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Things are starting to stabilize out on the big boards. After the top 15 or so there is a drop off and plateau all the way into the start of the 3rd round, then there is another drop and plateau through the 5th. The 21st pick isn’t going to be that much better than the 60th, so trading back and getting a couple of picks in the 2nd and 3rd is the best plan.
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 a CBS compilation board.
Trades
I use fanspeak 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:
Trades:
Seattle sends pick 1:21 to NE for picks 1.32, 3.33 and 4.32
That is 800 draft points to 729 draft points.
Seattle sends pick 1.32 to Buff for 2.8 and 4.10
That is 590 draft points to 584 draft points.
Picks:
R2P8 EDGE/LEO CHASE WINOVICH, MICHIGAN
R3P20 G CONNOR MCGOVERN, PENN ST.
R3P33 EDGE/SAM CHRISTIAN MILLER, ALABAMA
R4P10 TE JOSH OLIVER, SAN JOSE ST.
R4P22 S MARQUISE BLAIR, UTAH
R4P32 RB MYLES GASKIN, WASHINGTON
R5P21 DL TRYSTEN HILL, UCF
Pick-by-pick Breakdown
Seahawks at pick 2.8 (from Buff) select: Chase Winovich, Edge/LEO, Michigan
Measurements: 6-3 256, 32.75” Arms, 10” Hands
Testing: 4.59 40, 18 bench, 30.5” vert, 116” broad, 6.94” 3-cone, 4.11” SS
A little bit of a tweener based on his size, but should perfectly flow in as a LEO.
Physical edge defender who plays the game like he has zombie blood pumping through his veins. Winovich is relentless, determined and takes no plays off, but his lack of physical traits and explosiveness as a rusher could limit his upside. Scheme fit could determine his role as 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 rush linebacker, but his football character and physicality improve his odds for success as an eventual starter.
Seahawks pick at 3.20: Connor McGovern, G/C, Penn St
Measurements: 6-5 308, 34 1/8” arms, 9 7/8” hands
Testing: 28 bench, 112” broad, 7.66” 3-cone, 4.57 SS
They now have 4 tackles, 3 guards and 2 centers that they are happy with. Adding a G/C would allow them flexibility and let hunt go or not dress him. More of a run blocker than a pass blocker, but a proven G and C.
Reliable run blocker with NFL-ready size and strength but exploitable holes in his pass sets that need to be addressed as quickly as possible. His starting experience at both center and guard could bring additional interest in McGovern, who would be a bigger, stronger option at center for teams facing odd-front power in their division. He is a good fit in gap and inside-zone run schemes, but his tendency to over-set in pass protection could be challenging to correct. He’s an early starter as a Day 2 pick, but Year 1 could have ups and downs.
Seahawks select at 3.33 (from NE): Christian Miller, EDGE/SAM, Alabama
Measurements: 6-3 247, 35 1/8” arms, 9.75” hands
Testing: 38.5” Vert, 118” Broad
Ready to develop as a SAM and rotational rusher/ST on day one.
Long, lean rush backer with above-average athletic traits that could serve him well as a pass rusher. Teams could be a little gun-shy with Miller considering the talent he played alongside and his solo season of production. What will be hard to ignore are his long arms, ability to attack the edge with speed and footwork to manufacture dangerous inside counters. He’s talented enough to earn his keep chasing quarterbacks, but he’ll have to gain strength and prove he can handle run duties in order to play every down.
Seahawks select at 4.10 (from Buff): Josh Oliver, TE, San Jose State
Measurements: 6-5 249, 33.5” arms, 10.75” hands
Testing: 4.63 40, 22 bench, 34” vert, 117” broad, 7.21 3-cone, 4.47 SS
A big target who is also a willing blocker.
Above-average, mid-air athlete with plus ball skills who was forced to deal with coverages that were consistently shaded in his direction thanks to an excessive target count. Oliver’s route-running and ball-tracking talent allow him to work beyond the first level and can help NFL team’s looking to push the ball downfield. Oliver will flash as an in-line blocker at times but might need to enter the league as a TE2/3 who works from the slot until he becomes more skilled and consistent at the point of attack.
Seahawks select at 4.22: Marquise Blair, S, Utah
Measurements: 6-1 195, 30.75” arms, 8.25” hands
Testing: 4.48 40, 35” vert, 125” broad
He has the potential to be a starter at either FS, but will need to further develop the mental side of it. I trust Pete to mold a DB.
Athletic, full-throttle prospect with the mindset of a linebacker in a free safety body. Blair plays the game with an aggressive field demeanor that fuels his passion to race into the action, ready to strike on sight. However, his lack of discipline hurt his team with targeting penalties and by over-running responsibilities against the run and pass. Because of his slender frame, some teams are concerned that durability could become an issue considering how he throws his body around. With that said, he’s long and rangy in coverage, and embodies the mindset that defensive coordinators want from their units.
Seahawks select at 4.32 (from NE): Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington
Measurements: 5-9 205, 29.5” arms, 8.75” hands
Testing: 4.58 40, 24 bench, 35.5” vert, 118” broad, 7.19 3-cone, 4.23 SS, 11.77 LS
I disagree with the scouting report and I have seen every one of his college snaps. He is a perfect 3rd down back. He is a capable pass blocker and catches like a WR. He is super patient working through the scrum and then hits full speed once it opens up. His durability comes from never getting hit square, he is able to squirt around and make guys miss constantly. This is an immediate upgrade from JD McKissic.
Durable, productive runner who could find the transition from college to pro more challenging due to his lack of size. Gaskin’s quick feet and loose hips offer early elusiveness and success on wide flowing plays, but his overall play is less explosive/elusive than his athletic traits might suggest. He will need to run with better decisiveness and downhill burst to become an effective member of a running back committee, but his ability to play on third downs should help his chances for some early touches.
Seahawks select at 5.21: Trysten Hill, DT, UCF
Measurements: 6-3, 308, 33 3/8” arms, 10.25” hands
Testing: 5.04 40, 28 bench, 35” vert, 115” broad, 7.7 3-cone, 4.38 SS
PC/JS like a mental project that could turn into an impact player. If he can get his head straight he is a disrupter in the middle.
He’s the most talented and impactful defensive lineman on the team, but concerns over his football character and maturity have hindered his standing on the team at times. Despite starting just once this season, Hill was a gap bandit who disrupted running games and spent time harassing quarterbacks with consistent effort and hustle. He needs to get stronger and play with better control, but his get-off and athletic hands/feet should make him a rotational one-gapper if the maturity and coachability check out.