Will Seahawks shy away from troubled pasts in this year’s draft?
By Dan Viens
After being criticized for doing so last year, will the Seattle Seahawks shy away from questionable character in this year’s draft?
John Schneider probably never expected the backlash to be so bad, but there he was, fielding tough questions about his latest draft pick. When the Seattle Seahawks selected Michigan defensive end Frank Clark in the second round last April, it brought a feces-storm of second-guessing and ridicule. How could the great Seahawks organization, led by poster boy Russell Wilson, spend such a high draft pick on a woman beater? (Quick recap, Clark allegedly had a physical altercation with his then girlfriend, but was never charged with a crime.) It was obvious Schneider was uncomfortable, and uncharacteristically caught off guard by the response. It felt dirty. It wasn’t a great day to be a Seahawks fan.
More from Seattle Seahawks Draft
- 4 prospects Seahawks could reach for at No. 20 in 2023 NFL Draft
- Seattle Seahawks Mock Draft: Post-first wave of free agency
- 3 pros and cons of Seattle Seahawks drafting Anthony Richardson
- Why the Seahawks should pass on Jalen Carter at pick number 5
- A detailed plan for the Seahawks offseason post-Geno Smith extension
Fast forward, and Clark had a solid season as a rotational player as a rookie, not attracting a single second of negative attention. He said and did all the right things. As it stands now, he looks like a solid piece of the core moving forward. Not bad for a guy some “analysts” (I’m looking at you, Mike Florio) actually were insisting the team release after new details were revealed about the seriousness of the allegations against Clark.
Still, will the fervor caused by the Clark pick give Seahawks brass pause if another talented player with red flags fall in their lap? The top of this year’s draft features two gifted, potential star players with checkered pasts and major question marks:
Noah Spence, OLB/DE, Eastern Kentucky
Spence starred at Ohio State as a heralded recruit, but was kicked off the team and permanently banned by the Big 10 for failing a number of drug tests for Ecstasy. After successfully completing drug rehab, with the full support of Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer, he sat out a year before landing at Eastern Kentucky. One dominant season, which earned him Co-Defensive Player Of The Year honors in the Ohio Valley Conference, was enough to convince him he was ready for the NFL. Spence is an explosive player who looks the part of potential Pro Bowler as an outside pass rusher. He looked dominant at times during Senior Bowl drills, but got into several fights with opposing players. Some labeled this as a sign of his competitive streak, but could it be cause for deeper concerns about his personality and makeup? If Spence does well in the interview process with teams at the upcoming scouting combine, there’s likely no chance he’ll last until the Seahawks pick at #26, but if he slips, would the Clark situation cause Seattle to pass? Because in every other way, physically, he would be an ideal fit on the field.
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
Nkemdiche is another player who would be an ideal fit for Seattle at a position of need. Veteran DT’s Brandon Mebane and Ahtyba Rubin are both set to be free agents, and the Seahawks would love to add a young player with long-term starter potential at that position. But Nkemdiche’s career with the Rebels came to an abrupt halt when he was kicked off the team shortly before their Sugar Bowl appearance due to a bizarre event. The 6’3″ 296 pound junior fell 15 feet from a balcony, apparently while under the influence of marijuana. He was later charged with possession of the drug, which is illegal in Mississippi. Was this a one-time transgression, or a sign of deeper issues? If he checks out in the draft process, Nkemdiche offers the skill set to be a three down DT, capable of stuffing the run and penetrating the pocket on passing downs. Currently, he’s the 18th overall ranked prospect by NFLdraftscout.com.
Next: Full First Round Mock, Who's the Seahawks Pick?
Whether either player lasts long enough for Seattle to have a shot at him is in question, but so is the manner with which they might approach the pick after the hailstorm that followed last year’s selection of Frank Clark.