2014 NFL Draft: Playing the Role of Pete Carroll and John Schneider
By Josh Davis
Sep 28, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers offensive tackle Morgan Moses (78) during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh defeated Virginia 14-3. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
When I went onto Paul Beyer’s podcast at 12for12s.com to talk about my recent article on ‘sleeper’ receivers for the Seahawks to consider in the 2014 NFL Draft, I was not ready to actually play GM. So when Paul asked me to play it, I delivered some incredible, marshmallow-filled wisdom that nobody knew what the Hawks could possibly be thinking because they are one of the most secretive franchises in the league.
Sure, I threw out some names and gave a general analysis of who all was on the table, but I didn’t really answer the question. I suppose I didn’t immediately realize Paul didn’t want the “what are the Seahawks going to do” bit, he wanted my thoughts on what the Seahawks should actually do with their first round pick and when they should go after the receiver they so desperately need. For the record I realized this about five minutes after the fact.
I’m back to rectify the situation. Instead of telling you who I think the Hawks should take though, I will give you the top 5 that I personally want and give a brief analysis of where I think our Seahawks should address the couple glaring positions of need at offensive line and wide receiver. Let’s assume that the Seahawks do not sign Sidney Rice before the draft and therefore will still be looking for that big No. 1 receiver.
Now, clearly there is a short list of players that, if they slip through the cracks will be impossible to pass on, regardless of their position (except at quarterback and in the defensive backfield, where the Hawks are more than loaded up. For example I’ve seen a mock with Pitt’s DT Aaron Donald falling all the way to 32, in which case there is almost no choice but to take him. But we can’t expect those players to be around by the Seahawks’ pick, so I’m hoping that any of these five will be. In order from the realistically available guys I most want to the guys I definitely won’t mind falling to us.
PICKS
- WR Brandin Cooks
- WR Kelvin Benjamin
- OG Xavier Su’a-Filo
- T Morgan Moses
- OG David Yankey
As you can see, if the special talents of either Cooks or Benjamin are available I say they are special enough talents that they are impassable. This would also be the case for Marqise Lee, who’s stock has somehow dropped, but again I don’t think he even has a legitimate chance to make it to this deep in the first round. For me, the best case scenario is for the Hawks to draft either receiver and give Russell Wilson a full offense on day 1 of the draft.
Obviously, if neither receiver is available, the Seahawks have to go with offensive line. It’s almost guaranteed that at least one of these three makes it and all would become instant starters or key role players with plenty of snaps accrued to be worth the pick. If we don’t get an OL here in round one because we’re filling out the receiving corps, I think we’ll be ok because I feel that Michael Bowie can hold down the right tackle position well enough as a starter.
He doesn’t represent the talent that my list above presents, but he’s not far enough behind to pass up special players that are going to be definite difference makers in this offense. With the defenses in the NFC West, the Seahawks must have another weapon or two and , simple as that.
Still, as I put out there in my best and worst mock draft fits for Seattle a couple weeks ago, I envision Morgan Moses being the most likely scenario available, which would be just peachy with me. Moses might be the biggest dude in the draft and could only be good for creating space for Marshawn and the RB’s.
If we’re talking offensive line though, I really want Su’a-Filo badly. He would give us the flexibility to start him at any necessary position in case of injury, which makes him a 2-for-1 or even a 3-for-1 player. Of course you still probably get another lineman, but you practically fulfill the need to replace both McQuistan and Giacomini with Su’a-Filo, which is just fabulous value.
SCENARIOS
If we pick up Benjamin or Cooks in the first round, I think the Seahawks really must address the OL in the second. Mississippi State’s guard Gabe Jackson or Ohio State’s tackle Jack Mewhort would be serviceable. Both played with mobile quarterbacks and bring some nastiness to the table. Then the Seahawks can either address the defensive end in round four or if WR Dri Archer or Paul Richardson are available still, taking either of them would give the Seahawks one of the most explosive six-deep receiving core’s in the league.
On the other hand, should we not be able to get that first round WR and we end up going OL, the second round becomes another ‘who’s best’ for the team. There are a couple DE-types that would make the defense better at 64 if they make it down, guys such as Stanford’s Trent Murphy, Utah’s Trevor Riley or UNC’s Kareem Martin. Then again, the second tier of WR’s is pretty good. Fresno State’s Davante Adams, Vandy’s Jordan Matthews, Ole Miss’ Donte Moncrief and the aforementioned Richardson represent explosive athletes of which one is sure to be available and all could be No. 1’s.
If the Hawks have to go beyond that for WR, my sleepers come back into play. Plenty of supurb options for Seattle to consider, but it all hinges on that first round pick.