Tony Pauline — friend of the blog and undisputed #1 draft insider — has posted a new mock draft today.
It’s a brilliant piece of work, especially considering he has the Seahawks in possession of the #32 overall pick.
There are several points where Tony really hits the mark. Like me, he doesn’t see A.J. Epenesa as the sure-fire top-10 lock many others do. Epenesa isn’t included in the first round and I’ve not had him in any of my top-50’s.
Tony’s top-20 contains a lot of familiar names. There are also some differences. Tristan Wirfs is listed in the top-five. I’m not a huge fan of Wirfs but understand why he could go early due to his physical profile. Tony has frequently reported and noted that Wirfs currently is leaning to returning to Iowa next season. Jacob Eason is listed in round one and I can’t make that leap based on what we’ve seen so far (although, again, you can’t rule it out due to the physical skills Eason possesses).
There are also a lot of names I’ve suggested might go quite early that are available to Seattle at #32 in this mock. I want to spend some time running through those players today.
Players available to the Seahawks in Tony’s mock
Jalen Reagor (WR, TCU)
I think Reagor is a top-15 talent. He’s reportedly capable of running a 4.29. At SPARQ in High School he ran a 4.41 so that’s pretty much a worst case scenario. He mixes speed with incredible explosive traits (38.5 inch vertical and can squat 620lbs). He has the long speed to get deep and the leaping ability to high-point the football in the red zone to win contested-catches. Reagor has special qualities and if he’s available in the late first he’d be a fantastic value pick for the Seahawks.
Henry Ruggs (WR, Alabama)
Like Reagor, Ruggs has exceptional speed and has reportedly been timed in the 4.2’s. His catching technique is excellent — plucking the ball away from his body with extended arms. He has high football character and would have greater production if it wasn’t for the fact he’s among a loaded group of talented receivers at Alabama. Speed and suddenness is the order of the day in the NFL and if he runs a 4.2 forty — he won’t last deep into round one.
KJ Hamler (WR, Penn State)
The more I watch of KJ Hamler the more I liked. He’s incredibly shifty and dynamic. While Reagor and Ruggs have elite speed, I think Hamler has a quicker first-step and can create easy separation. Get him the ball in the open-field and he’s incredibly difficult to tackle. Penn State lacks weapons on offense and Hamler sticks out like a sore thumb as their best player.
Prince Tega Wanogho (T, Auburn)
This is Tony’s pick for the Seahawks at #32. If Germain Ifedi and George Fant both depart, they’ll need a solution at right tackle. I’m not convinced they’ll entertain a rookie starter and recently they’ve moved towards veteran replacements. However — they seem to favour ‘touchdown makers’, D-line and O-line in the early rounds and this will clearly be an option if they lose starters in the off-season. ‘The Prince’ as Tony calls him has great size and good athleticism, he’s very powerful and I think he’ll work into a top-20 grade come April.
DeVonta Smith (WR, Alabama)
Tony recently suggested Smith had top-50 potential and that’s the first validation of what we’ve been saying all season. Smith is incredibly sudden and electric and every bit as good as the other ‘bigger name’ receivers at Alabama. He dominated on slants with easy separation and he’s a threat to score every time he gets the ball in space. He competes superbly at the red line and has the speed to take the top off a defense. Smith is excellent and warrants a lot more media attention.
Shaun Wade (CB, Ohio State)
I like everything about Wade. He’s playing slot corner this year but you could easily imagine him lining up outside. He’s a former five-star recruit with height, length and incredible ball skills. His interception last week was stunning — tracking the ball in the air then grabbing it with one-hand off-balance. Wade is a potential stud and if he declares could be a major riser.
J.K. Dobbins (RB, Ohio State)
The next two players are running backs. I don’t expect the Seahawks to draft a running back early. Even if they trade Rashaad Penny in the off-season, there’s enough depth in this class to wait on the position. The only way it seems possible is if Chris Carson continues to fumble and loses trust. D’Andre Swift is the #23 pick in Tony’s mock. Dobbins was the SPARQ king in 2016 with an overall score of 146.76. He’s well sized, very fast and highly explosive.
Jonathan Taylor (RB, Wisconsin)
Taylor reportedly is capable of running very well in the 40 and that will likely determine how high he goes in the draft. On the field you see sharp cuts, home-runs, mass production and tough yards. He looks the part but we need the testing to validate his upside. It’s very easy to imagine him leading an offense at the next level.
Tee Higgins (WR, Clemson)
He’s having a strange year — a bit like Clemson’s offense in general. They’ve had some surprisingly average performances this year. Trevor Lawrence hasn’t been given a passing mention for the Heisman. Higgins has had several games where he’s barely registered. Yet he’s well sized, fast, consistent when targeted and like most Clemson receivers he’s well-coached, technically sound and knows his position.
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Wow, that is a crazy amount of really talented skill players available after pick 32. Trading back into the mid 30s, low 40s may not be the worst move in the world this year—and you know how they love to do that!
Thanks for compiling, Rob.
Rob, here are those stats on Michigan’s Josh Uche. IMO he’s one of the more prolific rushers in the country.
Duke’s Chris Rumph II is a name that keeps popping up. Seattle scouted Duke heavily last season FWIW. Could be anyone on that team, but someone made them sit up and take notice from ‘Bama for them to be there back to back weeks wih multiple scouts.
From PFF
Pass rush win %:
1. Chase Young, Ohio St.- 32.3%
2. Josh Uche, Michigan- 30.8%
3. Chris Rumph II, Duke- 30.8%
4. Curtis Wraver, Boise St.- 28.5%
5. Jordan Smith, UAB- 24.9%
Pressure %:
1. Josh Uche, Michigan- 25.3 %
2. Chase Young, Ohio St.- 22.8%
3. Terrell Lewis, ‘Bama- 22.2%
4. Chris Rumph II, Duke- 21.7%
5. Curtis Weaver, Boise St.- 20.9%
6. Jordan Smith, UAB- 20.8%
7. Quincy Roche, Temple- 20.0%
Uche has quickness and he’s fun to watch. Like his serious attitude too. But there’s no getting away from the fact he’s small. He’s stuck between LB and EDGE in terms of size. And unless he tests through the roof it’s difficult to invest faith in him being able to win purely on the quickness he’s showing when he gets to the next level. You need to be able to get into a tackle and use your hands.
He’s undersized for sure. But he doesn’t just win on quickness even if that is his calling card. The Maryland game proved that for me at least. He contrilled their 300+ pound RT easily. Showed he knew where to put his hands, extended, and a nice little bull rush.
I’m concerned about the size. I want to see him test. But there aren’t many 6-2, 250lbs pass rushers in the league so he needs to be pretty special in terms of quickness.
That’s fair. As do I. But there’s been plenty of guys similar in size. Ngakoue, Elvis Dumervil, Cliff Avril, Dwight Freeney, Von Miller, Shaq Barrett.
That’s not really plenty though. Plus Von Miller was a freak. Cliff has a different body and ran an elite split. There aren’t many guys like this succeeding in the league. Not writing him off just quite sceptical what he does translates.
Should we think of him like Mingo? A situational pass rusher?
Maybe.
Last night at about 0130 it struck me that Josh Uche could very well be our top selection in the draft after a couple of obligatory trade downs of course. It’d be the quintessential Seattle top pick once again where the vast majority of us are caught with our finger up our nose as the selection is announced only to fire whatever drink we were inhaling back out our nose as we choke with near disbelief. But he would’ve lasted another full round wouldn’t he?!?!?
Gut instinct is that Uche is going to succeed in the NFL & he also happens to represent the largest void on our team.
Uche is one of Jared’s Gems! He is a guaranteed lock! lol
Honestly seems like a good speed rush guy though.
Jared’s gems. LOL.
Haha glad you got the joke!
Despite his height, he is (# per #) a dog on the field. He does have the advantage of leverage against those OTs that face him. I will be looking at his arm length when tested at the Combine. But, he does have a big chip on shoulder, that’s for sure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuUFB75MzE0
Leverage doesn’t really matter when you’re working off the edge. The object is to keep your frame clean and when needed be able to disengage and convert speed to power. It’s not like when you line up 1v1 and can get under a lineman. Even then you need the advantage of length.
That’s my pt about arm length. The combine will also disclose his strength as well as his length. No one can measure the kids heart, it’s huge.
Your point was about leverage. My counter was that leverage isn’t that important rushing the edge. Stuff like heart is nice and all but it takes a bit more than heart at the next level. He has to be able to rush from the edge effectively.
The biggest difference between interior lineman and the edge 1v1 is speed and not as much outside help. They have the same type of hand fighting to gain leverage in a bull rush, or swim moves and counters as that of interior linemen.
The leverage I was referring to was bending the edge and counter bull rush with power, catching the OT off balance, due to Josh’s low center of gravity and his length. Does he have the length needed to accomplish that, the Combine will disclose that. But, he’s doing quite well against those he has faced thus far. I still think he’s one to keep an eye on though.
Leverage is pure and simple your ability to get lower to win a block. It’s almost exclusively limited to head-up blocking. When you’re rushing from angles off the edge leverage isn’t that important.
To me he looks like a guy NFL teams will move to LB and he may be asked to rush in sub packages. But we’ll see.
Perhaps we’re talking semantics here. “Leverage is pure and simple your ability to get lower to win a block”, and to bend the edge lower than the outreach of the OT. Also, to swat off his hand and reach below his pads to knock him off balance.
There are a variety of ways to use leverage. But, you’re right, OLB and DE on passing downs. We shall see.
With respect, your talking about bending the arc plus balance and the ability to stay low to the ground. That’s not leverage. When we talk about leverage it’s a 1v1 situation, straight up, where generally the lower man wins in terms of being to explode upwards into the chest of the opponent and gain an advantage. These are very different things.
“It’s a brilliant piece of work, especially considering he has the Seahawks in possession of the #32 overall pick.” Brilliant. I love this guy already.
I responded to a post the other day about considering an O-lineman with our first pick but got shot down pretty quick. Glad to see someone else thinks it’s a reasonable scenario.
What would be wrong with that? Its a good, talented class of tackles. Maybe they’ll just keep adding band-aids in FA which ain’t the worst thing either. But eventually they’ll need someone coming down the pipeline. Even if it’s not a 1st overall selection they should grab a O-lineman this year.
We’ve been discussing strengthening a strength in regards to RW and the offense. Would be doing the same thing by adding up front.
TBF, band-aid sounds bad because it’s not the right word and plugging a vet or two in during the off-season has worked for them.
I have mad respect for Tony but he doesn’t have intimate knowledge of Seattle’s recent personnel preferences. I’ve said consistently if Ifedi & Fant depart and they don’t sign a FA replacement then it becomes a possibility. What I get a bit frustrated with is the seemingly never-ending talk of drafting an OL first when they’ve clearly gone towards a more veteran approach recently and people repeatedly acting like the OL is a major need when we don’t know whether it’ll be a need or not. It’s a position that could easily be tied up by one or two reasonable re-signings. They might even be preparing to start Jamarco Jones there next year.
Not a fan of Tee Higgins. Rigid.
I like Higgins but he looks like a 4.55 runner to me than a 4.4 runner and that will hurt his draft stock in this class.
If the Raiders dont take him at 18 then I think he falls out of Rd #1.
Wait, what??
Very strange situation.
They’re in a bit of a bind now. Could do with finding the 2019 version of Tony Moeaki. Tight end is a sneaky important position for this team and they’re down to the bare bones now.
Maybe they promote Swoopes and go with Hollister, Swoopes and Fant Sunday if Willson can’t go.
Saving him to not injury guarantee next year and will cut after this. What a crappy contract it turned out to be!
It feels like something more is going on here. He was due to start the season, then had a setback… got IR’d.. and they waited until now to activate him… now IR him again. Maybe Pete really does hate this guy.. as some on sports radio in Seattle have alluded to from time to time. I wonder if this is a smoke screen ?
They had a fricking interview on 710 yesterday with Hollister and he stated that Dickson has been a great leader and mentor to him personally as he has adjusted to all the changes in his life from the preseason until now. He sounded very excited to see him in live action… said he has looked great on the practice field.
Yeah, it will be interesting who the SB champion Seahawks end up drafting at #32. I’d be interested in a Reagor or Ruggs, or that Georgia RT if he falls to us.
Penn St’s Yetur Gross-Matos might have overcome 2 of the strangest tragedies to his family I’ve ever heard about.
Dad drowned saving his life. His brother died when he got struck by lightning on a little league baseball field.
Brutal. Bet he tests through the roof like most guys coming out of penn state.
How about Jake Martin with that sack. I said when we made the trade for clowney that I’d have rather given up a 2nd and kept Martin. No one agreed then but maybe we are feeling different. He’s got the speed rush that we so desire.
Wow that’s crazy and really sad. Obviously has had to overcome more than most of us could ever imagine. I will certainly be rooting for him.
If big Prince is there that late, (which I don’t think will be the case), I like him. He’s so athletic and he can definitely be developed into a future left tackle. I would be rather excited with that selection, honestly.
Jaylen Reagor, 17/407/1-TD/18.38-avg on punt returns this year, so far. (Currently #2 in FBS)
K. J. Hamler, 21/95/0-TD/4.52-avg on punt returns this year, so far.
C. D. Lamb, 20/166/0-TD/8.30-avg on punt returns this year, so far.
None of the other TOP rated WR’s have any significant punt return numbers.
But, one of the above is not like the others! An added value for a team that selects Reagor! Plus, a rookie that could take the return job away from Lockett is a big+ as well, in addition to his receiving skills. Reference: http://www.cfbstats.com/2019/leader/national/player/split01/category04/sort01.html
Punt return ability is an awesome added value. Would love it if someone took lockett’s job back there
Squatting 620 pounds at 195 pounds is really impressive. 6 plates on each side of the barbell and then some!
Still think Ifedi would be a better guard than tackle. Fant might be better at RT than him too as far as I know
Interesting, esp considering his forthcomming raise.
Who are the tilt the field and/or high impact players at any positions or specifically positions Seattle might go with early (such as WR or RB)? Round 1 2 or 3 likely selection range.
Why I’m bringing this up is that Seattle has found or gravitated towards these guys throughout the PC/JS regime. Percy Harvin being a prime example of what I mean by tilt the field. WR seems like a very good fit with what might be available, but there are a few very potentially explosive RBs that might not go 1st round, but could have a huge impact in the right situation.
As I said shouldn’t have traded Vannett away.
Hollister is starting to blossom as a pass catcher but he’s still undersized to be a blocker.
Zero depth beneath him now besides our swing tackle and a former Quarterback on the practice squad . They need to bring someone else in.
There’s a fair bit of hindsight in your assertion about Vannett.
They’ve literally lost three TE’s since. That’s unpredictable. And for all we know Vannett would’ve got hurt too.
Mike Tice was a former QB.
Mark Brunell was another one. If you’re lucky, you get a guy in a skill position who understands the offense like a QB.
A crack what I would like the Hawks to do with their draft capital (no special allocation of pick and player, rather distributing it into areas).
1, 2, 2: impact players
WR: sudden, easy separation WR to give Russell even more receiving threats
DE: Trade for Frank Clark to bring him back home (give chiefs a 1 and a 2 back, one this year and one next) as he is the ideal complement to Clowney
DE: speed rusher specialist to build a young building block with Collier behind Clowney and Clark. DE Josh Uche comes to mind
3, 4, 4: depth
TE : in the same mold as Dissly, as he fits this offense perfectly but might have some durability issues (but how much fun would it be to get both of them on the field at the same time?… and please, reduce fants TE role)
OL: quality depth to secure some stability when someone is going down next year (Brown, Iupati or Fluker, Pocic, Jamarco and Ifedi as starters, with Fant, Haynes and Hunt as backups)
HB: doesn’t matter if penny is traded or not, but we need some quality depth behind (fumbling) Carson
5, 5, 6, 7: churn that roster
LB: I would keep Bobby and KJ as starter, with Burton filling in at SAM, but I would let KJ go in 2021 and we need to have some competition for the backup spots
CB: find some competition/backups for Flowers, as he is ok but not great and because we will hopefully pay Griffin in 2021 (I don’t think they will pay veteran money for both CB starters)
OL: depth, depth, depth
HB: depth, depth, depth
That would give us a scary DL of Clowney Reed Pona Clark (3rd down: Uche Clowney Jefferson Clark) again, which in turn will improve the play of the whole defense (dramatically). Additionally, Russell would have more weapons (he is this offense) and a stable OL.
Thoughts?
Rough annual cap numbers for “FA”:
DL: Clowney (20), Clark (20), Reed (12), Jefferson (3)
OL: Ifedi (12), Fant (8)
Cuts of Britt (9), Dickson (3) and Fluker (3) to get the money for signing the draft and fill out the 53
Nice assessment here swisshawk!
Agree that the R1 and R2 picks would ideally be impact players, whether they go WR, DL, OL, wherever. Also, picks in R3-5 should generally be depth picks, guys who can eventually compete for real playing time. With any luck you even find a star player on occasion. And no question the late round picks R5-7 are primarily competition for backup roles. Again, starting level players (Carson, Ford) can be found in these rounds, or even UDFA, on occasion.
Although he would be awesome on the same line as Clowney, I do think its highly unlikely the Hawks try to get Frank Clark back, especially for similar R1 and R2 picks they got from KC in the first place. There were reasons they decided against signing Frank to a monster contract, and just can’t see them changing their minds now. Also, I think its very doubtful they will support two guys on the defensive line making $20M+
Clark would be fun, but the Chiefs would have to swallow a massive amount of dead money to trade Clark this offseason. They aren’t going to do that AND weaken their defense for the final two years of Mahomes’ rookie contract.
Love Tony’s optimism, but I don’t expect SEA to be picking at 32. More like late 20s (26-29), and in this draft I expect them to trade down from there to R2 for an extra R3. That would give them 3 picks in R2 and 1 pick in R3.
Four picks on Day 2 in this draft would be fantastic.
Unless a top 10-15 player drops to us in the late 1st, I fully expect JS to trade down from the 1st for a 2nd and 3rd. That could be 5 picks on day 2, since we will get a compensatory 3rd for Earl Thomas. We’re projected to receive comp. picks in the 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th.
https://overthecap.com/2020-compensatory-picks-projection-update-9-25-2019/
https://overthecap.com/compensatory-draft-picks-cancellation-chart/
Wow. Best hands since Evan Engram off the board. (I wasn’t high on him for other reasons, but still). Feel for him, but glad he was able to accept his situation and make a smart decision.
I believe it’s time for John Schneider to rethink the whole “trade down” strategy since we have a tendency to punt our top picks. I’m still never going to ge Tiger the Malik McDowell fiasco when it was clear to most that he was a knucklehead who ranked his junior season because the team wasn’t any good. The amount of good players they passed on even after the trades is alarming. The jury is still out on Penny but so far, eh. The Collier pick has to be one of the weirdest picks I’ve ever seen. This isn’t hindsight talking. It’s foresight to see what they apparently didn’t. Still can’t jump on board with the groupthink it hoarding mid to late-round picks when they can’t zero in on a good player with their top overall pick. This is definitely a year to buck the trend and move UP. Two second rounders gives you a lot of flexibility. The first step has to be to sign Clowney and build around him on defense. I’m just not interested in watching them try to outsmart the draft again, only to get a guy who barely plays, or never even plays at all.
I just don’t agree at all. First, yes McDowell had plenty of red flags, but honestly that is the only way that a player with Calais Campbell type upside falls to you at the top of the 2nd. Yeah it didn’t work but when you have a culture like Seattle’s you bet that you can turn that guy around. It’s hard to judge Penny but I get their logic. They were never going to get a Saquon type player. You know you have a good but injury prone back in Carson. You’re just coming off a couple years where none of you RBs could stay healthy. So go for the guy that has zero red flags, has some elite traits. Finally onto Collier, DL takes time to develop. He was a badass at the senior bowl and just needs time. It is a totally logical pick. Hoarding picks has worked for us. The smart teams generally don’t move up in the first. Look at our recent success in rounds 2-7 and tell me you’d give that up to move up a few spots.
And to reinforce what Murphy wrote, McDowell took himself out of football before Seahawk culture had a chance to take root. Whether they could turn him around or not we’ll never know.
This is a really important but often overlooked aspect of the McDowell pick. Many expected he would do knucklehead stuff that might impact his ability to play from time to time (by way of disciplinary suspensions). But nobody could foresee one of those knucklehead maneuvers would be career ending before he ever donned even a practice jersey.
I dont understand the logic here. You are saying we shouldnt trade down anymore because the tops picks we’ve made haven’t worked, right? Logically, doesnt that mean that we shouldn’t trade up because it will just mean a higher pick that wont work out? There is absolutely nothing to guarantee a higher pick will work out any better than the guy 10 picks later.
So you admit that there were red flags but that doesn’t count? Nick Chubb was the superior prospect and he’s proven such. Collier had a good week at senior bowl, but he was unable to rush the passer at all in college. I’m sorry, but these are all apologist excuses. Trading down isn’t working for our top picks. Period.
The issue isn’t with trading down, it is with the players picked.
Trading down is a great strategy as it gives you the ammunition to jump back up for and pounce on the likes of Lockett, Reed and Metcalf (all of whom would be 1st round picks if there was a re-draft of their classes).
Seahawk culture couldn’t save a kid who was a part of a pretty good culture at Michigan State. I’m sorry, but if we are going to punt that first pick each time, perhaps they don’t like the options where they are drafting and think they can move down. Well… shouldn’t the top pick in your draft make an impact? Trade up and get someone you love. I’m tired of having this argument with people. The math doesn’t add up. Gaining an extra 5th and expecting him to become Sherman doesn’t happen often. So yes, the combination of moving down and then taking the wrong player have been going hand in hand. Solution: Trade up or stand pat and get the best possible player. I would literally rather trade a load of picks to move up for a shot at a top 5-10 player than move back and get someone who isn’t going to be an impact player.
They wouldn’t have Metcalf, Reed or Lockett without trading up in the 2nd/3rd. They wouldn’t have been able to make those moves if they had spent their draft capital to trade up in the first and give draft capital rather than accumulate it.
“Apologist excuses” also known as a difference of opinion but whatever makes you feel better (not sure what part of the most successful era in Seahawks history needs apologizing for). I never said to ignore the Malik red flags. I just said those flags are the only reason a player of his upside was available. Are you discounting the Chubb red flags just because they haven’t manifested? Nick Chubb had suffered a potentially career ending knee injury. We were coming off years of injury prone RBs. We already had an elite RB (which has worked out) and wanted some insurance. You are ignoring the context of these picks. As for Collier, it is just not true that he couldn’t rush the passer and the senior bowl has been one of the most consistent predictors of NFL success over the past few years. Which player was available with a native pick that you’d be willing to sacrifice both Collier and Metcalf or who was available when we did pick that would have made an immediate impact?
Nailed it!! Well done!
Drafting is an inexact science and every team drafts a “McDowell” on occasion. Every team also drafts players like Penny and Collier with fairly high picks. Sometimes they turn into very good players after some seasoning, and sometimes they never pan out. Hindsight is a beautiful thing!
As for the Hawks, these under performing early round picks have been frequently offset by drafting mid or late round gems.
Let me preface this by saying that I agree with a lot of what you said.
Since your asking. Will Hernandez over Penny. Winovich over Collier. This is personal preference of course.
Yep. Going Penny over Hernandez isn’t a good use of resources.
And Seattle theoretically could have gone 1. Metcalf 2. Blair 2. Winovich and it would look fantastic. But passing on the opportunity to draft Winovich, and TJ Watt before him, makes me think that Seattle just doesn’t have a role for someone in that 6’3-6’4 250lbs range unless they test as well as Bruce Irvin. I don’t agree with it, but I feel like their athletic standards probably took Winovich off their board.
The amount of second guessing that goes on among Seahawks fans is maddening.
Rob, it’s not just Seahawks fans. Thank God you’re not covering Philly or NYC.
Indeed!
Rob, with all due respect, it’s more like first guessing and being forever gun shy moving forward. I know that I was vocal about these issues before each one of those drafts. I was definitely against McDonald, and Collier. Maybe I know what I’m taking about, maybe I’m lucky. Still, there is a pattern there that’s mildly concerning and I would simply prefer for our top picks to matter.
But just because you were concerned about McDowell doesn’t mean it was a terrible move. Many of us voiced concerns about him. Reacting to the one pick that went really badly and suggesting you knew all along is extreme second guessing.
Sometimes I think Seahawks fans expect perfection.
I think most teams fans do this, so not just “Seahawks fans.” You should know this as well as anybody given the fight you have had for years in regards to us Seahawks fans griping about the OL.
Every team has bad picks and mostly average to below average OLs
Every teams fans second guess picks when they don’t work out and mostly pine for better OL play.
Maybe they do. I don’t follow other teams. Perhaps I just held Seahawks fans in higher regard.
Agree!
Someone please get this footage into DK’s inbox!
https://twitter.com/NFLRT/status/1196225023117332480
I guess if we are picking #32 Tony has us a Champions !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes
Good to hear Tony’s optimism. I had the Hawks & Pats going at it again in the SB as well. This wk will have a bearing on whether or not it will come to fruition. If they do win against the Eagles, than hope is still alive for that to happen. Love the adjustments that PC is making to make it happen. It’s going to be fun to watch.
I think the Ravens will be AFC champions and play in the SB.
We should be able to take Philly this weekend. They are beat up and trending downward. If all goes well, and the Packers beat the 49ers this Sunday night, we will be in first place. Think of that.
It’s a nice thought but the Seahawks have got to win the game first. They could’ve lost every game bar the Cardinals game so far. They deserve a lot of credit for managing to get to 8-2. But they’ve not performed well enough to ‘expect’ a win on the road in Philadelphia.
I really think we’re going to win. They ARE beat up relative to us. And that 49er game was a flashpoint game for us. This team has realized that they are good enough to compete for the SB now if the D can come around enough, as they did with the 49ers. The D won the biggest game of the year for us. Who would have thought? Not me. And I was one of the ones saying that the front 7 wouldn’t start coming around until the second half of the season.
Let’s be confident and expectant of victory. That’s the attitude that winning teams and their fans should have. 🙂
I wish I could influence results from my IPhone in England but I suspect it’s beyond me 😂
Clowney is questionable. We’re down to the bare bones at TE. Lot of guys are carrying things and were limited this week. We’re not that much healthier.
This game reminds me of the game when we played Philly a couple years ago. They came into our house and the records were about reversed and we pulled it out. There defense is playing really well so I could see this as a 20-17 game either way.
I think Diggs might turn out to be one of the best mid-season pickups we’ve had during the PC/JS era. I’ve gotten more bullish about our secondary since he’s arrived. Now I just want to see some positional and rotational consistency. That will help.
I sure do hope Clowney plays. I suspect he will. But we’ll see. If not, RW will pull it out for us.
Rob is right. Add to that both Clowney & Lockett are hurting, Rain and wind, tough row to hoe.
Clowney listed as questionable for eagles game. Not good.
Not good at all.
He didnt practice Wed or Thurs, do we know if he was at least LP today?
Apparently he’s not even in Seattle. He’s somewhere else getting treatment, will meet them in Philly and will be a game time decision. Ominous.
Uh-oh…
Do not despair!!! Clowney will be there with bell’s on his toe’s… GO HAWKS!!!!!
I would prefer they play out cautious with Clowney so it doesn’t become something that lingers. He is way too valuable to this defense to take any chances.
I would tend to agree — but I also think they’re screwed without him. So it’s difficult. And they need to find out what he can/can’t fight through when they determine their offer for the future.
Maybe this is where Ansah steps up. I have not given up on him yet, like so many others on SDB have. ( Pete hasn’t either). He hasn’t gotten his strength back yet and that was a pretty significant ankle injury he had his 2nd game back.
You say Pete hasn’t given up on Ansah. Is that why they’ve suddenly, out of nowhere, tried to push Shaquem Griffin into that role?
That to me suggests Pete knows full well Ansah is a busted flush.
2 and 7, off suit.
The good news is Philly’s wide receivers are terrible and Lane Johnson is out.
The bad news is Wentz will have all day to throw the ball to Ertz and Goedert.
There could be a bit of gamesmanship as well. You would like Philly to feel good that the “Game Wrecker” may not play on Sunday, and then begin to sweat just seeing him setting up across the line of scrimmage.
I’m thinking (2) sacks for Clowney.
We could see some real deadliness out of RW these remaining weeks of the regular season. If Josh Gordon fits in snugly here soon, RW has got Lockett, Metcalf, Gordon, and Hollister to throw to. That’s pretty effing awesome. If Carson can stay healthy and continue blasting through holes and running over defenders, our offense is going to be good enough to beat anybody anytime. Teams are going to have a hard time figuring out their priorities when it comes to stopping us. This could get fun.
32 passes a game
Short version: Russell Wilson = MVP
Long version: https://www.pff.com/news/the-best-nfl-quarterback-at-every-throw-and-situation-35-categories
We had better enjoy EVERY FRIGGIN’ MINUTE of this guy as our QB!
Good stuff as usual, SM. I’m a total RW fanboy. One of my only criticisms of RW earlier in his career was that he was too often reluctant to give his receivers a chance to make a play. He was almost too careful in that way. But he certainly does give his receivers that chance to make a play a lot more often than he used to. And he STILL is amazingly efficient when it comes to protecting the ball.
We’ve got a HOF QB in his prime. Like you said, enjoy. 🙂
Awesome stuff Seamode as always. I think Russ should be the MVP and is going to e a HOFer for sure.
It is clearly a two horse race and unless one guy falls off drastically will be a tight vote. I really hope it is Russ but I think voters will look to that head to head matchup which was Russ’s one average game this year and Jackson was incredible running the ball in particular leading the Ravens to a win. If not for that game I think Russ would run away with it.
Maybe with Clowney potentially out its time for Green and Collier to step up…
Weird to say but missing Jake Martin and not so weird to say REALLY missing Frank Clark. Imagine keeping Clark and trading for Clowney.
The Seahawks offense has to win the game. No messing around.. slow start BS.
Hang some points on the Eagles and keep the pressure on….
The defense, as a collective, has been improving and might have finally found the right pieces in the right places. If the secondary plays tighter and more in unison, then the pass rush will have a greater chance to get home. Play sound defense, they can keep a depleted Eagles team down under 20 points.
Essentially, if Seattle plays their game on offense, they should win. This should be a knockdown drag out fight, but Seattle has the better QB (and skill position players on offense outside) and should be able to pull it out in the end. Key is to get the Eagles going side to side (rushes and passes), since rushing up the middle might be very difficult or possibly impossible with the match-ups of OG/C vs DT.
If we don’t trade up and get Raekwon Davis I hope we trade back into the second and draft Willie Gay Jr. to be a replacement for K.J. This team needs to get bigger, faster, stronger again on defense.
Gonna be tough to find a bigger LB than KJ.
KJ is so under-rated and incredibly unique. Sadly, they might have to find a replacement for him next year, if he continues to want to play.
Can we bring back Pocic after the Dickson fail?
Yes
Then maybe they’re feeling better about Willson’s hammy… Pocic might be a more valuable addition at this point. The Dickson thing was weird – and I’m trying to find the silver lining.
Chase Young is just sick. Ridiculously athletic and talented.
#1 player overall, the 1st non QB off the board and maybe even the #1 pick.
I’m not knocking Young but why does he get more hype than Andrew Thomas?
There are far fewer great LT’s in the NFL. I struggle to find flaws with Thomas. He is absolutely fantastic and yet people only talk about Young.
Because he’s better?
Why is he better? Just saying it doesn’t make it true.
And I see below you’ve collected a vague collection of plays where he didn’t dominate. So does Chase Young never have a bad snap? Why are LT’s expected to perform perfectly but we’re happy just to celebrate the good plays for an EDGE?
A vague collection or some issues I believe he has in pass protection? I’ve seen a tendency to get high out of his stance and he’ll stop his feet. Doesn’t mean those can’t be corrected or he isn’t worthy of a top 5 pick. Young for me has less to work around and I want as close to flawless as ya can get for #1 overall.
It’s wrong, but a sexier position.
An EDGE can single handedly take over the game. Like we saw with Clowney, seen from Khalil Mack, Reggie White, and countless others through the years. I’m not saying Thomas and great LTs can’t be building blocks and foundational pieces. But then ya gotta put the right pieces (QB for instance) in place.
Does he have the same potential to take over/change a game like a Chase Young does? IMO no.
It was a vague collection of issues to be fair — you just suggested he’d had a bit of bother against Greenard (who had 0 sacks or TFL’s in the game) then said he’d got slapped around by Auburn (which I didn’t see at all).
I had Thomas #1 for most of the season, but I think the value of a player like Young on a rookie deal is just greater. Thomas is probably more long-term value. Most teams in Top 5 will probably need LT EDGE and QB so could go either way.
Thomas is absolutely great.
Greenard put him on his backside twice, kinda thought he got slapped around against Auburn in pass pro, I personally see a more complete player in Young and think he makes a quicker impact.
Rob Rang absolutely loves this guy. He spent 5 minutes on 950 KJR talking him up and saying he is one of the most unique / polished (DL) players to come into the NFL in a very long time. He ranked him up with some of the all time legendary players of the last 20-30 years that entered the league. He also said he would take him over any of the QBs right now…. someone will get a steal at #2/3/4 pick in the draft. No doubt, he is going to make an impact wherever he lands.
Chase Young is a very talented prospect with great potential.
But we’re getting close to OTT hype.
He’s very much like Clowney when he was coming out. Might be better.
I watched the first ten defensive plays by the Buckeyes this morning (as well as most of the rest of the game). I focused entirely on Chase Young. It was like the OLman was as close to non-existent as can be. Almost every time I’ve focused on this guy it’s like that. Speed, power, instincts, technique, desire all rolled into one dynamic force. He’s about as close to a sure bet as there is, health and continued desire to be great withstanding.
Man! I knew Ohio State was great but WOW they are dominant. They’re making No. 8 Penn State look totally outmatched.
The talent at WR in CFB is stacked. We talk about how good this years WR class is. There’s a slight drop off if any for next years class
LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase
Clemson’s Justyn Ross
Purdue’s Rondale Moore
Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman
‘Bama’s Jaylen Waddle
Ohio St’s Chris Olave
USC’s Amon-Ra St. Brown
Florida St’s Tamorrion Terry
a couple of the JR’s from this class will return
Penn St TE Pat Frieirmuth is so damn good. Really hope he declares. Would be the best TE in this class w/o a doubt.
Young is a stud, trade a couple first round picks and a second to the bengals? What would the price be to get into the top five or first overall? Clowney and young would be sick
The price would likely be three first round picks plus other picks.
I’d do it. JS/PC pick fine in the middle and later rounds, and RW is in his prime. It’s make hay time the next three years.
It’d be a ridiculous move.
You’d be mortgaging your entire franchise on one player being the difference. If he wasn’t, it’d be a massive error that would hamstring them for years. People need to get out of this mentality that they didn’t like Penny or Collier and therefore it’d be fine to just blow loads of picks chasing one prospect. That’s not how it works. You can’t mortgage your team this way because you never know what’s around the corner or how the trade would impact a player with the attention and focus that comes with it.
And it’s especially unnecessary when you have about $70m in cap space and can fill that hole without needing to do this.
I would trade our #1 picks in 2020, 2021, and 2022 in a heartbeat for Young. I wouldn’t even blink at doing it. Those picks are probably going to be late first round picks. BFD. In turn, we get a potential superstar, and have him under team control for years at a reasonable price. Done, done, DONE!!
I’m glad you’re not the GM then.
I have great respect for you as a draft/talent evaluator. I think you know that. But the ink couldn’t dry fast enough on that transaction contract. LOL Clowney, Young, possibly Reed and a few others reeking havoc for the coming years? I just had a mind orgasm.
That’s your opinion. It’s also highly unnecessary and isn’t going to happen.
I am really suprised Tyler Johnson does not get more love by the National draft community. Perhaps he wont test well and it will explain things but when I watch him play he looks like an NFL receiver who will start and contribute early. So smooth and runs great routes. He is not the athlete his teammate Bateman is but he gets great separation and always seems open.
Would love to see him as one of the Hawks Day #2 picks.
That Ohio St team is stacked with pros and Young is an absolute beast. Clearly the most talented player in the draft class IMO.
I really like Okudah is incredible too but Rob you nailed it Wade is a Rd #1 talent as well and would be an ideal slot CB for the Hawks.
For Penn St I Gross-Matos is really growing on me. I am anxious to see how he tests.
Young has favourable opportunities to flash his talent. For me there isn’t a clear #1. You could easily make a case for Joe Burrow, Andre Thomas, Jeff Okudah or a healthy Grant Delpit.
Fromm is not a franchise QB. Probably doesn’t warrant a first round pick. Good QB, yes, but not more than than that. We agree on that around here. Right?
Yep — he’s never been a R1 for me. And he’s played like a mid-rounder at best this year.
Yeah it’s a defensive problem