Nov 23, 2012; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks fullback Morgan Linton (35) comes up shy of the touchdown as Louisiana State Tigers cornerback Tharold Simon (24) signals during the second half at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium. Linton was injured on the play and LSU defeated Arkansas 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

The Seahawks released the numbers for rookie camp and beyond (at least for now, as they could be changed before the regular season begins). Four of the guys have the same number as they did in college, Christine Michael, Ryan Seymore, Luke Willson and Ray Polk got their college numbers.

Interesting Notes: Spencer Ware of LSU is indeed listed as a fullback and UFDA linebacker Craig Wilkins of Old Dominion had the number 12 in college and of course could not wear the number retired for the 12th Man.

Draft Picks:

#33 – RB Christine Michael, Texas A&M (College #33)
#97 – DT Jordan Hill, Penn State (College #47)
#17 – WR Chris Harper, Kansas State (College #3)
#90 – DT Jesse Williams, Alabama (College #54)
#34 – CB Tharold Simon, LSU (College #24)
#82 – TE Luke Willson, Rice (College #82)
#44 – FB Spencer Ware, LSU (College #11)
#62 – G Ryan Seymour, Vanderbilt (College #62)
#58 – LB Ty Powell, Harding (College #9)
#66 – G Jared Smith, New Hampshire (College #90)
#73 – T Michael Bowie, Northeastern State (College #61)

Undrafted rookie free agents:

#2 – WR Matt Austin, Utah State (College #4)
#78 – T Alvin Bailey, Arkansas (College #67)
#93 – DE Kenneth Boatright, Southern Illonois (College #54)
#47 – LB Ramon Buchanan, Miami (College #45)
#46 – LB John Lotulelei, UNLV (College #55)
#7 – SS Ray Polk, Colorado (College #7)
#65 – G Jordon Roussos, Bowling Green (College #73)
#38 – RB Dominique Whaley, Oklahoma (College #8)
#45 – LB Craig Wilkins, Old Dominion (College #12)

Sam Bradford

Dec 30, 2012, Seattle, WA, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (8) scrambles out of the pocket against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

A decisive winner in this draft is one Mr. Sam Bradford, the quarterback of the St. Louis Rams. He wins on a lot of levels and for a lot of reasons. After losing Steven Jackson and Brandon Gibson in free agency, the quarterback was starring down the barrel of a decisively less loaded gun going into last weekend but  I bet he busted a move similar to any number number of touchdown dances he has been concocting after the 4th round pick of offensive guard Barrett Jones, the 6’4″, 306 pound hogmollie out of Alabama. He just couldn’t help himself, is what I’m thinking.

The Rams had already drafted the record setting, West Virginia combo of Tavon Austin and Steadman Bailey the first two nights, which had to have put Bradford into a comfortable coma for the first time since the end of the season. Then he wakes up and the Rams staff secures his offensive line with a well known name from an elite college program. A line, by the way, that was already bolstered by the free agency acquisition of Chris Long at the left tackle spot.

Not to be forgotten is the additional pickup of tight end Jared Cook via free agency and the return of receivers Austin Pettis, Brian Quick and Chris Givens. The Rams offense is a different monster and will be a completely new challenge for defensive coordinators around the league and especially in the conference. Here’s a link to a good article on the new Rams’ identity by Ramblin’ Fan.

I took a wild guess on the draft order based on my estimation of roster talent. I doesn’t really matter what order I pick, no one will be happy except for the team picking 32nd. I did end up with 3 NFC West teams in the playoffs, so you can guess what division I expect to dominate this year.

There are a couple of interesting things that happened as I was putting this together. First, there was a run on QB early in the draft. This year was a bad year for QBs, but next year is shaping up to make up for it. The other thing was a major lack of offensive lineman. There were just so many taken this year that there will be a lot less teams with major O-line needs in my opinion. 

As for the Seahawks, picking 32nd means that a lot of the top talent was gone off the board. Knowing that the team will be searching for salary cap relief in order to get Sherman and Thomas re-signed, I went with DE Stephon Tuitt out of Notre Dame. Tuitt is a massive 5-tech DE who will be able to take Red Bryant’s spot on the line.

Jan 02, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) before the snap against the Florida Gators during the second half of the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. defeated Florida 33-23. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

Every Mock Draft from this site is featured on Walter Football, DC Sports Report, and the Mock Draft Database.

1. Oakland Raiders
Teddy Bridgewater
QB, Louisville

2. New York Jets
Taylor Lewen
OT, Michigan

3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Tajh Boyd
QB, Clemson

4. Kansas City Chiefs
Aaron Murray
QB, Georgia

5. Buffalo Bills
Jadeveon Clowney
DE, South Carolina

6. Miami Dolphins
Jake Matthews
OT, Texas A&M

7. Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. McCarron
QB, Alabama

8. Cleveland Browns
Daniel McCullers
DT, Tennessee

9. Arizona Cardinals
David Fales
QB, San Jose State

10. San Diego Chargers
Jacob Pedersen
TE, Wisconsin

11. Tennessee Titans
Derek Carr
QB, Fresno State

12. Dallas Cowboys
Marqise Lee
WR, USC

13. Detroit Lions
Aaron Colvin
CB, Oklahoma

14. Minnesota Vikings
Calvin Barnett
DT, Oklahoma State

15. Indianapolis Colts
C.J. Mosley
OLB, Alabama

16. New Orleans Saints
Kyle Van Noy
OLB, BYU

17. Chicago Bears
Deandre Coleman
DT, Cal

18. Pittsburgh Steelers
Silas Redd
RB, USC

19. New York Giants
Trent Murphy
OLB, Stanford

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Max Bullough
ILB, Michigan State

21. Washington Redskins
Darqueze Dennard
CB, Michigan State

22. Carolina Panthers
Jackson Jeffcoat
DE, Texas

23. Houston Texans
Brandon Coleman
WR, Rutgers

24. Atlanta Falcons
Morgan Breslin
DE, USC

25. San Francisco 49ers
Louis Nix
DT, Notre Dame

26. Baltimore Ravens
Anthony Johnson
DT, LSU

27. St. Louis Rams
Craig Loston
S, LSU

28. Cincinnati Bengals
Anthony Barr
OLB, UCLA

29. Green Bay Packers
Asa Watson
TE, North Carolina State

30. New England Patriots
Cyril Richardson
OG, Baylor

31. Denver Broncos
Jason Verrett
CB, TCU

32. Seattle Seahawks
Stephon Tuitt
DE/DT, Notre Dame

Here’s the list. I’d missed a couple originally, so a massive thanks to NEPatriotsdraft.com for have by far the best UDFA tracker on the web.

1. 

   Sep 22, 2012; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks offensive guard Alvin Bailey (67) during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Rutgers defeated Arkansas 35-26. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

   Jordan Roussos, OT, Bowling Green

2. Matt Austin, WR Utah State
3. Craig Wilkins, LB, Old Dominion
4. Ramon Buchanan, OLB, Miami
5. Kenneth Boatright, DE, Southern Illinois
6. Arceto Clark, WR Mississippi State
7. Jajuan Harley, SS Tennessee State
8. O’Hara Fluellen, CB Lincoln
9. Ray Polk, S, Colorado
10. Austin Coleman, WR, St. Francis
11. Akeem Davis, LB/SS, Memphis
12. Chancey Aghayere, DE LSU
13. Chris Billingslea, DE Citadel
14. Austin Coleman, WR St Francis
15. Jake Bscherer, OT Minnesota-Duluth
16. Alvin Bailey, OL, Arkansas
17. John Lotulelei, LB, UNLV

Most of these names on this list mean nothing to me. I don’t have the time to scout 800+ players like some people do. If I get to to 300 it’s a good year. All these small school players are way off my radar.

The names on the list that interest me the most are Ray Polk and Alvin Bailey. Polk looks like be belongs at safety with the Seahawks. He’s also known for massive hits. You’ve got to love that. 

Bailey is a guy who was strongly on my radar. I had him with a 5th round grade, and started expecting his name with every time the Seahawks picked from the 6th round on. Bailey is made to be a zone blocking, road grading mauler. He’s not much of a pass blocker, but then again, neither are most of the offensive linemen on the Seahawks roster.

November 17, 2012; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Spencer Ware (11) carries the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Ole Miss 41-35. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks have selected Spencer Ware from LSU as their second running back of the 2013 NFL Draft. The pick was No. 26 in the 6th round, No. 194 overall and due to the trade up to get defensive tackle Jesse Williams from Alabama, the only 6th round pick for Seattle in this draft.

Spencer Ware is not your prototypical running back, so the first thought that comes to mind is that he’ll come in as cap relief in the fullback role, which Michael Robinson currently occupies as a highly paid fullback. It won’t be the popular thought amongst 12′s but Ware is 228 pounds and after watching plenty of LSU football in 2011 and 2012, has forever been called more of the “prototypical” fullback. Ran for 367 yards on 94 attempts and only 1 touchdown on a highly physical running football team and only ran a 4.62 40 at his pro day. Take that for what it’s worth but fullback seems the ideal fit.

There isn’t much on him around the web, but NFL.com has said he showed “exceptional hands” while catching the ball in all his workouts.

Jan 1, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Zach Ertz (86) catches a pass over Wisconsin Badgers defensive back Dezmen Southward (12) in the first half during the 2013 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

On Friday night the 2nd night of the NFL Draft some of the big name specialty players finally started coming off the board after a predominantly trench player 1st round. There was only 1 Quarterback taken in the 1st round and zero Running backs.

The Tennessee Titans made the first trade of the 2nd round by moving up into the San Francisco 49ers spot and Drafting the Physical Wide Receiver Justin Hunter from Tennessee. The Eagles then

Drafted Tight End Zach Ertz from Stanford who could really develop into a nightmare for defenses to cover in Chips Kelly’s up tempo high speed offense.

After day one there was not a single Running Back taken, although by the end of the 2nd round 5 Running Backs had come off the board. The first to be taken was Giovani Bernard from North Carolina selected by the Cincinnati Bengals followed by Le’veon Bell selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then came the selection of the all-time NCAA Touchdown record holder Montee Ball selected by the Denver Broncos. It wasn’t until the 61st pick that the number 1 rated Running Back came off the board when Eddie Lacy was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. With the last pick in the 2nd round of the Draft the Seattle Seahawks made their first pick when they picked the highly talented Christine Michael out of Texas A&M.

Another player that slid out of the 1st round was Notre Dame Linebacker Manti Te’o who was selected by the San Diego Chargers with the 38th pick in the Draft. The Chargers are hoping they selected the playmaker that they have been missing since Shawne Merriman left.

In the 2nd round the New York Jets finally selected what they hope will be their Quarterback of the future when they picked Geno Smith from West Virginia. Smith was predicted to be the first Quarterback selected but after EJ Manual was picked by the Buffalo Bills in the 1st round the slide continued until he was picked with the 39th pick in the Draft.

Also selected on day 2 was the Honey Badger Tyrann Mathieu from LSU who was selected by the Arizona Cardinals. Mathieu was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2011 but after being in trouble with the law and team policies in the spring and summer of 2012 he didn’t even step foot on the football field in 2012.

Now that most of the big names are off of the table after an exciting 2nd and 3rd round of the NFL Draft it is time for teams to fill their rosters up and attempt to find the next Russell Wilson of the 2013 Draft. Matt Barkley is the one big name still on the board so we will have to wait until this afternoon to see who gets the once prized Quarterback from University of Southern California after his huge slide down the Draft boards.

October 6, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Jordan Hill (47) looks on during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Victory Bell Rings represents the Penn State Nittany Lions for FanSided and measured up the newest Seattle Seahawk before the draft even began. It seems like Hill was rated (149 by CBS Sports) quite a bit lower than he ended up going (87) but as Pete Carroll and John Schneider pointed out:

He was the best player on our board at a position we were looking to fill. He’s just a tremendously explosive player, we feel.

It’s no surprise that Hill is a ‘surprise’ to most at the time he was taken. Carroll and Schneider have made a habbit out of taking ‘their guy’ when the time comes and they aren’t afraid to do it early so that he is secure. VBR provided us a snippet of their thoughts on the Penn State 2012 defensive co-captian (for the full article click the link above):

Any team that drafts Hill is most likely getting a rotational player, but don’t write him off just yet. Hill was only a 2-star recruit out of high school and used his work ethic and on-the-field motor to earn his place on a NFL roster. There is no doubt in anyone who watched him over the past four years he could continue to prove the experts wrong at the next level. I’m looking forward to seeing Jordan Hill playing on Sunday for many years.

I hope the draft experts are looking forward to being proven wrong, yet again!

Go Hawks!

November 24, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Curt Phillips (10) is hit by Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Jordan Hill (47) at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

With their second pick in the draft (round 3, #87 overall) the Seattle Seahawks have selected defensive tackle Jordan Hill from Penn State.

After the selection of Christine Michael earlier in the evening, Pete Carroll still had a couple “needs” that had to be taken care of. At 6’1″, 303 pounds, Hill meets one of those needs in the middle of the defense. After Alan Branch left to be a Buffalo Bill in free agency, the Seahawks wanted to make sure they could fill the middle with a run-stuffer who has some explosion and Hill seems to be the guy that fits.

NFL.com has Hill rated a little bit low at 64.6 but if you look at the evaluation, he has the unique skill-set that Carroll and general manager John Schneider appreciate.

Hill doesn’t possess the ideal size for a defensive tackle, but he does use his short build to his advantage in terms of low pad level and the obtaining of leverage. Hill flashes strong and active hands (like against Penn State’s final 2012 opponent, Wisconsin, where he racked up 12 tackles and two sacks), but he is not always consistent with this effort. Hill is also not tremendously quick, and can be worn down when he sees too many snaps. For these reasons, Hill likely will have to work as a part of a rotation in the NFL.

Dane Brugler at CBS Sports says Hill is a

High-effort defender with less-than-ideal measurables. Would be best served as part of the rotation in a 4-3. Good lateral agility with quick feet to sidestep blockers. Flexible body type to make smooth movements and a quick first step. Plays low with natural leverage. Ordinary upper body strength but active and strong hands.

Jordan Hill talked to Seahawks.com about his selection.

It’s an emotional feeling. I’ve been waiting for a phone call and I’m really excited it’s gonna be Seattle… I’m a versatile player that plays anywhere I’m asked to play. I’m a guy that plays with a high motor and I’ll get after it every play. I’m ready to compete.

I can play anywhere, 3-tech or 1-tech it doesn’t matter. I played mostly the one tech, nose (tackle at Penn State).

The things that went on here, I’m glad I went through it. I feel like it’s made me a better man and I’m just glad I now have the opportunity… I want to take advantage of it even more.

Go Hawks!

January 19, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; West running back Christine Michael of Texas A&M

The Seahawks have finally made their first pick in the 2013 draft. It just took until the final pick of the second round to get here. With that pick, Seattle took Christine (pronounced Chris-TIN) Michael, a running back from Texas A&M. Chances are you’re wondering who the hell that is. Allow me to enlighten you.

According to NFL.com, Michael’s strengths include a “low center of gravity” but with a “thickness throughout his frame to take and give out punishment.” He has more speed than one would think when he is able to break open as well. Overall, Michael is a bruiser that will be a nice compliment to Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin. Both Lynch and Turbin are hard to bring down, and Lynch will occasionally level a tackler, but Michael has the ability to straight damage some defenders. Michael is also a good blocker that is able to lead the ball into the second level.

According to CBS Sports, Michael started 2012 rated by some as the “top senior running back in the country.” Attitude issues, however, took him out of the starting role, and the spotlight, which is probably a big reason he was relatively unknown and is yet another “what the what” pick by Pete Carroll and John Schneider.

Michael has had injury issues and missed the ends of both his sophomore and junior year. He broke his right leg in 2010 and the following season he tore his ACL. However, in 13 games he ran for 1,530 yards and 12 touchdowns. If he can check his attitude issues at the door and stay healthy, Michael should have an opportunity to contribute greatly in Seattle.

If Seattle starts utilizing a running back by committee approach it could be a very different dynamic on offense and make them harder to prepare for and defend. Diversity is a killer.

Another thing that I just thought of is whether or not Seattle might consider lining up Michael at full back and getting all three backs (Lynch, Turbin, and Michael) on the field at the same time. This could also give Seattle more flexibility when it comes to dealing with Michael Robinson’s contract.

This pick could also have fantasy implications as it might limit carries by Lynch.

No matter what, I think we should all get #inpcjswetrust trending because I expect a lot more unexpected picks out of Seattle for the rest of the draft.

Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Xavier Rhodes (Florida State) is introduced as the number twenty-five overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

With the 1st pick in the 2013 NFL Draft the Kansas City Chiefs Select Andrew Luck. Not exactly, this year’s NFL Draft doesn’t have the flash or the instant star player’s in it like the 2012 Draft. The 2013 NFL Draft was full of meat and potato players, 6 of the 1st 11 players Drafted in the 1st round were Offensive Lineman.

The Kansas City Chiefs used almost every second of their 10 minutes on the clock and after months of film study and listening to possible trades they selected Offensive Tackle Eric Fisher out of Central Michigan, Fisher is slated to protect Alex Smith’s blindside. The Jacksonville Jaguars knowing that is would get to take whichever Offensive Tackle the Chiefs didn’t take, took Offensive Tackle Luke Joeckel from Texas A&M. Joeckel was thought by many to be the 1st pick although in the last few weeks his hold on the top Draft pick slot weakened.

The Miami Dolphins continued their aggressive off-season by trading their 1st and one of their 2nd Round picks with the Raiders for the right to the 3rd pick of the Draft which they used to select Dion Jordan Outside Linebacker from Oregon. Another notable trade was made by the St. Louis Rams who jumped in front of the New York Jets to snag speedy Wide Receiver Tavon Austin from West Virginia. Buffalo Bills who moved back in the draft after completing the trade with the Rams and made the biggest surprise pick of the Draft by selecting EJ Manual Quarterback from Florida State. Manual who has the size and speed to be a starting Quarterback, although he was projected as a 2nd or even a 3rd round pick, thus leaving Geno Smith the Quarterback from West Virginia still on the board when all of the 1st round selections were completed.

The San Francisco 49ers moved up from the 31st pick to the 18th pick after swapping with the Dallas Cowboys and also throwing in an additional 3rd round pick. The 49ers looked to fill the void at Safety left by Dashon Goldson when he left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Free Agency. That void was filled by selecting hard hitting Eric Reid out of LSU.

The Minnesota Vikings were able to Draft three players between the 23rd and the 29th picks. The Vikings selected Shariff Floyd Defensive Tackle from Florida selected 23rd, Xavier Rhodes Cornerback from Florida State selected 25 (pick received in the Percy Harvin Trade with Seattle Seahawks), and with the 29th pick from the New England Patriots they selected Cordarrelle Patterson Wide Receiver from Tennessee.

The 1st Round of the 2013 NFL Draft didn’t have the high profile names or the marketability of recent Drafts but it did give teams plenty of opportunities to fill needs both on the Offensive and Defensive Lines. Many teams ditched the best player available motto and went after players of need. With plenty of specialty players available in the 2nd Round of the 2013 Draft there could be almost just as much excitement on day Two and there was in round One.

At this point, the only real means to find a suitable player will be to draft one with their first 3 picks. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of players I think would be good fits for Seattle’s defensive scheme.

Round 2

Nov 17, 2012; Madison, WI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins (52) during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 21-14 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Johnathan Hankins – One of my favorite DTs in this draft class. I doubt Hankins makes it out of the 30′s, so there’s little chance that he’s there at 56 for the Seahawks. I put him on this list because he dropped to me in a recent mock draft. It seems that some teams are looking past Hankins for reasons I don’t understand. Hankins has great explosiveness and strength. He could play at 1, 3, and 5 techniques spots in Seattle’s defense.

Kewann Short – Short is a player who I’ve like for the Seahawks for some time now. Like Hankins, I doubt he’s there for Seattle, but If he falls he’d be too good to pass up. Short is a perfect 3-tech DT for the Seahawks. He’s a great run defender who anchors well, even against double teams. He’s strong enough to push the guard back into the pocket to disrupt the QB and collapse the pocket.

Jesse Williams – Williams is the 2nd round DT most likely to drop to the Seahawks. He’s a 1 dimensional run defender in the mold of Red Bryant. He is tremendously strong, and is impossible to move, even with a double team. As with Alan Branch last year, Williams would have to come off the field in passing situations. Williams could play the 3-tech in 2013, but would also offer a low cost alternative to Brandon Mebane in 2014 and beyond if the team ends up needing the extra cap space to re-sign their young stars.

Round 3

Akeem Spence - Spense is very similar to Short, but without the ability to get to the QB with regularity. Spence is strictly a run defender, and would offer a direct replacement to Alan Branch in the rotation. Spence has the ability to develop into a more complete player than he is right now, but I don’t expect he’ll ever be able to consistently provide inside pressure. I expect him to be a great run defender, and nothing more.

Round 4

Montori Hughes – A small school player with high upside. Explosive first step should allow him to be disruptive in the backfield. Strong enough to anchor against the run in both 1 gap and 2 gap schemes. Needs to improve technique, he relies too much on his physical talents at this point, which wont work at the next level.

Jordan Hill – Hill is the opposite of Akeem Spence. He uses his explosive first step to knife into the gap. Can be disruptive and is good at getting to the QB. Lacks the strength to anchor against the run, and was driven backwards by the best OG he played against in college. Lacks the athletic measurables to suggest he’ll ever improve as a run defender.

Dec 23, 2012, Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider looks at the Seahawks bench in between during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Given the Seahawks lofty status of playoff team and being ranked as the 2013 preseason NFL’s best team, it’s  easy to forget where this team stood last year at this time, a week before the draft.  Here we are in mid April again, wondering who the Seahawks may draft starting with the second round after having traded their first round pick to Minnesota for Percy Harvin.  The Seahawks are widely said to have “won” free agency after having gone blow for blow with the San Francisco 49ers in signing big name players.  And the likely answer to the question; “who will the team pick in the second round”?, is a resounding – “Who cares?  Let’s PLAY”!

The team has already improved itself so much that any player they pick up in the draft will be the sprinkles on the frosting of the cake.  In one year the team has gone from just recently having achieved the “respectable” moniker, to “Super Bowl favorite”, and that’s BEFORE the 2013 draft even takes place!  There is really some question as to whether any draft picks will even make the team.  While the draft may seem a bit anti-climactic after the free agency blitz the team just put on, just remember it was exactly a year ago we were almost positive Matt Flynn would be the Hawk’s starting quarterback in 2012.  In other words, with John Schneider and Pete Carroll calling the shots, expect the unexpected.  Expect a player or three who can not only make this team, but who can make this team better.

Just for fun, let’s review a few stories Seahawks fans were reading and hearing about their team exactly one year ago.

- Fans of the Seahawks were being told by football writers that;

- We should take heart in the fact that although the Seahawks started 2011 with a 2-6 record, they finished well with a 5-3 record and matched their 2010 mark of 7-9.

- The Seahawks of 2011 were competitive in all but one of their losses.

- The Seahawks had released their big 2011 free agency catch Robert Gallery.

- Excitement for the “two tight end set” grew with the signing of tight end Kellen Winslow from Tampa Bay.

- The team had released and re-signed Marcus Trufant.

-  The team was happy to have locked up Marshawn Lynch for the next 4 years and Red Bryant for 5 years.

- Breno Giacomini had done such a good job filling in at right tackle for the injured first rounder James Carpenter, he was re-signed and talk began of moving Carpenter to the guard position.

- The names Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Brandon Browner, and Earl Thomas were not yet “household names”, much less the “best secondary in football”.

- Matt Flynn was the “crown jewel” of the Seahawks free agent class.  His position with the team would require him to beat out Tavaris Jackson and whatever rookie quarterback the team may pick up in the 2012 draft.  Consensus was the QB job was Flynn’s to lose.  Nobody, except for a few die hard college football junkies or Wisconsin fans had ever heard of Russell Wilson…

Seahawks fans should understand it’s OK be excited about the 2013 draft, even without a first round pick.  Last year the team picked up a franchise quarterback, a starting linebacker, an excellent backup running back, and a starting offensive lineman converted from defense…all AFTER the first round.

Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduces linebacker Melvin Ingram (South Carolina) as the 18th overall pick by the San Diego Chargers in the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

It’s one of the great sights of the NFL draft each year: A players name is called. They put on the cap of the team that just drafted them. They walk out on stage, and give the commissioner a awkward hug for reasons we don’t really know.

Then there are the even more awkward TV moments when they keep showing the guys who haven’t been drafted, even as name after name of players not in attendance are being called. This is what happened to Aaron Rogers, who was the last one in the green room for a couple of hours before the Packers finally ended his misery.

The NFL has released the names of the players who will attend the draft.

There are some interesting decisions made here. There are 4 players on this list that I honestly don’t believe will be selected in the 1st round: Eddie Lacy, EJ Manuel, Eric Reid, Menelik Watson. All four could be, but not are by any means a lock to avoid day 2 of the draft.

Despite that, I’ve put together a list of draft prospects that should be available in the 7th round, or very late in the 6th, that I think have “sleeper” potential for the Seahawks.

I have no idea if any of these players are one the Seahawk’s radar, but each makes sense in some way for this team. All of them are good scheme fits, and all offer significant upside in a way that I think will interest Schneider and Pete Carroll.

Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad offensive lineman Garrett Gilkey of Chadron State (65) against the Senior Bowl north squad during the second half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The South squad defeated the North squad 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Garrett Gilkey – OT, Chadron State

Gilkey is a versatile lineman who can play both RT and guard. He answered some questions about “level of competition” concerns at the senior bowl. Can play inside in year 1 if needed, but is still a developmental project at RT, but shows promise that he could develop into a very good player.

Mychal Rivera – TE, Tennessee

Rivera lack ideal size, and doesn’t have the frame to add more weight. Because of this, he’ll never be a decent blocker. What he does well though is get separation in the passing game. He’s a smooth athlete who can make people miss, and is known for making acrobatic catches. He also has a famous sister, who I’ve been told in on the show Glee.

Travis Long – DE, Washington State

Long is thought of as a 3-4 OLB mostly, but has the fame to add 10 lbs and play the Leo DE in Seattle’s scheme. Long has been one of the nation’s most productive pass rushers over the last 4 years, even though he lacks ideal athleticism. He has great instincts, an unstoppable motor, and a large array of well developed pass rush moves.

Brandon Kauffman – WR, Eastern Washington

Kauffman has great size (6-5, 216) to go along with great hands. What he lacks is ideal speed. He’ll never be a deep threat, but he should be able to get open because of his surprising quickness for someone his size. He’s also very good at using his body to keep defenders away from the football so he can make the catch. He’ll remind many Seahawks fans of Big Mike Williams.

Vernon Kearney – CB, Lane

Kearney is the type of big (6-2, 179) physical corner that the Seahawks love. It’s a huge jump from the Lane to the NFL, but Kearney showed at the Raycom all-star game that he’s up to the challenge. He just needs time to make the adjustment, and with the Seahawks he’d have all the time he needs.

August 27, 2011; Englewood, CO, USA; Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider walks along the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Aside from filling one of the teams biggest offseason needs, the Harvin trade also likely drastically changes the draft strategy for the Seahawks. Before the trade, I thought that the Seahawks were likely to break from their convention and actually trade up in this draft. The team had few needs, and more than enough early and mid-round picks to fill them.

Plus, they had 12 total picks, and there was simply no way 12 rookies were going to make this roster. No matter how out of character it might be, the team needed to use some of that draft capital to make sure they got the “right” guys. Failing to do so is simply a waste of valuable assets.

The Harvin trade definitely changes things. Even though the Seahawks don’t pick until #56, I can no longer see them moving up to get a particular player.

There’s two reasons for the change. Obviously, not having a 1st round pick is a big deal. The team now must now try and find key players with later picks, and high volume drafting is usually the best way to assure that this is possible.

The 2nd reason is simply the lack of “good” picks. Yes, the Seahawks do still have 10 draft picks, but they also have the the least amount of draft capital of any team in the NFL. Let me explain that. Remember that draft pick value chart? well if you add up the value of all the picks that each team has, the Seahawks come in at #32.

That’s because that Seattle now only has 2 picks in the top 100. Most of their picks are in rounds 5, 6 and 7. Those picks aren’t worth much unfortunately.

Those picks also tend to be high risk, high reward, picks under John Schneider. Many have worked out (Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, even JR Sweezy so far), while others haven’t faired as well (Jameson Konz, Pep Levingston, and Mark Legree). That is simply the nature of late round picks.

Before the trade, the Seahawks had the luxury of skipping the majority of this high-risk game for a year. The had the ability to move around in top half of the draft and get players they knew were going to be impact players; removing the risk, but keeping the reward.

Now, that’s no longer possible. The Seahawks about back to trying to play the late round checkers again, and to make that work, you simply have to have a lot of picks.

Luckily for the Seahawks, John Schneider is pretty darn good at playing this particular game.