The trade that sent QB RUSSELL WILSON to Denver last year seems to be the gift that just keeps on giving, at least as far as the Sea Hawks are concerned. While RUSS and the Broncos floundered last season the Sea Hawks surprised most of us with a Play-Off berth, albeit a short lived run. The dynamic duo if GM JOHN SCHNEIDER & HC PETE CARROLL are just about ready to cash in again as they prepare to Draft 5 times in the Top 83 Picks in this year’s Draft, barring more trades.
Just ’cause I am a helpful guy at heart, I’d like to take my turn trying to break the Draft Code, like they did last year when they struck gold with players like OT pair CROSS & LUCAS, CB WOOLEN, RB KENNETH WALKER and more. Let us go shopping again…
Round 1, Pick 5 JALEN CARTER DT Georgia 6’3/315 Pete Carroll has never been afraid to take guys with off field issues under his wing. In this case I believe Pirate Pete feels that despite having tragic consequences in Athens, driving issues may be controllable before things progress further. I would also guess that Carroll has even greater confidence of reigning CARTER in now that he has BOBBY WAGNER back in the Seattle locker room. CARTER is an exceptional DL, and that is a position of great need for this team. Assuming the Sea Hawks have vetted him pretty throughly, CARTER is a future All-Pro if he matures quickly.
I think they might consider a QB next if the right guy is there at 20.
Round 1, Pick 20 DEONTE BANKS CB Maryland 6’/195 The Top 4 QB are gone and I do believe they have confidence in GENO SMITH for the 2 years of his new contract. BANKS has size, speed and general overall athleticism. BANKS, teamed with WOOLEN, should provide a highly talented, athletic, fast & big men on the Corners. Nuff said for now.
Round 2, Pick 37 JALEN HYATT WR Tennessee 6’/175 More than a few scouts consider HYATT to have some of the same desirable traits that TYLER LOCKETT has brought to Seattle. Time and salary cap issues march on. LOCKETT is now in his 30’s and makes pretty big dollars. Not to mention that the overall depth in the receivers room is not the greatest right now in Seattle. So they grab the explosive big play receiver from the Vols.
Round 2, Pick 52 JOE TIPPMANN OC Wisconsin 6’6/315 Lots of folks are not familiar with the athletic, large OC from the Badgers OL machine. Once upon a time he was the non-skill position High School Player of the Year in Indiana. Yes, they signed Evan Brown as a VFA IOL, but if TIPPMANN is ready to play right away, then BROWN can battle HAYNES for the RG spot, or be the IOL back-up man.
Round 3, Pick 83 LUKE SCHOONMAKER TE Michigan 6’5/250 Pete Carroll always has room for one more athletic TE who can block and catch the ball on his roster. SCHOONMAKER came on strong for the Wolverines last season when their TE depth fell apart. I look for him to move ahead of PARKINSON into the TE3 slot on the depth chart as a Rookie.
Round 4, Pick 123 DWAYNE McBRIDE RB UAB 5’10/210 WALKER was great last season after PENNY went down with injuries, again. PENNY is now in Phily and CARROLL likes to run the ball too much to not need a new RB2. McBRIDE can run effectively inside with power and good contact balance. He should see some significant carries even if WLAKER stays healthy.
Round 5, Pick 151 D.J. JOHNSON DE/ER Oregon 6’4/260 A very good athlete who moved around within the Oregon D. That could be his similar role with the Sea Hawks. JOHNSON is a good chase athlete, and could be a pet project for DC CLINT HURTT to work with.
Round 5, Pick 154 IVAN PACE LB/ST Cincinnati 5’11/230 Lots of personnel people luv this young man’s hustle, leadership and productivity. But he may be a challenge, from a size perspective, to get out on the field. They will find ways to do so in Seattle. Long time ST Ace & ST Coordinator LARRY IZZO will luv this player. A star for Special Teams, and don’t bet against him finding defensive snaps as well.
Round 6, Pick 198 CHAMMARRI CONNER DB Virginia Tech 6’/200 Count me in with the group that thinks CONNER will make the position switch to S and flourish in the NFL., perhaps even starting in a couple of years. Likely to be gone this late, but then again the talent pool may not be top heavy, but it is deep. So you say there’s a chance? Yes I do.
Round 7, Pick 237 ALEX WARD LS UCF 6’2/230 Special Teamers, especially those who are part of the kicking process (P/PK/LS) can make or break a couple of games per season. WARD was good enough to be invited two years in a row to the Senior Bowl… for what that is worth. He is a reliable, consistent snapper and of course comes very cheap in the Salary Cap picture.
I am not sure how this team equals or tops last year’s Draft effort, but they take every Pick seriously and are always looking to improve from the top on down to the bottom of their roster depth chart. So pay attention to what they do, and when, if you want to see how how an NFL team works the roster building process.
Cheers
Pigskin
