Huge update here. Firstly we'll take a look at some of the latest expert mock drafts doing the rounds with a particularly interesting change in Rob Rang's latest prediction. After that we'll concentrate on an article written by CBS Sportsline's Clark Judge looking at why Seattle have a decision to make if Michael Crabtree is available when they're on the clock.
Rob Rang updated his mock draft today with a big change for two reasons. Firstly, for some time now he has been suggesting the team will draft Aaron Curry should he fall to them with the fourth overall pick. In his latest mock - he has the Seahawks passing on the Wake Forest linebacker. Who do they take instead? Mark Sanchez, quarter back from USC.
"When healthy, Matt Hasselbeck remains one of the league's few legitimate franchise quarterbacks, but at 33 years old and coming off a season in which he was limited to only seven games due to a bulging disk in his back, some believe the Seahawks would be wise to begin looking toward the future. Sanchez is skyrocketing up draft boards amid the belief that with more development, he could also be a franchise passer." - Rob Rang
Chad Reuter has also updated his mock draft. Recently he's had the Seahawks down to select Michael Crabtree, but in his latest mock he does the opposite to Rob Rang and has the Seahawks taking Aaron Curry. His is a three round mock and there's a surprising choice in round two, with Seattle taking Illinois corner back Vontae Davis.
Pete Prisco rounds out today's CBS Sportsline mock-fest with his updated prediction. He agrees with Rob Rang and sees the Seahawks taking Mark Sanchez fourth overall. This appears to be a popular pick right now after reports from the USC pro-day said there was a strong contingent from Seattle present.
Charles Davis has updated his mock draft on NFL.com. He thinks the Seahawks will take Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe stating, "Do the Seahawks go with a defensive tackle? Quarterback? Monroe will help protect QB Matt Hasselbeck immediately." I've said it a few times now, but I can't see the Seahawks selecting Monroe. I don't think he fits the offensive scheme Greg Knapp intends to implement in Seattle and I have reservations about his desire to be a great offensive tackle in the NFL.
Walter Cherepinsky still thinks the Seahawks will take Michael Crabtree. On the prospect of drafting Eugene Monroe instead, "where would Monroe play? Walter Jones and Sean Locklear are set at tackle this year. The Seahawks definitely need someone to take over for Jones in the near future, but not in 2009. And based on the way Seattle has acted this offseason, the team isn't ready to give up on its current roster just yet."
Talking of Crabtree, Clark Judge has written an article on the Texas Tech receiver and why he should be on Seattle's radar on April 25th. He compares Crabtree to Adrian Peterson - who dropped to 7th overall in 2007 due to injury concerns - despite being ranked much higher on many draft boards.
Judge believes if Seattle are looking to go 'best player available' with the fourth pick instead of drafting for the long term future, then Crabtree has to be their choice.
"Yeah, I know the Seahawks signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but so what? He catches a lot of balls, but he's not a big-play threat. Crabtree is, scoring 41 touchdowns in two seasons at Texas Tech, with 231 catches and 15 100-yard games. He caught 15 passes in one start, 14 in another and never had fewer than four receptions in any game. He had a string of 13 straight contests with at least one touchdown and set the NCAA freshman record for scoring catches in a season. He won the Bilentikoff and Warfield awards. Twice. He was named all to the Big-12 and All-America teams." - Clark Judge
Judge certainly lists an impressive resume. However, the mocks where I've seen Crabtree fall (most notably Mike Mayock's first mock of the year) it hasn't been due to a lack of talent - it's reservations about his character. Nobody has come out and made these supposed red flags public knowledge, but it could be an issue of 'no smoke without fire'. Whether or not these potential issues will put Seattle off remains to be seen. But Judge ends his article with a warning...
"If you're going to pass on Crabtree it better be for a good reason."
14 comments:
Ugh! My opinion simply won't change, and as hard as I try to accept it, Crabtree is the only player I truly want with that #4 pick. I really hope something happens and the winds change in that direction, because right now I'm getting a Monroe vs. Sanchez picture and I have to say I don't like it. (Sigh) It was a lot easier last year with a late 20s pick...
Patrick- im with u all the way...Crabtree seems to be the only guy I'll be happy with come draft day, even though getting Moreno + another draft pick wouldnt be so bad either.
Yes, it was a lot easier, but isnt this soooo much more exciting? Even though ive been a die hard seahawks fan for years, I did not really care much bout the draft, as we usually picked very late and those players have not done very well in seattle (jennings...jackson...branch trade...etc)
Hey Patrick,
Not many others are saying this, but I just don't see the Seahawks taking Eugene Monroe. Sanchez might be more likely, we'll have to see. I think Seattle would like people to think they're really sold on Sanchez because it opens up trade possibilities.
I still think Crabtree is in the running. Sometimes people's most recent judgements cloud their overall thinking. A few weeks ago Crabtree was the number 1 prospect in this class. I still think there's a few teams who believe that even today - and for a team not only in need of offensive playmakers but also an impact rookie - Crabtree still makes sense.
the thing about crabtree is that other than his production, nothing about him seems like a ruskell pick. Character concerns, no 40 time, only a sophomore...stuff like that. He also plays a position where guys bust all the time. I know I asked this before, but since the combine, has there been even one iota of actual news pointing the hawks being interested in crabtree still? I have not heard one thing to make me think that.
am i the only one in the world that doesnt think crabtree is a top 10 pick regardless of injury?
The cynic in me says the mock drafts change because if they keep them static then there's less discussion/debate and you don't spend time on their sites looking at ads. It seems like most of the guys you'd be looking at in the top 10 have gone through the "shooting up the boards" phase. Maybe next week it'll be Everette Brown, who hasn't come up often of late. Then maybe after that the whispers will say that Crabtree is hot again. All along, the teams' perceptions of these players might not be changing much in the background.
The only other argument I've heard on Crabtree falling has to do with the competition level in college - the Big 12 was a strong conference, but one that was defensively challenged especially in its teams' secondaries. There might be some truth in that there's almost no DB talent from the Big 12 in this year's draft outside of William Moore. But I think you could come up with a similar argument with just about any prospect, so does it really hold water? Maybe not.
Wes - there hasn't been anything concrete about the team showing interest in Crabtree. However, that might not necessarily be an indication of a lack of interest. I think the term 'Ruskell pick' is sometimes lost in translation. He's not one to be blow away by a work out warrior, he values character and has shown a preference for senior's. Obviously Crabtree isn't a senior, but as with Knowshon Moreno it would have been detrimental for him to stay at school as he'd achieved everything he could at collegiate level. Ruskell will accept that I'm. The reports of character concerns could be of a problem, but as we've discussed recently there doesn't seem to be any real evidence as to what they are.
Brandon - Mike Mayock doesn't have Crabtree in his top ten mock draft, so you might not be the only one. For me, Crabtree is the most talented prospect in the 2009 draft. He'd be top of my big board. He's polarised opinion so much not only in Seattle but around the country, but when you put on the tape and watch him play he is one of only a few that for me - has the potential to be a real star in the NFL.
I think that Crabtree falling is nothing but overthinking on the part of fans, analysts, and GMs. What has really changed since the end of the football season? He was considered an elite talent with unparalleled production at the end of the season, and in my opinion, he should still be considered as such.
Also, everything I've seen the hawks do this offseason indicates that the hawks are not in rebuilding mode and want to win now. It looks like they are ready to give it one more go with Walter and Matt. I think adding a receiver who can stretch the field and compose perhaps the best group of receivers in the NFL with Branch, Housh, and Crabtree (leaving Burleson as the 4th and maybe put him back to PR duties) would be the best way to give weapons to the offense to allow them to win now.
I've always thought our biggest need was a superstar type who can break a game open at any moment, a guy who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. In my opinion, that player is Crabtree.
It's a great point Mike. I think sometimes we can over analyse prospects and let our most recent judgements affect long term thinking. I think the quote by Clark Judge sums it up - "if you're going to pass on Crabtree it better be for a good reason."
I'd rather have Crabtree @4 then Monroe or Sanchez. Moreno seems like a good fit but no way he goes that high. Just seems like a lot of coin would be tied up in the WR postion if Crabtree were taken. Would the price tag for Crabtree come into play?
I think this is all a smokescreen by Ruskell, I don't think he'll actually draft a QB--I'll bet he trades down.
I'm all for trading down and taking either Wells or Moreno
The Seahawks will try to trade down. Let's hope they succeed. Jacksonville makes a good prospect for a trade. They need Sanchez and they have draft choices. I predict the Seahawks trade the #4 pick to Jacksonville for two lower choices.
Anybody who has us drafting Vonte Davis anywhere in the draft can simply be ignored. The person doing the mock does not understand Ruskell at all, and are just seeing a need and filling it. Davis is lazy and an underclassman, two big hits against him. He was benched at one point for not working hard enough.
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