Gym-rat Melvin Gordon will almost certainly interest the Seahawks

What I considered making this list:

1. It’s about more than SPARQ
The Seahawks love difference-making athleticism, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. Bruce Irvin is a stunning athlete but he was also the best pass rusher in college football in 2010 (he had a good season in 2011 too). Bobby Wagner was productive and so was Russell Wilson. Earl Thomas had eight interceptions in 2009 for Texas. More recently, Paul Richardson had a 1343-yard season for Colorado — including ten touchdowns. Yes — they want the best athletes. But there needs to be a level of production to back up the potential.

2. They need to fit in
Before the last draft Pete Carroll and John Schneider talked about finding players that can survive in Seattle’s ultra-competitive locker room. A potential defensive prospect has to mesh with the big personalities on this team. A receiver has to be comfortable competing against the LOB every day. Character, self-confidence and competitiveness has to be part of the make-up here. Shy and retiring won’t cut it.

Running backs
Whether it’s retirement or just time to move on, Marshawn Lynch’s days in Seattle (sadly) appear numbered. This will leave a big hole in the running game. Unlike a lot of other teams that treat the position as an afterthought, the Seahawks want to dominate in the run game. They’ve had a superstar playing the position during Pete Carroll’s first five seasons in Seattle — they’d probably like another X-Factor player to lead the rushing attack going forward. It’s a good class for running backs with three stand-outs.

Melvin Gordon (RB, Wisconsin)
There’s every chance he’s a top-15 pick and therefore out of reach for the Seahawks. If he lasts, it could be a no-brainer. He’s a totally different player to Lynch but ticks all the required boxes: he’s a fantastic athlete and gym rat, he has major production (Heisman finalist) and a competitive, team-friendly personality. You can imagine him shadowing Russell Wilson, working identical hours. A lot of teams will grade Gordon in the top 15-20 but need and positional value could keep him on the board. It’s a long-shot to think he’d be there for the Seahawks but he’s also the type of player you can build around. You can imagine John Schneider really liking him. Enough to move up? Maybe.

Production: 2336 rushing yards in 2014, 29 total touchdowns

Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia)
In terms of pure talent Gurley would be among the top five players in the draft. He won’t go that early because of a nasty ACL injury towards the end of the college season. He probably won’t work out pre-draft and the fierce nature of the position plus an injury history might put some teams off. One of two things will happen in April: a team in the teens will take a punt on his obvious potential or a really good team in the 20’s or 30’s is going to get a rehab project for the ages. If the Seahawks were willing to play the long-game with Gurley they could end up with another superstar to replace Lynch. He’s a 230lbs home-run hitter who returns kick-offs for TD’s, explodes through running lanes, knows how to break a tackle and work into the passing game. You might not get an immediate return due to the injury, but when he’s healthy — Gurley’s a beast. He commands respect from his team mates. Business like personality, speaks with ingrained self-belief.

Production: 911 rushing yards in just six games, 10 total touchdowns

Tevin Coleman (RB, Indiana)
Coleman deserves as much attention as the other two, especially after a fanastic season for the Hoosiers. Everything you read about him is positive — he’s loved by the Indiana coaches. He had a close family upbringing and stayed in contact with his Pee-Wee coaches. He was born three months premature and given a 20% chance of living. He’s a humble, respectable individual. On the field he’s electric — a terrific one cut and go runner. He has the size to work up the middle but he’s at his best finding a crease and exploding. Intense competitor on the field and throws his body around in pass protection. Always seems to fall forward. He should go in the top-40 and whoever gets him will land a productive runner for the next few years. It’ll be interesting to see how he does at the combine but he looks athletic and he ticks all the boxes in terms of competitiveness and character.

Production: 2036 rushing yards in 2014, 15 total touchdowns

Wide receivers
Even after drafting Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood in 2014, the Seahawks stand to add another option to their passing game in the off-season. They’ve lost Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice in the last few months. They have a lot of similar receivers in terms of size, frame and speed. They don’t have a player with Harvin’s explosive ability or Rice’s size. For that reason there’s every chance they’ll consider another early pick here. Ideally they’d grab a big target — but the options are limited. Michigan’s Devin Funchess looks the part but he’s not a self motivator and needs to be pushed. He’s also inconsistent catching the ball and never lived up to expectations.

Kevin White (WR, West Virginia)
He ticks all the boxes with his on-field play. White high points the football naturally with terrific catching technique. He’s a physical receiver who competes for the ball in the air. He’s shown he can be a red zone threat and a reliable third-down target. He’s not a burner but he can run away from speedy cornerbacks on shorter routes exploiting YAC. His team mates really respect him at WVU and have taken on his “Easy” catchphrase after making a big play. Turned his career around after a tough start in the JUCO’s. Has a little Larry Fitzgerald to his game even if he doesn’t look as imposing physically. Could easily go in the top-20 but he’s also a one-year wonder and there’s some depth at receiver again this year.

Production: 1318 receiving yards in 2014, nine touchdowns

Sammie Coates (WR, Auburn)
A candidate to be the best athlete at the combine, Coates is just a rare combination of muscle and speed. He made #1 in Bruce Feldman’s annual ‘freaks’ list for 2015. He’s also a humble individual who befriended a young cancer sufferer and spends a considerable amount of his free time with her. On the field he’s inconsistent — he drops too many passes and doesn’t have major production in a run-heavy scheme. I suspect Seattle is willing to look beyond production if you make the most of your limited chances — that’s why they drafted Kevin Norwood. Coates isn’t anywhere near as efficient as Norwood but he did make some key plays in big games against Alabama and LSU. Essentially he’s a big-time threat downfield and has the size to play the Sidney Rice role. Major SPARQ candidate.

Production: 23.90 YPC, three of his four big-play touchdowns occurred when Auburn trailed

D’haquille ‘Duke’ Williams (WR, Auburn)
Coates’ team mate at Auburn is a very different player — perhaps the type Seattle has lacked. He just looks like a #1 receiver with similar size to Dez Bryant. Big hands, long arms, great size. Williams has only played one season with the Tigers and already looks like a stud. He’s just a very naturally gifted player who will, one day, be a very effective NFL receiver. He was the unquestioned leader at his old JUCO team and he plays with an edge. He wouldn’t have any trouble surviving Seattle’s fierce locker room. He’d provide a red zone threat and another option over the middle/working the seam. He might need some seasoning — it’s tough to go from the JUCO’s to the NFL after just one year in the SEC. But he’s such a natural pass-catcher you wouldn’t bet against an early impact. The sky’s the limit for Williams.

Production: 730 yards and five touchdowns in ten games on a run-heavy offense

Pass rushers
After extending Cliff Avril’s contract they might steer clear of a high pick at defensive end. Depth is the key really and there’s enough talent to wait until the middle rounds. They could even bring in a Brian Orakpo or Jabaal Sheard in free agency, depending on how much cap room is left. Even so — this is a terrific class for pass rushers. Not all fit Seattle’s penchant for length, explosive speed (eg 1.50 ten yard split) and production. The ones that do could be on the radar.

Eli Harold (DE, Virginia)
He’s a project with major upside. When you watch Harold on tape there’s a lot to work on. He has a ton of snaps where he struggles to have an impact. But then he’ll fly around the edge at warp-speed to make a splash play. His get off is potentially elite. He looks like he’ll run an outstanding ten yard split and he appears to have enough length to interest Seattle. Hand placement can be improved and you wonder if he’ll be able to win using just speed but the upside is clear to see. What I like most about Harold, aside from the athleticism, is his personality. He’s incredibly mature. Lost his mother at a young age and made Virginia coach Mike London a father-figure. Speaks with tremendous passion and heart. You want to root for him.

Production: 14.5 TFL’s in 2014 plus seven sacks

Shawn Oakman (DE, Baylor)
What isn’t Seahawky about a 6-8, 285lbs defensive linemen who is the heart and soul of his team and plays loose and ferocious at the same time? Oakman has battled adversity, poverty and disappointment to become the leader of the Baylor Bears. His back-story is fascinating and his athletic potential is outstanding. If he declares he too could be one of the stars of the combine. He carries minimal body fat — he’s 6-8 and pure muscle. He plays with great upper body strength. He’s not the most agile as you’d expect but his straight-line speed is fine. He’s different in a good way. He could be special. The Seahawks like ‘special’ difference makers. There aren’t many human beings like this. He does struggle to get off blocks but you see his power and length every snap. He could develop into a more athletic Calais Campbell.

Production: 18.5 TFL’s in 2014 plus 10 sacks

Bud Dupree (DE, Kentucky)
I think Dupree could be a top-15 pick but others have him in the late first. He doesn’t have great length and that could be an issue. Everything else about his game is so ‘Seattle’. He’s a big time leader, a disruptive pass rusher with tremendous athleticism. He could play defensive end and outside linebacker. He flies to the ball and constantly makes plays. You have to account for his presence every snap. Technically he’s assured and he’s primed to make a quick impact at the next level. It’s impossible not to admire Dupree and he’ll have a long and successful NFL career wherever he ends up. His coaches love him and he’s dragged a struggling program towards relevance in the SEC this season. Very mature and accomplished.

Production: One pick-six, 12.5 TFL’s, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, five QB hurries and a blocked kick in 2014

Other positions
I’ve listed three possible needs above but there’s every chance they just take one of the better players on their board. This is a good enough team to not have to go after specific needs, especially when you have 10-11 picks and a track record of finding starters in the later rounds.

Shaq Thompson (LB, Washington)
Incredible range. It’d be fun to consider how the Seahawks would use him in their defense. He could do some rushing off the edge, he could line up in any of the linebacker spots. They could use him as a roaming safety similar to Deone Bucannon. Could they use him to cover a specific target? He could even take some snaps at running back and be a special teams demon. He’s a playmaker and a great athlete — the type creative coaches (like Pete Carroll) love to get their hands on. In many ways it’d be interesting to see Thompson game-planned into different roles instead of being used as an orthodox outsider linebacker.

Production: 456 rushing yards (two TD’s), three fumble returns for touchdowns, a pick-six, two TFL’s and a sack

T.J. Clemmings (T, Pittsburgh)
A converted defensive linemen with plenty of upside. He admits he had a rough first year after the switch but settled into the right tackle spot in 2014. Honest, talented and room to develop. A lack of experience will concern some in a relatively good tackle class — especially considering he didn’t cover the blind side. I’m not convinced Seattle will spend yet another high pick on the offensive line but with Russell Okung’s contract nearing it’s conclusion and Justin Britt struggling a bit they could consider it. I think an extension for Okung and patience with Britt is more likely, but we’ll see. After Stanford’s Andrus Peat, Clemmings is the most intriguing tackle in the class for me.

Production: Pitt ranked 16th nationally for rushing yards, with Clemmings leading the way

Eddie Goldman (DT, Florida State) & Malcom Brown (DT, Texas)
I think the Seahawks are happy to use the second-wave free agent market and middle rounds to go after interior defensive linemen. I think it’d take a really special talent (such as Aaron Donald) to force their hand. I’m not convinced we’ll see them take a first round defensive tackle in 2015. The two players that might fit are former 5-star recruits Goldman and Brown. Goldman in particular is a tremendous athlete with genuine power in the running game. He could rise into the top-ten with a good off-season. Brown is no less impressive and also excels against both the run and pass. I’d expect both to be off the board before Seattle’s pick.

Production: Goldman — eight TFL’s and four sacks, Brown — 12.5 TFL’s and 6.5 sacks

Utah’s Nate Orchard could be a nice option

When I watched Utah beat UCLA, one player stood out. Nate Orchard had four sacks in the game. He dominated from start to finish. But it wasn’t a surprise.

Brett Hundley has been sacked over 100 times at UCLA in just three years. The Bruins offensive line is a shambles. It’s any wonder Jim Mora hasn’t made a few ‘dirt bag’ references since moving to L.A. So watching a guy like Orchard fly around the field and make plays wasn’t a shock. I kind of chalked it down to a ‘right time, right place’ type of situation.

And then I watched the Oregon State game. It was no fluke. The guy can play.

He has 17.5 sacks on the season so far with a Bowl game to come. He’s about 6-2 and 250lbs — so he doesn’t have great length. And that’s going to be a problem for a lot of teams. He doesn’t have the size to be an every-down pure end in the 4-3. He might be pigeon-holed as an outside backer in the 3-4. But if he’s quick enough he might find a role in Seattle’s rotation.

It’ll be interesting to see what his wingspan is. You wouldn’t expect long arms at 6-2. He consistently flashes a nice get off and the ability to get off blocks. The way he disengages is top notch. While a guy like Shawn Oakman will linger on a block far too long, Orchard has a real ‘get off me’ mentality. That’s encouraging, particularly if the arm length is at least average. It’s more likely to translate.

His pad level is always spot on and he understands leverage and hand placement. Despite a lack of great size he’ll offer a real jolt to the body to stun a tackle. You can have all the speed in the world but when a pass rusher is converting to the pro’s he HAS to show this kind of ability. Defensive end is one of the toughest positions to project for the next level. Think of all the high-profile busts in recent years. Just because you’re a great athlete who wins with speed in college doesn’t mean it’ll translate when you take on better, tougher offensive linemen. You simply have to show you can get off a block with hand placement. It’s a necessity.

You also need to show you can convert speed to power. Orchard does that too. He’ll feign the outside rush and deliver a fantastic bull rush right into the body of an unbalanced tackle. There are times when he gets engulfed but that shouldn’t be a surprise at 250lbs. You’ll take that. He isn’t going to win every play, nobody should expect him to.

I’m not convinced he’ll be an explosive runner at the combine and that could hurt his chances of landing in Seattle. They are big on the 10-yard split. Cliff Avril and Bruce Irvin both ran explosive splits. But Orchard’s first step quickness is good enough to be a threat and he does round the edge nicely. In one rush against Oregon State he left the tackle for dead to fly around the edge and get to the QB. He can get stronger — add some muscle tone to his upper half and really improve his lower body power. I think that’d be the way to go given he probably isn’t going to be a 1.50 runner over ten yards.

For me he’d be a very solid mid-round selection. You have to temper expectations because of the size and the lack of brilliant athletic qualities. He doesn’t have the same athleticism as some of the other prospects who will go in the first — or necessarily the upside. But he’s technically superior and has the production. If he performed above expectations at the combine his stock could go through the roof, much like Marcus Smith this year. Don’t rule that out. If Seattle did want to add a little more depth to the edge rush, this is definitely a guy to monitor.

In the aftermath of the Avril extension, Seattle is possibly less likely to go DE early. The offense needs work — particularly if they lose Marshawn Lynch. But they’re likely to add a pass rusher at some stage. Orchard is an option. He’s also a team captain at Utah and he’s already married with a child. He’s a mature guy who will impress teams with his character.

Justin Britt has had a mixed rookie season at right tackle

Justin Britt is fourteen games into his NFL career. Some would argue it’s too early to judge his performance. He’s a rookie. He’s learning a new position and scheme. He’s also faced some of the top pass rushers in the league — whether it’s Denver’s Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware combo or the prolific blitz attack of the Arizona Cardinals. This has been the proverbial baptism of fire.

Inexperience could be used as a legitimate excuse. He could improve with time. Look at the way Jordan Hill has suddenly exploded onto the scene towards the back-end of his second season in Seattle. It’s taken Tharold Simon time to get healthy and have an impact. Golden Tate was a slow burner and even Kam Chancellor sat as a rookie to learn the ropes.

Britt hasn’t been afforded that luxury. The Seahawks needed a right tackle after losing Breno Giacomini. When they reached the final pick in the second round of the draft — they simply had to take one.

By pick #64, seven offensive tackles had been drafted. When the Indianapolis Colts took Ohio State’s Jack Mewhort at #59 (a possible Seahawks target), Seattle faced a dilemma. They didn’t have a third round pick — they coughed it up in the ill-fated Percy Harvin trade. They were next on the board at pick #108 at the top of round four. If they didn’t take Britt at #64, they were probably not going to come away with a guy they liked at right tackle.

Britt is a Tom Cable type of guy. No nonsense. Former wrestler. Tough as nails. The Seahawks have leaned on their offensive line coach for advice in the draft — he appeared to be instrumental in the decision to select James Carpenter and John Moffitt months after arriving in Seattle. They also signed one of his former Oakland players — Robert Gallery — to further bolster the line. They even allowed him to draft a defensive lineman, convert him to guard, and start him in the first game of his rookie season. J.R. Sweezy has since become a mainstay on the O-line.

It’d be easy to look at the acquired group (including Britt) with indifference. The results, however, speak volumes. Pete Carroll wants the best running game in the NFL and that’s what he has — with Cable pulling the strings. For all the complaints over pass protection, before week 15 Seattle ranked only four places below the celebrated Dallas Cowboys offensive line according to Football Outsiders. I suspect both Carroll and Cable are quite satisfied to have a highly ranked run-blocking unit, even if the pass-pro is distinctly average.

That’s part of the reason Britt was drafted in round two. I watched two Missouri games over the summer where he played the run superbly — but looked awkward in pass protection. He played at left tackle but looked far from a natural.

I doubt they planned on rolling out a finished article in 2014. Losing Zach Miller — perhaps the best blocking tight end in the league — hasn’t helped. His presence on the right side would’ve taken the pressure off Britt in his first year. Instead he’s had to get out there and take on the best. It hasn’t been pretty.

In Sunday’s win over San Francisco, Ahmad Brooks had him for dinner. On more than one occasion he had a free run to Russell Wilson. Britt didn’t even lay a finger on him. Giacomini was a brawler and far from perfect in pass protection but he usually did enough to buy his quarterback a bit of extra time. Britt has to develop that kind of effectiveness. He’s never going to be the natural pass blocker who kick-slides with ease and ushers the top DE’s out of danger. But he needs to be disruptive, get into the pads and at least buy Wilson a second or two.

Life won’t get any easier in the final two weeks of the regular season. A rematch with the Cardinals in Arizona — and then St. Louis’ all-star D-line. Ouch.

With every struggling performance you wonder how Seattle’s front office and coaching staff will assess this situation. Will they feel Britt can take the next step in year two? Can he grow just like J.R. Sweezy and others. Can he lock down the position for years to come?

Or is he better off moving inside — just as James Carpenter did after a tough rookie season — and trying his hand at guard?

If the Seahawks were willing to give up on the #25 overall pick at right tackle after one year, you better believe they’ll do the same with the #64 pick. Carpenter’s pending free agency status adds another dimension to this debate. If he walks they could let Britt battle with Alvin Bailey for the left guard spot. The other player, theoretically, could start at tackle. Or they could bring in a new body.

Should they decide to bring in a new tackle — what are the options?

It’s another good class for offensive linemen, even if there isn’t that sure-fire top-five pick heading the group. Depth is the key here — and that’s a good thing for the Seahawks. They’ll be picking in the 20’s or 30’s if they make the playoffs. And there’s every chance they’ll have the opportunity to get a solid player if they want to add another early pick to this unit.

La’el Collins (T/G, LSU) divides opinion. For me he needs to kick inside to guard at the next level — but he has a chance to turn into a perennial Pro-Bowler at that position. Could he operate at right tackle? Perhaps. But you’d be wasting a damn fine guard.

T.J. Clemmings (T, Pittsburgh) is the most intriguing tackle in the class. A converted defensive lineman, he’s looked terrific this year playing at right tackle. He’s mobile, athletic, loves to get to the second level. He has the potential to dominate in the run game. He could work his way into being the first or second tackle off the board.

Two of the bigger names — Cedric Oguehi (T, Texas A&M) and Brandon Scherff (T, Iowa) are a bit overrated. Ogbuehi in particular has struggled this year after moving to left tackle. Scherff might be better suited to guard — he’s another player with the potential to excel in the run game but is he good enough in pass protection?

It’s debatable whether Andrus Peat (T, Stanford) and Ronnie Stanley (T, Notre Dame) will declare. If either does, they have a shot to be among the top-15 picks. Peat is a natural in pass-pro and the best pure left tackle eligible for this draft. Tyrus Thompson (T, Oklahoma), Corey Robinson (T, South Carolina) and Ty Sambrailo (T, Colorado State) could all be options too. The depth extends to Cameron Erving (T/C, Florida State), Chaz Green (T, Florida), Jake Fisher (T, Oregon) and Daryl Williams (T, Oklahoma).

Here’s the issue though. Is replacing a struggling rookie with another first-year player the answer? Spending a first round pick on a right tackle (Carpenter) didn’t provide a solution. Spending a second round pick on a right tackle (Britt) hasn’t paid off so far. Do you keep throwing picks at a non-premium position in the hope you finally strike it lucky?

And yes — it is a non-premium position. If Zach Miller returns in 2015, Britt will get the kind of help he currently desperately needs. The Seahawks have won a whole host of games in the last two years starting Michael Bowie and Britt. Their most productive starting right tackle under Carroll and Cable has been a 5th round pick signed off the Packers practice squad.

It would be unprecedented for a team to spend two first round picks and a second round pick within a five year span trying to get a long term starting right tackle.

If they’re going to sign another player, wouldn’t they be better off adding a competent veteran tackle to the roster? Playing it safe at a slightly greater cost? Doug Free could be a cap casualty in Dallas as they try to re-sign DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant. He has his critics in Dallas — but he is the kind of player who could become available.

Alternatively, there is one not insignificant reason to draft a first round tackle. Russell Okung will enter the final year of his rookie deal in 2015. His cap hit is just $7m — a relative bargain for a player of his ability. But what happens after 2015? He could be a difficult keep. On the one hand he made a Pro-Bowl in 2012 and is a highly respected member of the roster. A team leader and a consistent feature during the Carroll revolution. He’s also struggled to stay healthy and might generate serious money on the open market.

Is a first round left tackle necessary? More often than not, yes. Defenses are getting faster. The top, athletic O-liners go early. It’s why Carroll’s first pick in Seattle was a top-ten tackle.

Would they draft a player to initially feature at right tackle, providing security on the left side if Okung walks? Possibly.

Of course, there’s every chance time will be a healer with Justin Britt. And it’s also very possible the Seahawks re-sign Okung. That wouldn’t be such a bad thing either. Again — the Seahawks want the best run-blocking line in the NFL. They’ve set out to draft run blockers. They know they have a scrambling quarterback who can evade pressure — they want to be a scrambling team. Wilson is a difficult guy to block for and it should be no surprise that the top two pass-protecting lines in the NFL according to FO are Denver and New England. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are easier to block for and they both have a super-quick release.

Don’t underestimate consistency either. Keeping a line together is vital — more vital than endless high picks at the position hoping something eventually clicks.

The play of Britt didn’t cost Seattle in any of their four defeats. Let’s hear that perspective. There’s every chance he will improve in year two. But it’ll be interesting to see how they approach this situation in the off-season. Does he switch to guard? What do they do with Carpenter? And would they be prepared to spend yet another early pick trying to find a long term option at right tackle?

T.J. Clemmings vs Miami

Ty Sambrailo vs Boston College

Jake Fisher vs Washington

Brandon Scherff vs Maryland

In our first 2015 mock draft yesterday, some of you asked why we had Seattle taking D’haquille ‘Duke’ Williams over his Auburn team mate Sammie Coates.

It’s a fair question. Coates is a tremendous athlete and a safe bet to be one of the combine’s winners in February (if he decides to turn pro as a redshirt junior). In Bruce Feldman’s annual ‘Freaks’ list, this year he had Coates at #1:

Asked about Coates’ 40-time, Russell (Ryan Russell, Auburn strength coach) said they use hand times (which are often faster than electronic times) and they clocked him eight times, dropped out the highest and lowest and said he was at 4.25. Coates’ vertical jump: 44 inches. He benches 405 pounds. Maybe even more impressively, Russell said, the wideout did three strict chin-up reps despite have three 45-pound plates strapped to a weight belt around his waist. “He’s just a stud,” said Russell.

You just have to look at the guy to realize he’s as advertised. Coates is ripped. The extreme speed shows when he’s running downfield. At 6-2 and 201lbs he’s big enough. Simply put, he’s an outstanding athlete.

The type Seattle loves.

Ever since the 2012 draft they’ve focused on big-time, difference making athleticism. Bruce Irvin in the first round, followed by Bobby Wagner. In 2013 they traded the farm for Percy Harvin and followed it up by drafting Christine Michael in round two. This year they went after Paul Richardson with their top pick. You can see a theme emerging.

A lot of people wondered why we didn’t put a defensive tackle with the Seahawks yesterday. I don’t think they’d do it to be honest. I think they’ll continue to look for special athletic potential. Kind of like a modified Al Davis view of the game. Go after the stud’s in the early rounds — get your meat and potatoes type’s later on.

If SPARQ is such a big factor — ask yourself this. How many defensive tackles are great SPARQ athletes? Very few. The ones who are go early (see: Aaron Donald). Too early for a competitor. I think they’ll continue to look for the run stoppers, the interior defensive (and offensive) linemen later in the draft — mid-to-late rounds and UDFA. I don’t think they’re going to change, even if the Irvin pick provided mix results and the Michael selection is yet to pay off.

Coates the athlete is practically already wearing College Navy and Wolf Grey. But is Coates the football player worthy of consideration? That’s the big question.

We identified several big-time athletes at the wide receiver position prior to the 2014 draft. Guys like Cody Latimer, Donte Moncrief and Martavis Bryant. None landed in Seattle. We can speculate why — was Latimer the type of character to mesh in an intense locker room? Perhaps not. Moncrief’s play jumped between frustrating and fine. He underwhelmed at Ole Miss despite such incredible potential. Bryant was a potential head-case (albeit a talented potential head-case).

There are no character questions with Coates — and this is a good example as to why:

But what about his play on the field? Well, it’s underwhelming. Could be better.

For starters he’s earned a reputation for making big plays. Against Alabama in the Iron Bowl he had 206 yards from just five receptions. He had similar games against LSU (four catches, 144 yards) and Ole Miss (five catches, 122 yards). In those three games he recorded 472 yards and four touchdowns. In the other eight games he played this year he totaled just 245 yards and zero touchdowns. His 2014 season basically came down to three big games. The rest was a whole lot of nothing.

Well, ‘a whole lot of nothing’ might be a positive review. He dropped passes, couldn’t get open and was at times a non-factor. It’s telling that one of the more creative offenses in college football couldn’t find a way to get him more involved. Why was that? He didn’t have a single rushing attempt from a reverse or trick play. He was pretty much a guy who ran downfield and tried to make a big gain. And not much more.

You have to qualify that by pointing out he started the year struggling with a knee injury and didn’t get healthy until a few weeks into the season. He missed the second game against San Jose State.

I want to focus on his ability as a downfield receiver — because I think it’s his greatest strength and perhaps also his biggest problem.

When Coates has made his big plays this year, they’ve all been a little strange. For example, against LSU (see the video at the top of the piece) he made a difficult catch between two defenders for a big gain. And yet he barely left the ground. The pass was underthrown and he had time to adjust to the ball, track it in the air and go get it. Instead he took the catch into his body as he fell to the turf. Ideally you see him go up and get the football at its highest point. Let’s see the great vertical leap and some catching technique. We see none of that. You can’t criticize too much because he made the play — but it was almost inexplicable how it wasn’t defended.

Later in the game he made another big play over the middle — again he has time to track the ball, adjust and make the catch. And again it’s taken at chest-height despite the presence of two defenders. I’m not sure I’ve seen two catches like this completed in the same game. You want to throw something at the screen because his catching technique is so poor — and yet there he is making huge downfield catches for major yardage. How do you complain about that?

The more you watch the tape, the more you see plays like this. Look at this catch against Texas A&M. Almost exactly the same. He collects the ball falling backwards into double coverage:

It’s almost like his signature move. “Here’s Coates — it looks like he’s going for the ‘stands still and catches it falling backwards between two defenders move’ — HE IS! HE GOT IT! SAMMIE COATES WINS THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!”

In the Iron Bowl he made yet another of these plays right before half time to set up a last gasp field goal. It’s quite incredible:

Maybe he goes to the NFL and just continues to make plays this way? Who knows? I suspect, however, that it’s one of the first things he’ll need to work on. If you can track the football in the air, if you have leverage over the defensive back — just go up and get the football. Don’t wait for it to come to you. We know he can do it:

Because Coates’ biggest strength is also a major area for improvement, it’s hard to judge him as a prospect. There’s no tape of him working in the short passing game. There’s no tape of him making explosive special teams plays. There’s no tape of him running after the catch or being utilized via screens. As good an athlete as he is with so much potential — he might just be a great athlete. He might not be a good football player.

That’s the great conundrum here. If you’re able to get him some plays as a rookie and find a role — then work with him over time — you could be left with one of the more exciting players in the league. Or you could be left with a SPARQ champion who is no use at all.

The Seahawks love their difference making athletes — but they’re not daft. They don’t just look at a list of times and measurements. Bruce Irvin was the best pass rusher in college football during the 2010 season at West Virginia. He followed it up with another good year in 2011. Christine Michael had plenty of production before falling out with the coaches at Texas A&M. Paul Richardson had 1343 yards at Colorado last year and ten touchdowns.

Coates’ best production came last season — a 902-yard, seven touchdown campaign. This included four +100-yard outings but also two games with less than 20-yards (vs Ole Miss & Tennessee). He ticks a lot of boxes in terms of raw potential and athleticism. But is he a good enough football player to warrant early consideration?

That’s the question we’ll be asking if he does indeed declare for the draft.