By Rob StatonI contacted Chris Steuber from Scout.com this week to get his thoughts on how the Seahawks may be planning to use their first round picks. You can see Chris' latest mock draft by clicking here - he has Pete Carroll and co. taking Jimmy Clausen (QB, Notre Dame) and C.J. Spiller (RB, Clemson). So what is he hearing from Qwest Field?
"My sources tell me that the Seahawks front office is high on both (Jimmy) Clausen and (Anthony) Davis. Pete Carroll is very familiar with Clausen and even recruited him while he was in high school. He's comfortable with his abilities and knows what kind of player he can become. As far as Davis is concerned, the Seahawks view him as a young Walter Jones. Davis' size and athleticism are very intriguing. But from what I'm hearing the Seahawks are interested in a QB at No. 6 and will wait for an OT at No. 14 or in the second round." - Chris Steuber
In my latest mock draft I had the Seahawks passing on tackles early in round one to draft Charles Brown (OT, USC) at #40. A lot of people commented that they didn't think Brown would make it into round two. Personally, I'm a big fan of the SoCal left tackle. He fits Seattle's zone blocking scheme perfectly and has the kind of agility and smarts you'd usually expect from a tackle working in the Alex Gibbs' system. It wouldn't surprise me if he went in the mid-first round or earlier. If he shows up at the combine over 300lbs and performs well - he'll raise a few eyebrows.
However, is he's still in that 290lbs range he won't fit a lot of schemes. If other prospects fall at the tackle position, it could push Brown down the board. However, there's such a premium on the left tackle position it wouldn't surprise me if Brown found a way to stick in the first thirty-two picks. In fact, if Seattle want to guarantee a prospect like Brown - they might have to look at taking him at #14. Is that a reach? Not for me. I think he's talented enough, it's just the size will be an issue for most other teams. Tying up the blind side position for years to come - especially with an ideal fit like Brown - makes a lot of sense.
But back to the issue at hand - as Chris reports via his sources - the Seahawks absolutely should be thinking quarterback at #6 if they truly believe Jimmy Clausen is capable of making an offense tick. Tying up the most important position in football long term and not having to start him as a rookie is completely desirable. However, the big question is whether the team see Clausen or Sam Bradford for that matter as 'the guy'. Steuber's sources tend to suggests that could be the case.
17 comments:
This makes me re-think some things. How does Davis fit in the ZBS? Does this mean we need to re-think the qualifications for a Seahawks OT or does it mean that the Hawks are leaking bad info?
The Seahawks might think that left tackle is such a big need that they just have to get BPA at the position. If they expect Suh/McCoy to be gone, they'll know there's a good chance one of Clausen or Davis will be there at #6. It could be that right now that's who they're really high on, but it could change.
With regard to Davis particularly, they'll get a chance to interview him at the combine. This will be key for Davis. He's had weight and attitude problems at Rutgers. It has been a big issue. He's not the most personable guy in interviews. They'll prod him and see what happens. They need to be convinced he'll work hard when the big cheque comes in. However, from a pass protection P.O.V. he's very good and that's key at LT.
He does remind me a little of Ryan Clady who worked in a ZBS in Denver (they're moving to a man scheme now though). They could be confident he'll just transcend any scheme. However - he's much bigger than the prototype Gibbs lineman.
So I don't necessarily believe this is bad info. The Seahawks might just think at #6 they need to get a franchise player to match the price tag. Left tackle or quarterback would fit that quota and one of Davis or Clausen is likely to be around. Still - this is stil only speculation and it's incredibly early. A lot can change between now and April 22nd.
BTW - Dan LeFevour isn't throwing at the combine to not risk his stock... no injury excuse.
I know doubt is sometimes better than no doubt if it's a negative reality - but that kid has got to throw the ball for scouts. We're not talking about a top ten prospect here with tens of millions on the line. I wouldn't touch him until the later rounds, surely teams who are higher on him will be wondering what he's got to hide if he's clinging to the hopes of going in round three?
It makes perfect sense that the Seahawks would be advertising in a discret way their interest in Clausen even if they are not interested.
This could all be posturing for extra picks and I certainly hope so.
If the Seahawks are planning the USC Tackle in the 2010 lineup, how possible is they trade down the 14th for somewhere between 25-32 and a third rounder? Thanks!
Who knows. Its fun to talk about at least.
I do think the #14 will be easy to trade. A lot of teams in the mid to late 1st need safety and tackle, and #14 is the area in the draft where the top safeties and tackles will start to dry up.
Is Mike Kafka going to Indy? If so, will his stock inflate if he throws really well at the combine coupling with a great Shrine game? Perhaps make himself the third best QB in the draft?
Guilherme,
I think it would be great to trade back from 14. According to the Draft value chart we could trade back to around 22 or 23 and recieve a second rounder on top of that for number 14. At number 25 we could pick up a 2nd and 4th rounder on top. But as you get farter back it is tough to get that many draft picks. If we just want to pick up a third we could move back just 3 or four picks to 17 or 18, and pick up a 3rd round. I suggest that if you are interested in trading picks go check out Drafttek.com. They have the chart posted that the Pro's use.
Let us assume that this is a case of a designed "Leak". It could potentially help us by raising the draft stock of Clausen. By doing this, it could give more reason for earlier teams to pick up a QB, thus leaving us with more options, or pressuring other teams to offer a trade to the Hawks for the 6th pick(ie, Buffalo).
Either way, waiting for the 40th pick to grab your future LT scares me a bit. Plus, I do like the idea of trading down with one of those two picks.
Trading down from #14 is a possibility I'm sure the team will consider unless a prospect falls into their laps. Taking Charles Brown either after a trade or even by staying at #14 is a possibility.
Rob or Kip - So, if the Seahawks take a QB in the first round, obviously that guy is the next Franchise QB. What then, in your opinion, does the team do with Seneca Wallace and Mike Teel? I don't see Wallace sticking around, nor do I see the new franchise QB being the 3rd (emergency) QB. Unlike many others, I also don't see Wallace as that great of an option at WR.
My best guess would be that if the Seahawks draft a QB this year, they would be benched to learn from the sidelines. Hasselbeck would start with Wallace the backup. Teel would likely be cut or moved to the practise squad.
It's possible that no franchise qb's come out of this draft. Certainly none are worthy of a top 10 pick. Clausen and Bradford have risen due to hype and dire need.
If Pete drafts Clausen he will be turning over a new Leaf and setting in motion the events of his own demise.
There's no sure things, of course, annonymous. I myself have voiced concerns about Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen. However, both have their positives too. Drafting Clausen won't guarantee wins, but it's also a bit hasty to suggest it may also be the beginning of his demise.
I'd personally love to grab Clausen with the 6th, and the hopefully trade down to the 20-30 range to brown, picking up an extra 3-4th rounder so we can grab a safety down the road. I'm hearing this is a deep draft for those guys
Well, maybe Chris Steuber is just putting 1+1 together...to inflate his perceived "inside sources..."
Most already know Clausen was recruited by Pete carroll, but not too many know that Anthony Davis was also a Carroll recruit.
Once people start digging, the connections "start to make sense". But do they really? Davis isn't a good fit for the Hawks. I'm not buying the Seahawks/Davis at #6 stuff.
Not sure if this has been covered yet - but is there any chance/ talk about trading Hasslebeck? I would think that a team like Minesota might be intersted?
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