Three drafts in a row without an edge rusher is crazy. We just won the Super Bowl, so I'm not looking back and questioning these draft decisions, but it does make me uneasy. There's no veteran addition they could make at this point that would make me feel much better. We're either going to be paying more than we should, or not getting a player that moves the needle, or both.
Big picture, however, we've got a great defense that can generate pressure in a variety of ways. I think we'll be just fine this season, but JS can't keep ignoring the need for a young pass rusher or two, even if it means forcing things a bit in next year's draft.
- and as you say, Lawrence and Nwosu more likely than not to get injured at some point
- $32m in cap space with the rookies now accounted for
- a Spoon extension prob not costing more than $7m cap hit in 2026 so the cap space goes to $35m
Means three things to me:
1. there is an edge signing on its way, or a trade, for a 10+ sacks guy.
My hope is it’s Cam Jordan, who remains a free agent. Probably max 2 yrs bc of his age, but, he still had 10.5 sacks last yr, more than anyone in Seattle, and that’s being double teamed a lot and without the benefit of MacDonald’s schemes. It’s also more than Fowler or Thibodeaux or Von Miller or Clowney or anyone else being bandied about in the media (other than Maxx Crosby). And he’s Demarcus Lawrence-like in terms of attitude and locker room impact, fits our culture to a T
2. Schneider and MacDonald like Derick Hall more than we think. I’m also really warming up to him and to extending him in fact (like that matters… 🤣). He wreaked havoc in the Super Bowl, could have competed with Spoon for MVP if defensive guys were considered (and they should have been, our defense won the Super Bowl again just like 2013).
3. We’re going to get a premium edge in the 2027 draft, with our 1st pick.
Using the Rich Hill draft value chart, and assuming the worst (best) case which is back to back Super Bowls so again Pick 32), our entire 2027 draft class so all 12 picks, gives us 361 points which would allow us (in theory) to move up to #11.
More likely we’d have to give the 2028 1st (92 pts) plus 2027 1st, 3rd, 4th and a player for that #11 pick. EXPENSIVE bc of how deep the cut is when you’re picking at #32. But would still have 9 picks for a team that prob can’t squeeze in more than 5 rookies anyway.
Something like that
Collin Simmons likely to go top 5 so even more expensive to go get, but all the others will be within range of 11-25 given the QB’s, WR’s and OL/DT strength of this draft class. Maybe one of those kinds of drafts where a run goes on a position and a JSN falls to 21 or a Byron Murphy falls to 16 or an Emmanwori is still there at 35.
Will be an EXCITING draft but first pick must be an edge.
It's funny...the draft and the analysts. Last year at this time they were speculating Drew Allar could go number one overall....lol 😆. All I know is I did a mock draft for 27, and I literally got tired of making pics. There's no way we will be able to stockpile 11 players next year. I'm guessing we use some of that capital to make in season changes like RS last year. I'm just glad our defense is looking tough still after a super bowl run. Usually those teams that win SB get absolutely raided. Great job MM and JS for keeping it going.
Three drafts in a row without an edge rusher is crazy. We just won the Super Bowl, so I'm not looking back and questioning these draft decisions, but it does make me uneasy. There's no veteran addition they could make at this point that would make me feel much better. We're either going to be paying more than we should, or not getting a player that moves the needle, or both.
Big picture, however, we've got a great defense that can generate pressure in a variety of ways. I think we'll be just fine this season, but JS can't keep ignoring the need for a young pass rusher or two, even if it means forcing things a bit in next year's draft.
For me re: edge, the combination of:
- not extending Mafe
- no FA signings before the draft
- no trades for an edge
- no edge drafted
- and as you say, Lawrence and Nwosu more likely than not to get injured at some point
- $32m in cap space with the rookies now accounted for
- a Spoon extension prob not costing more than $7m cap hit in 2026 so the cap space goes to $35m
Means three things to me:
1. there is an edge signing on its way, or a trade, for a 10+ sacks guy.
My hope is it’s Cam Jordan, who remains a free agent. Probably max 2 yrs bc of his age, but, he still had 10.5 sacks last yr, more than anyone in Seattle, and that’s being double teamed a lot and without the benefit of MacDonald’s schemes. It’s also more than Fowler or Thibodeaux or Von Miller or Clowney or anyone else being bandied about in the media (other than Maxx Crosby). And he’s Demarcus Lawrence-like in terms of attitude and locker room impact, fits our culture to a T
2. Schneider and MacDonald like Derick Hall more than we think. I’m also really warming up to him and to extending him in fact (like that matters… 🤣). He wreaked havoc in the Super Bowl, could have competed with Spoon for MVP if defensive guys were considered (and they should have been, our defense won the Super Bowl again just like 2013).
3. We’re going to get a premium edge in the 2027 draft, with our 1st pick.
Using the Rich Hill draft value chart, and assuming the worst (best) case which is back to back Super Bowls so again Pick 32), our entire 2027 draft class so all 12 picks, gives us 361 points which would allow us (in theory) to move up to #11.
More likely we’d have to give the 2028 1st (92 pts) plus 2027 1st, 3rd, 4th and a player for that #11 pick. EXPENSIVE bc of how deep the cut is when you’re picking at #32. But would still have 9 picks for a team that prob can’t squeeze in more than 5 rookies anyway.
Something like that
Collin Simmons likely to go top 5 so even more expensive to go get, but all the others will be within range of 11-25 given the QB’s, WR’s and OL/DT strength of this draft class. Maybe one of those kinds of drafts where a run goes on a position and a JSN falls to 21 or a Byron Murphy falls to 16 or an Emmanwori is still there at 35.
Will be an EXCITING draft but first pick must be an edge.
Another Anthony Bradford masterclass...
https://www.tiktok.com/@fanalyzesports/video/7571660036909419831
And another...I did not realize this is an ongoing series.
https://www.tiktok.com/@fanalyzesports/video/7575345146267520311
One more...just click the link, hit not now and enjoy.
https://www.tiktok.com/@fanalyzesports/video/7564551657401486606
It's funny...the draft and the analysts. Last year at this time they were speculating Drew Allar could go number one overall....lol 😆. All I know is I did a mock draft for 27, and I literally got tired of making pics. There's no way we will be able to stockpile 11 players next year. I'm guessing we use some of that capital to make in season changes like RS last year. I'm just glad our defense is looking tough still after a super bowl run. Usually those teams that win SB get absolutely raided. Great job MM and JS for keeping it going.