Michael Lombardi from the National Football Post has published a new mock draft. He has the Seahawks taking Jason Smith (OT, Baylor). He has Michael Crabtree falling to the 13th pick (Washington) with St. Louis passing on the top two offensive tackles to take Aaron Curry.
Mel Kiper has updated his 'top 25' big board. There's little change at the top, with Aaron Curry ranked the number one prospect and Michael Crabtree in second place. Other worthwhile mentions - Matt Stafford (3rd), Jason Smith (4th) and Eugene Monroe (9th).
The NFL Network has news of Connecticut's and Texas' pro days. There were some highly rated prospects on show, including UConn's Donald Brown, Darrius Butler and William Beatty. Representing Texas - Brian Orakpo.
Matt McGuire updates his mock draft. He still thinks the Seahawks take Michael Crabtree in round one and LeSean McCoy (RB, Pitt) in the second. "Remember Houshmandzadeh is a 31-year-old veteran and Deion Branch can't seem to stay healthy, so they might still want a young play-maker at that position." - McGuire.
Kyle Rota publishes scouting reports for McCoy and his Pittsburgh teammate Scott McKillop (ILB). On McCoy: "The potential to be a very good ball carrier is there, but McCoy probably needs a year before he is ready for a starting role and even then I question his ability to be a 3 down back." - Rota.
Eric Williams thinks the Seahawks need a speed back and might not consider Knowshon Moreno. I agree that the team could use some speed, we saw Chris Johnson's influence on the Tennessee offense in 2008. But I disagree Seattle wouldn't show interest in Moreno. As I reported last week, the team were keeping a watchful eye on the Georgia playmaker. He's a Tim Ruskell prospect down to a tee - and could be a wildcard choice for the Seahawks.
Todd McShay ponders a mock draft where Matt Stafford isn't taken first overall by the Detroit. So where does the Georgia quarter back end up? He thinks Seattle. I've posted the video below:
17 comments:
I've always been an avid supporter of Michael Crabtree. I would by his jersey the minute it's available if he is selected. With that said, I'm been trying since we got Houshmandzadeh to accept someone else with that #4 pick. I'd be fine with Aaron Curry. I'd be happy if we traded down to get Knowshon Moreno. I'm even starting to like Eugene Monroe/ Jason Smith. Still, I would hate to select Stafford or Sanchez. I hate the thought of spending Top 5 money on a QB. Ever since Chris brought it up here a few days, I have just been thinking about how much better Tim Tebow would be than any player in this draft. Now, I firmly believe we should wait on the QB search for just one season and do everything we can to select Tim Tebow for our future.
Tebow fits perfectly into our new Spread Option attack! Good lord people. We operate a West Coast Offense, meaning we take snaps from under center. We do not need a QB who has never taken snaps from under center, who has horrible mechanics, to run our offense.
That is crazy talk Patrick. Tim Tebow has no where near the potential as a NFL QB that Stafford or Sanchez have (and I actually don't care much for either). I'm actually pretty sure there is a general consensus that Tebow will not even be a 1st rounder next year.
The problem with Lombardi's mock is that he comes from the Al Davis school of drafting and he forgets that not everyone else does. He doesn't like Crabtree because he isn't 4.4 fast and the Raiders don't select WRs who aren't burners.
I have said it before, and I will say it again - Crabtree played three top 10 teams in 2008 and he caught 27 balls for almost 300 yards and 4 TDs.
The biggest factor on Crabtree for me was that game against Texas. I was in Boston when that game was on and stayed up till stupid o'clock to watch it's conclusion and obviously it was worth being tired the next day - a superb game.
But here was a peformance that showed Crabtree had that star quality. The biggest game of TT's season against an unbeaten opponent. Crabtree was visibly hurt in the early exchanges but still caught ten passes for 127 yards. They knew he was getting the ball but even in double coverage, he made plays.
And when his team needed a big play at the end to win the game, he delivers with a second left on the clock. It seemed almost too scripted the way it played out.
With Crabtree on your roster he's going to draw coverage and attention. Seattle didn't have enough of that last year. It would certainly be an interesting scenario to see teams try to cover Crabtree, Houshmandzadeh, Carlson and one of Branch or Burleson. It would also take pressure away from the offensive line and potentially open up the running game. People can talk about the lack of a work out or only a 15 on the wonderlic (I think the receiver average is 17 anyway, and Andre Johnson posted a 14) but when it comes down to it, Crabtree makes plays. Seattle needs a weapon like that. He won't be the brightest interview or the most engaging personality - but he will win you a football game and that's what it's all about.
Couldn't agree more Rob. He should hire you as his agent. I think the signing of Housh doesn't have a huge negative effect on whether or not we take Crabtree. First, Housh will be 32 years old this season and second, he is primarily a slot receiver and is likely to be more and more comfortable in that role as he ages.
I want to guard myself against being too pro-Crabtree on the blog. Yes, I have had him going to the Seahawks in my mock for a while and yes, I rate Crabtree very highly. But he is one of the prospects who has polarised opinion amongst fans and is often a topic of discussion. I will always give an honest view on a prospect and I happen to rate Crabtree as possibly the most talented prospect in the 2009 draft.
Having said that, I'm not pinning my hopes on one pick. There are con's to Crabtree as well as pro's and there are other guys who, if taken 4th overall by Seattle, would have major benefits to the team.
Keeping options open is what the team will be doing - so I'll be taking that approach until the pick is called.
I can appreciate that Rob. However, I think its a polarizing draft in general. Besides perhaps Curry, is there any player that doesn't have significant opinions on both sides. Even Jason Smith and Monroe aren't favoured by all. I heard Charlie Casserly say neither are close to top 10 tackles at the NFL level. I almost think you have to go down to the early second round and someone like Robiskie before you get a player that everyone has a fairly positive consensus opinion on (besides Curry). Just love the blog by the way. Hoping you will continue you after the draft ends.
I have to disagree with you jjhsix. I think Tim Tebow will easily outperform Stafford and Sanchez in the NFL. He doesn't only have the ability, but he's a perfect Ruskell pick. Besides, him not going until later in the draft means we don't have to spend top $ for him to wait a couple of years for Hasselbeck to be done. I am only praising Chris' opinion from a comment a few days ago. I think he would be perfect for our offensive scheme and easily be our quarterback for the future.
He has excellent ability to run an offense that no one in the NFL runs. His arm strength is mediocre at best, he doesn't take snaps under centre and he's not particularly accurate. I think we have to agree to disagree on this one. I think what we can agree on is that the #4 spot for Seattle this year is not a place to be taking Matt Stafford. If 5 years from now Tebow is a starting NFL QB I will eat my words but I don't foresee that happening.
Yes, we can definitely agree on that. I'd also like to include Sanchez because there are a few mock drafts out there that sadly have him at #4. It's a bit of a stretch, but I suppose still possible. Either way, whether it's Tim Tebow or not, I don't think this is the year to find our QB of the future, at least not in the first few rounds. Just out of curiousity, who do you think is the best option for us at a future QB? Anyone in this draft you really like?
To be honest I actually like Sanchez quite a bit, just not at #4. In my personal opinion he is the best QB throwing on the run I have seen in years and seems to have very good pocket sense and accuracy. If I was going to take a flier in this years draft I would go with Rhett Bomar from Sam Houston. As for the future, I wouldn't be averse to trading for a young QB (like KC did with Cassel) or drafting a guy next year. I expressed this view before but I don't think its that popular - if the Hawks are sold on Stafford at #4, I would prefer they trade the pick and possibly another pick along with Hasselbeck for Cutler. It's hard for me to say that because I love Hass but Cutler is 25 and I'm very anti-Stafford.
Wait, how is Tebow a perfect fit?
Long or short passes, the WCO is a timing, rhythm offense.
Tebow has a looong release, doesn't have good mechanics, doesn't know how to drop back or make reads from a pro-style offense, and is best known for his running and his strong arm (especially when he actually strides into his throws). I'm having a hard time thinking of a worse fit for our offense.
I'm thinking I should probably start saving my Tebow envy for myself. Oh well, I guess only time will tell (Sigh) Where is Chris when you need him?
Always feel free to voice your opinion Patrick - even if people disagree a healthy debate is always a good one. As you say, time will tell on Tebow. When he does reach the NFL draft in 2010, where he goes in the draft will be probably the biggest talking point.
Rotak,
Haha, dude I was being overly sarcastic about Tebow. I don't trust any spread QB to be successful with the Hawks. It's like the Mariners drafting a pitcher who dominated from a little league mound. The spread stunts the development of young QBs because it makes everything easier and the thing that bother me most is those QBs always have the worst footwork. A quick drop into the pocket while maintaining your focus on coverage is not a skill learned overnight.
Ha Ha, I appreciate it. I'm just excited to see everything that happens next and what (who) comes our way!
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