Someone mentioned that they like mock drafts not for their accuracy but because they present a list of players in a fun, readable format. Eventually I would like to post what I consider realistic mock drafts for the Seahawks. Today I present the exact opposite: A hypothetical mock draft.
The history here is simple: Tim Ruskell never resigns and is instead signed to an extension. Jim Mora gets the axe. Keeping with Ruskell tradition, the team makes no major or disharmonious coaching decisions but instead simply promotes Dan Quinn. We're left with the 2009 coaching staff minus Mora.
Free agency is typically active and Seattle signs Julius Peppers to an eleventy billion dollar contract. Patrick Kerney is dropped with the forced-restructure/pennies-on-the-dollar-trade method employed to move Julian Peterson. I don't know what we get in return. A box of donuts. Peppers is the draw, but he must be complemented with an aging veteran counterpunch that undoes any value Seattle reaps by signing him. LaDainian Tomlinson it is.
6. Eric Berry: Ruskell knows he must rebuild the offense to contend again, but the prospect of drafting a low-risk, ultra-talented safety beguiles him. Pundits applaud Ruskell for drafting the best available talent while excusing concerns that Matt Hasselbeck is washed up.
(Ruskell trades the #14 pick and Seattle's seventh round pick to Philadelphia for the Eagles #24 pick, #70 pick and second pick in the fourth round)
24. Brian Bulaga: Ruskell ignores concerns about overall athleticism and future health and instead selects the tackle that scouts best: Brian Bulaga. Bulaga is everything you expect in a Ruskell pick: good tape, good teammate, major conference, successful program, leader, reasonably scheme correct and a likely faller because sexier picks will eclipse him.
40. Colt McCoy: Seattle finally gets its quarterback of the future when Ruskell selects the winneringest winner in college football history. In the flush of celebration, Tim Tebow rushes to Colt and gives him a bear hug, enveloping the fragile quarterback and creating a fatal rise in blood pressure that McCoy's tiny, wholesome heart can not counter. Seriously though, McCoy is a dead wringer for what Ruskell wants in a quarterback, minus maybe that he's shorter than prototypical.
70: Jon Asamoah:
107: Syd'Quan Thompson: What Thompson lacks in size or speed, he makes up for by being very good at football. It didn't surprise me when Thompson elected not to run at the Combine and then put up poor times in his pro day, perhaps the first thing I noticed is that he plays with a huge cushion to avoid being burned. When he plays up, he can't flip his hips and run. The agility is there, but the burst and top end speed is not. His awareness and ball skills must somehow overcome these basic flaws, and if he can play closer to 200, he has overall skill-set of a Cover 2 corner.
130. Ben Tate: Tough inside rusher and three-down back that shouldn't last this long but might, Tate fits the Ruskell profile: Two year starter and three year contributor at Auburn, successful, underappreciated athlete, and solid screen receiver to fit Knapp's offense.
140: Arthur Jones: Ruskell typically stayed away from injured players, but Jones' torn pectoral should not cause too much concern. The torn lateral meniscus in his knee is worrisome, but with Jones tumbling and arguably among the best defensive tackles in the draft, Ruskell breaks character a bit, if only to honor other biases. Jones is humble and hard working and a team leader, and scouts better than he performs in drills.
179: Shay Hodge: Big-bodied receiver with decent production but not great tape, Hodge is a late riser that probably can not translate his practice skills to the football field.