Seahawks draft targets: Jarrad Davis, Dante Barnett

Linebacker Jarrad Davis from Florida would look great in Seattle’s defense. Any Seahawks draft scenario should also include a backup safety like Dante Barnett.

As a football fan in the doldrums of February, all we have is hope. And, for football fans, the draft is like the first day of spring training for baseball fans. At least for me. How can you not be excited!? I mean, it’s a chance to hear Roger Goodell get booed for 32 rounds. Right? Well it was natural with fans in New York, who would boo a teddy-bear clutching four-year-old if given the chance.

Let’s dive into some players I’m really excited about.

With Michael Morgan potentially leaving via free agency, the Seahawks need some more options at outside linebacker. The Seahawks could use depth, but this particular player I’ve been profiling has the makings of coming in and being an instant game changer. Why not draft a player with that kind of capacity if he’s there to grab? Pete Carroll will tell you, there’s no such thing as too much pass rush.

At 6’2″ and 238 pounds, Jarrad Davis has great size for an outside linebacker. He is an explosive athlete which clearly helps him track down the ball carrier. Davis is also a quick reactor and possesses tremendous ability to read plays. He often uses his athleticism to blow up an offensive play before it gets started.

The Florida linebacker has shown that he is capable in pass coverage as well. He can run with most running backs and tight ends that he is asked to cover. Davis does need polish in his pass coverage though, he sometimes allows too much separation to opponents. Also, he can occasionally get himself in trouble by over pursuing ball-carriers which leads to missed tackles. However, the potential of becoming consistent in the passing game is there. Davis had a great career at Florida, with 201 career tackles, with 20.0 being for losses.

Although Davis might not be there for the taking at 26 overall, it’s still nice to think of how great he would look in a Seahawks uniform. However, with Davis nursing an injury that kept him out of the senior bowl and now will prevent him from performing at the NFL combine, there’s a chance his draft stock could fall into the 2nd round.

It’s become clear the Seahawks need some extra talent at safety. Earl Thomas is coming off a season-ending injury and Kam Chancellor seems to be getting banged up as his play goes on, as well as his contract situation up in the air.

The Seahawks need a clear number three. The lack of play behind Thomas and Chancellor is evident. It’s time for a tap in on the backend of the Legion Of Boom. Someone to come in to resemble what Seattle likes to do and Dante Barnett has the potential to come in and lay that boom.

Barnett came into his senior year at Kansas State at a slight (6-1, 193). He is tough-minded and can make plays in the secondary. What I like about him the most, is that he throws his body into running backs or whomever has the ball in their hands, a true forceful run stopper. He’s a tone-setter, along with being really aggressive and having a rangy skill-set.

I think his speed and strength is starting worthy in the next level and would be a great fit for the Seattle Seahawks. Talking to a few people close to Dante, I’ve learned that he’s a leader. He was always very knowledgeable and truly orchestrated defenses. I know “coach on the field” is cliche, but he was a master at dissecting offenses and assimilating guys into the correct defensive formations.

Next: Just say no to an early round RB

I’m excited about this kid and you should be too. You all remember the last time I wrote about a prospect from Kansas State. You know, that kid Tyler Lockett? Yeah, well, he attended the same high school, college and happens to be one of his best friends.