‘The Rebuild: a Seattle Seahawks podcast’ is now available on Spotify, along with Apple & YouTube. Please subscribe and leave a review — it helps the channel on each platform. I’ve just posted a new solo pod discussing today’s free agent moves and the importance of draft hedging. The episode is available on the various platforms below.

Don’t forget to also check out today’s article, discussing quarterbacks and options with the #9 pick.

In the aftermath of the Russell Wilson trade I wrote about the Seahawks almost certainly having a firm plan for the next step. You don’t trade Wilson away without knowing what your next move is. The Seahawks will know, internally, what it is.

We don’t know. We won’t know. And we should embrace that.

Last week everyone invested a lot of faith in Daniel Jeremiah saying his buddies in the league expected Deshaun Watson in Seattle. Now, they’re not even among a group of teams talking to him.

There’ll be all sorts of speculation about their intentions and none of it, really, is going to mean anything.

The team is not going to show its hand. Any leak can be taken with a pinch of salt. This is the most important decision, arguably, Pete Carroll and John Schneider will make. Their reputations are on the line here. If they trade Wilson away and mess this up — this could be how their tenure in Seattle is defined.

I want to offer some thoughts on what might be going on.

The pass rush fear

I hoped acquiring the #9 pick would put Seattle in a position to draft an outstanding pass rusher. The NFL world obsesses about quarterbacks but over the last few years, a great pass rush has been just as important.

Increasingly, I wonder who will be left at #9.

It’s becoming harder and harder to imagine Jermaine Johnson lasting. He could/should be the #1 target. After a fantastic season for Florida State where he had 11.5 sacks and 17.5 TFL’s — he then dominated at the Senior Bowl and ran a 1.55 10-yard split at the combine.

None of the teams picking in front of Seattle have gone after the big name free agent pass rushers. There’s a distinct possibility that Jacksonville, Detroit, Houston, the Jets, the Giants and Atlanta will all consider drafting a pass rusher.

I don’t expect Johnson to get to #9. Even if it’s the Giants at #7 or the Falcons at #8 — he has simply shown too much and performed too well.

It’s not unusual for a player to rise in this way. Think back to 2010. Trent Williams, originally, was considered a mid-first rounder. He didn’t even play left tackle at Oklahoma. Then he had a lights-out combine. As the weeks went by, buzz increased about Williams being a top-10 pick. He eventually was taken at #4 having propelled himself way up many boards.

The same could be happening here with Johnson.

It’d be a shame because he and the Seahawks appear to have connected. Here’s a segment from an article on NFL.com:

Johnson certainly looked the part in his first season with the Seminoles, rewriting his narrative from a tale of a player who failed to produce to one who just needed the right opportunity to shine. A lack of year-over-year consistency might give interested clubs some pause, but Johnson has found they too understand the dynamics of his somewhat unique ascension.

“My meeting with Seattle kind of gave me a different (perspective) on that,” Johnson explained. “[Seahawks coach] Pete Carroll, he just said in front of everyone, he’s like, ‘so we’re not going to judge him off any of the years of college (prior to Florida State). Last year is who you were.’

“Coming in from junior college to Georgia, a lot of complications can happen. For him to know right off the bat, like, ‘let’s not judge him on some different complications. Let’s judge him on when he’s in a comfortable environment and when he’s being used the right way, when he’s happy.’ That made me feel really good.”

Personally I’d consider moving up to secure him, provided the asking price wasn’t too expensive.

The only other potential ‘game-wrecking’ EDGE, for me, is Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Travon Walker tested superbly and will be a high pick for that reason. I’m not convinced he’s going to be a screaming-off-the-edge type who transforms Seattle’s pass rush for the next five years. David Ojabo has a lot of potential but feels like a slow-burner who will need a couple of years to work things out.

Thibodeaux has the talent to be the #1 pick and could still be taken there. He wouldn’t be the first player to be picked apart in the early stages of a draft season only to settle in as the top prospect because the upside is too high. The same thing more or less happened with Jadeveon Clowney. There were even a few quibbles about Myles Garrett’s personality, with people questioning his fire and discussing irrelevant things like his interest in poetry.

If he did fall to #9 I’d be surprised. That’s a significant drop. There’s no real reason why the Giants or Falcons wouldn’t stop a slide if the Seahawks were prepared to. If he did fall all the way to #9 — would Seattle be risk-averse in that scenario?

I would hope not. Thibodeaux might rub a few people up the wrong way during interviews (media and team) but he has rare edge-rushing talent. It shouldn’t be a shock if ultimately Jacksonville takes the plunge at #1.

A top-eight like this wouldn’t be a surprise:

#1 Jacksonville — Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE, Oregon)
#2 Detroit — Aidan Hutchinson (DE, Michigan)
#3 Houston — Sauce Gardner (CB, Cincinnati)
#4 New York Jets — Travon Walker (DE, Georgia)
#5 New York Giants — Evan Neal (T, Alabama)
#6 Carolina — Ikem Ekwonu (G, NC State)
#7 New York Giants — Jermaine Johnson (DE, Florida State)
#8 Atlanta — David Ojabo (DE, Michigan)

With some big name pass rushers still out there and with the team expressing the need to add ‘another Darrell Taylor’ (Pete Carroll) and ‘a game-wrecker’ (Clint Hurtt) — you wonder what might be the next domino to fall.

If they feel like the options at #9 are diminishing, they might invest in a Chandler Jones, Za’Darius Smith or Jadeveon Clowney — simply to avoid missing out on an off-season priority.

If that happens, it shouldn’t stop them drafting a Johnson or Thibodeaux at #9. But it might suggest they’re preparing to go in a different direction.

***UPDATE***

The Seahawks have signed Uchenna Nwosu to a two-year $20m contract. This is very encouraging news, at least initially. It looks like a classic draft hedge. It’s not so expensive that it eliminates the Seahawks from likely taking a pass rusher with their top pick. If they miss out, though, they’re equally not left completely short.

On top of that, Nwosu is a good age (25) and has a lot of the physical traits they like — 33.5 inch arms, decent split and short shuttle. He’s played in two defensive schemes the Seahawks may try to mesh (Gus Bradley, Brandon Staley).

He isn’t a game-wrecker though. The deal will be less impressive if they don’t add one in the draft. However, this is the kind of signing I was hoping they would make because it ticks a box and leaves open the possibility of drafting a pass rushing stud at #9.

What does this all mean for the quarterback position?

Potentially nothing. If the board did shake up like the above projection — they could opt to trade down. They could draft someone like Trevor Penning to play right or left tackle.

It’s also possible, unfortunately, that they simply take whichever quarterback they like at #9.

I don’t think anyone is going to take, say, Malik Willis ahead of them. Neither do I think a team like the Steelers are going to trade way up. Pittsburgh’s addition of Mitchell Trubisky is a useful hedge that gives them an insurance policy if they have to push things into 2023.

So far, the Seahawks haven’t added their own insurance. They’ll tell you Drew Lock is a viable option but does anyone truly believe that?

When I say they didn’t make the Wilson trade without a plan for what’s next — it’s possible they simply knew all along that their next quarterback will be easily draftable within the top-10.

For John Schneider it’s always been about tools. Wilson had a big arm and mobility. His reported interest in Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen validated the preference for physical traits.

I have major reservations about Malik Willis for good reason — and I’ll reiterate them shortly. But he has tools. The kind of tools Schneider loves.

He’s got a big arm. He can scramble around and make plays off-script. There are magical moments on tape where he makes the improbable happen.

Mahomes and Allen had significant issues too.

Mahomes threw 25 interceptions in his final two years at Texas Tech. It’s easy to forget now but draft media basically pegged Mahomes as a late first round toolsy project until the very end of the process. Then, finally, there was a small amount of buzz.

The Chiefs trading up for Mahomes was exciting because people had faith in Andy Reid and they had Alex Smith to act as a bridge. It was still, on the night, a little surprising.

Here’s a link to Mahomes’ draft profile on NFL.com. You might want to sit down before reading what I’m about to write.

He was graded at a 6.30. In comparison — Willis (6.41), Kenny Pickett (6.40), Matt Corral (6.40) and Desmond Ridder (6.36) are all graded higher from the 2022 class.

Lance Zierlein’s player comparison for Mahomes was Jay Cutler. He wrote the following blurb:

Mahomes is a big, confident quarterback who brings a variety of physical tools to the party, but he’s developed some bad habits and doesn’t have a very repeatable process as a passer. Mahomes’ ability to improvise and extend plays can lead to big plays for his offense, but he will have to prove he can operate with better anticipation and be willing to take what the defense gives him in order to win from the pocket. Mahomes will be a work in progress, but he’s a high ceiling, low floor prospect.

Here’s the anonymous quote section of the article:

“He’s got a great arm, big balls and he’s mobile. He is going to drive his head coach crazy for the first couple of years and there is no getting around that. If it clicks for him and he’s coachable, I think he could become a special quarterback.” – NFC executive

There’s a reference at least to his potential. Yet as it happens, the only people Mahomes made crazy in his first couple of years were Kansas City’s opponents.

Josh Allen was graded at a 5.90, with Zierlein writing:

Likely be the biggest boom-or-bust quarterback prospect in the draft. Allen’s size and arm talent are prototypical for early first-round picks, but it’s rare to find a quarterback with such a low college completion rate become a successful pro. Allen’s receivers struggled to separate, but there were plenty of times where his lack of anticipation and post-snap plan did him in. Allen can make some truly special throws, but his ability to improve the mental part of his game will determine whether he’s a good NFL starter or just another big, strong-armed guy.

Allen was compared to Jake Locker.

I remember what he looked like at Wyoming and it wasn’t good. He had all the physical tools but the tape, at times, was horrendous. He had 21 interceptions in two seasons and only managed 1812 total passing yards in 11 games during his final year in college.

Then he went to the Senior Bowl and had an outstanding week, culminating in a game performance that was extremely memorable. At the combine his testing and measurements told the story of a heaven-sent quarterback profile.

He was incredibly raw though — which is why he lasted to the seventh pick. A lot of people second-guessed Buffalo’s decision to trade up and get him. Unlike Mahomes, it took Allen three years to figure things out and become the player we see today.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Schneider looks at Willis and sees the next case of a physically impressive player who is a rough diamond but can achieve greatness.

Like Mahomes and Allen he’s thrown interceptions (18 in two seasons). There are clear and obvious issues on tape that warrant concern.

If you were frustrated by Russell Wilson’s unwillingness to throw over the middle, take what’s on offer and play on schedule — Willis takes things to a whole new level. Too often he’s a one-read-and-run quarterback. His talent as a runner is both a very appealing quality when it comes to escapability, improvisation and designed runs. It’s also a problem because at the first sign of any trouble — he tries to play hero-ball.

You only have to glance at the tape to see numerous examples where wide open receivers are running across the field and Willis doesn’t pull the trigger. We’re talking about run-of-the-mill, easy completions for huge gains (or touchdowns) that are rejected with no obvious justification. Instead, he sets off running.

My fear is that at the next level, under greater pressure, he’ll be even more reactive to what happens up front. He took 51 sacks in 2021 — an astonishing number — with many a result of Willis holding the ball and trying to create. Against Ole Miss they dominated the Liberty O-line and his game fell apart. He threw three interceptions.

On a technical level, too, there are mechanical issues in terms of how he sets to throw, his base and his motion that lead to occasional accuracy issues. To be fair, he also made some stunning off-script throws where he’s improvised either on the run or when throwing from an unorthodox body position. In the NFL though — those little tells, the wasted motion, the lack of squared shoulders and planted feet can be the difference between an accurate delivery and throwing late with faster, better defensive backs lurking.

When you have technique issues, they can be exploited badly at the next level. We saw that with Justin Fields as a rookie. He was a turnover machine.

Willis needs time and development. He also needs the right environment. Mahomes and Allen received top-level offensive coaching and had schemes tailored to them by Andy Reid and Brian Daboll. Would Willis have that same luxury in Seattle?

Are the Seahawks even running a system, with Carroll’s influence and Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator, best served for a player like Willis?

He doesn’t seem like a fit for the Sean McVay way of doing things. He’s much more suited to a Greg Roman type offense that will make the most of his running ability. That isn’t really something you can expect Waldron to do.

I am a little bit fearful that the Seahawks have been wowed by Willis’ physical tools after a very impressive throwing performance at the combine (at least in terms of arm strength) and now see him as the next star to enter the league.

I’ll express that fear while acknowledging the concerns people had for Mahomes and Allen, only for both to become elite players.

It would be a gamble to stake your reputation on a quarterback from Liberty with a high ceiling but a low floor.

However, I do think there’s an extremely strong chance that Willis will be there at #9 (which tells its own story). It’s at least worth considering that their plan, with the Wilson trade executed after the combine, includes a quarterback solution in the top-10.

From there, they would open up a competition as they did in 2012. The addition of Willis would also buy the existing regime time and would shift the dynamic from post-Wilson uncertainty to looking forwards.

Seahawks fans are typically very prepared to see the positives and get a bit carried away. They would probably rally around the decision to draft Willis. After all, many convinced themselves that the pass rush depth a year ago was a great positive and that Jamal Adams not only should’ve been paid as a priority but that the trade was a good one.

It’s easy to imagine this front office choosing to invest in a toolsy QB then building around them, rather than undergoing a long search for the perfect candidate.

I’m not sure Carroll would ever embrace a lost season in 2022. I’m not sure he and Schneider would survive it either.

What would be the alternative?

This is also the problem. What exactly are the alternatives?

One option is starting Drew Lock. Again, the team will talk a good game here. They’ll pump and promote Lock as a viable answer but what they say in public and feel in private will likely be very different.

The options on the open market are virtually non-existent. There’s little point bringing in an Andy Dalton or Ryan Fitzpatrick type. You might as well just throw Lock out there instead. Marcus Mariota remains available but it’s curious how his career has just gone flat while other lesser talents get opportunities. I’m not sure anyone is really convinced by him, or believes he can lead a locker room.

Either way, nothing here screams giving Carroll a legit chance to compete.

It seems Baker Mayfield may be available soon. I’m just not sure why you would do that. His salary is $18m for 2022 and he only has one year left on his contract. It’d be a rental at best, unless he proves to be a longer-term answer.

What’s fair value for him? I’m not totally against the idea of seeing what Mayfield can achieve in a fresh start, with renewed motivation. However, there’s no way I’d want to give up any kind of value to find out. So how do you make an offer that is both appealing to the Browns and reasonable as a shot to nothing at the position?

With the Seahawks having three picks in the top-41 they have draft alternatives, too. Indianapolis, another potential Mayfield suitor, only have one pick in the first two rounds. They may be more inclined to take a bit of a gamble here.

If Cleveland doesn’t acquire Deshaun Watson, they’ll likely try to put the toothpaste back in the tube with Mayfield.

Matt Ryan is also potentially an option if the Falcons trade for Watson. They’re seen as outsiders but have a suitable enough offer to get a meeting with the player today.

Again though, what is the price going to be? Ryan’s nearly 37. Atlanta would need to move on if they get an agreement for Watson, so their negotiating position would be weak. Yet Ryan would become quite an attractive option for multiple teams, including Indianapolis. You wouldn’t want to enter an aggressive market.

The Falcons sold Julio Jones for a second rounder a year ago. They somehow got a second rounder out of New England for Mohamed Sanu in 2019. I would imagine they’d insist on a second rounder for Ryan, at least. That’s too much given his age.

There’s been no buzz around players like Tyler Huntley. With Lamar Jackson’s slightly odd contract situation and the fact he missed time in 2021 — you’d probably be entering a sellers market for Huntley, who hasn’t shown enough to warrant any serious investment.

It just feels like Seattle’s only realistic choice at this point is to draft a quarterback or roll with what they’ve got — potentially adding Geno Smith back into the mix with Lock and Jacob Eason.

That doesn’t mean they’d have to take one at #9 of course. They could wait until round two, or trade back into the first.

Matt Corral feels like a better fit for the Waldron/McVay offense. There’s the Lane Kiffin connection too, with Seattle previously drafting Alex McGough from Lane’s system. I could imagine interest here, given Corral’s surprising arm strength for his size and mobility.

It wouldn’t be a total shocker if they liked Kenny Pickett despite the small hands. I’m not sure he’s toolsy enough for Schneider though. You could make the same case for Desmond Ridder despite his testing profile.

Jack Coan is, for me, potentially a better ‘take a chance on someone’ option in rounds 3-5, compared to spending a high pick.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if they end up settling on Willis in round one and if that’s not possible, Corral in round two or after trading back into the first.

That would be a plan, whether you agree with it or not.

My fear is you’d be missing out on better players chasing the quarterback position. We saw that in 2011 when the likes of Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder started coming off the board ahead of players like Tyron Smith, J.J. Watt and Robert Quinn.

There’s so much talent to be had at the non-QB positions this year that any pick spent on a quarterback could be a major missed opportunity.

But what’s the alternative for this particular front office? Waiting until next year would be my preference, after building up the roster this year. I’ve said it so many times it’s becoming boring — but Will Levis at Kentucky would be a far better prospect to target if you’re willing to wait it out for 12 months.

I’m just not convinced Carroll will be. Or that he’ll feel like he can afford a bad season as part of a long-term rebuild.

That could mean gearing up for a gamble in the 2022 draft.

If the Seahawks spend money on a pass rusher and a left tackle in the next few days — it becomes an increasingly like prospect.

If the aim is to be competitive next season (and by competitive I don’t mean ‘contenders’ in any way, shape or form) they’ll need to be active soon with a number of gaping holes on the roster. If those holes mainly go unaddressed, it might equally be a sign that the Seahawks are willing to be patient and build through the draft.

That would be a very mature and appropriate approach.

It’s the one I hope they go for.

Draft note

Channing Tindall today ran a 4.03 short shuttle. That is right in Seattle’s ball-park and confirms both he and Leo Chenal are prime candidates to replace Bobby Wagner.

Meanwhile if you missed my interview with Chenal, you can check it out below. You can now get ‘The Rebuild’ podcast via Spotify too (click here to follow the channel).

If you enjoy the content on Seahawks Draft Blog then please consider supporting us via Patreon (click the tab below)…

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It’s hard to muster any real emotion about Seattle’s start to free agency.

Looking at most of the mega-deals being completed across the league, there’s not a lot to be jealous about. There isn’t really one particular move elsewhere that warrants any kind of envy.

Yes it would’ve been nice to sign a J.C. Jackson or Carlton Davis, for example. Yet those two players have signed for contenders intending to win a Super Bowl. The Seahawks can’t compete with that when they’ve just traded away their best bargaining chip in terms of 2022 ambition.

Perhaps the closest thing to a sigh I’ve had so far is Austin Corbett signing with the Panthers. It’s still hard to get too worked up about a guard with a 68.8 PFF grade going somewhere else.

Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen stayed with the Rams. I’m not sure the Seahawks had much of a chance. Crossing the NFC West divide and going from Super Bowl champs to likely fourth placed also-rans isn’t attractive, whatever the offer financially.

Free agency is often an over-hyped disappointment. Bryan Bulaga was just cut after playing 11 games for the Chargers. It cost them $19m.

When you sign your own at least you know, to an extent, what you’re getting.

That said, what they have been able to do (which isn’t much) has provoked some chin-rubbing over the last 24 hours.

What exactly is the approach? I’m struggling to work it out.

Re-signing Quandre Diggs, Will Dissly, Al Woods and Sidney Jones suggests Pete Carroll was serious when he said he thought the team was in a good place after the Arizona win. They weren’t the typical moves of a rebuilding team, especially given how much the four players cost.

Yet at the same time, the Seahawks haven’t upgraded in any way.

So far they’ve simply lost D.J. Reed — their best cornerback. Reed was also a good age (25) and while three-years for $33m sounds a lot, it’s arguably a better investment than Dissly’s three-years for $24m.

Now they have a hole at cornerback, just as they did a year ago. While it’s possible they address the position during the draft — that simply means another one of the various other holes won’t be addressed. They don’t need to add to their list of priorities right now.

The offensive line is in flux with no solution yet at left tackle, center or right tackle. You can’t address those vital needs and get a pass rusher and a cornerback and a linebacker in the draft so something has to give.

The running game is so important to Seattle and we’ve seen how inept the offense is without it. Yet Rashaad Penny remains unsigned and what happens if he moves on?

Then there’s the quarterback position. I figured there was a plan when they dealt Wilson and it’s too early to say there isn’t. They might, after all, have their sights firmly fixed on one of these rookies.

If not — they’ve either been rejected by or weren’t really interested in Deshaun Watson (depending on which report you read). Kirk Cousins is off the table. They’ve not added a hedge like Pittsburgh did with Mitchell Trubisky.

Maybe Drew Lock is their hedge? I’m not sure anyone’s buying that though. He has, sadly, the misfortune of being considered a step down from even Trubisky.

Amid all of this — the Seahawks have committed over $30m a year to the safety position and stocked up at tight end (where they notoriously spend a lot for very little return).

One of my biggest complaints about this team is their penchant to invest in non-vital positions. There’s at least a small part of me that’s already worrying it’s happening again.

However — if you asked me what I want to see happen, I’m not sure I could give you an answer.

The list of available free agents contains a lot of ageing players.

I guess if they made some bold moves on the O-line such as signing Terron Armstead and J.C. Tretter it’d be somewhat exciting. Yet Armstead has major durability concerns and will be expensive. Tretter was just cut by the Browns so they can press on with Nick Harris.

Eric Fisher is younger than Duane Brown but would it excite you to sign him to what would likely be an expensive deal?

I fear we’re going to be subjected to another year of Ethan Pocic.

I’d like to see them throw a pick Dallas’ way to take a chance on La’el Collins but even then, Collins’ career has hardly been plain-sailing. I wouldn’t want to give up anything before round five for a player who might be cut.

I want the Seahawks to spend #9 on a pass-rusher and that opinion won’t change between now and the draft. They’ll need a hedge of some kind but that likely means adding one of the available players approaching their mid-30’s.

Seattle needs a Jermaine Johnson or Kayvon Thibodeaux. They’ve said they want a game-wrecker. Post-Wilson trade I don’t want to spend a fortune on Chandler Jones, only to use #9 on one of the overrated offensive linemen or Sauce Gardner.

I found out yesterday Johnson ran a 1.55 10-yard split at the combine. Thibodeaux (1.59) and Amare Barno (1.54) were the only other two players to do so. Anything in the 1.5’s is elite.

Cliff Avril famously ran a 1.50 split. Johnson and Thibodeaux aren’t quite in that range but they’re not far off.

Granted, there is part of me that wonders if either will even be there at #9. The only thing worse than spending big on someone like Chandler Jones at age 32 will be not spending big and then missing out in the draft too.

A big reason for being at peace with the Wilson trade was the opportunity to create the kind of pass rush that has shown in recent years to be just as vital as a franchise quarterback. Not having either would be a crushing blow.

And no — pumping draft resources into the secondary and hoping Benson Mayowa can chip in with more sacks is not a viable alternative.

I’d be interested in Akiem Hicks or Calais Campbell for the right price but Al Woods’ return makes that less likely. I’m not sure why Stephon Gilmore would want to come here other than for an over-inflated contract.

According to PFF, Dante Jackson allowed just 120 receiving yards on 140 snaps of man coverage last season in Carolina. He’s 26. Is he going to be as expensive as Reed though, with more question marks in terms of fit?

At quarterback they could still add Marcus Mariota but Tyrod Taylor is joining the Giants. Admittedly I’m pretty fearful of what is to come at the position. I can live with being bad in 2022 to set yourself up for the 2023 draft. I can’t live with a horrible investment in someone this year — either via trade or using the draft.

The more I study the quarterbacks in this class the more convinced I am that Jack Coan is a better option in rounds 3-4 than any of the bigger names in rounds 1-2.

The complete lack of a steer so far is the anxiety-creating problem. It’s hard to get a handle on what they’re doing. They’ve made moves that go against ‘major rebuild mode’ and yet have so many glaring roster holes, including now at quarterback, that it’s impossible to imagine how anyone could see this as anything but a major rebuild.

When they’ve missed out on players in the past, that’s when they’ve started making trades and getting a bit desperate. I hope that doesn’t start happening now. This is a draft class where the more stock you have the better.

So I’ll settle for this, I think. I want to leave the draft without a glaring weakness this time. No more Ziggy Ansah and last-minute Jadeveon Clowney in 2019. No more desperation Jamal Adams trade in 2020. No more ‘figure it out when the season starts’ at center and cornerback like 2021.

Whatever the plan is, just make sure you have an actual functioning roster by the end of the draft.

On top of that, drafting some of these gold players would be nice:

Click to enlarge the image above.

And finally — if you missed my interview with Leo Chenal, you can check it out here:

If you enjoy the content on Seahawks Draft Blog then please consider supporting us via Patreon (click the tab below)…

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I’ve been speaking to one of my favourite draft prospects — and a potential target for the Seahawks in round two — Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal.

You can watch the interview on YouTube below or you can listed via Apple Podcasts by clicking here or by using the embed file below the YouTube video. If you are listening via Apple, can I ask you to please give the channel a nice review and a five-star rating? It helps with getting the message out.

Quandre Diggs returns

I like Diggs. I think every Seahawks fan does. There’s something to be said in retaining his turnover production and he’s a good player.

I just have a hard time accepting that the two safeties in Seattle now have a combined average salary of over $30m a year.

I hoped this rebuild would include a renewed focus on investing in the trenches. The Seahawks fell into a trap of spending their money in the wrong areas. I’m a little bit concerned that the Diggs signing indicates they haven’t adapted.

It also breaks one of the rules I hoped they’d stick to in terms of investing in ageing players. Diggs is 29 and now signs a third contract. Are you getting his best years for this money or simply his final years?

So much for stealing the Rams’ linemen

It was maybe optimistic to think they’d want to jump across to a division rival. However, the Brian Allen signing (three-years, $24m) is the same contract Will Dissly signed to stay in Seattle. A move to potentially solve a problem position is what many fans were hoping for.

Meanwhile, Joseph Noteboom is also staying in LA.

Al Woods returns

Woods had a tremendous 2021 season and I have no problem with him coming back. Pete Carroll mentioned his name among a group of returners by accident recently — which more or less indicated they would keep him.

The money ($4.75m guaranteed) is quite high but he’ll be worth it if he plays the way he did last year.

This might suggest, combined with the Shelby Harris addition, that the Seahawks are not likely to draft a defensive tackle.

Sidney Jones stays in Seattle

I think this is a good move. Jones did enough to keep around and if they bring back D.J. Reed too, the Seahawks can feel comfortable about the position. It’s not a spectacular group but given some of the contracts dished out so far — you have to imagine JC Jackson and Carlton Davis are going to get ridiculous deals.

Will Dissly gets paid a head-scratching amount

This is where the Seahawks start to lose me. Yes, we’ll see what the final figures are. However, in no way, shape or form does Dissly justify a three-year, $24m deal. Nice guy, sure. Decent depth piece at tight end — yes. Reasonable blocker. Absolutely.

Yet this contract just makes no sense when you consider Brian Allen got the same deal to start at center for the Rams. Why not pay a bit more to get Allen, then just draft a tight end on day three?

Dissly had 231 receiving yards and one solitary score last season. His PFF grade was a 63.8.

It feels like the Seahawks got too involved in a heated market and overpaid to keep someone they like. Yet to think today they’ve invested as much as they have in safety and tight end — with nothing done to the O-line — is concerning.

Feel free to use this as an open thread for when free agency begins with the legal tampering period. I will react to any big news later today on the blog and via live streams. Firstly though, an announcement of sorts…

I started Seahawks Draft Blog in 2008. I’d returned to the UK from Canada and was starting a journalism career. I needed to practise writing every day so a blog felt like a good idea. I wanted to be motivated to write so picked a subject I knew would keep my interest.

The Seahawks were a passion and blogs were all the rage in the pre-Twitter world. There was a gap in the market for a dedicated team-specific website on the draft, especially with the Seahawks struggling and eventually earning the #4 pick.

Much to my surprise it took off and gained a reasonable following. I never intended to still be writing 14 years later.

We tracked the team from Pete Carroll’s arrival to the Super Bowl years and now to today, with Russell Wilson traded in one of the biggest deals in NFL history.

As with the team, it feels like it’s time for a change.

Firstly, the site has been outdated for a long time. The web-designer I used is no longer in the business and various alternatives have quoted incredible fees to revamp Seahawks Draft Blog because there’s 12 years of data attached to this version of it.

The banner is from 2014. The flash banner on articles doesn’t work any more.

It’s 2022. It’s time to start looking like a website from this decade.

Secondly, blogs aren’t what they used to be. Back in the day, it’s where we got our news. I’m sure many of you used to follow Mike Sando’s blog when he worked at the TNT. In 2008 I remember refreshing his blog during free agency, hoping for updates on Kris Dielman. That’s how things used to be.

Now — you get your news from a tweet by one of the handful of reporters who mingle with the agents and teams in the news-sharing industry. Then you often head on to YouTube or a podcast for reaction.

I want this place to get with the times. The articles and writing will remain. This is about adding not subtracting. But it’s time to take this beyond a mere blog. The streaming and podcast element is just as vital. This is going to be more of a multi-media site moving forward.

The name ‘Seahawks Draft Blog’ was useful because it explained what this place was. Yet the term ‘blogger’ has almost become a derogatory phrase these days. I’m relaunching the site under a new name.

I also want this website to appeal to more than just Seahawks fans. I’m a Seahawks fan and writer — but a lot of the draft work is universal and not team-specific.

So here we go. Here is the new identity.

I picked this because the timing, for me, is ideal. The Seahawks are beginning a new era. And so are we…

Today I am launching ‘The Rebuild’ — on the day free agency begins with legal tampering. Shortly the site will be redirecting to a fresh design and modern look. The objective is to provide the best coverage of Seattle’s rebuild — whatever shape or form it takes.

I am also launching ‘The Rebuild Podcast’ — which is where all my live streams, interviews and new audio offerings will be found.

You can subscribe by clicking here. Please do — and leave a review (it helps). My conversation with Jeff Simmons is already available:

You will (finally) be able to receive this via Apple podcasts — and I’ll be looking into other options such as Spotify too.

What can you expect? This week I’ve got an exclusive interview with one of the most exciting players in the 2022 NFL Draft to help kick things off.

There will be two new URL’s you can use:

the-rebuild.com
therebuildpodcast.com

However, ‘seahawksdraftblog.com’ will also direct to the new site.

The changes will be introduced soon and if you experience any issues let me know.

It feels like the perfect time to try something new. I hope you’ll enjoy the fresh look and the new content.

Firstly, if you missed today’s live stream with Jeff Simmons — I would highly recommend checking it out:

The Minnesota Vikings have today extended the contract of Kirk Cousins, removing him as an option for the Seahawks.

Meanwhile, the Deshaun Watson story is trending a certain way. New Orleans appear to be the frontrunners with Carolina eager to make a big move.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported earlier today:

“Seattle has checked in on the situation, but most people I talk to don’t expect the Seahawks to be seriously in the Watson mix.”

There seems to be this grand assumption that due to Pete Carroll’s age, the only plausible option is to aggressively build this off-season. Yet it’s unrealistic to believe there’s any shot of this team being a threat when you look at where they are.

Yes they have picks and cap space — but right now, they don’t have a viable quarterback and the following players are out of contract: LT, RT, C, CB1, CB2, FS, RB. They also just cut their starting middle linebacker. There were existing holes on the roster to begin with anyway — plus areas that needed upgrading.

There’s simply no realistic option other than to build over time.

A quick reminder that Bill Belichick also turns 70 this year and he has just embraced a big rebuild. The Patriots took a year in 2020 to take stock then spent rapidly in free agency 12 months ago. They didn’t force the situation at quarterback and eventually drafted Mac Jones in the middle of round one without trading up.

It remains to be seen whether the plan works — but it’s not totally ridiculous to think Carroll, like Belichick, realises there’s a lot to do.

After all — the Seahawks don’t just exist for Carroll’s career. He has a duty to protect the franchise’s interests. That means building a good team, reaping the benefits, then passing it on to the next person to continue the work.

Seattle’s immediate priority should be to create a core. If that includes a quarterback — great. Using all of of your cap space and picks on one player denies you an opportunity to build a core, though.

The Seahawks need building blocks, not a quick fix. As we’ve been saying for weeks — this is a draft class that can produce a foundation for the future.

For that reason, I hope Seattle’s biggest move at quarterback this week is to merely add competition for Drew Lock and Jacob Eason. A Tyrod Taylor type or Marcus Mariota, for example.

You’re not contending for a Super Bowl in 2022. Setting yourself up to do so in future years has to be the key.

So when free agency begins on Monday at 12pm (EST) — these are the rules I would set if I were the Seahawks:

1. Reinforce the trenches
2. Create a physical, intimidating defense
3. Invest in players at the right age
4. Don’t reach for a quarterback
5. Don’t trade for/sign older players

I would prioritise the offensive line in free agency and use the money available to try and craft a group that can be together not just in 2022 but for the next 3-4 years. I would try and steal from the Rams — hurting a division rival and helping yourself by adding players who know the scheme you wish to install.

Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen and Austin Corbett would be on my radar.

I would stick to trying to sign players in their 20’s. A rebuild doesn’t just have to take place in the draft. In 2011 they signed Sidney Rice and Zach Miller — they should try for more moves like that.

They have money to spend. They should be prepared to pay big salaries to acquire talented young players.

I suspect they will also feel the need to draft a hedge at defensive end. You can’t risk missing out at #9 and being left with another year of bad pass rushing play. Spending a bit on a pass rusher isn’t a problem — you can never have too many. It shouldn’t prevent you from still taking a Jermaine Johnson, Kayvon Thibodeaux or David Ojabo.

I think defense should be the primary target early in the draft with a linebacker added in round two. I’d make a strong case for Nick Cross at safety, too, if Quandre Diggs departs. Otherwise, an offensive lineman such as Abraham Lucas, Cole Strange or Cam Jurgens would also make sense in the second frame.

I also think Carroll should lean into his philosophy. He’s leading this rebuild so he might as well. Add a running back like Zamir White or Dameon Pierce (if available) in round three to complete your circle — whether you bring back Rashaad Penny or not (and I would, you can afford to).

This might all seem underwhelming to some people.

For me, it feels like a necessary start ahead of a new era.

However, I would look to draft a quarterback. Just not early.

The Seahawks should now be in the business of adding a young QB every year until they find ‘the one’. In this draft, I’m not sold on the players projected to go early. So I would be patient, wait for next year when better players (Will Levis, Bryce Young) will be available — and take a flier on a day three prospect this time.

For me, it should be Notre Dame’s Jack Coan.

I’d never argue he’s a future franchise quarterback. He has limitations — but his limitations are no more severe, really, than the players projected to go much earlier.

He has a decent arm. He’s not a totally useless athlete. He does a good job throwing to all ranges and I like the way he attacks the seams (although it helps playing with a future top-10 pick at tight end).

I think he’d be a welcome option in round four to compete with your other quarterbacks in camp.

I mentioned on the stream a particularly interesting note on Coan. Notre Dame were playing Virgina Tech. They were leading. Brian Kelly introduced freshman Tyler Buchner to give him some experience. He threw a pick-six, then another interception. Instead of leading, the Irish were now trailing by eight points late in the game.

Coan re-entered with four minutes left and immediately led a touchdown drive then improvised to nail the two-point conversion. Tie-game.

They got a stop on defense and then Coan led a field goal drive. The winning kick was scored with 17 seconds remaining.

Little moments like that stick in the memory.

You might quibble about the fact he was taken out in the first place, purely to give the new guy a shot. Well — Coan was a bridge himself at Notre Dame, having transferred from Wisconsin.

And as for being replaced — let’s not forget NC State once picked Mike Glennon over Russell Wilson, leading him to transfer.

Coan came back in, with barely any time left, to clean up somebody else’s mess (Kelly’s arrogance and the struggling freshman’s performance) and win a game. That showed some serious character.

I would rather build up the defense and O-line as a priority and add Coan later on, then force anything at quarterback this year. I can’t see my opinion changing before April either.

There’s no quick-fix I’m afraid. It took the Seahawks three years to build a Championship roster from 2010. We need to expect that to be a reasonable time-frame again.

One other final note — Notre Dame receiver Kevin Austin Jr is stunningly underrated. He is an outstanding player with major potential who appears to be coming into his own. As I was watching Coan, I couldn’t believe how impactful Austin Jr truly was.

For me, a good team could justify taking him in the late first round. I think he’s certain to go in round two.

And if he’s there in round three — Seattle should seriously consider adding him based on talent alone.

Tomorrow I will be making an announcement about the future of the blog.

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Today I was joined by Jeff Simmons for a live stream.

We discussed the start of free agency, what we hope the Seahawks will do in the open market, how they should approach their rebuild and more…

When a GM and Head Coach have been with a team for so long, it’s a lot easier to get a feel for what they like.

If the Seahawks are going to embrace a fairly significant rebuild, with a new core, it’s worth reflecting on what history tells us.

They’ve invested a lot in linebackers and safeties.

The second round pick on Bobby Wagner (then paying him big money, twice). A first rounder on Jordyn Brooks. A first rounder on Earl Thomas. A second rounder on Marquise Blair. The Jamal Adams trade.

Not to mention reported interest in Luke Kuechly in 2012, who they could’ve taken (if available) with the #12 pick. Plus reported interest in Johnathan Abram in 2019.

Rightly or wrongly, the Seahawks under Pete Carroll have invested a significant chunk of their resources in these two positions.

As they look to reshape their defense, they might do it again.

Wagner’s release creates a potential hole. The same will happen at safety if Quandre Diggs departs.

Personally, I wouldn’t pay big money for a 29-year-old safety coming off a serious injury in a rebuild year.

The two picks in round two — #40 and #41 — could potentially align very well with the two positions we’re talking about here.

If they’re looking for a Wagner replacement — both Channing Tindall and Leo Chenal have the kind of speed, explosive traits, agility numbers and physicality to really fit the bill. As much as I’ve pushed back against the investment at linebacker over the years — these two players, in a deep group of linebackers — have a chance to be extremely good. Maybe even special.

Then you’ve got a player who the more I’ve studied, the more convinced I am the Seahawks will seriously consider drafting him.

It’s not just that they’ve put a lot of focus on the safety position. They like to play with a physical edge. Their three big investments at the position — Thomas, Blair and Adams — all had a reputation for their playing style.

Abram had it too. He combined 4.4 speed with an aggressive approach to the game. He hit people and left a mark. I think a big part of their clear disappointment after the first round concluded in 2019 was down to missing out on Abram (plus missing out on their pick of the pass rushers).

Maryland’s Nick Cross is an absolute hammer. He is a throwback. He delivered some unbelievable hits and provides the kind of fear-factor in the back-end the Seahawks have been missing for a long time.

Not only that, he ran a 4.34 at the combine and jumped a 37 inch vertical. He’s 6-0 and 212lbs too so has reasonable size.

Listening to him during interviews he’s well spoken, says the right things and gives off a big team-first vibe. You can imagine him in a leadership role.

I can imagine Carroll completely falling for a player like Cross. If the objective is to use the picks, play the long-game and invest in a younger core — he seems like the type of player who could be a cornerstone.

I wouldn’t be totally against the pick either — which I appreciate sounds like a major contradiction based on what I’ve been saying about spending too much on the linebacker and safety positions.

However — I would rather build around fast, physical players on defense who fly to the ball and play an aggressive brand of football. I want a violent defense again.

Jermaine Johnson, Channing Tindall/Leo Chenal and Nick Cross playing on the same defense as Darrell Taylor and Jordyn Brooks is very appealing. And hey — maybe that other safety could join the party next year.

This is just one idea of many. We’ve got over a month to discuss various scenarios and this is one of them. I am very open to the idea of finding a way, even if it means trading up, to get at one of these very impressive defensive tackles instead. The addition of Shelby Harris, however, might make that less likely.

I do like the idea of going all-defense in the draft though and trying to blitz one side of the ball with young talent. On offense, there are options in free agency to add a left tackle (Eric Fisher, Joseph Noteboom, Duane Brown), center (Brian Allen, Bradley Bozeman), right tackle (possibly La’el Collins) and receiver (Russell Gage, Christian Kirk).

With the second most cap space in the NFL this year and the most next year if the Raiders retain Derek Carr, there’s no reason not to splash some cash on the right types of players.

And if you can start a much more physical, younger, tone-setting defense next season — and combine it with a consistent running game — you’ll be setting the stall out for Carroll’s preferred method of football.

The Seahawks have been aiming to be the bullies again for some time and have turned into a finesse team instead.

Jermaine Johnson, Channing Tindall/Leo Chenal, Nick Cross, Darrell Taylor, Jordyn Brooks and Jamal Adams — with a running back like Zamir White or Dameon Pierce — and some free agent additions to fill holes on offense, can take this team a lot closer to being back to the team they want to be.

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I’m comfortable with a rebuild year

Sometimes it’s difficult to take a step back, take stock and make a long term decision.

Increasingly this is what I think the Seahawks should do.

I’m not sure Pete Carroll will necessarily feel that way. Yet the franchise isn’t here purely to satisfy one man who is reaching the final few years of his career.

This roster, in its current guise, is empty.

They don’t have long-term building blocks at the premium positions other than Darrell Taylor and D.K. Metcalf.

First and foremost they need to add talent. That means giving yourself two off-seasons — with multiple picks and a ton of cap space — to build.

You can’t go from where they are now to a contender with one free agent class and one draft. You just can’t.

If they trade for Deshaun Watson — shelling out most if not all of the stock they’ve just acquired — what are you left with? The same empty roster, just with an expensive quarterback.

There’s also little point doing what the Washington Commanders just did — wasting mid-round picks to take a Hail Mary on Carson Wentz finding his mojo.

It’s time to embrace what this is — a rebuild.

What the Seahawks probably need to do now is what they did in 2010 and 2011 — create the foundations for the next contender.

If they really like a quarterback in this class, then fair enough. Don’t force it though. The only thing worse than not having a quarterback is investing in the wrong one.

What I think they should be considering is a pure ‘best player available’ approach in the draft, with an eye on the premier positions.

At #9 the aim should be a great pass rusher, left tackle or cornerback. With the two high picks in round two — they should be aiming to further add talent.

I’m going to talk a bit more about the draftable quarterbacks later in this article. However, I’d be totally comfortable with a year of Drew Lock competing with someone else. For me, the most important thing isn’t wins or losses in 2022. It’s to make sure that in 12 months time, we can list multiple players as part of a new, young core.

So here’s how I would plan for this current off-season:

1. Free agency

The Seahawks were linked with interest in Chandler Jones today. I thought that was the right move if you were trying to be really aggressive with Russell Wilson at quarterback. Now, I think a different plan is needed.

Paying big money for older players to chase an unrealistic target of ‘contention’ this year feels delusional.

Instead, I would target my list of free agents from two days ago who are in their mid-20’s. Building a young core doesn’t have to be limited to the draft.

I would rather throw money at Russell Gage (74.7 PFF) or Christian Kirk (72.1 PFF) to be a trusted third receiver. They are 26 and 25 respectively.

Originally I wasn’t keen on paying huge money to J.C. Jackson but his PFF grade of 78.9, age (26) and 25 interceptions in four years strike all the notes of a player you probably should be looking to acquire.

And there’s this from PFF:

Jackson trails only Gilmore for the highest man coverage grade in the NFL since 2018. He has intercepted 19 passes in man coverage over that span, five more than the second-place player and twice as many as the guy in third. His mirror ability and poise at the catch point make him a nightmare to face in man coverage.

With the potential of more man-coverage in Seattle next season, this is a key paragraph. The Seahawks have also been linked to Stephon Gilmore (by Richard Sherman).

Carlton Davis and Charvarius Ward would also be good options to pair with D.J. Reed — who should be a priority re-sign. Mike Hughes could be another possibility.

Brian Allen is in his mid-20’s and has familiarity with the scheme you want to deploy, plus a 74.8 PFF rating. Bradley Bozeman was a 73.3. Can you acquire a proven, veteran center?

La’el Collins might be cut soon — surprisingly. Yet he’s 28-years-old and graded at an 80.2 as a right tackle. Joseph Noteboom — another player from the Rams system — graded at a 76.0. He’s 26.

Add to your D-line by stealing away D.J. Jones or taking a chance on Tim Settle.

You turn to these players — pay them — and ask them to help begin a new era of Seahawks football. That’s the motivation. Older players are going to struggle to see that same challenge and opportunity if they’re reaching the end. The temptation to check-out will be far stronger.

Channel your inner-2011. Go after the next Sidney Rice and Zach Miller.

2. The draft

Use the #9 pick to acquire a quality player at a vital position.

Create that dynamic EDGE duo with Darrell Taylor. There’s a realistic chance one of Kayvon Thibodeaux, Jermaine Johnson or David Ojabo will be there. If not, one of the top offensive linemen will last. There’s also Sauce Garnder and Derek Stingley.

At #40 I would seriously consider trading back into the late first if the right player is available. That could be one of the defensive tackles — Devonte Wyatt, Travis Jones or Perrion Winfrey (I’m assuming Jordan Davis is off the board).

You could also sit tight and simply draft whichever linebacker and defensive or offensive lineman you want with your back-to-back picks. The idea of Tindall or Chenal in particular — offering an aggressive combination of speed, agility, explosive traits and violence — is extremely appealing. Especially if they’re playing in a front seven with Johnson/Thibodeaux and Taylor, plus a defensive tackle with the potential for greatness.

This, for me, would be a great chance to build a young core and create the kind of defense that can scare opponents again.

That — combined with fresh additions at left tackle, cornerback and receiver in free agency, plus the arrival of Noah Fant — could set up an exciting future.

Here’s my slightly updated horizontal board (click to enlarge):

3. Target a quarterback next year

I’ve made no secret of the fact I’m a fan of Kentucky’s Will Levis. I think he has a tremendous future — and yet people continue to ignore him and focus on Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud.

I am very comfortable creating a much improved, deeper and younger roster — then trying to get ‘your guy’ in a years time.

This year I would be happy to create a competition in camp. Drew Lock is clearly going to be part of that. I would then add one of the free agents — Mitchell Trubisky, Marcus Mariota or another.

The names are underwhelming but you’re not looking for the definitive answer.

I’m not a fan of trading for a veteran unless it’s cheap. If you can get Kirk Cousins for a day three pick — just to have a look and see if you want to extend him next year — fine. But no more than a day three pick and Minnesota would need to eat some of his salary. I’m not opposed to Tyler Huntley either. Again though, it has to be a day three pick. No more.

The mature, sensible approach is to accept where this team is. It needs a complete refresh. The key to 2022 is to build. Short-term solutions feel short-sighted.

This excellent draft, rich in good players at important positions, combined with investment in veteran players approaching their prime — can set the team up for success.

It might not make for a lot of wins this year — but as we saw in 2010 and 2011 — things can certainly develop and grow to the point where greatness is eventually achieved.

Deshaun Watson will be traded very soon

The big NFL news of the day, despite all the signings, is this:

Deshaun Watson will not face criminal charges.

— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) March 11, 2022

I don’t want Deshaun Watson in Seattle. If you give up all your stock for Watson — who could still be suspended by the NFL — you’ll remove almost all of your key resources to build up the roster.

What’s the point of having an expensive quarterback and an inept supporting cast?

The talk is the Texans still expect three first round picks, plus further compensation including players. Watson has a no-trade clause too, so can reject any destination he doesn’t like.

I can’t get behind paying, for example, #9 this year and your two firsts next year — plus further picks and maybe more — to have Watson and a roster in this state, without a first round pick until 2024 to build around him. Especially given he still faces the very real prospect of a suspension by the NFL.

I hope the Seahawks resist any temptation to make this move.

What the mock drafts are saying

Some of these were published right before the Wilson trade was announced, so they’re not projecting who the Seahawks take at #9. However it’s worth looking to see who was available in each mock.

Daniel Jeremiah had Jermaine Johnson at #9. He also had Kayvon Thibodeaux at #8. It’s worth remembering that the Falcons are a real threat to take a pass rusher. It’s a huge need for them — just as much as receiver. A mere suggestion here — but it might be worth jumping above them if the Giants will do it for a low-cost deal.

Lance Zierlein produced the worst case scenario (maybe). He had Thibodeaux go at #7 and Johnson at #8. He also had Aidan Hutchinson going at #6. Three highly-rated pass rushers coming off the board in a row. That would be difficult to stomach. He has the Seahawks taking Malik Willis at #9.

Todd McShay has the Seahawks selecting Thibodeaux. That would be a very exciting selection. Plenty of players fall for a variety of reasons. Look at Micah Parsons. The opportunity to select Thibodeaux, even if he does drop to #9, would be a rare one. You’d be getting a player with legit superstar talent.

Dane Brugler also had Thibodeaux going #9 overall, albeit to Denver. I suspect as the process continues teams like Houston (and maybe even Jacksonville at #1) will satisfy themselves over Thibodeaux’s supposed character concerns. Now is the time to fret. April is a time where teams will talk themselves into the potential. If he did drop to #9 the Seahawks should probably open a bottle of champagne.

He’s the former #1 overall recruit in 2019 for a reason. He was one of only two pass rushers to run a 1.5 10-yard split at the combine. He has the frame of a factory-built edge rusher and while he might be a bit full of himself during media appearances — how many of the NFL’s best are perfect in that regard?

If Seattle wants a game-wrecker — that’s what he can be.

Notable stat-leaders (front seven)

This is a list worth running through.

Their national ranking is the number before each name.

TFL’s — 2021

#1 Will Anderson (2023 #1 pick) — 33.5
#2 Devin Lloyd — 20.5
#4 Cam Thomas — 20.5
#6 Leo Chenal — 18.5
#6 Jalen Pitre — 18.5
#11 Arnold Ebiketie — 18
#12 Jermaine Johnson — 17.5
#18 Aidan Hutchinson — 16.5
#18 DeAngelo Malone — 16.5
#26 Sam Williams — 16
#34 Micah McFadden — 15.5
#34 Josh Paschal — 15.5
#34 Damone Clark — 15.5
#40 Nik Bonitto — 15
#66 Logan Hall — 13
#77 Christian Harris — 12.5
#77 DeMarvin Leal — 12.5
#90 David Ojabo — 12
#90 Kayvon Thibodeaux — 12
#90 Phidarian Mathis — 12
#90 Darrian Beavers — 12

Sacks — 2021

#1 Will Anderson — 17.5
#3 Aidan Hutchinson — 14
#5 Sam Williams — 12.5
#7 Jermaine Johnson — 11.5
#7 Cam Thomas — 11.5
#10 David Ojabo — 11
#22 Arnold Ebiketie — 9.5
#26 Eyioma Uwazurike — 9
#26 DeAngelo Malone — 9
#26 Phidarian Mathis — 9
#37 DeMarvin Leal — 8.5
#45 Leo Chenal — 8
#45 Devin Lloyd — 8
#45 Zach Carter — 8
#59 Kayvon Thibodeaux — 7
#59 Boye Mafe — 7
#59 Nik Bonitto — 7
#81 Jeffrey Gunter — 6.5
#81 Micah McFadden — 6.5
#97 Nakobe Dean — 6

Pass rush win rate / run stop rate — 2021

Nik Bonitto — 27.3% / 8.2%
Kingsley Enagbare — 26% / 5.4%
Aidan Hutchinson — 25.4% / 8.1%
George Karlaftis — 25.4% / 7.3%
Kayvon Thibodeaux — 23.5% / 8.2%
Arnold Ebiketie — 22.2% / 6.4%
Cam Thomas — 21.3% / 12.2%
Myjai Sanders — 21.3% / 5.8%
David Ojabo — 19% / 6.8%
Drake Jackson — 18.1% / 5%
Logan Hall — 16.2% / 9.2%
Devonte Wyatt — 14.5% / 11.4%
Jermaine Johnson — 14.2% / 7%
Perrion Winfrey — 14% / 6.1%
Neil Farrell — 13.2% / 11.5%
DeMarvin Leal — 12.9% / 9.1%
Zach Carter — 12.4% / 4.4%
Travis Jones — 11.5% / 7.8%
Phidarian Mathis — 11.4% / 9.6%
Travon Walker — 10.8% / 5.8%
Jordan Davis — 8.1% / 12.1%

A quick thought on the quarterbacks

I re-watched three games of Kenny Pickett last night and I’m working my way through the other three members of what I’d call ‘the big four’.

The more I watch of this quarterback class, the more it intrigues me. Not in an altogether positive way. But not in a ‘this is the worst class ever’ kind of way either.

Pickett, for example, does a lot of good things. I really like the base from which he throws. It allows him to generate better arm strength on an intermediate level than I think people give him credit for.

He’s very capable of scrambling away from pressure then either throwing on the run or rushing for a first down.

There are some occasions where he starts slow — or at least the whole offense does — but then he warms up and then you see the passes firing and the chains moving.

When a quarterback succeeds at a big school with an endless run of 5-star recruits, it’s not a huge surprise. Pickett elevating Pittsburgh to the ACC title is a big deal.

There are concerns too. He has a tendency to drift when he sits in the pocket, there are some crazy ‘chuck and duck’ throws downfield and while you can appreciate aspects of his game — there’s a lack of ‘wow’ factor to draw you in completely. And there’s the small hands, due to his unusually-jointed thumb.

I could easily imagine him being a poor-man’s Joe Burrow — or a Blaine Gabbert.

Yet on 710 Seattle Sports this week, Mike Salk relayed a clip of John Schneider discussing what he wants in a franchise quarterback. He said he wants a mobile QB who tilts the field and leads, who can make plays on third down and elevate the team.

When you reflect on Pickett — he ticks a lot of those boxes.

I’m torn on whether the Seahawks will like him enough to say ‘yes — this is our next franchise QB’.

When you watch Matt Corral, Desmond Ridder and Malik Willis you end up with the same thoughts. They all do a lot of what Schneider says he wants. They also either lack a ‘wow’ factor or have troubling flaws to offset the positives.

Corral has a surprisingly good arm for his size, the dynamic scrambling and he plays with a lot of competitive spirit. He led Ole Miss to a very successful season in 2021.

He also plays in a favourable offense and in an article by Bob McGinn today — an unnamed source claimed “There’s a lot of Johnny Manziel to this guy. Party boy.”

I suspect given Lane Kiffin and Corral are said to be extremely close that Kiffin will vouch for his quarterback. Carroll also clearly has a strong connection to Monte Kiffin, who is also part of the Ole Miss setup.

However — that opinion above is held by at least one person in the NFL. Carroll might like the rough edges of an individual like this (and he certainly defended Johnny Manziel when given an opportunity in press conferences). I’m sure they’ll be doing plenty of homework.

Desmond Ridder is a fantastic athlete and he has genuinely elevated his team — perhaps even more so than Pickett. He has exceptional spirit and appears to be a strong leader and proven winner. He has massive 10 inch hands.

His accuracy is also extremely erratic. Half the time you watch him and see a more athletic Alex Smith. The rest of the time you see Geno Smith. It’s hard to know what to make of that.

Malik Willis has all the tools — arm strength, great runner, ability to launch the ball downfield on the run. Yet he’s maddening to watch as a passer when he’s not playing hero-ball. If you got frustrated with Russell Wilson scrambling into trouble and not seeing the field — wait until you watch Willis.

He is capable of magical plays that leave you hitting the rewind button to watch a second time. He’s also capable of rejecting a wide open receiver, all alone downfield, in favour of scrambling out of the pocket and running into trouble because his initial read wasn’t open.

Then there’s his throwing mechanics that are problematic in their own right and could lead to turnovers aplenty at the next level.

Still — the magic. And he’s said to be a good guy with leadership qualities.

Frankly — based on what I’ve seen so far — I can’t rule any of these four in or out for Seattle. And I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to do that between now and the draft.

I feel certain they won’t take Carson Strong or Sam Howell. At least not in the first three rounds or so. But the ‘big four’ are a challenging projection. There are things to like and things to dislike. Reasons to believe they’ll appeal to Seattle and reasons to believe they’ll pass.

It might come down to how they’re viewing this. Are they now a team that takes shots at quarterbacks until they find the guy? Or are they treating this year as an opportunity to build the roster and then go after a specific target?

Or are they going to spend a fortune on Deshaun Watson, if he even wants to come to Seattle?

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