Post-combine mock draft (two rounds): 26th February

Lot’s of changes as you’d expect after the combine. I’ve also added a second round.

Scroll down for some thoughts on the key moves, including Seattle’s pick (which is a bit of a u-turn on my behalf).

FIRST ROUND

#1 Blake Bortles (QB, UCF)
If they believe they can build around Bortles, there’s every chance he’s the guy. He did every drill at the combine and reports say he impressed in interviews.
#2 Greg Robinson (T, Auburn)
Robinson made some money at the combine. Every measurement screamed ‘physical freak’. He’s the most exciting offensive tackle prospect to enter the league in years.
#3 Johnny Manziel (QB, Texas A&M)
When the Jaguars met with Manziel, he needed to show them he was the ultimate competitor. I have little doubt he succeeded in that. He’s just not Bill O’Brien’s guy.
#4 Jadeveon Clowney (DE, South Carolina)
With the top two quarterbacks off the board and this insane talent still hanging around, they make the pick and wait on a signal caller.
#5 Sammy Watkins (WR, Clemson)
The best receiver prospect to enter the league since A.J. Green and Julio Jones. You can build around a talent like this. Get a quarterback later.
#6 Jake Matthews (T, Texas A&M)
If the Falcons don’t move up to get a shot at Clowney, this looks like a great match.
#7 Khalil Mack (DE, Buffalo)
The Buccs need an edge rusher. Mack is versatile and can line up in multiple positions. This is another team that could move up for Clowney.
#8 Aaron Donald (DT, Pittsburgh)
Teddy Bridgewater isn’t a Norv Turner quarterback and Aaron Donald probably reminds Mike Zimmer of a certain Geno Atkins. He deserves to go this high.
#9 Taylor Lewan (T, Michigan)
Some believe he’s a bit of a phony tough guy. Others really like him. It’s would be worth a shot here.
#10 Mike Evans (WR, Texas A&M)
Put him alongside Megatron and let it rip. Isn’t this why the Lions appointed Jim Coldwell? To dominate with a great passing game?
#11 Teddy Bridgewater (QB, Louisville)
Nothing Ken Whisenhunt has said makes you think he trusts Jake Locker. They snap up this opportunity and put their faith in Teddy.
#12 Justin Gilbert (CB, Oklahoma State)
Speed, length and playmaking ability. Exactly what New York lacks at cornerback.
#13 Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S, Alabama)
The Rams need to keep adding talent where they can. A rangy safety at the back-end makes a lot of sense here.
#14 Ra’Shede Hageman (DT, Minnesota)
Chicago’s defense was a shambles at times this year. It starts up front, especially if they lose Henry Melton. Hageman has unreal upside.
#15 Odell Beckham Jr (WR, LSU)
Potential stud. Does everything well. Flawless character. Insane competitor. HUGE hands. Absolutely deserves to go this early.
#16 Kony Ealy (DE, Missouri)
His three cone drill at the combine was among the best in recent history. He can play inside and out. Dallas needs to rebuild its defensive front.
#17 Marqise Lee (WR, USC)
Forget the forty time. He did all the other drills perfectly and he’s a fighter. This is what Baltimore needs more of on offense.
#18 Kelvin Benjamin (WR, Florida State)
Adding a massive target like this with a large catching radius would make life so much easier for Geno Smith.
#19 Zack Martin (G, Notre Dame)
An absolutely superb tackle in college, but expected to move to guard in the NFL. Could play left guard next to prospective free agent signing Brandon Albert at tackle.
#20 Morgan Moses (T, Virginia)
If they miss out on Branden Albert in free agency, they have to consider adding a left tackle here.
#21 Eric Ebron (TE, North Carolina)
Perhaps not quite ‘can’t miss’ enough to go in the top-15. He’d excel in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers.
#22 Anthony Barr (OLB, UCLA)
He’s a work in progress, but Chip Kelly appreciates length and they need another pass rusher.
#23 Calvin Pryor (S, Louisville)
Andy Reid made sure he got a good luck at the top two safety’s, putting his big sandwich down to sit in the stands.
#24 Ryan Shazier (LB, Ohio State)
Shazier’s vertical and broad jump were off the charts. Stunning athlete with insane potential.
#25 Xavier S’ua-Filo (G, UCLA)
Major upside prospect who’s separated himself as the top guard. Has the potential to be one of the best at his position.
#26 Brandin Cooks (WR, Oregon State)
What? No quarterback? The Browns can’t force this. They wait until round two for a signal caller and add a partner for Josh Gordon.
#27 Bradley Roby (CB, Ohio State)
Rob Ryan likes competitive, sparky corners who can blitz. This is a big need for the Saints.
#28 Darqueze Dennard (CB, Michigan State)
Just about sticks in round one. Press corner, matches Carolina’s physical defense. Gets dinged up though.
#29 Brent Urban (DT, Virginia)
Missed the combine but we’re talking about major upside here. He could be J.J. Watt-lite. Belichick loves versatility up front.
#30 Jimmie Ward (S, Northern Illinois)
Aggressive, wiry safety. Would fill a need for the Niners. Didn’t work out at the combine due to injury.
#31 Chris Borland (LB, Wisconsin)
Denver needs a tone setter. A leader. A guy who flies around. This would be a smart move.
#32 Stephon Tuitt (DE, Notre Dame)
Size, length and versatility. Disappointing 2013 season but could play the five technique and the three. Size matters in the NFC West.

SECOND ROUND

#33 Houston Texans — C.J. Mosley (LB, Alabama)
#34 Washington Redskins — Marcus Martin (C, USC)
#35 Cleveland Browns — Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, Eastern Illinois)
#36 Oakland Raiders — Terrence Brooks (S, Florida State)
#37 Atlanta Falcons — Jace Amaro (TE, Texas Tech)
#38 Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Troy Niklas (TE, Notre Dame)
#39 Jacksonville Jaguars — Allen Robinson (WR, Penn State)
#40 Minnesota Vikings — Logan Thomas (QB, Virginia Tech)
#41 Buffalo Bills — Demarcus Lawrence (DE, Boise State)
#42 Tennessee Titans — Louis Nix (DT, Notre Dame)
#43 New York Giants — Brandon Coleman (WR, Rutgers)
#44 St. Louis Rams — Keith McGill (CB, Utah)
#45 Detroit Lions — Kyle Fuller (CB, Virginia Tech)
#46 Pittsburgh Steelers — Antonio Robinson (T, Tennessee)
#47 Dallas Cowboys — Caraun Reid (DT, Princeton)
#48 Baltimore Ravens — Joel Bitonio (T, Nevada)
#49 New York Jets — Paul Richardson (WR, Colorado)
#50 Miami Dolphins — Timmy Jernigan (DT, Florida State)
#51 Chicago Bears — Ego Ferguson (DT, LSU)
#52 Arizona Cardinals — Martavis Bryant (WR, Clemson)
#53 Green Bay Packers — Deone Bucannon (S, Washington State)
#54 Philadelphia Eages — Jason Verrett (CB, TCU)
#55 Cincinnati Bengals — Marcus Roberson (CB, Florida)
#56 San Francisco 49ers — Ed Stinson (DE, Alabama)
#57 San Diego Chargers — Jeremiah Attaochu (OLB, Georgia Tech)
#58 New Orleans Saints — Ja’Wuan James (T, Tennessee)
#59 Indianapolis Colts — Jordan Matthews (WR, Vanderbilt)
#60 Carolina Panthers — Davante Adams (WR, Fresno State)
#61 San Francisco 49ers — David Yankey (G, Stanford)
#62 New England Patriots — Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, Washington)
#63 Denver Broncos — Brandon Thomas (T, Clemson)
#64 Seattle Seahawks — Donte Moncrief (WR, Ole Miss)

Seattle’s priority beyond the first two rounds: OL depth

Notable players not included:

Cyrus Kouandjio (T, Alabama) — failed medical/knee arthritis is a major red flag. Will sink like a stone, sadly.

Dominique Easley (DT, Florida) — two ACL injuries are a red flag. Brilliant player, but he’s unlikely to be drafted early.

Derek Carr (QB, Fresno State) — not as good as advertised. Considering which other QB’s dropped last year, a similar fall wouldn’t be a shock.

A.J. McCarron (QB, Alabama) — has given off a very negative, slightly entitled vibe this off-season.

Further notes on the key moves

Jadeveon Clowney to Cleveland at #4

This isn’t a reaction to the over-the-top negativity involving Clowney over the weekend.

It’s becoming apparent there’s a very real chance Houston will draft a quarterback at #1, and Blake Bortles is emerging as a realistic option.

St. Louis simply can’t afford to pass on Greg Robinson if they keep the #2 pick, so Jacksonville would then be deciding between Clowney and, in this projection, Johnny Manziel.

I went with Manziel.

Ultimately, Gus Bradley wants a fierce competitor at every position. He wants someone who’s going to fight until he bleeds.

I get the impression — and I could be very wrong — that Manziel went into his meetings over the weekend and did a heck of a lot of convincing. And then you go back and watch that Duke tape…

People talk about his off-field lifestyle. In Seattle, they don’t try to stop you being yourself — as long as it doesn’t impact the team. Did Manziel’s bizarre time at Texas A&M ever impact on-field performance? Absolutely not.

If Bradley and the Jags adopt Seattle’s way of thinking, they might be all-in on Manziel. And as talented as Clowney is, nobody could ever accuse him of being “pissed off for greatness”.

No quarterback for the Browns in round one

It’s really down to circumstance. Eventually, someone just has to take Clowney.

In this projection, that team is Cleveland.

So we move on to their second pick. The top three QB’s are gone by #26. And despite all the annual debate about teams pinching the second tier quarterbacks by trading back into round one — it rarely happens. Cincinnati got Andy Dalton in 2011 by sitting tight — despite all the bluster about him being a late first rounder.

Cleveland can get a quarterback in round two if there’s a guy they really like. In this projection there is, and that quarterback walks onto a team with Clowney and Brandin Cooks already added to it.

Seattle takes… a guy you said you weren’t crazy about???

I’m not a huge Stephon Tuitt fan based on his 2013 tape.

But then I looked at the measurements at the combine…

Nearly 35 inch arms. 6-5 and a slimmed down 304lbs. That’s hard to ignore. He’s a freak, even if he was overweight last season.

I don’t think the Seahawks will feel like they need to replace Red Bryant (if he is actually cut) because I think they’ll be prepared to adapt and modify their defense.

But imagine plugging a guy with Tuitt’s size into the five-tech.

He’s not a great pass rusher, but it’d be an upgrade over Big Red. He’s supremely strong (some say ‘country strong’) and managed 31 reps on the bench press despite his long arms.

And hey, you need big boys up front in the NFC West. He kind of fits Seattle’s penchant for unique size and athleticism.

If you’re drafting him to be a great pass rusher in an orthodox four man front, forget about it. If you’re willing to play him all over the line mainly as a run stopper and enforcer — I’m willing to reconsider the idea of taking Tuitt in the late first.

Shop for Conference Champs and Super Bowl XLVIII Match Up Merchandise at NFLShop.com

179 Comments

  1. Sam Jaffe

    Rob,
    Good reasoning on each choice. However, here are two counter-arguments:

    *It’s hard to figure out Mingo and Clowney on the same team–they would be competing for the same position. If they don’t like the qb’s early, then I think they go WR here.

    *Tuitt could be very good at the 5 technique and would blend in as an exact replica (except younger and more athletic) than Red Bryant. But I’m not convinced that Seattle will replace Bryant like-for-like. In past Pete Carroll regimes, what kind of player did he tend to have in the 5 technique spot? I’m actually thinking that a player like Trent Murphy might make sense since he should have the size to play the run, but doesn’t have the speed to play LEO. I’m wondering if he–or someone like him–would make sense in Round 2.

    By the way, I love the thinking behind the Logan Thomas to the Vikings pick. A perfect Norv Turner project.

    • Rob Staton

      I’ve got to say… I quite like the idea of Mingo and Clowney on the same roster. It’s pretty scary. Plus, it might free up a potential trade for Jabaal Sheard (now I really want it to happen…).

      I too am not convinced they will replace Bryant like for like, in fact I made that point in the notes below the mock and also in Monday’s combine review. But I also think they’ll be open to anything, and if they like Tuitt and think he can play that similar role with a little more pass rush quality… it could be an option.

      • Von

        Tremendous write up Rob

        This is my first comment but I’ve been lurking for a while.

        I’d like to see the Hawks take Cooks if he falls to them. I know he doesn’t have the size but his quicks are Harvin like. Could protect against another Harvin injury and he can return punts if Tate leaves.

        • Rob Staton

          Thanks Von.

          Cooks is a cracking player. I think his floor will be #26 — he could go top-20.

    • Ray

      It strikes me that Tuitt isn’t so much a replacement for big red but for tony Mc. Very similar measurables.

  2. Mike Chan

    Between Nix and Tuitt, I’m not sure who to choose – and that makes me weary of both players. Moncrief is a bold gamble. Also doubt Yankey falls all the way to late 2nd.

    • Rob Staton

      I thought a late second round projection was very generous for Yankey. It’s one of my least favourite picks in the mock. Just a completely unspectacular player.

      • Mike Chan

        I know, but unfortunately you’re in the minority with that. Just don’t put him on the Hawks

        • Kyle N

          Rob’s not in the minority on that after the combine. 5.48 is horrendous. 22 reps on the bench press with “average” 34 inch arms? Ya, this dude is due for a massive fall. Doesn’t have the tape to back him up either.

          • Michael M.

            I’m not a Yankey fan. That said, I don’t think this is too high a projection for him. didn’t we just see a guy like him go in the top 25? David Decastro was just as slow (5.43), has even shorter arms (32 3/8″), though he was much better on the bench (34 reps). The point is, we’ve seen an athletically unspectacular Stanford guard go much higher than #61 overall, and that wasn’t even to a team whose head coach already recruited the kid out of high school.

            It wouldn’t be completely shocking if the ‘Niners didn’t want to pay Iupati. Getting a cheap, technically sound – if unspectacular – replacement that the head coach is already familiar with at the bottom of the second round wouldn’t be the worst pick in the world.

            • oz

              The more tape I watch of Yankey the less I like him.

      • dave crockett

        Seems like people would have figured out the Stanford thing by now. They do a lot with formation and line splits to protect their linemen.

        • Nolan

          I would be happy to see iupita leave SF and replaced by yankey sign me up for that.

  3. Michael

    there is no way seattle drafts Tuitt in the first two rounds. Other than that I like it. I wonder really what SF does they always seem to get players I liked for the hawks.

    • Rob Staton

      Care to divulge why there’s no way that would happen?

      • Kyle N

        I highly disagree that there is “no way” that Seattle drafts him, but I would call it pretty darned unlikely. He isn’t enough of a “freak” athlete to make up for his bad tape and I just can’t see the Seahawks giving a lot of “value” to the position he’d play in comparison to other slots.

        It could happen (anything could, really), but I just can’t see it (talking first round).

        • Rob Staton

          I’d argue against the not a freak bit. He’s a former 5-star recruit according to SCOUT. Huge size, length. It’s not all about being fast, it’s being unique. There aren’t many guys like Stephon Tuitt out there.

          The tape was poor last year, but I accept the counter to that. The fact he’s 304lbs instead of 320lbs is a big deal for me.

          • Kyle N

            I would say freak isn’t about size and length, but size and length plus being quick for that size and the right mentality to go along with it. Like Clowney isn’t a freak because of his size. He’s a freak because of how quick he is at his size. Benjamin isn’t a freak because he’s 6’6 and 240. But that he can still run a 4.5 at that size.

            I’ll compromise and say Tuitt is “near” or “half” freak haha.

            • Rob Staton

              It would’ve been interesting to see what Tuitt could do in the forty. Some believe he’s a 4.8 guy, which would be pretty freaky…

              • RadMan

                If Tuitt was a “full freak” in terms of speed he’d unlikely be around at 32.

                You’re just not often going to get the full package player at a premium position at the end of the first round. Tuitt is unique enough to justify a mock there, even if we’re not absolutely ecstatic about it, IMHO.

                • dtrain

                  Tuitt is a really fast big man (see 2012 tape). He is the prototype 5-tech for the Hawks I am sure. It would be a cheap way to go for 5 years vs paying Red or a free agent. This is a great pick, Rob.

              • Matt

                “He’s been running in the high 4.7s, low 4.8s down at IMG (Academy in Tampa, Fla.),” Browning said of Tuitt’s expected time in the 40-yard dash. “He’s slim and trim. He’s put in a lot of hard work. I just want to stress how focused he is, not saying he wasn’t focused before.

                Tuitt is having his own pro day tomorrow (2/28), then having surgery on his foot. Says the injury hasn’t affected him, didnt know it was there. 6-8 week recovery time.

      • Michael

        Well going back 4 years to start how many times has Pete drafted a d-line man in the first 2 rounds? and looking at his time at USC he never had big production d line man he grabbed fast competitive linebackers to fill holes and make plays. I my opinion this isn’t his biggest worry looking at who was brought in last year it wasn’t high end superior talent or anything that qualifies Tuitt as a first round draft choice. Looking at Red Bryant did Pete first look for high quality pass rushers? no he tried unique options with what was at the time an unproven Bryant. Looking at body of work I believe that Pete isn’t a overly hyped line guru and Snyder wont be banging any tables for him either. Now if Donold were there or a Richardson talent level was there maybe because of value but not Tuitt. But again interesting mock and for no lack of huge credit to you I”ve done several for friends who needed something and these take quite awhile to do and I see you put some great effort into this with some of the picks like the top 6 there are great quality I deas. Just Pete is hard to pin down anyways. I try looking for those outstanding prospects like Bruce Irvin that we all like but don’t value as a first rounder, plus I’ve stated before I truly think we trade out of the first or up to grab that oddity that will fit a slot Pete envisions for him.

        • Nolan

          He did sign big red to the big deal though so he clearly valued the position recently.

          • Michael

            and released him 3 years later.

            • Hawk meat

              He is not released. At least not yet.

            • Nolan

              Most big nfl deals don’t see the end… Plus he is releasing Sidney rice and Zach miller to not like we won’t be looking for a te who can block or a tall WR

        • Rob Staton

          Well.. he drafted Bruce Irvin in round one in 2012. We made a big move to get Avril and Bennett last year. I think they see it as an area they’d definitely prioritise. And we all look for prospects you refer to.

          It’ll be very hard to trade out of #32.

          • Michael

            None of these athletes are anything like red or Tuitt but I digress. Tuitt isnt being drafted by hawks in first 2rounds. I am not saying in round 2he wont be drafted. This isnt about right or wrong I believe its value and unknowns like what happens in free agency.

            • Rob Staton

              Sorry Michael, but you cannot talk with that level of certainty about any player.

              • Michael

                I’m afraid I can and that I will easily be vindicated. I can tell you seattle wont pick up Incognito either. To me these are identical claims and certainties. If for only completely different resons.

                • Rob Staton

                  Sorry Michael but just repeatedly saying, “I’m right” isn’t an argument anyone can take seriously.

    • Michael M.

      The problem with big sweeping declarations like “There’s no way Seattle drafts Player-X” is that we really have no way of ever knowing if you were right or wrong.

      If the ‘Hawks don’t draft Tuitt in the first two rounds, are you going to feel like you proved something? There are so many variables that it would be nearly mind blowing if you weren’t correct! Maybe at this point PC/JS are drooling over the idea of adding Tuitt. We don’t know, and there are a myriad of thing that could happen which would prevent us from never knowing. What if they’re able to get Red to restructure his deal to stay, thus reducing the roster improvement potential of that pick? What if someone incredible falls and the upside is just too big to pass up? What if they get an amazing trade offer and don’t even make a pick in round 2? What if he’s taken before the ‘Hawks have a chance at him?

      Odds are you will be right, but when you are it will be about as impressive as walking up to a roulette table and “boldly predicting” that it will not land on double-zero.

      • Hawk meat

        Agreed. Absolutes have no place in the NFL draft. That is why we enjoy the draft because it isn’t just about your team’s picks. Seeing who climbs and drops, and what positions and type of players teams draft.
        Plus a can’t miss player doesn’t really exist, but many come close. There is too many other variables that come into play.

        • Michael

          I beg to differ my fellow hawker but besides guaranteeing seattle doesnt draft Tuitt, Clowney, Donald, or and handful of others. The roulette table is a great as an example as any other. The odds are in my favor but so are facts and hopes. I dont want to take any fun out this mock draft but you know I’m right. I do believe it a bigger more entertaining time discussing do they want a big te more than a wr?

  4. cha

    Rob, any gut reaction post-combine on where the “levels” are? First level is picks 1-15, second is 16-40, etc…?

    • Mike Chan

      Here’s something that might help – 40 something players are given first round grades.

      • Mattk

        That’s a huge difference from last years. I believe the consensus from scouts then was only 20 deserved first round grades.

    • Rob Staton

      Great question. The first level for me is 15 PLUS Marqise Lee, Zack Martin and Eric Ebron. So we’re looking at 18 there. The second level is probably 19 (including Ealy) to about 33. But the difference in grades between 19 and 50 will be minimal with a handful of exceptions.

    • Kyle N

      I think the first level is 13.

      Clowney, Robinson, Manziel, Bortles, Bridgewater, Mack, Barr, Matthews, Lewan, Watkins, Evans, Gilbert, and Donald with Barr probably be “last” on that list for me.

      • Ben

        You said Barr twice.

        • Michael M.

          Superstition. He didn’t want to sully the sacred number by having it in any way associated with those non-champion losers at the top of the draft. Good job Kyle N.

        • Stay off the flowers

          No he didn’t. He just put Barr last out of 13. You didn’t count.

          • Kyle N

            Ya, saying Barr in the second half was just meant to say that I thought out of those 13, I think he’s the lowest on “my” list. This obviously isn’t a list of most talented though because I think with the exception of Manziel the other two QBs are very unspectacular, but the fact that they are at QB puts them into the top 13.

  5. eric

    No RB’s in the first two rounds, has that ever happened before?

    • Rob Staton

      I suspect it hasn’t. But it’s possible this year for sure.

      • Kyle N

        All the top RBs pre-combine performed pretty poorly during combine (with Ka-deem really hurting his stock with such a slow 40). I’m with Rob. I think it’s actually LIKELY that we don’t see an RB in the first two rounds.

        • Michael M.

          I thought Bishop Sankey had a really good combine. Ran a 4.49, had the #1 three cone (6.75) and short shuttle (4.0 which beat even Dri Archer) and #2 on the bench (26 reps). He was #5 in the broad jump (10’6″) and was pretty darn good at UW. I think there would some happily surprised teams at the top of round 3 if he is still on the board.

          Personally I would be SHOCKED if there weren’t at least one RB taken in the top 2 rounds. There have been and average of 5.4 running back drafted in the top 2 rounds over the last 10 years. And it’s not like we couldn’t name a few teams who sure look like they’d be in the market for one. Off the top of my head:

          Arizona – Neither Ellington nor Taylor are built like the proverbial “workhorse”.
          Baltimore – Who knows what’s gonna happen with Ray Rice?
          San Francisco – Frank Gore will be 31 in May.
          Miami – They had a game last year in which they had 2 net rushing yards.
          Atlanta – Believe it or not Steven Jackson might not have been the answer.
          Cleveland – Willis McGahee carried the ball 138 times last year. Yes, that happened.
          Jacksonville – MJD could be gone.
          Tennessee – CJ2K could be gone.
          Carolina – Deangelo Williams was draft-mates with Josheph Addai and Laurence Maroney… the end is nigh. And of course Stewart is always broken.

          You guys really think there’s a chance that none of theses teams wants to beat the others to the punch for a guy they like? None in the first round; totally doable. None in the first or second; ludicrous!

          • Nate

            Yeah I agree, I could see Cleveland using their second pick even for a running back they like. If not I would be shocked if they didn’t grab one in the second. Jacksonville needs a running back bad as well.

          • Kyle N

            Sounds like we just made a friendly wager! I’d be willing set something up…

            • Michael M.

              Go for it! Not sure if there is an established way for total strangers to make a “friendly wager” but I’d be interested, if there is!

    • Carl

      The Seahawks draft running backs like the Packers draft quarterbacks. I think if Sankey is still there at the very end of round 2, they go after him.

      • Hawk meat

        Maybe, but I think it is very unlikely. I believe with the number of RBs on the roster and last years 2nd round pick has yet to really play they aren’t using their second pick on him or any RB this year. Late round and undrafted.

        With the amount of talent still around in the second round and no third round pick the second will be best player available on their board, or a DL, wR, TE, OL.

      • Rob Staton

        I think that’s unlikely Carl. A fourth string running back in round two?

        • SHawn

          On the opposite side of the state, another possibility sits in the opposite backfield. Deone Buchanon would upgrade both of our backup safety spots.

          A 2nd stringer in rd 2? Or maybe even rd 1 since he is gone by our 2nd rd pick in your mock?

          Yes, because no rookie is gonna crack the starting lineup this year.

          Okay maybe if we draft a stud OT to hold down the right side, but that didnt work out so well last time (Carpenter).

          Red will be missed but his early down run stuffing replacement is already on the roster. I see it coming down to a battle between Scruggs and Williams.

          • Rob Staton

            I really like DB but it’s hard to justify a safety that early. And I do think there are guys who play DL, WR and OL who can contribute a lot as rookies.

  6. Rooky

    As an admitted Notre Dame I’ve felt all along that Tuitt has all the traits that the Seahawks typically go for and I’m gal to see your warming up to him. What most people I think jump to conclusions on regarding Tuitt is his lack of ‘athleticism’ or pass rush skills and they would be wrong without digging further into the evidence.

    In 2012 he had 13 sacks and almost tied the ND record for sacks in a season and it tapered off at the end because as everyone learned later he had a hernia which he had operated on after the National Title game in the offseason. Not being able to workout made him gain 20lbs in the offseason so going into this last offseason he definitely was heavier, more sluggish looking but still showed flashes of being a man against boys.

    So I urge anyone to go back and watch some of his highlights from 2012 and tell me now that he’s back down to his natural playing weight and ‘healing time’ that he can’t be an upgrade over Red from just a pure on field perspective not necessarily in the locker room.

    I think one would might be intrigued and fall in love if they were to get him at 32 which would not surprise me.

    • dave crockett

      I should have just read what you wrote.

    • Kenny Sloth

      Great insight. I’m about to go back to the tape now.

    • Michael M.

      Thanks for the info Rooky! I love getting the opinions of people that watched a player in real time throughout the year. Following the stories of a player/team across multiple seasons will always tell more than cut up tape.

  7. Mattk

    In this scenario, I’d really hope Seattle trades up to draft ASJ. He’d add a lot to the passing game that’s missing, mostly a threat in the redzone and a first-down converting machine over the middle.

    Moncrief would be a great upside pick, though. Any other draft he’d be getting more attention.

    • Michael M.

      Ok, but is moving back in the draft really Bill Belichick’s style?

      • MattK

        No not trade with New England. Trade ahead of them.

      • Bill Bobaggins

        Is that a rhetorical question? Prior to last year’s draft, Belichick has moved up 17 times and moved down 31 times in the draft.

        • Michael M.

          Sarcasm. Belichick is famous for moving back.

  8. Kenny Sloth

    This mock draft was so exciting I audibly gasped when I saw Tuitt, there.

    Fantastic Job on your whole Combine coverage, Rob.

    And thanks to fellow readers for keeping it so classy!

    Some thoughts:

    BORLAND in the first?! Haha you crazy, Rob.

    What do you have against Jordan Matthews? He can still be a productive guy as a Z receiver. He’s definitely competitive. Has great hands. Fantastic measurables. And is the cousin of Jerry Rice!

    Good to see ASJ where he belongs.

    Decent draft for the Cards. Maybe they get Derek Carr in the 3rd? This would be a draft for the future

    No Dee Ford? No Chris/Marcus Smith??

    Yankey to the 9er’s. Lol.

    Such a St. Louis move to take Keith McGill. They should’ve gotten another weapon. Or maybe a tailback.

    Mosely on the Texans team would be sweet. What if they brought back the Tampa Two! With like a hybrid front! So dope.

    • Rob Staton

      Matthews — I had him in round three before the combine. Moved him up a round because of the numbers from Indy. Better athlete than I anticipated, but for me the tape still screams #2 receiver.

      Dee Ford — injury situation bothers me and not happy with that Alabama/Texas A&M tape.

      Marcus Smith very nearly made it. I’d put him at the top of R3 to the Jags.

  9. dave crockett

    The thing about Tuitt is that he HAS been a good pass rusher at Notre Dame. I have to think that at least some part of the weight-gain and the limited production in ’13 is because he had the sports hernia.

    A sports hernia for a defensive lineman has got to be similar to playing post-ACL.

    I’m not stumping for Tuitt because I didn’t see that much of him, and a lot of people I respect don’t seem to like him. Still, I think we too often focus exclusively on the most recent season. 2012 may have overstated Tuitt’s ceiling, but I’d bet 2013 understated it.

    • Kenny Sloth

      If you wanna talk about 2012, Louis Nix III had some great ’12 tape.

      • Kyle N

        Only tape worth watching of Nix from 2013 would be him at a buffet.

  10. John

    Kareem Martin really interests me with his length and speed and I was wondering what your thoughts on him were? He reminds me of a Seattle pick with his length and speed. Thanks for all the hard work Rob, this is a great site!

    • Rob Staton

      Impressive work out. But the tape is poor. I’d struggle to put him much higher than R3-4 on the tape.

  11. CC

    A lot of the mock makes sense, but I really don’t think the Jags will overreach for a QB with Manziel. Both Gus and the GM – who came from SF – will be looking to build the lines – no way they pass on Clowney if he is there, he is a need and he’s phenomenal. I’d see them go QB in the second – again, SF drafted Kaep in the second and SEA drafted RW in the third – have to build a great defense.

    As for pick 32 – I could see the Seahawks going unconventional – JuWuan James OT Tennessee. I have a feeling that they think they have the guys already to take Red’s place and I don’t think Tuitt has something special to make him a Seattle pick.

    • Rob Staton

      At the end of the day, QB is still the most important position. And if you find a good one, it trumps everything. This projection is based on the Jags believing in Manziel. And I don’t think it’d be a reach anyway to be fair. The guy can play.

      As for Tuitt — he has got unique size. That is the special aspect here. And it isn’t just about replacing Bryant, it’s just an option they’d have. Personally I think they’ll re-sign Giacomini to play right tackle.

      • CC

        I agree with you on QB – but it took Seattle to year 3 of Petey’s tenure to draft a QB. They have Henne who is average, much like TJack – so that is why I think they might wait if they are not completely sold on Johnny.

        I’m going out on a limb with the OT – not because I disagree with you, but more because these guys never draft like you think they would. I’m taking a flyer – no safe DT pick – JuWuan!

        • sdcoug

          Hawks were never sitting with pick #3. It’s an entirely different situation. It’s one thing to be patient and not force the issue until the right player/scenario materializes, and it’s quite another to pass on that opportunity when it may not present itself again for quite some time. The jags will do everything possible NOT to be drafting this high again. You’re right, maybe they don’t see Manziel as that guy…but they also may not want to pass on this chance to grab a potential foundation piece to build with

          • Nate

            Exactly sdcoug, getting a good QB is so much harder than finding pass rushers. To pass up the chance at a QB to lead your franchise would be a poor decision.
            In fact if I’m STL I would strongly consider taking any of the top three while they have the chance with the pick they have.

            • dtrain

              The drop off between one of the “big 3” QBs (Manziel, Bridgewater, and Bortles) and Garoppolo/Carr is minimal. If I was picking in the top 5, I would wait to grab one of those two in the second round and let everyone else take their chances with the Big 3…they all have holes in their game. Carr and Garoppolo looked great in the All Star games and have excellent releases. I think they have as good a chance of being a franchise QB as the others. For my first two rounds, I’d rather have a combination of Matthews/Carr than Manziel/A.Richardson, for example.

              • AlaskaHawk

                That’s one reason why I wonder if St. Louis shouldn’t get their quarterback of the future now. They have two draft picks in the high first round, so it’s not like they are wasting a pick on a QB. Plus they will probably dump Sam Bradley sometime in the next few years. But most of all, the odds of them being in the top 10 again, after all the first round picks they have had, it could only happen due to poor coaching. So I wonder if they are throwing up a smokescreen on the QB issue. Really they should grab one. Even if they don’t use their pick, they can give him a year of training and trade him next year to a needy team.

  12. Rooky

    I to think Rob does a tremendous job with his work and this site! It’s always a daily check for me and appreciate all his insight!

    And Dave Crockett I couldn’t have said it better in regards to Tuitt, you don’t get 13 sacks at 300lbs by accident and I’d bet based on his measurables the Hawks value him a lot more than we do.

    Some of those plays he made in 2012 were again like a man playing against boys.

  13. EdC

    I really enjoy this blog and the things you do Rob.

    My biggest questions:

    10 Wouldn’t Gilbert as the top CB make more sense?
    11 While not sold, I think Wiz will stick with turning Locker like he did Rivers
    15 Pitt has a few nice WR, they can’t protect Ben, no OL?
    18 They wasted a pick on a big WR, now you have them drafting back to back WR. Doesn’t seem like Rex

    If 2nd fell that way, I think I would rather drop back and pick up a 3rd and 4th

    • Rob Staton

      10 — Possibly. I considered it. But man, Mike Evans is tough to pass. And they brought in an offensive HC to get that passing game peaking. They do need a WR.

      11 — Again, possible. But Whiz has sounded positively downbeat about Locker so far.

      15 — Emmanuel Sanders (their #2) is a free agent. Their #3 is Jerrico Cotchery. I’d argue they need a wide out.

      18 — They have a very good defense. They have an abysmal passing game. They need to add talent at wide out in a big way.

      • Kyle N

        I would say that bringing in an offensive HC doesn’t necessarily mean focus on offensive guys in the draft, but actually the other way around. Maybe he thinks so much of himself that he could easily coach up the guys he has and instead puts the focus on the defense for the draft. Honestly though…who knows.

      • SunPathPaul

        As far as Mike Evans being tough to pass on, why not use some of these picks(and next years) to trade up and grab Mike Evans for Seattle? We have a roster that will be tough to crack, and we are at the salary cap year where if we got a 4 year rookie contract on a guy like Evans, dude!

        So again, losing a pick next year to grab a perfect accent piece in Evans to Harvin, Golden and Baldwin, we would be set for years!!!!

        Then grab a TE potentially too…

        • Ed

          I agree! I have thought for a while that since our roster is so hard to crack, why not trade up and take higher quality players. We no longer have room on our roster for so many draft picks, like we did when the team was building. Not that this is a bad problem to have 🙂

          • Hawkspur

            I’d be on board with this as I feel that Evans and Harvin along with Baldwin, Kearse and (possibly) Tate could see the Hawks get 1st downs and put a lot of points on the board.

            I think it’s unlikely, but if the salary cap allows them to hold on to Bennett, Miller and maybe Bryant I see the potential upside being greater than the loss of depth.

          • Steven

            But part of the reason this roster is so tough to crack is because they’ve been able to find all of these cheap gems through the draft. Many of our starters and backups are cheap because they’re still playing on their first contract. Eventually, you start having to pay those people (as we’re seeing now), and your options are either to pay them and let other skilled players go, or let them go and find cheaper replacements among their backups and your recent draftees.

            It’s not like we’re sitting on a bounty of picks this year. We probably won’t have a lot of high draft picks next year, either.

        • Phil

          SunPath – Evans’ demonstrated ability to improvise his routes would make him a great downfield target for Wilson and the Seahawks. But, PC/JS have done a great job of finding players at the backend of the draft, so I think their natural inclination is to hold onto picks, or move down the board, not up. As much as I’d like to see them move up to grab Evans, I’d be surprised to see it happen.

          We can hope though …

        • Ben2

          This draft is soooo deep….I can’t see us trading up. But then again, my mind was somewhat blown when we drafted Irvin in rd1 , so who knows. I love our FO!

        • Rob Staton

          It’d be very expensive to do that. Seattle doesn’t have to make any bold moves this year. They’re not chasing a player to put them over the top, this is just about maintaining depth overall.

  14. red

    I like DT/DE Coleman from Cal for the 5 tech Big long and fast for 315lbs. NFL did not post time on him should be interesting at Cals pro day arm tick under 35. Walter football and Tony Pauline booth put 4th round grade on him. Pagan from Alabama might be ok at the 5 tech as well good against run no pass rush.

    • CC

      He’s a guy I like as well – and have him on my list of possible SEA draft choices, not sure where they’d pick him, but I like him.

  15. Emperor_MA

    Just one question, Rob. If I remember correctly, coaches, scouts and pundits alike all proclaimed Derek Carr to be head & shoulders above every other QB at the Senior Bowl. That lineup included Jimmy Garoppolo and Logan Thomas, didn’t it?

    What has changed? Didn’t Carr have one of the better QB combines, as well?

    • Rob Staton

      Carr didn’t throw at the combine, but ran a good time. I’ve gone back and forth on Carr. Footworks a mess. Arm is good. Offense tough to watch and opponents in 2013 were laughable until he USC game. He could go early, but…

      I wanted to represent a situation where Carr and McCarron fell a bit, with another guy (JG) going early. In future projections, it could be different.

    • Kyle N

      Carr might be better than Logan Thomas right now, but it’s inevitable that “potential” guys in the draft see big rises. With Logan’s size he could be unbelievable at the QB position if some HC thinks he could coach him at all the intricacies and finer points of player QB (which Logan obviously lacks).

      Heck, maybe if he busts at QB they could also try him at TE as a backup plan. Those hands are huge!

  16. Stuart

    Rob, a 2 round mock draft!!! I cant thank you enough for all that you have done covering the combine and giving us such detailed analysis. Even though I didn’t watch most of the combine, with your analysis I don’t feel like I missed anything.

    After reading your daily analysis’s from the combine and then reading today’s mock, I totally get it. You have thought about each teams needs and addressed them nicely . The vast majority of mocks I read show how shallow and lazy they are with the picks, it’s pathetic really. You have spoiled my mindset and you make this site Seahawk heaven :).

    No matter how you do your mock, there will always be somebody that objects or have different viewpoints. Mine are;

    -Jacksonville picks Clowney. Clowney’s upside to me is Bruce Smith. Manziel upside to me is a very poor mans Steve Young, minus the arm strength. It’s also possible Gus learned from his Seahawk days to build the team, then ad the QB. The owner wants butts in the seats so….

    -St. Louis at 13, I just don’t get excited about Ha Ha after your write ups. There are so many other players that would make me cringe for them to get especially after picking Robinson. St. Louis would be best served not trading out of that pick based on their GM’s ability to draft.

    Lastly, if Green Bay gets Ebron, he will become a superstar.

    Great stuff Rob!!!

    • Rob Staton

      Thanks for the kind words, Stuart. Really appreciate it.

      • oz

        Stuart couldn’t have said it better…. Great work Rob.

    • Kyle N

      In all honesty, I think a lot of people would be REALLY happy with a “very poor mans Steve Young”…unless this poor man we are talking about is bankrupt and homeless.

      • Cameron

        Like Vince Young?

        • Kyle N

          lol

      • Michael M.

        I heard many a pundit declare Jake Locker to be a right-handed Steve Young. Player comps in general are pretty dumb.

  17. Ray

    Nice job Rob, it’s good to read a mock that actually considers things like scheme and team drafting patterns and not just rolling out the names as they spit out of the computer. I have a question for you. If Brent Urban is still there, is he your pick, or do you stick with Tuitt?

    • Rob Staton

      Tough to answer because neither player worked out at the combine. I think Urban can be insanely good if he wants to be. Both have great length. But Tuitt’s size and strength also a major positive for SEA.

      • KyleT

        I loved this mock, because regardless of the player you put in there, the reaction will probably be similar to the reaction to Tuitt. A player that we may have dismissed, but seen from a different angle might have all this upside, so in like a half second you go from “what the…” to “yeah…ok, yeah, i could see that!”

        Great work as usual!

  18. dave crockett

    Off Topic:

    Greg Peshek’s Sack Study 1.0 is pretty interesting

    http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cfb/46337/349/peshek-sack-study-10

  19. KyleT

    One receiver I don’t want the Seahawks to leave the draft without is Jeff Janis from Saginaw Valley. I know not a lot of actual film to review, but man from an athletic perspective, this guy is off the charts! He has the size (6’3 220), the vertical (37.5″), the only receiver in this years draft to match Harvin’s 10 yard split (1.47), very close to Doug Baldwin’s extremely low three cone score (which only one receiver beat this year), and a sub 4 second short shuttle (3.98). We may be able to get him in the early fourth round (He is currently projected for the fifth round).

    That is some size and athleticism we could work with and coach up in a big way!

    • KingRajesh

      Jeff Janis is on my list after that 4.4 time he posted. Jesus, I wasn’t expecting that. Looked pretty good in his drills, athletic and explosive.

      I wonder where he gets drafted. I’d love to pick him up, I just have no idea where he’d get drafted. Does a team fall in love with him and take him in the 4-5? or is he a 6-7 round project?

    • Kyle N

      I think a lot of it depends on who we get before that. I think the Seahawks will go for a WR, but I don’t expect them to get a lot of those guys. That would just be putting some guys in a position to not make the team and I’d like to think that each guy they draft they believe has a good chance of making the roster.

      • KingRajesh

        I’d say we pick up at least two WRs – with the payday we’re giving Harvin, we can’t afford to spend money at the position. I think we’ll end up keeping Baldwin and Kearse, but we can’t afford to pay everyone.

        But just imagine Jeff Janis on special teams as a gunner. He’d be a wrecking ball.

    • Michael M.

      I’d love to have Janis, but sadly he will go #5 overall to the Raiders. Al’s “death” was just a clever ruse.

  20. Cameron

    Supposedly, Gregg Scruggs has been working hard in the weight room and is now up to 311 lbs!! Is he our answer at the 5-tech?

    • Kyle N

      311lb at 6% body fat. Wow.

    • KingRajesh

      Is there a link for this? If so, WOW.

      • Cameron

        I don’t have a link. Danny Kelly of fieldgulls.com was relaying his (Scruggs) sports radio interview via twitter.

  21. Darnell

    Tuitt reminds me a bit of Calais Campbell.

    Very big, very long – Tuitt and Campbell both after their freshman and sophomore seasons were projected as top 15 locks. Then got a little too big, maybe lazy, maybe college ball got too easy – eventually Campbell ended up being drafted after Lawrence friggin Jackson.

    As for the Browns with Clowney; Sheard,Mingo,Kruger,Clowney – that’s more money invested in edge rushers than there are actual edges to rush from. If I’m the Hawks I’d be on the phone trying to flip that 2nd rounder for Sheard.

  22. Bill

    I appreciate all of your work Rob. Your commitment to this blog is second to none. Keep up the great work!

    • Rob Staton

      Thanks Bill.

  23. Justin M

    Hey Rob, great mock draft. As always I appreciate all you do, and your great insight on the draft. I compiled a list of prospective draft picks for the hawks. I added and extra 5th rd, 6th rd, and 7th rd pick to compensate for trades/ supplementary picks/ I couldn’t choose between the two. I would value your opinion, (as well as anybody else that cares to contribute), on what you think.

    Round 1: Antonio Richardson Tenesse OT
    Round 2: Brandon Coleman Rutgers WR
    Round 4: Kevin Pierre- Louis Boston College OLB
    Round 5: Jason Bromley Syracuse DT
    Round 5: Cameron Fleming Stanford OT
    Round 5: Kevin Norwood Alabama WR
    Round 6: Howard Jones Shepherd DE
    Round 6: Phillip Gaines Rice CB
    Round 7: Xavior Grimble USC TE
    Round 7: Larry Webster Bloomsburg DE

    • red

      I read Richardsons medicals were concerning at the combine.

      • red

        Via NFL network

        “Concerns about the medical reports on offensive lineman Antonio Richardson aren’t helping the draft status of the former Tennessee left tackle, according to NFL Media analyst Charles Davis, who questioned on NFL Network Saturday whether Richardson might have to “redshirt” his rookie NFL season because of knee problems”

    • Rob Staton

      I think Richardson’s work out let him down and probably takes him out of R1, but I like a lot of those picks. Thanks for sharing.

      • Justin M

        Thanks for the feedback. I will take Richardson off my mock. I did not realize he had major health concerns.

  24. Rock

    I like Tuitt but not at that spot in the draft. If you had projected him at #64 I could feel better about it. I think he, like Red is playing with a body that does not match exactly with what most teams define as ideal. This leads me to believe he drops into round 2.

    I still believe we go WR, OL with the first two picks. We have plenty of talent to stock the DL. The higher cap probably allows us to resign Giaccomini and Tate as long as their demands are reasonable. Still, I expect two WR’s in the draft. While Harvin is awesome, we need another weapon because he does have a history of injury. I expect they continue to be careful with him next year. The O Line is the weak link on the team. With Marshawn and RW3 we have to do a better job up front. Would you play Peyton Manning behind this line? I don’t think so. We cannot risk another season of Wilson (44 sacks) getting hit this much.

    Overall, a nice job Rob. Anything can happen in the draft. Especially this year with this much talent to pick from. There should be many surprises after the first 15.

  25. casey

    I like the gamble on Jesse Williams and the situation with Tharold Simon. We essentially red-shirted them, maintained control over them and now get to see how they fit in this year.
    Given that we are so deep I wonder if we will take more risks on injured players whose stock falls to a reasonable value.
    I wonder if that puts Cyrus Kouandjio & Dominique Easley in play, pending they fall far enough for us to feel comfortable with the risk.

    • Rock

      I feel like with such a deep draft there will be plenty of value picks without going with the injured guys. We will get 4th round picks in the 6th round this year. These two might be available as UDFA.

    • red

      Also look for Hurst OT from North Carolina broke his leg in bowl game. He has good tape maybe was going top 75 before injury.

  26. zh93

    If Barr takes a massive fall what is the likelihood the Hawks pick him up at 32 (or possibly trade up?)? Is he not fast enough to be an LEO? I think he could be set for a bit of a fall don’t know about to the bottom of the first, but you never know. Just curious how much you guys think he fits in here.

    • Rock

      It seems more a question about roster construction. If Manziel falls to #32 do you take him? At some point you end up with too much talent at a single position. Then you cannot get players on the field enough to justify their contracts (Red Bryant). Somebody has to go. OLB is not a position of need for us. I think we have to take need into account because you have to be able to project a guy into a spot on your roster of 53 or you lose him. If you have no roster spot you are wasting the pick no matter how much talent he has.

      • xo 1

        Agreed that it is a question of roster construction but I could see the argument for Barr as a LEO. He’s not ideal against the run yet and obviously needs to add strength, but he is a big, agile man and added to his pass rush potential, I could see Barr turn into a stud LEO. If he never quite gets it, he still has the potential to be a lethal pass rush threat. That discrepancy is a killer if you burn a top ten pick on him, but at 32, I think it’s a risk more than worth taking.

      • zh93

        I feel that’s a different question though. Do they draft a RB in the first round? Of course not. If you cut Clemons does that not open up a spot for a pass rusher? I don’t see Barr playing an OLB positing in our defense. I’ve heard over and over, you can never have too many pass rushers.

  27. Michael M.

    Regarding the Argument for Manziel over Clowney:

    I don’t watch the Jaguars, and obviously they don’t get a ton of coverage on Redzone. I know they added Joeckel last year, but aside from that can anyone tell me how good their O-line is? Specifically pass protection?

    My biggest concern with Manziel is his body. Like any Seahawks fan, I couldn’t care less about his height. I’m talking about his scrawny little arms and legs. Physically he reminds me much more of Colt McCoy than Russell Wilson. Now obviously Manziel’s style of play is already going to put him at a greater risk of injury, but that can be mitigated to some extent by timely slides and getting out of bounds (as we’ve all seen so well with Russell). What QB’s will have a harder time with (especially rookie QB’s) is avoiding hard hits in the pocket if his pass pro can’t hold up.

    So here’s the question I guess: Does anyone think Manziel would have played all 16 games behind a line like we had for most of the season (thanks to injuries)??

    • EdC

      I wouldn’t touch him. Manziel will bring a circus like Tebow. I would rather have Tebow! He showed he can take the hits in the NFL and showed he can win. Houston should draft Clowney and team him up with Watt and have Tebow and the Texan running game (Foster/Tate) and boom, contenders

      • Michael M.

        Tebow would be a great addition to the Texans if they are interested in adding an inexperienced fullback or want to be picking #1 overall again in 2015.

  28. bigDhawk

    Great write up and interesting mock as always. A couple random thoughts:

    -I think teams will value Khalil Mack very highly. I see him going top 5 and might be the first defensive player off the board at 3 to JAX. Gus could really build a defense around this guy.

    -If GB loses Raji, then Nix does not get by them at 21. Ebron will likely be gone by then.

    -I assume you have Ward going to SF to replace Whitner at SS. Wouldn’t Bucannon make more sense? I think he is easily first round talent and would scare me a lot more than Ward.

    -CJ Mosley is a solid first round talent. GB could really use him at 21 if Nix is gone. If he slides all the way to DEN at 31and they want to go ILB I don’t see how they could go with Borland over him.

    -Dee Ford will pass his physicals and as long as he kills his pro day he will go first round. NO, NE, GB, DEN would all be good landing spots.

    -I actually like the Truitt pick to us. My only question is could we get him in the middle of the 2nd if we trade back or even at 64? Not sure he is freaky enough to reach for like Irvin. If Coleman is still on the board at 32 do we take him or Truitt? I know your mock answers that, but what do you think the discussion is like in the war room if that is the scenario?

    • Rob Staton

      I struggle to put Nix in round one. He’s a very limited athletic talent, much less athletic than we all thought back in 2012. His 2013 tape is average.

      We’ll have to disagree on Ford too. In his two biggest games in 2013 (Bama & Texas A&M) he was owned and controlled.

  29. SeattleUp

    Rob,

    Love the job you’ve done on this one. One question, as the seahawks are pretty stacked at most positions, and we won’t have many roster spots available, do you see a chance for them trading up to select a Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins or one of the OT’s? Or do you more see them staying put and drafting for depth as we may lose players in the next few years?

    • Rob Staton

      I think it’s unlikely they move up, mainly because of the cost of moving up from #32. You’d be talking a 2015 first rounder.

      • Kyle N

        Or more. I don’t think teams are going to value a “Seahawks” 2015 first round draft pick nearly as much as say a “Raiders” first round draft pick.

  30. Kyle

    I’m going a bit off topic here, but I thought I was going to be a more arrogant Seahawk fan after the Super Bowl. When that clock hit 00:00, I felt like Walter White in his car after walking out of Tuco’s building with 50k. Now, I am just a happy Seahawk fan. I can watch highlights and lowlights of the season with a big smile. And that’s all I need. That is off topic.

    This is on-topic. A lot of teams fail in the draft because the owner believes A, the GM believes B, and the head coach believes C. That is a recipe for failing. The Seahawks are a rare organization where the owner, coach (and his staff) and GM are all on the same page. Ultimately, that is why Paul Allen is one of the best owners in the NFL.

    As opposed to SF where ABC seems to be happening….just saying.

  31. don

    Great Mock RoB!

    The Truitt pick for Seattle sounds possible, but I hope they sign Bennett which will eliminate the need for DL. They know what they are getting with him.

    I hope Seattle uses #32 on a WR. My first choice is Jordan Matthews. His combine results made me take notce and I watched his tape again more closely. The guy is 6’3 and catches EVERYTHING, when open and in traffic. Over 10″ hands! Good speed and faster than Colemen.

    I hope they take Mathews at 32. They have a greater need to fill at WR than any other spot. Second rd would be OL.

    • Rob Staton

      I like Matthews, but I still think based on the tape he’s a #2 at best. I moved him up a round based on his work out, but he’s still not a first rounder for me.

    • MarkinSeattle

      Even with a Bennett signing, I still think we will have a need for a DL. McDonald, McDaniel, and (if Bennett stays) likely Bryant are all gone. That leaves you down several guys. Even if Hill steps up into McDonald’s position, we still have a couple more spots on the DL to fill. Williams is a possibility, but their are concerns about his knee possibly being degenerative (not to mention a lack of technique).

      Also, Bennett in the best case, likely has 4-5 years of production left (the reason that he is so focused on a big payout with this contract, this is it for him…). Then don’t forget that Mebane is 31. So adding additional young bodies on the DL is vital, especially to a team that rotates everyone consistently.

    • Kyle N

      I would say that signing Bennett doesn’t eliminate the need for DL, but could actually make it even more of a draft need. The Seahawks are dumping money into the DL because they have Wilson, Sherman, Earl, and all the LBs all on the cheap right now. Those guys won’t be cheap by 2015. If we sign Bennett that gives us even less wiggle room. I think there will be a big emphasis on DL in the draft so that we can get cheaper on the DL without a big drop off in talent (remember Red is likely cut, Clemons could get cut, we probably won’t be able to sign Avril next year, Mebane is getting older and might get cut after next year, and only young guy whose had even a few NFL snaps is Hill who seems decidedly average).

  32. Robert

    Can Tuitt play 3T?
    How does Donte Moncrief compare with Jeff Janis?

    • Rob Staton

      Janis is a small school player with suspect hands. He’s a freaky athlete but that doesn’t mean he’ll make the enormous step up to the NFL. Moncrief at least has done it in the SEC.

  33. Robert

    Good find, Rob! Tuitt was a holy terror in 2012. Then he suffered a sports hernia and production tailed off. The subsequent rehab went south and he put on 20 pounds and his play looked sluggish for most of 2013. But then he shows up at the combine trimmed down to 304! We would probably be talking top 15 if he put up his 2012 numbers last season. And with his size, athleticism, strength, speed and length, our coaches might just turn this kid into a dominator! Great clip of some sick plays from his great year – 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMbcvm41QhI

    • MarkinSeattle

      Robert, you linked to his high school tape.

      Here is a link to a ND generated highlight tape from 2012 (in other words, not the best for seeing the entire plays). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twZ2sZAqnyM

  34. Clayton

    I think Seattle should move up for Aaron Donald. I just don’t think that we will see a dominant three tech like him in a long time. Just go for it… Seattle’s young and theyve got plenty of talent waiting on the practice squad and the IR (that will be healthy). Sooner or later Seattle is going to run out of ways to store their young players on the team… Might as well use the picks as capital.

    • Cysco

      This goes against pretty much everything our front office believes in. Always compete. Win forever. Build through the draft. Next man up. etc. etc. etc.

      This team doesn’t sacrifice the type of draft capitol it would take to move up to #15. It is much more likely that they’ll seek a partner to trade out of the first round in exchange for a 4th round pick.

      Donald is awesome, but like Rob has said best to accept right now that there is no chance he’ll be drafted by Seattle.

      • Clayton

        The team traded for Percy Harvin and gave up a first round pick and future third. The reason was because they felt Percy was the best option because he was way better than any of the players in last year’s draft. They could’ve built through the draft, but they didn’t… they went for the best player. If the team moved up for Aaron Donald, it would be a similar situation. Pete also has said in the past that Winning Forever means to look at every possible way to get better. If the philosophy was to only build through the draft, the team would not have free agents like Percy Harvin, Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril.

        • MarkinSeattle

          Clayton,

          Despite the increase in the salary cap, with the talent we have on this team, young drafted talent will be key to continue being competitive in the future. While a selective pickup for a rare proven talent works (as in Harvin’s case), trading away what would amount to nearly an entire draft to select an unproven college player, doesn’t make a lot of sense. Especially at a position that we are likely to invest and nail down Bennett (who is a proven player). To trade up to draft Donald (in the top 15), we would end up giving up more and higher draft picks than we did for Harvin. We would at least need to give up our first and second, plus likely a 5th or a 6th as well.

          You also have to remember that any DL is only going to be a part time player, due to the rotation that Seattle uses to keep the players fresh. This draft is too deep and talented to trade two top level talents for one. Especially considering PC/JS’s hit rate in the draft. Now if this was still Ruskell making the drafting decisions, I would wholeheartedly agree with you.

          • Kyle N

            Very well said. I wonder how long it will take people to start getting “excited” about trade downs when it involves the Seahawks rather than calling for trade ups. I’m already there. I can’t wait to see who the next Richard Sherman will be!!

  35. Hawkspur

    Having the top 3 rookie QBs in the same division (along with Luck) would be a fun storyline.

  36. SeoulBoy

    Rob,

    Chances of trading out of the 32nd spot for an extra day two pick?

    Hate to waste a pick on a lazy, big guy if the draft is deep as everyone has been saying…

    Any thoughts on trading out?

    • Cysco

      Rob’s discussed this before. It takes two to trade. History has shown that teams have had a really tough time trading out of that #32 spot.

      History has shown that the Hawks will likely try, but history has also shown that it’ll be tough to find a trade partner.

    • Rob Staton

      It’ll be tough.

      None of the Super Bowl winners have traded down since they made day one exclusively the first round. I think anyone trying to move back into the first deals ahead of the last pick. The best you could hope for IMO is something like the Denver-Tampa Bay deal in 2012 where they basically swapped 5th’s.

  37. Phil

    Wow – just watched Jeff Janis’ highlights at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dNdDnMNvi4&feature=youtube_gdata. The fact that his highlight tape is more than 10 minutes long says a lot.

    This guy looks like the real deal. His speed is not his only strength — looks like he likes to go over the middle — he’s not afraid of contact — and his YAC looks good too.

    I’d hate to see him elsewhere in the NFC West.

    • Phil

      Check out Janis’ one-hand grab at 6:09 and his effort on the TD at 10:04. With his speed and size, he looks like the kind of freak that PC/JS love to draft.

    • Rob Staton

      Highlights can be deceiving though unless they show all the mistakes too…

      • MJ

        Granted Senior Bowl week can be tough for anybody, but watching/reading about Janis was a major turn off. He really, really struggled catching the ball. I’m fine with gambling on upside, but there are certain things like “hands” that you can improve, but not necessarily make over.

        Martavis Bryant seems to get poo-pooed quite a bit, but this past season was a pretty dang good year. His YPC was great and he was flirting with a 1,000 yards. I’d much rather gamble on Bryant than Janis.

  38. Christon

    Moncrief is a pretty underated WR. At 6-2 221 he has a simalar build as 4th round prospect last year in Chris Harper but he runs a 4.40 flat – the same time as Paul Richardson at 175lbs (Yes, that’s 46lbs heavier!) He was also a tied in 3rd for a wr with a 39.5″ vert, tied in 1st for his position with an 11′ broad jump. He was a productive reciever in the SEC and at 6’2″ I think he is very Seahawky pick.

    • Rob Staton

      Very much so. Great SPARQ value.

    • dave crockett

      Not to the same extent as Brandon Coleman, but Moncrief suffered from suspect QB play at Ole Miss too. It was kind of a screens and bombs deal, where their 2 QBs couldn’t hit much in the intermediate areas.

  39. MarkinSeattle

    I have watched a fair amount of Tuitt, and I do think that he could be likely Seahawk pick. He is very athletic and has prototypical size. The reports of him running a high 4.7 to low 4.8 sounds about right give his tape from 2012. (here is a highlight reel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twZ2sZAqnyM ). He is quick enough that he doesn’t get juked very easily in the open field.

    Tuitt has a LOT of natural strength and power (the whole country strong). He is also a competitor and he has his head screwed on straight. Put him in the Seahawk’s locker room and I think that he would really flourish.

    Tuitt also lacks a lot of technique. There are plays where he gets easily locked up and loses leverage. When he doesn’t, he moves very well. While I am not an expert on technique, I think that with a good teacher, he has a lot of upside.

    He is not a guy he is going to explode off the line and blow through opposing OL. His strength is speed/size combo to overwhelm an OL.

    It has been stated before, his problem this year was that he played way to heavy. It is hard to dismiss the 12.5 sacks that he had last year (while playing with a sports hernia for the second half of the year). You don’t just accidentally get that many sacks.

    Here is a comparison between Clowney and Tuitt’s career stats:

    Clowney
    solo 85 assist 45 total tackles 130 tfl 47.0 sacks 24.0 int 0 pd 7 fumble return 1 yds 2 forced fumbles 9
    Tuitt
    solo 59 assist 67 total tackles 126 tfl 25.0 sacks 21.5 int 1 int ret TD 1 pd 4 fumble return 1 fr yds 77 fr td 1 ff 4

    Clowney has more solo tackles and almost twice as many tackles for loss. Clowney also has 3 more forced fumbles and knocked down 3 more passes. Yet the total tackles is roughly the same and Clowney has 3.5 more sacks for his career. Tuitt also has an INT as well as a fumble return for a TD.

    The thing to remember about both of these guys is that they came out the same year. Both are true juniors, whereas most DL don’t even come into their owner until their 4 yr in college.

    Now here is Brent Urban’s career numbers (mind you, he is a 5th year senior):
    solo 26 assist 49 total tackles 75 tfl 16.5 sacks 3.0 int0 pd 11 fr 1 yds 16 fr td 1 ff 1

    Heck, even if you compare Urban and Tuitt’s most recent season alone, there is still a marked edge to Tuitt (49 to 40 in tackles, 7.5 to 1.0 in sacks) with the exception of passes defensed. While Clowney played in the SEC, I have a hard time believing that Urban’s schedule (Ore, Clemson, Miami, Va Tech) was harder than Tuitt’s (MSU, Stanford, Oklahoma, USC, Michigan, ASU).

    Urban is an 1″ taller than Tuitt, but his arms are 1/2″ shorter. Tuitt also weighed in at 9 lbs heavier. So physically, they are very similar in length and size.

    While I haven’t really been pounding the wagon to draft Tuitt, to my unskilled eyes, he seems to be a better prospect than Urban (pending 40 and 3 cone times).

    • MarkinSeattle

      I need to correct myself, Urban is 2″ taller than Tuitt. On the flipside, Tuitt is 2 years younger than Urban.

      • Rob Staton

        Urban has had some injuries to be fair — and he’s banged up again. That had an impact on his stats (plus he played for a struggling team) but the injuries are a bit of a red flag.

        • Kyle N

          I think (like you’ve mentioned before) that his personality could also be a big red flag for Seattle. I know they aren’t drafting on that alone, but close your eyes and try to imagine Urban dancing with the rest of the DL during a TV timeout. I definitely can’t. I would hate to over-generalize and say that just because of some interviews I’ve watched it it appears he lacks enthusiasm for the game, but he would definitely feel like a black sheep on the defense (errr, bad reference).

          • Rob Staton

            I think it’s a fair point. You do have to consider how a player meshes into your team.

            Urban’s personality would fit right into the Patriots dressing room. In Seattle? I’m not sure. As much as I like him as a player, I think it’s something you have to consider.

        • MarkinSeattle

          On the other hand, Tuitt played 7 games last year with a sports hernia and didn’t miss any games this year (despite, apparently, a fractured foot).

          My biggest concerns about Tuitt is that he doesn’t have an explosive quick first step. He is a mauler who is abnormally quick/fast for his size. He won’t blow past the OL at the snap, but he can out muscle the opposing OL and his feet are quick enough that he can get a step on the OL.

          I don’t have issues with taking Urban, he just seems like he is very similar physically to Tuitt but has shown less on tape. Tuitt’s tape to me echoes Irvin’s. He had a great year the season before last, but struggled this year (for Irvin, it was scheme, while for Tuitt it was weight and reduced strength).

  40. Hawks420

    Here’s my Seahawks post-combine draft wishlist for all seven rounds.

    round #1 TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins 6-5 262lbs 4.7-40time I know most say not to take a TE (or leo) in the 1st but pick #32 is late enough for me. I love this pic, played his HS ball in Washington and collage at UW. Great hands and good run blocker. I think he would be prefect as are TE of the future. He lost 15lbs (and an inch) for the combine and was hoping to run in the 4.6 range. When he didn’t run I was thinking maybe he would slip to us in the 2nd. But fear of someone like SF nabbing him and the thought of Kam killing my favorite player in the draft keeps him in the 1st. Plus not running didn’t erase his TD’s or redzone production. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPZ5ZDWEADo

    round #2 OG Cyril Richardson 6-5 339lbs 5.36-40time This guy reminds me of Carp but he keeps talking about “hard work” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBRLGMgcX9Q

    round #4 OLB Adrian Hubbard 6-6 257lbs 4.69-40time Big and fast, looks like a mean LB. Him and Korey Toomer would be a cool battle for Mike Morgan’s roster spot.

    round #5 OT Seantrel Henderson 6-7 331lbs 5.04-40time So athletic and mite be the fastest 330lb lineman on the planet. I think he could really be awesome in are zone blocking system.

    round #5 FS Marqueston Huff 5-11 196lbs 4.49-40time He plays so fast sideline to sideline. A ball hog and play maker. Would love Earl to show him the ropes and finally have a capable backup. Reminds me of Earl kinda. He’s from TX, just cut his dreads, plays the deep ball good and hits the run hard and gets his share of pics too. Not say’n he’s #29… Just his backup http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TWd7En8-m0

    round #6 WR L’Damian Washington 6-4 295lbs 4.46-40time This guy has been through so much and done nothing but come out on top. His mother died watching him play HS basketball forcing him and his three brothers to raise themselves. Even without what he’s over come I’d still like him as a Hawk. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo28yodgvmo

    round #7 DE Larry Webster 6-6 252lbs 4.58-40time Played a lot of basketball also. Just the size and speed of this guy gives him so much upside and my 7th round pick…

    BTW Thanks Rob and you others for all the mocks/comments/insight. GO HAWKS

    • Hawks420

      L’Damian Washington – 195lbs

    • Rob Staton

      Thanks for the kind words and for sharing this wish list.

  41. Ukhawk

    Really like “Seahawky” candidate list, couple of thoughts I’d love to hear feedback on:
    -loving the below big board which proves interesting, and begs question is the R1 “Seahawky” list complete….http://walterfootball.com/draft2014bigboard.php
    -should the following be added as R1 Seahawky candidates: Martin, Sau’filo, Moses, Jernigan, ASJ as well as guys who could fall namely Ealy & Lee?? Or are they not good fits?
    -how much does JSPC build their board from the “bottom up” rather than the “top down”? Ie, in a deep WR & OL class, do they shift to different priorities in the earlier rounds to get value later?
    -looking at the depth of this big board, lots of guys in lower rounds scream “Seahawky” too, I’m even more excited & can’t wait to look at those and see who’d fill our spots in round 2+.

  42. Steve Nelsen

    Rob,

    Great analysis. I see the Hawks picking a WR at #32 but a guy like Tuitt slipping to them is one scenario where I could agree with you. I appreciate your Round 2 picks. I would be interested in a list of your “Sea-Hawky” players for rounds 4-7.

© 2024 Seahawks Draft Blog

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑