I can see this happening. Not my druthers, but I wouldn’t ignite a flame fest on SSJ if it did. The need is obvious, plus Golden could have an immediate impact.
So Matthew Golden never appeared in the dream. It was a very vivid adventure-driven dream where I was an Indiana Jones like figure who had to get the prized relic, if you will. At the same time, the dream had a lot of references to the NFL draft. I was switching back and forth between this quest and the nfl draft. I can’t recall many details now, but I just remember thinking about how I needed to find the Gold. And at the same time it was an NFL draft driven dream. That’s what led me to researching Golden today and what I found, I mostly liked.
Well, I don’t think it’s as easy as saying that the Seahawks will merely pick players based on the positions they play. When you ask if there are edges and tackles available at 18, we already know there are going to be tackles and edges available at 18. It would depend on how much seattles front office values the ones who make it to 18, something none of us can answer. I do expect edges to go early and I have heard many analysts say that this is not a class that gets them excited about the tackles expected to go in the first round.
You actually convinced me a while back that tackle/edge were true Rd 1 positions. And then I saw OverTheCap’s position valuations and it agreed with you. Which is why I was agreeing with you that tackle/edge would most likely be on Schneider’s BPA board at 18
Yeah I still totally believe that. There are only so many to go in the first round. Devon Witherspoon and JSN don’t play premium positions either, specific to their roles as a slot and a nickel, but Seattle felt they had to have them.
I have no idea if the Seahawks are going to take a WR. But I know that it’s possible.
Much of what's said about Golden is true of Luther Burden III. I can see Golden as the more well-rounded WR 1. I just think ppl aren't accounting for how much Brady Cook's limits and regression diminished Burden's production in 24.
I dream almost every night and I wouldn't predict anything based on the nonsense that I dream about. I'm lost. I can't find where I parked my car. I can't type anything on my phone. Over, and over, and over. If I predicted who the Seahawks would draft from that mess, we'd be picking one hell of a loser at 1.18.
Maybe a WR at 1.18, but I'd guess not. I think they're looking for a badass at 1.18. I still think that Jihaad Campbell would be awesome if that shoulder checks out. If he didn't have an injury, he'd never get to us IMHO.
I keep coming back to Kenneth Grant. On the one hand, his best football is yet to come; on the other, Graham lets MM get Murphy off the nose immediately. Plus, the idea of getting a player with blue chip potential at #18…
I think they will acquire a NT at some point before OTA's. I think they'd like to keep Murphy as primarily a 2 gapping 3-tech. He can disrupt more from there than eating double teams. He's a strong dude, but not the biggest guy.
My 2nd happiest NFL pre-season day is Monday after draft. Talking real world drafts & UDFAs.
I hit snooze for 5+ months of a zillion+ draft projections. I'm up now. T-7 days.
One dream for Hawks came partly true - Drew Lock. My dream is for 2025 Hawks to rebuild REAL O & D line & LB foundations via draft, UDFA, multi-team trades, whatever, then say "we need a QB to move in here" a la Holmgren/Hasslebeck.
In my dream, Lock & Howell battle to start behind a line of a. Cross, b. 1 above-average NFL quality center & c. 1 above NFL average RT not named Abe "When Healthy" Lucas. I'm tired of centers being discounted (Tobek, Unger, Britt were irrelevant to Hawk success? The others weren't Aaron Donald speed bumps?) NFL is a mismatch league - D's scheme for weak links. If you have a lousy center and even 1 lousy guard - it's a 2-in-a-row weak spot to exploit. Strong LT-C-RT, the O can more easily counter scheme one of those to help a weak guard.
My nightmare - McVay vs. Darnold - Sam's nightmare too! ;-)
My dream is to ruin Sean McVay's wet dream of terrorizing Sam Darnold 2x/yr.
Shop Darnold and any combo of drafts to buy a Cross+2 above avg O linemen; 3-of-5 above avg NFL O line. No pending FAs or chronic cripples. If Lock/Howell & #2 & #3 receivers are mediocre - MM wants run 1st. A mediocre QB w/time can't look worse than "ok QB"? Sam D looked w/o time.
Based on how allegedly difficult it is to add 2 above average C + RT, maybe Hawks shot their draft day wad in this dream.
I dream that whatever they have left goes to the best recipe of D-line & LBs MM/JS can cook up.
Top tier teams were unfazed by pass rush. LB corps is thin - E Jones is a smaller-hard-hitting guy who's had knee problems + Uchena "When Healthy" Nwosu. Same 'ol DB's will look better when QBs are scared.
The final part of the dream is they get 2 x #2 receivers from any combo of salary dumps, UDFA, taxi squad grabs (and that nobody remembers this dream!) ;-)
Thanks for sharing! This reminds me that there’s some solid McVay connections to make with Golden too. Sark, from my understanding, is running a very McVay like offense at Texas. The Seahawks, with Jake Peetz as passing game OC, should help KK do the same. So there may be some system and terminology familiarity per chance.
I’ll welcome any notes or disagreements or additions to that take.
I could not agree more that Schultz and Bennett belong in the same circle (of hell). Thanks for sharing my story! I’m actually moving back to Houston and people keep asking me if I’ll become a Texans fan (hell no). I feel like once you choose a team then you should stick with them. I’ve always respected die hard Browns, Jets, Bengals, Lions, etc. I will however acknowledge that it’s ok to change teams under certain circumstances like your team ceases to exist or the ownership is so deplorable that you have no choice (I.e Panthers).
Golden could make sense and I agree that WR is a position group that lacks depth. I also buy the argument for EDGE. OL is a tough one to figure out, but I agree there is upside with the current group if the blocking scheme, coaching and play calling improve.
Skip Galveston - not worth it. Houston is flat and ugly, but a huge city so lots of choices. It really just depends on your speed, and what you’re looking to do. If you find yourself renting a car, the average speed is closer to 80 and if you’re not driving that fast, stay to the right 😂.
In most of the mock drafts I've done lately, Golden has been gone before 18. We're really not going to know what the BPA is until the draft actually happens. I've had some weird mock results lately, including a couple where Sanders falls to #18 and the trade offers were ridiculous. One was #18 to the NYG for #34 and the NYG 2026 1st. Couldn't click accept fast enough on that one. I would be happy with Golden, I've picked him a couple of times at #18 when available, mostly when there's no EDGE guy I want.
Yeah, seems to me like we are going to get some huge surprises in the top15 and therefore some huge surprises of who could be available at 18. There are those who think the Cowboys have to take Golden at 12 if he’s there. Others who say he shouldn’t go in the first round. I tend to agree with you that he could be off the board.
Dane just posted his rankings and Golden is 15. Walker though is 5 and some anonymous NFL team scouts have him as a better player than Abdul. Dane as Will Johnson at 18.
If you knew how my #18 went from any of these guys over the past 60 days, in no order: Ebuka, Emmanwori, Tet, Golden, Zabel, Grant, Loveland, Banks, Mykel…all sitting pat. And running mocks depends on the site, some are a bit wacky, some quite on par, but trades are a mystery. I think the QB run may be more than 2, since 5th year options are key. If I had my druthers, at skill you want studs, and a cheating up D can make you one dimensional in a hurry. Tell me we get Golden, Arroyo or Taylor, and Tate Rat, plus maybe a Josiah or Kyle W later, a Zah. Sign me up for your sleep study.
OT, WR, CB, DT are high value first round picks so I’m hoping the BPA at 18 is any one of those and that the Hawks sprint to the podium to select him. I don’t want cute trades that drop us 10 spots to get 2-4 extra late round picks. I just want someone who makes the team a bit better this year and is a solid starter for years after that. That should be doable at 18, but it’s NFL football, so who knows?
Find this interesting from you SJ. We do know JS pivots but this is a top Defense type of draft, thus yes can see JS pivot. We had a Golden before so why not again. Side note, read more than one NFL expert, not pundits but actual guys working for teams, note that Slough is the top ranked QB this year. Might see some surprising picks.
This is a year where the mocks will look sillier than usual. One guy I could see going in the top 10 is Walter Nolen, but sometimes he isn’t mocked in the first round.
Agreed. The lack of high level QBs and WRs. Best receivers in class could be TE. Low level of CBs. And yes Nolan ive seen mocked all over. And as we know JS zigs all the time.
I like the sentiment. And I like listening to compelling dreams. They integrate our knowledge without friction and bias that we bring with mental analysis.
I think he checks four of the boxes: Coachable, Team Guy, Routes, Hands. If he was known for his blocking, he’d have all five stars. Overall, he won’t see a ton of targets. This needs to be okay emotionally. More than anything, we want him to be efficient, quickly. Coachability, hands, and routes all point towards success.
Regarding o-line, if we can get a great tackle who can slide inside, that would have a lot of value. We can’t assume that Lucas will hold up, game after game, and fate could hit Cross because… football. But it’s got to be the right player, not just a guy who plays the position.
I could see JS nudging up for an OT who slides. I could see JS picking Golden, but not necessarily moving up to get him. It all depends on how the picks flow.
Interesting point about dreams! I agree about checking those boxes, in addition to the fact that he came up huge at the big moments for a major program against top competition and with a dud at QB from what I’ve been told. I meant to add that part about how much Darnold will need a guy with a catch radius / body control like Golden.
If you nail the pick again, JS should just go ahead and hire you.
Pivots are fine. They happen in business and our personal lives all the time. You have a decent rationale for your decision and after watching the videos, I’m on board.
I compare this with articles on Seattle Sports and nearly all the comments at Field Gulls and just shake my head. There’s so little thought put into those.
I'm still not convinced there's much of a gap between the 1st and 2nd tier WRs. This just seems like the trend of the 2025 draft at a lot of positions. WR is a need and a decent first round value, so I think it's in the running for our pick at #18, but I doubt our staff are holding their breath for Golden even if he's their #1 WR of the class.
I should clarify that IN MY DREAM, the signs pointed to Matthew Golden. But I haven't locked him in as my final pick for the Seahawks.
I can see this happening. Not my druthers, but I wouldn’t ignite a flame fest on SSJ if it did. The need is obvious, plus Golden could have an immediate impact.
what signs? LOL, if you don't mind, dear sir.
So Matthew Golden never appeared in the dream. It was a very vivid adventure-driven dream where I was an Indiana Jones like figure who had to get the prized relic, if you will. At the same time, the dream had a lot of references to the NFL draft. I was switching back and forth between this quest and the nfl draft. I can’t recall many details now, but I just remember thinking about how I needed to find the Gold. And at the same time it was an NFL draft driven dream. That’s what led me to researching Golden today and what I found, I mostly liked.
If you were dreaming about a 'relic' and something to do with the NFL, maybe we're going to draft Jerry Jones. That'd suck.
Whew glad this isn’t your pick, just an acceptance that it could be a WR at 18
But, if there are tackles and edges still available at 18, isn’t WR farther down the list? Wouldn’t you expect Seattle to go tackle/edge before WR?
And Golden himself being questionable until you compare him with the rest of this draft class? Maybe it’s just not a good WR class?
Well, I don’t think it’s as easy as saying that the Seahawks will merely pick players based on the positions they play. When you ask if there are edges and tackles available at 18, we already know there are going to be tackles and edges available at 18. It would depend on how much seattles front office values the ones who make it to 18, something none of us can answer. I do expect edges to go early and I have heard many analysts say that this is not a class that gets them excited about the tackles expected to go in the first round.
You actually convinced me a while back that tackle/edge were true Rd 1 positions. And then I saw OverTheCap’s position valuations and it agreed with you. Which is why I was agreeing with you that tackle/edge would most likely be on Schneider’s BPA board at 18
Yeah I still totally believe that. There are only so many to go in the first round. Devon Witherspoon and JSN don’t play premium positions either, specific to their roles as a slot and a nickel, but Seattle felt they had to have them.
I have no idea if the Seahawks are going to take a WR. But I know that it’s possible.
Yeah! I want some weird dream details!
"... And You're Not The Only One."
Much of what's said about Golden is true of Luther Burden III. I can see Golden as the more well-rounded WR 1. I just think ppl aren't accounting for how much Brady Cook's limits and regression diminished Burden's production in 24.
Seaside Joe is so dreamy.
I dream almost every night and I wouldn't predict anything based on the nonsense that I dream about. I'm lost. I can't find where I parked my car. I can't type anything on my phone. Over, and over, and over. If I predicted who the Seahawks would draft from that mess, we'd be picking one hell of a loser at 1.18.
Maybe a WR at 1.18, but I'd guess not. I think they're looking for a badass at 1.18. I still think that Jihaad Campbell would be awesome if that shoulder checks out. If he didn't have an injury, he'd never get to us IMHO.
I keep coming back to Kenneth Grant. On the one hand, his best football is yet to come; on the other, Graham lets MM get Murphy off the nose immediately. Plus, the idea of getting a player with blue chip potential at #18…
I think they will acquire a NT at some point before OTA's. I think they'd like to keep Murphy as primarily a 2 gapping 3-tech. He can disrupt more from there than eating double teams. He's a strong dude, but not the biggest guy.
Right there with you, Defjames. Fuck those guys!
My 2nd happiest NFL pre-season day is Monday after draft. Talking real world drafts & UDFAs.
I hit snooze for 5+ months of a zillion+ draft projections. I'm up now. T-7 days.
One dream for Hawks came partly true - Drew Lock. My dream is for 2025 Hawks to rebuild REAL O & D line & LB foundations via draft, UDFA, multi-team trades, whatever, then say "we need a QB to move in here" a la Holmgren/Hasslebeck.
In my dream, Lock & Howell battle to start behind a line of a. Cross, b. 1 above-average NFL quality center & c. 1 above NFL average RT not named Abe "When Healthy" Lucas. I'm tired of centers being discounted (Tobek, Unger, Britt were irrelevant to Hawk success? The others weren't Aaron Donald speed bumps?) NFL is a mismatch league - D's scheme for weak links. If you have a lousy center and even 1 lousy guard - it's a 2-in-a-row weak spot to exploit. Strong LT-C-RT, the O can more easily counter scheme one of those to help a weak guard.
My nightmare - McVay vs. Darnold - Sam's nightmare too! ;-)
My dream is to ruin Sean McVay's wet dream of terrorizing Sam Darnold 2x/yr.
Shop Darnold and any combo of drafts to buy a Cross+2 above avg O linemen; 3-of-5 above avg NFL O line. No pending FAs or chronic cripples. If Lock/Howell & #2 & #3 receivers are mediocre - MM wants run 1st. A mediocre QB w/time can't look worse than "ok QB"? Sam D looked w/o time.
Based on how allegedly difficult it is to add 2 above average C + RT, maybe Hawks shot their draft day wad in this dream.
I dream that whatever they have left goes to the best recipe of D-line & LBs MM/JS can cook up.
Top tier teams were unfazed by pass rush. LB corps is thin - E Jones is a smaller-hard-hitting guy who's had knee problems + Uchena "When Healthy" Nwosu. Same 'ol DB's will look better when QBs are scared.
The final part of the dream is they get 2 x #2 receivers from any combo of salary dumps, UDFA, taxi squad grabs (and that nobody remembers this dream!) ;-)
Thanks for sharing! This reminds me that there’s some solid McVay connections to make with Golden too. Sark, from my understanding, is running a very McVay like offense at Texas. The Seahawks, with Jake Peetz as passing game OC, should help KK do the same. So there may be some system and terminology familiarity per chance.
I’ll welcome any notes or disagreements or additions to that take.
I could not agree more that Schultz and Bennett belong in the same circle (of hell). Thanks for sharing my story! I’m actually moving back to Houston and people keep asking me if I’ll become a Texans fan (hell no). I feel like once you choose a team then you should stick with them. I’ve always respected die hard Browns, Jets, Bengals, Lions, etc. I will however acknowledge that it’s ok to change teams under certain circumstances like your team ceases to exist or the ownership is so deplorable that you have no choice (I.e Panthers).
Golden could make sense and I agree that WR is a position group that lacks depth. I also buy the argument for EDGE. OL is a tough one to figure out, but I agree there is upside with the current group if the blocking scheme, coaching and play calling improve.
I could be visiting Houston this year. Any tips?
BBQ - I’d recommend Pinkertons or Gaitlins.
Tex-Mex - there are so many good options. Pappasitos and Ninfas are some old school favs.
Johnson space center is really cool.
Menil campus
Astrodome
Galleria area
Skip Galveston - not worth it. Houston is flat and ugly, but a huge city so lots of choices. It really just depends on your speed, and what you’re looking to do. If you find yourself renting a car, the average speed is closer to 80 and if you’re not driving that fast, stay to the right 😂.
In most of the mock drafts I've done lately, Golden has been gone before 18. We're really not going to know what the BPA is until the draft actually happens. I've had some weird mock results lately, including a couple where Sanders falls to #18 and the trade offers were ridiculous. One was #18 to the NYG for #34 and the NYG 2026 1st. Couldn't click accept fast enough on that one. I would be happy with Golden, I've picked him a couple of times at #18 when available, mostly when there's no EDGE guy I want.
Yeah, seems to me like we are going to get some huge surprises in the top15 and therefore some huge surprises of who could be available at 18. There are those who think the Cowboys have to take Golden at 12 if he’s there. Others who say he shouldn’t go in the first round. I tend to agree with you that he could be off the board.
Dane just posted his rankings and Golden is 15. Walker though is 5 and some anonymous NFL team scouts have him as a better player than Abdul. Dane as Will Johnson at 18.
Yeah I saw DJ has him at 14 too. In this WR class that could make him a top-15 pick just based on dearth of talent.
If you knew how my #18 went from any of these guys over the past 60 days, in no order: Ebuka, Emmanwori, Tet, Golden, Zabel, Grant, Loveland, Banks, Mykel…all sitting pat. And running mocks depends on the site, some are a bit wacky, some quite on par, but trades are a mystery. I think the QB run may be more than 2, since 5th year options are key. If I had my druthers, at skill you want studs, and a cheating up D can make you one dimensional in a hurry. Tell me we get Golden, Arroyo or Taylor, and Tate Rat, plus maybe a Josiah or Kyle W later, a Zah. Sign me up for your sleep study.
OT, WR, CB, DT are high value first round picks so I’m hoping the BPA at 18 is any one of those and that the Hawks sprint to the podium to select him. I don’t want cute trades that drop us 10 spots to get 2-4 extra late round picks. I just want someone who makes the team a bit better this year and is a solid starter for years after that. That should be doable at 18, but it’s NFL football, so who knows?
I think those are reasonable expectations.
"May Bud Adams find the same hell that houses Clay Bennett and Howard Schultz."
I'm totally okay with that. They should create a new level of hell for Clay and Howie, and put David Stern in there with them.
Find this interesting from you SJ. We do know JS pivots but this is a top Defense type of draft, thus yes can see JS pivot. We had a Golden before so why not again. Side note, read more than one NFL expert, not pundits but actual guys working for teams, note that Slough is the top ranked QB this year. Might see some surprising picks.
This is a year where the mocks will look sillier than usual. One guy I could see going in the top 10 is Walter Nolen, but sometimes he isn’t mocked in the first round.
Agreed. The lack of high level QBs and WRs. Best receivers in class could be TE. Low level of CBs. And yes Nolan ive seen mocked all over. And as we know JS zigs all the time.
I like the sentiment. And I like listening to compelling dreams. They integrate our knowledge without friction and bias that we bring with mental analysis.
I think he checks four of the boxes: Coachable, Team Guy, Routes, Hands. If he was known for his blocking, he’d have all five stars. Overall, he won’t see a ton of targets. This needs to be okay emotionally. More than anything, we want him to be efficient, quickly. Coachability, hands, and routes all point towards success.
Regarding o-line, if we can get a great tackle who can slide inside, that would have a lot of value. We can’t assume that Lucas will hold up, game after game, and fate could hit Cross because… football. But it’s got to be the right player, not just a guy who plays the position.
I could see JS nudging up for an OT who slides. I could see JS picking Golden, but not necessarily moving up to get him. It all depends on how the picks flow.
Interesting point about dreams! I agree about checking those boxes, in addition to the fact that he came up huge at the big moments for a major program against top competition and with a dud at QB from what I’ve been told. I meant to add that part about how much Darnold will need a guy with a catch radius / body control like Golden.
SSJ,
If you nail the pick again, JS should just go ahead and hire you.
Pivots are fine. They happen in business and our personal lives all the time. You have a decent rationale for your decision and after watching the videos, I’m on board.
I compare this with articles on Seattle Sports and nearly all the comments at Field Gulls and just shake my head. There’s so little thought put into those.
My subscription here is money well spent.
Thank you!!
Kubiak's needs will get priority for Offense. If not linemen, then look at augmenting them at TE or Fullback.
Yeah offense should need help more than defense , just depending on who is the best player at 18.
I'm still not convinced there's much of a gap between the 1st and 2nd tier WRs. This just seems like the trend of the 2025 draft at a lot of positions. WR is a need and a decent first round value, so I think it's in the running for our pick at #18, but I doubt our staff are holding their breath for Golden even if he's their #1 WR of the class.
I agree. I’m not convinced, that’s just the opinion of one coach and maybe he’s a bad talent evaluator haha.
I'd love to know who he watched that made him say "YUCK!" especially if he was referring to some of these other top prospects.