Seahawks Post Draft - More Undrafted Free Agents to Watch: Defensive Linemen

by Danny Kelly on May 5, 2011 8:53 AM PDT

We all know by now that the Hawks' defensive line was largely ignored in the 2011 NFL Draft and will need to be addressed through free agency and trades. The first option is of course to sign undrafted free agents so I wanted to take a look at a few guys that could fit in Seattle.

I've included a short synopsis of skills/knocks based on what I see and take from multiple scouting reports on each player from outlets like the NFL Combine Page, CBSSports, FFtoolbox, Sideline Scouting, and more.

Defensive Tackles:

DT Martin Parker, Richmond

Probably the best 3-tech still available after the draft ended, Parker is a small school guy that flew under the radar until he won the game MVP in the East-West Shrine game in front of pretty much every NFL scout in the nation. He was thought of as a little undersized but weighed in there at 6'2, 303. His senior year at Richmond he put up ridiculous numbers - 96 tackles, 13.5 for a loss, and 5.5 sacks. He's a high-effort guy with quick feet and active, violent hands and gets into the pocket well to disrupt the QB. He's a bit of a project, but has some upside that mightbe worth a roster spot.

DT Ollie Ogbu, Penn State

Another interesting 3-tech prospect that was overlooked in the draft. Ogbu has a good first step and plays with good leverage to get into the pocket and disrupt the QB. He's a bit undersized at 6'0 298 but makes up for it with a good motor and decent repertoire of moves, including a decent swim move. According to scouting reports, his best fit would be as a one-gap 3-technique like the Seahawks' defense utilizes so he could come in as depth there. Sideline Scouting interestingly compared him to Jay Alford (when healthy I assume), who is now a Seahawk.

DT Cedric Thornton, Southern Arkansas

Thornton is an intriguing prospect for the Hawks because he has the versatility to play either the 3-tech as an interior rushing tackle or a 5-tech defensive end. He's 6'3, 310 and has decent athleticism. He's quick off the snap and can get penetration into the backfield. He plays with a mean streak and impressive intensity but is inconsistent. He can hold the edge well and has good range and had 13 tackles behind the line in 2010. The Hawks could be interested in him due to his ability to play multiple positions on the line.

DT Anthony Gray, Southern Mississippi

Gray is 5'11 330 and could provide some depth at the 1-tech spot. He's very aggressive off the snap and has pretty decent numbers, as he racked up 17.5 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and one pass broken up in his career at Southern Miss. If he can be coached up on his discipline he could be a factor on the d-line for the Hawks.

Defensive End

DE Brandon Bair, Oregon

Brandon Bair is a high energy defensive end that could be a low cost option as depth at the LEO spot and he could play the 5-tech as well. He's 6'6 275 and uses his long arms to use for leverage and to disengage blocks. He uses a variety of moves well to get to the QB and is a high-effort, high motor player. He has good instincts and bats down a lot of balls at the line of scrimmage. Could even play a little DT in passing situations so his versatility could prove helpful to him landing a job. He'd be a 26 year old rookie if signed as he spend 2 years on a LDS mission.

DE Ugo Chinasa, Oklahoma State

Chinasa is a guy that I could see the Hawks looking at as a possible LEO end. He's very fast off the edge and gets good leverage on his way to the QB. He's played DE from a standup position at Oklahoma State so he knows that role well. In his final two seasons there he registered 10.5 sacks and when he's playing at full speed he's got all the weapons you'd want from that position. His main knock is his effort though, so a team that believes they can light a fire under his ass will pick him up. The Hawks could work with their "always compete" mantra.

DE John Graves, Virginia Tech

Graves is another guy that I could see as depth at the 5-tech position and reminds me a bit of Pep Levingston in that a lot of scouting reports on him point out that he'd need to be used in a specific scheme (3-4 DE or Pete Carroll's 5-tech Red Bryant spot) but could be effective if so. He's a good athlete that can get off blocks well, is a hard worker and team leader.

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Comments

I was a bit surprised

that Parker wasn’t drafted. I would really like to seem him in camp at the VMAC.

by Frostbite43 on May 5, 2011 9:32 AM PDT reply actions

As a potential backup to Red Bryant at the valuable 5-tech DE (or "Bryant") position

I nominate Corbin Bryant.

by busplunger on May 5, 2011 10:12 AM PDT reply actions

From the sounds of it, and the fact that only a 7th was used on a d-lineman

Carroll and Schneider are going to bring in a lot them

by B.B.Finnegan on May 5, 2011 10:32 AM PDT reply actions

I like Martin Parker

The Seahawks desperately need more interior pass rush and he seems to have some potential there.

I’d also like to see the Hawks take a look at Ian Williams from Notre Dame and Chris Neild from West Virginia as depth at 1T. I’m not a big fan of Colin Cole and it makes a lot of sense to me to re-sign Mebane, play him at 1T and get somebody cheaper than Cole for depth.

by creid on May 5, 2011 10:44 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah, I like Ian Williams as 1T too - good call.

by Danny Kelly on May 5, 2011 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions

I second all of those

I liked Parker and Thornton about as well as Guy, taken all in all, and Williams would be a great fit if we had the wit to dump Cole.

by The Ancient Mariner on May 5, 2011 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Why does no one like Colin Cole?

You could see the difference in the defense last year when he was injured. I’m not sure why he doesn’t get any love.

by Billy Showbiz on May 5, 2011 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions

He's a great run stuffer.

But literally zero pass rush.

Recently engaged! Best. Off-season. Ever.

by Cheddar28 on May 5, 2011 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions

And he's way overpaid.

by The Ancient Mariner on May 6, 2011 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know if I'd call him a "run stuffer"...

more of a “run limiter”, if that makes any sense. He’s kind of a weird, but not completely ineffective 1T. I don’t hate the guy, but I do think that Mebane is best at 1T and Cole would be a pricy backup. If they could find cheap depth at 1T and spend that money on a 3T (Cullen Jenkins?) I’d be all for it.

by creid on May 6, 2011 6:08 AM PDT reply actions

UDFA potential players....

Cedric Thornton, DT, 6-3, 309, So. Arkansas, In 2009 – led nation w/23-tackles for loss incl. 8.5-sacks. He also forced 2 fumbles, blocked 2 kicks and had 2 QB hurries. He appears to have all the tools to contribute in a d-line rotation. Forcast: Round 5-6 pick..

Eugene Clifford, SS, 6-1, 198, 4.56/40, Tenn. St., In his senior season he finished with 83 tackles, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 14 pass deflections in 11 games (that ranked him 10th nationally in passes defended at 1.27/game). In his three seasons at Tennessee State, Clifford totaled 204 tackles, nine interceptions, 26 passes defended, 35 pass breakups, four fumbles recovered and three forced fumbles. Forcast: Late round pick/FA

David Mims, ORT/OG, 6-8, 348, Virginia Union; A massive right offensive tackle prospect who possesses a long, good-looking frame. Carries his weight well, isn’t fat by any stretch. Showcases impressive power at the point of attack in the run game and can absolutely dominate defenders at his level of competition. Dripping with upside. Is going to take some time, but is an ideal later-round developmental guy who could really catch fire with some time. Forcast: late round pick/FA.

Via Taua, RB, 5-10, 222, Nevada, Three-year starter – An impressive prospect who combines power and quick feet. Runs low and finishes hard. Excellent vision to read blocks and pick the right hole, and can break the long run. Good acceleration and change of direction. Secures the ball extremely well, breaks some tackles and gets extra yards with defenders in tow. Career average over 6.0 yards per carry. Decent receiver out of the backfield. Gives effort as blocker. Extremely durable and productive back who projects well to the next level as a full feature back. Tough & hard working. Taua had nine 100-yard games in 2010 & has 26 in his career. All-WAC First Team, with 284 rushes for 1623 yards & 19 TD’s. 5th on the team with 18 receptions for 226 yards, 12.6 YPC, 3 TDs. Forcast: late round pick/FA.

Kris Adams, WR, 6-3, 195, UTEP, 4.48/40 – In 2010 had 47 receptions for 1050 yds.(20.8 ypc), A vertical route runner who does a nice job using some shiftiness off the line in order to slip the press and when he’s able to release to the outside he can cleanly slip the bump, drop his pad level to shrug off contact and get into his route. A long strider in every sense of the word. Forcast: late round pick/FA
.
Chris Matthews, WR, 6-5, 220, Kentucky; 61 receptions for 925 yds. & 9-TD’s in 2010. A strider who takes a bit to get into his routes and will need some time to mature vs. press man in the NFL. However, he builds speed as he goes and knows how to use his big frame in order to go up and make plays on the football at its highest point. Plus, he’s a pretty coordinated kid for his size. Exhibits some natural body control and change of direction skills as a route runner and does a nice job finding soft spots in zone and using his big frame to shield defenders from the ball. There is also some physicality to his game after the catch. A project WR with upside. Forcast: late round pick/FA.

James Cleveland, WR, 6-2, 205, Houston – 104/1214/14td’s – 2009, 57/800/6td’s in 2010, good hands/routes, displays strong hands and does a nice job snatching the football away from his frame when contested. Has a savvy about his game when working the short crosser, has a good feel avoiding defenders and settling down to soft spots underneath. Forcast: late round pick/FA.

Byron Bell, OLT/ORT?, 6-5, 348, New Mexico; Recorded over 100 knockdown blocks in his senior season. He graded out above 90 percent for the year and showed why he is one of the best left tackles in the country. Bell finished the year with 10 or more knockdowns in six games. Forcast: late round pick/FA.

LESTER JEAN, WR, 6-3, 211, 4.49/40, 64/988/15.4 YPC Good hands/route runner.

RICARDO LOCKETTE, WR, 6-2, 197, 4.27-4.36/40, Fort Valley State – National 200-meter champ in track, Can’t coach speed!

Jim Q.

by CamanoIslandJQ on May 7, 2011 12:39 PM PDT reply actions