The combine is complete, free agency is in full swing and the pro-days are taking place all around the country - so time for an updated mock draft. Moves in free agency will clearly impact what happens on April 22nd, but to what extent? He's my updated projection:
Round One
#1 St. Louis: Sam Bradford (QB, Oklahoma)
The Rams need to do all the medical checks on Bradford's arm and they'll look forward to testing him out at the end of the month. If he gets the all clear, he has to be the favorite to go first overall.
#2 Detroit: Ndamukong Suh (DT, Nebraska)
The Lions had the worst defense in the NFL last year. Jim Schwartz, a defensive coach, won't accept that. He needs a talent like Suh to make the most of Detroit's additions in free agency.
#3 Tampa Bay: Gerald McCoy (DT, Oklahoma)
The Buccs will settle for McCoy if Suh's off the board. This fills a huge need in Tampa Bay.
#4 Washington: Anthony Davis (OT, Rutgers)
Many people think Okung will be the first offensive lineman drafted. I don't agree. Davis is raw, but has much greater upside in pass protection. He reminds me of Ryan Clady, a former Shanahan draftee.
#5 Kansas City: Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama)
Nobody thought Tyson Jackson would go third overall this time last year. Kansas City will do what it takes to build a great 3-4 defense.
#6 Seattle: Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame)
I firmly believe the new regime in Seattle will look to rebuild the team's offense. If they think Clausen can be a franchise quarterback, the choice is obvious here.
#7 Cleveland: Eric Berry (S, Tennessee)
The Browns could go in a number of directions, but they'll consider taking Berry to add a much needed presence in the secondary.
#8 Oakland: Bruce Campbell (OT, Maryland)
Bruce Campbell, Taylor Mays or Jason Pierre-Paul. Take your pick.
#9 Buffalo: Bryan Bulaga (OT, Iowa)
Bulaga will interest teams as a left tackle despite his short arms.
#10 Jacksonville: Earl Thomas (S, Texas)
I expect the Jaguars to explore trading down. They're rebuilding their secondary, so if they stay put Thomas makes sense.
#11 Denver: Sergio Kindle (OLB, Texas)
The Broncos have rebuilt their defensive line in free agency. They might look to add an outside presence in the draft with Sergio Kindle - who is good against the run and can get to the quarterback.
#12 Miami: Dan Williams (DT, Tennessee)
The Dolphins re-signed Jason Ferguson, but he could be suspended for the first half of the season. He's also getting up in years, so adding Williams to play the valuable nose tackle makes sense.
#13 San Francisco: Trent Wiliams (OT, Oklahoma)
Williams' stock is high after his combine showing. I still think he's strictly a right tackle, which is what the Niners are looking for.
#14 Seattle: Charles Brown (OT, USC)
The Seahawks need to draft a left tackle. This isn't too high for the under rated Brown, who is a perfect fit for the Alex Gibbs zone blocking scheme.
#15 New York Giants: Derrick Morgan (DE, Georgia Tech)
Morgan has great potential, but amongst the cluster of 3-4 teams and alternative picks - he might suffer a slight fall on draft day. This would be a perfect fit for both prospect and team.
#16 Tennessee: Jason Pierre-Paul (DE, USF)
Pierre-Paul is raw but he has unlimited upside and teams will look at him as someone they can coach into greatness. His lack of experience might keep him out of the top ten, but he owns top ten talent.
#17 San Francisco: Joe Haden (CB, Florida)
Haden shouldn't fall too much after he ran poorly at the combine. He's still the best cornerback in this draft.
#18 Pittsburgh: C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson)
The Steelers will take whoever is top of their board when they're on the clock. They're also good enough to justify another high pick at running back, as they look to replace Willie Parker with Spiller.
#19 Atlanta: Dez Bryant (WR, Oklahoma State)
Receiver isn't a need for Atlanta, but the Falcons will have to consider him as BPA if he falls this far. Another great target for Matt Ryan.
#20 Houston: Kyle Wilson (CB, Boise State)
The Texans, in this scenario, could easily trade up with such good value in the late teens. Wilson makes some sense if they stay put.
#21 Cincinnati: Taylor Mays (S, USC)
The Bengals could use a presence like Mays to compliment their talented cornerbacks.
#22 New England: Jared Odrick (DT, Penn State)
The Patriots are in the process of major changes on their defensive line. Drafting the versatile Odrick gives New England some options long term.
#23 Green Bay: Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State)
Kyle Rota's scouting report on Okung is an absolute must read and highlights some of the reasons why Okung might not be a top ten lock. He performed well at the combine before his injury, but if any of the tackle class is facing an unexpected fall - I think it could be Okung.
#24 Philadelphia: Everson Griffen (DE, USC)
The Eagles need a better pass rush, that was evident in their playoff defeat at Dallas. Griffen boosted his stock at the combine with a very solid overall performance.
#25 Baltimore: Devin McCourty (CB, Rutgers)
The Ravens would find some value in the under rated McCourty, who put on a show at the combine.
#26 Arizona: Carlos Dunlap (DE, Florida)
The Cardinals are about accumulating talent. Calais Campbell had similar question marks but Ken Wisenhunt's staff turned him into a contributor. Dunlap isn't a huge need, but Arizona could be getting a steal.
#27 Dallas: Demaryius Thomas (WR, Georgia Tech)
Jerry Jones could target a big target at receiver. He's traditionally avoided drafting offensive lineman and he likes a flashy pick.
#28 San Diego: Brandon Graham (OLB, Michigan)
Graham is a great pass rusher, but his lack of size could put off teams - as we saw with Everette Brown last year.
#29 New York Jets: Jerry Hughes (OLB, TCU)
The Jets could go in a number of directions. Iupati? Another cornerback? A receiver like Damian Williams? An outside linebacker is the biggest need, which makes Hughes an option.
#30 Minnesota: Brian Price (DT, UCLA)
Price is a disruptive force, but he gets nicked up easily and will have to be used in a rotation. This is great value, but a fall into the latter reaches of round one wouldn't be a total shock.
#31 Indianapolis: Maurkice Pouncey (C, Florida)
The Colts like their lineman to fit the scheme, they don't mind smaller guys. That's good news for Pouncey, who arrived at the combine smaller than advertised. He could play some guard from day one and eventually move to center.
#32 New Orleans: Sean Weatherspoon (LB, Missouri)
I was never blown away watching tape of Weatherspoon from 2009. He should warrant consideration here though and offers an instant impact as a rookie.
Round Two
#33 St. Louis: Jermaine Gresham (TE, Oklahoma)
Getting Sam Bradford a safety net - especially one he's worked with in college - makes sense. Injuries are the only reason Gresham is still available here.
#34 Detroit: Kareem Jackson (CB, Alabama)
Jackson deserves a first round grade, but could slip into the early second. Great value for Detroit even with recent additions at the position in free aency.
#35 Tampa Bay: Arrelious Benn (WR, Illinois)
The Buccs need to add some weapons for Josh Freeman.
#36 Kansas City: Golden Tate (WR, Notre Dame)
Tate impressed everyone with his speed at the combine and his production was superb in 2009. However, I still think he'll do well to find a home in round one.
#37 Washington: Mike Iupati (G, Idaho)
Re-building the offensive line could be a priority with Washington's two early picks.
#38 Cleveland: Eric Decker (WR, Minnesota)
Browns GM Tom Heckert personally watched Decker on a number of occasions last year. The Browns need to add another receiver.
#39 Oakland: Chris Cook (CB, Virginia)
Al Davis loves to draft defensive backs and he loves to draft guys who run fast forty times. A perfect match.
#40 Seattle: Lamarr Houston (DT, Texas)
Houston only falls because of needs elsewhere. The Seahawks would possibly prefer to trade this pick as part of a package to get Brandon Marshall.
#41 Buffalo: Tim Tebow (QB, Florida)
Chan Gailey experimented with the spread using Tyler Thigpen in Kansas City. If Jacksonville don't find a way to take him, Buffalo appear to be an alternative.
#42 Tampa Bay: Damian Williams (WR, USC)
Williams is a difficult one to project. A YAC and return threat who runs good routes, but doesn't own blazing speed and body catches too much. He could go in round one, or he could fall here.
#43 Miami: Ricky Sapp (OLB, Clemson)
Bill Parcells likes to draft linebackers and Sapp would be a steal here.
#44 New England: Rob Gronkowski (TE, Arizona)
The Patriots look set to lose two tight ends, so they might invest one of these picks on a guy like Gronkowski.
#45 Denver: Patrick Robinson (CB, Florida State)
Fast, athletic - should show up better on tape than he does. The Broncos might look to add another corner.
#46 New York Giants: Jahvid Best (RB, California)
Concussions push Best down the board, but this would be a great fit as part of a three-pronged rushing attack.
#47 New England: Brandon LaFell (WR, LSU)
LaFell is another under achiever, but he could become a #1 receiver with the right guidance. This is the kind of value New England always looks for.
#48 Carolina: Aaron Hernandez (TE, Florida)
Not Carolina's greatest need, but a solid pass catching safety net for whoever starts at quarterback.
#49 San Francisco: Mike Williams (WR, Syracuse)
High risk, big reward for the team who drafts Williams. Singletary will thrive on the challenge of coaching this particular wide out.
#50 Kansas City: Cam Thomas (DT, North Carolina)
The Chiefs complete their 3-4 rebuild with a nose tackle.
#51 Houston: Ryan Mathews (RB, Fresno State)
I'm not as high on Mathews as some, but Houston appears ready to draft a new running back.
#52 Pittsburgh: Brandon Ghee (CB, Wake Forest)
Very solid value for the Steelers here - Ghee is an under rated corner in a deep class at the position.
#53 New England: Alex Carrington (DE, Arkansas State)
The Patriots continue to accumulate picks and add talent that fits their scheme.
#54 Cincinnati: Anthony McCoy (TE, USC)
It wouldn't surprise me to see the Bengals target a tight end.
#55 Philadelphia: Nate Allen (S, USF)
The Eagles need a safety, although this might be half a round too early for Allen.
#56 Green Bay: Dominique Franks (CB, Oklahoma)
The Packers will be delighted to land Franks here - he's just the type of physical prospect they look for in the secondary.
#57 Baltimore: Jacoby Ford (WR, Clemson)
Running a 4.28 at the combine will interest teams that own a quarterback with a huge arm.
#58 Arizona: Roger Saffold (OT, Indiana)
The Cardinals will consider the possibility of taking an offensive tackle early.
#59 Dallas: Brandon Spikes (LB, Florida)
Spikes' stock is difficult to judge. However, he's a big name leader at a position of need for Jerry Jones' team.
#60 San Diego: Corey Wootton (DE, Northwestern)
Wootton wasn't as big as I expected at the combine, but if he adds bulk he can be used as a much needed five technique for the Chargers.
#61 New York Jets: Linval Joseph (DT, East Carolina)
One to watch - Joseph is a potential nose tackle who ran a 5.09 and benched 39 reps - whilst weighing 328lbs. Strong and fast guys who play this position go early.
#62 Minnesota: Chad Jones (S, LSU)
The Vikings would find a way to get creative with this big, athletic safety.
#63 Indianapolis: Geno Atkins (DT, Georgia)
The Colts like smaller, faster lineman on both sides of the ball. Atkins ran well at the combine and weighed in under 300lbs.
#64 New Orleans: A.J. Jefferson (CB, Fresno State)
Raw prospect with a high ceiling at a position of need.
48 comments:
I can't find any faults with a draft like this. I guess I'm one of the few people who think a complimentary DT for Mebane is more important than a DE. Also, PFT just put up a post about the Hawks being interested in McNabb or Kolb from Philly. That would sure change how we approach the draft.
I don't trust the link to McNabb, it makes no sense to me. I also think Philly trading Kolb is completely unlikely. Ask yourself this - if Philly are willing to trade Kolb (a young potential franchise QB) - why are they? You don't trade away young, talented QB's. Something just doesn't seem right about that suggestion.
I see your point...all info this time of year has to be taken with a grain of salt. I must say I'm a little confused on why we're bothering bringing in Anderson though.
KC is a fantastic trade partner for any team that has fallenin love with Clausen.
If the Hawks are indeed finding that he could be the future QB then KC sitting at number 5 must be killing them.
Cle, Buf, SF(?) could all have ammo needed. Min probably not so much.
Otherwise great mock. I first frowned at Haden at 17 and Bryant at 19 but really can't say that the picks above them are all that unlikelly. Although I would not be surprised to see the top safeties lower.
Miami might also see some NT-desperate team leapfrog them by trading up with Jacksonville.
They'll want another veteran QB on the roster. Even if they draft a guy like Jimmy Clausen - if Hasselbeck goes down with an injury in week one, I'm not sure you want to throw your rookie into the firing range that early. Taking a guy like Anderson into camp would be a wise move.
#36 Ben Tate, WR Notre Dame? Don't you mean Golden Tate.
D - some excellent points there. As you rightly say - Kansas City are a fantastic trade partner for anyone hoping to get above Seattle. Let's say the Chiefs are set on McClain. Say the Browns want Clausen - it wouldn't take much to swap picks and usurp Seattle.
I have reservations about the top two safeties, but Miami have made space to draft a guy like Thomas - who is also excellent in coverage and can be used at CB on various downs too. Berry, I've made my points on him a lot. It wouldn't surprise me if he fell out of the top ten, however good he is.
I expect Jacksonville to do everything they can to move down. They don't have a second round pick. If they want Tebow, or if they want to add some more picks, they could fall down the board the same way Cleveland did last year. They should get interest from teams looking at the two Williams' (OT and DT) or the two defensive backs (Thomas, Haden).
WarHawk - amendment made, thank you. I've been watching a lot of Ben Tate recently, I think he's engrained on the brain.
I have been one of those that whenever I see Clausen to the Seahwaks I get dishearten. I have been around long enough to know that we don't have luck with QB's in the first round and I have seen nothing come from top QB prospect that come out of ND since Montana. I think he will bust and I say to any team go ahead and have him. I do have one question Rob, since the Lions traded to get a DT do you see the Lions going after Okung or Bulaga and having Suh(highly unlikely) or McCoy fall to the Seahawks?
I approve this product or service. Still not sold on Clausen, but we could call this the "Two and a Half Men" Draft.
Rob, I understand most of your logic and respect your opinion. I don't agree with McClain to KC at 5, don't like the Clausen pick, but understand it. I'd prefer Bulaga at 6 and Derek Morgan at 14. Not that I dislike Charles Brown, but I think Bulaga is better now and will help Seattle win in 2010 more so than Brown, and I have doubts about whether Brown will be there at 14. San Fran could snap him up at 13 after the early run on OT's. And I'd prefer Chad Jones at 40 to Houston.
The biggest surprise, however, is AJ Jefferson at 64 to the New Orleans. He never even started at Fresno State, rather was a return specialist and backup CB only. Now, he was a very good return man, but you don't draft them in the 2nd round. Mayock had nice things to say about his combine workout, but again, does that make him a 2nd round prospect? Hey, you could be right, but I'll be shocked if he goes before the 4th round.
Hard to put much faith in the SEA/PHI talks. Though, I would welcome Kolb to SEA in a second. I've been keen on acquiring Kolb for a while.
Would anyone be willing to give up #6 for Kolb? (I'm assuming that's what it would take)
RE: the mock
I like it. Clausen is a big "?" but we have to assume that the staff knows what they're doing.
-=cysco
Rob,
Why trade the #6 pick for Brandon Marshall, or two picks, such as #2 and #4? Why not trade the #6 pick to, say, the New England Patriots, for their pick #22 in the first round and their picks # 44 and 53 in the second round? The draft value trade chart shows the #6 pick at a value of 1600 points, and the three NE picks at a value of 1610. Then, the Seahawks would get Marshall for the #22 pick, with him signing an offer sheet, and add two #2's in addition, and still have the #14 pick in the first round and their own #40 pick.
Draft Choice Trade Value Chart:
http://www.draftcountdown.com/features/Value-Chart.php
Why is Kolb so highly rated? He was a 2nd round pick when he was drafted. Now he's worth a first. He's hardly played in the NFL. It seems his reputation grows by not playing.
Scotia
New England doesn't typically make trade's like that. They usually want to aquire more picks, not trade them away. Unless Pete Carroll has an inside guy in NE that would approve that trade without Belichek knowing, I don't see it happening.
And I think when you sign a player to an offer sheet and you have two picks in that round, you would give up the higher pick. So under this scenario, Denver would get our 14th pick. I could be wrong on that, but that's my understanding.
My understanding is that the tender-trade is required to be for the team's own #1 pick, not one obtained in trade (ie, the #14). Therefore, the Seattle #6 pick would have morphed into the #22 pick, and that is what Denver would get.
I think that PC will be in the doghouse if he picks either Sam or jimmy at 6. I chat on the PI Forum and most fans there do NOT want either of them. We also have Tebow coming in for a private showing, and D Anderson is supposed to visit soon (maybe today). As you said, we may need an experienced QB, and Anderson is only one out there. I like the other picks for Seattle, and if any team wants either of those QBs, we can't stop them and probably won't even try. JMHO
Annonymous - I don't think there's much chance at all Detroit takes an offensive tackle second overall. Suh or McCoy are locked into that position, I'm incredibly confident about that - and I think the moves Detroit made in free agency were preparing themselves for the big shot in the arm that a Suh would bring. They signed complimentary role players. If they genuinly want to improve upon the league's worst defense in the NFL - they'll draft Suh. It might sound strange to say this, but the new regime in Detroit knows what it's doing.
Annonymous 2 - I'm led to believe he has a chance to go in that 2/3 range. Being able to offer return qualities will help his stock, but he ran well enough at the combine for a good team to take a punt. I'd put Perrish Cox there, but his stock is sinking fast.
Annonymous 3 - New England aren't really a team that trades up. They look for value in the second round and do a good job accumulating picks. I would be stunned if they entertained the idea of coughing up second rounders to move as high as 6th overall.
Annonymous 4 - A lot of people I speak to seem to favor Clausen at #6. I don't think Carroll would be in the dog house, and I don't think he'll let that influence his decision either. I've been critical of Clausen personally, so this isn't just me venting my own feelings here. I genuinly believe the Seahawks will seriously consider making this selection and two seperate sources have told me there is interest there.
I think the Tebow work out will be due dilligence. The Seahawks and Bills need a long term QB, so it makes sense to arrange a private work out. Here you have a guy whose intangibles are off the charts, he's won a lot of games. It'd be ignorant not to invite him to Seattle and see what he can do outside of a comfort zone - being asked to make throws Seattle would ask him to make on a Sunday. Do I think the Seahawks will draft Tebow? No.
Well, this is what I've been stuck on for about a month now, Clausen, Brown, Houston. And I really like it.
However if Clausen, Bradford, McCoy, and Suh are all gone with the first 5 picks, I really wouldn't mind trading down.
Look at the picks clustered around 14:
Morgan, Haden, Earl Thomas, Spiller, etc.
Look at the picks clustered around 45: Pat Robinson, Jahvid Best, Lafell, Mike Williams, Damian Williams.
If we had to trade back from our 6th pick, and could find a willing trade partner with say SF at 17 and 49 (assuming they really wanted Berry or Dez Bryant, or someone), I would much rather get two talents than reach on a guy.
Perhaps I'm reading too much into things, but maybe the interest in Tebow, Kolb, McNabb, and Anderson is an attempt to convince Cleveland/Buffalo that we aren't high on Bradford or Clausen. I mean none of those guys really make any sense. Tebow won't be ready until after Matt's done, Kolb is the future in Philly, McNabb isn't much better than Matt, and Anderson is just horrible.
Just an idea.
And what kind of upside does Houston have?
and the Restricted
Free Agent’s Prior Club shall receive from the New Club the Draft
Choice Compensation, if any, specified in Section 2 above of this Article.
Any Club that does not have available, in the upcoming Draft, the selection
choice or choices (its own or better choices in the applicable rounds) needed
to provide Draft Choice Compensation in the event of a timely First Refusal
Exercise Notice may not sign an Offer Sheet in such circumstances.
My interpretation is that this is saying that if the team doesn't have it's own pick to use then it must use the higher pick. Again, I could be wrong.
Either way, I don't see it as a very likely scenario.
Chavac, I think that's exactly what it is (RE: QB's).
Houston is smaller than a lot of teams would want, he's very tightly wound and stout. Not much fat. But that's generally how Pete Carroll likes his defensive lineman. He can play three technique, potentially play some off the edge. Very versataile, very disruptive.
I don't think the Hawks are going to find any trade takers at 6 (this draft is just too deep and the guaranteed money for a rookie will put many teams off) unless Detroit takes a LT at 2 and McCoy falls to 6. But in this scenario I don't see the Hawks trading the pick - they'll just use it on McCoy themselves unless one of the 2 top quaterbacks are available and Carrol decides he wants a QB. Trading our #14 might be easier and Brown will probably still be around in the mid-20s anyway. Then maybe we can acquire a 3rd rounder....which maybe we could package with our #2 for Marshall? Turing our top 3 picks into McCoy, Marshall, and Brown would be pretty sweet and probably lives only in my imagination.
Possible, but you never know if someone really covets Okung, Bulaga, Berry, etc. Perhaps, SF thinks that Berry is better than Earl Thomas and Mike Williams (though in this case Earl Thomas would be gone by 13).
Dez Bryant is my all time favorite college player and I have said all along I would love to see him with the Hawks but I am now starting to worry about him.
STILLWATER — Dez Bryant did not participate in Oklahoma State's Pro Day workouts Wednesday morning.
Sources indicate Bryant will conduct his own workout for NFL scouts March 25 in his hometown of Lufkin, Texas.
Bryant, a former Cowboy All-American wide receiver, did not participate in last month's NFL Combine because of a hamstring issue.
Quarterback Zac Robinson and offensive tackle Russell Okung were among 17 former Cowboys working out for 40 NFL personnel Wednesday.
Ralphy - Bryant needs to get a grip of the situation and fast. He better impress when he works out. Not playing at all in 2009 bar two games and then whiffing on the combine and pro-day for minor injuries - teams will be worried. Michael Crabtree had a legitimate injury last year and was just coming off a second successive Biletnikoff winning season. Bryant hasn't got that. He might not fall this far, but teams will be worried about what they're investing in.
After much debate on this topic I am beginning to change my mind a little. Here is a good article that brought up good points about Clausen http://walterfootball.com/mattblog091229.php.
I still believe that trading down the #6 pick is the best option but if we have to take it and McCoy/ Suh are off the board then I now agree that Clausen is the correct choice. His numbers are impressive and people's biases against Notre Dame are real and may lead to Clausen actually being undervalued. This pick makes even more sense if we can pick up Marshall.
I think that we should be looking to trade down the 14 pick to try and get Brown in the 20s.
Great draft all of these picks look pretty good and go hawks!
Brendan
If this mock tells us anything it is that this years draft is really deep.
Absolutely Bill. I think you're getting very good value at around the 45 range, not much of a drop off from 20-45.
http://espn.go.com/ncf/player/stats?playerId=150329
Looking at Brady Quinn's stats, they're eerily similar to Clausen's. I know you can't just look at stats without looking at supporting cast, and types of throws he can or can't make along with decision making etc, but it has me a tad bit worried about Clausen if nothing else.
However if Clausen does slide to the 20's, I would definitely want us to trade up from 40 to get him.
"I'm not sure you want to throw your rookie into the firing range that early. Taking a guy like Anderson into camp would be a wise move."
You don't trade away one of the best backup QBs in the league for a 7th round pick just so you can get another backup QB. The Seahawks have to be clearing room to develop quarterbacks. If you're looking to find your quarterback of the future, you get as many possible guys as you can and let them fight it out. You need roster space for that.
This draft is very deep and that could be a problem when it comes to trading down. I don't think alot of teams are going to want to give up 2nd and even 3rd round picks this year. In an ideal situation, the Hawks could trade down a couple times and pick up those 2nd/3rd rounders, but why would a team trade a 2nd rounder to move up a few spots when the talent differnce isn't that much.
In regards to Claussen vs Quinn, I am not quite sure how their scouting reports compare, maybe Rob could give a little more info, but I don't think its fair to completely call Quinn a bust. He had no skill players around him and to help make plays. Almost all rookie QB's will struggle with that team.
Quinn has had a rough deal in Cleveland, but my main concern with him is accuracy. He seems to have lost a lot of touch largely because he's bulked up so much - and he didn't need to. I think Clausen is much more accurate in that sense.
If Seattle's draft turns out this way I'll be extremely dissappointed. I want at least one guy that can outrun a linebacker. Who know's maybe even score TD's from outside the redzone? Is that too much to ask?
The Seahawks need playmakers. That's the one issue I have with this draft, no playmakers early. I do think we're going to see some big moves between now and the draft though which will either free up holes or find ways to get those playmakers. Marshall remains an option via trade. Don't write off moves to bring in other guys. There will be speed in the later rounds too.
Spiller is a playmaker, I'd rather see best available OT at 6, Spiller at 14. This way we would know we have a playmaker rather than hoping the fast guy we drafted in the fifth round can make a few plays for us. That's just my two cents.
It's a fair opinion, Annonymous. I think the Seahawks running attack will probably carry a number of backs going into camp, with an open competition to start. I'm not sure they'd invest one pick at the position and tie themselves to having to give that guy snaps. Having said that, Spiller has the speed and playmaking ability this offense desperately needs. If they think they can get lineman later, adding Spiller and a guy like Marshall potentially via trade gives the Seahawks offense a major upgrade.
I really think seattle is going to spend 2 of their first 3 picks on offense. I could see a Clausen at 6, Spiller or Bryant at 14 and best available at 40. They have the pieces on defense to be decent but have no identity on offense and no one that teams have to game plan for and there is no way Carroll is going into next year with the offensive skill players that are in place as of now. Great job on the site and I am glad I found it! Looking forward to more as we get closer to the draft.
Annonymous - thanks for visiting and hope you'll keep coming back. We run throughout the year, although obviously things get exciting just before the draft.
I think the Seahawks will concentrate on rebuilding their offense. I've seen mocks that have #6 and #14 going on defense, but I just don't see it. This team won't win without a major rebuild on offense. It's by far Seattle's biggest need. The only thing that would trump it is if an elite defensive end was available who was clearly better than the offensive options - I don't think we have that (even though I'm very high on Morgan and like JPP).
Either way, in 12 months time I expect the offense will look very different.
Solid as always Rob. Some draft scenarios that project Okung to the Lions thus resulting us in getting McCoy are very interesting. And when you think about it, it is certainly a possibility. But I like the fact you are sticking to your guns and not following the trends that some mocks are taking. I think etting Spiller and Marshall would give this offense some desperately needed teeth. An ideal scenario for me would be trading down a few spots to a team like Buffalo who might want Clausen, so we could pick up a third or fourth rounder. We use the 9th pick to take Spiller and then use the 14th to take Brown. Then if we can manage to trade our 2nd and 4th and maybe Branch to Denver for Marshall, then that would be amazing. In the later rounds we can pick up some young guys on defense for depth and we could be in contention for a wide open NFC West race this year. Marshall, Spiller and Housh with an altered O-line would be a force to be reckoned with. If Curry and Tapp are used to their full potential this year, this could be the start of something special. I have faith that Seattle knows what it is doing.
I would also like to add that I like the approach that Seattle is taking during free agency. We are taking our time and evaluating lots of options. You can't just throw money at players and expect to build a good team. See Washington Redskins.
Rob, I think you should keep mocking the other possible angles the Hawks could go. It's what mocks your mocks more interesting and it's something to keep in mind with a new regime in this draft, it could go a million different ways.
I mean the calories they're burning on the QB position in free agency right now may mean they'll draft a QB but it may mean they're not impressed with the QB's in this draft and would like to square things away at QB with a vet or two in free agency and draft a QB late or wait until next year.
I'm just saying this a is a year where most mocks will be waaaaay off in what the Hawks will do in this draft because there are so many possibilities with a crew of new guys who are working together for the first time.
It's always interesting to see how other teams value certain players. I'm still pissed on how the Raiders passed on Crabtree and instead took a receiver with no hands. With that in mind, I keep remembering the look on Brady Quinn's face when he kept dropping lower and lower in the draft. It was kind of sad and funny at the same time. But as a player, just because he's bulked up a lot, does that mean he has lost all of the tools he possessed before as a passer? But then again, I'm not sure if he has been permanantly damaged by the failures in Cleveland. It wasn't too long ago where he was still highly regarded as an up and comer. Cleveland sounds like they are willing to trade him, so who would you rather have, Clausen or Quinn?
Detroit's gonna go BPA, so you have it right I think: McCoy or Suh at #2. But the way I make sense of their free agency moves is that they're laying the groundwork for potentially trading back, if they can find a suitor. Detroit could still land a fine OT moving down a few slots and Schwartz has now bought himself the flexibility to entertain that possibility.
Rolando McClain has revealed he's got Crohn's disease. It'll be interesting to see if this affects his stock just a little.
Jon - I'll keep reviewing different scenarios. It's difficult to do too much right now because we're in the throws of free agency and I think the Seahawks will be making some moves soon. That'll give us some new directions.
Michah - I would absolutely prefer Clausen.
Rob, I know you prefer Clausen over Quinn, but have you heard anything about how much Quinn might cost? If it's only a 3rd rounder, I'd say that Quinn is a better deal than Clausen, if only because the cost is so much smaller.
I have no idea regarding a price for Quinn. I suspect it'll be much lower than the first rounder Cleveland paid. It'll be one of these situations where - Quinn will be worth whatever someone is willing to pay. I suspect Cleveland will see what they can get and guage whether it's enough. It really wouldn't surprise me if a late third rounder or early fourth was enough. Quinn's stock is pretty low right now and the Browns are moving on.
I think the main difference between Clausen and Quinn is accuracy. Unfortunately, that may be the most important difference. Quinn has spent too much time in the gym bulking up and it's not helped. His touch was all over the place last year. Clausen makes a lot of safe throws, but he knows what kind of pace to put on a pass.
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