Tyler Linderbaum is an ideal building block for the Seahawks
Tony Pauline produced an updated big board this week. With just over two weeks to go, it’s a revealing and interesting read.
It also explains the quandary facing the Seahawks.
I’ve told this story before but it’s worth relaying. Before the 2010 draft a little birdie passed on some information that the Seahawks initially had strong interest in a safety and tackle combo with their two first round picks. I never established whether this was by choice or because of the options available.
There was a feeling they were targeting Eric Berry at #6 and Trent Williams at #14. Before the combine Williams’ stock was seen to be in the mid-first round range. Berry’s stock, equally, had fluctuated a bit after a so-so final season at Tennessee.
A brilliant combine helped propel Williams well into the top-five. Berry also ran a 4.40 and jumped a 43 inch vertical. Plans changed.
Obviously I’ve never verified any of this so it could be false, although this source was reliable and passed on some other nuggets that came true, including the Marshawn Lynch trade days before it occurred (which I tweeted about and was given a credit for at the time).
They ended up taking Russell Okung at #6 and Earl Thomas at #14. All’s well that ends well. It goes to show how things shift and change during an off-season process — yet you can still come away with a satisfactory conclusion.
The point of bringing this up is I suspect the Seahawks made the Russell Wilson trade thinking there was a good chance a pass rusher would be available at #9. They talked it up as the off-season priority and Clint Hurtt directly spoke of a need for a game-wrecker. Pete Carroll stated they wanted another Darrell Taylor.
Many were mocking Jermaine Johnson as a fringe first rounder in January. A great Senior Bowl and combine has seen his stock rise and rise. Now he’s a consensus top-10 pick and probably doesn’t get out of the top-seven.
I think the Seahawks possibly had their eye specifically on him. And if not him, one of the others. Travon Walker for example. Now it appears neither will reach #9. Aidan Hutchinson definitely won’t. Only perceived character flags could make it a possibility for Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Thus, we had the Uchenna Nwosu signing — the most expensive outside free agent addition in the Carroll era. A clear sign that post combine the Seahawks knew which way this was going and needed more than a minor hedge.
Tony’s big board has Thibodeaux, Hutchinson and Walker at #1, #2 and #3. Johnson is at #7.
Kyle Hamilton was assumed to be a very high pick but that no longer seems likely. This also adds another issue where teams who might’ve considered Hamilton perhaps pivot now to the more attractive option at a more premium position (DE/OL).
If, as expected, the best pass rushers are gone — and if we assume the Seahawks have been anticipating this since the combine — they have likely been preparing an alternative non-pass-rushing plan for the #9 pick.
I would argue the next few names on Tony’s list — Charles Cross, Jordan Davis, Garrett Wilson, Hamilton, Jameson Williams — are no better than the group that follows — Derek Stingley Jr, George Karlaftis, Trevor Penning and Devin Lloyd. Either that or they play positions that aren’t needed in Seattle.
It’s what we’d call over here ‘sod’s law’. Unfortunately the Seahawks could be just out of reach of the options they truly covet. The same is likely true for Atlanta. Quarterbacks going in the top-10 would change that but I’m just not buying it. And neither are the likes of Scot McCloughan, who I interviewed recently.
This is why trading down might be more likely than it was a few months ago. It’s just the reality of the situation.
Personally I’d be open to standing pat at #9 and taking Stingley Jr because I rate him higher than Tony. But if Tony has him rated in the mid-first, and if that’s where he’s expected to go, it’s plausible to move down a few spots and still target him.
If the Seahawks don’t plan to select any cornerback early — which is also a distinct possibility given their history — I’d argue the Karlaftis/Penning/Lloyd option — combined with Zion Johnson — plus an extra day two pick, is a better scenario than staying put and taking one of the higher ranked players.
So while some fans will sneer at the prospect of another trade down given Seattle’s recent track record — it might actually be somewhat justified here.
Unless the top-10 becomes a lot more unpredictable and one of the better pass rushers or offensive linemen fall. Then you stay put. There are plenty of mocks out there predicting this slice of fortune — but none are realistic. The top four pass rushers, Evan Neal and Ikem Okwonu will not make it to #9. It means the Seahawks are going to have to adapt and adjust.
It makes it tricky to project who specifically they will take.
Stingley Jr feels like the kind of project Carroll would love to take on, thus he might be the front runner. But it’d be wrong to totally ignore the injury situation and Seattle’s preference to draft cornerbacks later.
I can see them having interest in Lloyd as an impact player in the front seven. Is another linebacker really the route to go though, in a deep linebacker class?
Penning for me isn’t necessarily a day-one starter at left tackle but they might shift him over to the right initially. He has so many technical flaws though that it’d be a risky pick to launch a rebuild.
Johnson would be a plug-and-play left guard with an outstanding profile. He might be the safest available player.
Karlaftis isn’t anything, really, like the pass rushers they’ve drafted or signed in the past. Yet there’s no doubting his high-energy, high-effort style. As I mentioned last week, a trusted talent evaluator generously passed on his comparison to me: ‘He’s Aidan Hutchinson just available later in the draft‘. Can he drop into coverage though in a 3-4? Debatable.
The no-man’s land position in this class might sadly be #8 or #9. Thus, we could see the Falcons simply take the receiver they need. The Seahawks might feel obliged to take their top option on the board whatever the position. Both teams would probably prefer to move down a bit, gain some stock and take a similarly graded player in the middle portion of the first round.
Trading down could also allow Seattle to trade up later — something they’ve had success with in the past in the round two range (Jarran Reed, DK Metcalf, Darrell Taylor).
Tony has Tyler Linderbaum at #29 on his board having previously reported that he could fall into round two. At his pro-day yesterday he ran a 4.98 forty, an outstanding 4.38 short shuttle and if he’d benched only the average amount of the combine testers his TEF would’ve been an explosive 3.07.
His size limitations will always be an issue for some teams but the other big problem was the lack of testing combined with the size. Now that he has some numbers to look at and the mystery is removed, for me it’s very unlikely he will fall out of day one.
I do think the Seahawks are very interested in him. Austin Blythe is a clear hedge. I don’t think the talk of Blythe’s size and wrestling background is a coincidence. The benefit of a hedge is you don’t necessarily have to force the issue — so it’s not a cast-iron lock that Seattle trades up to claim what would be a great prize in this draft for their scheme.
However — if they want to make this blocking scheme work, there isn’t really a better option than Linderbaum to lead from the front. He would be a fantastic choice to help launch a new era with an injection of talent, aggression and athleticism to the offensive line.
If he falls into the late 20’s it would be well worth the Seahawks looking at options to trade back into round one to secure him. Trading down from #9 would secure the extra stock to make this even more possible.
What would it cost? The 2019 draft is the last time we saw teams trading back into the late first. The Giants gave Seattle a fourth and fifth round pick to go from #37 to #30. The Falcons jumped from #45 to #31 for the price of a third round pick.
Seattle has one fourth and two fifth round picks — with the potential to add more. So moving up from #40 wouldn’t be too challenging.
Getting a quality defensive prospect and a great offensive line addition with their first two picks would match the start of the 2010 build and would, frankly, be ideal.
At #41 they would have options. They could move down again to replenish their stock, or they could seek value. What a luxury to have that extra pick this year.
The reason I think they are so interested in Michael Clemons despite people, fairly, raising his average testing results is simple. He flashes on tape the same way Darrell Taylor did. Wins in the same way Taylor won. They’ve stated they want that and he’s attending the VMAC on an official visit.
Plus you wouldn’t be taking him in the same range as L.J. Collier so the risk isn’t anywhere near comparable.
If they miss out on the top pass rushers he could easily be their mid-round fall-back option to rotate in with Taylor, Nwosu and Alton Robinson. There’s already talk of a reunion with Carlos Dunlap too.
Ideally you’d get that great pass rusher in the top-10. If that’s not possible — this still feels like a reasonable plan.
And as mentioned before — Clemons just has that alpha, aggressive, tone-setting air that this team has lacked for a few years.
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Repost from other thread because literally no one would see that:
April 12, 2022 at 1:04 am
I wanted to do my own mock draft for just the top ten picks (anymore is too hard for me, and I’ll end up just copying other mocks to fill out the back half of round 1, lol). I will also provide a brief justification.
1. Jaguars – Ikem Okwonu, NC state
The jaguars have Cam Robinson to play left tackle and signed Brandon Scherff to fill in at right guard, but left guard is a gaping hole on the Jacksonville roster. If you have questions about Hutchinson’s stubby arms, mediocre pressure percentage and possible sack stat inflation due to playing across the potentially better pro player Ojabo, selecting a slam dunk left guard first overall might not be crazy. Lawrence struggled with pressure his rookie season especially up the middle of the oline. From the perspective of Doug Pederson, why not send a message to your young franchise qb that protecting him is the number 1 priority?
I recently watched some Ikey tape and by far, this was the most fun tape of any oline I’ve seen in awhile.
2. Detroit – Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
A year ago, Detroit prioritized the trenches by drafting Penei Sewell, a player with excellent tape but questionable athletic and physical measurements. I thought they could take Walker here but he’s that exact opposite of that, so they go with Hutchinson instead.
3. Houston – Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
This is a difficult pick to project because the Texans have needs pretty much everywhere on the roster. They could go any direction. In 2014 Lovie Smith chose mike evans and that worked out pretty well for Tampa long term. The texans could also look at the massive impact Jamarr Chase had in Cincinnatti last year and be influenced by that. Wilson may not seem a top five talent to many on this blog but in this day and age, good receivers go early.
4. New York Jets – Evan Neal, Alabama
I know lots of people expect Selah to go defense here but… Becton has been a massive disappointment for New York and they have George Fant! slotted in as the starting right tackle right now. If they want to give Zach Wilson any chance to succeed this season, they need to keep upgrading the oline. Alijah Vera-Tucker looks to be a guard in the pros. Evan Neal can fix their problem at left tackle and perhaps Becton can try again at right tackle.
5. New York Giants – Travon Walker, Georgia
I’m sure Daboll would love to draft Neal, but Walker could fit well in the NYG 3-4 Defense playing with Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Willams.
6. Carolina – Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
Carolina desperately needs oline help. The top two options are off the board. Charles Cross is limited. The Panthers “reached” last year for a player they like in Jaycee Horn, and they do the same here for a high ceiling small school prospect.
7. New York Giants – Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
New York needs linebacker help but the value isn’t good enough to take Lloyd. Maybe Hamilton can contribute in a hybrid linebacker/safety role. People forget he was considered a top five talent before an average combine. The value here is good and this could be a team fit.
8. Atlanta – Jermaine Johnson, Florida State
Rumors are that Thibodeux is going to fall out of the top five. Atlanta has no pass rush right now and Johnson could be the more confident pick for a variety of reasons.
9. Seattle – Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
If Thibodeaux falls this far it’s hard to imagine seattle passing this opportunity up.
10. Jets – Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
Jets get a steal here and Selah adds a potential “shutdown” corner that reminds some scouts of Richard Sherman.
Am a little worried about a top ten pick on Kayvon Thibodeaux. Just me but his self referencing of Jadeveon Clowney has given me pause. Not sure in a draft do over Clowney himself would warrant a top ten pick.
Btw I could feel in my bones as I was typing up a mock Rob would most certainly post anew article!
If we take him in at 9 and he ends up as good as Clowney I’d be very happy. You have to remember not everyone you take top 10 is going to be Khalil Mack or Von Miller, but despite his sack total being low, Clowney was an absolute game changer for us that year. That San Francisco game was one of the best individual performances you’ll see.
If he’s there at 9 if feels like a no brainer to me.
That’s the thing. Clowney is good. Not great. Not very good. Just good.
I’m not talking von miller. Clowney isn’t even as good as Carlos Dunlap. A middle second round pick.
The goal for me is a player that warrants a spendy second contract. That’s a success.
Maybe Thibodaux is that guy. Clowney wasn’t a bust. But i would hope for much greater value with a top ten pick then what Clowney provided.
I disagree. Clowney’s problem was consistency, not ceiling. When he was on, he was undeniably one of the best players in the League. That and injuries.
I urge you to take a look at his stat lines. In the years that he was on and played between 13 and 16 games he was just good. If you compare him to Dunlap or Frank Clark he just never was as dominate as either player. Yes he undoubtedly had great games but on a whole…..i just don’t see it.
If seattle drafts a top ten player and their production was the same as his over five years in Houston we would be gladly talking about an upgrade over that player.
Stats don’t tell the whole story, Dunlap never took over a game like Clowney could.
I think is is fair sometimes except i’m not sure you or I watched any Bengals games where Dunlap was crushing Clowney’s output. If you’re a big time red rifle era period bengals fan I stand corrected.
Sure. Stats aren’t the end all be all. Alternately taking over a game here and there but being a non factor is also as much a part of the story as stats.
Look maybe thibodaeux is awesome at the next level and I’ll stand corrected.
This is just a draft connection between players and a draft correction. If you knew what Clowney was going to be looking back at that draft that’s not top ten production.
My take on Clowney is that he can be a great second fiddle when playing next to a great concert master—e.g., Watt or Garrett. Without the great partner, he doesn’t seem to be as consistently effective. For what it’s worth, his tackling numbers have declined steadily since 2017.
If the top pass rushers and Gardner are off the board then trading back then back up as you propose would be the ideal situation. Even better if you could grab a guy like Stingley after trading back which still seems unlikely to me. His stock reminds be a little of Derwin James though. Who fell on draft day after seeming like a top 5 lock his freshman year then having injury issues the year he came out.
On another note read yesterday that Gardner did not give up a single receiving TD in coverage during his 3 yrs at Cincy. Is that possible? I know they are not in a power 5 conference but that is still crazy consistency for a young player who matched against every teams top WR. The idea of having him in the secondary is pretty appealing I admit.
A challenge with trading back that I’ve been trying to study is who trades up? If there aren’t obvious players available at 9, who and why would a team trade to that spot. There needs to be a “missing piece” and that team can’t deplete its draft capital. There’s also rumors the Giants are trying to trade back from 7 adding some trade competition.
I could see the Saints continue to be aggressive and move up from 16, while moving back from 19 to recoup capital. The Chargers seem like a missing piece away, but also don’t have an R2 pick.
Trade back might certainly be ideal, but also looks fairly difficult to pull off this year.
All of this. Somewhat related, I still don’t understand why it wouldn’t be prudent to get a premium player by trading up from 9 to 6/7, even if it costs a second rounder. We have the picks this year to take that risk. Instead there is this apparent mindset to stand pat and reach for need or trade back and collect multiple average players. That’s worked well.
I believe Rob spelled it out before. There is so much talent in the day 2 range that they might be better off keeping 40 & 41, and pairing those with another possible round 3 if they trade back in the first to somewhere in the teens or early 20’s.
I guess it’s all a matter of who would be available at #7, and what the Giants want in return. If JJ is there and the Hawks are laser focused on him, then who knows?
The options on day two are too good to give away a club controlled player worth four years
There’s, to me, a ton of non-average players available in rounds 2-4.
I tend to agree, I rather the hawks be aggressive for a player they truly want/believe in at 6/7 versus trading back. We want impact players and as pointed out before on this site those are only found in the top picks. Sure, the collection of club control players is nice but if the team truly believes Jermaine Johnson is the guy then they should be bold and move up. BAMF prospects needs a BAMF front office that has the balls and convictions to go after what they want. This is especially true at a premium position, such as DE. Just my thoughts, but I think I would prefer them make a move if they truly believe in their drafting acumen and be bold.
I just hope that being in “no man’s land” doesn’t lead them into mistakes so they come away with no impact players. Or that they make the error of spending too much draft capital in a trade for someone like, say, Baker Mayfield. Is “sod’s law” anything like “screwed without a kiss”?
I agree and laid out the ground work in a post a while back; Carolina is sorely lacking picks. If you traded up from 9 to pick six it works out almost perfectly in draft trade charts with our third rounder included. Rather than trade all around risking either a) getting a lesser talent player or b) missing out on someone you wanted – instead trade up to pick six to get on of the supreme talents in the draft at the position you really want good early impact.
I know you lose out on that third round player but isn’t the possible all pro reward worth it? Especially considering we do have extra high round picks this year and next from Denver. Go get a true game wrecker.
The teams who want receivers or tackles will have strong interest
Aren’t the Giant’s trying to trade not back but for a future first rounder? I thought it wasn’t stockpiling stock but that they almost can’t afford to pay for their draft picks.
I would also guess it won’t be easy to trade down like in a mock simulator.
Rob latest mock feels like a good prediction for the top 7 players. Who is left?
OT: Penning and Cross
DT: Wyatt and Davis
CB: Stingley, McDuffie
WR: Wilson, Williams, Olave
S: Hamilton
all QBs
Who is going to the Falcons?
Does their pick make a team move to get their specific player?
Who could the Jets target that you want to jump ahead? OT, CB, WR?
– Vikings: #9 and #41 for #12, #46 and #77
If Stingley and Gardner are gone by 8, would the Vikings trade up to secure McDuffie?
– Baltimore: #9 for #14, #76 and maybe one of their 4th rounders
Secure Penning/Cross
– Eagles: #9 for #15, #83 and #101
Secure Wilson
– Chargers: #9 for #17, #79 and 23 second round
Penning/Cross or Davis?
Best bet are the Ravens. They got two 3rd and five 4rd picks to trade up.
A team will trade into the top 10 for a QB. It’s foolish and stupid but it’s going to happen.
I think two QB go top 10 and three top 15. Even with the poor class, it’s about supply and demand. And there will always be sky high demand for young cost controlled QB play.
This benefits Seattle, more demand to trade up to 9 and better nonQB available where they do end up picking.
I don’t think it will happen
This is a bad QB class
The media is doing its best but it’s all hype
I know he shouldn’t but I bet Malik Willis goes in the top 10. He plays a premium position and has incredible upside. Teams will see him for the player he could be. A team like Detroit or Atlanta won’t be able to help themselves.
A few thoughts I’m having. I want a defensive focused draft. I’m fine with going OL to start the rebuild but it feels like you can totally revamp your defense with this draft class alone.
In my opinion, J Johnson, D Lloyd and D Stingley would be the ideal three players to revamp the D at each level in our new scheme. Having picks 9, 10 and 11 might get you this but we don’t have that. If we trade DK, we might be in a spot to draft two which would be exciting.
But assuming that doesn’t happen, what scenario of players at 9, 40 and 41 would get you to the closest to these 3?
Is CB depth in the 40’s not as strong as say LB? Would it be more advantageous to take Gardner/Stingley at 9 and then take Tindall/Chenal at 40? What is the difference in talent between Lloyd and Tindall/Chenal? Would Ojabo/Mafe last to 40? Most likely not but a small trade up should be possible.
Do they see Lloyd as a possible two for one? Playing the Will and then OLB on 3rd down which would allow them to punt DE till later in the draft for a Michael Clemons/Nik Bonnito type.
I’m interested to see what scenarios could be produced that would get us as close as possible in talent to Stingley, Johnson and Lloyd.
My best guess at this point is:
9. Stingley – the potential is just too high compared to any of the CB’s available in the 40’s
40. Ojabo – Getting a top 10 pick in the 2nd round when your not expected to compete in 2022 sounds like a risk worth taking.
41. Tindall – Lloyd is more versatile with rushing the passer but Tindall is a wrecking ball. I don’t think the drop off is significant.
If you pick Zion Johnson first and went defense the rest of the way you would still be loading up on talent and that one pick for Zion would go along way to straightening out the oline.
If they traded down from 9 and then up from 40 and landed Zion and Linderbaum I wouldn’t hate it
💯
Turn the interior around in one draft? That’s how you go from middling to contending in short order.
I feel like bad teams whiff with early left tackle busts (Robert Gallery, for example). Mike Holmgren learned to have a young, hungry defense and an older established veteran offensive line and offense. I like the Okung/Earl Thomas example that the Hawks may try to replicate, as Rob mentioned, but I would much rather have found O line in free agency and been ready to grab top (young/hungry) defensive talent in this draft. Then when your have a 3-4 defensive tackle who wants $20 million in a second contract, you move on and get comp picks (Albert Haynesworth, for example). But, the Hawks seem to like saving money on the offensive line.
The established veteran mike holmgren had was Walter Jones. Holmgren also deafted in the late teens HOF guard Hutchinson to play next to Jones.
I do get tackle misses and tackles into guards feels a bit of a let down.
But Rob is going for interior players that have a solid feel to them.
There’s an interesting point that rarely gets brought up and that’s the salary of first round picks. In the top 10, salaries are more of a factor than later on (see the link below). If we trade up with the Giants, for example, we’ll be paying the player we select about $6.6 million per year. That’s much less of a rookie savings than our pick at #10 at about $4.3 million. If you trade back to #18 with the Saints, that number goes down to just under $3 million. So, there’s less risk AND you allocate less resources to this player. No one wants an Aaron Curry making $7 million per year (this year’s projected #4 money) making more than the starting veterans around him, while he’s looking confused and missing assignments. Do I worry specifically about that in this draft? Not necessarily. But, it’s something to consider – that if you get starters later in the draft, the savings versus veterans is larger.
https://overthecap.com/draft/
This wage scale is also why the premium positions tend to go earlier. If the player is just average, those numbers are easier to stomach if you’re talking LT, Edge, QB, and to lesser degree CB. Also, I’m not too convinced it dictates how teams draft- if they have conviction on a guy in that spot- they take him. Only exception appears to be a team like the Giants who are having to manage the cap.
That’s a valid point but the two biggest reasons to be concerned about the cap hit of a top pick are 1-you’re completely tapped out on the cap, or 2-your team is tight-fisted about paying young players. In both of those scenarios you have much bigger problems than affording an extra $2m per season.
Trading down to save cap is not the reason you do it – if teams say it is, that’s a PR move to calm fans’ fears about missing out on a guy they would have preferred.
Also keep in mind if you trade down you gain draft picks, so you pretty much end up paying a similar amount on the cap anyway. You just get another lottery ticket or two.
In re Muprhy’s Law vs Sod’s Law…is that a generational change like ‘lol’ and ‘haha’?
Or is that because Murphy was actually a Yankee?
These are the questions that keep me up at night
Wasn’t Murphy Irish and if so wouldn’t that be a reason Brits call it Sod’s Law?
You’d think. Hell, I thought.
But then I checked and he was an American 🤷🏻♂️
🤔🤷♂️
Don’t mean to get negative, but this is a load of bollocks. Talent evaluators are wrong too.
Go take a look at their respective stats and tell me if you think Hutch and Karlaftis are similar players beyond the fact that they’re both large white guys who play the same position.
Might as well say Boye Mafe is KT, just available a round later.
Gonna take a slight step back from this.
I’m not usually one to quote DJ, but fwiw I think it’s a fair comp to say that Karlaftis is to Hutch what Kerrigan is to Allen. Which is a little ironic for me, considering their respective draft positions (Kerrigan was #16 in 2011 and Allen was #126 in 2004).
Cliff was the single most underappreciated Hawk in his time. Anyone with that motor and impact is more than welcome here. I’ll sleep on the couch.
I’m glad you brought up Avril. I saw that comp too and took a closer look…
Avril Bonitto
Height 6-3 6-3
Weight 253 248
40 yd 4.51 4.54
10 yd split 1.51 10yd 1.53 10yd
3 cone 6.90 7.04
20 yd 4.51 4.23
Vert 32.5 35.5″
Long 117″ DNP
Final 2 years of CFB stats:
Avril Bonitto
Tackles (solo) 83 42
Tackles (assist) 41 30
Tackles (loss) 30 26.5
Sacks 12.5 16
Clearly, Avril had the stronger college career. But in the money stats – tackles for loss and sacks – it’s a much closer margin. And then there’s the athletic similarities.
One potentially big difference though: Avril has +34″ arms, whereas Bonitto has only 32.5″
Great insight. Thanks for sharing. Will be interesting to see who the Hawks value most out of that second tier of edge rushers.
Simms is quite high on Bonnito, #5 on his EDGE list.
Bonniito also had the sub-1.6 10-yard split Seattle values and Daniel Jeremiah comped him to Cliff Avril.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”
-Blitzy the Clown
-Steve Nelsen
Have you watched them both play, though?
Some factors to think about:
AH had another first round pick on the other side this year and last year. Also had interior linemen that are likely to be drafted.
GK had none of that.
AH had a good team in UM to play on and get the spotlight.
GK did not.
Gk is year younger.
Having watched a lot of Big Ten football, both of them included, they are very similar players. GK was thought to be the best last year, before AH was on a team that made the playoffs and had a great year. I would take AH over GK, but its irrational to say the comparison isnt warranted.
Same could be said with Mafe. Not sure if I’ve seen a single other name from that defense in this years draft.
I have been thinking for some time that it is very possible that:
* All 4 premier Edge rushers are gone by 9
* Both premier interior lineman and both premier corners also gone by #9
Leaving Seattle with a slightly worse scenario than Rob laid out. But what if Seattle gets stuck (like in years past) with a draft day trade down failing to happen at the last minute and the Hawks now must make a pick at #9
Who then do they select?
Make the best of that pick by getting a player you could have selected at 20 after a trade down. In that scenario I’d consider Zion Johnson, Trevor Penning, Tyler Linderbaum, Tyler Smith and Matt Corral. Or just take Jordan Davis.
Yep. Even if you feel you are screwed a player like Zion reach as it may in that scenario won’t feel like a reach in a few years if he plays out the way he seems like he might.
Mike Mayock did this when he reached early for his guy DE Clelin Ferrell.
In that scenario, I’d take Jordan Davis.
The kind of situation where we all collectively ask “who?” And “why?” And then spend the next several months talking ourselves into Carroll’s logic.
Very possible is a strong way to phrase this. I would say it is more of a remote possibility given the uncertainty of Stingley and someone going top 8 that we aren’t planning for (think when the Raiders drafted Clellin Ferrell at #4).
Jermaine Johnson and Abe Lucas.
As much as I’d love to see Lucas on the Hawks cuz I’m a Coug fan, I don’t see it happening. I think Pete
s ngonna look at run blocking first and that’s the weaker area of his game.
I am not a smart man. Case in point: I am confused by the T ratings/projections. If the highest rated T prospects in this class actually project as G in the NFL, and the next tier of T are projected as RT rather than LT, who is the best true LT candidate, even if it is someone who may enjoy a solid if unspectacular career? Or is there no such thing in this class? And are these projections team-specific or universal? Could Evan Neal be a competent NFL LT for virtually every team but Seattle because they are weird? Are there limits to the number of questions per reply? Are you considering invoking such a rule now?
Charles Cross — but he’s never really been asked to run block, is kind of middling as an athlete, and doesn’t have overwhelming size.
If the ‘no mans land’ scenario arises, the Seahawks are still in a position to draft a difference maker at #9 or trade down, but they can’t trade down too far or I fear, they might not get the player that can raise the level of the team ‘significantly’ in a particular position. To be in Tony’s words an Impact player.
Influenced by the modern draft talent experts, such as Tony, Chris Simms, PFF and particularly our own Rob amongst others, I’ve formulated 12 impact players I think are worth the Seahawks first pick.
Aiden Hutchinson
Kavon Thibodeaux
Trayvon Walker
Jermaine Johnson ii
Ahmed Gardner
Derek Stingley jr
Ryan Neal
Ikem Ekwonu
Jordan Davis
Devonte Wyatt
Zion Johnson
Nick Bonitto
My Seahawks Big Board would fall in the same order.
So how i see it, is if none of the top 6 are still on the board at #9, a trade down becomes the most desirable option. However, the team shouldn’t drop down by more than the number of these Impact players that are left on the board, because as we’ve seen from past drafts, the Seahawks could well miss out on the chance to draft any of them. That would be the biggest shame. If trading down on this basis isn’t possible, ie the only trading partners were teams with picks from the late teens onwards, the Seahawks should stay put and select one of these Impact players at #9 and be excited.
Ryan Neal???
Likely typo for Evan Neal. Brain working in front of fingers etc
Flippen eck! Actually I’m quite relieved I just got one name wrong!!
I hope we can get a top 10 pick off another team for Ryan Neal!!
What is the range for Michael Clemons?
Seen him #100+. Does he last to round 5? (It’s a good one for the hawks)
Very possible…seems like the two things that might be working against him, 1) A couple off-field arrests that show questionable decision making, 2) He is going to be 25 years old in August, not exactly ideal for a rookie.
And here we go…
https://mobile.twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1513888031027118085?cxt=HHwWioCy8ZXJtIIqAAAA
A market correction could be shorter contracts. Two year or thre year. Giving teams a slice at “superteams.” Ad fringe plsyers more prove it deals instead of backloaded phony money deals.
Doubt the owners don’t step in. Having to escrow in the future 600 million, a full roster fully guaranteed for say three years is not something even billionaires are probably going to want to stomach. Plus injuries and roster turnover.
The owners need only look at the Westbrook situation with the Lakers to see what that future portends.
$47 million for a non-starter.
Yikes.
Yeah let’s going to get ugly real quick if this happens in the nfl.
Yes. This has always been such a stupid argument to me. Like two dogs pulling on both ends of a stick. “We should have guaranteed contracts!” yells Dog #1.
Uhh, you do. Part of it is guaranteed, part of it isn’t. But you have guaranteed contracts. Oh, you want fully guaranteed? Okay, just chop off the non-guaranteed part. Happier now? You just got the same deal but you can now call it fully guaranteed. Whee! Oh, except the owners may not even do that, because the phony non-guaranteed years allowed them more cap flexibility so they could offer more $$ to other players, so how about a slight reduction in your fully guaranteed contract to replace that lost flexibility/space?
Bottom line is it comes down to (a) how the CBA treats contracts under the cap and (b) how much risk an owner is willing to take on for the talent. It’s still football. Guys still get hurt at a tremendously high rate. Only desperate teams are going to guarantee long contracts or big money.
I think Rob has identified 6 guys Seattle would pick at#9 if they are there. And he has talked about a possible backup plan (trade back, trade up) but there are at least 2 other possible backup plans worth discussion.
1.Trade back, trade back – This is similar to Rob’s post except Seattle ends up with one 1st round pick and additional day 2-3 picks. There are some nice options on Day 2 at RB, LB, and OL plus several edge prospects with sub 1.6 10-yard splits. I’d rather have 1 day and 5 day 2 rather than 2 day 1 and 2-3 day 2.
2. Get value on a rookie contract. The guaranteed money for a #9 pick is substantial regardless of what position they play. The “value” positions are QB, LT, WR, edge and CB. Rob has already pointed out the 6 LT and Edge prospects that would be worth a #9 pick. We know Seattle isn’t looking to add a WR (unless a DK trade is in the background) but another team could look to move up for a WR which could push someone like Johnson to Seattle. Similarly, a team with a glaring CB need could move up. I personally don’t think Seattle drafts a CB at 9. So, that leaves QB.
I am a big fan of Scott McCloughan like Rob but I am also a big fan of Tony Pauline and he has 5 QBs that he grades as having 1st-round talent. If Seattle loves one of those guys, then taking them at #9 is far and away the greatest value pick. Similarly, if another team is interested in their guy, then they could move up and push Johnson to Seattle at 9.
It is an easy dodge to point out the flaws in each of the top QB prospects and say there isn’t a Josh Allen (went 7th) or Patrick Mahomes (went 10th) but even if it is true, if a QBs isn’t overdrafted, it will be a surprise.
I think that there is a real (50-60%) possibility that a combination of 3 QB/WR/CBs in the top 8 which would leave Seattle with a nice Edge at 9. But, if that doesn’t happen, I also think that there is a high likelihood that they are higher on one of the QB prospects than McCloughan. So many have the arm strength and mobility traits that Seattle values. You wouldn’t take them top-3 but at 9 with all the elite OTs and Edges gone…that is just too much sense not to discuss.
Linderbaum pro day numbers are in.
32.5 vert; 9- 2.5 broad; 24 bench = 3.01 TEF
https://twitter.com/BrandonThornNFL/status/1513659242682662915?t=vrcV_2CoMfjWQtOP7QjlyQ&s=19
The Ringer’s latest mock draft, by Danny Kelly, has Pickett going at #6 and Sauce at #4, so Jermaine Johnson falls to and is picked by Seattle at 9.
They also have Linderbaum at 31, and Seattle could easily trade up from 40 to 31 to get him
https://nfldraft.theringer.com/mock-draft?_ga=2.139802039.507513775.1649704595-1630946312.1631386149
Tony Pauline promising to discuss Jermaine Johnson and the Jets at #4 on his show with Trey Wingo today
We mocked that last week and have been pitching it for a while
Shame but is highlights what we have discussed in this piece
My interview with Tony FWIW will be next week
Fant’s 5th year option has been exercised.
Smart move. The 5th-year option for TEs is relatively cheap. Grant’s performance has “out valued” the salary under the option.
A great receiver for a rookie QB to rely on in 2023.
I like how they waited for a quiet period to exercise it, and not wait until the May 2nd deadline.
TE room is now set for a couple more years.
I can get on board with $6.85m for 2023 for Fant.
As long as they don’t draft a tight end this year.
Why draft a TE when there’s a blue chip safety staring them right in the face?
https://twitter.com/Super70sSports/status/1513727147394977800?s=20&t=1CElH950DNBgikULb7fp0g
Kickin it old school
I have a couple of pix of him taken that day with the Hawks jacket on. Don’t remember where I ran into them but loved them so saved. I assume he/they were doing a show in Seattle and someone gifted it to him.
Definitely in the convo as the greatest front man in rock & roll history.
💯
You just know he saw those silver sleeves and didn’t hesitate one second.
A Rock God.
I think the big takeaway from Tony Pauline’s big board is this:
– 24 players with a solid Day 1 grade
– another 80 players with a Day 2 grade
This is why trading down out of #9 isn’t necessarily so bad. If Jermaine Johnson drops to us at #9, fine, pull the trigger. Otherwise, trade down and get more cracks at those incremental 80 players.
Since Rob is the new Lady Thistledown of the NFL, maybe we should all be reading his articles in the Julie Andrews voice.
I thought we already did that.
If the Seahawks are sitting at 9 and all of the premium guys are gone, with the exception of Stingley, what are the odds of trade back – trade back, just enough to be in front of the Patriots, and then take Johnson? Get a couple of extra 3s and maybe use one of those to move back up from 41 for Linderbaum/Corral/Surprise!. They could still walk away with an absolute haul.
I still prefer Defense/Defense/Deefense, beginning with Stingley/Tindall, but understand that Pete doesn’t care what I want.
Also, if anyone is interested, Russ’ house is on the market. It’s typically modest and understated:
https://www.zillow.com/homes/905-Shoreland-Dr-SE,-Bellevue,-WA_rb/48970809_zpid/
Yikes. That is awful (or at least definitely not my style). Proof that money does not buy taste.
I find it hilarious that the treehouse, which you would think was built for, you know, kids, was in fact made for adults.
Oh, and the kids play room is the smallest room in the house.
I like that his gym has his personal logo on it. He’s even corporate at home. And the kids’ playroom with “PLAY” on the wall just in case they forget. I guess he figures it can be small because they don’t take up much room.
It has a subtle early 80’s Miami motif going for it. That entrance hall? Tony Montana would be proud. If Russ buys himself a tiger as a pet, take the under on Broncos wins. 🙂
It’s got good bones for a homeless shelter or a group home.
I just assumed that Drew Lock would buy it.
Maybe Lock will rent-to-own…
Man everyone is hammering Russ about this house. I think it’s well designed and well decorated. If he was still in Seattle and this house went on the market, I think people would react a bit differently. And I’m no Russ apologist, I hate how he left and am definitely not rootiing for his success at Denver, but personally I like their taste (other than the gym logo).
Tony says the four top pass rushers will go in the top five
Three offensive linemen off the board by #8
Sauce the other player to go before #9
Tony says can’t see trade in the top eight, could happen at #9 because Seattle wants picks
So it’s all but sorted really. It’s either they believe in Stingley or move down
Was Cross the 3rd OL? Seattle would be in a great spot for a trade-down with someone who wants the top WR or Stingley or the top QB.
Everything is trending that way but I don’t get it with Cross
Nobody is going to trade into the top-10 for a QB. A total media creation that is painful to listen to. But it’s a distinct possibility teams wanting the WR1 or Penning will seek to move up.
If they take Stingley at #9 I’d be down. Increasingly though I like the idea of getting back into R1.
Agree on Cross. If I pick an OT in the top-10 then I want a LT or likely Pro-Bowl RT. I’m not sure Cross is either.
This is where the QB wildcard could come in. If a QB does go top 8 and Cross is the one to drop out I say no thanks and its either Stingley or try to trade down. If Hamilton and a QB both go top 8 now we are talking.
A quarterback will not go in the top eight.
In fact, make that top nine.
I sincerely hope Charles Cross is gone before #9, one other player that can drop to us and no way they can think about drafting him.
Additionally, there’s always an element of crazy thrown into any draft that nobody predicts; i.e. with Trey Lance last year. There’s going to be some kind of crazy in the top 8.. possibly WR, Jordan Davis, or LB with the Micah Parsons effect last year I’m guessing. I could see someone going all in on Malik Willis due the tools he has.. again- the crazy.
To be fair — plenty of people had Lance going to the Niners last year. I wasn’t a fan of his but many thought he would go very early
Hey Rob
Any thoughts on Carson Strong? Bootleggers mentioned him. First time I’ve heard his story. Went and watched a few interviews and his highlights and I’m sitting here wondering how he’s not the #1 QB in this class. He’s got a beautiful deep ball, accurate all over the field, makes solid tears, touch when he needs it+rocket when he needs it. Mastered the fade route. Hits his guys in stride(yac!). The only negative I really see mentioned is his lack of mobility. He played with a serious knee injury and still looked good. He won’t ever be the crazy athlete Lamar or Kyler are, but he’s already a better pocket passer. I’d love to snag him in the 3rd or 4th and see what he can do. Seems like the perfect game manager/ball distributor that Pete wants. 70%+completion percentage the last two years. Makes good decisions with the ball. And he can certainly hit the deep shots to DK/Tyler/Dee/fant that Pete loves.
Strong is a player who the first time you watch him you marvel at some of the throws he makes which are beautiful. The arm is intriguing.
But then you really dig into the footwork and there are issues. Then you see the sacks and realise he has no mobility at all. You hear the talk about his knee injury. And you see how the knee, the footwork and the inaccuracy at times all connects to make some serious ‘oof’ plays and you worry. Then he has a shocking Senior Bowl.
For me there’s nothing to covet here.
Interesting post I saw today that confirmed something we already know, thanks to Rob’s analysis:
Of every OL that has made the Pro Bowl since 2010 17/19 tackles had 34+ inch arms. The two that didn’t had RAS near 10. 12/14 guards had 33+ inch arms. The two that didn’t has RAS above 8.
If your OL doesn’t have long arms, they better be explosive.
https://twitter.com/DrewCzar/status/1511868606375763969?s=20&t=7pLRcKBabcf3Sm-r-VDMTQ
I also read an article harping on about short shuttle this and that as important for offensive linemen.
Explosive testing and length is what teams look at.
And the same people harping short shuttle aren’t talking about how average Ekwonu & Cross are in their testing there.
Exactly. It’s fun to look at guys who meet both requirements (long arm, explosive athletes) who could be successful later on if we do indeed intend to re-sign Brown and Shell. Guys like Matt Waletzko and Ryan Van Demark could be fun projects to develop, similar to a George Fant who has made a good chunk of money.
Lance gives us Stingley at #9… with Jermaine Johnson going at #10 to the Jets…
https://www.nfl.com/news/lance-zierlein-2022-nfl-mock-draft-3-0-panthers-pass-on-qb-chiefs-trade-up-for-w
Just more false hope when there is none unfortunately
Jermaine Johnson will not be there
And any time I see a mock with JJ, Neal, Ekwonu, Thibodeaux or Walker available at #9 (or Charles Cross at #9) I click off immediately.
I saw a mock on NFL.com with Jermaine Johnson going #26? lol
Zion Johnson and Linderbaum however still on the board going into the second round. Stingley, jermaine johnson, Gardner or bust on that ninth pick. I’m good with either but less good with many other options at nine.
✔️
When I look at guys projected to go top 10, how many feel like they could be all-pro? For me its only Thibodeaux and Stingley. The others feel safer and come with less risk but feel like they have less upside. If Stingley is there at 9 it will be very interesting to see what they would do.
That is exactly right
Stingley Jr and Thibodeaux are the two with the potential at least to be ‘great’
But they come with some element of risk
The rest of the top-15/20 is full of good/really good players. Not great players.
I feel like it’s stingley, Jermaine Johnson.
I think Sauce with his ball skills could be an all-pro. I don’t want to say Sherm, as Sherm is a champion and potential hall of famer; but Sauce fully realizing his potential could be Sherm.
Since we are all taking semi-educated guesses, I will offer a counter-view: Absent a trade (why would Seattle trade for Baker Mayfield when they already have him on the roster under a different name, Drew Lock?), obtaining a franchise QB this year or next is a pre-requisite for winning a Super Bowl. Rarely does a team win a ring without a franchise QB, and conversely no team has EVER won a ring with a QB on a top-five salary (sorry GB, Den, KC et al). Ergo, performing a miracle and landing a rookie QB who becomes elite seems to be the most common formula to win a ring (unless you have Tom Brady, willing to play at a $25M/yr discount). So, that means landing the QB who John thinks is “the guy” in the draft this year or next. The top 5 QBs this year have been under talking-head attack for the better part of a year now. Next year has 3 likely higher-rated QBs. Yet, it is reasonable to assume that the teams in the 2023 draft with the top three picks are very likely to need a QB and not even the trade of the Seahawks two R1 picks would be enough. In other words, if John puts all his eggs in that basket, he may wind up with no eggs and no QB. I think several of this year’s QBs have the skill set that Pete is looking for, so why not obtain one of them with a single R1 pick this year, rather than risking that even two R1s may not do the trick next year? For that reason, and for what its worth, I am mocking Matt Corral to the Seahawks at #9. No risky trade ups or trade downs. Keep both our R2s this year and get an OT, DE, CB or LB with those two. John also works magic in R3, 4 & 5, so odds are we land a couple of good players there also. I think “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” is a tried and true English bit of wisdom?
Lenoir-Rhyne WR Dareke Young on an official 30 visit to Seattle
Notable amount of WRs recently…
Getting a bit suspicious actually.
Getting a little tired of how far off the PFN simulator is
25. Jermaine Johnson EDGE Florida State
41. Devonte Wyatt DT Georgia
57. Abraham Lucas OT Washington State
67. Cameron Jurgens OC Nebraska
72. Wan’Dale Robinson WR Kentucky
99. Channing Tindall LB Georgia
109. Zamir White RB Georgia
147. Jack Coan QB Notre Dame
152. Micheal Clemons EDGE Texas A&M
153. Rasheed Walker OT Penn State
229. Jaylen Watson CB Washington State
Also snagged
2023 JAX 2nd
2023 BUF 2nd
Agreed. I just have to assume some players are gone regardless when I do it, obviously would love this outcome though!
Every year people of every blog I’ve ever known has assumed 54-64 players will be drafted in the first 35 picks. And there will somehow be 210 players drafted in the first 3 rounds (again, mathematically impossible).
Agreed. Personally I like the PFF simulator more in terms of draft board.
Just use Rob’s Bigboard. Try to keep things as close as possible.
You can be a little flexible like a lower rated round grade is ok to take one round lower.
Ex. A Haskell Garrett rated bottom of the DT’s for 3rd round is ok to take in 4th.
Or even a player graded a 4th rounder ok to take in 5th if you take him at the top.
Seems to make it feel a little more realistic. Atleast it does for me.
Agreed on this. Any site that has Jermaine Johnson in the 20’s while Rob first then others follow have him as an easy top ten….you gotta go with Rob.
Is that PFF or PFN? PFN has Jermaine 12th, and usually gets picked in the top 10 in most drafts for me. I noticed PFF has JJ really low on their big board.
Sad reality: if we hadn’t traded for J. Adams, we would be in perfect position to take Kyle Hamilton with #9/10 and trade back with the other.
Best not to play seahawks safety what if.
Cause if you do you can go all the way back to the time that not only did Seattle decline on drafting future all pro safety and home town dude Buddha Baker opting for malik mcdowell they then followed up that magic trick by drafting three (3 !!!!) Safeties AFTER Baker in that very draft, so it must have been some kind of need, who all amounted to nearly nothing.
One thing I’ve learned in almost 40 years of being a fan is that you should be a moron who follows whoever is in charge with blind faith even if it means sacrificing your own children.
Alright. That’s pretty frickin funny.
A mock to be mocked. This an redo/update I posted right before Rob sandbagged me ( i kid) with more great content. The players are a mix of Rob and Pauline’s thoughts. A little of mine. And overall trying to think how pete gets back to his way as fast as possible and be realistic by not mocking all my favorites to the team.
This involves a bit of trades and for the draft nerds the numbers have been fudged but to keep it honest none in favor of the hawks. Also what does Seattle do about corner? Does length matter anymore? That’s why I couldn’t find one I liked.
Round 1: Zion Johnson, LG, with a trade to the teens seattle gets back a third and a fourth. They select the player I increasingly feels like the surest thing to me. Not the best. Not the homerun hit. The surest thing and Seattle needs some of that. Automatic upgrade with Zion and returning Lewis back to RG.
Round 1: Tyler Linderbaum, C, with a trade back up to the bottom of the first by using a third ( overvalue? Probably. Should get maybe a fifth back but don’t care for this exercise) the long nightmare of borderline terrible center play is over. Pete wants to run and now the team can.
Round 2: Perrion Winfrey, DE, Rob had him in the thirties. Pauline in the fifties. Split the difference and Seattle gets an absolute mover who is plenty big enough to play DE in a 3-4. Harris gets to rotate out and Winfrey can contribute while working his craft right away.
Round 3: Zamir White, RB, a grown ass man who runs forward abd doesn’t goof around with the ball. I like penny and the improved oline should play to his strengths but you can’t count on him. Even if he’s good all year Zamir can help Drew Lock slowing the game down with a better stable of backs.
Round 4: Michael “mr. Clemons ” Clemons: OLB? DE? A no nonsense leader who looks to ruin players. All fire in his belly. Rotational piece with Nwosu and Taylor. Players that hate to lose are players you can work with.
Round 4: Darrian Beavers, LB, a bigger, longer, more explosive Cody Barton. High praise, high effort player who I think can play in space to help the seahawks get back some thing they lost when KJ left.
Round 5: Percy Butler, Safety/special teams, football is about three phases abd seattke has always been pretty serious about drafting players for special teams. For what it’s worth Simms thinks he’s a top five safety in this draft and seattle seems to need safety help every year.
Round 5: Obinna Eze, OT, This for Rob. He once mentioned him in a podcast and lit up about him. Not explosive but tons of real experience at tackle. Extremely long arms, looks like a tackle. Can probably be a backup but the rams system pays a bit less attention to explosiveness so maybe he’s a later round gem.
Rob has Eze rated as a 3rd rounder. Available in 4th possibly, 5th unlikely. But who knows. Nice little draft though.
Eze for example Rob has him as a third but Pauline has him ranked as a sixth rounder. So trying to gauge is hard. A few a leaned towards Rob a few towards Pauline to keep it fairish.
I could get on board with this draft. Would like a CB thrown in there but you have some nice defensive pieces.
What I like most is what you mentioned.. getting back to Pete’s philosophy, running the ball and defense, investing in the trenches. Plus you can leverage two 5th year options with this approach. Nicely done
Thanks. Could not work out for the life of me corner. A few but not many I like. Plus not knowing what the new standards are has me really wondering which way to go.
The fifth year options are key.
Plus I get this year is a mystery but pete has drafted the majority of the top three rounds towards the trenches. Just on draft day so I think he at least gets how important it is.
I wouldn’t hate this, although I think Winfrey is iffy to make it to 40. Mr. Clemons, Winfrey and Taylor would be a ruckus for any team. Very solid.
Winfrey of course I’m not sold he makes it but Pauline has him ranked 51 overall.
My gut says LB but Winfrey was just a different name for me to look at and you could do a lot worse then Winfrey, mr. Clemons, and taylor while seeing if brooks plays better if he’s kept clean.
Given this mock, what do they do about OT? It’s starting to feel like they would already have signed Brown if he fit into their plans.
Brown is unsigned.
Eric Fisher is unsigned.
Both seemingly waiting until after the draft.
That option will be there for Seattle.
Good read on Sam Williams who could be an option at 40/41 if we miss out at 9. Had that adversity the Seahawks like.
https://www.djournal.com/sports/college/ole-miss/ole-miss-standout-sam-williams-has-made-mistakes-his-son-is-motivation-to-never-make/article_aa60428f-b319-50f5-b7a7-35e99cf0d765.html
Aaron Wilson: Cal outside linebacker Cameron Goode, who attended Texans’ local prospect day, visiting Seahawks today after visiting Dolphins, works out privately for 49ers on Thursday, per a league source #NFLDraft2022
https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL/status/1514041548299722755?s=20&t=2SEaLWXPGLIxcDpQf4N-Eg
Josh Norris: Nebraska CB Cameron Taylor-Britt is visiting the #Seahawks today
https://twitter.com/JoshNorris/status/1513988312008118276?s=20&t=xbuxptvRR0g_HKSG48ggnw
Yes please
Love CTB
Christian Watson appeared to be visiting Seahawks today
https://twitter.com/alwayscompetin/status/1514050927543857153?s=20&t=PEKsvNProp3-XC8JEU1VcA
That’s an interesting one
Corbin Smith: Continuing to play Instagram sleuth, Nebraska safety Deontai Williams and Lenoir Rhyme receiver Dareke Young were also in attendance for top-30 visits with #Seahawks today.
https://twitter.com/CorbinSmithNFL/status/1514054116120571905?s=20&t=MojiZuSCDawo0S3IO4SUUw
https://twitter.com/seahawks_house/status/1514053369182101509?s=20&t=xBXd1po8oNJOZaQcsvECkw
“The one thing I’ve learned from talking with teams is that just about everybody has got a first-round grade on Desmond Ridder,” Pauline said on the latest episode of Draft Insiders. “People have been projecting him in the first round and the latest information I’ve been given backs that up.”
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-news-and-rumors-is-desmond-ridder-a-first-round-pick/
The reports are that Ridder has been particularly impressive in interviews. He exudes leadership.
His throwing velocity was measured at 59 mph at his pro day which is elite. His mobility is also a trait Seattle will highly value. It is easy to imagine Pete and John wanting him. And if they think he is “the guy” then my guess is that they take him at 9. They will know that other teams love him too.
I think he is the first QB drafted even though Malik Willis is a bit more athletic and has 60 mph velocity. I never saw velocity data for Corral.
I’m having trouble finding it too. I thought it was 55 MPH for Coan and Corral, but I’m only seeing Coan. Howell was 59 MPH
Which is absolute madness IMO.
Watch his Navy tape. Watch the way he starts vs Notre Dame. Watch Alabama.
It’s the definition of mid-round at best.
We now know half of the official 30 visits.
Seahawks visits/meeting/interest Tracker
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J3d023YdKp9MFv7OQTy0YTssJ65qLd_aB0UJFGVHxPY/edit?usp=sharing
Three guys from Nebraska is interesting. I think they’ve done that before when they bring in teammates to get more info on the guy they are really interested in. Also to throw up a bit of a smokescreen perhaps as to why they might have had more presence at certain pro days, etc.
That’s a great list. A lot of those names have been mentioned by Rob or by people in the comment section.
I was looking over free agents still available and noticed Clowney is still available. Is he injured so teams are staying away? If Seattle misses out on a top edge in the draft maybe bringing back Clowney would be a good idea.
Josina said this a month ago: “Meanwhile, I’m told Jadeveon Clowney will take his time and look at every opportunity in free agency and that several team are interested, per league source.”
https://twitter.com/JosinaAnderson/status/1503422377211932677?s=20&t=bLIzZl3TTXsl12sShOTuuA
So this makes me wonder if the Hawks have a deal in the works for DK Metcalf?
Since they have been checking out WRs
Boye Made in town
If true and the recent WR visits you have to think a trade of DK may have legs.
#10 and #38 from the jets and you can really start seeing:
#9 stingley
Some trade shenanigans for both mafe and linderbaum in the first with the #10 pick and a move up from the second.
Christian Watson in the second.
Tindall, Winfrey, other? In the second.
Maybe cam taylor-britt in the third or fourth.
Going to start pondering a seahawks visits/interests mock.
the hawks did say they were looking for another wr back in february. may not mean that dk is going to be traded
Good point. Though this team needs a ton besides wr. Everytime I run a mock there are a ton of players i can’t get and none of them are wr’s
Mafe has indeed posted he was in Seattle presumably for a visit
Lot of interesting names today
My first thought of drafting a center is ..meh. But then I recall Max Unger. What was his post season record with the Hawks. Things seem to go downhill after his trade.
That just might be the best position to pick
Desmond Ridder visiting today per Tom Pelissero. Not sure how to embed tweet
https://twitter.com/tompelissero/status/1514213895715577856?s=21&t=Vdp2f9GKafLhpPOUiL9Jsg