#1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Marcus Mariota (QB, Oregon)
Here’s what I think it comes down to. Tampa Bay is taking a quarterback. They’ll meet with both. Study the tape like crazy. And they’ll feel more comfortable and confident building around the safer investment. Mariota it is.
#2 Tennessee Titans — Jameis Winston (QB, Florida State)
I’ve battled with this one because I think Winston has to prove he can be trusted. Ruston Webster is a Tim Ruskell disciple so you know he values character. But this is a team crying out for identity and quality. They have nothing to build around. Winston at least offers some hope.
#3 Jacksonville Jaguars — Andrus Peat (T, Stanford)
Peat is a natural pass protector perfectly suited to the left tackle position. After spending the #3 pick on Blake Bortles, they have to build around him. Drafting two receivers early last year was a start, now it’s about better line play up front.
#4 Oakland Raiders — Dante Fowler Jr (DE, Florida)
He’s just a flat out playmaker. You can line him up anywhere — D-end, inside, linebacker. He just makes plays. Throw in a terrific motor, great attitude and plus-athleticism and you have the makings of a perennial Pro Bowler.
#5 Washington Redskins — Shane Ray (DE, Missouri)
He’ll win at the combine with speed and explosion. Expect a big-time ten yard split. That’ll be enough to convince the Redskins this is their guy — they badly need defensive talent and are likely to lose Brian Orakpo.
#6 New York Jets — Randy Gregory (DE, Nebraska)
He’s a project wherever he goes. Length, athleticism. Some have compared his upside to that of Aldon Smith. But right now he’s at his best as a blitzing linebacker, not a natural edge rusher. Still, he fits the 3-4 and it’s a need for the Jets in Todd Bowles’ scheme.
#7 Chicago Bears — Leonard Williams (DE, USC)
I’m not quite as sold on Williams as a lot of other people but the Bears will likely focus on defense this off-season. They need to repair the whole unit and a pick like this makes a lot of sense.
#8 Atlanta Falcons — Eli Harold (DE, Virginia)
Expect a huge rise for Harold. He’s a former 5-star recruit with insane athletic qualities, length and grit. He knows how to convert speed-to-power. He could go even earlier than this. There’s some Barkevious Mingo to his game, some Brian Orakpo. With the right guidance he could be a top player at the next level.
#9 New York Giants — Danny Shelton (DT, Washington)
I watched the Oregon tape today and came away much more impressed than I expected. I’m not too proud to admit when I make mistakes. On that evidence, he does deserve to go earlier than I initially projected.
#10 St. Louis Rams — Ereck Flowers (T, Miami)
After Peat, he’s the best pass-protector in this class. They’re similar prospects — both combine great length and foot-speed with ample power and hand use. They both need to avoid lunging but it’s workable. Flowers would further bolster the Rams O-line.
#11 Minnesota Vikings — Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama)
He’s shown he has the deep speed this year to make up for a lack of elite size. He’s the most naturally gifted receiver to enter the draft since A.J. Green. Very focused individual and not a diva. Pairing Cooper with Teddy Bridgewater seems like a smart move.
#12 Cleveland Browns — Jordan Phillips (DT, Oklahoma)
When Phillips rocks up at the combine and runs a 4.8-4.9 he’ll start to fly up the boards. He has better tape than Dontari Poe but has the same kind of rare size and speed. He has an injury history and that’ll need to be checked out. If he’s cleared — watch out for Phillips. He declared for a reason.
#13 New Orleans — T.J. Clemmings (T, Pittsburgh)
I thought he had a disappointing Senior Bowl but the fact of the matter is — athletic tackles with length go early. They always do. The Saints back themselves to coach him up knowing the worst case scenario is he moves inside to guard.
#14 Miami Dolphins — Landon Collins (S, Alabama)
He’ll be a SPARQ demon at the combine and could force his way into the top ten. Collins had a big season, proving he can cover and hit. He’s better than Ha Ha Clinton-Dix who went in the first round last year.
#15 San Francisco 49ers — Arik Armstead (DE, Oregon)
Assuming Justin Smith does retire, the 49ers are going to need to fill out that D-line. Armstead has unreal size and upside. There’s every chance he’ll go early purely based on potential. He wasn’t the finished article at Oregon. Far from it.
#16 Houston Texans — Eddie Goldman (DT, Florida State)
There’s no quarterback solution here so they might as well keep padding the defensive line. They need a good run stopper to work the interior. Goldman is superb working against the run and he has untapped potential as a pass rusher. Former 5-star recruit.
#17 San Diego Chargers — Melvin Gordon (RB, Wisconsin)
Having switched D.J. Fluker to guard, San Diego desperately needs to add a quality tackle. They don’t see a solution here so go with a playmaker at running back instead. Opinions are mixed on Gordon, but I can see a few teams really buying into his skill-set and unreal work ethic.
#18 Kansas City Chiefs — Devante Parker (WR, Louisville)
Receiver is such a big need here. Alex Smith can win you games but he needs weapons. Parker offers the kind of dynamic receiving threat the Chiefs currently lack. You get the feeling they’ll go all-in to find a solution here and might even move up for Amari Cooper.
#19 Cleveland Browns — Bendarick McKinney (LB, Mississippi State)
Big, classic 3-4 inside linebacker who set the tone for Miss. State in 2014. He could be the player everybody expected Rolando McClain to be. The Browns have a defensive Head Coach and need to develop an identity on that side of the ball after wasting two first round picks a year ago. Will they trade up for a quarterback? Maybe.
#20 Philadelphia Eagles — Trae Waynes (CB, Michigan State)
Corner is a need and Waynes will impress at the combine. He’s physical and might need to tone it down at the next level to avoid penalties — but it’s his size and speed that will entice teams to take him early.
#21 Cincinnati Bengals — Vic Beasley (DE, Clemson)
A lack of size might be a hindrance although he should run a good forty time and ten yard split. Beasley has been ultra-productive at Clemson and the Bengals need someone who can get to the quarterback.
#22 Pittsburgh Steelers — Brandon Scherff (T, Iowa)
The guy just looks like a Steeler — and it’s more than just the Iowa uniforms. Lunch-pail worker who drives people off the ball in the running game. Right tackle is a huge need for Pittsburgh and Scherff would be a day one starter.
#23 Detroit Lions — Cameron Erving (C, Florida State)
He looked good at tackle last season — and looked even better at center in 2014. The Lions would get a player who can start immediately at center and back up every other position on the O-line. He’s a defensive line convert with massive potential.
#24 Arizona Cardinals — Hau’Oli Kikaha (DE, Washington)
This is a hunch. The Cardinals need a pass rusher to work the edge in a big way. Kikaha has great hands and probably needs to work in space. His production is off the charts. It just seems like a fit. And I think the Cards will be prepared to reach a bit to make this happen.
#25 Carolina Panthers — Kevin White (WR, West Virginia)
Since Dave Gettleman took over as GM he’s let the draft come to him. He’s looked for value and avoided reaching. They have bigger needs than receiver, but White falls a bit and they capitalize. It’s been suggested he loses confidence quickly and worries. That could provoke a slight drop down the board.
#26 Baltimore Ravens — Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia)
A top ten pick without the injury, Gurley falls to an ideal spot. The Ravens re-sign Justin Forsett and stash Gurley away for the future. Another brilliant pick by a franchise that just gets it year after year.
#27 Dallas Cowboys — Malcom Brown (DT, Texas)
Terrific defensive tackle prospect who could go much earlier than this. Another former 5-star recruit. Adept at knifing into the backfield to make plays. Classic three-technique with the size to hold up against the run.
#28 Denver Broncos — Carl Davis (DT, Iowa)
If they lose Terrance Knighton they’ll need an interior force on the defensive line. Davis had a tremendous Senior Bowl. The tape is a bit ‘meh’ but he showed what he’s capable of in Mobile. Coaches will love the upside here.
#29 Indianapolis Colts — La’el Collins (G, LSU)
Watching the all-22 against Alabama gave me a new perspective on Collins. He’s not as good as I first thought and will need to move inside to guard. He’s good in the run game and will slot in straight away. But he’s not as good as Joel Bitonio.
#30 Green Bay Packers — Owamagbe Odighizuwa (DE, UCLA)
I really, really like Odighizuwa. He’s not much of an edge rusher but the way he dips inside and uses brute force to decimate the interior is a sight to behold. For that reason he might be best acting as a 3-4 end with some outside rush duties thrown in.
#31 Seattle Seahawks — Marcus Peters (CB, Washington)
I go into more detail below.
#32 New England Patriots — Bud Dupree (DE, Kentucky)
You have to like his attitude, leadership and playmaking. He’s just not that great rushing the edge. I can see him working in New England’s defense by lining up in multiple positions and having an impact. He’d be a great fit here.
Notes on the Seahawks pick at #31
1. Why no receiver?
Yes, it’s a big need. But I just get the sense rounds 2-3 will be the sweet spot at the position this year. There are plenty of guys I think could go in the late first, but it’s more likely we see a host of second and third rounders like Devin Smith, Phillip Dorsett, Justin Hardy, Jaelen Strong, Sammie Coates, Nelson Agholor, Devin Funchess, Tyler Lockett. This is also the area I think Dorial Green-Beckham will fall to.
As much as the Seahawks need to fill this role, I don’t think you fight the board for the sake of it. If you want a tall, rangy wide receiver or tight end the options are limited. You’re probably going to have to be creative in free agency. Goodness knows how given the players you want to re-sign in Seattle. But are you really going to buy into a guy like Jaelen Strong in round one and feel he’s the answer? I wouldn’t want to do that. Ditto Sammie Coates. Ditto Devin Funchess. And as much as I like Devin Smith and Phillip Dorsett, I’m not totally sold on them in round one given their stature. Seattle needs someone who can box off a defender and make the kind of plays Chris Matthews made on Sunday — and I retain that belief even if you think Matthews can be a role-player in 2015.
I would rather take my chances seeing who is there in rounds 2-3 looking at the group available. Don’t ask me how they make it happen, but I just have to hope they have some kind of solution to address this need in a cost-effective way in free agency. Whether it’s Jordan Cameron, Julius Thomas or trading for Vincent Jackson. Maybe they make some surprise cuts to free up room? Maybe they pull off a ‘go get a ring’ deal? I don’t know. Jackson is still the one I want.
2. Why a corner?
I’ve said a few times — and this opinion stems from speaking to people who would know — that I don’t think the Seahawks will ever go corner early unless it’s a really special player. I do think they had some interest in Bradley Roby a year ago. This was a guy coming off a down year who was previously regarded as a top-15 pick. He had some length and quicks. An ideal slot receiver at the very least. I think he might’ve been special enough. We’ll never know. I suspect they knew well before the draft he wouldn’t make it to #32.
I’m not sure if Marcus Peters will be considered ‘special’ enough. I do like his tape for the most part. I like his nose for the ball. I think he’s ideally suited for this scheme. I look at the other needs (WR, DL, OL, TE) and think this might be their best opportunity to get a player who stands out. A cornerstone pick who starts quickly and for multiple years. Someone you’d love to coach up and develop but can still feature in week one. I think he will tick a lot of the boxes. I just want to see his long speed at the combine.
Then there’s the character concerns. After all, he was kicked off the team at Washington.
I think putting him in a situation where he almost has to work for the LOB would be a good thing for Peters. He wouldn’t be able to pull any crap around Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman. I don’t think they’d be scared off by his connection to Marshawn Lynch (a close family friend). In fact it might just help keep him in line (a bit like Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson). Maybe it would be a problem? We have no way of knowing. But while a lot of teams might be scared off by the risk-factor with Peters (and that’s why he’d even be available at #31) the Seahawks might feel they have the setup to deal with a player like this. Carroll knows he’ll get a fair and honest assessment of his character from Steve Sarkisian.
Corner became a bigger need than I think we all thought watching the Super Bowl. And while I think we all trust this team to continue to find later round gems, they face the possibility of having to start a mid-to-late round rookie in 2015 or one of Tharold Simon or (health permitting) Jeremy Lane. I think the three key strengths of this team are Russell Wilson, the running game and the secondary. You solidify two of those strengths by paying Wilson and Lynch. You solidify the third by making sure you aren’t caught short when Byron Maxwell inevitably signs elsewhere.
Why would you risk Peters and not Green-Beckham? Simple. If DGB is a problem child it’s another headache for Wilson after the whole Percy Harvin fiasco. Asking Wilson to set him straight might be too much for one man. You have three veterans (Chancellor, Thomas and Sherman) to guide Peters, plus a proven DB coaching setup that will aid his development.
Want an alternative? How about LSU’s Jalen Collins. Tall (6-1), speedy. Far from the finished article but with a ton of upside.
In this scenario you target WR/TE, OL and DL in the next two rounds. Obviously if you were able to acquire someone like Vincent Jackson you can focus on the two lines. Perhaps you go R1-Peters or Collins, R2-Sambrailo, R3-Lockett. I think they’ll be less inclined to go D-line after signing up Cliff Avril. They will get Jordan Hill and Cassius Marsh back.
Like I said, I don’t know if Peters will be considered special enough to warrant Seattle’s first round pick. We’ll probably find out at the combine. But it does make some sense.
Very interesting mock, and highlights the multiple directions the Seahawks can go. I think one challenge coming out of Year 5 is for PCJS to review the founding principles of the team under his leadership and reaffirm the best part of them for the next five years.
Thought #1: Corner demonstrated some concerning weaknesses with the absence of Jeremy Lane. But just as, if not more damaging, was the impact of Cliff Avril’s concussion. There’s a lot of of beautiful talent, particularly at DE, from 25-30. A consistently devastating pass rush (missing from the ’14 Hawks) covers a lot of mistakes, whether you have Maxwell, Simon, or Peters on the outside.
Which leads me to Thought #2: Is Christine Michael worth another couple of spots in a draft day trade, assuming Lynch remains at RB1?
A final thought: does the seeming lack of development by Tharold Simon through Year 2 undermine the notion that Richard + LOB can keep Peters in line?
Thanks for all you do, Rob. On To The Next.
I’m not as high as some others on the depth at D-end this year. There are some good players, but I don’t see many ideal LEO’s. And by that I mean length + exceptional speed. Cliff Avril and Bruce Irvin ran 1.50 ten yard splits. The only players I see touching that are Shane Ray, Eli Harold and Vic Beasley — all off the board in this mock. I don’t see a guy like Nate Orchard for example recording a split that fast. And this matters IMO when considering first round D-ends for Seattle. Plus you have to factor in the rotational theme of the D-line and wonder just how many snaps a first round DE will take over the next 2-3 years with Bennett and Avril signed up long term. For a first round pick I want more than a relief rusher. And while Avril’s concussion was a tough blow, he and Bennett have both been pretty durable so far.
I think I’d rather put the Simon’s lack of development down to a.) him being injured all of last year b.) maybe he isn’t quite as good as we’d hoped.
In fairness, and with respect to Tharold Simon, there were times this season when he played very well. I do believe there are certain types of receivers our guys are going to have trouble with, and Julian Edleman is probably one of them. Edleman’s a precise route runner who is quicker than fast, but Simon is in the mold of Richard Sherman in as much as he lacks great lateral quickness. Simon is at his best playing press/man and trailing where he can use his length and ball skills to great effect.
Long story short, yeah Simon got abused by Edleman, but I would hesitate to make any big sweeping conclusions based upon that.
Fair points.
I agree with that, which is why I also think that a different type of CB would make sense, a smaller, quicker guy who can play exclusively in the nickel or dime packages. Maybe someone like that could be picked up cheaply in free agency. Don’t want to bring back bad memories of drafts past, but I keep thinking of Josh Wilson.
CB Thyroid Simon was playing out of position. He’s not a nickel back. He doesn’t have the quick feet or fluid hips. Seattle’s nickel backs are just fine. CBs Jeremy Lane and Marcus Burley. If they lose Maxi, then they need an outside corner.
LOL, should say Tharold not Thyroid
In fairness, Benjamin is not an “Edelman-Type” and smoked Simon as well
Agreed. Simon showed flashes this year. I think just needs more time and reps. Coaches aren’t magic. Still takes time for the player to learn. Maxwell was taken in same draft as Sherman but didn’t really catch on until late last year. Took him a few years. I still believe in Simon’s potential.
I wonder if moving up to Baltimore’s spot to get one of those d tackle isn’t worth it.
The greatest thing about this post is that it pushes the post superbowl post with it’s image of shocked Sherman down the page.
I actually like that picture. I think it’s a heartbreaking image. It’s the same face I think most fans pulled at the time. Shock, disbelief, agony. True emotion. It encapsulates that moment perfectly, even if it’s a moment we’ll detest for the rest of our lives.
That’s the look everyone had that I watched the game with lol
exactly why I am happy to see it move down the page. I’m ready to move on.
In 1983, Duke basketball lost to Virginia in the ACC tournament by a score of 109-66. After the loss Coach K went to dinner with his friends at the local Applebee’s. A friend who was trying to lighten the mood stood up and toasted:
“Here’s to a night let’s soon forget”
Coach K didn’t laugh, but instead stood up and responded to this toast with a toast of his own:
“Here’s to a night we will never forget”
The rest is history.
I may have made up the part about the restaurant being Applebee’s. It just seemed to fit.
Sherm looks genuinely horrified and crushed; every time I see it it makes me feel for the guy. To work so hard, for so long, and to have it taken away by one poor play that you can’t do anything about… horrible.
The hawks have been doing a lot of spin on justifying the play call, and it appears where I’m looking at…it’s just pissing people off more and more.
This is very true, JeffC.
I hope that the discussion the coaches are having with the players about that play call is much, much more fundamental and deep than the one they’re having with the public. I assume it is. But if not, there’s a good chance the locker room splinters. Harbaugh’s failure to use Gore at the goal line in the SB probably contributed to his eventual downfall with the front office and added stress to existing locker room fractures. I hope Pete is doing paying attention to that.
Totally in agreement. As fans we assume there is harmony and enchantment in the locker room, but the early season schism shows it was on the edge of a disaster and until they had that big team meeting, we were playing like a 9 win team at best.
Now there are reports that players were sounding off questioning the play call. I know Bevell has lots of fans on this site (I’m ambivalent towards him), but if you talk to Vikings fans for the most part they couldn’t wait to get him out of town. The loss to New Orleans in the NFC championship was blamed on Bevell and his propensity for weird play calling in big moments.
Is the Lynch dislike for Bevell true? Could that dislike prevent Lynch from extending with seattle?
Lots of things will have to be worked out between the coaches and players, as you say. Hopefully, after a few months of healing, the anger will abate and they can refocus.
I try to think within myself Sherm’s despair. He played with torn ligaments. Earl played with a separated shoulder. Kam played with what is turning out to be a serious knee injury. These guys gave up their bodies to win, and although we can look at other parts of the game where the team was failing, ultimately, the last failed play will always loom largest. The coaching staff has their work cut out for them to fix that pain.
It really wasn’t a bad call, just a bad outcome. And if they were to axe Bevel who’s out there that’s better?
Who cares if it’s pissing people off? We’re not inside that locker room, if certain players let one play, or ‘what if’ scenarios de-rail everything they’ve worked for, then they where the door is.
There’s 2 teams on the field and that kid made a great play on the ball. PC will use the so called ‘anger’ to motivate this team.
One of the more MEME-able Seahawks images ever, and not in a good way.
Would anyone really want v.jackson at the cost of lynch, maxwell or wagner? Will have to pay him about as much as those guys plus draft picks. He might not cost us wagner because he won’t be playing much longer.
If you trade for Jackson you restructure the contract. I admitted I didn’t know how they could work it. I guess they could find other cuts (eg Miller). It certainly wouldn’t be at the expense of Lynch or Wagner. I think we can forget about Maxwell — he’s going to get paid.
Miller’s cap hit is 3 or 4 mil right? We would also add a Mebane to that list. My main problem is I don’t see him taking a pay cut. He sat out almost a whole season over money. I don’t see him taking a smaller deal when he wouldn’t when he didn’t have any other options. Plus how much money and draft picks do you think it would take? Do you see hkme as more the a one year player?
I see him as an Anquan Boldin. Can play for another 2-3 years IMO without issue. As for the money — he held out before because he was getting peanuts to be San Diego’s top receiver and he wanted a pay day. He’s since received a huge pay day so he’s set up for life. He is minus a ring though. So it’s a case of are you willing to lower your salary to get a title? He might be open to that. Only he knows. The alternative is get paid to play with a rookie QB.
As for picks, it might take a R3 or R4. I’d be comfortable with that given I think he can take the offense to another level.
If TB is going QB at #1 I just see them wanting to keep their veteran receiver to help the new QB next year. that said, i’d love to see VJ here.
im sorry rob I just don’t think vjacks has the heart to be on this team. sometimes he just seems to give up on plays. isn’t there any other big wr that we can sign instead?
I kinda agree but there really isn’t unless fits is cut and signs for way less. You could see Thomas or Dez sign for 9 to 10 mil with more up front to chase a title I guess but not likely.
Neither one of those receivers will hit the market unfortunately. Both teams will happily pay the fortune it takes to keep those players.
I think that Maxwell is going to be paid by Atlanta next year.
Atlanta or Jacksonville I reckon.
or maybe he ends up in New England as a replacement for Revis.
Good call
Where does Revis end up?
Buffalo w/Rex
Personally I think Revis is going back to the Patriots. There are already reports out there that the Patriots are wiling to pony up the 20 million (yes, you read that right) cap hit to keep him.
If not, I think Revis goes to whoever pays him the most money.
By paid do you think he’ll get 9+ mil a year
my guess would be 8
That would be my guess as well and would be what vjack would cost if he took a 3 to 4 mil pay cut. I don’t see him doing that and I would rather have maxwell.
I’d rather try and trade for TE Marcellus Bennett over VJax.
When Tampa Bay drafts a QB, are they really going to throw Mariota or an immature Winston into the fire without any weapons and a veteran one at that?
I would argue that Mike Evans is bigger, better, younger version of V-Jax… So “no” weapons is a bit of hyperbole. Evans+ASJ+FA+Rookies is still a pretty solid place to start IMO
Oops. Your right I forgot about WR Mike Evans. Man these big WRs sure do take their teams deep into the playoffs.
I love this mock Rob. My biggest question on Peters is how coach-able is he? He can be a pain in the ass and fight with his teammates (I see the claim that Peters attacked a coach was later debunked), but if he won’t take coaching he is untouchable in my book. If he can’t take coaching from the gentleman who brought Sherman and Maxwell along, I’m not certain who he can listen to.
I have an idea for a couple of blog posts for you Rob. Write up a post on draft scenarios for if Seattle and Marshawn Lynch part ways and another on if they keep him around for 2015 and beyond. It doesn’t have to be a mock, maybe more of a general layout for how Seattle might approach the draft (and maybe free agency) under each scenario. I think you are right in thinking the situation is going to be resolved, one way or the other, before free agency starts.
Anyways, looking forward to reading more.
I really disliked Peters’ on-field demeanor even before he was kicked off. He would trash talk and gloat towards opponents after he made good plays, yell at his teammates if they blew a play, and complained to refs about calls/non-calls. I do think he’s a very talented player but he just screams “not worth it” to me.
I asked this before but never seen a response. Has anyone seen reports that dgb is a bad teammate or doesn’t work hard? I get the concerns with him, I’m just not sure a lot of them are just speculation.
I haven’t seen those suggestions. In fact I believe he was well liked and is a worker. The main problems are the character concerns and the events that led to his departure from Mizzou. Especially in a post-Rice/Peterson-saga NFL.
To be far, he wasn’t charge with anything in the assault case was he? I know it’s a concern but the fact he wasn’t charged makes me really wonder if anything at all really happend
I think it’s more the manner of the situation, especially after he’ll have been warned by Mizzou about future conduct. Is he just the type of person who can’t get out of his own way? That gravitates towards bad situations? A lot of people out there voicing concerns about his decision making and character. The last thing Seattle needs is another headache at that position.
I only heard about his legal stuff haven’t heard many people’s opinions of him , thanks. Did he jump on a car and tell the police he owns this fucking town the day before the draft? Because that would be awesome lol
What disturbs me about DGB is the drug arrests were for dealing. He wasn’t caught smoking a little pot. He had a pound of it in his trunk. The woman he pushed down the stairs also sounds like a drug deal gone bad. We don’t need the headaches. We are on track for another Super Bowl appearance. We have seen this movie before. You know how these guys end up once they get paid. Aaron Hernandez comes to mind.
Great points! Although I don’t see dealing pot as that bad of an offense. I can see why it would be troubling.
That would be really disturbing…
“What disturbs me about DGB is the drug arrests were for dealing. He wasn’t caught smoking a little pot. He had a pound of it in his trunk. ”
This is the kind of thing we’re talking about.
1. DGB arrested for smoking weed on first arrest. Simple and stupid.
2. DGB hitched ride with friend, in friend’s car (not his). Car stopped and driver and 2 passengers (one DGB) held for questioning. DGB and other passenger released — i.e. not arrested. Driver arrested for possession.
From the superficial point of view he was arrested for dealing. But in fact he wasn’t arrested, nor was it his car. It was a very simple case of wrong place, wrong time that was cleared up in a couple of hours.
The domestic violence incident was definitely not good. It wasn’t drug related. He went late to his estranged girlfriend’s apartment to confront her. The woman victim was apparently a friend of hers and was rightly belligerent and protecting her friend. He did the deed and he got what was coming to him. But it wasn’t drug related.
These problems are clearly of Dorial’s own making. But understand that they tend to achieve a life of their own and before you know it, he’s a big H dealer who is the next Aaron Hernandez.
I’ve done a fair bit of digging on him. I tend to think he’s made some dumb, naive choices. Particularly as it pertains to his domestic violence incident. You don’t go to a girlfriend’s place at 2am to pick a fight. And if you’re heading home from the gym and a buddy offers a ride, you pass on it if the car smells like there’s a pound of weed in it.
He’ll have to answer those kinds of questions. But not the ‘are you a drug dealer’ type. Those details are pretty much public record and are easy to determine to be false.
This is a good post because DGB has the most upside of any WR available.
I couldn’t care less about the pot. You’re point about how the public’s perception of certain events take on lives of their own is well taken.
But I can’t get past the DV incident. And I wonder if he left Mizzou as an alternative to prosecution. Did the victim decline to press charges in exchange for his departure? I guess the final analysis would depend heavily on the circumstances surrounding his transfer to OK.
I think the incident all by itself makes him a difficult R1 pick in the post-Rice/AP NFL, regardless of whether he faced charges or not.
That’s funny stuff rowdy!
I find the mock draft believable. I have a bias against drafting Huskies because I watch them all the time myself and see their faults. Peters is a good corner but I am not sure he will tilt the field. This draft seems to have many DB candidates and like with the WR group we may wait a while for someone like Josh Shaw, Ladarius Gunter or Eric Rowe in the middle rounds (R2-R4).
I think we learned from the Percy Harvin experience and will not bring in another free agent. This is a locker room of Alpha dogs with a few Top dogs. It is tough to bring another leader into that mix. They have to earn it on the field if they want to get paid. IMO, I see them giving Chris Matthews his chance. He tilted the field in the two games he played. He might lock down the big WR position and push Lockette off the roster. Certainly he deserves a chance. Finding late round guys and free agents is how we made this team.
I am torn between TE Maxx Williams and one of the DT’s in the first round. There are few TE’s in this draft. Williams is the best and could be an All Pro for years. Zack Miller is slowing down. Give Miller a year to tutor Williams. We would be set with big targets for a long time with Chris Matthews, Maxx Williams and Luke Willson. There are a few more DT’s but those guys always go fast. Mebane and McDaniel are both 30 and going into the last year of their contracts. Kevin Williams is 34 and needs to be re-signed. or he might retire. We need some youth to build around beside Jordan Hill. Phillips, Goldman and Davis look interesting as 1-Tech guys to backup Mebane. Jesse Williams will be back in training camp to test his knees.
I’m kinda with you HLC. If the board played out this way, I’d take a serious look at Maxx Williams. sure it might be a bit of an overdraft, but by adding Williams, you can release Zach Miller, thus freeing up a good chunk of change for a free agent WR or DL player. Heck by releasing Miller and Mebane, maybe you could actually afford to keep Maxwell.
I wouldn’t draft Williams before the 2nd round. I don’t see any reason to draft a position that doesn’t see that much action. I’d rather get a guy like Jesse James from Penn State (6’7″ 254 lbs) in the 4th round or so. He reminds me of a faster Zach Miller. Isn’t as athletic as Maxx Williams, but he can move, finds soft spots in zones and can make contested catches. Also seems to have softer hands than Luke Willson.
I don’t think the Seahawks ever look at drafting a player “so they can release” another one. I think what they are purely trying to do is get better at all positions and to have players at a position group complete with each other and maybe the better man win. Sure they might be secretly rooting for Maxx Williams to beat out Miller from a purely financial stand point, but priority #1 is to field the best team possible.
I kinda agree big time. We made the Super Bowl without Zach, as much as I like him, but we need Byron Maxwell to play over Simon…
That shift to without Maxi will be MUCH bigger than losing Mebane and Miller. We did it without them.
I know Mebane is a really great player, but at 30-31, isn’t it better to put that 5 million into Maxi than Mebane??
Pay Maxi, resign K Williams hopefully for one more year, then draft HEAVY on offensive weapons/line!
Cheap offensive contracts will balance out w RW’s… Let’s win baby!
Then grab a DT/DE/CB in the draft for depth…
This is some good chit.
I’ve watched Peters a lot as well. I genuinely think he is the most talented corner in this year’s draft. His gritty attitude and physical makeup are all Seahawky. The only question is whether you can rein the mustang in. Like Rob said, if there was one team, it would be the Seahawks and the L.O.B.
The problem with Matthews is, he got utterly erased as soon as they pulled the 5’9 fourth CB off of him. He showed he can be the one trick pony to take advantage of a team’s lack of size on the outside, which might carve him out a roll, but to be ‘the answer’ he needs to have the quickness to also punish the counter solution, a giant like Browner who doesn’t have a lot of short area quickness. If he had that he’d be making $9 million a year already.
As a fifth WR on the roster? I like him. But he’s not the answer to this particular problem.
the good thing is that there aren’t many 6’2 plus corners.
And a 4th or 5th round rookie is? Alex is right. How many 6’4 corners are there in this league that have Browner’s level of talent? There’s not many options in this draft.
That’s all RW needs out lf a big WR is to be a ‘one trick pony.’ IMO Seattle will never have a true no. 1, it’s always going to be a handful of weapons.
Browner erased a few WR’s when he played for us and took Kearse out of the goal line slant pass to end the game.
Peters would be a need and likely a good fit if he falls. I like the idea of a CB – if Pete thinks he is a guy who can work in his system. Will they draft a CB that high? Maybe.
Maxwell will be gone – Lane may not be back healthy in time – and Jeron Johnson could be lost in FA. But Dion Bailey is on the practice squad – 6’0″ from USC – obviously a guy that Pete knows, and Pinkins from last year’s draft – not sure if they are safeties or CBs, and Shead?
Burley might be okay with another year under his belt – and I still think Simon is going to be okay. We keep forgetting that Maxwell had his growing pains too – and got better. Simon could be okay, but maybe not on the slant…
Bailey and Pinkins are both safeties. If they lose Maxi, then drafting a corner like Peters is a great move. Sherm and Peters on the outside, with Lane and Burley the nickel corners, and Simon for depth and competition.
I really think there is enough depth at corner this year that we don’t need to draft a guy in the first round. I personnaly like Jalen Collins from LSU, 6’2 195, runs probably a 4.45-4.5 forty. Great ball skills. I’d prefer him in the 2nd or 3rd rather than Peters in the first.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/jalen-collins?id=2552573
Or even Ladarius Gunter who’s 6’2″ 198 from Miami. He’d be a good pickup with one of the comp picks in the 4th rd.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/ladarius-gunter?id=2552574
That assumes Peters outplays Simon…im not sure Simon is the liability many make him out to be or after watching Peters Tape he’s a significant improvement over Simon.
If I were a betting man and had to bet on someone who was “game tilting”, bet on speed.
The SB showed a flaw in the Seattle team that day. They lacked sufficient speed at WR after the PRich injury, to beat CBs 1v1. They should go ahead and double down / create an insurance policy and find one of the fastest WR available at the bottom of the first round.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami. Height: 5-10. Weight: 183. Projected 40 Time: 4.32.
Imagine, if PRich and this guy can get on the field at the same time… the danger to a defense would again be in play. The read-option, pitch and sweeps/screens would be back in the game plan.
I also do not see CB J. Peters going in the 1st round, but I doubt he will be available in late second round either. However, I’m pretty confident that Nick Boyle, TE, Delaware will be available and would be exactly what the Seahawks team needs. Effective, solid and competent TE play from a blocking TE. This would also free up TE Willson to become the move TE, which he could continue to become a weapon for the offense. It would be a solid win/win pick, making the team stronger at the #1 and #2 TE positions.
Totally agree about the lack of speed. For a team that relies so heavily on SPARQ on defense, it really irks me how little they seem to care about physical ability at WR. We desperately need more speed, especially with a QB who is able to buy so much time.
Dorsett, IMO, is the perfect type of player we need. Speed to burn and could be an absolute nightmare when plays breakdown.
This makes me love this team and our QB even more
http://i.imgur.com/SFvM33m.png?1
2 days after the super bowl and Russ is at children’s hospital like he is every tuesday.
Stuff like this makes you have to love him too.
Russell Wilson not worried about his upcoming contract extension (Link)
Rob, these first round picks are great and all, but at 31 it will probably come with some risk. I’ve seen mocks of ajayi going to the pats in late in the second. I love his running style – see a bit of beast mode in his running – you think hawks are looking at him?
Not if his fumbling issues have anything to say about it.
It makes me really, really sad to see us picking 31 on every mock. Some random thoughts…
There is no way Lovie Smith is going to reinvent what few, old-school offensive sensibilities he has to accommodate a new school player like Mariotta. Winston is that old-school pocket passing archetype Lovie loves, and will go FOA to Tampa.
The middle of our DL was so soft in the SB. Mebane is not getting any younger and may be a cap casualty if the Wilson and Beatsmode deals are wheels-off. Hill is looks like a winner if he can stay healthy but we need more. The guy I really want is Malcom Brown, but he goes a few picks earlier in this mock. Might be worth moving up a few spots for him.
I’m not sure there is any first round CB talent in this draft apart from Waynes, and Peters seems like a reach at 31. He is not particularly long and it seems like his only asset is decent-but-not-elite speed, and there are a lot of fast CBs out there. He does not play physical and is a below average tackler. Watch that Hawaii game tape. Whole lotta awful there. Honestly I don’t see Maxwell’s immediate replacement in this draft, so let’s not lose him. Cut Okung, and give his 5 million to Maxwell. Nineteen games (see what I did there?) of Bailey at LT is a better investment in protecting your newly paid franchise QB than the eight or so games Okung will end up playing. Then draft that CSU tackle to compete for the spot in 2016.
IF we can’t get Malcom Brown, I’m OK with Maxx Williams or Devin Smith. I watched multiple game tapes of both Smith and Coates today and I came away convinced Smith >>>> Coates. Smith would be extra nice if we lose Lockette to FA as he could step right into that vacated gunner spot without missing much of a beat.
Totally agree. Under this mock, try to move up for Brown or take Williams or Smith at 31.
Personally I’d rather have Brown in the first round, but I wouldn’t take Williams or Smith. I just don’t think they are that game changing player that you look for in the 1st round. Now if we traded back from 31 to an early 2nd rd pick, I’d take them there, but first round, no thanks.
Who do you like at 31 with no trades and no tumultuous tumbles in the draft? I just dont know that “game changing,” and the 31st pick go together. I do think if all the pundits think for example maxx Williams is a good pick at 45 and Seattle won’t pick until nearly twenty spots after that they take him at 31 because the penalty for getting into the playoffs and not getting a ring is having a crappy draft spot and having to let go of allusions and illusions of “value,” you can just pick whomever you want frankly its not the stock market or a housing bubble its about getting a player that improves your team not going “that’d be perfect just ten spots lower.” When your spit is yor spot.
I bring all of this up because I would love to see a trade down or up but if Williams is a,young miller then that makes him better then all of our current TE’s. And as per Smith the WR corps is so mediocre I think in my opinion he’s better then at least three of our current WR so thatd be an upgrade
Maxx Williams makes the most sense in this mock and it isn’t really that close. He’s better in the game than he’ll test at the combine, so he’ll probably be available even with a modest trade-down. He has explosive athleticism, he makes tough, contested catches, and has exceptionally soft hands. He will have to get better at blocking, but so would ANY current college TE. With a healthy first off-season, he could easily supplant Luke Willson as the starter. If Zach Miller’s in the 2015 plan, then obviously that changes the thinking. But, I think we’re better off giving Zach’s money to Marshawn and keep feeding the Beast.
I would much rather have nelson agholor in the second the smith in the first
You would cut a pro bowl level LT when this team needs more weapons, but wouldn’t draft a CB in round 1?
Peters has incredible length, he may have some of the longest arms out of all the DBs. A corner of his size does not have to have great speed. As for his tackling, this kid is nasty.
The Pro Bowl is a joke, and so is ‘Pro Bowl’ status. The point is Okung is not a franchise LT and Maxwell is a better player. In Alvin Bailey, we have a cheaper, arguably comparable option that has a much better chance to play more games than Okung. So the choice becomes A) Maxwell plus a probable full season of Bailey at LT or B) no Maxwell and maybe half a season of Okung. The decision is not even close in my mind.
As for Peters, I’ll gladly stand corrected on his measurables, but point me to some video that shows he is a nasty tackler. That Hawaii game tape from this year is atrocious. If that’s the the player we are getting it will by far be the worst first round pick of the PCJS administration. Way worse than Carp. His height is 6′ even, so it’s not like his size precludes him from having speed. I’m sorry, until I see some strikingly contrary evidence I just don’t see a first round player in Peters, and definitely not a Seahawky CB. Give me a Maxwell extension instead, at the cost of Okung if necessary.
I understand the logic, and I actually agree with you if it’s an either/or situation. Simon starting at CB is a scarier proposition to me than Bailey starting at LT.
Okung hasn’t appeared to be playing at a pro-bowl level for some time. I do worry that the overall poor pass-blocking by his o-linemates makes Okung look worse than he is though.
I also think Maxwell is still undervalued by the league, because look at what targeting the “weak-link” can do (see Simon in the SB and Div Playoff). The last two seasons, Maxwell has been viewed as the “weak-link” and has turned in top CB seasons. He gets targeted and gameplanned for because no one goes after Sherman and often purposely put their #1 guys on Maxwell. Despite going against the oppositions best every week, he grades out as one of the best 5 CB’s in the game. He’s worth Sherman/Peterson money, but the surrounding talent is going to drive down his price. The league (wrongly) is going to assume he’s helped by his teammates. If we lock up all four starting DBs, there is no weak link and we’ve seen what that means for the opposition QBs (10-1* vs. SB winning QBs).
* – Lane’s injury was really devastating as Simon was not even remotely equipped to deal with Edelman.
If possible, I want to defer the cap hit of Maxwell (assuming we sign him) and Wilson in the immediate future until the cap rises to its peak. That’s the best way to keep our team intact.
Okung isn’t as bad as you think. He’s a legit top 10 tackle, which qualifies as a franchise tackle. There simply aren’t that many tackles out there and the ones that are proven are really expensive or already on contract. At about 7 million, Okung would be fairly priced.
Bailey is cheaper, but I would be very worried against the speed rushers. In terms of raw athleticism, Okung is the only one on the team who can possibly match up to the Clay Matthews of the world.
I might…”might”…be persuaded to entertain your 7 mill/yr argument if Okung didn’t have such a checkered injury history. If we got a full season at that price you’d have a leg to stand on. But we both know that’s not going to happen. And furthermore, when has Okung’s athleticism ever been accused of making us feel safe when opposing elite pass rushers? The drop-off from Okung to Bailey is not precipitous in that regard, if there is one. Neither inspire huge confidence that the edge is protected, so why not pay the cheaper guy to be average and retain Maxwell in the process?
So if Bailey is the starter at LT, who backs him up?
Without Okung, the OL would be in serious trouble.
Like I said in my post above, draft someone like the CSU tackle to compete for the spot.
So one game makes you say a prospects is a wasted pick? Some guys are more suited for the pro game than they are the college game.
Your logic doesn’t make sense. Cut Okung and then draft a potential LT to compete for the same spot?
See my response to peter below. I don’t know what you are talking about when you say, ‘one game makes you say a prospect is a wasted pick’.
I’m referencing when you mentioned CB Marcus Peter’s game tape against Hawaii. ‘If that’s the type of player were getting, it will be by far the worst 1st round pick of the PC/JS administration’, which sound like, it’s a ‘wasted pick.’
I guess what I was trying to say was, one bad game of tape doesn’t mean that’s what you’re getting out of said prospect.
Seattle does need depth and competition on the O-line. This we agree on. But cutting one of the better LTs in the league who is comfortable blocking for one of the hardest, if not the hardest, QBs in the league is just a bad decision IMO.
I get that cutting him saves more money for Maxwell, who is now a priority, but Seattle needs help on the offensive side of the ball and going into the season without Okung kind of seems like taking a step back.
We can agree to disagree.
One I’m pretty sure okung is guaranteed money next year maybe not all 7 mil but its not a total savings and two for the sambrailo love out there, he is not going to be a LT in the Nfl, right tackle guard and maybe,super deep injury back up he could be great at just not LT
Cutting Okung for 2015 will save 5 mil on the cap, with 2 mil and change in dead money. The point of my OP was not Sambraillo love, but retaining Maxwell even at the expense of cutting Okung, since I view Maxwell as more valuable than Okung and I don’t see Maxwell’s immediate replacement in this draft. Drafting another tackle, whether it’s Sambraillo or another player, to increase depth and competition was an ancillary point.
That’s a recipe for disaster.
A back-up LT being backed up by a rookie who may not be suited to the position in the pros. Better hope Bailey can be consistent and not just step in for a game or two, and that he stays healthy.
That’s a lot of hope to put on protecting your $120mm QB from the blindside.
Okung isn’t a major health risk. 2013 was his worst season when he missed 50% of the starts (8). Otherwise, he’s been pretty durable. 15 starts in 2012 (94%), 12 starts in 2011 (75%), and 14 starts this season (88%).
Right now Okung is a superior LT to Bailey. Bailey is a decent back up, not just at LT, but also inside. That’s where he’s most valuable. Or it’s possible if Carp leaves that Cable moves him to RT and Britt to LG.
Absolutely not! I just don’t think smith is much better, if at all, then agholor
Sorry Rowdy. I was responding to bigD’s comment. I apologize if it sounded like I was responding to yours.
I agree to by the way. Agholor could end up a steal for someone.
All good. I figured that as well. Just didn’t want it to look like a guy campaigning to get rid of okung lol
Thanks for the mock Rob but, if it falls like this, why wouldn’t the Seahawks jump all over WR Jalaen Strong? He might not be one if the top three at the position but I feel he could be one of the top five WRs and quite a bit ahead of the rest of the pack. If not, I would love to see them try and trade down 7 or 8 places and try for Devin Smith. I read on a different site (I know, I feel like I’ve cheated on you all) that potentially half of the teams in the draft will try and trade back into the second due to the cliff edges in talent – this could make trades more difficult to predict this year.
What about Devin Funchess? I didn’t see him in Rob’s 1st round and he seems to have the versatility Seahawks crave and usually need. A WR/TE offers value to me?
I’d love to see Rob outline and prioritize our needs which would assume taking into consideration various scenarios such as ML’s status etc. There are so many players on IR – will they all be back, etc. I mean, do we address offensive line concerns before we find someone to throw to or visa versa. I’m reading all the great comments about and agree with many. Our defensive line needs some punch but that could be play calling. I didn’t see much blitzing on Sunday and Bennett was fantastic all game (minus the off sides at the end). He got to Brady most of the game – one or two more rushers might have made a huge difference so my point is that our needs might not always be player related. It’s going to be an interesting off season. Go Hawks.
Funchess has tons if off games isn’t really the most athletic TE, isn’t really a WR and not just off games but actually checks out of games mentally. Plus he never really uses his dude as an advantage
The more I look at this mock, if this scenario unfolds this way, I see us trading up to 23 to take Kevin White. If Detroit really wants to draft a center with their 1st rounder, certainly he’d be available at 31. Kevin White would give us Larry Fitzgerald-lite production for a fraction of the cost.
Funny you say that. I see glimpses of fitz in him too
Is Seattle really going to draft a guy who lacks confidence? If that is the case with WR Kevin White, he’d get eaten alive in this locker room.
I don’t know where that came from or any truth behind it but we can all agree are confident receiving crew isn’t getting it done.
There is truth behind it though. WR Kevin White has said it himself. The reason he took off this year is because he gained confidence, something he said he never really had prior to this year.
No this WR corps isn’t getting it done, but reaching and spending a 1st on WR just because they have size is not smart drafting. Don’t fight the board.
I am not implying your saying that in any way, I hope you know that.
Thanks for the info. I’m high on his tape as well and don’t think taking him would be fighting the board. I like him more then Lattimore last year and would of been happy with him last year. He looks real confident this year so maybe they look at as overcoming adversity?
Could be. He does have a good back-story and has fought hard for everything he’s accomplished. Yeah, if he’s sitting there I think taking him would be an absolute steal. Having Bruce Irvin on the roster would be good for him
He has said he models his game after Fitz, dreads and all. But I’d be surprised if he’s there at 23.
You had to let Malcom Brown slip to 27?
That’s tantalizingly close. Close enough to reach for.
I mean, wouldn’t he look good in this DL?
Thanks for the distraction Rob. 11 1/2 months to get this terrible nightmare out of my head. A few things before the draft:
1. Lynch (will he stay with Bevell around)
2. Do we take care of Wilson/Wagner/Irvin this year
3. Do we cut/restructure Miller/Mebane
4. Not that I want to, but can we restructure Unger/Okung
Biggest needs:
1. TE (someone that can block and make plays in the seam)
2. WR (size would be nice, but an athlete)
3. OL (a LG or RT)
4. DL (need more inside pass rush)
5. CB (Max probably gone/Lane hurt/Simon struggles)
6. returner (nice if either WR or CB could return punts and kicks/we need skill there)
1. Anyone’s guess is as good as mine.
2. I think we take care of Wilson and Wagner. The more I think about it I can see us waiting next til next year on Irvin.
3. I’d say yes on Miller. I think we can find his replacement in the middle rounds (not Maxx Williams, draft price will be too high)
4. I think the question here would be can we extend them? Okung is only due $7M next year on his last year, Unger in similar situation.
Needs
1. I think a guy like Jesse james from Penn State can fill that role, there are a few others in the mid rounds as well. I think a 1st rounder for Maxx Williams is too much, and he won’t be available in the late 2nd
2. Definitely need 2. A bigger body, and someone who can return kicks and punts
3. I think we need both
4. Agree. Out depth there is a major concern. I like Grady Jarrett from Clemson in the 3rd or 4th rd
5. Agree. I’d like to see us bring back AJ Jefferson if he’s fully recovered from his injury last year.
I have been thinking about a different drafting strategy lately.
The idea is to keep Maxi and pay the 2015 money in 2016. We can structure the upcoming extensions to Lynch, Wags and RW with more guarantied money and a bigger signing bonus to save a mil or 2 of each on their cap hit in 2015.
That plan would mean that we’d have to let someone go in 2016 that we might have intended to keep like OKung/Unger/Sweezy or Irvin/Mebane. That position will need a quality replacement not a rookie drafted a few months earlier.
We need to plan for it and draft that replacement on day 1 or 2 this year to have him ready to perform at a high level in 2016.
With the mounting cost of the defense – LOB (4 big contracts), LBs (2 contracts), pass rushers (2 contracts) we can’t pay for any more defensive players.
That indicates IMO the need for a quality DT and additional DE. One of the 2 at least should be in the first 3 rounds.
We will still need to let at least one of the Okung/Sweezy pair go and that pushes the need for OL up.
IMO those will be 2 of the 3 top picks this year if we go down that road.
The 3rd pick should be a target WR/TE.
P.S. –
With his new contract i’d hope the RW will invest less of his time on his youth football camps and other activities and spend more of his time in a privet camp with his new 6-5 target….
So you’re not a fan of him going to Rangers spring training!
LOL…i’m not a fan of paying someone 20 mil a year and not have him spend 354 days, 24 hours a day doing only things that would improve his output on the field.
Call me an idiot but….20M a year should make up for any lost income….
I doubt Russell makes very much money with his youth football camps. I for one hope he keeps doing it. The world needs more role models like him and giving back to the community is a wonderful thing, regardless if he’s making $200k or $20M a year
Funny-I actually considered this pick for the Hawks when I saw an interview with Gil Brandt who said Peters is the BEST CB to come out of the west coast in over a decade. High praise.
Gil Brandt is an excellent source of info IMO. May be an old man stuck in his ways, but he knows his ish.
Seattle looked to trade Harvin for Julius Thomas. If Thomas makes it to FA do you see Seattle taking a look at him? They could make a small 3 year deal and front load it with the salary we have right now. It’ll be tough because I am sure he’ll be looking for a long term mega deal, but I think offering money upfront with a super bowl ring within reach and a chance of making another huge payday could be enough to persuade him.
Thomas developed a lot with Denver last season. They started using him in the slot and lined up as a wideout. Seattle could use him in a lot of different ways.
I posted once before about how PC and JS have only targeted premium positions in the first round (3/4 at OT or DE, traditionally the top non-QBs, and the only exception was Earl Thomas, who has basically single-handedly turned deep safety into a premier position).
But what counts as premium positions has changed quite a bit in recent seasons, with DB and WR mostly passing up OT. If you just order current contracts by total guarantee, the top non-QB, non-DL/passrushers are Calvin Johnson, Patrick Peterson, Richard Sherman, Adrian Peterson, Mike Wallace, Joe Thomas, Larry Fitzgerald, Jairus Byrd, Vincent Jackson, Branden Albert, Alex Mack, Earl Thomas, Eric Berry, Aqib Talib, Brandon Carr, Jerod Mayo, Chris Harris, Johnathan Joseph, Joe Haden…
That’s 4 WRs and 10 DBs before you get to a 3rd LT. The market has spoken and the new premium positions something like QB/DL/DB/WR (which makes sense in a passing-dominant era–it’s the guys most-involved in passing offense and defense). Since we already have a QB it seems then that our 1st-round board would be mostly DL and WR, but a CB could make sense even with the investment we already have in the LOB.
Love the pick Rob. I’m probably in the minority, but whatever. Your right, rounds 2-3 are the sweet spot for WRs this year.
UW CB Marcus Peters has everything Seattle wants in a CB. Remember guys, Seattle wants/like players who have some John McEnroe in them, as Brock Huard said. He’s got the attitude that they like in CBs, the length, tenacity, the confidence, he plays passed off. IMO he’s a perfect fit and it’s why I asked about PJ Williams. Corners with great length, grit, attitude, and a desire to be great aren’t a ‘dime a dozen.’
Seattle scouted this U-dub roster heavily this year, obviously, so they know first-hand what kind of kid he is. They’ve never shied away from guys with red flags. He’s never beaten a woman, no track record of drug abuse, sure he’s a hot head and didn’t get along with HC Chris Petersen, but there’s a lot of guys who didn’t get along with him. As Rob said, with this DB group and Marshawn Lynch, they’d keep his ass in check.
As for the pass-rushing need. Is it though? We do have DE Cassius Marsh coming back, who flashed some real positive signs, and with him Avril, Bennett, and Bruce occaisonly dropping down on the D-line, it’s not a huge need.
They are missing a speed rusher that is a developmental and depth guy though. But, that can be had in the 4th round. There’s plenty of depth at the position this year, even though there isn’t a ton of LEO prospects to choose from.
And for the DT spot. This league is going away from running the ball, and there isn’t much incentive to draft a guy early at that spot who will only play a small percent. Mebane isn’t going anywhere, he’s been kept around for a reason, Jordan Hill is coming back, we still have Tony McD, Bennett can slide inside, and who knows about Jesse ‘Monstar’ Williams.
I’m not saying they shouldn’t draft a DT, because they should, but early? IDK, there’s some good options later in the draft, who would fit and play well in a rotation and limited snaps.
We need another Jordan Hill type. Can play against the run when needed (not full time) and rush the passer. I’m a fan of Grady Jarrett from Clemson think he could be a good pick up, but there are quite a few other DTs to pick from.
I somewhat like Jarrett as well. To me, he is Malcom Brown-Lite, and it wouldn’t be the worst thing to land him in the mid rounds. Though I still like Brown a lot.
Grady Jarrett won’t be available in the mid rounds.
I get the sense he’ll go anywhere between 60th and 90th. A good prospect. Not dominant. But productive with good size and quickness. He should be had anywhere between late second to end of the third. He could possibly slide to the 4th based on how the teams who need a big DT go in the early rounds.
Would be similar to Mebane when he came out. Good prospect who could simply fall due to circumstance.
If I was certain Jesse Williams was coming back healthy and Kevin Williams was coming back i would conclude that DT is not an area of need. At this point I am not optimistic about either. No one other than Mebane can occupy two blockers as the 1-Tech. So, until I hear other wise, a NT is high on my list. Even if ‘Monsta’ Williiams makes it through camp, I am not expecting him to ever be the player he was in college.
Lynden Trail is a guy I would like the select in the middle rounds and develop on the PS. He has a lot of length and a frame to add weight.
I have no confidence in Monstar whatsoever at this point either. Two major knee injuries to a guy that is extremely top-heavy on relative chicken legs for a man his size does not bode well going forward. Hill has to prove to me he can play a full season too. A few breakout games is nice but I need to see more. I’m totally on the interior DL bandwagon as a high priority for this draft.
Getting pure run-stuffer and or guys who occupy multiple blockers aren’t early picks. The athletic/dynamic ones go very high. Seattle really wanted Wisconsin DT Beau Allen last year and he was what, a 7th round pick? He was a solid contributor for Philly this year and played well. Why take a ‘space eater’ early on when you can find guys who give you just as much effort and production on day 3? Taking a DT who’s going to be your 4th man in the rotation early seems like a ‘head scratcher’ to me.
I think they need depth on the D-line as well, but not starters. Sure, if a highly unique talent is sitting there then pull the trigger.
I’m not banking on Jesse Williams either, hence the ‘who knows’ quip.
We need more consistency in the interior of the DL. Hill and (a healthy) Mebane provide this, but Mebane is expensive and we have no depth beyond them.
I don’t necessarily advocate going DL in R1. But I wouldn’t fight the board either. If a prospect like Malcom Brown or Owa Odighizuwa are available it would be hard to pass on either.
Speaking of Owa – he’s a 3T pure and simple. He may be a bit on the smaller side, but that’s his position. He’s not an outside/edge rusher. At least not yet.
I think a pass rusher comes from free agency a low cost find. The only edge/Leo rusher they drafted was Irvin. Marsh, I consider as a versatile guy like Bennett. Clemons and Avril were both acquired.
I wish we had the cap space to sign Jabal Sheard to replace OB Schofield. Having Avril and Sheard rushing would being us back to the 2014 line where maybe you could give them less snaps.
The development of Hill has been huge and hopefully Kevin Williams comes
Back. I thought he played well throughout the season and he filled in admirably for Mebane.
Yup. Low cost pass-rusher. Whether it’s in the draft or FA, although FA may have some better LEO options. There’s no reason to spend a high pick on a pass rushers that will play maybe 15 plays a game? That’s a waste of draft capital.
Good stuff Rob. I think in this scenario, I’d prefer we trade down and target Maxx Williams or Phillip Dorsett.
I totally agree that CB is a big need, BUT, I do think we owe it to RW to get him as much help as possible. I’m still dumbfounded by how truly awful our Receiving options are. If we had even a league average WR corps, we could have won the SB by 13+ points. Unfortunately, we don’t have anybody who is truly reliable to get open. The fact that Doug Baldwin is our #1 option really shows how poor this unit is. Baldwin is a nice player, but name another team who would be able to get to the SB with him as the primary option? I honestly can’t name one.
While I agree, I feel like our WR unit changes from a below average to a top 10 unit with the addition of one guy. Baldwin as a #2 is great, Baldwin moving to the slot and Kearse as the other wideout in 3 wr sets is dynamic… Just need that #1 guy to bump those two into really ideal spots.
I think that is why Rob’s idea of adding V-Jax is so spot on. He would dictate coverage and leave ADB in so many advantageous positions to succeed. Along with the possibilty of V-Jax by way of trade is Brandon Marshall or through Free Agency is DeWayne Bowe(possibly cut this offseason), and Torrey Smith who would cost more but could be worth it.
I would lobe Jackson as well but we are hard pressed just to keep our core secondary in tact right now. Acquiring a huge cap hit like Jackson would likely mean the departures of Maxwell, Mebane, and Miller. Sadly, no thanks
I think Maxwell being gone is a foregone conclusion. If Mebane would, and I think he would, restructure I would be just fine letting Miller walk if it meant V-Jax was coming to town for 3rd or 4th
Rob has stated that Jackson’s contract would have to be restructured
and Maxwell most likely isnt coming back anyways could demand 7-8m.
It probably comes down to Maxwell or Wagner and i take Wagner.
Rob,
I wonder with RW reportedly signing a record contract for QB’s that they decide to go with more of a passing O.
i know ill get burned and probably shredded for saying that but think about it. RW potentially highest paid QB in history and you’re going to have him throw it 20-25 times a game?
I like the chances of the hawks picking a WR or 2 in this draft. or maybe they trade up to get a dynamic WR for him. he needs a big consistent WR to put stress on the D and lessen the stress on the other WR’s.
imagine a consistent big bodies WR paired with Baldwin and Richardson for years to come.
Clayton reported i believe Monday that he thinks Lynch wont be back if Bevell is. so if we keep Bevell and forced to do something with lynch i can see us doing a RB by committee thing (like reported last off season). possibly trading up for a WR (Parker or White please) and then taking a early to mid round RB that can be a 3rd RB behind Turbin and Michael.
I understand the argument that Turbin and Michael might not be ready for something like that but we may not have a choice.
If the two WR’s i listed before cant be had id gladly take Jaelen Strong or Funchess. and hopefully Chris Matthews can get some work done this off season to improve. loved (along with alot of people) his performance in the SB. totally surprised.
Have said the same thing for awhile. While nobody is Lynch, Turbin and Michael have shown to be above average. Build a better Oline and get Wilson some weapons.
1st WR
2nd OG/RT (move Britt to guard)
3rd TE
3rd DL
When do we find out what comp picks Seattle will receive for this year’s draft?
believe its March during the annual meetings. late march i believe.
Totally agree,if they get a quality #1 WR and with some focus on passing game,RW can throw 30+ td passes,even in an offense that leaning on running game(maybe like cowboys)，and he will get much more 1st downs with passes.Seattle offense can’t sustain drives and needs longer ones(as we have seen in sb,4th quarter, when score was 24-14,and so many times in regular season) He needs weapons and he deserves,after harvin and tate left, he played without real weapons.baldwin+kearse 4 td,lynch had 4 receiving tds too(luke willson had 3 and i think he should get more passes,his YAC is good,would be useful in some 2 tight end sets).i like those guys and their way to make explosive plays but RW deserves more than that.Who knows,maybe it is time for much more passing games if they can’t keep beastmode.Or they could take their chances with melvin gordon or todd gurley,i dont know.
1st round WR and 2nd round OL，3rd DT for depth and future(mebane and mcdaniel free agent in 2016),and hopefully turbin and michael will be enough.And if lynch leaves,we could keep maxwell or maybe get randall cobb(if Cobb,then 1st round should be CB)??
The 2 bright spots we moved up a spot from where we thought we were gonna draft and I saved about 500 bucks on all the back to back t-shirts hats and other gear I was gonna buy
Hey Rob what do you think of Dezmin Lewis of Central Arkansas (6’4 215lbs)
Tape hit and miss. Good Senior Bowl though.
Its believed that Peters had problems with the Sark coaching staff as well as the current one.
Honestly I think will be a need but after sifting through just two rounds of cut UPS on these three CB’s my personal preference would be Jalen Collins out if LSU I just think he plays a rangy physical style that isn’t reckless and is quite intelligent. Next id say Peters who has his moments but definitely over pursues when there’s a run play or potential CB blitz plus, I have no idea what it is but a big attitude isn’t always a thing…Okung Maxwell to name a few…i just think he’s a corner and not a first round one. Then I like Eric Rowe whose tape is a bit off into you realize he only played CB for a year after playing fs. I think the Utes are some of the best coached players and I just get a feeling that Rowe lives to play is no nonsense would absorb everything and frankly in a,year in DB U would be killing it for the hawks.
Rob, I have 3 questions here for you. And if anyone else wants to chime in, please do so.
1. Who do you like more out of Miami WR Phillip Dorsett and K-St WR Tyler Lockett? And maybe not even like more, but who may be the better fit for this team.
2. Again, who do you like more out of Penn St TE Jesse James or Ohio St TE Jeff Heuerman?
3. Is it just me or does E. Carolina WR Justin Hardy have that ‘under-appreciated’ vibe going for him that Seattle loves in their WRs?
honestly i dont know if i want to see another sub 6′ WR. i under stand the need for a KR but another 5’10 or 5’11 WR dont think would help this team. but heres my choices haha
1. i like Lockett alot. but that might be because i actually watched a game he was in and i was impressed.
2.I like Heuerman
3. and have no comment on 3 because i havent been paying attention to him as much..so maybe he does..haha
How wouldn’t a 5’10 or 5’11 WR help this team? Seattle needs receivers that can get in and out of their breaks quickly. Guys who know how to create separation, quick feet. Seattle is the smallest team in the league, because they place such a premium on speed. P-Rich was sorely missed in the post season because of this. He also knows how to come back or flash to the ball.
we also saw what a 6’5 WR could do for this team. we got Prich, we have Baldwin. we need a big WR that can box out. someone we can throw it up to and count on at least putting up a fight in the end zone.
We have Matthews, Moeaki, Willson and Miller who are all big enough to post up. The problem is they are covered. Only Baldwin can get open quickly. We saw the value of smaller WR’s like Vareen, Edelman and Amendola in the Super Bowl. All of them ar under 5-11. Edelmen turned our DB inside out on the goal line, You do not need to be big if you have that short area quickness. Everyone complains about the sacks and blocking while shopping for 6-5 WR’s that can only get open 30 yards down field on a vertical route. I don’t get it.
If Matthews can turn into a real threat next year then sure I’ll take him.
Willson is good but very inconsistent.
Moeaki would be nice if the injury problems would go away. Plus he’s a FA
And I’ll wait on miller. Coming off an injury and while not likely he may be cut to save some money.
It would be nice to have a guy that can catch or have the threat to from 10-15 yds out. Hopefully Matthews is the guy.
And the DB that was worked that game was….Simon..who had a horrendous game.
We’ve seen this offense hasn’t done well with timing routes which usually showcase the smaller receivers. It kind of brings up a chicken or egg dilemma. Is this because quick receivers like Richardson and Baldwin aren’t getting separation or is it that these receivers are getting open but timing throws aren’t Wilson’s forte?
What we have seen is Wilson makes the biggest plays to guys who win 1-on-1 matchups like Tate, Kearse, and now Matthews.
It raises the question: Do they draft a speedy guy that improves those timing throws or do they add a receiver who fits what Wilson is already good at, the big plays to guys who win in tight coverage.
Seattle absolutely needs a big WR, but the options in this year’s draft class aren’t much better than what WR Chris Matthews brings to this team. PC loved BMW and I see WR Chris Matthews as a more athletic, harder working version of Mike Williams.
Getting another TE and one more WR would really open up this offense. Just because a WR might not have great size, doesn’t mean he can’t high point or go up and get it. Sure it’s more advantageous, but Tate is what 5’10 or 5’11?
RW is only going to get better with his timing throws. A lot of the young QBs struggle with the quick timing throws.
P-Rich is more of a vertical/stretch the field type, while Baldwin is more of a clutch/possession receiver just smaller than the norm.
I like Hardy. A walk on who turned in to the most prolific catcher in NCAA history. He’s got the grit and determination, loves to block, huge hands and can high point the ball.
The only question I have is his quickness and speed. He’s 5’10 instead of his listed 6’1. If he does well in the combine he’s a high to mid 2 otherwise he’s a 3rd or 4th who could end up being a Jarvis Landry type
WR Jarvis Landry was the 1 WR I liked more than P-Rich in regards to where Seattle was picking and who was off the board already.
All the attributes yoyo used to describe WR Justin Hardy is exactly why he appeals to me and seems ‘Seahawky.’
I liked Landry too but was scared off by his lack of speed. Usually if you run 4.6/4.7 you better be 6-2 to 6’5 but he quietly had a great season. His YPC was under 10 yards but I think that was just a function of the offense at Miami
1. I like both a lot.
2. James.
3. You are right I think.
Something happen to Shaq Thompson? No 1st Round?
In this projection early R2.
K-St WR Tyler Lockett is really starting to grow on me, the more I watch and read about him.
He’s a great teammate, teammates and coaches call him a ‘film junkie’, has good bloodlines, doesn’t go down easily, and as Rob has pointed out, Seattle is going to need/look for guys that can grow, get along, and idolize RW, for lack of a better word. Tyler Lockett is exactly that type of kid. He has a great head on his shoulders and has tremendous character.
IMO he’s the next Randall Cobb. I know, I know, that’s going out on quite the limb, but his work ethic screams ‘destined for good things.’
Also, I love this quote by him, when he was just a sophomore. It really epitomizes what Seattle and Tyler Lockett are all about. Seems like a good match.
Anyways, here’s his quote: ‘It is not over until it is all zeroes on the clock. We have to able to fight back all the time and respond to adversity like we have done week in and week out. It just shows that we are a team that’s not going to quit. When things do not go our way, we are going to keep fighting until the end.’ -sophomore WR Tyler Lockett, 2012.
I totally agree. I love Lockett and how he plays. only issue i have with him is hand size which leads to his dropped passes. hes dangerous in space though. very dangerous. has a quick step and i could see the Cobb comparison. these are players i believe Pete likes.
Jordan Cameron has ZERO intentions of re-signing with CLE. I think pending the $$$, he’d be a fit. Thoughts???
think hes going to want big money. i mean hes 26, 27??? and a good player dont think the hawks can afford him with all the money they’re going to be shelling out to Wilson, Wagner and Possibly Lynch.
I’d be ecstatic if Seattle gets this guy. PC obviously knows him very well with the USC connection. I know he has concussion issues, but Seattle like Philly, seem to be ahead of the curve when it comes to monitoring a player’s health, sleep, nutrition, etc.
Keeping my fingers crossed that this is our ‘splashy’ or big move that Rob referenced.
Virgil Green is probably our best shot at t FA TE. I am not sure we can afford him.
think it depends on if the broncos can sign Thomas or not. if they cant afford J. Thomas then i think they go with Green.
there’s always Charles clay though.
“Freak of the 2015 NFL draft”? Comparisons to Gronk? I’ve got to watch more film.
TE-Jessie James, Penn St. 6-7/272, projected to run a 4.60/40. Sounds like he’s pretty strong too. Certainly one to follow at the combine.
http://withthefirstpick.com/2015/01/16/jesse-james-freak-2015-nfl-draft/
Focusing solely on TE
1. Which does everyone prefer in the draft:
Maxx Williams
Clive Walford
Jesse James
2. Draft a TE or
Keep Zach Miller or
Sign a free agent (be specific)
1. Clive Walford is 1A for me and Jesse James is 1B. I really like Ohio St TE Jeff Heuerman as a mid rounder.
2. Depends, If it’s a FA at a reasonable price. And if not than keep Zach Miller and still draft a TE to develop.
What happened to Shaq Thompson being a first rounder? Do you think Seattle would like his upside?
Possibly. The more I watched the more I feel like he’ll go in the same range as the Wagner/Kendricks types.
If they drafted Thompson (which would shock everyone and we’d say we were Schneidered again) would his talent adequately replace Irvin?
He’s a bit smaller than Irvin.
Not sure why you’d want to replace someone who’s just coming into his own. You’re creating a need where there isn’t one and this team has too many other holes to fill. SEA don’t have to extend him this season. He has another year on his rookie contract.
That would be the only reason I could think of them drafting Thompson to replace Irvin.
Not for me. Bruce this year became one of the best defensive playmakers in the league.