I would even stretch that further and ask if there are 4 players since we have our own natie 2nd rd pick as well ( and Hooker is "Ranked" outside the top 50). I have always been more intrigued by Hooker than Levis and frankly, for 3 months people have told me I am insane for thinking he is a viable prospect (age, system, injury) and that he was at best a 3rd round prospect. I just honestly believe that he may be the most accurate and smartest of the top 5 guys. To our team his age is of little concern because he goes directly into competition as QB2 with Drew. That is a perfect scenario leading into 2024 and beyond because a succesion plan is in place to have a guy who wont derail the train.
Being that alot of these guys have been covered in depth already I would ask that you look more into Darnell Washington (another guy people dislike when I say he could be a target with our 2nd thru 4th pick), Joe Tippman (I hadn't noticed him being mocked in the 1st round), and Trenton Simpson. I seem to have exhausted my abilities to properly evaluate those guys. While I like Tippman I would not take him in Rd 1, however, as a mid to late day 2 pick I would not be upset with the pick. Simpson could go off the board at any time from the mid teens on as I see it.
Carter would not be my pick at #5 but if the FO does it they must have done enough homework to believe they can "fix" him.
I would like to know your fave mid and late round additions.... and deep list of linebackers because i just dont understand why( even 2nd round) i cannot find my fave too too and sewell anywhere... am i so wrong?
And of course your view of higly talented players, that had serious injuries ....like i think Kirkland or Vorhees for O-line or Michael Wilson (and even Smith-Njigba) for wideout....they fall in rankings but remain my favourites)
I'd be interested to learn more about the guys listed as DTs and what role they would play in the 3-4. I gather that some of these guys would be better suited at NT and some at DT or DE, but I don't really know who is who and why they might fit a 3-4 better than a 4-3. What are the size requirements or necessary skills that determine these roles in a 3-4 Dline?
I read a few mocks and again I read the Seahawks need to improve their pass rush - we were 10th in the league. We however sucked against the run. Would the accurate statement be on Wilson sets the edge helping the Seahawks rebuild their run horrific run defense and can move inside on obvious passing situations where his reach and bull rush will let him maul guards?
I read a few mocks and again I read the Seahawks need to improve their pass rush - we were 10th in the league. We however sucked against the run. Would the accurate statement be on Wilson sets the edge helping the Seahawks rebuild their run horrific run defense and can move inside on obvious passing situations where his reach and bull rush will let him maul guards?
My biggest problem is that I want TOO MANY of these players. We only have 3 picks in the top 40 but there are at least 15 players that I really like. If JS can trade down from 5 a few times and accumulate a bunch of picks between 20 and 40, I would be all in but I just don't see that happening. I just cannot wrap my head around 3 players in these lists that I want most.
I'd be real happy if the Hawks emerged from round 1 with Carter and Nolan Smith. Imagine landing these two out of Georgia and making them teammates in Seattle. If all goes well, they'd be a huge boost to our D.
Mazi is maybe going before Kansey(?) So Mazi at 20 and maybe Kancey is there and maybe not, but if not, Keeanu Benton or Keion White will be there at 37. I'd maybe rather take a TE at 56. Sam LaPorta is maybe still there at 52.
I have seen a number of Mocks where Branch (S) goes to Seattle in the draft at #20. Seattle did just rescind tender on Neal to save 2.6 Mil on the cap. Would a high draft at safety enable Seattle to deal with the Jamal Adams drama next year. They could add a quality safety this year (along with Love). Regardless of the Pete Speak, I think if Adams is hurt again this year, Seattle will need another safety and this could be PC/JS exit strategy for 2024 for Adams. (Cap saving 9+, dead 14+) Do I really think that's going to happen? Probably not. But, Branch is the only 1st round rated Safety and Seattle has spent that type of capital before with Thomas.
Seattle is going to have to restructure some contracts in the future to cover the cost of doing buisness in 2023. Keneth wrote about that the other week. Good read on that. Here's my best guess with some caveats (full of those today)
Carter at 5 but what if the Colt's don't draft a QB and take Carter? Is the fallback Wilson or something that is out of character for Seattle but really shakes up the draft.
Edge is pretty deep this year and their are some of nose types of DL guys out there not the caliper of Carter but could really help stop the run this year and the future. With Seattle's interior line not under contract next year (Lewis, Haynes, Brown) here's that top five shocker from an earlier Seaside. From Walter football:
Peter Skoronski is an athletic tackle who has kept his quarterback clean. He can play every position up front, though his short arms may have him end up at guard.
Does that sound like a mulipurpose top notch OL line talent? Seattle had a terrible interior line last year. If Carter isn't there I'd put the finishing touches on the line with two picks this being the first. Seattle single handedly screws up many draft boards for a good cause. #20 edge (best avaialble), 2nd round DT Siaki Ika, WR Jalin Hyatt. 3rd round RB Rochon Johnson (power back, good hands and can also be a returner...the other guy from Texas) . 4th round DT Jaquelin Roy LSU. Needs some development but great athlete that would make for a good 1-2 punch at nose. (Seattle could also take a LB here more later) 5th round C Alex Forsyth Oregon. Solid in both pass and run, 5th year senior. Sydney Brown Safety Illinois great athletic prospect with speed and explosiveness. 211 5'10". Round 6 QB Grayson McCall, 7th round CB Corey Trice Purdue has some injury history but worth a flyer Look at his variables:
Height: 6-3. Weight: 206. Arm: 32.38. Hand: 9.75. Official 40 Time: 4.47. Pete's kind of guy.
The LB's are not very good this year except maybe two or 3 guys. I think Seattle will bring back Muse and go with Bobby and Bush. Seattle does like Rhattigan as a duel purpose special team and backup with another year expereince of the new defensive scheme and Brooks back by mid year we hope. I think Seattle rolls with their FA adds at LB. Next year Seattle pony's up ILB
Branch like Anderson is a Pete Carol player. He can play anywhere and bring it on the blitz. Most importantly he is tackling clinic in the open field. He would likely play slot corner until the inevitable Jamal injury and then move to strong safety for next 8 to 10 years.
Something that occurred to me, if Richardson and Levis are elite QB prospects why did they spend last year playing for bad teams. When Joe Burrow need to show his skills he went to LSU. When Hurts lost out to Tua he went to Oklahoma. When Riley moved so did Williams. With the transfer portal elite QBs can go where ever they want and are wanted. Only Hooker moved up and showed out. What does the fact that Levis and Richardson played at Kentucky and Florida respectively say about them? The transfer portal essentially creates a pre draft in college football and neither got drafted by an elite program.
True but they both are leaving early and on their second schools
so school loyalty doesn’t appear to be a thing for them. Grayson never transferred and not many besides Kenneth see him as an elite prospect. After his injury if he did not return he was very likely to go unstaffed. Levis in particular had a great excuse to transfer from Kentucky when his offensive coordinator left after the 2021 season.
I get why Richardson declared. He might not have been the starter in 23 had he stayed, and by declaring he has a shot at going round 1 and hopping on to the QB carousel and a fully guaranteed contract.
The only QBs really worthy of Rd 1 are Young, Stroud, and (maybe) Hooker.
I have been a Hawks fan since ‘76 & I can honestly say that in all these years, the Seahawks have only drafted my favorite college player one time. (David Hughes out of Boise State back in the 80s) Now they have drafted tons of players that I became a huge fan of but none of my personal favorites in college. (Maybe it would help if I was a fan of the SEC or the Big 10, but I’m not) Anyway I decided it’s much more fun to speculate about who the Seahawks like instead of longing for my favorite. I almost always end up liking most of their picks one way or another. I absolutely HATED BOZ in college but came around when he went to the Hawks, even though he was not a very good player once he got off the juice, but once he became a Seahawk; I adopted him. (OK, maybe not that time that Bo Jackson bulldozed him 5 yards into the end zone, but all the rest of the times…) I guess my point is, once they become a Hawk, I’m in. If they go somewhere else, I lose interest.
Here's another comment to increase the comments/article metric. :)
Also, I sure hope we draft Bijan Robinson ... Him + KW3 + Lockett + DK could equal the offensive equivalent of "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" for opposing defenses.
I'm looking at wideouts this week. Deeper dive candidate: I ran across a gem watching Princeton in highlights a few days ago and just googled his name since I couldn't remember. Not sure if he's even considered a draftable player, but check out Princeton WR Andrei Iosivas. From a quick google, he had a good combine and decent Senior Bowl showing, small hands, not lightening fast, but good YAC, productive in the Ivy League and a scholar and a multi sport athlete. Small hands don't stop him from making contested catches as you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgySMDV4M3c&t=3s&ab_channel=GainMoMoney
I'm admittedly a sucker for most every WR (and RB). Like Matt Landers out of Arkansas who ran a 4.37 at the combine at 6'4. He'll be 24 when the season starts and is described by scouts as "stiff." But he runs right by people, and it's not hard to imagine him and Metcalf lined up on the field. Nathaniel Dell out of Houston is a tiny but very productive receiver as well who I would read anything you find out about on.
In my little corner of the universe the Seahawks' top 4 picks in rounds 1 and 2 include 2 DLs, 1 WR, and 1 RB.
Any two of (Carter, Ade Ade, Mazi) plus any one of (Flowers, Mingo) plus any one of (Robinson, Gibbs) would be pretty much perfect. The Seahawks have the draft capital to move up and around in the first two rounds to get any of the guys they really want--it is going to be spectacular!
I’m with you Doug, I think those are the biggest positions of need. We need at least one DT and I could see them going best player available for either DT/Edge.
If Robinson is there at 20 (5 seems too high and I doubt he’s there at 37) then they should take him. RB is a position that can contribute immediately, pairing him with K9 would be unstoppable.
I feel like there’a a big drop off for WR after the 2nd round (would love Joe to do some research on this) and it’s a position of need for us.
Walker is a pretty good receiver too. If the Seahawks had Robinson and Walker in the backfield with either one motioning to the outside it would present so many problems for a D and potential mismatches that can be exploited.
I would even stretch that further and ask if there are 4 players since we have our own natie 2nd rd pick as well ( and Hooker is "Ranked" outside the top 50). I have always been more intrigued by Hooker than Levis and frankly, for 3 months people have told me I am insane for thinking he is a viable prospect (age, system, injury) and that he was at best a 3rd round prospect. I just honestly believe that he may be the most accurate and smartest of the top 5 guys. To our team his age is of little concern because he goes directly into competition as QB2 with Drew. That is a perfect scenario leading into 2024 and beyond because a succesion plan is in place to have a guy who wont derail the train.
Being that alot of these guys have been covered in depth already I would ask that you look more into Darnell Washington (another guy people dislike when I say he could be a target with our 2nd thru 4th pick), Joe Tippman (I hadn't noticed him being mocked in the 1st round), and Trenton Simpson. I seem to have exhausted my abilities to properly evaluate those guys. While I like Tippman I would not take him in Rd 1, however, as a mid to late day 2 pick I would not be upset with the pick. Simpson could go off the board at any time from the mid teens on as I see it.
Carter would not be my pick at #5 but if the FO does it they must have done enough homework to believe they can "fix" him.
I would like to know your fave mid and late round additions.... and deep list of linebackers because i just dont understand why( even 2nd round) i cannot find my fave too too and sewell anywhere... am i so wrong?
And of course your view of higly talented players, that had serious injuries ....like i think Kirkland or Vorhees for O-line or Michael Wilson (and even Smith-Njigba) for wideout....they fall in rankings but remain my favourites)
I'd be interested to learn more about the guys listed as DTs and what role they would play in the 3-4. I gather that some of these guys would be better suited at NT and some at DT or DE, but I don't really know who is who and why they might fit a 3-4 better than a 4-3. What are the size requirements or necessary skills that determine these roles in a 3-4 Dline?
Ken, can you please do an article based on this?
https://youtu.be/W-9AdWthjfU
1985 Seahawks Locker Room Rock (they even have a Michael Jackson!)
2023 remake! We have another Michael Jackson, so it must be done.
I read a few mocks and again I read the Seahawks need to improve their pass rush - we were 10th in the league. We however sucked against the run. Would the accurate statement be on Wilson sets the edge helping the Seahawks rebuild their run horrific run defense and can move inside on obvious passing situations where his reach and bull rush will let him maul guards?
I read a few mocks and again I read the Seahawks need to improve their pass rush - we were 10th in the league. We however sucked against the run. Would the accurate statement be on Wilson sets the edge helping the Seahawks rebuild their run horrific run defense and can move inside on obvious passing situations where his reach and bull rush will let him maul guards?
My biggest problem is that I want TOO MANY of these players. We only have 3 picks in the top 40 but there are at least 15 players that I really like. If JS can trade down from 5 a few times and accumulate a bunch of picks between 20 and 40, I would be all in but I just don't see that happening. I just cannot wrap my head around 3 players in these lists that I want most.
I'd be real happy if the Hawks emerged from round 1 with Carter and Nolan Smith. Imagine landing these two out of Georgia and making them teammates in Seattle. If all goes well, they'd be a huge boost to our D.
Nolan Smith could be a great mentor to Carter
Best outcome -#5- Will Anderson
#20 -Calijah Kansey
# 37 - Mazi Smith
# 56 - Drew Sanders
Mazi is maybe going before Kansey(?) So Mazi at 20 and maybe Kancey is there and maybe not, but if not, Keeanu Benton or Keion White will be there at 37. I'd maybe rather take a TE at 56. Sam LaPorta is maybe still there at 52.
Personally,
#5 Will Anderson, OLB
#20 Mazi Smith
#37 Darnell Washington, TE
#52 Drew Sanders
More defense later. Pickens at 83 maybe.
I really like Washington too, I'd be pretty happy if they get him, then possibly trade Fant to clear cap space.
I agree Maxi is the one needed but Kancey won't be there in second round but Maxi might be.
Love your support for Drew Sanders though.
I have seen a number of Mocks where Branch (S) goes to Seattle in the draft at #20. Seattle did just rescind tender on Neal to save 2.6 Mil on the cap. Would a high draft at safety enable Seattle to deal with the Jamal Adams drama next year. They could add a quality safety this year (along with Love). Regardless of the Pete Speak, I think if Adams is hurt again this year, Seattle will need another safety and this could be PC/JS exit strategy for 2024 for Adams. (Cap saving 9+, dead 14+) Do I really think that's going to happen? Probably not. But, Branch is the only 1st round rated Safety and Seattle has spent that type of capital before with Thomas.
Seattle is going to have to restructure some contracts in the future to cover the cost of doing buisness in 2023. Keneth wrote about that the other week. Good read on that. Here's my best guess with some caveats (full of those today)
Carter at 5 but what if the Colt's don't draft a QB and take Carter? Is the fallback Wilson or something that is out of character for Seattle but really shakes up the draft.
Edge is pretty deep this year and their are some of nose types of DL guys out there not the caliper of Carter but could really help stop the run this year and the future. With Seattle's interior line not under contract next year (Lewis, Haynes, Brown) here's that top five shocker from an earlier Seaside. From Walter football:
Peter Skoronski is an athletic tackle who has kept his quarterback clean. He can play every position up front, though his short arms may have him end up at guard.
Does that sound like a mulipurpose top notch OL line talent? Seattle had a terrible interior line last year. If Carter isn't there I'd put the finishing touches on the line with two picks this being the first. Seattle single handedly screws up many draft boards for a good cause. #20 edge (best avaialble), 2nd round DT Siaki Ika, WR Jalin Hyatt. 3rd round RB Rochon Johnson (power back, good hands and can also be a returner...the other guy from Texas) . 4th round DT Jaquelin Roy LSU. Needs some development but great athlete that would make for a good 1-2 punch at nose. (Seattle could also take a LB here more later) 5th round C Alex Forsyth Oregon. Solid in both pass and run, 5th year senior. Sydney Brown Safety Illinois great athletic prospect with speed and explosiveness. 211 5'10". Round 6 QB Grayson McCall, 7th round CB Corey Trice Purdue has some injury history but worth a flyer Look at his variables:
Height: 6-3. Weight: 206. Arm: 32.38. Hand: 9.75. Official 40 Time: 4.47. Pete's kind of guy.
The LB's are not very good this year except maybe two or 3 guys. I think Seattle will bring back Muse and go with Bobby and Bush. Seattle does like Rhattigan as a duel purpose special team and backup with another year expereince of the new defensive scheme and Brooks back by mid year we hope. I think Seattle rolls with their FA adds at LB. Next year Seattle pony's up ILB
It would certainly be more like Pete Carroll to go with a S than many other positions and many other coaches.
Branch like Anderson is a Pete Carol player. He can play anywhere and bring it on the blitz. Most importantly he is tackling clinic in the open field. He would likely play slot corner until the inevitable Jamal injury and then move to strong safety for next 8 to 10 years.
Something that occurred to me, if Richardson and Levis are elite QB prospects why did they spend last year playing for bad teams. When Joe Burrow need to show his skills he went to LSU. When Hurts lost out to Tua he went to Oklahoma. When Riley moved so did Williams. With the transfer portal elite QBs can go where ever they want and are wanted. Only Hooker moved up and showed out. What does the fact that Levis and Richardson played at Kentucky and Florida respectively say about them? The transfer portal essentially creates a pre draft in college football and neither got drafted by an elite program.
They also could simply be loyal to the school/players they've been with for the past years (Grayson McCall).
True but they both are leaving early and on their second schools
so school loyalty doesn’t appear to be a thing for them. Grayson never transferred and not many besides Kenneth see him as an elite prospect. After his injury if he did not return he was very likely to go unstaffed. Levis in particular had a great excuse to transfer from Kentucky when his offensive coordinator left after the 2021 season.
I haven't done a deep dive, just saying some individuals are more loyal than others for their own reasons. Geno Smith for another.
I get why Richardson declared. He might not have been the starter in 23 had he stayed, and by declaring he has a shot at going round 1 and hopping on to the QB carousel and a fully guaranteed contract.
The only QBs really worthy of Rd 1 are Young, Stroud, and (maybe) Hooker.
I have been a Hawks fan since ‘76 & I can honestly say that in all these years, the Seahawks have only drafted my favorite college player one time. (David Hughes out of Boise State back in the 80s) Now they have drafted tons of players that I became a huge fan of but none of my personal favorites in college. (Maybe it would help if I was a fan of the SEC or the Big 10, but I’m not) Anyway I decided it’s much more fun to speculate about who the Seahawks like instead of longing for my favorite. I almost always end up liking most of their picks one way or another. I absolutely HATED BOZ in college but came around when he went to the Hawks, even though he was not a very good player once he got off the juice, but once he became a Seahawk; I adopted him. (OK, maybe not that time that Bo Jackson bulldozed him 5 yards into the end zone, but all the rest of the times…) I guess my point is, once they become a Hawk, I’m in. If they go somewhere else, I lose interest.
Does the Summer of Ken Walker III" include frisbee golf and eating and block of cheese the size of a car battery?
Here's another comment to increase the comments/article metric. :)
Also, I sure hope we draft Bijan Robinson ... Him + KW3 + Lockett + DK could equal the offensive equivalent of "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" for opposing defenses.
Would be such an interesting fit
I'm looking at wideouts this week. Deeper dive candidate: I ran across a gem watching Princeton in highlights a few days ago and just googled his name since I couldn't remember. Not sure if he's even considered a draftable player, but check out Princeton WR Andrei Iosivas. From a quick google, he had a good combine and decent Senior Bowl showing, small hands, not lightening fast, but good YAC, productive in the Ivy League and a scholar and a multi sport athlete. Small hands don't stop him from making contested catches as you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgySMDV4M3c&t=3s&ab_channel=GainMoMoney
I'm admittedly a sucker for most every WR (and RB). Like Matt Landers out of Arkansas who ran a 4.37 at the combine at 6'4. He'll be 24 when the season starts and is described by scouts as "stiff." But he runs right by people, and it's not hard to imagine him and Metcalf lined up on the field. Nathaniel Dell out of Houston is a tiny but very productive receiver as well who I would read anything you find out about on.
I'm still pulling for WR Xavier Hutchinson from Iowa State.
He seems cool
A few years back I happened to the Yale-Princeton game in New Haven. It was fun, but not high-level football.
In my little corner of the universe the Seahawks' top 4 picks in rounds 1 and 2 include 2 DLs, 1 WR, and 1 RB.
Any two of (Carter, Ade Ade, Mazi) plus any one of (Flowers, Mingo) plus any one of (Robinson, Gibbs) would be pretty much perfect. The Seahawks have the draft capital to move up and around in the first two rounds to get any of the guys they really want--it is going to be spectacular!
I’m with you Doug, I think those are the biggest positions of need. We need at least one DT and I could see them going best player available for either DT/Edge.
If Robinson is there at 20 (5 seems too high and I doubt he’s there at 37) then they should take him. RB is a position that can contribute immediately, pairing him with K9 would be unstoppable.
I feel like there’a a big drop off for WR after the 2nd round (would love Joe to do some research on this) and it’s a position of need for us.
Walker is a pretty good receiver too. If the Seahawks had Robinson and Walker in the backfield with either one motioning to the outside it would present so many problems for a D and potential mismatches that can be exploited.