Option Quarterback: Best Options for Seahawks at QB in This Year’s Draft Class

Mobile quarterbacks are available in later rounds, or as free agents, in this year’s draft class

After Seahawks backup quarterback Trevone Boykin was arrested for a second time in two weeks on Thursday, one could question whether Seattle should take a quarterback in this year’s draft.

Seattle’s current number of only seven draft picks does not lend Seattle to taking risks with any choice. The Seahawks, though, may be asking themselves what the bigger risk is: Boykin’s unsteady recent past and possibilities in the future or another young quarterback? Boykin’s Thursday arrest was not due to a new incident but occurred because of his late March arrest for public intoxication and drug possession.

Boykin was already on probation. Texas officials decided to file a motion on Monday to revoke for one year Boykin’s probation. The Seahawks showed a willingness to bring back Boykin even after March’s arrest. Most likely, Boykin’s Thursday arrest will not change the way Seattle views him. Boykin could face a year of jail, however. If so, what options might Seattle have in this year’s draft class? Here are a few of the best that would be available in later rounds or beyond and still fit the Seahawks’ system.

Joshua Dobbs, University of Tennessee

For those who do not know much about Dobbs, he sounds like Russell Wilson. Both Wilson and Dobbs are succinct in the way they speak and are always team-first. Dobbs is bigger than Wilson – Dobbs is 6’3” – and has extreme mobility. One of Dobbs’ Tennessee teammates once compared tackling Dobbs to attempting to take down a “wet noodle.”

While Dobbs has good, but not great, arm strength, he does struggle with accuracy. Dobbs also would need time to season before becoming an every-down quarterback. He does have intelligence and physical skill, though, so potential is there. Plus, Dobbs is not expected to go until rounds four through six. If Dobbs falls to round six, Seattle could easily snap him up.

Trevor Knight, University of Texas A&M

Knight is not expected to be drafted until at least round six. If he falls completely out of the draft the Seahawks could sign him as they did Boykin to a free agent contract. Knight has great athleticism like Dobbs. Knight also struggles with accuracy, though. He played behind a porous offensive line and vertical passing game with the Aggies, so his best skills were not on continuous display.

Other there is the player that is a risk with potentially big upside

Alec Torgersen, University of Pennsylvania

Torgersen might have a decent shot catching on with Seattle whether Boykin remains or not. Likely not drafted at all due to be little-noticed at a small school, he did impress at the East-West Shrine Bowl against bigger conference competition. Torgersen is not too big – he is 6’2” – but is accurate and has surprising mobility. The Seahawks could conceivably sign him to the practice squad where he will get some snaps. If Boykin cannot play, Torgersen at least would be a viable, but raw, option.