FanPost

Seahawks Draft Preview - An Outsider's View

If you've seen my other posts, I write for a few sports blogs and am a Jaguars fan who loves covering the Seahawks. I decided to kick off our team-by-team draft previews with Seattle. Let me know what you think.

http://3minutedrill.com/2014/04/14/nfl-draft-preview-2014-seattle-seahawks/

What better way for us to kick off our team by team draft previews than to start with the Super Bowl champs? The Seahawks are probably the deepest team in the NFL but no team is flawless so they still have needs they will have to address in the draft.

Needs:

Wide Receiver

The Seahawks lost their leading WR from 2014 in Golden Tate and will likely let the oft-injured Sidney Rice walk via free agency (or possibly not, come to find out there is little to no market for him). The Seahawks will undoubtedly address WR in this year’s draft. Doug Baldwin, the team’s second leading WR from 2014 is not a #1 receiver. This leads me to believe the Seahawks will address the position in the first 2 rounds.

Potential Targets:

1. Brandin Cooks - WR - Oregon State

Right now I have the Seahawks projected to take Brandin Cooks out of Oregon State. He is a speedy WR with breakaway acceleration and would be the perfect replacement for Golden Tate. If the Seahawks want him they will likely have to take him in the first round which would not be too much of a reach.

2. Allen Robinson – WR – Penn State

Robinson is more of a physical WR than Cooks at 6’3″ 220. He does not have the speed Cooks has but he still has excellent size and acceleration. He does not provide the vertical threat that Cooks does but would be a reliable option for Russell Wilson.

3. Benjamin’s stock has been dropping in the last few weeks. He elected not to run at Pro Day but rather to have teams focus on his game tape. Benjamin is huge at 6’5″ 240 but lacks polish in almost every aspect of receiving. He drops too many passes and his speed is a concern. He still has enough upside to be a borderline late first round or early second round pick so it will depend who is on the board for the Seahawks at 32.

Defensive Line

A key loss for the Seahawks in free agency was five-technique lineman Red Bryant to Jacksonville. A five-technique lineman lines up on the offensive tackle’s outside shoulder and is generally a big, physical run stuffer rather than an athletic pass rusher.

Potential Targets:

1. Stephen Tuitt – DL – Notre Dame

Tuitt was an excellent five-technique lineman when Notre Dame lined up in the 3-4 defense. He would plug right into Seattle’s hybrid 3-4 with his punishing 320 lbs frame. He would, however probably have to be taken in the first round.

2. Taylor Hart – DE – Oregon

At 281 lbs. Hart is was a specialized run-stopper in college. He lacks speed but he could be a late round steal, possibly in the 4th or 5th for the Seahawks to plug in on the line. He would at least provide depth.

3. Deandre Coleman – DT – Cal

Coleman is a Seattle native and a prototypical five-technique lineman. He is 314 and is also a specialized run-stopper. He does not offer much in terms of athletic ability or pass rush but that is okay for what the Seahawks are going to use him for. If they play their cards right the Seahawks could land Coleman in the 5th round or later.

Offensive Guard

1. Xavier Su’a-Filo – G – UCLA

Right now I have Su’a-Filo projected to go to the Broncos one pick before Seattle in the first round. If he somehow slips to 32 the Seahawks will almost certainly take him. His stock has been on the rise as of late and he is possibly the most talented Guard in the draft. It is likely his stock will keep growing, he is an athletic freak with left tackle ability (which he played at times in college). The rich will get a lot richer is he falls to 32.

2. Brandon Thomas – G – Clemson

Thomas’ stock has dropped due to an ACL injury and could very well be a risk Seattle is willing to take on Day 3. He should be there and the once top 50 projected guard could provide tremendous upside for a Seahawks team that has the luxury to take these kinds of risks right now.

Other Needs: Offensive Tackle, Tight End