By Rob Staton
Rick Gosselin from the Dallas Morning News has earned a reputation for producing one of the most accurate pre-draft mocks every year. His first attempt was published yesterday and he'll make two more projections before April 22nd. Initial thoughts? I think he has Brandon Graham (DE, Michigan) way too high as a top ten pick. I would also be surprised if Seattle spent the #14 on Ryan Mathews (RB, Fresno State). Hard to argue with the rest though and it's worth checking out.
The news also broke yesterday that Pittsburgh have traded Santonio Holmes to the Jets for a 5th round pick. Maybe this won't have any relevance, but it can't help Denver's attempts to earn a first round pick for their own troubled wide out, Brandon Marshall. If the best Pittsburgh could get for Holmes was a 5th rounder, is it safe to presume they'll struggle to get the deal they were hoping for?
9 comments:
It's a shame Pittsburgh didn't dangle Holmes a bit more before kicking him out. If there were open negotiations then Seattle could have gained a bit of leverage over Denver by openly courting Santonio. This is indeed a great trade as far as our pursuit of Marshall goes though, if Holmes is only worth a 5th then it wouldn't defy logic that Marshall is worth no more than a 2nd.
IIRC, Rick Gosselin's reputation for accuracy is based on his third mock - the final mock which he publishes the day before the draft. That one he builds after making his calls to all his contacts. The first mock is just his ideas.
If Rick Grosselin's mock is correct and the Seahawks do not trade, I would rather take Spiller at #14.
I also think Pittsburgh's trade of a late 5th round for Holmes means that Denver should be happy to get a late 2nd round for Marshall.
This is good news.
Had to share this link: Based on their game-charting of the 2009 season, profootballfocus.com ranks the Seahawks as having been #1 in the NFC West and #7 best in the NFL at pass protection ([TOTAL PRESSURE/PASSING PLAYS]*AVERAGE BLOCKERS/PLAY=PASS PROTECTION RATING). http://www.profootballfocus.com/articles.php?tab=articles&arc=&id=153
Seventh-highest overall seems a bit high, but even if you knock the Hawks down a bit to middle of the pack, it really shows where the real problems with this team lie. It's not the offensive line.
Another reason it is good news is that it strongly implies the Jets themselves aren't in the Marshall market, such as it now is. They had been a team regularly mentioned as a player.
We need two things to get Marshall at a good price. Low value comparable WR trades, and few competitors. So far, so good.
I thought that mock was a dream come true for the hawks, Trent Williams looks like a guy with some upside, and Ryan Matthews is the very definition of a one cut back.
I really like his vision, and the fact he has never fumbled, not once in three years. For a power back to average 6.6 yds/a I don't see what there is not to like. If this is how the draft goes down we could really see a improved team.
sorry 3 fumbles in his career.
Steve, have you been hitting the Amontillado, my friend? I don't know what kind of system profootballfocus uses to judge pass protection, but aside from the St Louis, Jax and Ten games, from what I saw, poor Matt didn't have a pot to pi...er I mean a pocket to pass from...not for entire games (yes, plural) at a time..the poor guy got sacked ON A ONE STEP DROP! Several of the games last year were hands down the worst pass pro performances I've ever seen from an NFL team...to say that they ranked 33rd in the NFL would be generous (yes, I know there's only 32 teams...kinda my point) I do like most of your comments, but this one was way out there...(I hear Rod Serling in the background)
Nothing personal, my friend, but there's absolutely no way the Hawks were any where NEAR the middle of the pack as far as pass pro went last year...to call them pathetic would be a compliment...
i like matthews a lot. I would be ok with that pick actually. I think he is a true feature back, that can give the team at least 5 really excellent years.
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