Also regarding scenario 1, dare I say 6 picks in the first 59 is too many? I mean, all 6 will make the team. We have 7 rookies from 2022 plus Tyreke Smith on IR. Then we'll also have a 3rd and 4th round pick which will make the team and likely a 5th rounder. That will be 17 players in their first or second year on the 2023 roster. Is that too many? Should we trying to pick up more 2024 picks instead?
Scenario #1 feels too good to be true/hang it in the Louvre type stuff. I watch Denver every week they don't conflict with Seattle and they seem so close to being a good team. But something always seems to happen at the worst time for them. The "Let's Ride curse" seems very real. You named 3 very winnable games left on their schedule and my mind will be blown if they lose out and the Texans and others win just enough to secure them (us) #1 overall. But if that were to happen, you laid out darn near the perfect scenario for me. Anderson, Bijan, Sanders, Downs, AND a 2024 1st?!? From your mouth to God's ears, please.
Question for people who watch college: is Devon Witherspoon convertible to a safety? The guy is a big fan of Kam Chancellor and delivers big hits.
Ringo is a guy that is as fast as Woolen and way more pro-ready. The only issue is that this makes him overconfident, which may cause some extra rookie pains. But just imagine having a guy as good as Woolen at the other side.
1st loss SF, gave up 189 yds rushing. They had more rush yds than pass.
2nd loss Atl, gave up 179 yds rushing.
3rd loss NO, gave up 235 yds rushing. They had more rush yds than pass.
4th loss TB, gave up 161 yds rushing. This is the worst rushing team in the NFL.
5th loss LV, gave up 283 yds rushing.
It seems to me there is a trend here. I say if we can trade down do it and get more draft capital. Then draft to stop the run. Or get better coaches. Also, get a good center. If we can't fix the run game I don't see the point in getting an OL, CB, WR, TE, RB or QB. Maybe a safety if they are a run stopper like Kam was. Last year was an amazing draft. I don't know why but maybe they are learning a few things and going forward it will be better. And I bet the good run stoppers will be able to pressure the QB.
BPA, always, within reason. I mean, you don't draft Bryce Young if you're the Chiefs or Bills, but even if you're the Titans I think you entertain Bijan as a pick.
As always, I appreciate the invitation for debate and the gamesome attitude that projections are silly. What's NOT silly, Schmenneth Schmarthick (if that's your real name) is your comment in the Rams SB Nation comment thread dissing the Seahawks D after the Rams opening score! (not really. It was funny). Je t'accuse! (do they know what we know? You're really Seaside Joe).
Anyhoo, here's me taking Sherm's side with his recent advice to 'sell the top pick for a King's Ransom', and paying Geno. I'm not finding a sensation of agreement that trading the #1 is good but trading te #2 or #3 is not. I'd prefer a kings ransom for the Denver pick when it ends up in the top 5.
What I’m thinking is Hawks need a stud DT like Carter to keep the IOL from getting out onto the LBs. You get a guy who will get middle QB pressure and soak up a C & LG/RG from blowing out the LBs. That fixes a bunch of the run D problem. WR is a lessor talked about need I think. Goodwin is doing great things but still feels like we lack the guy who locks down WR3 and is the heir apparent to WR2.
On the topic of trading down - It seemed to me that in the golden days of Pete/John, they were frequently trading down for more picks, and because of that, they often had more picks each year than most other teams. Thus, they minimized the hit-or-miss randomness of drafted players by dealing in Volume! Volume! Volume!
It also seemed to me the the decline of the Seahawks coincided with a reversal of that strategy - instead of trading our top picks for more picks, we traded them for other team's stars - who also end up having a hit-or-miss element to them. So a lot of the criticism was about Percy Harvin or Jimmy Graham or Jamal Adams not working it deserved, but the real loss is the loss of draft capital, and the loss of Volume! Volume! Volume!
So I think I am always kinda pleased when the Seahawks trade down for a haul.
I think it is much more likely seahawks trade down after they make their first pick. blue chip prospects only come in the blue chip part of the draft. so they need a nice "blow me away" offer and that could happen because of the QBs.
If they don't get pick 2, trade a 1 and 3 or more for Carter, the next Tezmanian Devil. Or a 1 and a 3 for Anderson. Biggest need by far is an offense wrecking D lineman.
A high pick for a DB or a TE is redundant . Center or guard next , then Qb McCall for future.
Interesting situation for McCall. I have a feeling that he's coming to the NFL no matter his draft stock and that he and coach already hugged it out after making their future career decisions. He could go to Liberty and play for the same coach in the same offensive system with a better supporting cast, but what's he gonna prove that he hasn't already?
I enjoy the mock draft talk and player evaluations and scheme fits and pro/cons of different scenarios, but I have no opinion about what the best plan is. In Pete and John I trust. Go Hawks!
I feel for Grayson. He should be a first round prospect but all his advice is probably to go back to school to build his draft stock for 2023 and maybe start getting some of the heisman buzz he deserved.
I assume he's done at Coastal Carolina. If he enters the transfer portal (which just sounds too sci-fi to take seriously) I wonder if he'd have/take an opportunity with a bigger school with national championship aspirations. His draft stock might increase most if he proves successful in a different offensive system.
I love draft talk, even though I have no expertise of my own.
Keep an eye on WR Xavier Hutchinson (Iowa State). I chanced upon a game of his, and was wowed by his catch radius. A big receiver, fully extending and snatching the ball left, right, and up top.
For IOL, I like SC's Voorhees, and Oklahoma's Andrew Rahm. I think Rahm plays Center too.
Everybody is going to mock Boise State Safety J.L. Skinner to us - a 6'4" DB.
I don't know anything about evaluating edge guys, but using a high 1st round pick on Notre Dame's Isaiah Foskey seems like a solid move - 11 sacks this season, 14 QBH, 10 TFL.
I take each game one at a time with Denver. It is amazing how many losses they have. I keep expecting them to win. RW isn't playing terrible, but he isn't finding the endzone either.
So I expect the #5 pick at best. I still might trade down from there, but who knows? I want best player available but I want a stud RG and C. Load our OL now and we could have a 4-5 year window before we have to pay for our OL. And it could be top 5. Bring back Penny for cheap. Sign Homer for a couple of years. Draft another RB for value. And I want a DT. If not Carter, there are others. P/J will find them.
I'm all in favor of using a high draft pick on a DT who can occupy blockers and rush the passer. I'd also like to see the Hawks go big another year on the offensive line. I'd double dip again on a punishing guard who devours guys in the run game and an athletic center. I'd also try to grab a wide receiver with elite speed or tremendous route running skills.
Way cool mock drafts -- and frankly would be happy with any of the three. But some questions for each of the rounds:
Scenario 1: Is there a potential Max Unger lurking around the 50-60 range. Feels like if Seattle could get a legitimate center, would clean up the guard play and really strengthen the OL more than going for another tackle.
Scenario 2: As tempting as Mayer is, would there be a strong WR at #22 that would allow Lockett to move to the slot. Could argue that Mayer is that slot (in addition to being a TE) so Lockett remains the outside threat (great outcome). But, would a strong WR be a better solution than a 4th TE?
Scenario 3: Do you take a WR at #22 or #53 instead of a second LB/DE?
The reason why I would draft someone like Mayer could be as simple as trying things out that seem outside of the box so that we can stop and think about it for a little while, not necessarily always to "try and be right."
Mayer will probably go before 22. There is a center from Minnesota that is solid we could grab named Schmitz I think that has been projected around 50.
I'd be happy with most of your drafts. Mayer seems to be a good blocker and therefore would be an improvement over Parkinson.
I'll disagree with Ringo since you left Myles Murphy and Brian Breese on the board to take Ringo who doesn't have a concensus as the best CB.
I've been lobbying for defensive line and edge rush help for awhile now and we could be in position to draft either of two guys who have HOF ceilings. I still think that's our greatest need but when you look at the success rate for first round picks by position, DL and edge have one of the worst chances of success. Does that mean we should draft a QB? Referring to the top ten, one article said, "If you want a safe selection in the top ten, pick a running back or a defensive back. Your worst odds are on quarterbacks and wide receivers. Every other position group is pretty close to the others in terms of the odds of finding that big-time player that each team craves." 2nd round wide receivers have acutally been more successful than first rounders. First round CBs have done well but 4th and 5th rounder corners have done better than 2nds and 3rds. Ugh. Here's an article I found illuminating.
I think many of us start to plug every "DL" under the same umbrella and believe that "well any of these guys would work in pete carroll's system, they're all DLs." In your experience, have you watched a lot of Murphy and Breese? How do you think they fit in Pete's system? Which roles do you see them inheriting next year?
I haven't but I read a lot of scouting reports since they know a lot more than me. Breese has, by all accounts, has elite lateral quickness and an explosive step to get by pulling blockers and he's 6'5", 300 lbs. Pete's system, any system that stops the run requires backfield penetration and the lateral movement to keep the ball in front of you. That's Breese. Murphy is physical specimen whose only wart is that he's a little big for a pure pass rusher. He doesn't bend as much around the edges but he has good ankle flection, phenomonal acceleration, and he's strong as a bull. He's a bit raw which is a good thing because there's more that coaching can discover in his pass rush moves. Murphy as room to grow a little. I'd move him to DE. My dream is Murphy, Woods, Breese in 2022. We don't have that kind of capital but some version of that is what we need.
Also regarding scenario 1, dare I say 6 picks in the first 59 is too many? I mean, all 6 will make the team. We have 7 rookies from 2022 plus Tyreke Smith on IR. Then we'll also have a 3rd and 4th round pick which will make the team and likely a 5th rounder. That will be 17 players in their first or second year on the 2023 roster. Is that too many? Should we trying to pick up more 2024 picks instead?
Totally fair.
Wink!
Scenario #1 feels too good to be true/hang it in the Louvre type stuff. I watch Denver every week they don't conflict with Seattle and they seem so close to being a good team. But something always seems to happen at the worst time for them. The "Let's Ride curse" seems very real. You named 3 very winnable games left on their schedule and my mind will be blown if they lose out and the Texans and others win just enough to secure them (us) #1 overall. But if that were to happen, you laid out darn near the perfect scenario for me. Anderson, Bijan, Sanders, Downs, AND a 2024 1st?!? From your mouth to God's ears, please.
I like the first scenario obviously, but in general, why do you have us taking another CB in several of the mocks rather than a safety?
Question for people who watch college: is Devon Witherspoon convertible to a safety? The guy is a big fan of Kam Chancellor and delivers big hits.
Ringo is a guy that is as fast as Woolen and way more pro-ready. The only issue is that this makes him overconfident, which may cause some extra rookie pains. But just imagine having a guy as good as Woolen at the other side.
I drafted a safety in my previous mock draft:
https://www.seasidejoe.com/p/seahawks-2023-mock-draft-two-round-broncos
We have lost 5 games this year.
1st loss SF, gave up 189 yds rushing. They had more rush yds than pass.
2nd loss Atl, gave up 179 yds rushing.
3rd loss NO, gave up 235 yds rushing. They had more rush yds than pass.
4th loss TB, gave up 161 yds rushing. This is the worst rushing team in the NFL.
5th loss LV, gave up 283 yds rushing.
It seems to me there is a trend here. I say if we can trade down do it and get more draft capital. Then draft to stop the run. Or get better coaches. Also, get a good center. If we can't fix the run game I don't see the point in getting an OL, CB, WR, TE, RB or QB. Maybe a safety if they are a run stopper like Kam was. Last year was an amazing draft. I don't know why but maybe they are learning a few things and going forward it will be better. And I bet the good run stoppers will be able to pressure the QB.
What are your thoughts drafting for need instead of taking the best players available?
BPA, always, within reason. I mean, you don't draft Bryce Young if you're the Chiefs or Bills, but even if you're the Titans I think you entertain Bijan as a pick.
It's always a mix, isn't it? Bijan Robinson is a generational talent, maybe the only one in this draft, but he's not going to be taken #1 overall.
You could argue that Olave was a better player than Cross. But Cross was good enough for a high draft pick and a position of need.
As always, I appreciate the invitation for debate and the gamesome attitude that projections are silly. What's NOT silly, Schmenneth Schmarthick (if that's your real name) is your comment in the Rams SB Nation comment thread dissing the Seahawks D after the Rams opening score! (not really. It was funny). Je t'accuse! (do they know what we know? You're really Seaside Joe).
Anyhoo, here's me taking Sherm's side with his recent advice to 'sell the top pick for a King's Ransom', and paying Geno. I'm not finding a sensation of agreement that trading the #1 is good but trading te #2 or #3 is not. I'd prefer a kings ransom for the Denver pick when it ends up in the top 5.
I am Seaside Joe! My only name.
What I’m thinking is Hawks need a stud DT like Carter to keep the IOL from getting out onto the LBs. You get a guy who will get middle QB pressure and soak up a C & LG/RG from blowing out the LBs. That fixes a bunch of the run D problem. WR is a lessor talked about need I think. Goodwin is doing great things but still feels like we lack the guy who locks down WR3 and is the heir apparent to WR2.
It's a very simple fix if the Seahawks just happen to get in position to draft Jalen Carter.
On the topic of trading down - It seemed to me that in the golden days of Pete/John, they were frequently trading down for more picks, and because of that, they often had more picks each year than most other teams. Thus, they minimized the hit-or-miss randomness of drafted players by dealing in Volume! Volume! Volume!
It also seemed to me the the decline of the Seahawks coincided with a reversal of that strategy - instead of trading our top picks for more picks, we traded them for other team's stars - who also end up having a hit-or-miss element to them. So a lot of the criticism was about Percy Harvin or Jimmy Graham or Jamal Adams not working it deserved, but the real loss is the loss of draft capital, and the loss of Volume! Volume! Volume!
So I think I am always kinda pleased when the Seahawks trade down for a haul.
I think it is much more likely seahawks trade down after they make their first pick. blue chip prospects only come in the blue chip part of the draft. so they need a nice "blow me away" offer and that could happen because of the QBs.
If they don't get pick 2, trade a 1 and 3 or more for Carter, the next Tezmanian Devil. Or a 1 and a 3 for Anderson. Biggest need by far is an offense wrecking D lineman.
A high pick for a DB or a TE is redundant . Center or guard next , then Qb McCall for future.
3rd wide out/ returner and depth pieces next.
Interesting situation for McCall. I have a feeling that he's coming to the NFL no matter his draft stock and that he and coach already hugged it out after making their future career decisions. He could go to Liberty and play for the same coach in the same offensive system with a better supporting cast, but what's he gonna prove that he hasn't already?
I enjoy the mock draft talk and player evaluations and scheme fits and pro/cons of different scenarios, but I have no opinion about what the best plan is. In Pete and John I trust. Go Hawks!
I feel for Grayson. He should be a first round prospect but all his advice is probably to go back to school to build his draft stock for 2023 and maybe start getting some of the heisman buzz he deserved.
I assume he's done at Coastal Carolina. If he enters the transfer portal (which just sounds too sci-fi to take seriously) I wonder if he'd have/take an opportunity with a bigger school with national championship aspirations. His draft stock might increase most if he proves successful in a different offensive system.
Where you play is really important for draft stock. Take Isaiah Likely. He is probably a top-3 TE in this class, yet he was the 9th drafted TE.
I do think that McCall playing at Liberty will have a better draft stock than Malik Willis. But if he declares, he may go undrafted.
And he could get his Batchlor's Degree (if he hasn't already). Bonus life-goal!
I love draft talk, even though I have no expertise of my own.
Keep an eye on WR Xavier Hutchinson (Iowa State). I chanced upon a game of his, and was wowed by his catch radius. A big receiver, fully extending and snatching the ball left, right, and up top.
For IOL, I like SC's Voorhees, and Oklahoma's Andrew Rahm. I think Rahm plays Center too.
Everybody is going to mock Boise State Safety J.L. Skinner to us - a 6'4" DB.
I don't know anything about evaluating edge guys, but using a high 1st round pick on Notre Dame's Isaiah Foskey seems like a solid move - 11 sacks this season, 14 QBH, 10 TFL.
Thank you! I love rrecommendations. I did see Rob Staton mocking JL Skinner to Seattle.
Trading down for more 2024 draft capital -OR- Ringo & Riq locking down the secondary to give the pass rush more time. I like it!
I think 2024 draft capital is a smart way to go.
I take each game one at a time with Denver. It is amazing how many losses they have. I keep expecting them to win. RW isn't playing terrible, but he isn't finding the endzone either.
So I expect the #5 pick at best. I still might trade down from there, but who knows? I want best player available but I want a stud RG and C. Load our OL now and we could have a 4-5 year window before we have to pay for our OL. And it could be top 5. Bring back Penny for cheap. Sign Homer for a couple of years. Draft another RB for value. And I want a DT. If not Carter, there are others. P/J will find them.
I'm all in favor of using a high draft pick on a DT who can occupy blockers and rush the passer. I'd also like to see the Hawks go big another year on the offensive line. I'd double dip again on a punishing guard who devours guys in the run game and an athletic center. I'd also try to grab a wide receiver with elite speed or tremendous route running skills.
Way cool mock drafts -- and frankly would be happy with any of the three. But some questions for each of the rounds:
Scenario 1: Is there a potential Max Unger lurking around the 50-60 range. Feels like if Seattle could get a legitimate center, would clean up the guard play and really strengthen the OL more than going for another tackle.
Scenario 2: As tempting as Mayer is, would there be a strong WR at #22 that would allow Lockett to move to the slot. Could argue that Mayer is that slot (in addition to being a TE) so Lockett remains the outside threat (great outcome). But, would a strong WR be a better solution than a 4th TE?
Scenario 3: Do you take a WR at #22 or #53 instead of a second LB/DE?
The reason why I would draft someone like Mayer could be as simple as trying things out that seem outside of the box so that we can stop and think about it for a little while, not necessarily always to "try and be right."
Mayer will probably go before 22. There is a center from Minnesota that is solid we could grab named Schmitz I think that has been projected around 50.
I'd be happy with most of your drafts. Mayer seems to be a good blocker and therefore would be an improvement over Parkinson.
I'll disagree with Ringo since you left Myles Murphy and Brian Breese on the board to take Ringo who doesn't have a concensus as the best CB.
I've been lobbying for defensive line and edge rush help for awhile now and we could be in position to draft either of two guys who have HOF ceilings. I still think that's our greatest need but when you look at the success rate for first round picks by position, DL and edge have one of the worst chances of success. Does that mean we should draft a QB? Referring to the top ten, one article said, "If you want a safe selection in the top ten, pick a running back or a defensive back. Your worst odds are on quarterbacks and wide receivers. Every other position group is pretty close to the others in terms of the odds of finding that big-time player that each team craves." 2nd round wide receivers have acutally been more successful than first rounders. First round CBs have done well but 4th and 5th rounder corners have done better than 2nds and 3rds. Ugh. Here's an article I found illuminating.
https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2015/2/20/8072877/what-the-statistics-tell-us-about-the-draft-by-round
I think many of us start to plug every "DL" under the same umbrella and believe that "well any of these guys would work in pete carroll's system, they're all DLs." In your experience, have you watched a lot of Murphy and Breese? How do you think they fit in Pete's system? Which roles do you see them inheriting next year?
I haven't but I read a lot of scouting reports since they know a lot more than me. Breese has, by all accounts, has elite lateral quickness and an explosive step to get by pulling blockers and he's 6'5", 300 lbs. Pete's system, any system that stops the run requires backfield penetration and the lateral movement to keep the ball in front of you. That's Breese. Murphy is physical specimen whose only wart is that he's a little big for a pure pass rusher. He doesn't bend as much around the edges but he has good ankle flection, phenomonal acceleration, and he's strong as a bull. He's a bit raw which is a good thing because there's more that coaching can discover in his pass rush moves. Murphy as room to grow a little. I'd move him to DE. My dream is Murphy, Woods, Breese in 2022. We don't have that kind of capital but some version of that is what we need.