Pick #31: Updated Seahawks watch list (pre-combine)

Jalen Collins (CB, LSU)
Length, size and speed — Collins is the complete physical prospect. He’s a fluid runner with fantastic change of direction skills. He flashes excellent recovery/closing speed and the ability to play the ball at it’s highest point. He’s raw but shares similar traits to Richard Sherman. Barely gave up any yards during the 2015 season. Limited starts could impact his stock (10) but he was awarded a high grade by the draft committee. Not talkative or brash, more reserved. Might be for the best if he was going to become a fledgling member of the LOB. With the right coaching he could be special.

Eli Harold (DE, Virginia)
The complete package as a LEO prospect — superb length, long arms, explosive first step, ability to convert speed-to-power, deep repertoire. Gritty individual who battled adversity and personal loss. A former 5-star recruit who had his pick of the big schools (Florida, LSU, Ohio State) but decided to stay local. Passionate player who stood up for coach Mike London during interviews. Production is strong — 29.5 TFL’s in the last two seasons including 15.5 sacks. Showed he can take over a game versus Louisville in 2014. Rich in talent and could destroy the combine. Won’t fit every scheme because he played at 250lbs. He’s ideal for the LEO.

Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia)
Rampaging battering-ram of a running back with the speed to be a home-run threat. Has more potential than any back entering the league in the last few years. Plays with the ferocity of a 230lbs monster but runs with the agility of a much smaller athlete. Underrated pass-catcher out of the backfield. Just an amazing specimen who also returned kicks for Georgia (scoring twice, with another called back on a lousy flag). Suffered an ACL injury in mid-November. Would’ve been a likely top-10 pick without the setback. He might need a redshirt year in 2015 but over the long term he could be the generational back everyone’s been waiting for.

Melvin Gordon (RB, Wisconsin)
Runs like a gazelle. Nobody will out-work Gordon — he’s a dedicated gym-rat and it shows in his physique. Well respected. Notoriously used to send late night texts to his team mates during an impromptu work-out reminding them he was getting better while they were doing something else. Came within a matter of yards of breaking the NCAA single-season rushing record. Scored 32 total touchdowns in 2014. Had big performances against SEC-powerhouses Auburn and LSU. Should be better as a pass-catcher and not a good between-the-tackles runner — but give him a crease and he’s a threat to score.

Wide receiver
I want to put a receiver here because I think there’s a very good chance they take a wide-out at #31. But who? The two best options are likely to be long gone.

Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama)
Such a sudden, natural receiver who find ways to get open. He works back to the quarterback, is quicker than people want to believe. He makes explosive downfield plays. In 2014 he had receptions worth 79, 80 and 75 yards. He had a 99-yard scoring reception against Auburn in 2013. He will outrun defenders, high-point the football. He is a complete receiver — the most natural to enter the league since A.J. Green. He’s all business during interviews — well spoken, intelligent and determined. He could be a star.

Kevin White (WR, West Virginia)
Exploded onto the scene in week one against Alabama and appeared unstoppable until mid-season. He has the deep speed to get downfield and the size, length and physicality to win contested balls. He’s a dynamic red zone target. Underrated YAC value — he can take a short pass and explode into space for a big gain. Developed into the heart of the West Virginia offense with his slogan ‘Easy’. Has been known to suffer with a lack of confidence, doubting himself. Might need some reassurance at the next level if he has a poor game. At his best he’s a fierce competitor.

Can you get to Cooper or White?
You’d have to trade up for either player. Neither is in the Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr class of a year ago — although Cooper is very close. To make a deal worthwhile I think you’d need one of them to drop into the teens, otherwise you’re talking about future first rounders. For that reason it makes a deal unlikely — but the idea of Russell Wilson growing with Amari Cooper for the long term is appealing. I’m not convinced it’s appealing enough to part with your 2016 first rounder.

There are still possibilities if you don’t move up. Each different player offers one striking positive, with several flaws. Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State) is a fantastic high-point catcher with nice size, but he isn’t sudden (to put it mildly) and struggles to get open. Sammie Coates (WR, Auburn) has T.O. size, he’s a beast of an athlete. But he’s a first round physical specimen and a late round receiver — he’s so inconsistent catching the ball. Devin Smith (WR, Ohio State) is a remarkable downfield receiver who makes ODB style grabs. But he’s undersized and might not be the type of wide-out the Seahawks need at this stage. Dorial Green-Beckham (WR, Missouri) has unreal talent but serious and legitimate off-field concerns. Can he be trusted? You can add others — Phillip Dorsett (WR, Miami), Nelson Agholor (WR, USC), Justin Hardy (WR, East Carolina).

Other options

Vic Beasley (DE, Clemson)
Explosive athlete and uber-productive pass rusher. Under-sized but knows how to battle. Can be a chess-piece like Bruce Irvin.

Marcus Peters (CB, Washington)
Will need to convince teams he’s not a headcase, but he’s a long, physical corner with a nose for the ball.

Ereck Flowers (T, Miami)
Long offensive lineman who could work either tackle spot or kick inside. I think he should be a top-15 choice but plenty have him ranked lower. The Seahawks like their guards to have tackle experience it seems.

110 Comments

  1. rowdy

    He should be long gone but why no mention of parker? He high points as good as anyone in this draft is more well rounded receiver then anyone else but cooper.

    • Rob Staton

      I just think if there was any chance at all of Seattle moving up, it’d be for either Cooper or White ahead of Parker.

      • rowdy

        I can see that unless he drops to the mid 20’s which won’t happen

  2. Bailey

    Good read for sure Rob.. This time of year I stop in 3-4 times a day and really appreciate the time you put in on your blog. What do you think about Trent Richardson and bringing him in? After his short time there, It sounds like the Colts are done with him. I think we could do a deal similar to what we did for Lynch (4th rd)? I like the idea of bringing in one of the top two backs in this year draft but would feel better with Richardson coming in for a 4th and spend our high picks on greater needs?

    • Jason

      Seriously? Richardson hasn’t even been close to the production Lynch had at Buffalo. He will probably be cut. He has already failed with 2 teams. Why would we want to be the 3rd?

    • rowdy

      I don’t see a trade for him at all. His salary alone would prevent that. Plus rumors about him getting out of shape in season isn’t something the hawks would trade for. If he’s cut though, I see them maybe taking a flyer on him. Work him as a camp body and cut him loose unless he can prove himself

      • Radman

        There’s a great image out there which perfectly sums up Trent Richardson the NFL running back.

        To his left, the defense has stacked up his O line, and two linebackers are ready to pounce. To his right, open grass and blockers ahead.

        Trent cut to his left.

        Richardson is a classic case of a physically impressive running back with great size/weight but with absolutely terrible vision.

        • rowdy

          I agree but surely he’s better then the 6th rb on the 90 players offseason roster

          • Radman

            actually, I’m not sure of that. He’s already a fringe NFL player who wasn’t even activated for the Colts AFC Championship game. There’s a real possibility he’s exactly a depth RB. Of course, he has a theoretical ceiling that has yet to manifest.

            • Meat

              He wasn’t activated possibly for other reasons. I believe the Colts will suspend him two games due to problems with Trent. Maybe he is taking himself out, giving up, family issues, who knows.

        • bigDhawk

          Reminds me all the world of Marion Barber. He used to do the exact same thing you described. No thanks.

  3. Robert

    In my fantasy, we draft DGB and RW inspires his work ethic and commitment to give up all things (weed) not football.

    • bigDhawk

      The opposite is probably the more prudent approach. You don’t give a rotten apple to your newly minted franchise QB. Rob posted some tweets recently indicating DGB has criminal issues much more serious than weed. He is going to have to demonstrate unequivocally a Tyrann Mathieu-like epiphany to even get on team’s boards. I know I don’t want him on our board unless I see a fully transparent transformation.

      • Rob Staton

        I would suggest people read this and make your own conclusion. And also remember the current NFL climate regarding covering up domestic violence.

        http://kbiasports.org/2014/04/11/green-beckham-wont-be-charged-in-burglary-investigation-witness-fears-possible-backlash/

        Some quotes from the piece:

        According a police report, Green-Beckham unlawfully entered a residence at 310 Old Plank Rd. at 2:36 a.m. Sunday. According to the report, the case was closed mostly because victims and witnesses feared retaliation and harassment for bringing a criminal complaint against the star football player.

        The report says one victim was, “afraid of the media and community backlash since Green-Beckham is a football player at the University of Missouri and is possibly going to be in the NFL draft soon.”

        Jill Schlude, assistant police chief for Columbia, told KFRU-AM earlier this week that police investigations of Missouri athletes in the college town are routinely hampered by wary witnesses.

        “If you’re a Mizzou student, do you want to be the person who, to use their terminology, ‘snitched out’ somebody who’s this big athlete, star on campus, whatever?” she said. “There’s a lot of pressure there sometimes on the students.”

        Green-Beckham’s girlfriend sent 16 text messages throughout the day on Sunday to one of her roommates. In the texts, the girlfriend pressured her roommate into declining prosecution. She said in a text, “Can you call me? Or the police department? And not have him arrested.” And a few texts later: “We just need to move quickly on this before he’s arrested and before his warrant is made public.”

        His girlfriend pressed her roommate several times to decline prosecution to help Green-Beckham’s football career, saying “Dorial was wrong in every way and you have a every right to be furious. But football is really all he has going for him and pressing charges would ruin it for him completely.”

        Green-Beckham’s girlfriend continued, saying in another text, “He deserves to pay somehow, but without football he has nothing. He wouldn’t be in a real job. He’d be in the streets and in prison like his brothers.”

        In the text conversation, Green-Beckham’s girlfriend said that he, “drug me out by my neck and hurt me too.” In a follow up interview with Detective Alma Ashbury, she denied that Green-Beckham hurt her. The report describes her as “extremely uncooperative”.

        One of the female victims reported that Missouri coaches talked to Green-Beckham’s girlfriend and explained the seriousness of the matter:

        “He will be kicked out of Mizzou and the not (sic) qualify for the draft next year. The coaches talked to me and explained to e (sic) how serious this is and there’s no time to waste at this point.”

        According to Ashbury though, the girlfriend denied that the coaching staff had approached her, despite admitting that she had sent a text to her roommate that Missouri coaches had come to her to make sure the charges would be dropped.

        MU Athletics could not be reached for comment.

        This is Green-Beckham’s third incident with police since he arrived at MU. In January, he was arrested along with two men after Springfield police found a pound of marijuana in their car. No criminal charges have been filed in that case. Green-Beckham was also charged in October 2012 with marijuana possession in Columbia and later pleaded guilty to second-degree trespassing. He and two teammates were reportedly smoking pot in a campus parking lot near Memorial Stadium.

        • hawkfaninMT

          Sounds bad to me… But it also sounds like he just needed a wake up call. Sounds like he was used to be people getting him out of trouble, and this girlfriend is no exception. Perhaps he needed to get kicked off the team and be put in a “fresh start” sort of situation that he got.

          Whether or not that took is up to the NFL scouts and stuff… As an outsider, I wouldn’t say this disqualifies him, but I would say it means the scouts have to do their homework. Coaches at OU would be a solid place to start.

          This doesn’t change my outlook at all. Which is that if he clears out off the field, he will be gone before the Hawks pick. Which means trading up to around 15-20 to get him. I think we all agree that IF he checks out he is worth the 31st pick. But is he worth the 1st and 3rd to get there assuming he checks out?

          • bigDhawk

            “He deserves to pay somehow, but without football he has nothing. He wouldn’t be in a real job. He’d be in the streets and in prison like his brothers.”

            That sentence says it all for me. This guy is in no way prepared to be handed first round money. He could be the next Sam Hurd. I don’t want a drug dealer anywhere near our locker room. He’s off my board.

        • AlaskaHawk

          Actually after seeing more details I don’t think DGB is worth a first or second round pick. Will he straighten his life out and not end up as Goodells next poster boy for bad behavior? It isn’t worth a high draft pick to find out. Of course our second round pick might as well be a third round pick- so maybe I would consider him in the bottom of the second. If we do pick him I would expect at least one 4 game suspension for substance abuse. Maybe he will see the light after that. Maybe not.

        • Meat

          Wow. He may not get drafted. This is bad and suggests he puts his hands on his girlfriend who is uncooperative because it would harm his chances to play ball. Probably the worst thing is to cover for him, and he consistently gets away without much work or need for change. I don’t expect him to change without internal desire and some external support, and it appears via this article the support enable him. Does he have an internal fire for change? He has way too my questions to use a first round pick.

  4. 12th_Bob

    Watching that I’m way more blown away by Melvin Gordon that I was. I think Lynch isn’t replaceable but Gordon looks amazing after contact, very Lynch-esque. Gurley has great top-end speed it looks like but I don’t see much after contact plays like Gordon.

    • rowdy

      I think you got them mixed uped. I’m a lot higher on gordens ability to break tackles then others but he’s not lynchesque like Gurley is

    • AlaskaHawk

      Gurley looks powerful and able to break tackles, he could be another Lynch. Gordon is faster then most players on the field and elusive. Either one would be a great addition.

      • bigDhawk

        Gurley definitely has the skill to play a style of game that’s in the ball park with Lynch. However my concern about Gurley is he doesn’t have the sturdiness to maintain that style long-term like Lynch has. He already has a major knee injury and I can envision him flashing greatness early in his career with a Bestmode running style but breaking down soon after. If we get him I hope I’m wrong but there is a reason why there have not been many RBs to have the kind of career Lynch has.

        • AlaskaHawk

          I worry about the knee too. The thing about Gurley’s running style is that in the pros he will be faced with quicker defenses and will be tackled more often. Lynch can sustain a drive with 4 yard plays. Is Gurley strong enough to carry 12-20 times, getting gang tackled over and over? What if they target his knee? I think he will recover but in the long run a player like Gordon who is slippery and hard to tackle may last longer.

    • Ben

      Gordon’s the second one, Gurley’s the first one. There’s absolutely no way that Gordon is the one you’re talking about.

    • Madmark

      I think Gordon gone to early in the draft because he’s healthy. Gurley being injured is within our reach and I’d even move up a few spots to get him if possible. I’m not very high on the WR at the end of the 1st round because the one we need will go to soon and what’s left doesn’t warrant that grade. This isn’t the year for a nu. 1 receiver but their are a couple we could use for pr/kr. I think we seriously need to address the DT spot with a higher pick because there’s lots of money being spent on the Mebane, Williams, and McDaniels and their starting to get old.

  5. burkholderj

    What would it realistically take to nab Kevin White? A move into the lower to mid teens? What is the draft capital we would have to surrender to make that move too? Kids a beast and I could see Russell and him working very well together.

    • Rob Staton

      In 2013 San Francisco went from #31 to #18 for a third round pick.

    • rowdy

      I think it would take to much to get in the top 12 but if he drops to 18 for a third like rob just mentioned I think it’s to good to pass up. A 3rd would be best case scenario though.

    • AlaskaHawk

      I kind of like the idea of moving up, a third rounder doesn’t seem too bad a price. Just not sure who to spend it on. There were a lot more wide receivers last year, you could pick the type of receiver you wanted even into the second round. This years board seems to be tilted toward defensive linemen. Maybe we should move up for the second or third receiver off the board. Or maybe we could find that elusive offensive linemen that can play multiple positions including backup center.

      • southpaw360

        I would like to move back in the first so add a second and 5th? Then trade a 3rd and 4th or 5th whatever to get another 2nd. Three 2nd round picks could add huge talent to this team. We could pick an OL, WR and DE/DT. I like the idea of 3 2nd round picks.

        • Radman

          I support trading back more than trading up. I think this draft has very good talent in the middle rounds.

          • rowdy

            I support trading back as well but if you can move up to a below 20 pick for a third to get the player you really want this could be the year to do it. There’s still a possibility we get a third round comp pick for tate, don’t expect to but he did put up some numbers.

            • no frickin clue

              overthecap.com is suggesting that Tate should bring us a compensatory 4th rounder, although that’s based on several assumptions such as overall cap levels, etc.. Technically the compensatory picks aren’t tradable, but having them in-hand maybe makes it more palatable to trade a regular pick.

              • rowdy

                I expect to get a 4th for him too and I was thinking the comp would allow us to trade are 3rd

          • Rob Staton

            We do already have 10-11 picks Radman. There’s a good chance 3-4 don’t make the cut because the roster is pretty loaded already.

    • Ho Lee Chit

      It will never happen because the Seahawks do not target specific players that way. Schneider has a list of several candidates for every draft spot. He would never move up for a specific guy. That’s not how we roll. They go into the draft with all of their positions of need filled and use the draft to fill out the depth creating competition in camp. No one is assured of a starting job before camp. To move up is to overvalue the players contribution to the team effort. It suggests no one else could possibly do the job.

      • bigDhawk

        That’s an astute contrast between a what motivates a trade-up and the Always Compete philosophy. Trading up for a player implies the team is handing the position to that player without competition. However I would not go so far as to say it would never be an option for JS in a situation where a rare, elite talent could be had at a position where no meaningful competition exists on the current roster. They essentially ‘traded up’ to get Harvin with the draft picks we paid in that trade. I think you are spot on, though, and an exception would only be made in what the front office would perceive as the most ideal of circumstances.

  6. j

    What is the thought on Austin Hill out of Arizona? Obviously he has the ACL tear, but he has the size to add something to our WR corp. (6’3, 212)

    • Rob Staton

      Looked great before the injury, never quite been the same since. Was quite disappointing to see how much he’d faded in 2014.

      • j

        AFAIK the first year back from an ACL injury is typically a recovery year – you don’t regain the athleticism until year two. Think he is worth a pick to see if he could regain his 2012 form? If he would have stayed healthy we would be talking about him in the same breath as Amari Cooper and Kevin White IMO.

        If the medicals check out and we threw a mid-round pick at him I’d be happy.

        • Rob Staton

          I think he will ultimately be an UDFA — I would happily bring him in for a camp.

  7. manthony

    Off subject kind of, but im a big Ducks fan, and Jake Fisher looked better then Kyle Long did in college, i think Kyle only started one season too, and nobody really thought that much of him in the mocks but Bears got him in round 1, Fisher has kind of that tough guy memtality too, i hope we nab him up, even if it is in the 2nd, i dont think itd be too much of a reach in the first though. Id much rather have him then ANY of the Pac 12 dlineman coming out.

    • John_s

      I like Fisher. I would love to draft him and either groom him for LT or start him at RT and move Britt to LG

      • rowdy

        I really don’t think training another rookie to start at RT would be wise. I would really like to find an okung replacement this year to groom as a replacement for him though.

        • manthony

          We can get talented lineman that an compete for the RT spot in the first, amd we all know how JSPC sets up the board, they compare the prospects to our depthchart. Robs made a good arguement for the LSU DB, but other then that or a cant miss WR or DL that slips to us. We should address the OL early, maybe round one, maybe not, maybe we trade up or down to get someone we really like in a spot we like, our Rookies didnt do much for us this year amd id like to see a guy who can make , Britt was barely serviceable in some games, and pretty bad in others. Theres no guarentee he’ll improve, and i think bumping him inside might make a ?RT into a possible ProBowl guard like Zach Martin is as good of idea ive heard yet.

          • rowdy

            I can agree with that and honestly I see the board falling o line as best available player. Any linemen I see would be depth year one, mainly because I see then resigning carp. Britt was a weakness last year but wasn’t as noticeable when miller was playing. Remember what happened last year when bruno had to play without miller? I think the year under his belt with cable will make him the better option over a rookie.

            • AlaskaHawk

              I think Bailey could replace Carp if needed as a LG. Also there was a LT Garrett Scott drafted last year that never cleared medical. If he clears medical now then he could provide some competition to OKung or at least another backup.

              It is interesting looking back at the names of players that were drafted in 2014. Only the first and second players drafted made the team in a starting role. Now Richardson is out with a season ending injury. So for the 2014 draft class, at the end of first year there was one uninjured starter out of nine picks.

    • j

      Not sure he’ll be there at 31.

  8. Bob Johnston

    If Marshawn isn’t with us next year I will be extremely disappointed if we don’t grab Gurley. That guy’s speed, power and balance blow me away.

    • Attyla the Hawk

      Gurley is just such a unique talent. He’s also very much like Lynch, in that he’s a complete back. Very good at blitz pickup (recognition and blocking). He is about as close to Lynch as you can get. Guys like him just don’t come along every draft. If we were looking for backs in 2011/12/13/14, we’d be out of luck. If Gurley falls to us, regardless if Lynch is even extended — I’m in favor of getting Gurley.

      Seattle would just as soon run the ball a lot. Lynch has shown, both this year and last, that he needs plays off. Turbin does well for a 2nd string back. Gurley is much more of a committee back. A guy who could reduce Lynch’s carries to 12-15 a game and maintain the same level of threat.

      Lynch means so much to us. But we must consider that he’s no different from any other teams’ aging stars over the years. Beloved and yes, the heart and soul of the team. But also diminishing over time. Lynch is still great. But it’s inevitable that he won’t be in the near future.

      Gurley means keeping/maintaining a Lynch level expectation from our running game for years. Even if he’s initially redundant. The reality is, we can extend Lynch’s productivity by keeping him fresh.

      Gurley is just a massive upgrade to Turbin. So much so, that his talent can allow us to be in a position to keep Lynch effective for whatever extension Seattle opts to sign him for. He’s a talent that can take carries from Lynch. Rather than just spell him in a ‘keep the defense honest’ fashion. Many teams use more than one back these days. And no team runs more than we do. It’s not merely a hedge against injury, retirement or decline. Gurley is a talent that can make a difference even on a roster with Lynch as a starter.

      If we pass on Gurley — it could very conceivably be the last opportunity we have to acquire a RB of Lynch’s caliber and style until Wilson retires. Guys of that caliber don’t drop to the last 6 picks of the draft. You get some wanna be guys like Ingram or Martin some years. But he’s a unique guy very much in Lynch’s mold.

      You take him. He’s really a perfect BPA pick even if need won’t meet that for another year or two.

      • Ukhawk

        Totally agree. Keep wondering if picking Gurley/Gordon transpires, could Lynch’s extension money be reinvested elsewhere in free agency by bringing in a top tier WR or DL – Demaryius, Bryant, Suh or Hardy ??

        Watching early tape of Marshawn shows he has definitely lost a step but compensated by running tougher. If he went, and we draft one if those 2 backs the offense would gain something ….speed.

      • bigDhawk

        I don’t see Gurley having longevity running like Lynch.

    • j

      Depends on Gurleys recovery. He might need a year off in 2015 – the “redshirt” year. In fact, if he makes it to 31, that is the most likely scenario. If he is fully ready to go for 2015, he is gone before we pick.

      So Lynch being with the team in 2015 (his last year under contract) probably has no bearing on Gurley.

      IMO we should draft a back high regardless. All three of our runners are going to be FA in the next two years. Time to start planning for the future.

      • AlaskaHawk

        I guess I wouldn’t be heart broken if we kept drafting running backs in the mid to late rounds. I think their yardage is more dependent on good blocking, with Lynch being the exception to that since he makes his own yardage. If the offensive line was healthy and playing together as a unit the running backs will get more yardage. There are just so many running backs that come out each year, and at best there will be 10-20 of them who make the pros. Lots of choices for good solid running backs. Maybe they won’t be the next Adrian Peterson, but they will give you a solid game.

        In many ways Lynch is so good that their hasn’t been a real competition for that position. Turbin gets a few carries and appears average (which is fine) and Michaels doesn’t even get a carry. At the least we should be able to find a kick returner who can double as a running back.

  9. nolyon

    Harold jumps off the tape with his athleticism which I really like. He would allow Bennett a break or move inside especially if we let Irvin go. But it seems like he missed several tackles. Maybe we could coach him up. But that looks like a weakness for me.

  10. CharlieTheUnicorn

    I view CB Marcus Peters as a 2nd round prospect. The off the field stuff and some of the on the field stuff will knock him down a bit, but excellent value in second round. Perhaps a slight trade down with someone in the early second, then I could see Seattle grabbing him in a heart beat.

    RB Gurley is the guy that makes sense, except… do you take a shot on a guy who is currently rehabbing from a knee injury, with a first round pick? There is no guarantee he will be healthy. Too big of risk to me.

    I also believe CB Collins will be gone before the #31 pick, there are WAY TOO MANY teams looking for CBs to see him fall to the second round, if he really is the second best one in the draft. (debatable)
    A guy not mentioned, but someone who would be VERY intriguing in Seattle would be ILB/OLB B McKinney. I think he would be gone, but he is a freakish athlete and would provide excellent depth at LB, perhaps even pushing Irvin back to DE, giving the team more pass rush options in subsets.

    • Volume 12

      I completely disagree. Would CB Marcus Peters be an absolute steal in round 2? Hands down he would, but he’s good enough to go in the 1st frame.

      If your going to be part of the LOB, you’d better come with some serious ‘swagger.’ Look around the NFL, all the top corners in the game have an outspoken/big personality about them. You almost have to succeed in today’s style of professional football.

      If Seattle loses Maxi, which they more than likely will, CB becomes a big priority, whether they address it early or not, but Peters has the mental make-up and skill set to be effective day 1. Out of all Rob’s highlighted options, I like CB Marcus Peters the best. Fits this team to a ‘T.’

      • rowdy

        One things for sure, this offseason will dictate our draft more then any other year. To many unknowns.

  11. Radman

    When considering what happened to this D when Avril went down in the SB, I really like the idea of finding another pass rusher to bring into the rotation. Perhaps a false choice, but in theory, if I had to choose between an elite pass rusher or an elite RB, I’d take the pass rusher every time.

    I think this offensive system can make a productive back out of a lot of RBs if if they’re less than Beastmode. Between the O Line run blocking, and the stress Russell can put on a D (Lynch’s ypc are much better on the read option- Lynch benefits from Wilson and so will another back).

    But I’m not sure I’ve seen this defense thrive when we get thin at pass rusher. We hurt when Clemons went down. And we hurt when Avril went down. Both of those injuries, I think, played a huge role in playoff losses.

    • Rob Staton

      The Avril injury was a bit of a freak though. I mean — if Wilson suffered a concussion in the game and we lost, would replacing T-Jax be a priority? It’s not an ideal comparison, but the Seahawks do have two stars at DE. Is a first round pick really necessary in a rotational role?

    • bigDhawk

      I completely agree. We need another Chris Clomons. That three-pronged pass rush rotation was what made our 2013 front seven so special.

    • AlaskaHawk

      It was also apparent in the SB that we need a defensive tackle that can hold the middle of the line even when double teamed, and make a lunge for the QB if they try to move up the middle of the field.

  12. Lou

    Rob, can you give us your opinion of WR Breshad Perriman?

    Check out this highlight reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW0qBVVND-U

    He looks great. He’s 6′ 3, 214. He has speed, high points the ball, and has a big body to box out receivers in the end zone. Lance Zierlin, of NFL.com, has Perriman ranked as the 7th best WR and compares him to Kenny Britt, who used to be good before he tore up his knee. http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/breshad-perriman?id=2552597

    Mel Kiper, Jr. has Perriman ranked as the 5th best receiver. http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/cfb/132763/breshad-perriman

    Looks like Perriman could be a great get at #31. Or get Gurley at #31 and trade up into the mid or early second round to get Perriman.

    • Rob Staton

      Perriman — nice size and good athlete. Ugly drops stick in the mind though. I couldn’t trust him as a reliable target. He’s like Sammy Coates in that regard.

  13. Kyle

    I really am for drafting DGB if he falls to 31, permitting he checks out. Moving up in the second if we have to to grab gurley. Who cares if he needs a “Redshirt year” The guy is a beast. after that, I wouldnt care what happened. But Dorsett looks boss

    • j

      I think it is more likely that DGB would be available in the second than Gurley. So I’d reverse the order. But I like the idea. Those players would certainly add to our offense.

      • Dawgma

        If DGB ‘checks out’ he’s a top 10 pick, so that’s a moot point. Where do you pick him once you acknowledge his potential to go all Josh Gordon and be suspended for 2/3 of his games?

        • bigDhawk

          Agreed. He either has a Honey Badger transformation and goes top 10 or he gets completely removed from draft boards across the league. I don’t see a lot of middle ground with him.

      • Meat

        I’d reverse the order too. Gurley at 31, he’ll yes. He is so good I think RB needy teams would draft before 31 even knowing he would get redshirted. He is such a fantastic talent. If he is there I hope hawks pick him. DGB is too risky to take in round 1. Round 3 seems appropriate for the risk.

  14. Ho Lee Chit

    I am sold on #15 Mario Edwards if he is available. I have never seen a 290 pound man chase down RB’s and QB’s like he does. I thought he was a 230lb LB until I checked his weight. At two minutes into this tape he flat backs #73 the LT for Auburn University in the championship game. #73 is Greg Robinson the LT for the Rams. Robinson was the 2nd pick overall in 2014. Edwards gets under his pads, lifts him up and deposits him on his back three yards behind the LOS. The Auburn QB #14 is Nick Marshall who runs a 4.4 and wants to convert to CB in the NFL. Sign me up!

    http://draftbreakdown.com/video/mario-edwards-jr-vs-auburn-2013/

    • bigDhawk

      I see what you’re talking about, however the Miami game tape is not as impressive. He had one highlight sack against the Miami QB but often gets stuffed by the LT Flowers, displaying minimal technique to get off the block, while the Miami RBs run right past him. You can see the quick-twitch explosiveness at times and he might SPARQ out at the combine, but he looks very raw. There is probably a reason why he is a second round pick on a lot of mocks. If he checks all the character boxes, though, the lack of technique might be coachable. The combine could change things, but as he stands right now I don’t think he’s quite worthy of the 31st pick, given who might be available.

  15. Matt

    We interestingly hired Pete’s oldest son today. Brennan Carroll also has been at Miami the past four seasons, first as tight ends coach, then as wide receivers coach and all four as national recruiting coordinator. He also coached on his father’s staff at USC, as an offensive assistant (2002-03), tight ends coach (2004-06) and tight ends/recruiting coordinator (2007-10).

    So we should have all the info on Phillip Dorsett and Clive Walford. It would be great to get either one or both of these great looking prospects!

    • Volume 12

      Miami TE Clive Wolford is very ‘Seahawky.’

      • Dave

        Waldorf is really well built. 6’5″, 255 lbs, 34″ arms and 10.25″ hands. Sure handed hands catcher and can catch in traffic. He can’t run like Willson, but is sure handed like Miller. He’s a good blocker to boot. He has the arm length of an OT! Looks Seahawky!

        Dorsett looks as fast Galloway and might be quicker than Harvin. Unfortunately, he measured in at 5’9″ and change.

        • Dave

          Walford not Waldorf, auto correct

          • Volume 12

            I’m not sure if WR Phillip Dorsett’s height much matters. He’s a very intriguing guy. Just put on his tape. If you have and came away un-impressed, IDK what to tell you. I, for one, wasn’t big on him initially, but damn, this kid just plays at a different speed. I am now a firm believer that Dorsett is a special and or unique receiver.

            • Dave

              I like his tapes, you can’t argue with speed. Some people are comparing him to John Brown. I can definitely see that.

              What I’m more excited about is Brennan Carroll’s knowledge of his players and the players he recruited while he was at Miami. It’s a lot like when Pete came from USC. He drafted or traded for the players that he wanted back at USC. This is so awesome!

            • john_s

              At the Senior Bowl, they said that Dorsett reportedly runs a 4.21 40. That would make him the fastest officially timed player at the Draft Combine. More than likely he probably runs a 4.28 – 4.3 which is still insanely fast.

              That speed combined with his playmaking ability and good hands, He’s thickly built as well. Reminds me in build of Joey Galloway but an inch shorter.

              I would love him in the 2nd. Seattle would probably have to get around the mid 2nd to take him though.

              • dtrain

                I was watching a Flowers breakdown game the other day and Dorsett was thrown to quite a bit…the one thing I noticed other than the obvious speed and ability to separate was that he was very awkward at the reception point. He struggled to slow everything down to make the catch. On another note, I see a pick of Dorsett as a redundancy to already having Baldwin and Richardson on the roster. Unless, of course, he is an amazing return man. I would be all for a pick of Lockett, Dorsett, or Crowder if they were deemed field-tilters as return guys. Could anyone see a trade-back for Nelson Agholor ala last year’s Richardson scenario? He looks dynamite in the return game.

            • Ben

              I love the tape, but I can’t be the only one who remembers Wilson underthrowing Richardson all those times right? We know he can make those deep throws, but for some reason he seems really unwilling. That’s why I don’t want to take one of those smaller, quicker guys in the early rounds.

              • Volume 12

                You can’t simply take a guy off of your board because he’s considered ‘small.’ Seattle doesn’t care if your small. They’re the smallest team in the league.

                If your the best fit, and the most unique talent when they go to make their selection, do you really think they say to themaleves ‘This kid’s an electrifying and one of a kind type talent, but he’s an inch or two shorter than what people say we should target.’

    • rowdy

      Looks like Brennan can coach and is more then just the coach’s son to me. Dorsett looks like a great prospect as does Walford.

      • peter

        And looks like Brennan has a pretty good eye for prospects, Miami has a ton of NFL worthy talent

        • Volume 12

          Speaking of. One guy who is of interest to me is Miami DT Olsen Pierre-6’5, 300 pound 3-tech. Overcame a very difficult childhood and upbringing in New Jersey, he’s very intense, has a great motor as well. He’s an enticing day 3 option.

  16. David M

    A lot of great prospects here. Honestly can’t decide who I like more. They all fit very well and I can see why we need one over the other, & vice versa.

    I think free agency will help determine how the draft will play out. When is the start of free agency again?

    • manthony

      Great point, we will pick up something in free agency either DL, or big target reciever, then really that will narrow down one of the needs to be addressed. Free agency is a month away, March 10.

  17. DC

    Rob, not long ago you were including Tevin Coleman in the RB discussions for us & lately he’s dropped out. Just wondering what shifted for you.

    The reason I bring it up is that while brainstorming how to give the offense the best immediate, overall boost I keep coming back to Larry Fitzgerald. After a plethora of assumptions being met, LF cut & wanting to play here, Lynch being traded to Oakland for a modest pick(for $ sake), etc. Marshawn’s money plus change would go towards Larry and our first draft pick, 31 or later, nabs Coleman at RB. I understand he is injured right now but don’t have specifics.

    I love Lynch to death but in this scenario I believe overall our offense would improve significantly assuming all parties are healthy.

    • j

      Coleman is in that second group with guys like Cobb and Robinson to me. Although it is arguable that Gordon is closer to that group as well. Not sure if they are game changers to the point where they would be worth a first. Wait until the second and nab an equivalent value.

      Gurley is obviously the top dog, if healthy.

    • Volume 12

      I agree. I really like HB Tevin Coleman as well. IMO he’ll be high on the Seahawks board. This guy is a man amongst boys, He has great vision. He’d be a nightmare for opposing defenses in a zone blocking scheme.

    • Rob Staton

      I still really like Coleman and think he should go in the top-40/50. But as I narrow down the options I can’t name every player I like. On this occasion he didn’t make the cut.

  18. Jeff M.

    Surprised you don’t have any interior DL on your watch list. For me it’s a much bigger need than edge rusher (where we know we have Avril and Bennett locked up plus Irvin in the nickel). Jordan Hill is our only long-term piece there and we could possibly lose any/all of Mebane, McDaniel, and Williams for cap reasons (all will almost certainly be gone in the next couple years if not this offseason…).

    We could probably make good use of any of a 1-, 3-, or 5-tech, with extra points to a guy who has versatility at multiple of those spots. What are your thoughts on guys like Brown/Goldman/Phillips/Davis/Armstead/Edwards (at least a couple of whom should be around at the end of the 1st)?

    • Ho Lee Chit

      I’m not a fan of Armstead and Brown is more of a 3-Tech like Hill. So, my order of preference would be:

      1. Edwards
      2. Phillips
      3. Goldman
      4. Davis
      I would love to land Edwards and Phillips back to back in R1 and R2. There are many good DT’s later so if we only got Edwards we could wait on a DT.

    • Rob Staton

      I expect the top interior guys to be gone (Brown, Goldman, Shelton, Phillips). I also think they will continue to use free agency to fill the needs inside.

    • peter

      It comes down to how many snaps they play. DL while extremely important has worked with one year deals and a rotation. for me I like a lot of names you gave listed but how much would a DT that plays in a,rotation or who only plays two downs benefit us over say a WR prospect who could improve that corp or if Gurley dropped…does another position improve us more?

  19. Volume 12

    Quick thought, I know someone brought this up, but with the recent hiring of PCs son and new LBs coach Michael Barrow, whose another former ‘Cane, maybe we should be keeping an eye on some of these Miami Hurricane guys.

  20. Drew

    The thought of Vic Beasley is very exciting. I can see how we might not extend Irving this offseason or re-sign him next year. Beasley would be a great replacement for him. He has plenty of speed to put him in space, the only thing lacking is against the run which he needs better technique to anchor adn keep containment. But honestly I think he’s a better pass rusher than Irving is. Bruce mostly just relies on his speed, while Beasley has the speed and can round the edge, also uses his hands well, can dip and utilize a good spin move.

    Unfortunately I doubt he’ll last past the early 20’s.

    • john_s

      I think the Seahawks love Kevin Pierre-Louis. He played great when he stepped in versus Carolina in the regular season. I remember hearing on the radio that they love his pass rush abilities as well.

      IMO if you want to go after a pass rusher, the Seahawks will need to go after a guy who can put his hand in the ground. Bud Dupree, although he has flaws is a guy who I think can be a good LEO prospect.

      • Drew

        I love KPL as well, but in my opinion he’s completely different player than Bruce and Beasley.

  21. Ralphy

    I’m glad you mentioned the SF trade from 31 to 18 to get Reid because prior to that I couldn’t think of any big moves in the first round that have worked for teams trading up. In fact I would love an article on what the teams that have traded up could have done if they would have stayed where they were (like the Bills missing out on OBJ because they moved up for Watkins).

    If the draft capital is only a third in a year that you have multiple third rounders then that would be fine but if we are giving up multiple first rounders or even second rounders then I hate the idea.

    • john_s

      Here’s the last few drafts.

      2014
      – Saints move up to 20 from 27 and give up a 3rd
      – Browns move up to 22 from 26 and give up a 3rd

      2013
      – 49ers move up to 18 from 31 and give up a 3rd
      – Falcons move up from 30 to 22 and give up a 3rd and exchanged their 6 for STL 7

      2012
      – Pats move up to 25 from 31 and give up a 4th

      2011
      – Browns move up to 21 from 27 and give up a 3rd

    • Rob Staton

      Agreed. I could stomach giving up a third for the right prospect. I’m not sure I see anyone I’d want to move up for though.

  22. David

    JS was on 710 stating he think the hawks have 10 picks not 11 depending on how the comp picks go.

    also mentioned the spurs and how they lost in the finals a couple years ago and then came back the next year and tore up the league to win another championship.

    name dropped missouri university again when talking about percy trade-Smoke screen?
    referenced Russell Wilson wanting to do what is best for Organization. hinted at “outside the box approach” to contract says about Wilson “he gets it, he knows”-possible discount coming?

    Lynch- if he plays wont be on current salary per Schneider.

    • bigDhawk

      Not a discount for Wilson, but maybe a longer term with a higher guarantee and and lower AAV cap hit. Something like 7 years, 18 per, 70 guaranteed. I just hope the baseball agent isn’t an attempt to threaten a career change to baseball as leverage.

      • David Ess

        i dont think it would be much leverage when it came to switching careers. Russell hasnt played baseball since 2011.

        • Volume 12

          Where is all this ‘RW changing careers, so he can go play baseball’ coming from?

          Is he really going to go be a utility or a triple A guy on a baseball team, instead of being the face of a franchise, one of the game’s truly unique talents at the position, all because Seattle may ask him to take a few million dollars less for the good of the team?

          • bigDhawk

            Then why hire a baseball agent if it is at least not a card he has considered playing? He has already walked away from a promising baseball career to take the longest of long shots at the NFL and he hit the jackpot. He has bet on himself once and won big-time. It wouldn’t surprise me if, in his mind, Russell is comfortable betting on himself again if he doesn’t get what he wants.

            I’m not saying this is his primary motivation, just merely a possibility I wonder about. It may be the baseball agent is for the purpose of negotiating a ‘baseball-style’ contract that is mostly or fully guaranteed. But I don’t see why a football agent who knows the NFL ropes wouldn’t be able to negotiate something like that as well or better than a baseball agent.

            As to whether Russell would ride a AAA bus after winning a Super Bowl, if he believes he could be a All-Star and help a team win a world series I think he would have no problem going through the process. Again, I’m not saying any of this is likely. I just wonder a little, though.

            • Rob Staton

              I think Wilson will know, very firmly, he’s a football player. The baseball agent was just a guy he’s comfortable with from earlier in his career. RW is big on the trust factor.

      • Rob Staton

        I wonder if they do something like 8-10 years and max out, yet still somewhat backloaded.

  23. bigDhawk

    I’ll add another, lower profile name to the watch list: Jarvis Harrison, OG, 6-4, 330, RS Senior Texas A&M

    http://draftbreakdown.com/players/jarvis-harrison/

    He has played both LG and LT for the Aggies the past two seasons. He had shoulder surgery last offseason as well as calf injury, causing him to miss the first few games of the 2014 season. He finished strong, however. Watch the Mississippi State video. Though he is mostly pass blocking for a spread offense, it is immediately obvious he is very light and agile on his feet for a such a big man, with a powerful punch and the ability to consistently anchor. His agility, quickness and burst would translate nicely to our base ZBS. Watch the whole Aggie OL. The pocket collapses frequently on passing plays but it is never collapses in front of Harrison. He is the one solid anchor on an otherwise porous line. He switches between blocks with sudden, fluid precision and gets to the second level decisively.

    We will likely let Carp walk and be in need of LG depth. Harrison looks every bit as solid as any video I’ve seen of La’el Collins. He could be a plug and play starter and a steal on day three. I know this isn’t popular, but – heaven forbid – if we do not extend Okung then Harrison could be in the mix to compete at LT. If we came out of this draft with both Harrison and Donovan Smith as our two OL picks I would be thrilled.

    • Volume 12

      Texas A&M OG Jarvis Harrison is one my favorite interior O-line options as well. He’d be a really solid addition.

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