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This is the last of these mocks and the first when we know we have a QB locked up. Next week will be a very different format, but for now you get the last look at a new list of potential Seattle Seahawks targets. Overall, I’m excited to see what happens because we have found interesting talent available throughout the mid rounds after they inevitably trade down.
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 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:
I really liked this trade concept, so I just made it happen. It feels very possible.
- START: 21 (1), 84 (3), 124 (4), 159 (5)
- TRADE: 21 (1) to GB for 30 (1), 75 (3)
- TRADE: 30 (1) to CLE for 49 (2), 80 (3), 155 (5)
= FINISH: 49 (2), 75 (3), 80 (3), 84 (3), 124 (4), 155 (5), 159 (5)
Picks:
R2P17 EDGE JACHAI POLITE FLORIDA
R3P11 WR MILES BOYKIN NOTRE DAME
R3P16 LB JAHLANI TAVAI HAWAII
R3P20 TE JACE STERNBERGER TEXAS A&M
R4P22 RB DEXTER WILLIAMS NOTRE DAME
R5P17 DL GREG GAINES WASHINGTON
R5P21 S JOJO MCINTOSH WASHINGTON
Pick-by-pick Breakdown
Seahawks at pick 2.17 (from Cle) select: EDGE JACHAI POLITE FLORIDA
Measurements: 6-3 258, 32 5/8” Arms, 9.75” Hands
Testing: 4.84 40, 32” vert
Was originally thought of as a mid 1st rounder, based on the tape alone, but he didn’t play the off season game and he is sliding in the eyes of evaluators. The tape is good though, so if they are comfortable with the character, he would be a steal in this spot.
Just one year of big-time production, but he’s an instinctive rusher with natural feel for attacking the pocket. Polite’s frightening speed to the edge on tape was missing in his pre-draft workouts as he showed up much heavier and with purported hamstring issues during all of his testing. The game tape shows an ability to rush the pocket with a fluid, diverse attack, but he might not have the grit necessary to play the run as a 3-4 outside linebacker on early downs. His troubling post-season that included bad combine interviews, bad workouts and additional weight around the midsection has substantially clouded his draft standing into the boom-or-bust category.
Seahawks pick at 3.11 (from GB): WR MILES BOYKIN NOTRE DAME
Measurements: 6-4 220, 33 1/2” arms, 10” hands
Testing: 4.42” 40, 12 bench, 43.5” vert, 140” broad, 6.77” 3-cone, 4.07” SS
Developmental WR, how has the traits of an all pro, but still needs to develop into an all-around WR and become consistent.
Lingering on his tape can cause excessive focus on his inconsistencies and areas of improvement, but projecting his traits with additional coaching makes more sense. Boykin’s size, length and athleticism offers exciting potential as an outside receiver with mismatch potential, but he will have to learn how to counter press, improve his routes and become more competitive when the ball is in the air. His size won’t matter if he doesn’t learn to impose it on others. If that happens, he’ll become an eventual starter with a high ceiling.
Seahawks select at 3.16 (from Cle): LB JAHLANI TAVAI HAWAII
Measurements: 6-2 250, 31 7/8” arms, 9” hands
Testing: None
A LB that I didn’t look at until they had him in for a visit. Not the super fast playmaker type that they have been going after, just an instinctive football player.
While the level of competition wasn’t always noteworthy, his impact production was. In a draft that is heavy on undersized, uber-productive linebackers, Tavai offers an NFL frame, good play strength, an aggressive demeanor and almost 10 tackles per game over the last three seasons. He’s not overly explosive, but his decisiveness and motor are play traits that should serve him well as a pro. He could be a good three-down backup who could develop into an eventual starter inside.
Seahawks select at 3.20: TE JACE STERNBERGER TEXAS A&M
Measurements: 6-4 251, 32 1/8” arms, 9 3/4” hands
Testing: 4.75” 40, 17 bench, 31.5” vert, 113” broad, 7.19” 3-cone, 4.31” SS
Another big target. He can block, but he isn’t Will Dissly, he is much better as a big underneath target and could become a 1st down machine.
Despite his experience in-line and willingness to block in Jimbo Fisher’s offense, he has neither the size nor strength to handle those duties as a pro. Sternberger is athletic with above-average ball skills, catch radius and route breaks that help him undercover on the second and third level. His paychecks will be tied to his pass-catching so he’ll need to play stronger through route contact and with better focus when contested. He has eventual starter potential as a move tight-end who can function as a big WR3/4 from the slot.
Seahawks select at 4.22: RB DEXTER WILLIAMS NOTRE DAME
Measurements: 5-11 212, 32 1/4” arms, 9 5/8” hands
Testing: 4.5” 40, 18 bench, 37.5” vert, 124” broad, 6.95” 3-cone, 4.12” SS
Super Seahawky type player who meets all of their physical requirements. He had character concerns early in college, but had his mom move in with him to help he stay straight through his last season and the pre-draft work.
Ascending every-down running back prospect who showed major flashes of becoming an NFL starter in his most active season to date. Williams runs with a good combination of feel, force and juice, which allows for a variety of methods in creating yards for himself. His evaluation could require additional character work and his relative lack of experience could mean a slower integration into an NFL offense; however, he offers exciting upside with the talent to become a productive, NFL starter.
Seahawks select at 5.17 (from Cle): DL GREG GAINES WASHINGTON
Measurements: 6-2, 312, 33.75” arms, 9.5” hands
Testing: 4.58” 40, 15 Bench, 36.5” vert, 126” broad
We are always looking for another DT to stop the run and get some interior pressure.
Stubby, high-motor interior defender whose tape can fluctuate from play to play. Gaines is a short-arm defender with average hand usage but can time up the snap often enough to create early advantages from time to time. He plays with a strong anchor in general, but his proclivity for ending up on the ground will not endear him to defensive line coaches. His effort and strength make him a Day 3 rotational 4-3 nose.
Seahawks select at 5.21: S JOJO MCINTOSH WASHINGTON
Measurements: 6-1, 204, 32.5” arms, 8.5” hands
Testing (from pro day): 4.67” 40, 18 Bench, 36” vert, 109” broad, 4.29” SS, 7.35” 3-cone
Go ahead and make all the homer comments you want. He isn’t a perfect prospect, but that is why they are taking him here. A thumping SS at this level, who isn’t great in coverage, but good enough for what they ask of their SS.
The size, toughness and urgency all work in his favor, but he lacks a definable play trait that he can hang his hat on. McIntosh is an aggressive hitter who will rush downhill to the football and play with good urgency, but his lack of agility in the open field could create issues against NFL ball-carriers. A lack of instincts and balls skills show up in his poor ball production and create a ceiling of functional effectiveness as a pro.