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The initial flurry of free agency is done, so it seems like a good time to look at some other late picks.
These are not intended as a prediction of what will happen, they are merely a vehicle to look at different players that the front office may be looking at. With that, I will probably change who I draft just about every time, just to take a little bit closer look at more players at different levels of the draft at different positions. I will also trade out of the 1st every time I publish one of these. There are plenty of other places where you can learn about the first round and even the top of the second, here we want to look at all the other guys. In the end, we may find some draft “crushes” and know more names throughout the draft.
Disclaimers:
Big Board Order
I use different big board just about every time. None of them are perfect and I realize that none of them match. Some guys will go higher and some guys will go lower. The point is that we take a look at lots of guys, so don’t get too hung up on where someone is drafted.
Trades
I use fansided to simulate the drafts. I paid for the premium edition, so it lets me do trades. I realize that many trades aren’t realistic, but based on my wish to look at more possible players, I don’t care either.
Needs
We all know some of the basic needs that we have, but some basic rules are also in play with this front office. Since PC/JS have been here they have used 14 1st and 2nd round picks. Only 5 have been used on non-lineman: 2 WR, 1 RB, 1 FS and 1 ILB. Only 1 pick has been used in the 1st round on a non-lineman and that was Earl Thomas. Every time you see them saying they will grab a short-armed CB or some RB, remember, that would completely break with the mold. More likely is they do two things: they trade back as much as possible to maximize 2nd and 3rd round opportunities and they also lean towards four-year starters early on.
Scouting
I am not a scout, nor do I pretend to be. I will give my thought process on drafting a guy, but will link and copy to other scouts and give you what they think of him, which is probably much higher quality than what you would get from me.
Here is my draft for today. I am super happy with it:
49: R2P17 G BILLY PRICE OHIO STATE
72: R3P8 TE MARK ANDREWS OKLAHOMA
94: R3P30 DL JALYN HOLMES OHIO STATE
120: R4P20 WR DANTE PETTIS WASHINGTON
146: R5P9 RB JOHN KELLY TENNESSEE
156: R5P19 CB BRANDON FACYSON VIRGINIA TECH
168: R5P31 LB LEON JACOBS WISCONSIN
226: R7P8 LB DORIAN O’DANIEL CLEMSON
248: R7P30 CB CHRIS CAMPBELL PENN STATE
Trades:
Seattle sends pick R1 P18 to Minn for picks R1 P30 and R3 P30
Seattle sends picks R1 P30 and R5 P4 to NY Jets for picks R2 P17 and R3 P8
Pick-by-pick Breakdown
Seahawks at 49 (round 2, from Jets) select: G BILLY PRICE, OHIO STATE
Measurements: 6-4 312, C/OG
Testing: DNP
A big powerful interior offensive lineman.
IN OUR VIEW: The Price is right with this ultra-safe interior lineman, an All-American at left guard (2016) and center (2017), two-time team captain and a veteran of an Ohio State record 54 career starts, including the 2018 Cotton Bowl showdown with Southern Cal. Smart, powerful and athletic enough to handle any of the three interior roles, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Price earn a first round selection.
Bottom Line
Plays like a Wildling at times with tremendous explosiveness, strength and, almost excessive initial charge. Price’s power and leverage give him a huge advantage over most centers in this draft. He should be able to come into the league and deal with NFL power right away. However, his impatience as a blocker and tendency to charge in head-first will be used against him by savvy NFL opponents if he doesn’t get it cleaned up. Price is an early starter with Pro Bowl potential.
-Lance Zierlein
Seahawks pick at 72 (round 3,from Jets) TE MARK ANDREWS, OKLAHOMA
Measurements: 6-5 256, 33.5” arms
Testing: 4.67 40, 17 reps, 31” vert, 113” broad, 4.38 short shuttle, 7.34 3-cone
More of a pass catcher than a blocker, but a solid, immediate impact guy.
IN OUR VIEW: Andrews is currently a bit soft as a blocker but that may not matter because his hands are even softer. Big, agile and fast, Andews is a mismatch against linebackers and safeties, projecting best as a massive slot receiver and H-back rather than as a traditional full-service tight end with half of his duties serving as an in-line
Bottom Line
Andrews is a former wideout who plays with a receiver’s mentality in a tight end’s body. He is a pass-catcher with a deft feel for route adjustments and operating in space against zone coverage. Andrews is a big, reliable target who doesn’t need a spacious catch window to haul it in. Despite his size, he lacks the desire and fundamentals as a blocker which will hurt his standing with some teams. He should be able to find early catches and production as a solid pass-catching tight end in the league.
-Lance Zierlein
Seahawks select at 94 (round 3, from Minn): DT/DE JALYN HOLMES, OHIO STATE
Measurements: 6-5 270
Testing: 4.82 40, 25 reps, 32” vert
Versatile pass rusher that can work inside and out depending on the down.
Strengths
Long-limbed with frame to pack on more functional muscle. Looks awkward in movements, but is sneaky strong. Can shudder a blocker’s pads with strong pop from his hands. Conversion of speed to power as a bull rusher is impressive when he gets momentum rolling downhill. Played inside a scheme that asked defensive linemen to give themselves up with slants which limited production. Has length and natural power to become a more dominant player at point of attack. Long levers suit him as an interior pass rusher. Has a spin move that could become a weapon.
Bottom Line
Holmes doesn’t rush well enough to be a 4-3 end and needs more strength to fit into 3-4 fronts. However, if he improves his hand usage and adds lower body strength, he has the potential to become an effective 3-4 end with the ability to push the pocket as an interior rusher in sub packages. Holmes lacks the explosiveness to be a starter who will fill up the stat sheet, but he has intriguing size/strength potential that could make him a better pro than college player.
-Lance Zierlein
Seahawks select at 120 (round 4): WR DANTE PETTIS, WASHINGTON
Measurements: 6-1 192, 32.25” arms, 9.5” hand
Testing: DNP
Excellent returner and potential as WR.
IN OUR VIEW
Pettis lacks the imposing frame teams are searching for outside and he has limited experience in the slot. The same things which make Pettis such an extraordinary punt returner and effective receiver in college, however - his vision, elusiveness, and sudden acceleration - also project very well to the NFL. A Day Two selection is likely with Pettis providing immediate impact potential in both roles.
Bottom Line
Solid secondary receiving option who has spent time on his craft and has the ability to attack and uncover on all three levels. Pettis lacks physicality and could struggle to handle in-your-face press corners, so he may see snaps from the slot. While his punt return talent solidifies his draft standing, his ability as route-runner combined with his smooth pass-catching should give him a long, solid career.
-Lance Zierlein
Seahawks select at 146 (round 5): RB JOHN KELLY, TENNESSEE
Measurements: 5-10 216, 31.5” arms, 9.5” hands
Testing: 15 reps, 35” vert, 120” broad, 4.51 short shuttle, 7.13 3-CONE
True dual roll RB.
IN OUR VIEW: Kelly does not possess the eye-popping size and speed to earn a top pick but don’t be surprised if he proves a more productive runner in the NFL than some of the freaky athletes selected ahead of him. Described as the “heart and soul” of Tennessee’s offense, Kelly shows the “natural” running and receiving skills that translate well at the next level, like vision, elusiveness, balance and simple competitiveness.
Bottom Line
Kelly is a little undersized but is a tough runner and capable pass catcher who has the potential to play all three downs if needed. He can add additional yardage with plus contact balance and an ability to push through tackles, but his average burst between the tackles and around the edge could mean he’ll have to live the life of a grinder. Kelly is a solid committee back with the ability to handle full-time duties if called upon.
-Lance Zierlein
Seahawks select at 156 (Round 5): CB BRANDON FACYSON, FACYSON
Measurements: 6-2 197
Testing: 4.53 40, 16 reps,
Tall smooth CB.
IN OUR VIEW
Facyson has the size, length and toughness that press-heavy teams prefer at the position, but he is more smooth than sudden and his struggles to find consistency could keep him from carving out a long-term NFL career.
Bottom Line
Facyson has terrific size and length and has tape in his background that shows off his disruptive play when his coverage is good. He struggles to stay in phase with complex routes and needs help over the top against speed. Facyson is scheme dependent and may need to be paired with a team looking for a press-and-trial or cover-two cornerback. Facyson’s size could push him up the draft board by a round and he has a chance to become an eventual starter if he lands with the right fit.
-Lance Zierlein
Seahawks select at 168 (Round 5): LB/LEO LEON JACOBS,WISCONSIN
Measurements: 6-3 235
Testing: 4.48 40, 1.58 10 yard split, 26 REPS, 34.5” vert, 122 broad, 7.14 3-cone
Fast and explosive edge rusher.
Bottom Line
Traits-based edge prospect who possesses strength, speed and power, but is more of a project at this point than a game-ready talent. Jacobs looks the part and should test well, but he needs to improve his technique as both a pass rusher and as an edge-setter. Jacobs got lost for awhile behind the depth at his position at Wisconsin, but he has the explosiveness and the potential to become a much more impactful pro player than he was in college.
-Lance Zierlein
Seahawks select at 226 (Round 7): LB/SS DORIAN O’DANIEL, CLEMSON
Measurements: 6-1 215
Testing: 4.61 40, 21 reps, 32” vert, 119” broad, 6.64 3 cone, 4.07 short shuttle,
Short area quick LB, who could be a SS project.
IN OUR VIEW: O’Daniel lacks ideal size and strength measurements, but he is always hunting and quick to key, diagnose and attack, projecting best in a box safety or hybrid outside linebacker role.
Bottom Line
Just one season as starter. Has the frame of a big safety, but is an average athlete in space. Is a little sluggish in his directional change and needs a runway to accelerate to top speed. Pursuit speed is below par. Often blocked by smaller slot players against spread rushing attacks. Needs to prove he can beat blocks near the line of scrimmage on next level. Gives up separation when matched in man coverage. Plays upright and needs to do better job of anticipating routes. What O’Daniel lacks in size and speed at the linebacker spot, he makes up for with production and consistency. He may not have the tools to become a quality full-time starter at linebacker, but his outstanding career as a special teams cover talent could be enough to earn him a roster spot and a place in the league for years to come.
-Lance Zierlein
Seahawks select at pick 248 (Round 7): CB CHRIS CAMPBELL, PENN ST
Measurements: 6-1 195
Testing: 14 reps
Long developmental CB.
Bottom Line
Long corner lacking the fluidity and twitch to stay connected with intermediate and deep routes. Campbell looks more comfortable playing off the line where his long arms have a shot to cover for his inconsistent footwork. He’s not a fluid enough athlete and hasn’t made enough plays on the ball to warrant much excitement, but if he runs well, his size and speed could get him drafted.
-Lance Zierlein