Seahawks interested in Germain Ifedi at #26?
Tony Pauline says the Seahawks and Broncos are targeting the Texas A&M tackle in round one. This shouldn’t be a big surprise to anyone. Ifedi is basically the prototype offensive lineman for Seattle.
He’s nearly 6-6, 324lbs and has 36 inch arms. They love size and length. Russell Okung has 36 inch arms, James Carpenter was 325lbs, so was Justin Britt. Three players drafted by the Seahawks in the first two rounds. This is their profile for an offensive lineman taken early.
Here’s what I wrote about Ifedi when he chose to declare:
He’s an enormous 6-5 and 320lbs yet moves superbly. His footwork is quite brilliant for a man his size — his kick slide is good, he moves freely to the second level. In the two games I watched he didn’t get beat once off the edge by a speed rush.
There’s very little ‘bad weight’ to his frame — he’s an enormous tackle and most of it is muscle. When a D-end tries to hand fight he usually absorbs the defender and it’s over. Technically he had some nice blocks — turning his man to open up a crease and moving people off the LOS to create a running lane. He has the athleticism to adjust on the move and if he ever moved to guard he’d have no trouble pulling or kicking out to the next level.
He kind of looks like a more athletic James Carpenter who’s in better shape. I like his chances of playing tackle in the NFL because of the athletic upside. He moves a lot better than Carpenter (who in fairness was more of a run blocker — and did it very well at Alabama).
I’ve seen quite a few complaints about his power in the run game but these issues didn’t show up in the two contests here. I thought he actually showed good leverage and punch to drive a couple of defenders off the line. Perhaps it’s more of a technique issue? Certainly to look at Ifedi you wouldn’t assume any lack of power.
There’s a lot of negativity about Ifedi in the media but he carries a ton of upside and can play right tackle or left guard for the Seahawks. It won’t be a pick that’ll get many people excited — but it makes a ton of sense.
At the combine he had a 32.5 inch vertical — second best among offensive linemen.
If they’re unable to re-sign Russell Okung they’ll need to do something at tackle. Free agency could be expensive. The D-line class is deep enough in this draft to find an option in rounds 2-3 (more on that in a bit). You might not be able to find an offensive tackle you like after round one.
Tunsil, Stanley, Conklin, Spriggs and Decker are all likely to be off the board at #26. If you don’t take Ifedi or Shon Coleman or Le’Raven Clark — you run the risk of missing out. It’s probably not what Seahawks fans want to hear — but that might have to be the direction they go in round one.
Charles Tapper wins the day
He had some nice college tape at Oklahoma — but nobody expected this performance. Tapper is 6-3, 271lbs and has 34.5 inch arms. He’s big and long. Today he ran the quickest time in the D-line class with an official 4.59 and a 10-yard split of 1.59.
Anything in the 1.5’s is elite — and Tapper backed it up with a 34 inch vertical and a 9-9 in the broad jump. In the drills he looked great working in space — and took part in the linebacker exercises. He had quick feet and changed direction easily. He excelled in the mobility drills going around and over the bags. He could’ve used a bit more knee bend in the punch drill but he showed great force and balance.
He had seven sacks in 2015 — all in the last six games. He can play inside or out and was moved all across the defensive front by Oklahoma. If the Seahawks want to add an impact pass rusher — Tapper could be a great option.
Emmanuel Ogbah also looked better than expected
On tape Ogbah slouches around and plays with inconsistent effort. Even with a 13-sack season he looked like a mid-rounder. After this performance — teams are going to be doing a ton of work on his motor and passion for the game.
He had a 35.5 inch vertical, a 10-1 broad jump and a 4.62 forty with a 1.59 split. Again — anything in the 1.5’s is elite. It’s what the Seahawks have gone for in an edge rusher (Avril 1.50, Irvin 1.55, Clark 1.59).
Ogbah revealed he met with the Seahawks in Indianapolis and it’s perhaps no surprise. He has the physical skills — but does he have the heart and the grit? His tape leaves a lot of questions in that regard.
He was silky smooth in the drills, moving very easily and looking fantastic at 6-4, 273lbs and with 35.5 inch arms. Physically he’s an absolute stud. The size, length and athleticism is worthy of a top-10 grade. Can he convince teams he wants to be great?
D-line class a bit overhyped?
There’s some nice depth in the class and you’ll be able to find impact players well into rounds three and four. That said, all we’ve heard about is the brilliance of the D-liners. There simply aren’t many special players in the group.
Joey Bosa is only a 4.86 runner with a 1.69 split and a 32 inch vertical (although he performed well in the agility tests, highlighted by a 6.89 three-cone). Noah Spence — a one-dimensional speed rusher — ran a surprising 4.80 with a 1.62. They could be top-15 picks but are well off some of the more athletic D-liners to enter the league in recent memory.
The vertical jump tests lower body explosion. Take a look at what the big names in this class offered:
Chris Jones — 24.5 inches
Jihad Ward – 25 inches
A’Shawn Robinson – 26 inches
Austin Johnson – 26 inches
Adolphus Washington – 27 inches
Andrew Billings – 27.5 inches
Kenny Clark 28.5 inches
That’s really underwhelming.
Tapper and Ogbah were the only two defensive linemen to record a split in the 1.5’s. If you’re looking for a really athletic, explosive edge rusher — good luck. It’s not a class rich in quick-twitch pass-rushers.
Carl Nassib — one of the better runners at 4.84 and a 1.62 split at 277lbs — had only a 28.5 inch vertical.
Florida’s Jonathan Bullard was probably the most impressive interior D-lineman — and yet you can make a very clear case to ask if he’s that much better in round 1-2 compared to a Willie Henry in round 2-3?
Robert Nkemdiche had a nice, athletic workout as expected — but can you trust him as an early pick? Shaq Lawson tested well for his size.
Here’s how I’d describe this class. It’s abnormally deep with around 27 players you wouldn’t mind drafting in the first two days. Yet there’s a dearth of unique speed and athleticism (the thing the Seahawks love) and the difference between the top-10 and the rest is minimal.
I’ve seen it suggested that the Seahawks would be making a mistake not to tap into this class at #26. That, to me, is buying into the hype. Seattle can find better value in rounds two or three on the D-line unless the likes of Sheldon Rankins or Emmanuel Ogbah drop (which seems unlikely after today). Who do you have to have at #26? Who can’t you live without from this D-line class? Seriously?
Travis Feeney makes his case
The medical checks will be critical for Feeney — but he had a tremendous workout. At nearly 6-4 and 230lbs he ran a 4.50 with a 1.59 split. He also had a 10-10 in the broad jump and a 40-inch vertical. That’s Seahawky.
Rand Getlin also reported he was suffering with a hernia — making his performance all the more impressive.
He’s a legit candidate to come in and replace Bruce Irvin if he can prove his health. He’d be a great fit in Seattle and would offer some nice special teams value too. He could be worth a fourth round pick.
Other linebackers stand out
Leonard Floyd ran a 4.60 with a 1.60 split and jumped 39.5 inches in the vertical. That should be enough to get someones attention in round one. Kyler Fackrell didn’t quite crack the 1.5’s in his split (1.62) and ran a 4.72. That’s still good enough for someone to take a chance on him working the edge. He had a 34.5 inch vertical.
We’ve had Darron Lee marked as a top-12 pick for some time and he ran a 4.47 with an elite 1.55 split. He makes a huge amount of sense for the Giants at #10 and maybe even the 49ers at #7.
If you want a sleeper pick to dig into — check out East Carolina’s Montese Overton. He ran a 4.61 with an elite 1.59 split. He could also be a hybrid edge-rusher/linebacker. He jumped 34 inches in the vertical which is good but not great at 6-2 and 223lbs.
LSU’s Deion Jones didn’t get into Lee range and that likely ends any first round talk. His best time was a 4.59 with a 1.60 split. He only had a 33 inch vertical.
Su’a Cravens chose not to run a forty yard dash and only jumped 27 inches in the vertical. Not good.
Not that it has a ton of bearing on anything, but I think its interesting that one of the reasons Ogbah chose Ok St was because of his respect for Okung.
Been feeling Le’Raven Clark or Germain Ifedi for awhile with both having experience at OG and OT. Who do you think has the higher upside and/or ability to stick at RT? If drafting for pure guard, does Joshua Garnett make more sense?
Clark arguably has more upside but Ifedi tested brilliantly at the combine. Can’t see them drafting Garnett early.
The great thing about the combine is that is certainly narrows your focus and either confirms what you thought or make you go back and take a 2nd look.
I think Ogbah, Tapper and Freeney were the biggest surprises. All 3 have to be in consideration after today.
I had mocked Tapper in the 3rd and Freeney in the 6th to the Hawks in the past but both will go a round earlier than that I think. Really hope we get Freeney as a potential replacement for Bruce.
If Irvin leaves I would look at are 3rd comp pick for freeney if everything checks out
Feeney. No R.
I’m concerned about Feeney’s ability to stay healthy.
I could see Ifedi being the pick in Rd #1 but if Shon Coleman is still on the board I think he is the far better Tackle and plays with more of an edge. Still he is older and had the medical scare so maybe the Hawks pass and take Ifedi instead.
Or maybe they really want a DT like Rankins or Safety like Neal and this is all a smoke screen.
I like Coleman an awful lot — but Ifedi tested among the best for O-liners at the combine despite weighing +320lbs. Also has 36 inch arms. Lot of upside there and he’s younger.
Rob, do you see any chance of Ifedi playing LT in the future? That arm length is fantastic if he has the footwork to match.
Wouldn’t rule it out given the length — although he fits their profile better at RT or LG. Gilliam more what they’ve used at LT with Okung.
I could see him at RT and have Gilliam at LT, provided Okung moves on or has a medical set-back. Would Seattle double dip in OL the first 2 rounds.. for example, Ifedi in round #1 and then come back and grab a player such as Westerman (or Martin) in the second round??
If they do indeed go OL first 2 picks, then I would be “ok” with the draft. Not exciting picks, but the OL would immediately be much better for the next 3-4 years. I can;t see them going DL in the first or second now, very few players that warrant a pick. The LB group could be worthy of a 2nd round pick, if the “right” guy drops to them.
Me too. Better OL will make the world of difference
I don’t think the general Hawk fandom is gonna be disappointed about drafting a O-linemen, that is in fact what most are screaming for. The aspect that I like most of us drafting a OT in the 1st is by letting Okung go we save a lot of money, money that can be spent getting a FA LG and a FA DT. Obviously this implies that Gilliam can play LT. I would hate to see him do well at RT then get swapped over and be a poor LT, I like the guy too much to see that happen. So my first option is if possible; re-sign Okung, attack the interior O-line through the draft (LG, C). But who knows if we can afford to keep Okung.
I love the idea of taking a gamble on Feeney. A legit candidate to replace Irvin and with this being thrown around: Daniel Jeremiah @MoveTheSticks “Travis Feeney could be a pro bowl special teams player”
The upside there seems big. Replacing Irvin and potentially getting a pro-bowl ST player with a 4th round pick? That seems like a gamble worth taking a shot on.
Agree completely about Freeney Nathan. If not for the injury history he would like be a Day #1 or 2 pick.
He might even get into the 3rd, if his shoulder checks out. Only takes one team to feel comfortable enough to take him.
Got my eye on a couple LB’s when the pro days start too.
What is the health issue with feeney he was healthy enough to do all drills so what is wrong health wise?
Shoulder injuries, I think mainly. I’ve long thought of Feeney as a potential Irving replacement, but kind of also recognized the potential homer in me thinking that way. Really glad to see him do well in the combine. I like him a lot as a SAM.
If Keanu Neal tests well tomorrow I think the Falcons take him in Rd #1. Dan Quinn saw the impact Kam had and the Falcons need to get tougher. Also they released thier safety Moore so there is a need. The Steelers would also likely be looking at him.
Very possible on both counts.
Atlanta taking him that high in the first seems like a bit of a reach, maybe they trade back for some picks… then I could see it.
Just saw that the Hawks have met with Bennett’s camp to discuss an extension. Wonder how Kam feels about that. Going to be an interesting couple of weeks as free agency begins.
Kam should feel like he should of fired his agent and played through his dispute. Bennett did the opposite of kam and will probably reap the rewards.
Yeah, if we are going to set a precedent by touching a contract when it has more than 1 year left on it then I am glad it would be when two players had contract issues, one (despite being unhappy) came to camp, balled out all season and had a career year, and the other held out of camp, held out for some games, and had a down year in terms of quality of play.
Who do you set a precedent by rewarding? Bennett of course. Let the players and agents know that there is no way in hell you get your contract touched if you hold out. But if you show up and have a career year then maybe like Bennett you will get a raise.
I think they way Bennett handled it was perfect. He made it known he was unhappy about the contract, but he showed up, and was the leader of the defense. He did everything asked of him. Great news that they are talking to him.
Hi Rob, is it time to take another look at Bullard? I know you’ve indicated that he succeeds on effort more than athleticism, but respectfully, seems like that should be revisited given he just graded out as the top dl sparq guy at the combine.
And this from Zach Whitman ‘Jonathan Bullard comps closely to Sheldon Richardson and Gerald McCoy.’., yes please.
I think Whitman means that Bullard athletcally comps to McCoy and Richardson, because I don’t see either guy when watching Bullard, and I watched a lot of Gator games this year, due to a few studs they got on D for next year’s draft.
The assessment doesn’t change based on the tape — which shows he wins with effort more so than quickness. He’s not a twitchy player. It was a good performance from him today. I’m always willing to re-visit things after the combine but I’ve seen a lot of Bullard. Liked him on tape — but he is what he is.
I am no longer sold on the conventional wisdom of LOT vs ROT. Many teams (look no further than Von Miller) are putting their best rush DE opposite the ROT, for this very reason. The good Lord did not put many 6-5, 325 dudes who can pop a 32.5 vert on the face of the earth, so if you can get one with a mean streak, well duh….
Overton was the guy I looked at like, who is this guy? Do you have any tape on him?
A couple games of Overton. Big fan! Ticks all the boxes to step right in for Irvin.
https://youtu.be/8RFkZkmemns
https://youtu.be/MSNQF_ejL2M
Overton looks like an ideal sleeper pick. If he is still a sleeper after this day.
Sorry, the alarm clock just went off… no longer sleeper 😛
Rob, Chris Jones tested really bad at Vertical (24) and broad (8-10), but i still like him as the 4th best DT is this class behind Buckner, Rankins and Nkemdiche, do you think SEA would draft him with that numbers? He had a good split (1.70) and 40 (5.05) at 6’6 310 and he so much upside on run and pass rushing, if you don’t believe me Watch Miss State vs Alabama and Miss State vs Arkansas, he dominates everyone (Ryan Kelly, Tretola, Kirkland), he destroys the QBs and makes plays on the RBs too, it is all on YouTube.
I think it’s unlikely Chris Jones goes to Seattle unless he lasts into the third. Poor day for him.
Jones was one of my favorites heading into combine but he seems to lack the explosion they look for. Might still be a guy to monitor in Rd 2-3.
Do you think the defensive performance has changed the number of tackles that are taken before the Seahawks pick?
I think Tunsil, Stanley, Conklin, Spriggs, Decker will be gone.
I would be excited if we got Ifedi, he has the potential to be a great long term starter.
Maybe start at LG then move to tackle after a couple of years?
Rob. With assuming those tackles are gone what is the drop off from Decker to Ifedi?
Ifedi has a ton of upside.
Glad to see you looked into Overton Rob… commented on him in the last thread because I didn’t see much on him here or really anywhere. He looks special to me. Playing in space on the edge, dropping in coverage and rushing the passer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RFkZkmemns – Vs. N.Carolina
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSNQF_ejL2M – Vs. Virginia Tech
Thanks, I asked up above if anyone had tap on him. I’m impressed, he looks like spence rushing the passers but he looks better in the open field. He plays fast, definitely not just straight line speed. This guy looks like a real option to replace irvin. His game speed and reactions are elite.
I wonder if Spence dropped a bit after this. He didn’t wow.
Bosa’s stock took a huge hit today imo. He didn’t look explosive at all.
He did very well in the agility tests to be fair. Straight line speed wasn’t fantastic.
I’ll have to watch again. He just didn’t seem to stand out like previous top defensive ends.
I know teams won’t be drafting him for his interview skills, but man his demeanor with Mayock and Eisen was a joke. I don’t care how grueling you think the week is, at least try to sound mildly interested, engaged and eloquent.
I’m not drafting him to be eloquent, I’m drafting him to beat up QBs and fools on the OL…. ~ NFL GMs
Which is what I stated. But did you actually watch his interview?
He was brutal. Hard to listen to.
Leonard Floyd (Georgia) had a nice combine and has great length: 6’6″ 245. The little bit of tape NFL Network showed of him was pretty impressive. Good swim move, tracks the ball well, avoids blocks – although not great at taking them on and disengaging. If he could add some bulk and strength he could develop into something interesting.
I’m a big Floyd fan, unlike many in here. I think he has a lot of talent and upside, a very good Irvin replacement option, but it will probably be a moot point. He will either be gone and/or the Hawks will skip him.
He really had a nice day. He will be a solid starter in the NFL. Love the size and measurables.
From the beginning, improving the offensive line has been the priority, the only true weak link of the 2015 Seahawks.
All this talk of defensive players going in the first has always assumed the offensive line gets cared for in other ways.
This talk of Ifedi makes all the sense in the world, even if Okung re-signs, even if Okung walks.
Best case (from my point of view) is Seattle re-signs Okung and Sweezy (although the latter less important). Drafting Ifedi in the first and then the best center in the second (Nick Martin?) gives the Seahawks the following line:
Okung, Ifedi, Martin/Lewis, Sweezy/Glow, Gilliam. This backed up with Ifedi as the RT/LT; Britt as the LGG; Sneezy/Glow at RG; Martin/Lewis/Sokoli at center.
Obviously not all of this is likely, or perhaps desirable. If Sokoli has progressed, perhaps they think he is ready to start, negating the need to spend a second at the position. I don’t think Lewis is the answer, though – they didn’t think enough of him to start last year, and I don’t know what has changed.
Using the first two rounds at the position should solidify the line for years (now where have I heard that before?). Seattle has spent more draft capital at the position than any other, I think (without having done the math). Two firsts, a second, a third, another second (if you count Unger). Plus a bunch of later round guys. In other words, they haven’t been shy about drafting at the position, unlike, say, QB, CB or DT.
I like it Hawk, would be a little concerned with the inexperience it would provide at LG and C for next year but long term it would be good.
If they’re going Ifedi in R1 — or planning that as a possibility — Okung is a gonner.
Hate to say it, but want nothing to do with Okung: cost plus injury history. Hope the Hawks are looking at RT and C in draft; LG in FA. Ifedi makes a lot of sense; hoping Decker falls to 26.
It seems like so much is riding on the decision about Okung. It’s really hard to do any mocks when so much is riding on it.
So far, the combine has solidified my wish list for the first 4 picks.
OL
OL
DL
DL/RB
The Seahawks are awesome at everything they do… except evaluating offensive linemen. I am skeptical about this based on their track record.
He seems like Ray Roberts, having all the physical tools, but not the production. I don’t know why they wouldn’t go with a guy like Cody Whitehair (or Martin), who is pretty much guaranteed to be a good pro. I don’t care if he doesn’t check their boxes, I care about production on the football field and I’d rather have a potential Pro Bowl interior lineman as opposed to a talented tackle with plenty of questions.
Watch the first part of the Alabama game. For a guy that big and supposedly a first round pick, I don’t know how he can get pushed around as much as he did that game. I know Alabama is great, but I’m pretty sure NFL players are better than college players even from the best collegiate university.
I watched that tape, last night, and noticed same: gets pushed around a bit. Technique or strength?
Would much rather have Martin/Kelly and Westerman/Garnett.
Gilliam/Westerman/Martin/Glowinski/Bailey
Get that stout inside line taken care to battle Rams and Panthers.
Would much rather take Garnett at #26, as opposed to Ifedi. Garnett looks much “safer” to be a good pro and we need a good/great left guard just as much as we need another tackle.
I think Whitehair will be more of a lock to be more of a Pro Bowl LG than Garnett, but for some reason, the Seahawks have to have 320-325lbs at LG. It’s almost as if Cable has to have things “his way” instead of ending up with a product that is as best as it can and should be.
Carroll is utterly fantastic at taking defensive players and playing them to their strengths with incredible success. Sure, they have some measurement issues but they are successful. I wish they would demonstrate a willingness to think that way on the OL.
Cable is a better OL coach than most. However, at this point, I would rather have a worse OL coach that was more interested in finding good players for the OL than worse ones that fit a supposed ideal better.
If we take Ifedi over Whitehair, I’d be willing to bet anyone a lot of money that Whitehair will make more Pro Bowls (or Garnett).
I suspect their approach might be — Whitehair’s ceiling is only so high. If you can work it out with Ifedi — he has everything. Length, athleticism, size. And while we might hope for a solid lunchpail type — the Seahawks have consistently tried to hit home runs in R1. It’s just the way they seem to be.
Plus — Whitehair projects firmly to guard due to his length. And if they don’t keep Okung — they have to find an answer at tackle.
1a. Re-sign Sweezy
1b. Don’t overpay Okung
2a. Sign Giacomini
2b. Find a value veteran FA Center (maybe Unger gets released).
3. Draft two of the following: Westerman, Ifedi, Whitehair, Martin, Kelly.
LT – Gilliam
LG – Rookie 1
C – Rookie 2 or FA signee
RG – Sweezy
RT – Britt\Giacomini
Latest I read from the Jets was Giacomini likely to stay, might kick inside.
Would love to see Ryan Kelly, Josh Garnett combination in first two rounds
That’s exactly what I was thinking. Is it technique that allows him to get smacked around once in awhile or is he Ray Roberts? He had all the physical tools to be a Pro Bowler, but he simply sucked as a pro. He was the #10 overall pick (I think 10; high regardless) because of his supposedly great tools.
For as good of a coach as the Seahawks seem to think Tom Cable is, even a great coach isn’t going to make a player physically gifted player great if they don’t have “it.” He’s got some quick feet, that’s evident, but it takes more than ideal size too. They talk about how they love “grit,” but I don’t see a lot of “grit” with his game.
“The vertical jump tests lower body explosion. Take a look at what the big names in this class offered:
Chris Jones — 24.5 inches
Jihad Ward – 25 inches
A’Shawn Robinson – 26 inches
Austin Johnson – 26 inches
Adolphus Washington – 27 inches
Andrew Billings – 27.5 inches
Kenny Clark 28.5 inches
That’s really underwhelming. ”
Not everyone underwhelmed in this event. You Know Who posted a 34.5″. Just sayin’ 🙂
I know who jumped a 34.5 but not sure who you’re referring to specifically?
I think I jumped a 34.5 but it took 2 jumps. Solid.
IIRC, Bruce Irvin didn’t have a great vert at the combine either. But, at is pro day he did.
LOL
Sheldon Rankins.
… And Javon Hargrave. Who also held his own when every DT sans Rankins and Bullard disappointed.
He’s a NFL player.
Let’s ask this? If all the LT’s are gone including Ifedi and Rankins is gone which position group you want? Also what player might you want? Question is to all.
Ogbah.
That would work for me. OK, let’s also take him out. Who’s next?
I like Coleman. But ask tomorrow, we will see if Neal ends up here.
Yeah.
If that all happened, somebody great must have been passed over!! Take him.
Tough call. I’d probably go Rankins but he didn’t blow up the combine.
Rankins would be gone though.
If Rankins is gone, then Shon Coleman, Shaq Lawson, Keanu Neal.
I think Tapper for me. He killed it at the combine. He’s light at 271, but made a lot of hay inside at Oklahoma. He could fill out a bit more and be that explosive pas rushing 3 tech they’ve been looking for. I’ve been a little hesitant on him, but am sold now. I don’t think you get him at 56.
From film, Tapper shows as a 3-4 DE, more interior than outside. Power more than speed. Ogbah, on the other hand, is explosive from outside. I would take Ogbah over Tapper.
As for the urgency over Ifedi, the narrative seems to be if they want a tackle, it’s Coleman/LeRaven/Ifedi or nothing. But why not go for a top guard or center at the top instead, drop down into 2-4 for the tackle (Fahn Cooper, etc.)?
For me there’s a greater drop-off after Coleman/Ifedi, than the difference between the available second/third-round centers (Martin, Kelly, Glasgow, Westerman, Whiteside, Dahl). Just hoping they come away with the best RT/LG in first and a C in second or third.
I think they’ll draft 2 O-lineman, sign a FA, and take a DL to OL convert in UDFA or something,
Justin Zimmer, Ufomba Kamalu, and Giorgio Newberry all fit .
Mishima, this is true. I just think they would run the risk of missing out on the best two or three centers, Martin specifically because I believe he is the top of this group.
Agreed. I was set on Nick Martin at 26, until recently (10 minutes ago?). I just think with Okung/Sweezy as UFAs, you have to go best OT (Coleman, Decker, Ifedi) available, then look for C. Lewis is serviceable and there will be options in rounds 2 and 3. Still undecided, but think we can come away with upgrades at C and LG, either way.
I might be in panic mode, already, but really hoping they target interior OL, early in FA and draft.
Because they’d need to believe Fahn Cooper can start year one and do the job. I like Cooper, but can he do that as a likely day three pick?
Rob,
With Fackrell having a good, but not great, combine… where do you think he’s going to end up? Think there’s a chance we could get him in the second?
If the Broncos lose more than 1 LB in FA, they could take him at the bottom of the first. They could end up a bit thin at the position if Trevathon leaves.
I would love to see the Broncos lose everything. The more the better.
Well. That defense will keep them at AFCCG level with competent QB play.
That defense is THAT good. I enjoy watching them play and destroy the Patriots 🙂
Yeah but the Pats still just about won it.
I think he goes in the top-50 or so. Decent combine but not elite edge speed.
I really agree with Steele on this one. I know the Seahawks to care what others do, but the 6th best tackle in the 1st, vs. One of the best safeties, Centers, or even RBs sounds way more appealing. Neal, Martin, and Coleman if available (give me the on field production- the whole burd in the hand thing). Tapper, Feeney, Westerman, Tretola and even Clark will be there on day 2. I still a big investment at C is mandatory, and we need to reestablish the LOB if we don’t feel like changing our whole identity on D. Perhaps the FO has even identified a pass rushing DT to go with already, in spite of the overall performance today. But if they really wabt Ifedi, maybe a trade up in round 2 similar to what they did with Lockett last year would be better. But a high upside guy who ticks a bunch of next to meaningless boxes, to me, will always be less valuable to a guy who can go play good football
I know it is not the pattern for them to take a center or a guard in rd. 1, potential left tackles are coveted, but not landing one of the handful of top centers or guards in the draft would be very disappointing. It would be considered a reach to go for them high, but to secure the possible future center for years to come? Wouldn’t that be worth it? And it still leaves the rest of the draft intact. Whereas, Ifedi/Clark are both works in progress. I don’t see them starting.
I think you can get a top 3 Center in the second round. However, you would be picking the 9th or 10th best tackle. Almost have to take one in the first, if you plan on taking a top 7 guy… otherwise, might as well wait until the 3rd or 4th round.
I’m reminded of what Pete Carroll told Brock and Salk at the end of the year, talking about Patrick Lewis…”We don’t need him to be the best Center in the league, we just need him to be average”
While having an pro bowl potential Center like Martin or others is nice, I wonder if they’ll really want to devote valuable resources there rather than elsewhere, and be happy with J.A.G. at center
Wasn’t it past tense though? “We didn’t need him to be the best center in the league”?
I’d love OL Germain Ifedi or DE Emmanuel Ogbah in round one. Huge fan of Charles Tapper, and I also like Shaq Lawson too.
As Rob described, both of these guys are ‘swing for the fences’ type of prospects that Seattle has picked every year with their 1st overall selections.
Ifedi, Ogbah, Tapper, and Rankins if he fell to 26. Willie Henry is getting more interesting.
It seems to me that the LB and DL looked so strong today that the Hawks should take advantage of this in the first two rounds, and go for OL in the 3rd. On the other hand, if every team thought that way, it would push down high 1st rd OL talent lower than usual to #26. Decisions.
Dodd is being compared to Michael Bennett
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/kevin-dodd?id=2555338
Actually, Donald, it seems to me that the entire combine so far as been lackluster, one of the worst in recent years. Dodd’s 4.86/1.7 didn’t do him any favors. On the other hand, a lot of his peers also posted similar mediocre numbers.
I’m beginning to think the turf has been beat down…. it is keeping guys from running as fast as they can…. due to across the board lackluster numbers. Even the Clink has replaced their turf, due to this very issue…. the turf wearing out after multiple years of use.
I would argue the LB and DL groups didn’t look as strong as the hype — but they’re deep classes. So if you want to add a DL and still find a starting OT — you better take the OT in round one because there won’t be one available later unless you buy into Fahn Cooper or Alex Lewis.
BTW — a player gets comp’d to Michael Bennett every year and it’s never true. The nearest thing in this class to Bennett IMO is Joey Bosa.
So true! Well said, Rob!
Rob, Oakman and Shilique Calhoun continue to be touted and projected favorably, despite their issues. I don’t think your view of them has changed. But because there are uncertainties about both guys, could JSPC view them as values? Problematic projects that can be coached up? Calhoun runs hot/cold but has a great highlight reel.
I doubt PCJS go anywhere near Calhoun or Oakman. Tested poorly.
http://3sigmaathlete.com/rankings/dl/
Some interesting reading for the group. Zach Whitman is the man.
BC’s Connor Wujciak is a good looking DT. This dude goes hard. Watched quite a few BC games, again for guys next year. LEO Harold Landry and RB Jonathan Hillman.
Wujciak, Willie Henry, and Hassan Ridgeway I like.
Nebraska’s DT Vincent Valentine is a good looking run stuffer late on day 3 or in UDFA. Had a great day for weighing 325 lbs.
Rankins and Hargrave seem pretty lock step.
It’s a decent DL group. But if you look at 300+ bigs (I’ll include Rankins at 299), they both really stand apart.
Would be interested in seeing the SPARQ rating for 300+ lb DTs going back 5 years to see how Hargrave/Rankins compare.
Yeah-Rankins is big time. Not expecting him to last until 26.
they have the 2015 guys listed on the site still (?)
I also think that Austin Johnson is gonna fall through the cracks. He’d be fantastic value in the 3rd.
I’m okay with another 3rd Rd dt from Penn st
I know he didn’t put up wowing combine numbers, but I love Johnson’s game. If they get him in the 3rd, I think that would be a major steal.
I like Willie Henry, Johnson, etc.
But, there’s depth in this class to wait.
I don’t think there’s a huge drop-off from the 8th-10th best rated DT to the 14th-15th.
Yeah, I tend to agree. Kind of reading between the lines that unless Ogbah or Rankins is sitting at 26, they almost have to go OL there. If they luck out and Tapper is still at 56, then it makes all the sense to take him, but they have to take RB somewhere soonish as well. So, Im thinking 56 is looking more and more like potentially being the spot for RB, if the right player is there, and then there’s LB. I think probably R3 through R5, you probably see some form of DT taken. Maybe even Quenton Jefferson in the 6th.
I posted this link earlier, but if any of you missed this, it is the draft’s o-linemen talking about the pass rushers and d-liners who they experienced as the toughest
http://www.sbnation.com/2016/2/27/11120190/nfl-combine-2016-linemen-testing-40-times-interviews-workouts?_ga=1.202372051.399045224.1456022667
Names include Oakman (!), Calhoun (!) Nkemdiche (!), Spence, Lawson, many others.
Still think that Seattle is gonna like Mizzou’s Connor McGovern. Maybe Evan Boehm too?
I made a post on seahawks.net with my conspiracy theory about both Boehm and McGovern. Check it out!
I agree we will take both.
For sure. Thanks my man. Never been to that site.
Boehm might end up being a decent player but I don’t really like him for us. If we draft someone to play center I would rather it be someone you are confident can come in and be a capable starter week 1, or a guy that can play multiple positions on the line. Not sure Boehm would do either.
What don’t you like about him?
I like him. I just think we should take a different path for center. He’s probably limited to playing center and in all honesty I’m not convinced he would beat out Patrick Lewis (or whoever we sign in his stead) next year. Ultimately it all depends on how FA pans out. I mean, drafting a center on day 3 isn’t necessarily a bad idea if all we do in FA is re-sign Lewis to a one year deal. But I think a guy who can play center and guard might have more value.
Based on what we’ve seen/heard/read, an updated Hawk Mawk (sorry, had to write that) could be something like:
1. Germain Ifedi
2. Charles Tapper
3. Hassan Ridgeway, Willie Henry, or Javon Hargrave (all tested quite well for their size)
3c. SPARQy RB (Kenyan Drake?)
4. SPARQy WR (would Devon Cajuste be available here?)
5c. Travis Feeney (might have to get him in the 4th)
6c. Raw, high-upside CB
7(1). Best OG available, or a DL-to-OL convert guy
7(2). Raw, high-upside CB/S
This omits a center pick, which is why I can see the Hawks trying to trade that 2nd round pick for a high 3rd/5th/6th–that would allow drafting for greater depth, and trading that 2nd pick seems much more doable than trading their 1st.
Thoughts?
Love the 1st two picks and Willie Henry and Ridgeway.
I keep bringing his name up, I apologize, but Mizzou’s Connor McGovern might be a candidate to play C for Seattle. TC loves O-lineman from Mizzou, becauseof his relstionship to forme HC Gary Pinkel.
Wondering about Mizzou C Evan Boehm too.
This connection is underrated!
Im predicting they grab both Mizzou linemen in order to boslter the interior but also to give Britt the best chance to succeed!
it all comes down to the value and where we can snag them both. I wonder if they will do the duo in the 3rd…
Remember JS saying ‘cohesion?’
I’ve seen multiple videos of McGovern talking saying the word cohesion. I think we’ve solved the riddle!
FWIW, my 1st two picks look like yours, but I got Mizzou’s Connor McGovern in the 3rd.
Makes perfect sense, both of those guys, including Boehm if they don’t go early for a center. The more I think about it, the more I believe that they’ll try to trade that 2nd round pick, or possibly the 3rd to secure one or two more picks in later rounds. I have to believe that they’ll draft at least one OT, one OG (or possibly an OT who’d move inside), and maybe one C, along with DT, DE, LB/S, CB/S, RB, WR/TE. If there’s a QB they’d like to develop then maybe they’d take on in a late round or as an UFA.
So: 3-4 OL, 2 DL, 1 LB, 2 DB, 1 WR, 1 RB–that’s 10-11 total. Of course they’ll likely unearth a few nice UFAs on top of that.
Just saw a video on bleacher report, Matt Miller said that teams clocked Braxton between 4.38 and 4.43, he also said that Seattle is interested in the late first round.
I love it! I really think that this is the perfect place for him. Baldwin is like a receivers coach, put Braxton under his wing and WATCHOUT! He’s only going to get better from here.
R1 — not happening. R2 — maybe.
Up until a few days ago I was firmly on the Braxton Miller train, but now I am disengaging a bit. He’s a great athlete, but at this point he falls under the Percy Harvin umbrella (but probably slower) – a gadget player who’s probably going to be best out of the slot and works best in space. The issue is that we already have Baldwin as a slot guy and even without Baldwin, Lockett is probably better in the slot than on the outside so drafting a slot guy puts him basically 3rd on the depth chart for that position.
I just don’t see Miller succeeding on the outside, at least not initially, and look what scheming to get Harvin touches did to our offense. And you could argue that Harvin is more talented in that regard. If we lose Kearse, what we are losing is an outside possession receiver with size and good hands (we already have speed with Prich and to an extent Lockett) which makes me think, if they go WR, a guy like Doctson might be a better fit.
Does Oakman even worn out on leg days? He’s really not a great player. He just looks like he should be. I think that we definitely need to address offensive line first, and I’m sorry, I really don’t get the lack of love for Garnett. He’s a very good prospect.
I like Garnett a lot. Good character, too.
There hasn’t been a lack of love for Garnett. He’s probably the best run blocker in this class. Just not the kind of O-lineman Seattle seemx to target early, and he’s a borderline 1st rounder.
The guys we do target are usually pretty awful. I say we draft a mailer with athleticism and brains who has been an all American in high school and college? He’s a much better bet than, say, a converted defensive tackle.
Love Garnett. Once he gets into the second level, dude is flat out seek and destroy.
I liked Collins from Nebraska as a potential Mebane replacement. He moves well and has the “power source” to anchor and hold his ground. Rob, did you see any good 1 techs? We’ve focused a lot on the athletic 3 tech types and edge rushers, but an inexpensive replacement for Mebane could be a “need”.
Vincent Valentine. Collins teammate.
Michigan St DT Joel Heath.
Somewhat similar style to Tony McD.
This one is for WALLUP.
The class is rich in 1-tech’s. Kenny Clark the most impressive there today. Willie Henry a nice option too.
Rob, just out of curiousity, where do you think Kenny Clark goes? Range wise.
Second round.
BYU DE Bronson Kaufusi has a nice SPARQ ….. has some size and agility. Very intriguing later round pick imo. Could be a nice 3rd down pass specialist from the get go… get a little more meat on his frame, he could be a nice NFL player.
Kaufusi’s film does not look good to me. He is a tall storky dude who doesn’t move well (well for his size, but not quick twitch or explosive). He is not a pass rush specialist. But I can imagine in a certain system (Patriots), a guy his size could be utilized to advantage. Batting down passes, blocking FGs, etc.
Put him at DT, he becomes interesting.
Also an older prospect, what’s his upside?
Wouldn’t surprise me to see Seattle not take a DT until round 4.
No way would he be an every-down player, but as a rotational guy with unique size. Very intriguing. I’ve not looked at the tape or heard much about him.
You could be right on waiting until round 4 for a DT; with the incredible depth at DT this year, surely one or two Seahawky guys would be available there. If they keep those first four picks, that’d be something like OT, DE or LB, G or C, WR or RB, then DT in round 4.
Tony Pauline reports hearing rumors that T Mitchell Schwartz will be signing a deal around $8M. Factor that into the Okung calculation.
CB Trumain Johnson turned down a 5 yr 45M deal with the Rams….. FA is going to be crazy LOL
I could get behind taking Artie Burns in the 5th round at CB. Checks all the boxes.
6’0, 193.. and the all important 33 1/4″ arms.
Needs some polish and coaching, but the back story is remarkable. He is a mature man off the field. Hope he lands in a good spot (Seattle).
Might go too early. Got my eye on him, W. Virginia CB Darryl Worley, Georgia CB Malcom Mithell and Nebraska Daniel Davies.
Davies had a fantasic regional combine, and has 32″ arms.
Dammit. I just gave m sleeper at CB away!
I can’t see him going before the 4th round. I think 5th is about the right landing spot, since he is a work in progress on the field.
I’m not going to pay much attention to the 40 times anymore, after Rawls and now Braxton Miller’s times being so off. The combine’s 40s are timed by a laser that starts on first movement, not when the runner actually starts running.
Pro days are much better and more official. Combine 40’s are track times.
You would think they run faster on a fast track, though.
most of us would be better off not paying attention to 40 times, at least the minute differences therein
Not gonna post a full one quite yet, not finished, waiting on pro days, and I include 3-4 UDFAs in mine, but…
1st round- Germain Ifedi, OL, Texas A&M
2nd round- Charles Tapper, Oklahoma
3rd round- Connor Mcgovern, OL, Mizzou
I doubt Tapper lasts until 57 after seeing the numbers he put up today.
Not so sure about that.
I think he definetly climbed, not into the 1st though.
My Updated mock:
1. Titans – Laremy Tunsil
2. Browns – Carson Wentz
3. Chargers – Jalen Ramsey
4. Cowboys – Myles Jack
5. Jaguars – Deforest Buckner
6. Ravens – Joey Bosa
7. 49ers – Ronnie Stanley
8. Dolphins – Jack Conklin
9. Buccaneers – Emmanuel Ogbah
10. Giants – Darron Lee
11. Bears – Noah Spence
13. Saints – Sheldon Rankins
14. Eagles – Jared Goff
15. Raiders – Ezekial Elliot
16. Rams – Jared Goff
17. Lions – Jason Spriggs
18. Falcons – Leonard Floyd
19. Bills – Robert Nkemdiche
20. Jets – Taylor Decker
21. Texans – Derrick Henry
22. Redskins – Jarran Reed
23. Vikings – Laquon Treadwell
24. Bengals – Charles Tapper
25. Steelers – Keanu Neal
26. Seahawks – Germaine Ifedi
27. Packers – Corey Coleman
28. Cheifs – Eli Apple
29. Cardinals – Kevin Dodd
30. Panthers – Shon Coleman
31. Broncos – Cody Whitehair
Notes:
Ogbah seems to have the athleticism and production to truely warrant a top 10 selection.
Lee also climbs into the top ten after displaying his fantastic speed.
Spence falls just out of the top ten with his disappointing 40 time
Leonard Floyd’s times might be enough to soldify him as a solid ‘better pro than college player’ for Atlanta.
Charles Tapper is the most athletic edge rusher in this class and has good tape and production. I beleive he warrants a first round selection over the defensive tackles in this class.
The steelers have been linked to Neal and the pick makes sense.
Seattle drafts a young, athletic, long tackle who can play right tackle or left guard. If Okung is resigned Ifedi will be a massive upgrade from britt and if Okung walks we can put ifedi and right tackle and have gilliam on the left side.
I have the rams taking Paxton Lycnh not Jared Goff.. Typo
Chargers trying to trade out of #3….. 49ers trade up?
If it plays out like this, leave it to the Ravens to find that defensive stud – again
Ive seen several mocks with the Raiders drafting Elliot, I don’t get it they got a young stud RB and so many other needs
I’m disappointed by the lack of interest in getting a receiver early in the draft. If we have a chance to draft Tyler Lockett again at #26, we do it.
Especially with the emergence of pocket passer Russell Wilson.
The interesting thing, the WR this draft are substandard compared to 2015 guys. Not a great value at the position. Very few guys who will be superstars.
And if one of those guys are there?
You can’t knock a guy because he’s in a bad class. That is just stupid.
Seahawks invested enough in WR the past three seasons. 1st round pick on Harvin and Graham, 2nd round pick for Paul Richardson and several mid round picks for Tyler Lockett.
Josh Doctson would make sense. He’s a natural football player and elite athlete. Kearse is unlikely to stay and Baldwin’s contract is coming to an end, and his price tag might have a Crabtree-level deal as a floor (4 year, 8.5m APY). He could supplant Kearse and create a cushion where we won’t have to overpay Baldwin.
OTOH we have more pressing needs at OL, DL, LB and RB.
Two words, free agency.
Charlie, I’m not sure there aren’t a lot of good WRs in this draft, even down to the sleepers and UDFAs.
Pocket passer Russell Wilson emerged when he didn’t have someone 250+ laying on top of him. If they get to a point where they’re comfortable with the line between now and the draft I’m sure they wouldn’t hesitate to take some playmaker. A lot could change across the league by the middle of next month
Exactly, the o line could be 100% fixed come draft day.
Our horrendous OL flat out lost us games this past year, including the divisional round in Carolina. Baldwin and Lockett are a pretty good 1-2 combo, and Smith/PR/Williams could prove to be a competent #3. And we’re still a run oriented team.
If we don’t improve the OL we won’t go back to the SB next year. We can make it with guys like Baldwin and Lockett. That said, there are some receivers I like in this draft. Just not with our first pick given all out other needs.
Sea has already said they want to address the line in free agency. They also said they don’t need to make sweeping changes. Okung and Sweezy could resign and we could sign a bargain LG and you could argue we don’t need to draft O lone before the 4th. Don’t rule anything out, free agency hasnt even happened yet for Christ’s sake.
They also do the exact opposite of what is the perceived ‘right thing to do’ consistently. That’s because they dont press for needs. I don’t see them coming out of free agency without one or 2 pieces added to the line, be it Okung, Sweezy or other FAs.
I agree that we will sign an OL in free agency, be it a guy from outside or re-signing Sweezy (which I sincerely hope we don’t do). But wanting to address a need in free agency and actually being able to do it are two different things. If there happens to be a WR at #26 that the team has graded higher than any of the available OL or DL that are available then great, take a WR. But I doubt that’s the case with this class.
But again, it all depends on what we do in FA. If we go out and sign Wisniewski and someone who can start at LG then it could change things.
Don’t they already have a Tyler Lockett though?
It wouldn’t be a good thing to have 2 Locketts on the field at the same time? Should we just aim to have one good receiver? No.
What about Baldwin then?
And they’ve got Richardson too.
No issue about adding a WR — but in round one?
If they are comfortable with the line enough to go BPA in round 1 and a receiver is that player, then yeah, in round 1.
The issues at WR are 1. replacing Kearse 2. considering what happens if they can’t keep Baldwin next year 3. an outside X receiver with some length 4. possession receiver a la Sid Rice (maybe). Lockett is in the mix for 1 and 2, and has some wheels for 3, but is a smurf. PRich, I don’t even trust him to stay on the field and he is also smurfy. Kasen and Kevin? Just don’t see them as starters.
I don’t think they need to take a WR on day one. There are options throughout the draft. I expect them to start camp with some new names, including the futures contracts guys.
I do. It want a wr early with this offensive line… But Doctson is going to be really good. Big target and he’s got explosive leaping ability and ball skills.
Sea already said they’re hoping to fix the line in free agency.
Yeah. Lots can change prior to the draft. If we resign Okung and sign Wisniewski… or something like that… then we don’t need all these other OL early. That could leave the first round pick to BPA and a LG for round 2.
What if Baldwin wants to be paid like Julio Jones? He’s in a contract year. People want to cut Graham now, what about next off-season when he’s set to count another year at $9 million AND he’ll be in his 30s. Never mind that Willson is in a contract year, too. Think about it… all we have for “sure things” going into 2017 is Tyler Lockett. That’s it. A WR makes sense at #26 if the OL has been addressed, for the most part, in FA and if Baldwin hasn’t signed an extension.
Now, if we don’t resign Okung and Sweezy and don’t sign anyone good in FA either… then, yes, we need to go OL in the first almost no matter what.
I agree with absolutely everything you said. I just want people to be more open minded about a receiver at 26, nobody even wants to talk about it and that’s a shame because there are a few guys who could be great in our system.
Coleslaw, I don’t think it’s any worse taking a WR at 26 than a safety or a RB. Are these top needs? The issue is priorities. And also whether the WRs in rd. 1 are that much superior to those in the rest of the draft. I don’t think so.
The issue isn’t about priorities. It’s about finding the rounds where you can best address your needs. And the OT’s will be gone after the top 35 picks.
RB is a top need. Nobody has said safety is a need — but adding a deathbacker or replacement OLB – certainly.
Baldwin udfa
Kearse udfa
no e 3 round
kevin smith udfa
Kasen Williams udfa
prich late 2
What are next year’s crop of WRs supposed to be like? May be better waiting for them if the class is deep.
There’s receivers in this class worth a draft pick in rounds 5-7, if they wanna go that route.
Pro days will reveal some more too.
Let me rephrase that.
There’s WRs to be had in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th too. Not a whole lot.
I just think they take a receiver on day 3 this year.
I want him on this team. He’s everything we’re missing in the WR Corp. there’s no guarantee that Graham comes back fully recovered from his injury and Richardson is never healthy.
I don’t want*
I’m sorry if I’m being a jerk but I’m sick of nobody even entertaining the idea of a receiver in the first! It is completely plausible. The draft is only half of the offseason.
I mean Seattle’s reps literally said they are interested in a receiver at 26!!!
Would you like Will Fuller?
He’s intriguing for sure, not my favorite prospect but the speed is field tilting and that’s exactly what they look for in round 1
I think about that situation… Baldwin, Lockett, Richardson, Fuller, and Graham… and really, I don’t think it could be stopped (assuming the OL has been vastly improved in FA)… Nobody has good DBs all over the place in terms of depth and Wilson could simply play match-ups and throw bombs to whoever is going against a crap 4th string CB who isn’t very good. Or pick the heck out of defenses with Baldwin, Lockett, and Graham underneath (with all other DBs running deep). That’s fun to think about.
Oh man that would be amazing! That would be easier for Russ than playing madden lol
Can’t help but think in that situation Russ would throw 50 TDs and 5,000 yards!
What you’re talking about would involve a huge change in the coaching philosophy and identity for this team.
No it really wouldn’t.
We’re a run first team. For Wilson to put up those numbers he’s probably going to be throwing the ball around 600 times. That’s a big change.
And without a line he’s never going to be upright long enough to throw those deep balls.
Jesus christ. I GET THAT. i just want to talk about drafting a receiver with the premise that we address the line in free agency. O line is obviously the priority.
Calm down, fella. The thing is, we would have to go on the relative cheap if we sign a veteran. Where does the cap space come from? Osemele isn’t coming here, he’s going to be too expensive. Bargain basement vets will still make millions. It’s a nice idea, but we aren’t getting anything more than a bandaid to cover up a hole in the line. I know we can’t roll with only rookies, either. Still, we need an infusion of talent. I just don’t buy that there is a ton of value at receiver at 26.
That is besides the point, but. Sign Okung, sign Geoff schwartz, I don’t believe that we need a center so sign Lewis, Glowinski steps in at RG. We could also get a decent vet to sign for cheap. It’s not out of the question.
Signing Okung and Schwartz probably is out of the question. It’d take up virtually all of your free cap room.
Schwartz has an extensive injury hiatory and isn’t likely to get a long term deal, if we offered him a back-loaded multi-year deal it could definetely be possible.
Everybody keeps saying that as if we just finished a year with Huch and Jones on the OL.
NEWS FLASH: During the 2015 season, behind what is described here as the worse OL in the history of the game, RW posted record stats across the board.
You can all keep banging the OL drum as if we are hopeless on offense behind this line but the facts are that we are far from hopeless. We ended up 4th in the NFL in both yards and points with injuries to our key weapons (Graham, Lynch, Rawls). This year actually proved the concept that you could survive behind a bad OL.
I can understand the desire to do better on OL (cohesion and consistency) but I can not and will not accept that we are doomed without investing everything we have in it.
You keep banging your drum so i will keep banging mine….
I’d agree if our 2 best lineman weren’t free agents along with the 4 other FA starter we need to replace
I really want to grab Braxton Miller, I posted above that he was timed by some teams at 4.38, and the slowest a team clocked him was 4.43. What we see now is just the tip of the Iceberg, he has everything to be the next Julian Edelman, and will only continue to get better.
Julian Edleman? I’m not sure that’s the comp with this guy. I think he’s got much better deep speed and is thicker. But also, his knowledge of how to run the routes is still pretty rudimentary. I don’t care that he’s thrown all of those routes, he isn’t used to how to set up a defensive back at this point.
It’s not a perfect comp but he could be as dominant as edelman and comps fairly close to him.
Yes please. I would love to have fuller. Problem is it won’t matter who’s at WR if we don’t protect RW. Absolutely love fuller though. One of the few dynamic receivers in this draft worth taking in the first two rounds.
I said about a month ago, they were gonna shock us all and take WR in RD 1
Did Spence test bad enough for us to think he may be available at #26?
he tested bad enough to perhaps go in the mid of 2nd round
Spence might be there at #26… not sure the Seahawks bite though after that workout.
Should a disappointing combine ruin any guy who had a great Senior Bowl, Shrine, and a good college career?
If Spence is there at #26, he would be a steal.
If you’re a one dimensional pass rusher with a game based on speed and you run a 4.80 with a 1.6 split — then yes a bad combine will have an impact.
As for a good college career — he was kicked out of Ohio State. Noah Spence did not have a good college career.
Character issues + 4.8 drops him into mid/late second.
Fuller is a great weapon… When he catches the ball. He’s unreliable at times. I would rather see us grab a bigger receiver with great hands and catch radius, (again, Doctson).
They were saying the same thing about Locketts hands.
Fuller is nowhere near the route-runner that Lockett was coming out of college. He’s a skinny speed guy which would be redundant as we already have that guy (Prich – yes I know he’s been hurt). If we lose Kearse we need a bigger outside possession guy with good hands like Doctson is what I think.
There was a lot of good news today. Word leaks that Seattle is working something out with Michael Bennett following previous reports of a Carroll extension. Those are two items on my championship offseason checklist.
Tony Pauline reports Seattle is interested in Germain Ifedi at 26. That adds another name to our first round discussion. We still might solve our left guard need in free agency but it is nice to have another solid option with Shon Coleman in the draft.
And then 5 guys run 10-yard splits sub 1.59. Add Ogbah to the 1st round discussion, Tapper to the 2nd. Add Feeney to the 4th round discussion as a possible Irvin replacement if the doctors clear his shoulders. Where do some of the others like Weatherly potentially fit?
The reports of teams having better 40 times than what the NFL is reporting is interesting. Could a couple more splits get under 1.60?
I think the depth at DT means we could add a solid player/potential starter in the 3rd. UnlessI am also wondering if Rankins slips to 26 – unlikely but possible. It looks like Atlanta is going LB.
I once said that Rankins doesn’t get passed ATL, but now I’m wondering if they take Darron Lee instead, Dan Quinn’s defense relies on fast LBs
Saints need DL and with Spence not performing as well as expected, Rankins could go to them.
2 people have been linked to the #26 pick today, Ifedi and Braxton Miller
I could see Ifedi at #26. Not my fav pick, but understandable. Miller makes very little sense to me, not even a true need position and a very RAW player.
Well he makes sense to the Seahawks.
Pauline is a respected source of info with a track record. When has Matt Miller from Bleacher Report ever had any legit info on Seattle?
It’s not my place to judge his track record, he reported it, do you think he just pulled it out of his ass?
Rob, didn’t you just say in a previous thread that we should keep an open mind? That we shouldn’t just mock an O lineman to Seattle in the first every time? Why is okay to mock a DE in the first but not a receiver?
Sure, keep an open mind. But the Seahawks have, since 2013, spent the following on targets…
Round 1&3 — Harvin
Round 2 — Richardson
Round 1 — Jimmy Graham
Round 3 — Lockett (after trading up)
It’s time to pay attention to other areas of the team. That doesn’t have to mean OT and we’ve looked at other options. But it seems unlikely they go WR in round one.
Maybe so, but Richardson isn’t reliable, Graham is coming off of a significant injury, and Baldwin is in a contract year. Having Lockett, draft pick and Baldwin (hoping they extend him) locked up would be a solid 3 guys for years to come.
They could well add a WR any time between rounds 2-5. Your first pick though? Highly doubtful IMO.
I do have my doubts that they would do it, but wouldn’t it be worth entertaining the idea? You said it yourself that is what this blog is all about. There are likely to be better players available at positions of more need, but what if Doctson was there?
The blog is about creating many different discussion points — but we don’t have to consider everything as a possibility. I think it’s highly unlikely they go WR in round one. Especially looking at this class.
I apologize, I forgot this is supposed to be a swearing free blog.
I have no idea where he got it. But he has no track record.
Apparently he got it when he was talking to all the teams about Braxton’s botched 40 time. He said he talked to all the teams and asked what they had him clocked at, then said Seattle and the Rams are interested
Not exactly water tight is it?
At least Pauline has a track record.
I don’t see why he would make up teams being interested, it doesn’t help his reputation or anything? Why would he say he heard it if he didn’t? I think it’s more likely to be true than not.
I didn’t say he made it up. I’m saying he has no track record what so ever.
And that means that his news can’t be true?
I see no reason to pay much attention to it.
Also Miller’s report says that he heard that directly from the team.
And I’m sure the Seahawks are known for going up to Bleacher Report writers and telling them their intentions in the draft.
I will absolutely vomit if we take a receiver in the first.
Miller is not even close to being the 26th ranked player on the board. More sugar and less vinegar?
Going through draft projections, I think that if Rankins, Ogbah and Neal are off board at #26 (and they are probably going to be off board by 26), the best move by the Seahawks is a trade down for a 36-40 pick and an extra 4th round pick.
2nd – OG Joshua Garnett
2nd – DE Charles Tapper/EDGE Kyle Fackrell/OLB Deion Jones
3rd – DT Austin Johnson
3rd comp – HB/WR CJ Prosise
4th – DT Javon Hargrave
4th – OLB Jaylon Smith/Travis Freeney
7th – OG Sebastian Tretola
7th – WR Marquez North
See how interesting it is to pick twice in the 4th round? Jaylon Smith, Travis Freeney and Javon Hargrave are three of this years’ draft lottery tickets. Relatively small expense at 4th round for god know what return. I could see Freeney and Hargrave failing to make into a NFL roster by 2016 and Jaylon Smith not playing football again, but I can also see Jaylon Smith as one of the NFL’s best LBs and Hargrave/Freeney as high impact situational role players in this league, if not more.
Hargrave is specially interesting because his tape is very good, his productivity was stunning at his level, and he was one of the few DTs in this class that actually held his own and overachieved in the combine. He could be anything from 2015 Jordan Hill to Geno Atkins imo.
I really doubt the Hawks go offensive line in round 1. Especially when there were times last year that the halls d line couldn’t produce any pressure. I really expect the Hawks to go d line with 2 or 3 picks maybe not in a row but I fully expect round 1 to be a d tackle. And Rob I know you’re not a huge fan of nkemdiche but DT is (assuming we resign mebane and or rubin) a position with veterans who can show him the way PC also doesn’t mind players withat issues and is willing to move on if they are too much trouble. His talent is too much to pass up on in my opinion. Same goes for a player like Shaq Lawson I think the Hawks will see the talent and be all over it. The Hawks are a defensive minded team and there are plenty of good veteran free agent options osmele unlikely but possible, Mathis, incognito, Unger, plenty of stop gap players who can easily be signed to one or two year deals and then replaced by drafted players. I just don’t think the Hawks will invest early draft capitol on offensive line they’ve never done it beyond Britt and that’s been a total disaster. John Schneider said that they aren’t changing their strategy for offensive line and their strategy has been to use udfa players and redshirted players like Sokoli (who u think athletically has the ability to be a solid player I don’t know if it will Pan out though) Anyways positional my mock draft goes
Rd 1 DT, DE or WR like Braxton miller or Corey Coleman.
Rd 2 LB
Rd 3 DE
Rd 3 DT (Willie Henry Adolphus Washington players with high upside)
Rd 4 OT
RD 5 kj dilion is similar to DeShawn shead PC values players like that.
Rd 6 Overton who after watching his tape and seeing his measurables I think will be the steal of the draft the gut can straight take over games day 1 starter.
Rd 7 corner or wr
I expect the coaching staff to sign some udfa to compete with rawls. Honestly I think rb is solidified with Christine Michael behind rawls and then one udfa rb.
I actually think round 2 could go wr or rb maybe even cb if the Hawks see someone they like ultimately it’s the most talented player on the board
So if they take a DT, DE or WR in round one… who is starting at offensive tackle when Okung walks?
Plus you’ve got the Seahawks adding a DT in round three. So why would you need to take a DL in rounds one and three, while waiting until round four to replace Okung?
The depth of the D-line means you can afford to wait. If you don’t take an OT early, good luck finding one.
Because then the Hawks have a better chance of drafting a real pass rusher up the middle. I think the Hawks would sign a veteran right tackle and put Gary Gilliam at left tackle it would be the cheaper option also Gilliam got beat less than okung by the end of the season. I don’t think the Hawks should look for a true OT I said OT but didn’t clarify Tha ti would expect them to shift that player inside. Like I said I think it’s most likely they sign udfa players and let their projects play while signing cheaper veteran players
Thanks for the reply I thought I would get lost in the comments! Lol
A quick summery – OL did rather poorly in the combine. RBs did rather poorly, WRs did rather poorly, TEs, QBs and now DL did not do that great at all….as far as speed, vert etc.
It reminded me of a DT 6-3 274, had 5.13 40 with 1.78 10 yards and 31 vert. at the combine. On his pro day he did 4.86 40, 1.62 10 yards and 36.5 vert. (Michael Bennett)
I also noticed that the 2nd group of the DL did better than the first group.
Could it be that testing football players from all over the country for peak physical performance at 9:00 am EST may not be the best measuring tool?
I have always taken the combine results as perhaps the last 5% of a player evaluation if that. I want to believe that Billion dollar operations investing tens of millions in scouting and evaluations have a very detailed picture of how fast or explosive a player is ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD before they get his underwear measurements taken at an ungodly hour….
If that is the case, maybe we should get back to the game tapes before we have players jumping up/down by several rounds based on their combine performance?
I would say with confidence that the OL out shined the DL at the combine.
Rob, you have any game tape on overton, can’t remember who but someone posted a couple clips in the beginning of the tread. I think he can be of real interest to seattle. Looks really fast and instinctive on tape. Looks like a good run defender to. Everyone’s talking about feeney right now but I’d rather look at this guy at the moment and it’s not just his combine numbers. His tape looks like he could contribute right away.
You checked out Georgia So.LB Antwoine Williams? 6’3, 240-245 lbs., 34 ” inch arms.
He’s on Hudl.
Very intriguing.
If Seattle meeting with the West teams DTs at the Shrine Game are true, now it makes sense why.
Other than Rankins and a couple others, the depth is good enough to wait until the mid-late rounds.
Rob I have seen reports that the seahawks are very interested in Braxton Miller, do you think there are any scenarios where the seahawks would trade down to pick him. I relive Braxton Miller has the upside of Dez Bryant they both have incredible agility and ran a 4.5 and Miller has only began learning how to play receiver.
Rob doesn’t believe the report, also the 4.5 40 time is inaccurate, teams clocked him between 4.38 and 4.43.
Matt Miller says the 4.50 is inaccurate according to some teams. We don’t know if it’s inaccurate or not.
If he runs a 4.4 at his pro day would you believe the report?
No. I’ll think Braxton Miller ran a 4.50 at the combine and a 4.4 at his pro-day. And then I’ll look if the other Ohio State players also improved their times in a similar way and make a judgement.
Don’t see any reason to put much faith in the report.
Bryant wouldn’t be the comparison I make. I think he’s more of a Golden Tate but not quite as athletic.
1. Doctson
2. Christian Westerman
3. Joe Dahl
3. C.J. Prosise
4. Austin Johnson
5. Travis Feeney
6. Sebastien Tretola
7. Jaylon Smith
Okung, Lane, Rubin, Lewis and Mebane are re-signed (not sure if Lewis is one of the people included in the over the cap figure that would be making more than $2M)
We got 2 7ths.
And I think, could be wrong, that when Davis Hsu posted the $18-$19 mil available for FA, it was after some of the RFAs were factored in.
I thought so but I wasn’t sure, and also I’m not very informed on the 7th round possibilities so I just put Smith as a wildcard haha
Rob, what do you think? This is the kind of scenario I could see with a receiver in the first.
Can’t see Okung being retained. Mitchell Schwartz is reportedly set to get interest at $8m APY. Osemele $10-11m. Someone is going to give Okung a deal too rich for Seattle.
Not convinced Westerman lasts that long, or Austin Johnson in round four.
After today, unless I think Ogbah, or Rankins is sitting at 26, Seattle should be pretty poised to use it’s first pick on OL, and it wouldn’t really shock me if they double down in R2, if the right player lands, like Ryan Kelly. I think R2 through R4 looks like the ideal place to land DT/interior rusher, most likely R3, unless maybe Willie Henry or Charles Tapper is sitting at 56. If they want to get a decent RB, I think they are going to have to look for one early, as well.
Still like Austin Johnson, but alas, he did not SPARQ it up. Tapper, Bullard, Henry, Kenny Clark, Hargrave, Judon, Fackrell, and Ridgeway all kind of look like potential Seahawk-y types. Quenton Jefferson could be an interesting later pick. I think I’m done with the idea of Adolphus Washington, maybe in the middle rounds. Can’t really get on the Nkemdiche train yet.
Prosise almost seems like a must get RB to me now.
26: R1P26
OT GERMAIN IFEDI
TEXAS A&M
56: R2P25
C RYAN KELLY
ALABAMA
90: R3P27
DT HASSAN RIDGEWAY
TEXAS
98: R3P35
RB C.J. PROSISE
NOTRE DAME
125: R4P26
DE MATT JUDON
GRAND VALLEY STATE
172: R5P33
CB DARYL WORLEY
WEST VIRGINIA
215: R6P37
OLB MONTESE OVERTON
EAST CAROLINA
223: R7P4
DT QUINTON JEFFERSON
MARYLAND
245: R7P26
S TEVIN CARTER
UTAH
That would be a solid draft for sure. The only guys I might try to change would be Ridgeway and Carter.
Yeah, Ridgeway hasn’t been much on my radar, but I think he showed up really well at the combine, better than what I thought a lot of others would I think the combine probably puts him in pretty securely in at least round 3. I think if they take any DT relatively high, they are probably weighing upside.
After watching his tape and based on how he performed at the combine, I don’t think Overton will be there in Rd 6. Would honestly be fine with snagging him in rounds 3 or 4. Maybe w/ a comp pick.
Like OL as first pick (even if we trade back) but not as high on guys like Ifedi & Clark as some. Just feel that whilst these guys fit the prototype in terms of size & length, they just don’t move well enough in a league that is getting faster defenders and more specialised, spread defences.
Much prefer Coleman and Garnett who have slightly less length, similar/more power but better overall mobility/athleticism. When I watch Ifedi/Clark they really seem to reach, over extend and their feet just can’t keep up. That’s what separates say Tunsil from everyone else, mobility
Does that make sense??
Could see the 2nd scenario being tabled by Rob whereby we resign 1 OL starter, go BPA early and get OL depth later in the draft
I really think the the free agency plan that gives us the most options and gives us a chance to keep the core together / extend the championship window is.
19 mil cap space
-Resign Lane (6 mil Cap Hit)
-Resign Rubin (4 mil cap hit)
-Sign Wisnewski (4 mil cap Hit)
-Sign a veteran LG (3 mil Cap Hit)
-Sign Randy Stark (3 mil cap Hit)
Extend / Restructure Baldwin and Bennet
Draft
Rd #1 RT Shon Coleman or Ifedi (Move Gilliam to LT and Hopefully Coleman at RT)
R#2 DE Tapper (Another pass rusher to replace Bruce in pass rush situations)
Rd#3 DT Chris Jones (Rubin, Jones and Hill would make a solid DT rotation)
Rd#3 Comp RB CJ Prosise (Great compliment to Rawls and 3rd down back)
Rd #4 LB Freeney (Replacement for Bruce and great special teamer)
I like this line of thinking, Trevor.
Add in the fact that we would get two R3 (hopefully) or R4 comp. picks from Irvin and Okung to use next year and it makes it that much more appealing.
The only thing that makes me doubt they will do this is a philosophy point: except for Hauschka, as of right now they have ZERO players in the 2m-5m range. Last season, there were only two (not on rookie deals): Rubin at 2.6m and Kearse at 2.3m (R2 tender).
This seems to be a pretty firm strategy to, in a sense, force themselves to always do better than mid-tier talent. Or if they do accept such role players, to always make sure they are cheap (>2m) so that we can retain the top-tier talent.
You can see this visually at Spotrac: http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/cap/
I totally agree that now is the time to rework Baldwin and Bennett, and I hope they sign Lane and Rubin. But with the remaining 8m I think it is more likely they go for one top-tier player (Mack?) than 3 mid-tier players.
*edit “(<2m)": i.e. less than 2m*