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We are getting to the home stretch and I am having to work really hard to find prospects that we have never looked at before. This week is a very Seahawky draft, with guys that look like they will be very appealing to this front office. You wanted pass catchers, these are the types of guys I bet they go after, even if they aren’t the ones you were thinking of.
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:
Seattle sends pick 1:21 to NE for picks 1.32 and 3.33
That is 800 draft points to 704 draft points.
Seattle sends pick 1.32 to Jax for 2.6 and 4.7
That is 590 draft points to 605 draft points.
Picks:
R2P6 TE IRV SMITH JR. ALABAMA
R3P20 G MICHAEL JORDAN OHIO ST.
R3P33 S AMANI HOOKER IOWA
R4P7 EDGE PORTER GUSTIN USC
R4P22 WR JALEN HURD BAYLOR
R5P21 DL MICHAEL DOGBE TEMPLE
Pick-by-pick Breakdown
Seahawks at pick 2.6 (from Jax) select: Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
Measurements: 6-2 242, 31.5” Arms, 9.5” Hands
Testing: 4.63 40, 19 bench, 32.5” vert, 110” broad, 9.32” 3-cone, 4.33” SS
A great athlete who is willing to do anything. He can stay on the field to run block, lead block and most importantly can catch and is a big strong target.
Smith is still green in terms of overall experience, which shows up in run-blocking and route-running, but he has plenty of talent and is likely to get much better in both areas. He has combination tight end talent but really flashes as a move blocker at fullback or wingback spots. His buildup speed sets him apart as a big, field-stretching option and once he gets rolling after the catch. O.J. Howard was bigger, and a better athlete, but like Howard, Smith offers Pro Bowl potential as a well-rounded tight end prospect.
Seahawks pick at 3.20: Michael Jordan, G/C, Ohio St
Measurements: 6-6 312, 34.25” arms, 10” hands
Testing: 5.27” 40, 19 bench, 32.5” vert, 116” broad, 7.71” 3-cone, 4.71” SS
Big, explosive OL who will move back inside, where he was better in college and become a future power at RG.
Center-guard prospect with NFL size and a frame that should add even more mass and muscle. Jordan has rare height for a center but has easy flexibility in his hips, knees and ankles, allowing him to man the position. He’s a little lazy with his hands and might not move well enough for teams asking their interior linemen to get out in space. His 2017 guard tape might be more appealing to teams as he flashed as a drive-blocker. His size and versatility could make him a Day 2 draft pick with starting potential early in his career.
Seahawks select at 3.33 (from NE): Amani Hooker, S, Iowa
Measurements: 5-11 210, 30 1/8” arms, 9 1/8” hands
Testing: 4.48” 40, 14 Bench, 37” Vert, 123” Broad, 6.81” 3-cone, 4.1” SS, 11.59” LS
Ready to play as big nickel/S on day one and develop into a versatile player who never leaves the field.
Hybrid safety with an advanced feel for play design and recognition of where the ball is going and how to play it. He could thrive in a “robber” role or as a big nickel where he can match up against pass-catching tight ends. He’s not twitchy, fast or fluid and has some limitations in man coverage; however, he has the size, instincts and ball skills to become a plus starter, but needs to find his perfect scheme fit.
Seahawks select at 4.7 (from Jax): Porter Gustin, Leo, USC
Measurements: 6-4 255, 33” arms, 10” hands
Testing: 4.69 40, 31 bench, 35.5” vert, 119” broad
Not really athletic enough to be a SAM, but not built to be a pure edge guy, so he is perfect for a LEO. He can rush the passer and set the edge, which works out well in the roll we need filled.
Below-average athlete as 3-4 SAM backer whose effort and determination have allowed him to post consistent production on the college level. Gustin’s lack of juice or complexity as rusher could limit his upside. However, his size and ability to dig in and fight against the run could help his chances of becoming a backup who might have to keep fighting for his spot.
Seahawks select at 4.22: Jalen Hurd, WR, Baylor
Measurements: 6-5 226, 32” arms, 10.25” hands
Testing: 23 bench
He was a great college RB who wanted to switch to WR. Tenn wouldn’t move him, so he transferred to Baylor where he learned WR and is still learning. He is a giant target who could also be the best running back on the team.
Hurd was used as big slot but he might need to transition into a role outside to take advantage of his potential to stretch the field as a downfield ball-winner. He’s still learning the nuances of the position, but he has outstanding traits, a great work ethic and an ability to get much better very quickly. While Hurd will be an NFL receiver, he offers a unique option of becoming a short-yardage banger near the goal line. His best days are in front of him.
Seahawks select at 5.21: Michael Dogbe, DT, Temple
Measurements: 6-3, 284
Testing: 5.06” 40, 34 Bench
An underrated powerful inside out player who may develop into the guy who is at DE on run downs and moves inside on passing downs.
Strengths:
One of the more interesting prospects in the draft, Michael Dogbe has the tools to be one of the more productive interior defensive lineman in the 2019 NFL Draft due to his pass rush ability and strength along the interior. Dogbe possesses ideal arm length and plays with tremendous power in his upper half. Dogbe has violent hands at the point of attack to pair with his length which makes him a prime candidate to make plays in the running game at, and behind the line of scrimmage. Dogbe has an impressive first step and fires off the ball to win with quickness at the snap. When rushing the passer, Dogbe plays with a relentless nature and continues to work to the ball until he gets to the ball quarterback or ball carrier. Has the versatility to play out on the edge at defensive end due to his lower body flexibility, strength, and lower0body explosion. Once taking over as a full-time starter, Michael Dogbe was one of the most productive interior defensive lineman in the country.
Weeknesses:
Pass rush counter moves need refinement. Far too often, Dogbe will win off the snap but is unable to gain any ground due to his initial rush getting blocked well. Needs to develop more of a plan when rushing the passer. When he’s unable to use his length, Dogbe can struggle with pad level, and getting turned in the run game. May need to add some mass in order to hold up as a full time interior defensive lineman in the NFL.
Overall:
Michael Dogbe is a player that isn’t getting talked about nearly as much. Dogbe had a really nice week down at the Shrine game and showcased his first step quickness, upper body strength, and length. When able to use his length, Dogbe is one of the more consistently dominant interior defensive lineman in this class – affecting the run game and quarterback. Dogbe has some of the most violent hands in the 2019 class and consistently uses them to win at the point of attack and to get off blocks when playing the run. Dogbe broke out in his senior year sacking the quarterback 7.0 times, recording 12.5 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles in 13 games. If the former Temple defensive lineman can improve on his counter moves, and add some mass to his 6-foot-4, 280-lb frame, he may end up outplaying his draft stock tremendously when it’s all said and done.