By Rob StatonThe Seattle Seahawks drafted Golden Tate in an unpredictable second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. A number of big names failed to leave the board early on - the most noticeable being Jimmy Clausen who eventually landed in Carolina. Seattle sat tight as it became clear there would be great value by the 60th overall pick and chose the Notre Dame playmaker. Interesting to note Houston and Cleveland both jumping ahead of the Seahawks to draft running backs, but it remains to be seen if either Ben Tate or Montario Hardesty were likely options at #60.
So what about Tate? I think this is about par value for him in terms of a grade. He's a coverted running back who's best quality is getting the ball in his hands in space. He's not a polished route runner or a likely deep threat. Physically he's not big but he's a fighter who will make his presence known. I would suggest his role in Seattle will be similar to Percy Harvin's in Minnesota. Tate will likely return kicks and have the occasional rush attempt. He'll take catches out of the slot and run screens and slants. Whether he develops into more remains to be seen.
Tate won the 2009 Biletnikoff Award for college football's top receiver. Michael Crabtree had won it the previous two years, whilst Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald are also former winners. Bobby Engram was the original winner in 1994. I've posted a highlights video of Tate below. You can also find out more about each prospect taken by Seattle on the right hand side bar by clicking each image.
22 comments:
Love the pick. To get a playmaker from a major college at #60 is huge for this team. I said coming into the draft that the Hawks needed more playmakers. They have drafted two so far while getting the top rated LT on some boards.
Bring on a legit RB in round #4 and some some athletes to fill some holes and we are set. We won't win the division by any means, but we will be on a great path to recovery.
How about Jonathan Dwyer tomorrow?? I know he's from a option offense but still decent size and speed. Great value tomorrow if he's around.
pick 104 Bruce Cambpell a bit of a project but real good upside. Everson Griffin late first round to early second round talent here and a position of need. Mcknight is still out there he is another playmaker type DE Wooten is still avaible this guy seems to get injured to much but can play inside and out.
If we draft Bruce cambell can he play guard or RT? Tony Washington still good option. Also mike Williams!!
get me Geno Atkins!
Pretty excited for round 4.
I know I've already talked about it in another thread but I think this will go down as a huge steal by Seattle. I'm sure this is a guy Gates wanted because he knows he can use him in a number of ways. I also think he will be a better reciever than he is getting credit for and could easily be a Percy Harvin type in this offense or a Steve Smith-light type of player. He is easily the biggest playmaker on the offense and we didn't have to use a high pick on a guy like Spiller to accomplish the same thing. I love your work Rob but I have to disagree that this is par value. Huge upgrade to the offense and Carroll and company did an incredible job so far. Looking forward to seeing what they do next. I think Bates will also use him in a similar fashion as Royal although Royal was probably a better route runner but not nearly as good YAC as Tate.
Geno Atkins and Wooten in the fourth would make me a happy camper.
Bruce Campbell has to be under consideration, right?
I also like Perrish Cox at this point; big, physical, plays faster than his 40 and anything to keep Kelly Jennings off the field.
Myron Rolle? Darryl Stuckey?
5th: Mike Williams and James Starks.
I would also cast my vote for Dwyer, the RB from Ga Tech. Ideal one-cut zone runner to provide the thunder to go with Forsett's lightening. None of the teams ahead of the Seahawks in the 4th round need a RB: Rams, Vikings, Bucs, Texans, or Redskins.
I like Griffin or McKnight. Really no love for USC players this year in the draft. We also need another safety, who's left? I think we've made the most of the draft so far and it's good to see we are making pretty solid moves.
Campbell falling into our lap in the 4th round should be the only pick. We won't solve the whole thing in one draft, but about establishing an identity in this one. Let's see how bad or RB's are with a line, zone blocking guru and a QB who isn't running for his life every play.
Can't say I'm a big fan. This guy is not Percy Harvin, and he sure as heck is not Steve Smith(CAR). Harvin plays at track speed on the field, and Smith plays the ball like a stud. Tate does neither of these things well. I see him more like an Eddie Royal, which is great but not something I think we really needed. In the end though, I can't say I'm upset because he definitely was a value pick, but there were a lot of good players who filled defensive needs that we passed on. That said, if we could come out of the fourth with Atkins and Griffin/Wooten that would be absolutely amazing. Okung-Thomas-Tate-Griffin-Atkins in my book would be one of the best draft classes I've ever seen, regardless of 5-7.
I agree. Griffin+Aktins would provide immediate upgrade to the DL... even if the picks come from the 4th round. Most importantly, the DL would become a lot quicker, which is what Pete said he wants. Atkins is the fastest DT in this class. Griffin may not have the best pash rush moves, but he is athletic. A draft of Okung, Thomas, Tate, Griffin, and Atkins would be utterly sick. Potential franchise LT if Gibbs works his magic. Pass protection improved. A top corner/safety hybrid who is a playmaker on defense. Pass defense improved. Tate is a playmaker IMO. He's most dangerous on quick slants. Atkins and Griffin would AT LEAST offer depth if not immediate improvement in speed.
There are still plenty of good players such as Charles Scott (my preference for a big back), Donovan Warren, and Mitch Petrus.
I'm also keeping a close eye on Joe McKnight and Reshad Jones who dropped more than I expected.
Alex
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b3Q2j reports that Mays is angry with Carroll for selecting Earl Thomas over him.
It seems that Mays thought that Carroll owed him. He thought Carroll implied that his game was OK. Therefore, Carroll should have taken him at #14.
I think we dodged a bullet here.
Not overly happy with this choice. He better learn to run routes with great precision if he wants to succeed as a receiver in this offense. It's all about timing and thats one of the things that made Bobby E so valuble, that and complete feerlessness over the middle. He should be a fine returner though and he could suprise me. I was hopeing Big Balls Carrol would trade up and and make sure he could get Price,Benn,Houston,or Dunlap.
Still, can't bitch.. great draft so far
Hope we get Akwasi Owuau-Ansah! Big ball hawking corner with return ability! Get some!
some good Gaurds available Mitch Petrus and Mike Johnson. Johnson might be the best zone blocking G in this draft and petrus benched 45 reps at 225 at the combine new record. Johnson played some big time games in his career at Alabama just look who won the Heisman last year.
Mike Johnson was drafted with the 98th pick by Atlanta.
Maybe kind of a sleeper pick Dorin Dickson TE/H Back. 6'1 225 4.40 forty 43 inch vertical. You could line this guy up in many differant formations and try to get him in space maybe 5th round project. With the addition of Tate and we also have Butler it would make sense to see if we could flip Branch for a 5th to the Pats.
Dwyer
I was thinking branch + 4th/5th to bills for lynch
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