With the Seahawks set to adopt 3-4 ideology, if not embrace a full-scale switch to the scheme, I wanted to speak to someone about the types of players required at each position. If Seattle is making a significant change (and it appears they are) what areas will they try to prioritise in the draft?

Jim Leavitt was the linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers between 2011-14, when Vic Fangio was the defensive coordinator. When I contacted him, he sent me the following text: “Nobody knows the 3-4 better than me“. The perfect interview subject.

Listen to our conversation below and afterwards, I share some thoughts on what it might mean for the Seahawks in the 2022 draft.

You can listen via YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe, like the video on YouTube and leave a review on Apple if you have time. It really helps the new pod.

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A reassuring listen

Pete Carroll’s comments on KJR yesterday were revealing, positive and worth paying attention to.

Here’s a brief summary:

— Carroll called offensive tackle ‘a spot of real concern’. To me his comments contained a sense of urgency, like he knew they had to get something sorted quickly. That’s understandable given both spots need filling. My interpretation is I think they’re going to make some moves pre-draft. I think he wants to fix this with signings. That could mean Duane Brown, Eric Fisher and/or Daryl Williams.

— When asked what other areas they needed to address he said he felt it was important that they continue to work on the pass rush (“and the coverage part of it”). He then made reference to the staff additions. Remember — Jake Heaps said on 710 Seattle Sports that Sean Desai had been persuaded to come to Seattle in part because they would make personnel improvements. So far, they have not. Carroll directly referred to Uchenna Nwosu as someone who can work in the rotation. That was telling to me — because Nwosu’s role was described in a fairly modest way. He finished his answer on improvements by stating, clearly, he wanted ‘the whole thing’ (pass rush) upscaled and upgraded and that it will be a ‘point of focus’.

— Carroll spoke about having a whole bunch of picks in 2023 and how that could impact what they do this year. I took that to mean they know this isn’t a great quarterback class. They know next year looks a lot better. They have the ammunition to be pro-active in 12 months and not feel like they need to force things this year.

— I found this whole interview incredibly reassuring. A sense of urgency to add at tackle, making the pass rush better is the focal point and no reference to adding more at quarterback when talking about immediate needs. As someone who hopes the Seahawks pump their draft resources into the defensive front seven, this interview was music to my ears. It made me think they are going to sign offensive tackles and will prioritise the pass rush with their top picks.

As I’ve said a few times now, my ‘Plan A’ would be one of Jermaine Johnson or Kayvon Thibodeaux at #9. If they’re not available, ‘Plan B’ would be Devonte Wyatt or Derek Stingley Jr. I’m not against Jordan Davis either. At #40 I’d take a linebacker — one of Channing Tindall, Leo Chenal, Quay Walker or Damone Clark ideally.

At #41 I’d like to be in a position to keep your options open. A trade down in that spot feels useful. You might need to target an edge rusher if you weren’t able to land Johnson or Thibodeaux. Yet you’ve got so much value and depth in that range — it’d be a great opportunity to simply take the best player available. What a luxury that extra second is this year.

If the Seahawks can come out of this draft feeling like they have a terrific defensive platform for the future — it will be the perfect start to the rebuild. It would set Carroll up to play the brand of football he wants to play. They can go into the 2023 draft excited and confident that the future at the quarterback position will be readily available.

This was a very encouraging interview, I thought.

The Seahawks are determined to keep D.K. Metcalf

There wasn’t even a hint of doubt. Carroll made it clear — they’re focused on keeping Metcalf and want to sign him to a new contract this year.

In light of Tyreek Hill re-setting the salary market today, there’s little reason for talks not to progress over the next few weeks.

It’s unlikely anyone else is going to re-set the market now. So Metcalf and the Seahawks have to balance out where he fits into a salary hierarchy that has seen the two best players at the position get paid major new money.

I doubt Carroll would’ve talked in the way he did yesterday if he wasn’t willing to pay Metcalf the kind of money the top receivers are getting. So now it comes down to finding common ground. I think they will. This should be fairly straight forward, provided Metcalf is equally motivated to get a deal done.

It’s possible Kansas City and Green Bay make a push for him and that could turn his head. They have the stock to make an attractive offer to the Seahawks.

He would probably need to push for a trade though. I get the sense he likes it in Seattle and might be willing to make his fortune with the team who drafted him.

I do think it’s a situation Seattle needs to address before the draft though. They need to get two offensive tackles signed and then focus on Metcalf.

Either get that extension done — or see what’s out there via trade.

Given the Hill and Davante Adams moves — you’re looking at a first and second round pick if you deal him. I’m not sure you want to trade away a very talented player at a great age when you’ve got money to burn. This will be up to the player and how talks go.

Don’t fall for the hype

Twitter exploded yesterday with people sharing a video of Malik Willis throwing at his pro-day. One throw in particular gained a lot of traction. Willis did the usual trick that quarterbacks like to do these days — running one way, throwing off-balance across your body and launching it downfield. It’s a throw made popular by Zach Wilson and everyone seems to copy it now.

People were reacting to the throw declaring he could/should be the #2 pick to Detroit. Carolina, Atlanta and Seattle were all mentioned too.

The hype train had truly left the station.

Unfortunately, so had everyone’s rational thinking.

Pro-days are the single most overrated event for quarterbacks. They mean absolutely nothing. Willis being able to throw that football in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, with no defense on the field, means nothing.

If you asked Drew Lock to copy that exact same throw tomorrow in Seattle’s practise facility, he’d be able to do it.

You never watch a pro-day and make any kind of serious judgement. At the absolute best it acts as confirmation.

Zach Wilson’s tape at BYU last year was really good. When he excels at his pro-day, it’s just another tick in a box. The Jets liked him before the event, they liked him after.

The same goes for Willis, albeit in reverse.

His issues don’t suddenly go away because he throws that pass or because he was wonderfully charming in his press conference afterwards. I wish him all the very best in his career and hope he goes as high as possible. The truth is though — he too often makes one read and if it isn’t there he bails out of the pocket to run. He refuses to throw over middle. Under pressure he panics and tries to scramble — which is why he absorbed 51 sacks in 2021 alone. He misses wide open receivers due to impatience and letting his eyes drop. His throwing technique (release, ball-pat, non-squared shoulders and inconsistent base) will lead to turnovers.

All yesterday did was confirm he’s a strong-armed player who can sling it.

Please, let’s not fall into the trap of overreacting to any of the pro-days.

I appreciate Willis will probably go in the first round. As I’ve been saying for a while now — the Steelers tend to telegraph who they like. If Mike Tomlin played poker, he’d accidentally hold his cards facing the rest of the table. He basically attached himself to T.J. Watt and Devin Bush at their pro-days. He’s done the same with Willis and took him to dinner on Monday night.

I’m convinced one way or another the Steelers will take him — either at #20 or with a move into the teens.

Kenny Pickett and Matt Corral also have a shot to go in the second half of round one.

I’ll come back to my conversation with Scot McCloughan though. Three quarterbacks will go in round one and all three should go in round three. That was McCloughan’s assessment. I agree with him.

And nothing that happens at a pro-day is going to change that.

I don’t understand the Charles Cross hype

He’s often mocked to Seattle at #9. Some people are talking about him in the top five, for pity’s sake.

We’re talking about a player who is a modest athlete with average size. He’s only 6-4 1/2 in height and 307lbs. His testing was weird — combining a good 9-4 broad jump with a poor 26 inch vertical. His agility testing was not good (4.61 short shuttle, 7.88 three cone). He ran well in the forty (4.95) but not as well as, say, Trevor Penning (4.89).

Penning is also bigger, more explosive and had better shuttle and three cone times.

Nothing about Cross’ physical profile screams ‘top-10 pick’. Neither does anything about his profile indicate he’d be a key target for Seattle.

Technically he doesn’t bend his knees well enough, I think he’s very much a pass-pro mirror specialist and not a complete blocker.

I don’t think he’ll be a top-10 pick, I don’t think he’ll end up in Seattle and I’m confused by the way people are assessing him.

If they end up taking a tackle with their top pick, the more likely answer is Trevor Penning — who at least has a profile they’ve shown to be interested in. In round two — it could be someone like Abraham Lucas (if he lasts) or Tyler Smith.

Some thoughts on the top-10

I’m going to continue to project no quarterbacks go early.

I think the pass rushers and offensive linemen will come off the board very quickly.

I think the top-five is pretty much locked in as Aidan Hutchinson, Ikem Ekwonu, Travon Walker, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal (in no particular order).

Sauce Gardner has enough buzz to consider too but I think he is more likely to go #7 to the Giants.

I think the Chargers are very likely to aggressively move up and target Jordan Davis. Carolina at #6 would be a good trade partner because they have no picks in rounds 2-3 and might be able to move into the teens to target a quarterback. Alternatively, O-line seems likely for the Panthers at #6.

The Giants and Falcons scare me from a Seahawks perspective because both will be in the market for a pass rusher. I hope New York will take Sauce Gardner. I hope Atlanta will either convince themselves to reach for a quarterback, will trade down with a team like the Chargers or will take a much-needed receiver.

I think they’re less likely to take a wide-out at #8 simply because the depth is so strong at the position, they can easily wait until day two.

I’m intrigued to know what Seattle will do if the top edge rushers are gone at #9. That could be a situation where they move down. As mentioned, I’d seriously consider Devonte Wyatt or Derek Stingley Jr at #9. Do they pivot to O-line?

Based on what Carroll said in his interview earlier — pass rush and corner feel like two areas that will be a big target early in the draft.

The two quarterbacks I’d keep an eye on for Seattle

Jack Coan and Kaleb Eleby at the start of day three.

Coan has technical ability that matches or surpasses the names expected to go early. You see him going through reads, playing on time and he was very productive at Notre Dame (with a ‘field-tilting’ win against Virginia Tech). He has some moments where ball-placement is an issue and while he’s a better athlete than some people think — he’s no threat as a dynamic runner. He can extend plays and throw on the run though. I like his arm strength, his base and his ability to go through progressions.

Eleby impressed in 2020 when throwing to Dee Eskridge and that maybe stuck in the mind for Seattle. He never really took a step forward in 2021 but he does a good job throwing off-platform. I think he has better arm talent than some are suggesting and he’s considered a strong leader with untapped potential.

I think either of these two could be thrown into the competition with Drew Lock, Jacob Eason and (eventually) Geno Smith. They might bypass the position in the draft, however, if they bring in Baker Mayfield as competition instead.

Jake Heaps made a great point yesterday. You can’t rush the rebuild, especially at the quarterback position. With Carroll talking about their bounty of picks in 2023, and with good options like Will Levis and Bryce Young set to be available, this is a year to build your foundation and be patient.

I’m increasingly confident they will be.

Some extra thoughts on #41

Again, I want a defensive heavy draft. Either a defensive end or defensive tackle at #9 (although I’m open to Derek Stingley too, as mentioned). A linebacker is a must at #40 because of this class. Then at #41, there are options.

If you take Wyatt or Stingley at #9, I think you target someone like Ole Miss pass rusher Sam Williams to fill your pass rusher need. If you take one of Johnson or Thibodeaux at #9 — it perhaps opens things up a bit. The top defensive tackles will likely all be gone by #41.

The great thing about this draft is it’s so rich in alternatives. If Abraham Lucas is there, he would be an exceptional pick. Ditto Cam Jurgens or Cole Strange. There are a few potential options at cornerback depending on what they’re looking for (but I still think this class is set up to add talent between rounds 4-7 as they’re known to do).

I don’t think a receiver at #41 would be a great investment given you’re supposed to be building foundations — but the likes of Kevin Austin Jr, Christian Watson and maybe even Jameson Williams warrant a conversation.

As much as some would hate it — I think a running back makes sense if you’re looking for non-defensive options. I’m not massively high on Breece Hall or Kenneth Walker in that spot. I also appreciate that they have Jonathan Stewart-level physical profiles. If the Seahawks are serious about their running game, they can’t rely on the often-injured Rashaad Penny and Chris Carson.

Investing in a player with Stewart-level talent, at a cost of $1.5-2.5m a year over four years, wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. They have to be able to run the ball properly.

Speaking of Cam Jurgens by the way — a big time blog favourite who was massively underrated in the media for far too long — he jumped a 33.5 inch vertical and a 9-11 broad at his pro-day. Then he ran a 7.19 three cone — the fastest ever by a center (beating Jason Kelce).

He’s now confirmed as a 3.34 TEF tester with a weighted TEF of 102.5.

He also has ideal size and +33 inch arms.

He is going to be an absolute stud.

Could they target Daniel Faalele?

I’m not a huge fan. However, the Seahawks had a visit with Trent Brown who is 6-8 and 380lbs. Faaelele was 6-8 and 384lbs at the combine.

For me he’s too big. There’s no need for him to be 384lbs. On tape he moves surprisingly well and admittedly there are some pass-pro snaps or plays where he moves his feet and you forget he weighs as much as he does. Yet his height and size is a disadvantage because when he loses leverage he’s often dumped on his backside. He struggles with balance and re-setting because he’s so heavy and when you get underneath him it’s like watching a tree being felled.

At the Senior Bowl far smaller defenders like Myjai Sanders sent him to the ground and he had some ugly 1v1 reps because they gained the advantage with pad-level.

The link to Brown suggests, however, they would consider an enormous right tackle. And that’s what Faalele is. If nothing else, I suppose, he’s a wall of a man to get around. With tight end help it could be especially difficult.

I’d like to see him shift 20-30lbs personally and try to become Orlando Brown Jr. There’s no need to be as big as he is.

If you missed it yesterday check out my appearance on 750 ‘The Game’ in Portland — for a healthy dose of draft energy and positivity…

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Two things to listen to today. Firstly, a radio appearance on 750 ‘the game’ in Portland on the John Canzano show:

Secondly — a new live stream running through a two-round mock draft (plus further thoughts on the Seahawks):

I wrote yesterday about my preference for the Seahawks in this draft.

The options are so good to add defensive players with special qualities and that should be the priority.

Plan A would be taking an edge rusher like Jermaine Johnson or Kayvon Thibodeaux. Plan B would be selecting Devonte Wyatt or Derek Stingley Jr.

To me there’s a stark difference between this quartet and Charles Cross and Trevor Penning. They’re not bad players by any stretch. I’m just not convinced they can be great or impactful.

It is worth nothing, however, that after recording 29 reps of the bench press at his pro-day today, Penning registered a TEF score of 3.06. His weighted TEF is 99.5. It makes him an explosive tester to go along with a 4.89 forty and increases his chances of going early (potentially to the Seahawks).

In round two I think you have to take a linebacker because the options are so good. You also have another high second rounder.

As much as I like Johnson and Thibodeaux there is something very appealing about tapping into Georgia’s outstanding defense. If you take Wyatt as your long-needed interior disruptor and then select Channing Tindall in the second round, that would be an understandable approach. You could then target an edge rusher at #41 or #72.

Either way, the draft is stacked with defensive talent. This feels like an exciting opportunity to create a young, dynamic unit that can carry this team forward as it seeks a long term future at quarterback.

However — the inability so far to add at the two offensive tackle positions is problematic. The Seahawks have a tendency of letting needs linger into the draft then forcing picks.

I hate the idea of reaching on an offensive tackle at #9. And I do think Cross or Penning would be a reach.

This is why I was rooting for Trent Brown to sign. Not because I necessarily coveted him as a player, or felt he would elevate the Seahawks to new heights on the O-line. Really it was just about filling a void and decreasing the chances of any temptation to force an O-line pick in round one.

It’s interesting though that so far they’ve shown only interest in Brown — best at right tackle — and reportedly they retain some interest in bringing back Brandon Shell (also a right tackle). Worryingly, it does feel a bit like they’re not actively seeking a left tackle. Until they do, I fear they’ll pass-up the opportunity to add a great defensive talent with their top pick.

They could of course target someone like Tyler Smith — perhaps in round two or by moving back into the first where he’s getting some buzz (I don’t think he should go that high). If they’re going to do that for a tackle, I would much prefer them to go after right tackle Abraham Lucas.

He is probably the only player I can get excited about as an early tackle pick. His stock has never taken off and if they take him in round two, I’d have no issues with that. It would be a selection to celebrate.

If Johnson and Thibodeaux come off the board before pick #9 — theoretically you could still take Wyatt (either at #9 or after moving down), take Tindall at #40 and maybe Lucas is there at #41? Then you could use #72 on a pass rusher like Dominique Robinson, DeAngelo Malone, Amare Barno or Jeffrey Gunter.

That would make as much sense as any other plan. If you prefer to swap out Lucas for Smith or Rasheed Walker — that’s an option too. I’ll just be a little bit surprised if they decide to go young and experienced on the O-line after years of trying to become more experienced up front.

It all calls into question Seattle’s decision to pay, handsomely, existing players on their roster. A true rebuilding team without any connection to Quandre Diggs, Will Dissly, Al Woods, Quinton Jefferson and Rashaad Penny might’ve thought that money was better spent elsewhere. Instead Seattle has used almost all of its cap space to retain a fairly average core that Pete Carroll clearly likes.

The coach speaks of competing and not rebuilding yet it’s impossible to look at Seattle’s roster and think this is anything more than a bad football team in the making. Even with their cluster of picks coming up.

Carroll might be best served embracing what this is and toning down his language. It could get ugly for him if he constantly talks about ‘going for it’ and then the losses stack up.

In truth it’s probably best to lean into a rebuild. Start your younger players — such as Stone Forsyth and Jake Curhan — and if you end up with a top-three pick in 2023, so be it. You won’t have to move up for a quarterback at least.

At the moment though I’m a little anxious that Carroll isn’t thinking this way at all. He’s thinking if he can plug a gap here, plug a gap there — they have a roster. Decisions made in April should be with 2023-2028 in mind, not 2022.

That’s why creating a dominating front seven through this draft should be the aim. It’s a realistic aim, too.

What if they do take Trevor Penning at #9?

I should be clear that I don’t dislike Penning as a player. I think he’s worthy of a first round grade. His profile determines he is for sure. I just don’t think he’s ‘special’ and that other players on the defensive side of the ball can be future stars.

If they draft him at #9 I think you still have to aim to take a linebacker in round two. With your other pick you consider Sam Williams, perhaps — or maybe one of the other edge rushers drops into range. There are a lot ranked in the top-50.

The Dominique Robinson, DeAngelo Malone, Amare Barno and Jeffrey Gunter group lack the star-quality of the top players and all require some refinement and development. Clint Hurtt called for a game-wrecker and all of these four are more ‘project’ than anything else. There is a lot of potential with this quartet, though.

Chris Simm’s take on Matt Corral

Say what you want about Simms but over the years he’s been quite good at correctly predicting which quarterbacks are best served to succeed at the next level.

Today he revealed his 2022 rankings with Ole Miss’ Corral at the top.

Have a listen.

He suggests Corral is the only player worthy of being considered in the top-10 and he has high praise for a player who was famously snapped having a meet-and-greet with Pete Carroll at the combine.

Brady Henderson reported today that there’s a feeling the Seahawks are not sold on the top quarterbacks in this draft. We should also remember the Seahawks have been very good at steering the local media over the last 12 months (see: Wilson will not be traded).

I don’t think the Seahawks will take Corral at #9. I do still think there’s a chance they could trade back into the #20-32 range to get him though.

Lane Kiffin loves Corral and Carroll trusts Lane. They’ve drafted a Kiffin quarterback before (Alex McGough). They might be inclined to keep taking shots until they find a guy.

The Browns are stuck with Baker Mayfield

He wanted the Colts but they clearly wanted someone else. The Saints have re-signed Jameis Winston. The Falcons added Marcus Mariota. The Panthers are already paying Sam Darnold $18m.

There’s nowhere for the Browns or Mayfield to go here.

This is why all the talk of day two picks a few days a go was nonsensical. The Browns have no leverage. This was nothing like the Carson Wentz situation or Darnold a year ago. Why? Because the Browns leaked a quote to ESPN calling Mayfield a child and then traded the house for Deshaun Watson.

It is impossible for Mayfield to be in that building when everyone gets together for OTA’s or camp.

They have two choices. Cut him and spend $18m for him to go away. Or they trade him with zero leverage to whoever will take him. They might need to eat most of his salary anyway or offer a draft pick to take on the money.

Either way they’re going to have to bite the bullet at some point. It seems to be taking them a long time to realise that but I suspect reality is biting now that other teams have shut down their options.

If the Seahawks want Mayfield — and I suspect they do — they’ve played a blinder here by being patient. They will probably get their ‘shot to nothing’ opportunity and will approach this ‘second chance’ as their 2022 answer to the Marshawn Lynch trade.

If not, it’s no big deal.

Something to remember…

When the Packers were preparing for life after Brett Favre, they selected Aaron Rodgers in the first round in 2005. Three years later, with Favre still playing, they selected Brian Brohm in the second round.

John Schneider is part of that Packers DNA. He admitted this week they’ve not done a good enough job drafting quarterbacks over the years. He’s right too. It’s particularly frustrating given the mid-round quarterbacks available a year ago, when the writing was on the wall with Russell Wilson.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the Seahawks drafted one quarterback early and one late this year. It also wouldn’t surprise me if they took one early this year (either in round two or after trading up) but left the door open to draft another early in 2023.

When you don’t have a franchise quarterback, you’ve got to throw a lot of darts. I do wonder if they’ll start that off in this draft.

Given Brady Henderson’s report — if they don’t take a quarterback early, I wouldn’t be shocked at all if the two players they’ve got their eye on are Jack Coan and Kaleb Eleby.

That, I think, would still be my preference above any Baker Mayfield project or high draft pick. Coan and Eleby have talent and traits you can chuck into the mix for 2022, while you build up your roster and plan for a potential high quarterback pick next year.

Today I have published a new podcast discussing some of these topics in greater detail. You can listen below via YouTube, Spotify and Apple. Please subscribe and support the channels.

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The front office were right to end the Russell Wilson saga one way or another. I think some of their free agent moves have been understandable and some questionable. I’m taking a ‘wait and see’ approach overall on what they’ve done in this market.

However, I don’t think you can assess what has happened with Trent Brown as anything other than a negative. We’ve been here before, too many times.

Source: #Patriots OT Trent Brown has agreed to terms with… the #Patriots. A plot twist, as Brown ends up back where he began.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 21, 2022

How often have the Seahawks had visits with players, tried to give them the hard-sell as recruiters, only to miss out?

Look at the Bengals. They didn’t allow La’el Collins to leave Cincinnati without a deal. The Seahawks took a long visit with Brown, only to allow themselves to seemingly be used as leverage as he eventually stayed with his old team.

The Seahawks currently have two gaping holes at offensive tackle. The draft options are not great, despite what a lot of other people will tell you.

If they force themselves to take a tackle at #9 — they will be reaching for a need. They will not be positioning themselves to take the best player.

This has become a regular occurrence with Pete Carroll and John Schneider.

Too often over the years they’ve backed themselves into a corner by going into the draft with significant needs. Then, instead of letting the draft come to them, they’ve had to force things.

Sometimes they’ve even gone into training camp with massive issues at center and cornerback (2021) or pass rush (2019 & 2020).

All of the best options in round one are on defense. You have a chance to select a special talent with your top pick, even if you move down first.

Charles Cross and Trevor Penning do not possess ‘special’ qualities.

It will be demoralising to see them force an offensive tackle pick at #9 — or feel like they’ve got to somehow find a solution at #40 or #41 for a gaping hole.

They had one of the best right tackles in the business in their facility over the weekend and they should’ve made sure he didn’t leave without putting pen to paper.

Now what?

Duane Brown is talking to Carolina. Teron Armstead is visiting Miami and appears destined to sign for the Dolphins. Collins has committed to the Bengals and Brown to the Pats.

Short of pulling out the stops with any of the above who aren’t committed, the remaining options are limited to Eric Fisher, Billy Turner, Daryl Williams and Brandon Shell. That’s it.

Meanwhile the Seahawks spent a fortune tying up Quandre Diggs, to secure a combined +$30m a year average salary at the safety position, extended Will Dissly way beyond expectations and then added players like Quinton Jefferson.

As we sit here today, they have not done anything at offensive tackle. They’ll need to further add to their pass rush after releasing Carlos Dunlap. They need a linebacker and cornerback too. And there’s the quarterback position.

A week into free agency and it feels like we’re seeing the same old issues arise. The same lack of commitment to the trenches. The same inability to upgrade and improve the team — especially on the offensive line. Investing in non-premium positions while neglecting areas like the two lines and cornerback. The same misplaced confidence in their recruiting ability that never pays off when free agents are there to be won over.

For all the talk Carroll had of competing this year, at the moment they’ve got the makings of a very bad football team. It’s actually hard to imagine who could be worse right now. They have to be among the favourites for a top-three pick next year.

This is a big few days for Carroll and co. They’ve got to get this tackle situation sorted. Not as a means to win this year per se. More as a sign that they appreciate and understand where the strength of this draft is at #9, #40 and #41. Because it isn’t offensive tackle.

They’ve also got to make some moves without sacrificing their prize draft picks. Which is hard to do when you see what paltry tackle options remain on the market.

If they don’t set themselves up for a defense-centric draft in the early rounds, it will be a big error.

Trading Wilson and launching a reset was fine but they had to prove they could drive this team forward. I’m not sure the first week of free agency is suggesting they’re capable of doing it.

I hope I’m writing a different article soon.

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Address the offensive tackle positions asap

I don’t want the Seahawks to feel like they’ve got to draft a left tackle at #9. I’m not as high on Charles Cross as many others and while Trevor Penning has intriguing physical qualities, I don’t think he has the potential to be special — unlike the defenders available in the same range.

Find a way to bring in Duane & Trent Brown. Or pivot to Eric Fisher if needs be.

Solidify the offensive line to create the flexibility to approach the draft with a BPA mindset.

After spending so much on the safety position and more recently at tight end and running back — the team really needs to get the left and right tackle positions sorted.

Accept the situation for what it is at quarterback

Let’s just be honest here. Players like Baker Mayfield and Tyler Huntley are not taking you to the Super Bowl in the future. If you trade for either, they will play on essentially one-year prove-it contracts.

If they perform well, they’ll cost a fortune to keep. If they struggle — you’ve wasted a pick.

Seattle should be setting out to find a great young signal caller and they should accept that it might take a year or two.

Give yourself a chance to hit the jackpot which is a cheap quarterback on a rookie contract — freeing up cap space to build around them.

You’ve just got to take your lumps in 2022. That means a competition involving Drew Lock, Jacob Eason, probably Geno Smith and a rookie.

That rookie shouldn’t be a high pick either. Jack Coan isn’t that much worse than the top players. Take him at the start of day three and let him compete.

The chances are you’ll then be well placed to draft someone like Will Levis next year.

I don’t think they’ll do this by the way, as I’ll note at the end of this piece.

Create a fearsome front seven

This should be the #1 priority for the Seahawks. This draft class is set up to create a terrorising defense.

Speed, violence and pass rush. That should be the aim.

Plan A for me would be to draft Jermaine Johnson or Kayvon Thibodeaux at #9 to partner Darrell Taylor. If they are off the board I would do one of two things.

Firstly, I would check out what offers are available to move down. Recent reports have linked the Chargers with interest in moving up to select Jordan Davis. Can you get a high-ish pick next year and LA’s third rounder (#79) this year? That #79 pick will be extremely valuable in this draft.

If you can move down, I would do so with the aim of selecting another edge rusher (Boye Mafe, Arnold Ebiketie, George Karlaftis) or — my preference — you draft Devonte Wyatt.

If the offers to move down from #9 were not attractive, I would draft Wyatt with the #9 pick or Derek Stingley Jr.

I want the Seahawks to try and draft a special talent. Not a ‘decent’ player or someone who’s raw and needs a lot of work. I want special.

Stingley has shown elite potential at LSU — even if he’s struggled to show it after LSU collapsed in 2020. In 2019 he looked like he was on a pathway to becoming the best cornerback in the world. At SPARQ he ran a 4.30 at the same weight he’s at now. He also jumped a 42 inch vertical. He has the potential for greatness.

Wyatt is the closest thing the Seahawks are going to get to a special interior pass rusher — the rarest of things. There simply aren’t many people who are 6-3, 304lbs and can run a 4.77 with a 1.66 10-yard split.

His arm length (32.5 inches) is below what Seattle has looked for in the past. However, Geno Atkins (who I’d compare Wyatt to) and Aaron Donald also had the same issue and they coped well enough. Much in the way Russell Wilson had everything except height — I’d argue Wyatt has everything except ideal arm length.

People question his production (2.5 sacks in 2021). I wouldn’t worry about it. He had 26 pressures last season. He had a 14.5% pass rush win rate which is superior to Jermaine Johnson (14.2%) and Travon Walker (10.8%).

On top of that his run-stop win-rate is 11.4%. Compare that to Perrion Winfrey (6.1%) and Travis Jones (7.8%).

In five years we might be wondering why Wyatt wasn’t a top-10 lock. He dominated at the Senior Bowl and he combines supreme quickness and excellent hand-use to penetrate as a pass rusher. He can play stout at the point and won’t be a liability against the run. He can play any down and distance.

The Seahawks want a game-wrecker and he could be it. They’ve needed interior rush for years. Wyatt can provide that.

If they took him at #9 I would celebrate that pick. If they can get him after trading down — so be it.

Aim for greatness, not simply a player who could be pretty good or needs serious development. Try and find a star. For me that means looking at players like Wyatt and Stingley with unique skill-sets and rare traits.

They would be my Plan B if Johnson and Thibodeaux are gone.

Picks #40 and #41 should continue to build up the defense. It feels inevitable that one of the picks will go on a linebacker. My preference would be one of Channing Tindall, Leo Chenal, Damone Clark or Quay Walker.

If they take Wyatt in round one, I would use the #41 pick to select Sam Williams the Ole Miss pass rusher.

I think a front seven that includes Wyatt, Tindall, Williams, Darrell Taylor and Uchenna Nwosu can be special. You will be able to attack teams with speed, aggression and difference making ability. You would also have great depth.

Wyatt, Tindall and Williams in particular have also produced at the highest level in college football in the SEC. Two of them are from Georgia’s sensational National Championship team.

This would set you on a pathway to success on defense. With your investment in safety already secure, you would be a cornerback away from a potentially fantastic unit.

To me this is a plan nearly everyone can get behind. Who wouldn’t want to watch a front-seven like this?

Whether the Seahawks would be prepared to focus solely on one side of the ball in the first two rounds, I’m not sure.

But if they are able to bring in Duane and Trent Brown to play tackle — and if we accept the quarterback situation is what it is for 12 months — this would be an exciting start to the rebuild.

A final thought on Baker Mayfield

The Seahawks are being linked again today and I think the situation is becoming fairly obvious here.

This is how I see it…

The Browns have zero leverage because they have spent a fortune on Deshaun Watson and have no choice but to move Mayfield on. Leaking to ESPN that they ‘want an adult’ at quarterback was unprofessional by whoever said it and has turned this into a crisis for the Browns.

Why?

There is no way whatsoever Mayfield can enter the quarterbacks room in OTA’s or camp now. He’d be well within his rights to be a royal pain in the arse — which is not what Cleveland needs as they turn to Watson.

Neither can they afford to sit on an $18m guaranteed salary which they are on the hook for without a trade. If nobody makes Cleveland an offer — they will have to cut him and eat the whole salary. That’s where they’re at and teams know it.

Comparing this to the Carson Wentz situation is futile. The Colts chose to move on from Wentz. He could’ve returned and it would’ve been steady away. There’s no such option for the Browns after trading for Watson and insulting Mayfield.

The Colts and Seahawks are seen as potential suitors. Both immediately distanced themselves from Mayfield, amid reports the Browns were laughably asking for a day-two pick in a trade.

The Athletic and the Seattle Times both reported that each team ‘wasn’t pursuing’ Mayfield. I’m not sure Indianapolis will ever be interested. I suspect the Seahawks most definitely will be.

My feeling is that Pete Carroll will see this as a chance to make Mayfield the next Marshawn Lynch. A player who was seen as uncontrollable at his old team, acquired on the cheap who Carroll turns into a star.

Mayfield, to be fair, needs a coach like Carroll. It would be an ideal fit for him. He’d have plenty of room to be himself. Carroll will like his competitive spirit and channel it — rather than restrict it.

However, what we need to remember is the Seahawks badly wanted Lynch in 2010. They were extremely patient, not concluding a deal until after the season had begun.

They won’t have to wait that long this time but clearly it feels like they’re willing to take the same approach. Let the situation come to them.

In this case that means one of two things. It means Cleveland eating a whole chunk of his $18m salary (which the Seahawks can’t even afford right now) or it means the Browns basically giving him away — or even giving Seattle a late round pick to inherit the contract.

A fair deal is probably one of Seattle’s fifth rounders to get Mayfield for $10m. Plenty will scoff at that. I’ve seen many tweets claiming the Browns should be able to get second or third round picks. It isn’t happening.

They need rid of Mayfield. Everyone knows it. They’re going to have to facilitate his departure just to move on.

I would rather the Seahawks stick it out and just embrace what this — a rebuild where you aim to draft a quarterback to eventually start. For me that would mean a later pick this year on a Jack Coan type and a higher pick, if needed, in 2023.

However — I don’t think Carroll will see it like that. I think he and Schneider will fancy rolling the dice if the price is right.

It has to be a deal that speaks to the situation. Which in this case would be the Seahawks relieving Cleveland of a problem and inheriting what amounts to a one-year rental to have a look at a player who will be incredibly expensive to retain if he performs well.

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Reacting to the Scot McCloughan interview

It was very interesting to hear Scot refer to the top quarterbacks as essentially third round prospects, three of which are likely to go in round one due to positional need. I came away thinking there was virtually no chance of Seattle taking one at #9.

Say what you like about John Schneider’s recent drafting record — he and Pete Carroll have been very cautious when it comes to quarterbacks, only selecting two in 12 years. Maybe they rate the group higher than McCloughan? I suspect they don’t — or at least not high enough to go completely against what he said and take one at #9.

To hear someone as respected as McCloughan spell it out in such a way, I’m not sure any team is going to reach to that extent unless there’s ownership pressure. I suspect we’ll start seeing a bit of activity, perhaps, when New Orleans and Pittsburgh edge towards being on the clock. Perhaps someone will trade into the late first for the third player. That feels more realistic.

With a roster that needs fleshing out and with McCloughan also saying this is a ‘building’ draft where you set up the framework, I’m convinced we’ll see this team focus on structure.

If you missed my interview with Scot McCloughan — you can watch it below. I think it’s a must-listen for all NFL/NFL Draft fans:

Thoughts on what they’ll do

With the recent cuts of Benson Mayowa, Carlos Dunlap and Kerry Hyder — the Seahawks are light on edge rushers. Dunlap is the only truly productive player they’ve lost but currently, they’ve only really got Darrell Taylor, Uchenna Nwosu and Alton Robinson to rush the edge.

They absolutely need more. Given they spoke of improving the pass rush in 2022 — subtracting Dunlap and adding Nwosu is not a ‘fix’. They’re going to be adding here, I would suggest, in a big way.

I think this speaks to the confidence they have in finding an edge rusher. I’ve thought for a while that Jermaine Johnson would be their ideal choice at #9. If not, they can always move down and still secure a good EDGE.

I’m not sure how much this scheme change impacts what they’re looking for. Boye Mafe having sub-33 inch arms would usually mean he’s less likely to come to Seattle. Yet in this fresh start with clear scheme shifts, does that change now?

Regardless, I think if I was going to put money on Seattle’s first pick it would be a DE/OLB type — whether they stay at #9 or not.

I’d say the alternative is an offensive tackle. They still have holes at left and right tackle. If Jermaine Johnson, Travon Walker and Kayvon Thibodeaux are not there at #9 — they might pivot to Trevor Penning.

All signs point to teams focusing on three key areas early in this draft — DL, OL, CB.

Cornerback is an interesting one. Seattle lost D.J. Reed and only signed Artie Burns on the cheap. We don’t know how much these scheme changes, and a switch to more man-coverage, might impact how they approach the position. Sauce Gardner is highly regarded and Derek Stingley is suffering with some recency bias due to injuries and an imploding LSU team. He’s still an outstanding talent.

In previous years we’ve seen quarterbacks and receivers go early. However — as discussed — the QB’s don’t warrant that kind of grade this year and there’s simply so much depth at receiver that teams will probably wait until day two.

LA Chargers to move up?

Tony Pauline relayed information from the Georgia pro-day that LA were smitten with Jordan Davis. It’s no surprise. Not only did he test sensationally — the Chargers badly need someone like him to complete their roster.

They are in a position to make a big trade. If they had Davis anchoring the middle with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack rushing the edges, with JC Jackson lurking in the secondary and Derwin James at safety — that’s a killer unit.

They could present the Seahawks with an option to move down. More likely though, I think they might target Carolina at #6. The Panthers don’t have a second round pick and might be prepared to shift down to #17 and consider quarterbacks. The Chargers could give them a third rounder and some picks for next year. Not a great return — admittedly — and the Panthers might end up staying put.

From Seattle’s perspective, they could realistically expect to get the #79 pick in return. That’s LA’s highest remaining pick. Plus you’d imagine a high pick next year. It might be appealing for the Seahawks if the board goes a certain way.

I don’t think they’ll take Jordan Davis themselves, despite his incredible physical talent. If there’s one position where they’re currently ‘stacked’ it’s interior defensive line:

Al Woods
Shelby Harris
Poona Ford
Quinton Jefferson
Bryan Mone

It’s a hard sell to add Davis as well to that list and then not have adequate pass rushing talent. You can’t just be about stopping the run. You’ve got to get after opponents too.

It only becomes a more viable prospect if they sign a big name pass rusher, such as Za’Darius Smith. Which seems unlikely.

One way or another, the Seahawks are going to find a way to draft an edge rusher in rounds 1-2.

Tackle is an interesting situation

The Seahawks have had many visits with players over the years. The Jared Allen one sticks in the memory.

They’ve rarely led to a player actually signing though.

To an extent it almost feels ominous when it’s revealed a player is having a visit. It seems to mean the Seahawks are going to do their checks and then try and ‘recruit’ the player to take less money — rather than getting a signature inked.

Trent Brown having a positive time in Seattle and potentially getting a deal done over the weekend sounds good. I’m fearful, though, that another team (such as the Patriots) will swoop in.

I’d like to see them just get this done. You’ve got money to spend. Brown has been one of the best right tackles in the league when healthy. Take a shot.

I’d also like to see Duane Brown back. Initially I wanted them to avoid signing older players. However, I think another year of Brown is acceptable while you work out a long term path. They might even draft someone at #40 or #41 (or might trade back into the first).

I’m not as high on Tyler Smith as a lot of other people but, theoretically, you could add him and stash him with the intention of him being the future of the position.

There are still dominos to fall. It might even be that Brown remains available until after the draft and they can make a call when they know what they’ve acquired.

Over the last few years the Seahawks have had gaping holes on their roster to start training camp. I hope they avoid that this year by going into the draft with good options at most positions and then adding — rather than ‘filling’.

Seahawks want an experienced quarterback

According to Josina Anderson, they at least ‘prefer’ to add a veteran. I think this further speaks to their thinking for this year. Find an experienced potential starter in what will be portrayed as an open competition with Drew Lock. Then build through the draft.

I have a little bit of fear that they could end up blowing a good pick on a middling or ageing player. However, there are some positive signs.

Immediately after the Deshaun Watson trade it became clear that Indianapolis were in pole position for Baker Mayfield. Then this emerged from Bob Condotta:

I’m hearing Seahawks aren’t expected to aggressively pursue Mayfield right now.

Given Mayfield and his people have let it be known through the media that he’s interested in Seattle, I don’t think this is because he’s snubbed the Seahawks. Neither do I think there’s no interest from Seattle. I think they’ll be very interested in him.

After all, Carroll’s big speech about second chances could’ve been tailor-made for Mayfield’s situation.

Here’s what I think’s going on. I think the Seahawks are showing restraint and acknowledge this is a situation where Cleveland has little leverage. They’re letting the Colts dictate where this goes. What are they offering?

They can stay in touch, while not ‘aggressively pursuing’. And if the market is right, they can enter it when needed.

If the price isn’t right, you simply move on.

I think this is a mature, responsible approach. Seattle’s main priority has to be to protect their high picks. Mayfield’s contract situation makes a trade a big challenge because if he plays well you’ll need to pay him a fortune. If he struggles, you wasted a pick on a rental.

One advantage the Seahawks do have is they’re in the NFC, not the AFC. I think there’s a chance Mayfield ends up in Seattle — provided the Colts are not ‘all-in’ on acquiring him.

In terms of alternatives — I wouldn’t get into the Matt Ryan market. I watched him live last season and physically he looked 37-years-old. He’ll cost about $23m — not the $8-9m a lot of people think. Atlanta can drive a harder bargain than Cleveland because they haven’t just committed three first rounders and a kings ransom to another quarterback.

You’re not winning the Super Bowl with Ryan in 2022. You’ll just be the Falcons.

Restraint is the order of the day.

The Seahawks are planning something

They cleared a decent chunk of cap space by cutting Dunlap, Hyder and Mayowa — despite already having the second most available space in the league.

That could, potentially, pave the way to inherit a large quarterback contract.

Or it could be that we’re a week into free agency and there are still some good players available — and they’re ready to make several additions that possibly felt unlikely a few days ago.

What happens with DK Metcalf?

It was interesting to hear Rich Eisen and Albert Breer discussing the prospect of Green Bay trading for Metcalf. That gives the idea a bit more legitimacy, compared to all the Twitter chatter.

As Breer alluded to, it might be one for closer to the draft. The Seahawks need to get through free agency. Then they need to sit down with Metcalf and find out how likely it is they can find common-ground on a contract. If they can’t, thanks to the explosive, ridiculous receiver market, they’ll be in the same situation they were with Frank Clark.

And as with Clark, the minimum compensation they receive in any trade should be a first and second round pick. Metcalf is only 24, he has the world at his feet.

It’s also the same compensation the Packers received for Davante Adams.

I don’t want Seattle to lose such a talented player. However, I think we’re now in a situation where his salary is simply going to be too expensive.

The Packers could give you #22 and #59. That would present an opportunity to draft ‘two for one’ at a cheaper price. Green Bay gets a dynamic weapon to try and win a title this year. The Seahawks can build up their roster.

Notre Dame’s Kevin Austin Jr is a player I would focus on, if such a trade was completed. I think he’s a second round pick. I’d also be ready to move if Jameson Williams lasted into range because of his injury. North Dakota State’s Christian Watson also has a lot of talent and feels like a foundational player for the locker room.

Frankly though, you can list many more options. It’s a loaded receiver class.

I also wouldn’t rule out a team like the Jets being very aggressive in pursuit of Metcalf. It’s hard to work out what a good option for them is at #10. They are desperate for a legit weapon for Zach Wilson.

Linebacker clearly a target

It’s not a coincidence that the Seahawks moved on from Bobby Wagner after watching the outstanding linebacker group at the combine.

It was the end of the road for Wagner in Seattle anyway. It hasn’t been discussed enough in the media but his performances had dropped dramatically. There’s a reason why he’s still available now — a week into free agency.

It was a clear example of a popular player benefitting from reputation and assumption. In the lead up to his departure I wrote a few times I wouldn’t have him back even for $8-10m. The money was better spent elsewhere — and this linebacker class provides a unique opportunity to combine talent and value.

Seattle hasn’t been linked with any free agent linebackers which is both encouraging and indicative of the situation. They don’t even need a hedge (although Cody Barton is one, to an extent). Even if players come off the board, you’re virtually assured of a quality linebacker being available at #40/41.

The four that I’d key-in on are Channing Tindall, Leo Chenal, Quay Walker and Damone Clark. I can also see why Christian Harris and Troy Anderson could be appealing (you might be able to trade down and get one of them).

Tindall and Chenal combine outstanding agility, explosive traits and speed with a physical nature and would be 1a and 1b for me. Walker just has a stoic quality to him — you can imagine him being a leader on your roster and a long-time starter — even if he never reaches an elite level. Clark is a grown man. Extremely likeable personality. 100% football. Frame of a body-builder.

The Seahawks are going to get a good one.

Running back remains intriguing

There’s still no word on Rashaad Penny. I suppose that increases the chances that he’ll be back in Seattle.

I also think it perhaps suggests the Seahawks like this running back class and whatever happens with Penny, might actually prefer to draft a new lead runner.

Carroll is doubling-down on his way of doing things and that means running the ball effectively. We’ve seen how bad Seattle’s offense is when they can’t run the ball.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they target Breece Hall or Kenneth Walker early in round two. However, I still think Zamir White and Dameon Pierce warrant serious consideration because they bring attitude, physicality and energy to a team. They might be available in round three. On day three they might add another one too. It’s a loaded running back group.

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It was my great pleasure today to interview Scot McCloughan. We talked quarterbacks, including his thoughts on the 2022 draft class. I suppose I would say this — but I think this is an unmissable hour of content for NFL fans.

You can listen via YouTube, Spotify or Apple below. A quick reminder again — if you can subscribe and leave a review it all really helps promote the channel.

It’s been an interesting couple of days for Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns. The failed attempt to land Deshaun Watson, a rejected trade request and a relationship that appears broken and destined to end.

Mayfield has let it be known through the media he’d be open to going to Indianapolis or Seattle. Then Josina Anderson posted one of her zany tweets, suggesting the Seahawks ‘have discussed exploring’ acquiring Mayfield. That, presumably, means they’ve had a discussion as to whether to consider it, which sounds at least two stages behind actually being able to make an offer.

It feels like both parties are showing a bit of leg to each other.

And why not? Pete Carroll gave a rambling yet passionate opening gambit during his press conference yesterday where he spoke endlessly about second chances. Mayfield, you’d imagine, falls into that category.

He needs a coach like Carroll. Someone who’ll give him a chance to turn his career around and deliver support and guidance — plus an opportunity to be comfortable in his own skin.

That said, I can’t get behind trading for Mayfield unless the price is decidedly cheap. According to Anderson, this is what Cleveland wants:

Speaking on value assessment: Perhaps a "2nd-rounder, or a conditional 3rd-rounder that turns into a 2nd" for Baker Mayfield, per league source.

— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 17, 2022

To me that’s too much, for several key reasons.

Mayfield has only one year left on his contract. This is doubly concerning. If he doesn’t perform well and you let him walk, you wasted a high-ish pick. If he performs at the best level we’ve seen from him so far in his career, he would have outstanding leverage in contract talks — just at the moment QB salaries are sky-rocketing.

There’d be no reason for Seattle to bite on that kind of trade. Let the Browns stew until the price comes down. There’s no leverage for Cleveland here. Use that to your advantage, don’t let them off the hook.

If you can get him for a day three pick it becomes a shot-to-nothing. Then if you walk away in 12 months there’s no lasting damage.

Short-term rentals, at a high cost, are one of the reasons why this team has struggled. They can’t keep blowing high picks on trades. Their best deals have all been when they’ve got great value.

Mayfield needs to cost as much as Marshawn Lynch or Quandre Diggs. Otherwise, just move on.

The Seahawks have not had much luck with expensive trades and the opposite is true with their bargain moves. They need all of their high picks — this year and next — to reset the team. They should also be intending, whether it’s this year or next, to add quarterbacks through the draft to really feel the benefit of a rookie contract.

Seattle’s focus right now should be the offensive line. If Mayfield is eventually available for a day three pick this year — or something similar next year that is conditional — fine.

The price-tag has to represent the risk involved though due to the fact he has only one year left on his contract. This is a rental with serious potential to be a one-year relationship, even if he plays well, due to a difficult contract negotiation that would follow.

You can’t overpay for that.

Interesting comments from John Schneider

Towards the end of yesterdays press conference, Schneider was asked about the quarterback draft class. Carroll interrupted because he wanted to steer Schneider away from talking about it. At the end of the conference, Schneider doggedly returned to his answer. He was going to say what he had to say.

I found it interesting that he chose to return to the subject to point out:

1.) That they hadn’t done a good enough job adding quarterbacks over the years, despite intending to

2.) That they could take a quarterback later on, not just early in the draft, and that players such as Tom Brady and Russell Wilson were drafted outside of the first round

It could be nothing. It’s unlikely Schneider decided he would reveal their draft plans to the media. It made me consider a couple of points though.

Could they draft multiple quarterbacks in the draft to take as many shots as possible? Could they have their eye on a possible player later in the draft?

In 2012 Washington drafted Robert Griffin III at great expense then added Kirk Cousins in round four. Could Seattle do something similar this year?

Or could they build up the rest of their roster with their three early picks and take someone like Jack Coan or Kaleb Eleby later on?

The Seahawks have to find foundational pieces

Every team has a handful of usually homegrown players who are the beating heart of the team. They don’t need to be high picks, as Seattle showed from 2010. They do need to be high quality though, not just physically tough and impactful.

The key to this draft for the Seahawks, with three picks in the top-41, should be to try and find the foundational core to add to the handful of candidates they already possess.

That’s why I don’t think they’ll trade down from #9 if a top player is available. And I think at the very least they’ll spend one of #40 or #41.

Frankly I’d happily stay put in each spot and make a pick, unless an obscene offer was made. Don’t be cute. Make picks.

One player I’m not convinced they’ll be interested in

I’ve seen Charles Cross’ name come up a fair bit — the left tackle from Mississippi State. His tape is fairly good. He’s mobile and he showed that by running a 4.95. He can get out into his sets and make life hard against a speed rush which produces a lot of value.

However — he’s not particularly large. He’s the opposite of explosive — jumping only a 26 inch vertical. Unlike Abraham Lucas, he did a poor job in the shuttle (4.61) and three cone (7.88).

To me this is not the profile of a top-10 pick.

Could they draft a running back early?

With Rashaad Penny remaining a free agent I’ve started to wonder whether the Seahawks are so comfortable with their draft options that they’re feeling quite strong in negotiations.

Penny was electric to end the season and ideally, you bring him back to see if he can re-create the magic. Yet the injury history has to be taken into consideration. Even if you bring him back for one year at $6m — it’s considerably more than a rookie.

Some Seahawks fans will have a screaming fit if they spend another high pick on a runner, yet I think it’s one of the best investments you can make in the early second round.

Firstly, the position is undervalued these days so players who otherwise would’ve gone early in round one 20 years ago now last a lot longer. Nick Chubb, Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook and Jonathan Stewart all went in the general range where Seattle owns two second round picks.

Secondly, the price and impact is valuable. Last years #40 pick (Richie Grant) had a cap hit of $1.5m in 2021. In the final year of his deal, he’ll cost $2.6m.

That’s a fraction of the cost of paying someone like Penny. Yet running backs consistently show they can make an impact early in their careers.

While it’s proven that drafting runners in the top-10 is a fools errand — the early second round can be a range where you gain exceptional talent, production and value.

I’m not sure how the Seahawks will view Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker — yet their outstanding college production plus incredible combine performances could pique their interest.

Note this line from a recent Albert Breer article:

One NFC exec told me he sees both as late-first-round types who’ll probably go on Day 2 based on how the position is valued in the league.

Hall ran a 4.39 in Indianapolis and jumped a 40 inch vertical at 5-11 and 217lbs. Walker ran a 4.38 and jumped a 34 inch vertical at 5-9 and 211lbs.

I really like Zamir White or Dameon Pierce later on. Frankly, there’s a long list of attractive running backs. Yet Hall and Walker have those special physical qualities that the star names have. If the Seahawks think either can lead their rushing attack for the next four years and cost — at most — between $1.5m-2.6m — then that’s something they might consider.

Carroll’s system can’t function without a running game and they’ve had too many injuries at the position. Finding consistency and quality is key to re-launching this team and offense.

How will the Davante Adams trade impact Seattle?

Potentially in quite a big way.

His contract is said to be worth about $28.25m a year. You can’t negotiate in this arena. What is fair value any more? The market has exploded and now teams are going to find it incredibly difficult to get acceptable agreements with receivers.

It feels like we’ve reached a tipping point at the position but it could take 2-3 years to settle down.

I want D.K. Metcalf to stay in Seattle. You don’t get better by trading away good young players who can be part of your foundation. You simply open up more holes.

However — Metcalf is not worth $25-30m a year. When I look at this draft class and the last few draft classes — they’re always loaded at receiver.

College football is churning out quality wide-outs year after year.

As such, it might be best to go four years at a time at this position then be prepared to move on. Which means potentially trading Metcalf now or next year when he’s on the franchise tag.

I’m not convinced they’d do it now unless Metcalf pushed for it. Next year feels more likely. The problem might be that nobody else wants to pay him $25-30m a year either. If the Packers won’t match Davante Adams’ demands, why would they pay a similar amount for someone else?

This market is going to give GM’s an incredible headache over the coming years.

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