Top 25 Seahawks Under 25: Part Two (#20-16)
Jul 27, 2013; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Spencer Ware (44) fights for extra yards while being wrapped up by Seattle Seahawks strong safety Winston Guy (27) during the 3rd day of training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
The second part in the five part series “Top 25 Seahawks Under 25” deals with players who are unlikely to be starters but could contribute to the 2013 Seahawks in a big way. This time we are looking primarily at 2013 draft picks. In case you missed part one this series is designed to showcase and analyze the wealth of young talent on this team and can be found here. Today’s edition takes us from #20 to #16.
#20: Jesse Williams
Height: 6-3
Weight: 323
Age: 22
40 time: 4.92
Years Pro: R
Career Stats
League |
Games
Games Started
Tackles
Assists
Sacks
Forced Fumbles
Passes Defended
NCAA
25
25
17
44
1.5
0
3
NFL
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Summary: Jesse Williams is a big time talent with big time injury concerns. Some thought on the basis of skill level alone Williams could have been a 1st round pick, but unfortunately his knees are made of paper maché and as a result he winded up going in the 5th round. Williams seems like an excellent gamble for Seattle but he needs to prove he’s healthy to make an impact and that hasn’t happened yet. Despite above average quickness for his size Williams is not much of a pass rusher, but he’s a powerful space eater who could help free up others on the defensive line. He’s a hard player to rank because he has starter potential but his body could betray him at any moment. I’m pulling for him but fellow 1st year defensive tackle Jordan Hill is a safer bet, which is why he appears higher on this list.
#19 Alvin Bailey
Height: 6-3
Weight: 3-2
Age: 22
40 time: 4.90
Years Pro: R
Career Stats
There really aren’t meaningful stats for offensive lineman at the NCAA level, but Bailey was durable starting in 26 of 26 games during his collegiate career.
Summary: This is fairly high on the list to put an undrafted rookie free agent but Bailey isn’t your average undrafted free agent. Most figured Bailey was a mid-round pick and his availability after the draft was fairly mysterious. Big, strong, tough, and not lead-footed, Bailey has the ability to handle guard and tackle. You might not want him as a left tackle but he has experience there and he probably wouldn’t embarrass himself. Versatility is essential for backup offensive lineman and Bailey has it. Great depth player at this stage of his career with potential for growth.
#18: Allen Bradford
Height: 5-11
Weight: 242
Age: 24
40 time: 4.53
Years Pro: 3
Career Stats
Bradford was a running back at USC and has yet to register any defensive stats at the NFL level.
Summary: Bradford has undergone the rare RB to linebacker conversion and there is a lot of positive buzz around him around camp. He is a great athlete and seems to developing into a thumper in the middle. He is no threat to Wagner’s job but he is decent insurance. Bradford is the kind of guy who could come out of the shadows and excel with an injury to Wagner. He is also an example of the creativity of the Carroll-Schneider front office given his unusual position conversion.
#17: Michael Bowie
Height: 6-5
Weight: 330
Age: 21
40 time: 5.28
Years Pro: R
Career Stats
Once again, there isn’t much in the way of stats here.
Summary: Bowie is a mountain of a man with a great deal of potential. He is probably higher risk and higher reward than Alvin Bailey which is why he ends of a couple of places ahead. There are questions regarding his character and he was dismissed from Oklahoma State for violating team rules but the talent is there. There was some buzz earlier in camp about Bowie taking first team reps at RT but I think it’s unlikely he wins that job from Breno Giacomini. I would love to see that given Giacomini’s uninspiring play and bloated contract but it seems unlikely. What Bowie can do is be quality depth at offensive tackle, something the Seahawks need given Okung’s injury history.
#15: Spencer Ware
Height: 5-10
Weight: 229
Age: 21
40 time: 4.62
Years Pro: R
Career Stats
League |
Games
Games Started
Rushes
Yards
Touchdowns
Yards per Attempt
NCAA
36
14
295
1249
10
4.2
NFL
0
0
0
0
0
0
Summary: Another conversion project, Ware is making the move from running back to fullback. Ware has demonstrated competency as a power rusher and as a receiver out of the backfield but what will truly determine his fate is what can’t be seen on in his NCAA stats which is his blocking ability. He has shown off his rushing ability and looked competent so far in the preseason but the incumbent Michael Robinson is a good player. Robinson is the more expensive player though which gives Ware an edge here. Could be playing a big role on this squad as the starting fullback or be off it completely in the next couple of weeks which made him hard to place.
These five players include guys who are high quality insurance for the most part as opposed to established players with defined roles. In the next edition I look at guys who are more firmly entrenched on this squad. Stay tuned.