Seahawks fans should watch these five players in Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl is extremely important prior to the 2021 NFL draft. There is no combine this offseason. So who the Seahawks choose is going to be based a lot on what they see in Saturday’s game and what leads up to it. How a player interviews and how a player stands out against peers from different conferences or college football divisions is extremely important.

Seahawks fans need to watch these five players

Who should 12s watch for in Saturday’s game? Maybe these five guys that Seattle could draft.

Center Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma

What? Watch a center? That’s silly. Except that the Seahawks might need a center in 2021 as Ethan Pocic is a free agent and Humphrey would be even less expensive than Pocic. And long-term? Humphrey should be better than Pocic and Humphrey and Damien Lewis would form a very good inner-right of the line for the next eight seasons in Seattle. Plus, Humphrey has a high IQ (Pete Carroll will love that at center) and wrestling experience. If that doesn’t scream Seahawks center I don’t know what does.

Edge rusher Elerson Smith, Northern Iowa

There being no NFL combine this year might hurt Elerson Smith but help the Seahawks as Smith could be around in the second round when Seattle is ready to make their choice. Smith a freakish beast ready to be set on small NFL quarterbacks. He wasn’t able to play in 2020 as the FCS canceled the season but Elerson did lead the division with 14 sacks in 2019. His playing at a smaller school might hurt where he gets drafted, though. The 6’7″ and 250 pound Elerson could be a force in the NFL, though, with his length and athleticism.

Quarterback Feleipe Franks, Arkansas

Feleipe Franks is a big quarterback at 6’6″ and 230 pounds. Seattle at some point probably needs to look at taking a quarterback a little higher in the NFL draft not to replace Russell Wilson but to simply have a long-term younger backup who can be groomed in the Seattle system and be mentored by Wilson. Franks has a big arm and has the potential to be a decent NFL quarterback.

After transferring from Florida to Arkansas for his senior season, Franks completed 68 percent of his passes with just 4 interceptions and 17 touchdowns. Franks did have 105 rushes as well but for just a bit over 200 yards so he probably isn’t going to run like Wilson ever. Franks should be around in round 2 and might be even in round 4.

Running back Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech

The Seahawks like running backs that can run towards the middle, make one-cut and try to pick up chunk yards. This is exactly the style of back that Khalil Herbert is. He also has decent size and great strength. Like Franks, Herbert transferred for his senior year after starting at Kansas and for Virginia Tech rushed for 1,283 yards with an average carry of 7.6 yards. He does need to work on pass blocking and catching the ball, though.

Receiver Cade Johnson, South Dakota State

Cade Johnson is the kind of player that would fit in nicely in the Rams offensive system and now that Seattle has hired Shane Waldron to be its new offensive coordinator, Johnson will likely fit in with Seattle as well. Johnson is small at 5’10” and 190 pounds but he is quick. Waldron would find good uses for him. Plus, Jonhson is an excellent kick returner and Seattle might need one of those in 2021 as they don’t seem settled on any one person currently.