NFL Draft Commentary

We’re barely through three weeks in February and I’m already getting anxious for the draft this April. Even more so than last season, the Seahawks will have an opportunity to draft at least a couple franchise-type players. I’m curious to see what will happen, excited for the future of Seahawks football, and optimistic the front office will make the right decisions.

Between now and April, the NFL Draft talk will only increase exponentially; several sites have already put together mock drafts, analyses, and several other draft-related reports.

Some of the more interesting NFL Draft commentary can be found over at Arrowhead Addict – a Kansas City Chiefs blog. Andrew Crocker, co-lead blogger, has put together a series that reveals what different bloggers think their favorite teams will do on draft day.

Crocker gave me the opportunity to offer my opinion about Seattle’s plans this April:

"After winning only nine games the past two seasons, the Seattle Seahawks are obviously talent-deprived at several positions on both sides of the football. Fortunately, they hold three selections in the top forty this April; obtaining three starting difference makers shouldn’t be out of the question.On offense, the Seahawks desperately need a playmaker. They don’t have a “homerun threat” or anyone who will scare opposing defenses; C.J. Spiller from Clemson seems like a good fit if he is available at fourteenth overall.The Seahawks also need help on the offensive line. Walter Jones’ return is questionable, and even then, he’s getting old and recovering from major knee surgery. The rest of the line isn’t very durable and hasn’t impressed anyone. The Seahawks will probably look at adding talent here at some point in the draft, especially if one of the top-tier offensive tackles is available at sixth overall.On defense, Seattle needs to add talent and depth to a defensive line that underachieved and was anything but disruptive last season. Patrick Kerney’s best days are behind him, Darryl Tapp could be on his way out, and Lawrence Jackson hasn’t impressed since he was selected in the first round a few years ago. The Seahawks need someone up front who can get after the passer and still need a big body in the middle. A defensive end is a possibility at six, and if Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy drop out of the top five it will be a Godsend.Despite having so many needs across the board, I’ve got a feeling the Seahawks will still target value with early selections. Their draft day will obviously be dictated by what happens in front of them; the Seahawks would prefer to obtain players at six and fourteen who add both value and fill a need, but it depends who is on the board. Based on current draft projections on what the top five will look like, I think the Seahawks will look at an offensive tackle at six (Anthony Davis, Russell Okung, Bryan Bulaga), then add a playmaker like C.J. Spiller at fourteen."

The series will continue to feature additional teams from around the league – a must-read if you’re looking for team-specific perspectives rather than national opinion.