The Seahawks Select … Aaron Curry?
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We’re now less than two weeks away from the 2009 NFL Draft, and NFL fans everywhere are becoming more enthusiastic as the countdown continues. This year, as mentioned previously, is extremely significant for Seattle because they’re selecting fourth overall, their highest choice in some time.
As promised, I’ll continue posting draft analysis that will lead up to a mock draft of the first round.
This is what we’ve got so far:
Looking Ahead to the Draft
Looking Back: 2005 Draft
Looking Back: 2006 Draft
Looking Back: 2007 Draft
Looking Back: 2008 Draft
Now it is time to start looking at some prospects individually, and analyzing how they’d fit into Seattle’s draft. Please comment and let me know what you think about the players; other perspectives will definitely shape the impending mock draft. So we’ll get the individual analysis started with Aaron Curry, who is the obvious choice since many consider him to be the best player in this year’s class.
Player: Aaron Curry
School: Wake Forest
Position: Linebacker
Class: Senior
Height: 6-1⅝
Weight: 254
40-Yard: 4.61
Why He Fits: Aaron Curry is considered by many to be the best prospect in this year’s draft. He is an outstanding athlete, capable of contributing right away in the NFL. After Seattle traded away Julian Peterson (and his contract) to the Lions, it makes sense to look at the talented linebacker from Wake Forest as an immediate replacement.
Curry has a rare combination of size and speed, and is ready for success at the next level. Curry contributed every season during his career at Wake Forest; he started 49 games, including 10 starts as a redshirt freshman. He posted 105 tackles (16 for loss), 2.5 sacks, and an interception as a senior.
Curry has a strong build and exerts great power on the field. He plays with great instincts and you’ll rarely find him out of position. An overall unique athlete, Curry is a great tackler and possesses extraordinary strength at the point of attack.
Durability is something Seahawks fans have come to appreciate after last season, and Curry never missed a game due to injury while at Wake Forest. He is extremely smart, and had an outstanding senior season despite opposing offenses focused on neutralizing him. He is hardworking, mature, and possesses an outstanding character (Aaron Curry invites cancer survivor to draft).
Why He Doesn’t: Curry is an elite prospect, and arguably the best linebacker in this year’s class. With that being said, there aren’t many reasons why you wouldn’t want this guy on your team. Aside from a few technical flaws which can be corrected through good coaching, Curry seems like the perfect prospect.
Even though he is a great athlete and will probably be successful in the NFL, the Seahawks may pass because they’ve already got a lot of money tied up in the linebackers. Adding the salary of a top five pick will only add to the financial dilemma. Seattle has to focus on signing Leroy Hill to a long-term deal, and already has Tatupu locked in with a huge contract. There are more cost effective alternatives to a third starting linebacker, and Seattle has needs elsewhere that can be met with their initial pick. Besides, it is unlikely that Curry will even fall past the third pick, so the Seahawks probably won’t face this predicament.
Bottom Line: Curry definitely fits the mold of a Tim Ruskell selection. He is a four-year player who has started several games every season, he comes from a big school in the ACC, he doesn’t seem to have any character flaws, and there is no doubt he’d be the best available player if he slips to Seattle at number four.
After the Peterson trade, it appears as if the Seahawks are becoming more conscious of their financial commitments at particular positions, and would prefer to not lock up a large chunk of their cap space at one spot. If Curry falls past the third pick, however, it will be interesting to see if Seattle is willing to overlook financial commitments and stick to their philosophy of selecting the best player available, regardless of position.