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Big boards are starting to smooth out and there are lots of areas of strength in this draft. The trades today should be a little bit more realistic. Scouting reports are still limited and dated and we don’t have good testing data. That will get better as we go.
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.
Today’s was Matt Miller’s Bleacher Report Big Board from 30 Jan 19.
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.
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:
Trades:
Seattle sends picks 1:21 to LAC for picks 1:28, 3:27 and 6:27
Seattle sends pick 1:28 to NYG for picks 2:5, 4:35 and 5:5
Picks:
R2.5: Oshane Ximines, LEO, Old Dominion
R3.20: Dennis Daley, OG, South Carolina
R3.27: Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois
R4.22: Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia
R4.35: Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston
R5.5: Joe Giles-Harris, LB, Duke
R5.21: Lukas Denis, FS, Boston College
R6.27: Alec Ingold, FB, Wisconsin
Pick-by-pick Breakdown
Seahawks at pick 2.5 (from LAC) select: OSHANE XIMINES, LEO, OLD DOMINION
Measurements: 6-3 247
Testing: ?
Should compete as a day one starter at LEO. He is a tweener between OLB and DE and specs out as a Chris Clemons type of player.
PROS: NFL caliber athlete in terms of size, power, and quickness — has a profile more advantageous to 3-4 OLB over 4-3 DE, though likely can offer positive traits at both. Has very active hands when attacking half-man tracks: incorporates a two-handed swipe, club/rip, and arm over. Hands arrive with good force and he can create shock displacement with two-handed stab. Handwork especially impresses when taking the inside track, which he does frequently. Grip strength when engaged seems solid.
Has good lateral quickness to attack half-man on offensive tackles. Plays with balance and body control necessary to execute counter moves and adjust rush plans according to OT set and QB depth; has great recognition abilities in this regard. Has some bend to flatten and finish after clearing hands.
CONS: Bend does not seem to be elite off of available tape, which is limited in terms of high-caliber opposing talent. Will widen unnecessarily around the outside track and may struggle with physical nature of dipping shoulder and ripping tight through contact to take shortest route through quarterback. Willingness to dip shoulder and rip through present, however, when stunting/slanting to the inside track — likely more a technique issue than an aversion to physicality.
Does not have a great anchor and seems a bit light in the pants. Will get blown off the ball by double teams and will lose ground to down blocks when looking to anchor. Best running game plays come when slanting into inside gaps as a penetrator. Lacks high-level NFL burst off of the snap to regularly win first contact or immediately threaten outside shoulder, which may cap ceiling.
Seahawks pick at 3.20: DENNIS DALEY, GUARD, SOUTH CAROLINA
Measurements: 6-6 312
Testing: ?
Played tackle in college, but projects out as a big powerful guard.
After spending two years at the JUCO level, South Carolina offensive tackle Dennis Daley jumped into the SEC and has played at a high level for most of the past two seasons. Sure, he’ll have his concerns against true speed/bend/quick-twitch rushers due to some footwork concerns in pass protection, but Daley has the strength, impressive strikes and technique to be a starter in the NFL.
Ideally he cleans up his set points and improves his pad level before being plugged into a starting lineup, but I think Daley is an underrated prospect who could find success at tackle or at guard in the NFL. Shutting down Clelin Ferrell and D’Andre Walker was impressive, but Josh Allen and speedier Vanderbilt rushers gave him fits, so the Senior Bowl will loom large for his hopes of staying at tackle.
Seahawks select at 3.27 (from LAC): KHALEN SAUNDERS, DT, WESTERN ILLINOIS
Measurements: 6-0 318
Testing: ?
High upside DT.
Saunders has some insanely dominant reps on film and he fared well for himself in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. There are times where his blend of size, power, quickness and flexibility is way more than offensive lineman can handle. With that said, his ability to dominate with physical traits was fully relied upon and Saunders needs major technical refinement to see the field in the NFL. Most notably are his vision, processing, hand technique, get off and understanding of leverage that all need work. While he is raw, Saunders has unteachable physical upside that is well worth investing in. If his responsibilities can be diminished to attacking a single gap, he can situationally step into an NFL defensive line rotation right away, but his ceiling will be defined by how much he can grow.
Seahawks select at 4.22: ISAAC NAUTA, TE, GEORGIA
Measurements: 6-4 246
Testing: ?
This years Will Dissly.
A former five-star recruit, Nauta started fast at Georgia, but the offense never evolved as it should have, which limited his impact as a receiver in the Bulldogs offense. Blessed with good speed and terrific hands, Nauta can make plays vertically and is a bull after the catch, but doesn’t have ideal separation ability as a route runner against sticky man coverage defenders.
Nevertheless, blockers like Nauta don’t come along at the position often, making him a high floor prospect with little downside as a mid-late day two pick. He’ll contribute as a rookie, the only question is how dynamic a receiving option Nauta can become over time.
Seahawks select at 4.35 (from NYG): ISAIAH JOHNSON, CB, HOUSTON
Measurements: 6-2 195, 32.5” arms
Testing: ?
WR to CB convert who is long and lean and still learning the position. Wonder if that can work in the NFL?
Isaiah Johnson is a target for teams looking to develop a starting corner for Year 2 or 3 of his career. Long and physical but impressively fluid, Johnson profiles as a high-ceiling man coverage corner who can win in the press and carry speed down the field. A WR-to-CB convert with only two years of corner play under his belt (22 games), Johnson’s foot discipline, ball tracking instincts, and press technique are all too spotty for NFL play in Year 1, but he has promising eye discipline and recovery quickness to survive in man coverage. At the Senior Bowl, Johnson must prove to coaches he is teachable, as well as test his quickness against college football’s shiftier senior receivers.
Seahawks select at 5.5 (from NYG): JOE GILES-HARRIS, LB, DUKE
Measurements: 6-2 240
Testing: ?
Instinctive solid LB to play any of our LB spots.
Giles-Harris is a gap-savvy, physical linebacker with terrific processing skills that profiles wonderfully to MIKE linebacker role. He excels at playing into the line of scrimmage and features outstanding finishing skills. His range and man coverage skills are modest, but he is effective defending shallow zones which gives him every down playmaking ability. Among the top defensive playmakers in the ACC over the last three seasons, Giles-Harris has early starting potential at the next level and should be a fixture on the second level for years to come.
Seahawks select at 5.21: LUKAS DENIS, S, BOSTON COLLEGE
Measurements: 5-11 185
Testing: ?
A pure single high safety with a ton of range, but size concerns when playing near the LOS.
Tied for second nationally with seven interceptions to go wutg ten pass breakups during the 2017 season, Denis is a true ball magnet on the backend. He illustrates natural ball tracking skills, takes precise angles to the ball and knows how to play through the receivers hands to disrupt at the catch point. And when opportunities are presented to secure an interception, Denis has reliable hands to haul in game-changing turnovers. The NFL covets defensive backs that make game-changing plays on the ball and Denis delivers in that department.
Denis thrives in deep and split zones where his awareness and range are accentuated. He projects as a true centerfielder that plays over top of the coverage. He offers some appeal, situationally, in man coverage but can be bullied by bigger slots and tight ends if tasked with carrying them alone into space which does make him a matchup-specific option.
The appeal loses its allure with Denis when considering his suspect tackling ability and shortcomings in run support. He doesn’t process the run quickly or take good paths to the football. His contact power is below average and he can be bullied by physical receivers and tight ends. There are times that Denis appears the be a reluctant tackler and prefers to side step and drag down the ball carrier when forced to make a tackle.
While it’s easy to love what Denis can do in zone coverage and playing the ball, a more complete skill set on display in his senior season is critical for his draft stock. As part of an experienced Eagles defense, Denis has a prime opportunity to showcase a more versatile and compete skill set during his senior season.
Seahawks select at 6.27 (from LAC): ALEC INGOLD, FB, WISCONSIN
Measurements: 6-2 242
Testing: ?
A true FB that is excellent as a pass blocker and has very effective hands for out of the back field.
Pass Protection –Stout. Really physical presence in the backfield and has all of the functional strength, size and length to handle attacking free running defenders off of the second level. Can be relied upon to step up into interior gaps and provide a deep pocket.
Receiving Ability –Has been utilized on FB-wheel routes with success, able to slip past LBs in coverage thanks to a convincing stalk before accelerating and turning up the field. Soft hands, effective receiver who can feasibly be counted on in the flats to make casual catches.
Effort – Prototypical “team player”, effort is not predicated on touching the football or being a focal point. Plays with visible urgency as a blocker and will not quit until the whistle blows on any given play. Great effort in short yardage role as a ball carrier to fall forward.
Alec Ingold is as desirable of a true fullback prospect as you can find in today’s football landscape. While Ingold isn’t necessarily a true ball carrier, he’s a better athlete than many old school fullbacks and offers enough in protection and with the ball in his hands to warrant a spot on a 53-man roster in heavy situations and two back sets. Ingold’s play with the ball in his hands is a separating factor that can help him carve out an NFL career.