed. Just an opinion from one hawk fan to another.

          • Rob Staton

            Appreciate the opinion Nick. Hope you weren’t put off by my response.

            But yes, we’ve gone through this a lot. Ultimately they need to fix the run and the strength of the first two rounds is running back.

            • Nickhawk

              No worries, love the comments

      • Hawktalker#1

        LOL

    • Rowdy

      prosise is a player that you have to expect to not play. I don’t think he’s had a full healthy month in 2 years. I’m really high on carson as well but he’s not someone that makes the position not a need yet, he could be though. mckissic is a role player at best, not someone you want full time. I also believe rb as well as wr are luxury picks with high 1st round picks. but when were talking about late 1st/ early second picks, that’s a great place to target skill players considering you already have a team to utilize them.

    • McZ

      You cannot build upon Prosise and Carson.We need a 1,000yd+ back and maybe a hedge. Or two 600yd backs.

  38. Justin

    Thought I read Seahawks visited with D.J Moore or were at least on hand for his pro day. It seems that Wide Reciever early is a big possibility, one that I think is being undersold. They have to replace production there in a big way to keep Russ happy.

    I wouldn’t be shocked if we saw something like a trade to Cleveland for two of their 2nd round picks and a scenario where they trade that early second rounder to move back and get an early to mid 3rd rounder with the selection being

    1. Offensive Tackle
    2. Wide Reciever
    3. Edge

    While picking up running backs in the 4th or 5th rounds and a fullback in round 7.

    I like Moore, Washington, Wilson, Miller, and Kirk. In round 2 or Pettis in Round 3 with a chance to hit 2 depending on his pro day.

    I did a mock that was:

    1. Geron Christian
    2. James Washington (Really high on him as a blocker and deep ball specialist)
    3. Kemoko Turay (would love to see his broad jump and 40 time)
    4. Akrum Wadley
    5. Tony Brown
    5. PJ Hall
    5. Josh Adams (yes two running backs)
    5. Natrell Jamerson
    7. Christian Kirk
    7. Khalid Hill

    • Rob Staton

      Two points:

      1. The priority is to fix the run. Deliberately avoiding the best running backs in this draft to take Akrum Wadley & Josh Adams, IMO, wouldn’t just be a massive mistake. It’d contradict the off-season priority. This isn’t just a decent crop of RB’s. They are really, really good — and they’re going to go quickly. Geron Christian and James Washington are not as good as Kerryon, Rojo, Chubb, Guice and others. They just aren’t.

      2. Russell Wilson won a Super Bowl throwing to UDFA’s. The key? Great running game.

      3. Christian Kirk in round seven!?!

      • Justin

        1. The key is to fix the run game, I agree. You could switch RB and WR draft. Draft Nick Chubb in Round 2 and Pettis/Traquan Smith in Round 3. I did this because it seems the Hawks have interest in Akrum and Josh Adams has the size/speed/athletism that Pete Carroll likes in RB’s. It gives them a nice thunder and lightning combo. Jones to me is no different than Woodley. Maybe a hair or two better but you would need him in a rotation, IMO. Also, you can fix the run game by not having a bad offensive line and hoping you find the next Lynch.

        2. The Seahawks have historically invested heavily in their Receivers, Tate, Lockett, you could even argue Graham and Harvin. It’s a position that they seemingly care about greatly, even if their best receivers came later in the draft. They are spending considerable time looking at receivers/it’s a need. It’s also a very thin position if you want someone worthwhile you go early.

        3. Wrote the wrong name in Round Seven meant Kirkwood.

        • Hawktalker#1

          I completely disagree on your point number two. The Seahawks have been pretty clear on their priorities fixing the run game. The running backs they have had in there stable so far have not been able to get the job done. The time for drafting flyers and praying they produce has got to be over. Seattle need some established and proven productive running backs to fix the run game.

          • Rad_man

            I’m very interested to know which RB in the draft is proven.

            • SheHawk

              At this point the only new insights are going to be who they bring to VMAC and meet with.. But who knows they could be sneaky like last year Pocic had no interaction with Hawks and was as surprised as we were on draft day.

              Rob have you revealed your insider info on Seahawks meeting? Can you at least tell us what position he plays???….. I think it’s an RB🙌

        • Rob Staton

          It is true they have shown willingness to take receivers early-ish (especially in R2-4). It’s possible they do it again and their apparent interest in Christian Kirk is intriguing. I was just pointing out that Russell won a Super Bowl throwing to UDFA’s and Golden Tate. So it’s not an absolute necessity if the running game picks up.

          • Justin

            How much do you think the new regime will change the way the Seahawks draft philosophy? That’s what I am curious to see. Do they want to go running back by committee? Will TEF be a major factor when they’ve drafted incredibly poorly at the offensive line/invested early? Is this defense going to be good enough to stop the NFC West? If not, how much is Russell lobbying for playmakers to throw too and how important is that to stay competitive?

            It’s going to be a fun run and I enjoy the site!

    • D-OZ

      ????????????

    • Hawktalker#1

      Doubtful we go after those skill positions in that order.

  39. Misfit74

    N. Chubb + Josh Sweat would be fantastic.

    Tony Pauline reported today that the Seahawks are working out TE D. Goedert this week.

    @NDTScouting compared him to Travis Kelce and says he has some of the best hands of any skill player to come through the draft in several years.

    “Optimal Scheme Fit and Role South Dakota State TE Dallas Goedert projects favorably as a mis-match receiving weapon in the NFL. His lack on in-line blocking may cause a longer incubation period, but Goedert’s hands, size and vertical receiving skill can offer a team value immediately. ”

    “Competitive Toughness: Physically dominant on the FCS level. Runs through tacklers in the secondary. Will bully defenders at the catch point and overwhelm with a rare combination of size, strength, flexibility and explosiveness.”

    Coaches will love that last excerpt from Kyle Crabbs’ @NDTScouting draft guide.

    • Kenny Sloth

      Yesssssssssss

      Ohhhhh I looooove that kiiiiiid

      • Greg Haugsven

        Chubb and Sweat would be a nice first two picks, I agree.

    • C-Dog

      Very interesting that they are working him out.

    • D-OZ

      Chubb and Corbett would be better.

      • Hawktalker#1

        I think the consensus is that Corbett will probably be gone before we get to our second pick. That’s why nobody is mocking him there.

        • D-OZ

          I wonder? If he was there you know they would pounce, riiiighttt….

    • RWIII

      Dallas Goedert. Watched him on Path to the Draft. Daniel Jeremiah was comparing Goedert to “Gronk”! I think it is a fair statement. I have been preaching about a defensive end. But after watching Goedert this guy is now my first choice.

  40. drewdawg11

    How high would you have to take him and can he actually block? If he can’t, they’re going to now have to double up and TE’s, one that can block. Definitely intriguing.

    • Greg Haugsven

      I would rather have Dalton Shultz over Goedert.

      • D-OZ

        We already have two TE’s that can block. We need a seam stretcher.

  41. GerryG

    How can you go wrong going stud RB and pass rush?

    Let’s not make this more complicated than it needs to be. Adress those two and then you grab LB/DB.

  42. drewdawg11

    I like Schultz and I love Dissly on day 3. Honestly, I feel like the whole Jimmy Graham experiment makes people want to go to the extreme opposite end of the spectrum, but you also can’t employ 3 TEs who are simply in-line blockers and don’t contribute in the passing game. If Nick vannett is your pass catcher, you’re not scaring any defense.

  43. RWIII

    Rob:There are a number of things I like about this mock draft.

    A) Your first two picks are RB/DE. If I had my choice I would go DE/RB. I think the RB depth might be deeper at RB. But either way is fine.

    B) You have the Hawks taking two RBs. Like Pete said. It’s all about the competition.

    C) You have targeted quit a few defensive players. Again it’s all about competition.

    D) I like Smythe a lot. But he might be off the board at pick 141. Kameron Kellys is a nice pick. But I think I prefer Smythe. In fact the more I study Smythe the more I will be disappointed if he is not a Seahawk. The guy knows how to take angles in his blocks. I think he would be an asset in the running game. It sounds like Smythe is coming into his own as a receiver.

    Also. Mike Mayock. had Will Dissly as his 5th overall T.E. So he might be a possibility.

  44. Kenny Sloth

    Okay. Don’t argue with me about a player if you don’t actually know anything about that player

    • Kyle B

      I’ve noticed you’re consistently argumentative and shock jock on this site. It’s corny. Pull your skirt down B.

      Also, you didn’t write your comment on the person you were speaking on.

      Rob – now you got me looking at K. Kelly today and I’m pretty intrigued there!

      • Kenny Sloth

        Kyle, I’ll try to be less corny and pull my skirt down, b.

        But it takes two to argue and the vibe is generally pretty chill with the current mods, thanks.

        • Kyle B

          Appreciate it

    • peter

      Nope dudes. Kenny and I are the only two that can argue and Rob only allows it cause we do it at 6:45 am Pacific standard when half this board is at work or then other half isn’t up yet!

  45. Kenny Sloth

    What’s awesome about Josh Sweat is his pre-injury tape was athletic and raw.

    Then he got the brace and had to develop his moves and counters, strength and vision as a defender. Using his mind and technique to make the plays he could when he wasn’t 100% as is often the case in the NFL.

    I argue he’ll be more prepared to face a faster speed at the next level because the ankle weights will come off so to speak. As he loses the brace and improves his technique further still

  46. Kenny Sloth

    Baker Mayfield throws an okay double slant against the numbers on a designed throw.

    Commentator:*”Oh thats why baker mayfields the most accurate quarterback in college football”*

    Baker Mayfield with time throws an ugly duck to a wide open streaking receiver.

    Commentator:*”Mayfield felt a little push there… Well.. No…no… Just late and short”*

  47. Coleslaw

    I think I’d trade down again and go for something like
    45. Sony Michel
    64. Josh Sweat
    85. Braden Smith or Tim Settle
    2 or 3 of these guys and the draft is crushed.
    If we got Sweat and Settle while adding a RB… that would be a killer draft. Braden Smith is a beast and could play guard or Right Tackle, which I think is gonna be a factor for Seattle. Get Ifedi insurance without moving Fant to the other side and risk hindering his development.
    Personally the more I watch Sony, the more I think the gap between him and guys like Rojo, Chubb, Guice is minimal.

    • H

      Im gonna be so dissapointed if we use our first pick on Michel. Most overrated player in the draft imo.

      • Coleslaw

        Lol what makes you say that???? He’s a stud.

  48. Overtime

    No Trades

    18: R1P18 DL VITA VEA WASHINGTON
    120: R4P20 LB SHAQUEM GRIFFIN CENTRAL FLORIDA
    141: R5P4 WR JALEEL SCOTT NEW MEXICO STATE
    146: R5P9 RB RYAN NALL OREGON STATE
    156: R5P19 TE DURHAM SMYTHE NOTRE DAME
    168: R5P31 OT JOE NOTEBOOM TCU
    226: R7P8 QB DEVANTE KINCADE GRAMBLING STATE
    248: R7P30 EDGE ADE ARUNA TULANE

    UDFA K EDDY PINEIRO

    • Hawktalker#1

      Some nice pics, but that’s not gonna do much to help our running game.

      • Overtime

        Last year everyone was certain we were going to draft a big nickle.

        • Hawktalker#1

          Not everyone. Also, Pete is more specific this year than in previous years about his objectives for the draft in regards to fixing the running game. Also, with our problematic draft capital situation this year, and their history of trading down regardless, how do you not factor in a tree down in a realistic mock draft?

        • Rob Staton

          Let’s not mistake ‘discussed the possibility of them taking a big nickle and discussed exactly what the position is and why some players might be intriguing in that position’ with ‘everyone was certain they were going to draft a big nickle’.

    • D-OZ

      Love it if Aruna will last to 148. Total steal….

      • Whoops 2488D-OZ

        Whoops 248….

    • Rob Staton

      Vea will not be there.

  49. drewdawg11

    If only Vea at 18 would be remotely possible. Griffin shouldn’t be that high, either but it’s all in good fun. I’ve watched every snap of Vea’s college career and I can tell you, he’s special. Just scratching the surface.

    • Overtime

      Never say ‘never’. I have seen mocks where he was the forth DL off the board. The QB’s will be going first.

      • drewdawg11

        I’m saying unless he has some medical issues come up with teams, “never”. 😛

        • RealRhino2

          Prepare yourself for the impossible, then. Could go to Dallas at 19. Not aimed at you specifically, but I can’t believe we do this every year. “[Player X] will never be available at . . .” Last year it was probably Obi Melifonwu, two months ago it was Tim Settle, now it’s Barkley and Davenport and Vea at various spots in the draft.

          Guys fall, NFL teams see things their own way, things happen.

          • Rob Staton

            You’re making stuff up Rhino. When did we ever say Melifonwu wouldn’t be there? We said that about Garret Bolles and Haason Reddick. Both proved to be true. Ditto Sheldon Rankins and Keanu Neal the year before.

            Neither has it ever been claimed Tim Settle wouldn’t be there. I have mocked him high but never ONCE said he won’t be there.

            Vea and Barkley are different cases completely. There is no chance what so ever they last to the Seahawks.

            • Overtime

              When you make a habit of speaking in absolutes (“There is no chance..,”) you are only guaranteed to be absolutely wrong eventually.

              • Rob Staton

                I don’t make a habit of it. I am very selective when speaking in absolutes.

                It’s very, very clear Saquon Barkley and Vita Vea will not be there at #18. You’re kidding yourself if you think there’s any chance.

                • AlaskaHawk

                  I’m tempted to bet you and whoever loses has to eat a pickled herring!!! But the odds are better that he is picked early. I don’t think you can say absolutely that he will though.

                  • Rob Staton

                    Vita Vea is better than Danny Shelton and he went #12 overall.

                    Vea is not…. absolutely not… getting by Washington at #13. That is a worst case scenario for Vea.

                    He’s an absolute freak. By all means think he might be there. He won’t be though. You’re going to have to trust me on this one.

  50. Greg Haugsven

    http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/josh-sweat?id=2559816

    Just read the NFL profile for Josh Sweat. The current NFL comparison is Barkevious Mingo.

    • Greg Haugsven

      He also tested close to Bruce Irvin. You have to think he is on there radar.

  51. Kenny Sloth

    Chase Edmonds had the best 3 cone and short shuttle at the combine

    Royce Freeman had the third best 3 cone and short shuttle with 20 more pounds on him.

    Seahawks met with Chase Edmonds

    • Whoops 2488D-OZ

      🙂 he is a keeper….

  52. Jeremy

    Was listening to some draft podcasts. They were saying how Josh Sweat was criminally misused at Florida St. He was played out of position quite a bit. They contribute a lot of his bad tape to that, and seem to suggest he might go earlier than expected because of his athleticism. 🤷🏼‍♂️

  53. C-Dog

    To quote Samuel L Jackson from Jurassic Park, “hang onto your butts.”

    According to Jason La Canfora, the Seattle Seahawks are a top contender to trade for Odell Beckham Jr. The move is contingent on moving Earl Thomas.

    It is interesting on Brock and Salk today that JS talked up Tedric Thompson.

      • SoCal12

        I’m sorry but 247sports is such an awful source for sports “news”. They will throw anything against the wall just to see what sticks. Like if they see Russell Wilson posted eggs he ate for breakfast there will be an entire article within 10 minutes on that site on how ‘Brown Egg Hint that Russell is being traded to the Browns?’ Definition of click-bait.

        • C-Dog

          I would agree with some of this, but given JLC seems to have a pretty reliable team source, that raised my eyebrows. With many national reporters feeling Seattle won’t trade ET, JLC has remained almost stubbornly consistent saying he believes they will move him. Now this OBJ stuff.

          • SoCal12

            Well raising eyebrows is how click-bait, well, baits people into their site. I don’t really trust JLC or any insider guys much personally until they’re quoting official documents. The state of the media game these days is such that I think as long as you spew enough bullshit and vague quotations you’ll be a broken clock that’s right twice a day. Then you can point at those two times and claim to be an accurate clock and people will believe you.

            • C-Dog

              That’s a pretty strong take with some strong words. I think JLC has a pretty decent track record reporting on Seahawk matters, though. I’m not saying this will happen or should happen. I find it a bit interesting JLC is writing about it. I’m not sure he would if he hadn’t heard Seattle has interest

              • SoCal12

                Nothing against you or JLC personally btw. I can see why you found it interesting. I just felt a need to vent a little on my general distrust of sports media. Perhaps Seattle does have interest, but I guess that ties back to my point on vagueness. Like I’m pretty sure every team is ‘interested’ in OBJ for the right price. Being the one to point it out strikes me as mostly a way to get fans of the listed ‘contenders’ to go “OMG we might get Odell! I better refresh every second in case we do!” Until I hear PCJS confirm their intent on something in their words, it’s mostly just hot air to me.

                • C-Dog

                  I totally understand. It’s a lot to wade through. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t overly thrilled when I stumbled on the article.

          • Rob Staton

            I think La Canfora’s piece wasn’t so much reporting the Seahawks as interested, rather it was just saying ‘it’s the type of move PCJS like to do’. And that’s true. In the past they probably would’ve already spent the two first rounders to get ODB. I’m not sure that happens this year unless they get a bounty for Earl first — and JLC did mention that would probably need to happen.

            • C-Dog

              I agree. I guess I just have it more weight because it was JLC.

        • Hawktalker#1

          +12

          247 has got to be one of the most frustrating and irritating click bait content generators on the planet.

    • Lewis

      Such a horribly bad idea it isn’t even worth discussing.

      • 12th chuck

        I hope this is just rumor to drive up the price for the rams

        • Old but Slow

          Ridiculous.

        • C-Dog

          Could be. FWIW, this does feel like a PCJS style of move.

          • SoCal12

            Makes zero sense though. The return on trading Earl will almost certainly be less than the value of OBJ, meaning we’d likely be spending capital just to grab Beckham while losing any draft capital gained. He’s also going to be asking for QB money so why would we be paying that for a luxury wideout vs. just extending Earl for less than that or just using the draft picks gained from an Earl trade on cheaper guys to develop?

            • C-Dog

              I’m not necessarily advocating the trade, but I can see why Seattle would consider it. They presently has DB as the one reliable RZ target. It might be a bit of a stretch calling Lockett that. Vannett is not proven. Jaron Brown isn’t going to scare defenses by himself, and Darboh is a complete unknown. Also, They are looking at WRs and TEs that are considered to be high round picks in a draft class that is not deep for either position. That’s another factor.

              Hypothetically, if Seattle and NY weren’t getting the offers they want on their asking prices for each of their Superstars, perhaps each side will come off their asking prices a bit. If the end result is that Seattle uses the capital gained off an Earl Thomas trade to acquire Odell, and keeps its high pick, they could still be in position draft a stud RB. In terms of salary, Seattle’s cap is set to be $100 mill in 2019. They could afford RW and Odell, conceivably.

              If a Seattle offense feature OBJ, DB, and RoJo in 2018 and beyond, that’s compelling to a degree, and we know how much PCJS covet freaky talent. OBJ is that kind of shiny talent. If they feel a Cold War brewing in the NFC West, and they want to stay relevant keeping up with the joneses, I can see them viewing a move like this as a major boost.

              • SoCal12

                I can see your logic. Where I don’t see the trade working is the “acquire Odell, and keeps its high pick” part. If we are lucky enough to land a first for Earl (which itself is a big if) then I don’t see Odell selling for less than that. I don’t think it’s likely we see a market where 29 year old Earl fetches a first round pick, but 25 year old Odell Beckham somehow does not.

                Like all things said I’m on board with a deal IF we can get a first round pick, Odell Beckham and pay him less than the $18 million he most likely wants. But that’s a whole lotta lucky dominoes that have to fall in place, and I won’t be holding my breath for it.

                • C-Dog

                  Let’s say Earl is dealt to Jacksonville for their first. NY comes down off there asking price for two firsts, and accepts that Jacksonville pick and a 2019 day two pick for OBJ. Seattle trades 18 to Cleveland for 33, 64, and 114.

                  Seattle selects RoJo/Chubb at 33, pass rush at 64, and TE at 114, and has OBJ. Now all of a sudden this is looking like a team being built around RW. Seattle essentially trade ET and a 2019 pick for OBJ.

                  • Rob Staton

                    Now that would be interesting. It’s probably unlikely, but interesting nonetheless.

                  • C-Dog

                    Totally agree, Rob.

                  • AlaskaHawk

                    You would have to develop two safeties though.

          • SheHawk

            Yes unfortunately like the harvin move. Great player but aren’t we trying to fix the locker room ??

            • C-Dog

              Very fair point, SheHawk.

    • 80SLargent

      Please, don’t let this be true, don’t even think about it. It’s one thing to trade the best FS of this decade for draft picks. It would be epically stupid to use those draft picks on a more talented Percy Harvin. I’d hope Pete and John have learned from that mistake. Plus, they just got rid of two possible distractions and cleared millions in cap room to sign about a dozen fairly solid players. Stay away from this basket case far and fast.

      • C-Dog

        It’s a very fair take.

        There was some stuff JS said on Brock and Salk this morning that kinda sinks in with this. He kept saying that they are not rebuilding and are always looking for a competitive advantage. He brought up, free agency, draft, and trade. There was something he said about Tedric Thompson that made me feel like there might br an expectation there for this year, and that made me feel again that they are looking to move Earl.

        I don’t know how realistic it is that they bring in OBJ, but I was pretty shocked when they brought in Graham and Harvin.

        • Gohawks5151

          I found the Thompson talk to be strange. I may be wrong but I think he mentioned him as a Strong safety not free. In which case they move Bradley to free and one of their draft picks from last year sits anyways

          • C-Dog

            I didn’t think he put a position on Tedric. I thought he just said Tedric was a special teams ace for them and a rookie and nobody has heard of him, and followed the point by saying Kam was a special teams ace as a rookie and nobody heard of him when he was given his chance to start. That said, I could see a scenario where Bradley is FS and Tedric is SS.

    • DavidM2

      KJ Wright talked up Tedric Thompson in a Sporting News Article about 3 weeks ago as well.

      http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/kj-wright-nfl-free-agency-2018-seattle-seahawks-sherman-bennett-chancellor-thomas/1557u2kievrvdzxmq0ua8m4d7

      • C-Dog

        Interesting stuff. Tedric was a playmaker with the Buffs, showing great anticipation. Very intriguing albeit brief insight from KJ

    • Simo

      Never gonna happen…haHA!!

  54. Millhouse-serbia

    Rob, what are your thoughts on Terdic Thompson now? I’ve just read your artical from february 2017 about him, and you said that he could be seahawks target if he run and jump well on combine. His 40 was 4.6 and vertical 32,5. Was he injured at combine or he is really such a bad athlete?

    • Rob Staton

      Well, he’s not a bad athlete. He’s just never been a 4.4 runner.

      When I wrote about him pre-draft over a year ago I saw a playmaker in the secondary with the range, despite his lack of speed, and the instinct to be a NFL free safety. And that’s why they took him. I think people have written him off too soon. It was encouraging to hear John Schneider reference his name on Brock and Salk.

      • Greg Haugsven

        I like Thompson, I dont see him as a good run supporter like Earl is because he doesnt have the speed but he doesnt need to be. As a ball hawk he may even be better than Earl. He just seems to be around the ball and makes interceptions when he has a chance. Hill is the opposite, a very good run supporter but maybe not the best in coverage. They could be a good tandem if they ever get a shot. With Earl and Bradley here they may never get that shot unless injury strikes.

        • 80SLargent

          I see the McDougald signing as more of a hedge (a very good one) than anything else. He can play and has started at both safety spots.
          1. If Seattle trades Earl, or Earl holds out, McD can start at FS. The same applies if Earl stays but suffers an injury. If Earl leaves after 2018, McD is still under contract for two years after that. If Seattle franchises Earl in 2019 and he leaves in FA after that season, McD is still under contract for one more year.
          2. In the likely event Kam doesn’t come back, McD can also start at SS.
          That being said, if Earl stays and is signed to a long term extension, the very obvious answer is the FS spot is his.
          However, I don’t think McD’s contract precludes a competition for the starting SS spot. Hill, Thompson, and Mo Alexander should all be in the mix there. JS also mentioned the possibility of Alexander playing some WLB. It will be interesting to see who emerges, and who ends up playing where.

    • Brett

      Interesting that JS talked about him at SS when bringing him up in his interview yesterday.

      “Tedric Thompson was one of our best special teams players this last year. He didn’t get to play much at strong safety.”

      http://sports.mynorthwest.com/432025/john-schneider-says-seahawks-still-have-plenty-of-young-talent-trust-the-process/

      • C-Dog

        If they do view TT as a SS with starter potential, I wonder if there is a move to LB for Delano Hill.

        • Brett

          I think that’s a good guess. Kind of that Deone Bucannon role perhaps.

          TC is gonna be interesting.

      • Gohawks5151

        Ah ha. He did say Strong. I thought I heard that too. Wasn’t sure. I was technically ” working” . Makes sense they are looking at Bates and Jamerson. Get a pure FS behind Earl with McDougald as a swing safety. Hill and Thompson battle for SS if Earl leaves.

        • Greg Haugsven

          I dont really see Thompson as a strong safety but what do I know. He is much better playing centerfield than run support.I guess they play McDougald though at strong safety as well and he is really more of a free safety. Who knows.

          • Brett

            Sounds like the team feels different. Schneider clearly said strong safety.

            • 80SLargent

              For what it’s worth, Kam Chancellor was also a free safety in college. He didn’t move to strong safety until he played for Seattle.

  55. Dave Ashton

    Super pumped for my first mock draft on Fanspeak

    R1 P18 VITA VEA, DT, WASHINGTON
    R4 P20 JUSTIN REID, S, STANFORD
    R5 P4 JOHN KELLY, RB, TENNESSEE
    R5 P9 FRANK RAGNOW, C/G, ARKANSAS
    R5 P19 DURHAM SMYTHE, TE, NOTRE DAME
    R5 P31 SHAQUEM GRIFFIN, LB, UCF
    R7 P8 ISAAC YIADOM, CB, BOSTON COLLEGE
    R7 P30 LEVI WALLACE, CB, ALABAMA

    Oh well we can but dream!!

    • Trevor

      That would be a dream draft if only it were possible.

      • Hawktalker#1

        That is an MLK draft. “I have a dream . . .”

        • AlaskaHawk

          Where one day, all of the Seahawks picks can stand equally together

  56. Hawk Eye

    for LLLogosss on Brady
    he claimed he runs faster at 38 than he did at 28
    sprinters peak at 26-28, any athlete that has trained for 20+ years who can run faster at 38 than 28 is taking a PED, not than anyone confuses Brady for a sprinter
    He is not losing arm strength at an age where your body is in decline. Brady is an exceptional QB, but not a freak athlete. Why are others not able to do what is he doing? Everyone else breaks down and cannot continue for the 30-40 years before or does but with some big declines.

    His trainer has a very shady history, including selling fake cancer medicine and was sanctioned by the FDA for it. Google Alex Guerrero and read up on him.

    No shortage of rumors about the Pats willing to cheat

    Brady goes out of his way to talk about not eating mushrooms or strawberries, etc. That is called a cover story, like Mark Macguire with the bottle of Andro beside him, or Lance talking about his training methods. Numerous professional nutritionists have called his diet a sham.
    https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/tom-brady-is-drowning-in-his-own-junk-science-advice/

    US Professional sports are LOADED with PEDs, google Victe Conte and watch some of his interviews on YouTube. There is a lab in Colorado that makes designer steroids, undetectable because they change the formula every month (just found out 2 weeks ago about this one). I would guess that at least 50% of NFL athletes are tied into PED’s and I am probably low. If you listen to Conte you find out why they don’t catch anyone, they don’t really want to. The ones who get caught fail an IQ test, not a drug test.

    also, he has shown an overwhelming competitive nature, those people tend to do “anything” to win.

    bottom line? No hard proof – yet, but way too much circumstantial evidence.
    This does not make him a great QB, that is in large part to his brain, work ethic and coaching, along with his surrounding team. But PED’s will extend that beyond a normal lifespan.

    • Ed

      I don’t know. He doesn’t get hit that often. Doesn’t need as much time to heal either.

      • Hawk Eye

        Getting hit is a minor part of the equation, this is not just about recovery, it is about the ability to throw the ball with as much strength as when he was younger. As you age your body cannot maintain the same strength and endurance. He is not showing what should be a normal aging process, and that is a HUGE red flag. Watch some Victor Conte videos, and be prepared to be disappointed in a lot of people.

        people love heroes, something about American society more than most. Look at all the super heroes in American culture. People want to believe the lie.

    • Mac

      Every athlete is on PEDs in the off season, it’s how you can put 5-30 lbs on during the off-season. Althletes stop taking it, clean up for PED screenings. Based on grueling training, gaining absurd amounts of muscle and having a faster recovery.

      They still are freaks and work hard, this does not diminish it. Most will take a combination of designer steroids, peptides and insulin.

      • Hawk Eye

        you are right, you still have to do the work and you still need natural ability not found in the average person.

        a normal person can gain 6 to 8 pounds of muscle in a year with heavy training. Maybe 6 ft 6, 300 pound guys with great genetics can double that.
        Tim Montgomery put on 18 pounds of muscle in 6 weeks (3 years of hard work for us). That is when he went from decent runner to world champion and famous. And infamous when he got caught.
        most steroids will clear your system within 2 weeks of taking them, and you also do not want to be taking them too close to when you need to perform or your muscles will be too tight and you will under perform. That’s why guys don’t get caught, they don’t use them in training camp or during the season.

  57. drewdawg11

    I wouldn’t touch OBJ with a ten foot pole. Complains too much, coming off of an injury, contract demands, the video… he’s just a headache and he’s not even on our team. I actually feel bad for the giants.

    • Ed

      Ditto. This seems like the same strike outs with Harvin and Graham. Quit trying to squeeze a square peg thru a circular hole. Get young and hungry. Trade ET for a 2nd and 3rd. Trade back in the draft to get RB/DL/TE/WR and then LB/OL.

    • C-Dog

      You’ve listed all of my main concerns. That said, he is the freakiest athlete I’ve seen at WR in a long time, and we know how much this team some to love those kind of players. It’s literally a scenario that I could take it, or be just as happy leaving it.

    • EP

      Difficult situation. For me personally I don’t think you could turn him down if he was a viable option. I know he has tantrums etc but I don’t think his effort on the field can ever be disputed. He’s amazing. However, taking him and having to pay his contact is something that doesn’t sit with me. Then again maybe it’s time we pay a bit more on offence. Russell could do wonders with him and Doug.

    • Hawk Eye

      biggest issue will be draft capital to get him and then paying him a huge salary. Pretty tough to build a roster that way

      • Hawktalker#1

        Forget the draft capital, even if He was available as a gift, I’m not paying that guy what he wants and bringing in all that baggage.

    • Patrick Toler

      Agreed. Great player, but far from flawless. No way would I give up big draft capital to pay him ridiculous money.

    • LLLOGOSSS

      This team does not need OBJ right now. We need lunch pail guys who don’t want $20+ million so they can headbutt metal frames, snort coke, and spear people in the head with a helmet on, then scream about it like a petulant child. OBJ is the most entitled brat in the NFL.

  58. drewdawg11

    For a Calvin Johnson, I would maybe do it. Freak athlete with size and soft-spoken. He would be a type that I would go for, (duh). I loved OBJ coming out of LSU, and I believe Rob said he was the best receiver in that draft. Still, too many instances where he was about himself. Plus, how healthy is he? I wouldn’t risk it because that’s a possible job killer for a GM.

  59. Coleslaw

    I’d love to get Braden Smith. He keeps his pads low and wrecks people in the running game. He’d be our Fluker replacement and Ifedi competition. Give him a year to learn the system, to build as much continuity/ familiarity as you can after Fluker leaves. Or he can replace Ifedi if he doesn’t improve and we can resign Fluker instead.
    Braden is just a mountain and I need him in Seattle.

    • Coleslaw

      Biggest thing is Smith could easily play RT and Ifedi, let’s face it, was always a project and really has underwhelmed. It’s time to really push him.

    • McZ

      I’ve played with the idea to trade back to #45, take Kerryon Johnson and Braden Smith a litte later. It’s what I call the Auburn gambit.

  60. Trevor

    I posted yesterday that I did not think Nick Chubb was a top 5 RB in this draft class and certainly not worth being picked at #33.

    It was not a well received post as he is a favourite here on the blog. So I decided to go back last night and watch the 6 UGA games I have on tape (ND, Fla, Auburn, SEC Final, BCS Semi, BCS Final)

    After watching these games I stand fully behind my comments. He is not even the best RB prospect on his team and clearly lacks the ability to get to the edge on SEC teams much less NFL teams. He may have tested well but that speed does not show up on tape.

    How were his short shuttle and 3cone time?

    Can someone please tell me a game against SEC competition where Chubb looks like an elite RB I would love to watch it. Not a hilight package. An actual complete game.

    • Volume12

      Here’s what confuses me.

      When Schotty was at Georgia he couldn’t even get a pre-injury Chubb & Michel to score points successfully. Is PC the offensive mastermind supposed to change that?

      And I like Chubb & Michel quite a bit for the record.

    • Volume12

      And here come the, ‘but they had a top ranked rushing attack’ takes. Don’t matter if you can’t put points on the board.

      • Del tre

        Bad QB play? AP rushed for 2000 yards in a season then lost his first playoff game for a reason. You’ve got to have a complete team and Georgia hasn’t exactly trotted out great QBs but Schotty took a guy who had 10tds and 11 interceptions and got hin to 12 tds and 2 interceptions, also worth remembering that was the year Chubb got hurt. With Chubb they scored 51, 31, 52, 48, and 10 but that was against Bama and Chubb still managed 140 yards. Without Chubb they never broke 30 points (with Michel as the lead back).

        • Volume12

          That’s my point. Seattle didn’t exactly light up scoreboards last year.

          Huge dropoff from Mike Bobo to Schotty. They went a 4 game stretch of 10, 31, 9, and 3 and never averaged more than 7 yards per play. Except against Tennessee, they failed to get 300 yards during that stretch. Again, except against Tennessee failed to get more than 10 points on the board and averaged right around 24% on 3rd down.

          • Del tre

            Yes but the game against Tennessee is when Chubb got injured, which is exactly why i didn’t count it. I can’t say i blame him for failing to put points on the board and being a step down from Mike Bobo when Bobo had done so well the previous season in part because of Nick Chubb. Although its hard to argue with Bobo’s offensive output in previous seasons, he did have several excellent QBs, Matt Stafford, Aaron Murray was a 4 year starter, Schottenheimer had Greyson Lambert and a bunch of other guys who don’t even have 10 career tds. Also Schottenheimer was only there one season, not a huge body of work.
            Seattle might not have been able to light up scoreboards last year but the talent was there at receiver and QB, it still is.
            I might be missing your point a bit, is your dissapointment that he couldn’t coach up the team to play together inspite of Chubb’s i injury?
            I think thats a valid critique for sure.

            • Volume12

              That and I think he slightly mismanaged Chubb & Michel

              Considering Chubb had that significant injury it also wouldn’t surprise me if he was the back that Seattle has lowkey met with or is working out privately.

              IDK, the possibility of him and Schotty together makes me slightly nervous even if I do think Chubb would be an awesome addition.

              • Del tre

                Well ig its any relief under Schottenheimer Chubb rushed for 700+ in 5 games, if he can be a threat like that i trust Russell to be able to punch it into the endzone. Carroll and Schneider have both said Schotty has really learned a lot and adapted scheme wise. We could be getting a different coach, i always felt the rams offense was great at abusing match ups but lacked real talent to truly take advantage.
                But i do understand what you are saying and think that you have good evidence to be worried about it, I’m definitely pretty optimistic because i didn’t feel our last OC was always situationally and match up sound, I’m hoping Schottenheimer is from all his years with bad teams, he needed to find the weak link of a team and abuse it.

      • McZ

        Which is why a single sentence in Derrius Guice’s profile at NFL.com is intriguing:”creates his own luck”.

    • Volume12

      Barkley ain’t a complete back either. It teams want him to be a thumper up the middle amd ask him to loweer his shoulder I think theyre gonna be disappointed. Thats fine though because he’ll still win in a lot of otyher areas. Same with Adrian Peterson. Peterson couldn’t pass block worth a lick and routinely came off the field on 3rd downs.

    • peter

      I’ll take the bait.

      If in any reality michel was better than chubb then why on earth did three different offensive schemes look at the two of them and game over game give chubb the start? More carries (160 more over the same span of games) which translates into 1100 extra yards, 11 more tds, and .2 yards per carry more and that includes a brutal injury then michel ever had?

      Here’s your highlight reel:

      1. Missouri …143 yards/ 3.8 ypc
      2. Arkansas …202 yards/ 6.7 ypc
      3. Florida …156 yards/ 7.4 ypc +59 receiving
      4. Kentucky …170 yards/ 13.1 ypc
      5. Auburn ……144 yards/7.6 ypc + 48 receiving
      6. Charleston ..113 yards/ 12.6 ypc
      7. Georgia tech.129 yards/ 5.2 ypc
      8. Louisville……266 yards/ 8.1 ypc
      9. Vandy……….189 yards/ 9.9 ypc
      10. S. Carolina…159 yards/ 7.6 ypc
      11. Southern …. 131 yards/ 8.7 ypc
      12. Alabama …. 146 yards/ 7.3 ypc.

      19 total tds.

      First to get this out of the way. This was from his freshman to sophomore year before injury.

      That said. I challenge any one to find any running back in this class with a stretch of games this good at any point in their career. Saquon never did it. Jones never did it. Not anyone. all these games are in a row. That’s everyone who matters in the sec. that’s an Alabama team where chubb runs up 143 yards at a 7.3 per clip against the team who becomes the national champions that season and where Seattle drafts jarran reed to be a run stuffer.

      I get he’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I also get people will say yeah but that was then. Too which I’ll say sure except he’s come back pretty far and still isn’t 100%. So what do you get if he gets back to 90? 95? Or even 100?

      • Nick

        Awesome post.

        • peter

          Thanks. I’m obviously biasesd.

          Trevor and I are going to go round and round on chubb until Seattle selects Kerryon Johnson and then none of this will have mattered.☺

      • McZ

        The question is not his ability as a straight runner or athlete, but his durability behind one of the worst run blocking offenses in the league, his lacking ability to force his own luck, his occasional lack of vision and decision (which is always bad in the NFL) and finally the question, if he can ever get back.to 100%.

        This all piles up to a mountain of ifs leading him to being rated as the #7 back in the draft by Lance Zierlein.

        His ideal target is a team with a working OL, something the Hawks didn’t possess since the misguided Graham-deal.

        • Rob Staton

          Durability concerns with Chubb are overplayed. He had one bad, unfortunate injury and has since played two full seasons of football. He tested at the combine in almost identical fashion to how he tested at SPARQ, proving he’d made a full recovery.

          And while I fully respect Lance’s grade, I wouldn’t read too much into one opinion. For a counter, Bob McGinn’s anonymous sources had Chubb in the fringe R1 range and Tony Pauline has him in R1-2.

  61. Del tre

    One thing i like when i watch Chubb is that when he is supposed to run between the tackles, he doesn’t just try to bounce around the outside edge, I’d say that I’ve really only seen Gurley have a lot of success with that at the NFL level, it’s definitely not as easy as it is in CFB, everyone is too fast in the NFL.
    I also think its worth noting that if you watch the tape of Chubb and Michel against Alabama and watch the defense, you can tell who they had real respect for, with Michel they were sending 4 and dropping into pass coverage, with Chubb the entire defense would jailbreak for him. I saw a few plays where Chubb made something out of nothing, but Bama was even sending corners off the edge to pursue Chubb so there wasn’t much to be had. It was clear how much respect the Alabama defense had for him, linebackers weren’t taking steps back then catching blocks, they were in pursuit. They knew that Georgia felt when Chubb was on the field their best option was to run the football. Once Bama started stacking the box with Michel he couldn’t operate the same. I just don’t think Michel is the kind of back that would excel with the seahawks if we want the run to be the main threat.
    That’s not to say Michel isn’t a good back, i definitely understand the intrigue, he has moves, burst, and operates well in space. I think if he lands with the right team he will be a great contributor, but the seahawks would probably be better off trying to nab Royce Freeman or Kerryon Johnson, guys who had to completely carry their teams. In my opinion Michel should go to a team like Tennessee where he can stay a change of pace back, or GB/NE because teams are far more mindful of the passing game. I think he could be a thousand yard back for the latter two teams, with a team like Tennessee he would probably linger around 600-700 yards rushing and a few hundred receiving.
    Thats just my scalding hot take though

    • FresnoHawk

      Georgia had a rookie QB and a good OL, of course they focused on Chubb.

    • Volume12

      That’s a rarity when someone enjoys a cutup of a RB where he takes what the defense gives him and gets those tough, NFL style 3-5 yard runs.

      • Lewis

        I do. I want to see yards after contact, a guy that’s tough to bring down, someone that delivers a blow and falls forward, etc.

        A lot of these guys this year, yeah they have great numbers, but half the time they are running free through huge holes. What do those plays really tell you about how they project at the nfl level?

    • C-Dog

      +1

      Chubb forces defenses to play the run, that probably gets RW back to 2015 form better than Michel.

    • AlaskaHawk

      Just to look at it from another angle. While some may argue that a different running back is better, if Michels was available in the third or fourth round, you would think he is a good value. It isn’t like he can’t run – we are just arguing about who is better.

      • Del tre

        Oh i completely agree, like i said i think Michel is a 1000 yard back of he goes to Green Bay or New England or he could be a fantastic pairing with a guy like Gordon in San Diego. I just don’t think is your 8 in the box 30 carry bell cow back, Chubb might not be either but i would argue he is much closer. There’s no doubt that Michel makes moves in space, he seems like a back that can terrorize teams with screen passes, he has a place in the NFL.
        That being said if CJ Prosise is healthy, Michel becomes a little redundant to the seahawks.

        • peter

          Del tre

          Completely agree btw. there’s a small rift where it seems some people take it as one is better than the other (maybe so? abnormally knows) but for me it’s more about fit. Like you said in green bay world michel would be amazing. In Seattle ? I’m not sure if he makes the most sense of they are trying to control the pace I the early downs with runs.

  62. Cameron

    Rob, I’m curious to get your thoughts on Quenton Meeks at CB, early on day 3 (round 4-5). Missed the 32 inch arm threshold, but only barely, measuring at 31 6/8″. Intrigues the heck out of me based on his NFL.com bio (link below), and explosive traits are tantalizing (39″ vert, 10′ 8″ broad).

    http://www.nfl.com/draft/2018/profiles/quenton-meeks?id=2560227

    I’d love to get your thoughts on fit and ceiling!

    • Rob Staton

      He’s a definite option for sure. Their style of corner. Generally keeps things in front and plays the run well. Could see him as an option.

    • Hawktalker#1

      Replacement Stanford CB. Interesting thought.

  63. Greg Haugsven

    The more I look at Robs 7 round mock draft, I would take that all day long. Great players on all levels. If I had to nitpick maybe I take out Jamerson as we have a bunch of safeties but would sign up for that every time.

    • Hawktalker#1

      Brings up an interesting question. What is the chance/opinion that Jamerson is or could be a better safety than the guys we already have? If a rookie doesn’t at least have a decent chance to beat out the current players, are they were selecting?

      Feedback?

  64. JimQ

    If Cleveland pays a premium price to move up, I like the sound of 33, 64 & 114, Those picks alone
    could fill a lot of holes even without further trade downs.

    MY Mock 3/31/2018: With — Trade #18 to Cleveland for #33 & #64. & 114.
    1/33—-RB-Ronald Jones, (likely gone before #33 to Philly.) -or- RB-Rashaad Penny
    2/64—-DL-Rasheem Green -or- DL-Harrison Phillips
    4/114—TE-Dalton Schultz -or- TE-Durham Smythe
    4/120—OG-Wyatt Teller -or- LB-Shaquem Griffin
    5/141—LB-Leon Jacobs -or- LB-Oren Burks
    5/146—CB-Levi Wallace -or- CB-Isaac Yiadom
    5/150—DL-Justin Jones -or- DL-Andrew Brown
    5/156—S-Natrell Jamerson -or-S/CB-Tre Flowers
    5/168—WR-Cedrick Wilson -or- WR-Justin Watson
    7/226—RB-Chase Edmonds (W-Penny) -or- RB-Darrel Williams (w-Jones)
    7/248—OG/OT-Aaron Stinne -or- C/OG-Shelton Coleman
    P-UDFA’s: PK-Griffin Oakes, P-Trevor Daniel.

    • Hawktalker#1

      Nice work. Love our mocks. Regardless of our opinions, even the ones we may not all agree with seem so much better than the garbage the experts or other mockers are creating.

    • C-Dog

      That’s a terrific looking draft.

      • Greg Haugsven

        Well said Hawktalker. We always have to remember in here, that most of these conversations are not fact, they are opinion where no one is wrong.

    • AlaskaHawk

      I like your draft, it spreads the picks around nicely. I would go for the offensive linemen in the fourth and move Griffin to the fifth if he is still available.

    • Simo

      Very nice, I’d take this draft in a heartbeat. And we keep ET on the team to boot!!

  65. Hawktalker#1

    Here is another mock that I am asking for feedback on in advance. A work in progress and an adjusted version of Robs mock, that I thought was fantastic BTW.

    Some early thoughts and comments: this one held to a common theme of fixing the run game first, so we’ll go after a RB with our first pick. Also assuming we are keeping ET (for now).

    RUNNING BACK
    The more I go back-and-forth watching tape of the top tier running back’s, the more I love the breakaway ability and “IT” factor that RoJo has. If I were the GM I would say, this is the guy I’m going after – what’s it going to take? My concern is the response might be that 33 is likely too late And we might miss him with that pick. Might need to work with a different trade partner, or work out a mini trade up deal to increase our odds of getting him. I have seen several comments that point to Philadelphia possibly picking him at 32. If there is much of a chance of that at all, our first pic needs to be at least 31 NE. I know we have already discussed the New England trade, and may need to go back there to increase our chances of getting what we want.

    OL
    It seems less likely that two of the top OL prospects (Corbett & Smith) might still be there at #64. Do you all agree with that opinion? Would be sweet to hit the OL again here if possible, but not sure it is. Anyone know how good Cappa really is? Is he a viable/smart pick in the later rounds if we don’t get some OL help earlier?

    WR
    If no OL with #2, then Settle if he is still there and if not a WR to assist the offense? I don’t hear much discussion about Callaway. Seems a good value if he drops as expected?

    CBs
    With the loss of Sherman, Shead, and Lane (kind of a non-factor honestly, I thought he was horrible), we are down 3 CBs. It seems none of our current CB stable, besides Coleman, has really been able to step up and although I do like Maxwell in a BU role, he seems easily exposed with a lack of speed. If our current group aren’t at the level we need, don’t we need to fill in those gaps? I know this is not a great CB class, but should we take a shot at a couple so we don’t get eaten in the secondary? It appears we are looking at FS and SS in the draft some. Should that be transitioned to CB based on our needs and the fact we are stronger at S now than we are at CB (my assumption)?

    2#33 — Running back first (Ronald Jones II, Nick Chubb or Kerryon Johnson)
    2#64 — Tim Settle DT / Austin Corbett OG / BJ Hill DT / Chark WR / Kirk WR / Braden Smith OG
    4#120 — Kameron Kelly (DB, San Diego State)/ Nick Nelson CB Wis
    5#141 — Griffin OLB / Nick Nelson CB
    5#146 — Leon Jacobs (LB, Wis)
    5#150 — Natrell Jamerson (S, Wis)
    5#156 — Dorian O’Daniel (LB, Clemson)
    5#168 — Chase Edmonds (RB, Fordham) / Alex Cappa OT / Quinton Meeks CB
    7#226 — Dissley TE / Antonio Callaway WR
    7#248 — Poona Ford (DT, Texas) / Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR, USF) / Antonio Callaway WR
    UDFA: Piniero K (can we please not screw up the K position this year?)

    Lots of questions asked above. Looking forward to some feedback from Rob and the collective brain trust here!!!

    • Hawktalker#1

      Another add on here. Pushed out TE selection lower to do some other things earlier. Would we be ok with Dissley in stead of Schultz and Smythe?

      • Old but Slow

        Might look at David Wells TE SDSt. Similar physical build, size and combine numbers as the others you mentioned. Not many catches, although he has shown he can grab the ball and truck defenders. Mainly though, a very good blocker. Watch the Fresno game and how many times their strong run game followed his blocks. He seems to be rising, though, as I was hoping he could be a late 3d day pick.

    • Hawktalker#1

      How many of you have seen RoJo mocked to Philadelphia at 31 for believe that could be the case? I was typing my mock when Jim made that exact comment about Phi and RoJo.

    • Hawktalker#1

      And just because I can’t stop replying to my own post, how many of you think we should be interested in King as a replacement punter for Ryan?

      And if so, what is the max we should pay?

      Just love it when that guy booms a monster punt and if we really improve our special teams, could be a super good addition to assist in positive field position exchanges.

    • Coleslaw

      I would absolutely love this draft!

    • Simo

      If our real draft fell this way, I think the Hawks would be happy. Hopefully the RB pick is Rojo, but any of the three would be good picks. I’m not as sold on Settle, but it still works. Might be nice if we could pick up another offensive playmaker (WR or TE) a bit earlier than round 7, but not sure if anyone solid would be available at 120. Good job!!

      Be great to pick up King, especially if he cost us less than Ryan!

    • Overtime

      Since you spent so much time on this I will give you a little feedback with the understanding this is all just opinion and not fact.

      RB. When have we seen JS go into the draft with one player in mind? He always has a half dozen guys he wants and then works his board by trading back until there are only two at that spot left. If he wants a RB he may have more than one and not necessarily the top pick. I believe they study the needs of the other teams just as much as their own teams. Then they predict where a player is likely to go. They could well conclude the guy(s) that fit our needs are available later in the draft. I would not overlook the need for a FB to lead block.

      WR Our emphasis on blocking TE’s makes it likely we look for big targets on the outside. I like Dissly and Schultz. A true No.1 WR would be nice. I worry about injury to Lockett or Baldwin.

      OL Just tell me who we are cutting for any draft pick along the O Line. We only suit up 8. I believe we have about 12 under contract. I don’t see them sitting any of: Brown, Britt, Pocic, Ifedi, or Fluker. They need either Hunt or Pocic to be the backup center on game day. A high pick pushes someone off the roster and a low pick is a PS guy.

      CB Seems like a need. I think Tedrick Thompson and Delano Hall will get a chance at Safety. Adding one good one would be nice.

      LB Another position group that needs some new blood.

      QB I expect we will draft one. Austin Davis has been waived numerous times. I am looking at DeVante Kinkade. i could see them bringing in two.

  66. Coleslaw

    If I’m John Schneider and I can get 2 2nd rounders for Earl, I’m doing it. It gives us so much flexibility. We could take a blue chip player if one falls to 18 and still get a pair like Rojo/Settle or. Braden Smith/Michel or Smith/Settle in the 2nd round.
    18. Marcus Davenport
    33. Rojo
    35. Settle

    • Volume12

      Michigan’s Mo Hurst is already mighty tempting. I know he doesn’t have the prototypical length they normally like, but he’s a game wrecker. So technically sound, perfect fit for an attacking 1 gap system.

      His game against Michigan St is something else. There’s legit 5-6 plays that are just flat-out jaw dropping, Aaron Donald like. Not saying he’s him though. I actually thought Rob’s loose comp to Geno Atkins was pretty damn great.

      • DC

        I must have seen some sub par film of his. Don’t remember the game but Hurst was getting pushed off the los quite a bit.
        Then I watched Settle as a comparison. He was living in the backfield. Limited study for sure on my part but I thought TS looked superior.

        • Volume12

          ??

          I recommend that game and Wisconsin one when he was exploding off the ball every other snap.

          • peter

            I’ve researched some games there are some fantastic games but my initial thought watching him months back was he was a non factor. I’ll check out the Wisconsin and msu games.

    • Hawktalker#1

      I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit myself and would love to see Rob come out with a mock draft that included his GM my draft that included trade capital from an ET trade.

      Might also have a crack at some quality OL help as well. Upgrade at running back and upgrade in the offensive of line, yep that could sure help fix the running game.

    • Rob Staton

      If they got two second rounders for Earl Thomas, they should still try and trade down from #18.

      Second round is the key round this year.

      • Coleslaw

        Probably, huh. Could sure get a load, then.

      • Volume12

        2nd-4th is nicely stacked IMO. Hope they package a couple of those 5’s to get back up into the 4th.

    • RWIII

      Coleslaw. I am all in on Davenport at 18. However, I don’t think Cleveland would surrounder two 2nd round picks for E.T. They might go a 2nd and a third round pick for E.T.

      I would be all in at 18 with Davenport only if E.T. were dealt. If no E.T. trade then the Hawks have to trade down.

  67. CharlieTheUnicorn

    Earlier, someone mentioned Chubb and the national championship game.
    He wasn’t flashy… and from the stats didn’t do much. But there is one thing that he did…. he was respected by the defense he faced. They loaded up 8 and 9 guys in the box to stop him.

    Why does this sound familiar? Yes, this is “respect” that Lynch had when he was on the Seahawks.
    This is also why I keep circling back to Chubb being the right RB pick for Seattle in the 2nd round (after a slight trade back from #18).

    • DC

      If I was betting at the moment Chubb would be the odds on favorite as the Hawks first selection.

  68. Ashish

    @Robstation JS did mention about Tedric Thompson in recent interview 710espn. Hawks should pick OG on second pick with good options available and banking on number of secondary picks from last draft. At least one will click your thoughts?

  69. Matt

    I’m curious if the Hawks would ask for someone like Corey Clearman in a trade with CLE?

    He’s underwhelmed but he’s very talented and I think would be an interesting throw into a trade (which obviously means you wouldn’t get the extra 4th or 5th). I think I would rather see something like this. It’d be a WR in his 3rd year (usually a good boost in production).

    CLE gets #18 and R7
    SEA gets #33, 64, and Corey Clearman

    Thoughts from Rob and Company?

    • Greg Haugsven

      I think your talking about Corey Coleman, I would think the Browns would balk at that as that might be a bit much. Maybe though as they did just add Landry.

      • Matt

        Haha, good correction. A former coworker of mine is Corey Clearman. Haha, this cracks me up as he is a 5’5″ 230 pound 30 something.

      • Matt

        On a serious note – I’m just thinking of targets considering Landry, Gordon, Njoku, and Duke Johnson. Someone is going to be the odd man out…Coleman seems like the odd man out whilst offering upside.

        But I do agree with you – my gut says it might be too steep for them.

  70. Coleslaw

    So, since there’s likely going to be no true blue chip players left at 18, I’ll take a quick crack at a mock with earl for 2 2s trade included and a trade back or 2 from 18.
    33. Rojo/Chubb
    35. Settle/ Austin Corbett
    37. DJ Chark/ Braden Smith
    67. Josh Sweat/ Michael Gallup
    85. Nick Nelson
    120. Leon Jacobs

    Trade 18 to Car for 24 and 85.
    Trade 24 to Indy for 37 and 67. 13 spots and into the top 25 will net us an early 3rd.

    • Coleslaw

      Fill the rest in with Robs except instead of Jacobs put in Shaquem Griffin or John Kelly

    • DC

      I bet at least one of Rob’s top 12 (tiers 1 & 2, aka blue chips) will be available at #18. It’s just the Seahawks’ lack of day 2 picks that project to a near mandatory trade down scenario. Settle is one of those top 12.

  71. RWIII

    Folks this thread us on fire. 518 comments. Amazing.

    • Hawktalker#

      Draft chatter heating up. Love it.

      • Old but Slow

        I think most of you people should just step aside and leave this site open for the serious draftniks like me. Getting crowded in here. It may cause a problem, as Yogi said: “Nobody goes there anymore, it’s too crowded”.

        Awww, just kidding, the commenters are killing it in here. The bigger problem is that this site keeps expanding my big board beyond reality. I never heard of Foyesade Oluakun until some unbalanced troublemaker had to bring him up and now I am lost again. Will it never end. Let’s draft, it’s time.

        Love this site, I hope that I am not too obnoxious with my japes.

  72. Hawktalker#

    Rob,

    1. Coleslaw raised a point that I would like to have you address if you wouldn’t mind. I have seen in a few threads the discussion between taking Griffin vs Jacobs. Would you mind doing a compare and contrast on those two guys and giving us your opinion on which you would take and why?

    2. Regarding late round running backs, are the late round selections like John Kelly or Chase Edmonds perceived to be better than the guys we have in our current stable? If they’re not really a significant grade, shouldn’t we go after different positions?

    Thanks

    • Coleslaw

      Feel like I should point out I had Jacobs and Griffin in my mock. There’s room for both of them imo even if Mingo works out

      • Hawktalker#1

        Gotcha. Other mocks (and mine if you select the DB early) don’t have room for both, which is why I asked the question.

      • Del tre

        You can never have too much depth, especially when you aren’t over investing, which in your mock the Hawks most definitely are not, thats smart.
        Especially when you consider KJ and Bobby’s injury history history, they miss a few games here and there and those three will be a hell of a lot better than the depth we’ve had in previous years.
        I also can’t help but feel Griffin could be the deciding factor for several games, his effort and pursuit are unmatched, he should be a huge factor in the run game, a big upgrade in the 4-3 over Wilhoite.
        Next season we have to face David Johnson and Gurley 4 times a year, we are gonna want all the help we can get.

    • Coleslaw

      Personally I think Griffin would be best at MLB after putting on weight. His hand wouldnt really be a factor there and he’s got better speed than Bobby, if he can get up closer to 245 Id love that. Jacobs would be a really good pure SAM and Mingo could be the Will.
      Our LB depth is wide open and this draft is full of nice options into at least day 2

      • Hawktalker#1

        I had imagined him fitting better at Will, which would allow him to keep his current size and speed and also pass rush on occasion as well. Rob may also have suggested this, can’t remember.

        • Coleslaw

          I could see that too, I just have an unhealthy obsession with wanting a Wagner clone lol, Griffin at 240 running in the 4.3s or low 4.4s would be as close as you can get really lol. Yet we don’t know if that’s possible, Will is the more logical place right now

  73. red

    Using rob’s browns trade scenario

    33. Kerryon Johnson RB perfect size for a hawks RB plus had great jumps 40 inch vert

    64. Deon Cain WR the hawks have been sniffing around on WR lately 6’2 200 4.43 has chance to be solid WR2

    120. Tyquan Lewis DE we need some depth at DE and Lewis seems like a fit in the 4th round.

    141. Armani Watts FS has the speed to play the one high safety could be nice on teams as well.

    146. Leon Jacobs LB same as rob’s pick above. Love the speed could be the WILL of the future.

    150. Brandon Facyson DB Fits the 32 arm requirement been on the radar for awhile decent 40.

    156. Troy Fumagali TE We could use a big red zone target for Russ here in the 5th he makes some sense.

    168. Kamryn Pettwat RB We could use a hammer on the goal line and in short yardage.

    226. Shaun Dion Hamilton LB Alabama MLB tore ACL take flyer let him go on pup if he did not tear the acl he probably like 3-5rd guy so try to find some value here in the 7TH

    248. Kahlil Mckenzie Jr DT Big Body should have stayed in school but maybe Psquad guy who makes the 53 next year.

  74. RWIII

    This is Frank Clark’s contract year. Yes Frank Clarke’s contract expires after the 2018 season. No one is talking about that fact. No one. Which is another reason J.S. might consider D.E. early. I understand the Hawks may have in the neighborhood of 100mil in cap space after the 2018 season.

    But Frank Clark, Duane Brown, Tyler Lockette, and K.J. Wight will all be free agents after next season. That is just for starters. Not sure how many free agents the Hawks will have after 2018. Then you also have to remember that Russell Wilson’ s next contract is not that far into the distance future.

    • hawkdawg

      In fact, Wilson’s next contract will almost certainly be negotiated next year, one year before his current contract ends…

      • CharlieTheUnicorn

        …and it will be North of 30M a year.

        • KingRajesh

          It depends on Rodgers and Ryan.

          If Ryan breaks the 30m APY barrier, then Rodgers will have to top it. Wilson will probably slide right under Rodgers’ APY number, creating a cap on the QB market that we saw from 2013-2015 before Luck smashed the market open.

    • Hawk Eye

      they currently have about $80 mil in cap room next year.
      If they cut Kam and the cap goes up $10 Mil, it comes close to $100 Mil
      but they need to keep talent, so we can assume that Clark, Lockett, Brown will take up $25 mil or more of that, and I think they try to keep KJ.
      Plus, they will try to extend Russell next year also.
      those 6 will eat at least $40 mil from that $100 mil (Russ already counts $25 mil, so just add his bonus)
      But even after all of that, they will have a lot of cap room and a younger roster
      I expect them to go back to 2013 plan and not sign the top, over paid FA’s, but look to sign the new Avril’s and Bennett’s who miss out on the top contract

      • Ed

        I would only keep Clark. Maybe Brown on a short term extension this year. Lockett is not special enough for a lot of money. Just need to get younger and cheaper in the KJ role

        • Hawk Eye

          yes, to Clark
          need Brown to protect Wilson, unless Fant and Ifedi take big leaps this year, but I suspect they have to extend him before the season starts.
          Lockett was special before the injury, but I would not pay him $8 mil/yr.
          I think KJ will age well, and he has a special football IQ, is low key, never complains. That said, would want him for less than he is worth on the open market. When Durant from Dallas gets $9 mil/yr to play LB, that is scary, he is nowhere near as good as KJ. Can’t remember who signed him, but way overpaid.

    • lil'stink

      My guess is that Clark is extended early on in training camp. It’s when Wilson and Wagner received their contracts, just as the last year of their current deal was starting. I bet Lockett and Brown get extended before the season is over. I think they might slow play KJ but I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets extended as well as the season goes on, especially if they don’t draft a LB who becomes his clear heir apparent.

      4 years/$60 million range is my guess.

      • lil'stink

        4/60 for Frank Clark, that is.

  75. RWIII

    Tom Brady’s agent is Don Yee. Yee has been praised for handling Tom Brady’s contract. Tom Brady has been known to give the Patriots teams friendly deals (big-time discounts) when it comes time to negotiate a new contract. This is a major reason why the Patriots are able to stay on top.

    • Rad_man

      Yup. I’ll be surprised if brand-building Russell does the same.

      • Hawk Eye

        I agree that Russell will go after the top dollar,I have not seen anything from him to show he will not ask for it. The whole Brady takes less is a bit misleading. He took less on his last contract (when they expected him to not finish it and keep the bonus), but not before that.
        Brady made $162.8 mil his first 16 seasons
        Brees made $150.5 mil his first 15 seasons
        Brees was a higher draft pick, so he made more his first 3 or 4 years and he hit TRUE free agency, has a reputation for being greedy, but made less per year than team friendly Brady.

        it is almost like a story that is not true gets accepted as the truth, which we know never happens

        • Rad_man

          interesting.

        • cha

          How about instead of career earnings we just talk about the time frame Brady actually got the rep of being team-friendly?

          Drew Brees’ cap hit has consistently been 20% or more than Brady’s the last 8 years or so. That’s about $3 million/year more.

          The last 4 years Brees’ cap hit has outpaced Brady’s by an average of $6 million.

          That’s an entire rookie class that includes a high draft pick. Or a mid-level free agent. Or 2 or 3 cheap Belichik finds for key role players.

          Brady hasn’t cracked the top 5 in QB salaries in years. Meanwhile Brees has practically crippled the Saints’ ability to retain or add key players. A brilliant draft and some good coaching changes has helped them rebound. Wait until they have to pay those guys on their second contract.

          • Hawk Eye

            those stats are until 2016 season, very relevant.
            He also has was paid $27 mil for one year years ago,
            what throws things off are the bonuses that throw off salaries and distort how guys get paid
            and since caps rollover, this counts.
            Brady has been underpaid the last few years, but part of that is because the Pats extended his contract beyond what they though he could play and he was going to keep the bonus money, ala Marshawn. That distorts what he makes.

          • Hawk Eye

            and another reason his salary gets distorted is because he dropped his salary to $1 million the year he got suspended, but had the rest paid as bonus, which stretches it out over the course of his contract term, which NE did not expect him to finish. Dropping his salary meant he only lost $250K in salary for missing 4 games.

            I am not saying Brady could not be paid more. He can get it if he wants, but it is at the twilight of his career that this is happening after he has made a lot of money and now has big endorsement money and other income streams to compensate. And when he retires, he will have bonus money that does not get paid back, you can be assured of that.
            so before we break our arms patting him on the back for his selfless behaviour, we need to look at the whole picture.

            where the Pats have really saved is on guys like Gronk, Edleman, Chung, their RB’s, Amandola, etc. Those guys have always been underpaid and their savings add up

            • cha

              I have no doubt that Brady will be right there with the top QBs in career earnings when all is said and done.

              He shouldn’t be. He should have eclipsed the top QBs by a wide margin. It should be such a wide margin the rookie salary cap would prevent any future QB from ever getting close.

              I have no doubt Brady is going to somehow get paid in retirement. I’m sure the NFL will be closely watching how that all works out.

              The point I and most others are trying to make is Brady has put a TON of money into future years when he could easily be the highest paid player in the NFL right now by record-setting margin. With a different agent and focus on building his personal wealth, he could have demanded $30 million per season years ago and either gotten it with the Patriots or in the FA market. But he has clearly chosen to give the Patriots more breathing room to continue fielding competitive teams.

              • Hawk Eye

                Manning is at the top of the earnings list and I am not going to argue he is better than Brady. Manning is a technician, but Brady is more of a winner and I think just as good a technician. Brady could have gotten more, but his generosity is a more recent thing. He was one of the 2 or 3 highest paid Qbs for a while. But they also did not win for a SB for 10 years during that time period.
                And Brady does not need to build wealth, his wife would never work for the money he makes. She makes more than he does.

    • KingRajesh

      Tom Brady, in his prime (2010-2011), had the top contract in the NFL. Just because he’s taken less recently doesn’t mean that he didn’t get his when he was in his prime.

      Source: http://www.espn.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=5552561

      Lets also not forget that Brady’s wife is worth almost $500m.

  76. Millhouse-serbia

    Rob, what are your thoughts on Dellano Hill as a WLB and Thompson as a SS? JS spoke about Thedric Thompson as a SS, so maybe they will move Hill to Will.

    • Rob Staton

      I think it’s highly unlikely.

      KJ Wright — 6-4, 246lbs
      Delano Hill — 6-1, 215lbs

  77. hawkdawg

    I still don’t Tedric as a SS. In college, he was a rangy centerfielder with good read and ball skills, not an in-the-box hammer at all. If he’s at SS, then the Hawks will be changing substantially from the Kam years…..

    • teejmo

      He’s too slow to be that rangy centerfielder in the pros.

      • Rob Staton

        Let’s see about that. He’s barely had a chance.

      • Realrhino2

        I think he might be OK at free safety. Think it’s more about instincts than pure speed.

      • teejmo

        Well, I meant to give a possible reason why Thompson would be preferable at SS, and considering he ran a 4.6 at his combine, it’s not improbable. That said, he’s still listed as a FS on the Seahawk sight.

        • lil'stink

          His testing doesn’t make him out to be a great athlete, but he at least looks faster than 4.6 on the field. He was pretty awful in preseason games, though. But I guess most 4th rounders are going to struggle in that situation.

          We’ve been spoiled with the riches on defense the last several years. ET3, Kam, Sherman, Wagner… so many players that have set the bar incredibly high. I mean, when are we going to see another player like ET3 or Kam in the league, let alone both guys on the same team. We have had a string of guys that are so good that perhaps our expectations need to be kept in check for the players who follow in their footsteps.

        • Patrick Toler

          He showed great range at Colorado. Instincts are critical, at Rhino said. Earl is fast obviously, but it’s his instincts that give him that otherworldly range.

          As a side note, I when we (or at least I) say instincts, we mean instincts plus knowledge plus processing speed plus intelligence.

  78. JM3

    Rob–

    Sorry if I’ve missed any discussion on this, but do you think the team will draft a kicker? I know the team’s problems extended beyond their kicking game last season, but clearly missed kicks contributed to several losses.

    How about taking someone like Eddy Pineiro in the later rounds? To my untrained eye, signing Jason Myers was pretty much the same thing as the Walsh signing – a head scratcher unless some competition is added to the mix.

    • Rob Staton

      It’s very possible. They surely have a plan at the position. Could be a late rounder or an UDFA. Or a camp cut down the line. But I think whatever happens there will be a competition this year.

      • Hawktalker#1

        The punter from Kenya looks very promising!!!

        • JimQ

          Did you notice at the bottom of the article.
          “(Editor’s note: April Fool’s Day! There is no such person as Abasi Korir about to play in the NFL. As far as I know… – Lee)”

  79. Robert Las Vegas

    Rob thank you for your mock draft I always look forward to it .I like it a lot my question is I see the need to fix the running game highest priority but I see the need for more pass rushers and to create more turnovers. I think you never have enough pass rushers.all drafts are huge but this one seems even more important.

    • Rob Staton

      They certainly need more pass rushers. That’s very true. It’s a tough draft to find them though. And it’s worth noting — they were prepared to rely on Chris Clemons in 2010, 2011 and the Clemons and Bruce Irvin in 2012. They waited for Bennett/Avril and didn’t force it. So they might do the same now. And let’s not forget — Avril still hasn’t retired yet, they have Clark, Jordan, Mingo, Smith. So there are some options there.

      • Whoops 2488D-OZ

        +12. I see 3 or 5 Tech. as more of a priority.

        • Whoops 2488D-OZ

          I would like to see the Hawks to come out of this draft with Brown and Aruna….

  80. D-OZ

    🙂

  81. JimQ

    I’ve been a long time advocate for RB-Rashaad Penny, primarily because I think many people are
    being pretty hard on his “level of competition” and pretty much overlook his accomplishments. Plus,
    it’s not out of the question for smaller school guys to become pro-bowlers, given the chance to
    compete. Here is one stat. that many may be overlooking and/or undervaluing. Rashaad Penny is a
    great KO returner. Does anyone remember Leon Washington and how much PC loved him as a return guy. This is an added plus to selecting him as a RB. *** It should be noted that exclusive of
    the untouchable top end pick – Barkley, Penny has major special teams production, 2,449-yds, the
    other Seahawk type RB’s have exactly –ZERO– special teams yardage. IMO- this alone adds almost a full round of value to his draft position, however he’ll still likely drop into late Rd-2/late R-3 range.

    For those that are unaware of Rashaad Penny’s kick & punt return history:
    Career: 51-games, 81-KO returns for 2,449-yds (30.23-yd avg.) & 7-TD’s,
    Plus: 2-Punt returns for 70-yds & 1-TD.
    2015: #2 in NCAA in KO return average yardage with a 33.5-yd avg.
    2016: #5 in NCAA in KO return average yardage with a 31.2-yd avg.
    2017: #7 in NCAA in KO return average yardage with a 30.6-yd avg.
    Career: #4 in NCAA (since 1976) in KO return avg. yds. with a 30.2-yd avg.
    Career: #1 in NCAA (since 1976) in KO return TD’s with 7 TD’s.

    Additionally: Of the 12 RB’s that may be draft considerations for the Seahawks, Barkley, Guice, Jones, Johnson, Michel, Chubb, Penny, Freeman, Kelly, Scarbrough, Ballage and Samuels.
    Penny was tied at #3 of 12 in the 40-yd dash, #4 of 12 in 10-yd. split (1.58) and was #5 of 12 in the
    20-yd. split (2.63). IIRC-These #’s relate most to Burst and acceleration, important for RB’s.

  82. JimQ

    To add to the above about Rashaad Penny:

    2017 Top 100 – National leaders in ALL PURPOSE YARDS: Comparison of Seahawks top RB prospects,
    (excluding Barkley due to high ranking) Includes rushing, receiving & return yardage.
    –#1-Rashaad Penny: (591-total return yards, all of the below = NONE.)
    Rush=2248, Rec=132, P-ret=70, KO-ret=521, Total=2971, 9.1-yd/play avg,, 228.5-yd/game avg.
    –#14-Ronald Jones:
    Rush=1550, Rec=187, Total=1737, 6.3-yd/play avg, 133.6-yd/game avg.
    –#22-Royce Freeman:
    Rush=1475, Rec=164, Total=1639, 6.4-yd/play avg, 136.6-yd/game avg.
    –#32-Kerryon Johnson:
    Rush=1391, Rec=194, Total=1585, 5.1-yd/play avg, 132.1-yd/game avg.
    –#60(tied)-Darrius Guice:
    Rush=1251, Rec. 124, Total=1375, 5.4-yd/play avg, 114.6-yd/game avg.
    –#60(tied)-Nick Chubb:
    Rush=1345, Rec=284, Total=1375, 6.1-yd/play avg, 91.7-yd/game avg.
    –#69-Sony Michel:
    Rush=1227, Rec=96, Total=1323, 8.0-yd/play avg., 94.5-yd/game avg.

    Per: http://www.cfbstats.com/2017/leader/national/player/split01/category11/sort03.html2017

  83. JimQ

    Would adding WR-Pettis and RB Penny in the draft (Punt/KO returners that own the records for most career TD’s) make the Seahawks one of, if not the best special team units in the NFL? Keeping in mind that they both could be very good at their respective playing positions as well. Could be amazing.

    • Rob Staton

      I’m not sure that Seattle needs a returner so much as consistency at kicker, punter and in blocking.

  84. A, Chris

    I know I’m a bit late to the party here, but I can’t seem to shake my love for Da’ron Payne. Kid’s a beast. Is there any particular reason nobody seems to have him in their mocks? Any insight is appreciated.

  85. Ryan

    Rob, could Auburn’s Carlton Davis be an option for the Seahawks? Where in the draft do you expect him to go?

    • Rob Staton

      I think Davis will go in the top-50 and that’ll probably be a bit too rich for Seattle.

  86. Christian

    What do you think about these picks Rob?

    Round 2: RB Nick Chubb
    Round 3: DE Josh Sweat
    Round 4: LB Shaquem Griffin
    Round 5: DB Kameron Kelly
    Round 5: TE Durham Smythe
    Round 5: DE Kentavious Street
    Round 5: WR Darren Carrington II
    Round 5: OL Timon Parris
    Round 6: OG Tony Adams
    Round 7: K Eddy Pineiro

    I have turned the first round pick into a 2nd, a 3rd and a 5th. I have not been thinking about a trade partner, but we all know there is no chance JS doesn’t trade down. I have also turned one of the 7th into a 6th, just for the fun of it.

    I have not taken a QB here. I’m not sure I see a fit for the Seahawks in the later rounds. I was thinking about a guy like Kyle Lauletta in the 5th, but he might be gone by then, and I’m not sold on him anyway. Besides, I don’t want to «waste» a pick on a QB this year, having so many needs and so little draft capital. Do you think JS will draft a QB this year?

    I realize that you have mocked a lot of the early names on this list to the Seahawks already. It might have made me biased, but they just seem like a natural fit with the team.

    • Rob Staton

      Definitely some choices there that make a lot of sense. Some guys I’ve not studied so can’t comment. But you’ve addressed mot of the needs there.

      I’m going to publish a new mock later today.

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