Seahawks are signing former Eagles first-round pick Marcus Smith, per source. Smith cleared waivers Thursday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 28, 2017
Here’s what I wrote about Smith just before the 2014 draft:
The other two options and wildcards for #32 are Marcus Smith and Demarcus Lawrence. Smith might be the more intriguing option — he ran a 4.6 at the combine with a 1.57 ten yard split. He’s a former quarterback and needs time — his arms lack muscle definition and he can get stronger. Yet the potential is there.
The nagging doubt I’d carry would be the unpredictable nature of edge rushers transferring to the next level. For all the scaremongering about taking receivers early — pass rushers are the ones to worry about. Look how many surprising busts there have been over the years. The speed isn’t quite as effective at the next level and you have to be able to battle — hand use, strength, counter moves and speed-to-power are crucial. Smith’s a nice athlete, but he’s not a rare player. As good as he looked in college, he’d be a risky pick at #32.
That second paragraph ultimately sums up his time in Philadelphia. He was the #26 pick, taken because of his athletic potential. He ran a 1.5 split at 251lbs and had 34 inch arms. He was worth a flier in the first or second round. He’s not the same kind of athlete as Bruce Irvin or Vic Beasley but he’s that type of modern day EDGE/LEO/SAM.
When he got to the NFL and he couldn’t rely purely on speed, he was found wanting. That said, he’s a nice reclamation project. Much in the way Dion Jordan and Luke Joeckel are. It’s possible he’ll never develop and will always be more athlete than pass rusher. It’s still worth a look to find out.
It wasn’t the only move today…
Chiefs traded LB DJ Alexander to Seahawks for LB Kevin Pierre-Louis.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 28, 2017
This came out of nowhere, although Kevin Pierre-Louis’ career in Seattle has been underwhelming despite his obvious physical talent.
Alexander is a former fifth round pick from Oregon State (2015). He was a special teams Pro-Bowler last season.
He ran a 4.56 at his pro-day and a 1.56 split. He also jumped a 34.5 inch vertical and a 10-3 broad. His 4.24 short shuttle would’ve been fifth fastest among linebackers at this years combine. We highlighted before the draft the apparent importance of the short shuttle in Seattle’s linebacker assessments.
He’s their type of LB — excellent short shuttle, special teams demon.
Here’s some tape from his Oregon State days…
Finally, according to NFL Insider Guy Fieri (ahem), full back Marcel Reece will be reporting for training camp in Seattle. He ended last season strongly and this can only be considered good news.
If you missed yesterday’s piece on Seattle going into training camp, click here.
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Marcus Smith seems like a deja vu mirror of Chris Clemons…
Very similar
I really wish the best for KPL. He just couldn’t put it all together in Seattle.
That BS call against the Falcons will always be my abiding memory of KPL.
Trading a non pro bowl ST player for a Pro Bowl ST Ace is some wonderful Schneider magic.
Great news about Reece too, looked solid last year. Can only benefit the run game to have him out there for Lacy/Rawls
Yeah, that KPL flag was a game changer.
Excited about the Reece signing. Just as Rob wrote that a healthy Russell improves the run game even with a sub par offensive line, a legitimate athlete at fullback can add pop there too. The team lost there one real multi-dimensional player at that position when Cottom went down in training camp. For some reason (roster flexibility?) they went with a succession of Hulks who could play desperation defensive line too. Tukuafu couldn’t get within sneezing distance of a defender in open field blocks and was a plug in short yardage.
Reece was a clear upgrade and as a real option as a receiver had to be accounted for when he split out. There is more than one way to remove a run defender and he could do so pre-snap by going in motion.
I like his experience and am hoping he can mentor Algernon Brown from BYU who I’m excited to track in pre season.
Happy to see you back Rob.
Hope you got to spend some great time with your new one and the fam.
Thanks John, had a great time thanks
Glad to have you back Rob. Hope the summer has treated you kindly. Look forward to the new season
Thanks EP
So happy to have the blog back!
Really wish we would carry ten dlinemen this year.
Michael Bennet – lock
Cliff Avril – lock
Frank Clark – lock
Dion Jordan – athletic upside to be a steal
Marcus Smith – athletic upside to be a steal
Malik McDowell – lock
Quentin Jefferson – interior pass rush potential
Jarran Reed – lock
Ahtyba Rubin – most experienced interior d-lineman, near lock
Nazair Jones – near lock due to draft status. Big Tony McD replacement.
What a deep and talented defensive line that would be.
Might require only carrying five corners, four running backs and nine offensive linemen.
Seems to be that DJ Alexander is a safe bet to make the roster. I think we move on from Marsh.
End:
Michael Bennet
Cliff Avril
Frank Clark
Dion Jordan
Marcus Smith
Tackle:
Malik McDowell
Jarran Reed
Ahtyba Rubin
Nazair Jones
Quinten Jefferson
Linebacker:
Bobby Wagner
KJ Wright
DJ Alexander
Arthur Brown
Terrance Gavin
Michael Wilhoite
Safety:
Kam Chancellor
Earl Thomas
Bradley McDougald
Delano Hill
Tedric Thompson
Corner:
Richard Sherman
Shaquille Griffen
Jeremy Lane
Neiko Thorpe
Deandre Elliot
Quarterback:
Russell Wilson
Trevone Boykin
Runningback:
Eddie Lacy
Thomas Rawls
CJ Prosise
Fullback:
Marcel Reece
Wide Receiver:
Doug Baldwin
Jermaine Kearse
Tyler Lockett
Paul Richardson
Tanner McEvoy
Amara Darboh
Tight End:
Jimmy Graham
Luke Willson
Nick Vannet
Offensive line:
George Fant
Luke Joeckel
Justin Britt
Ethan Pocic
Germaine Ifedi
Rees Odhiambo
Oday Aboushi
Mark Glowinski
Justin Senior
24 for offense and 26 for defense.
My roster prediction was actually very similar with only a few differences. I personally had Marsh stick due to his ST ability, but could just as easily see him go, especially with the addition of DJ Alexander. I personally don’t really see Dion Jordan making the roster, because he is still injured, and has been such a flop thus far. He would truly have to get healthy fast and dominate in the preseason games to get onto the roster, since the team has nothing guaranteed for him. Smith would be in a similar boat. They have a lot of potential, but with no resources tied to them, they would be easy cuts if they don’t show that potential. I’m personally going to stay pessimistic about them until I see otherwise, in which case I hope to be very pleasantly surprised.
I only had them keeping 5 LBs on my estimate, with only two besides Wright, Wagner, and now Alexander. Between the rest (Wilhoite, Garvin, Brown, Powell, etc.) I honestly have no clue who will win, and am not really emotionally tied to any of them. I had the same DBs, with one addition: Desir. So I had 9-5-11.
On Offense, I the only differences I had were
– a 4th RB for Collins
– I swapped Kearse for Grayson, if he shows he can sub Lockett for PR/KR duties (trading/releasing Kearse for Grayson would save $1.7M this year and $4.5M next year, which would add substantial cap space for other extensions)
Had a Dream a new 3000 nfl mock draft was posted.
I’ll take the new post!
Welcome back to the grind guys!
On the blog now — new podcast on training camp
Going over the roster today after new additions, here is what I see…
In 2016 Seattle rolled with: 8DL, 6LB, 6S, 5 CB on D, and 2QB, 9OL, 4TE, 4RB, 1FB, 5WR… 25 PER
On Defense this year we have a plethora of talent!
DL (DE/DT) : Bennett, Avril, Clark, McDowell, Reed, Rubin – Then… COMPETITION
Jefferson(Health?), Jones, Marsh, Jordan(Nah), newly acquired Smith…
This is 11 monster dudes with only 8-9 spots available… I say Dion Jordan whom is
still unable to participate is out, and I feel Smith beats out Marsh…
CB – Sherman, Lane, Griffin, Thorpe, Tyson, Elliot (Shead on PUP) – Only 5 means a battle between Elliot and Tyson IMO…other guys on the roster too…
LB – Bobby, KJ, + 4 of these: Wilhoite, Alexander, Garvin, Brown, McDonald, Palacio, Powell
S – Earl, Kam, McDougald, Thompson, Hill…Cromartie, Simone battle it out—
The Depth of this Defense will be vastly better than last year…
Who makes the back end of it, we shall see…
My prediction is that Reece does not make the opening day roster. But, gets signed after the first game.
This is due to guarantees and roster flexibility.
Trading an oft-injured LB, albeit a young athletic one, for a Pro Bowl level ST player is a great move. KPL just wasn’t capable of staying on the field without getting injured, and Alexander should greatly improve our punt/kickoff coverage team.
Excited to see what Marcus Smith can do in a new environment that preaches competition above all else. He’ll either sink or swim, and if there’s a coaching staff in the league that can make him reach his potential, it’s the Seahawks coaches.
Welcome back Rob!
Welcome back Rob!
I’m glad you put up a Patreon page, so we can support your awesome work. I just subscribed and would recommend anyone who can to do the same! It’s great analysis, thank you for your work!
I hope you had a great summer with your family 🙂
Thanks for your support! Had a great summer thank you, ready for some football now 🙂
Happy your back Mr Staton
Best Seahawk site on the interweb by far. 🙂
Thank you 🙂