Seahawks Roundtable: Exciting draft picks
By Keith Myers
Lior Habinsky
The draft pick I am most excited to see this upcoming year would be CJ Prosise. His speed and abilities as a 3rd down back is what intrigues me the most. While Fred Jackson was a reliable fill-in for Lynch and Rawls last year, he provided very little ability to run the ball when called upon, recording a 3.8YPC average for 2015. With elite speed, Prosise should be able both rush and receive admirably when called upon. His ability to do both is something that might elevate him to first-string RB if something ever happens to Thomas Rawls.
Given that Prosise only recently changed positions to RB in his last few years at Notre Dame, he might have a difficult time adjusting to the speed of NFL defenders. Luckily, the Seahawk’s zone blocking scheme is relatively easy to pick up for new RBs – the hope is that Prosise is able to fill in and contribute immediately on 3rd down. His versatility in both rushing and receiving is something I hope will challenge the defense more last year – something I don’t think Jackson was able to do on the ground.
Additionally, his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is something I think will positively impact Russell Wilson’s development. The ability to throw to the RB in this offensive system will only continue to grow with the inclusion of CJ Prosise.
Nick Drage
I’m most excited to see C.J. Prosise. The “third down back” is such an important position, if the offense is confident it can convert third downs it can take bigger risks on first and second; and if he’s as good as he’s looked on highlights reels then Prosise will be a great fit here. While the Seahawks have had perfectly good options in Robert Turbin and Fred Jackson before Prosise could add more.
That said, I want to see if he can pass block. Of course that isn’t an activity that makes a lot of highlight films, but from I have seen he didn’t look great. As he’ll be in on obvious passing downs I’m excited to see if this is something he can contribute, or whether the Seahawks, with their numerous Tight Ends, will be looking to use an H-Back frequently instead.
I’m a Thomas Rawls fan, and before the draft I expected him to be a lock as the main Seahawks running back; but with the number and quality of running backs drafted, and the current absence of fullbacks on the roster, I’m most excited to see how the running backs are used; if Prosise features heavily in the standard rotation then the Seahawks have a genuine receiving threat in the backfield, that gives the defense more to think about, and spreads the field, which opens up more possibilities for all receivers.
Keith Myers
I’m excited to see almost all of them, but that doesn’t really answer the “most excited for” question. The one draft pick I cannot wait to watch is RB Alex Collins.
The Seahawks drafted Collins in the 5th round, but his talent is much greater than his low draft position would suggest. His feet are so quick, and he has a suddenness to his movements that is extremely rare.
Collins doesn’t have great speed, so it isn’t like he is the second coming of Barry Sanders. I still think he’s going to be a special player, even if he doesn’t generate a lot of runs over 20 yards. I simply don’t care.
Next: Will Jimmy Graham be ready for Week 1?
More than any other back on the roster (yes, even Rawls), Collins has the ability to make something out of nothing. Given the current state of Seattle’s offensive line, that is an incredibly useful skill, and one that I cannot wait to see in action.