The Frank Clark trade, as controversial as it was, has given the Seahawks tons of flexibility in the next two drafts.
They have two first-round selections this year and 17 choices over the next two (counting projected comp picks). So what is Seattle’s strategy?
Based on John Schneider’s comments Monday about the talent dropping off after the third round, you can bet they are going to try to amass four or five picks in the first two days — and use two of those on pass rushers.
The Seahawks seem locked in on finding a hybrid safety/nickel corner high in this draft.
It’s basically a starting position in the NFL these days, which explains why Justin Coleman got $9 million a year from Detroit. Coleman played in 63.5 percent of Seattle’s defensive snaps the past two years, and the Seahawks seem to be looking for his replacement in the second round.
“Not cool.” — John Schneider on having just four picks as draft month begins.
John Schneider is lamenting his lack of draft picks this year and wondering whether he will be able to trade down in a deep draft, but there is no reason to worry on either count.
Schneider needs to look at his draft stock over two years, knowing he will have 13-15 picks. As we chronicle in our comp tracker, the Hawks will have at least two bonus picks next year — a 3 and 4 — and might end up with all four (3, 4, 6, 7).
Knowing he will get at least an extra third and fourth, Schneider has the luxury of potentially using his real 3 and 4 in 2020 to trade up in this draft. Added to his likelihood of moving out of the first round, that should create enough flexibility for Seattle to net three or four Day 2 picks. And that is what Schneider should be targeting.
Just one year after Pete Carroll and John Schneider dismantled their legendary defense and surprised many by making the playoffs with young players replacing the departed stars, Carroll thinks his team is good enough as constituted to take the next step.
At the owners meetings in Phoenix, Carroll told John Clayton: “It’s going to be very difficult to make this team this year for the incoming guys. That’s because the depth is growing.”
He mentioned the offensive line, tight end, running back and cornerback as positions where the depth looks good. He also likes his safeties and is looking forward to having his best linebacking crew (assuming Mychal Kendricks avoids prison).
But we all know the Hawks can get better — they didn’t get home field or reach the Super Bowl last season, after all. And we already know which positions the Seahawks are going to prioritize in the draft: defensive line and receiver.
Continue reading Carroll thinks roster is deep, but Hawks’ needs are obvious
The Combine is complete, so here are some top takeaways:
Rob Staton offers a Seahawks perspective, pointing out the need for more picks in a draft short on top-end talent but offering decent depth just about everywhere but at linebacker.
Kyler Murray can basically thank Russell Wilson for the fact that he might go first overall. Wilson proved dynamic play trumps physical stereotypes.
This week’s wild Russell Wilson rumor aside, it has been a quiet stretch in Seahawks Land — no action since the team signed Paxton Lynch in mid-January. Like most of the rest of the league, the Hawks have been heads-down planning offseason moves and prepping for next week’s Combine.
John Schneider will have three tasks in Indy. Beyond scouting players and gauging the free-agent market, the biggest mission will be laying the groundwork for possible draft trades.
Continue reading Schneider’s big Combine mission: Set up trades
Draft season is about to officially begin, with the all-star bowls this weekend and next, which has prompted a new round of mock drafts.
It also raises a key question for Seattle: How will John Schneider get from his current four picks to his usual nine or 10? Will he play the comp game and use 2020 picks? Or will he just do what he did in 2017 — trade down three times?
Three years ago, the Seahawks basically traded Paxton Lynch to the highest bidder, which brought them an extra third-round pick in the draft. And now, after the quarterback flamed out in Denver, the Hawks have Lynch, too.
Maybe they just missed having a guy named Lynch on their team.
Continue reading Three years after draft deal, Hawks add Lynch
The running back drama is operatic this week.
The Seahawks finally have rediscovered their long-lost running game just as they prepare to face the embodiment of their old one and, just as coincidentally, the coach they ditched so they could find it again. Meanwhile, Seattle’s first-round pick has had nothing to do with it, frustrating him and fans who are calling him a bust and wanting to trade him for a kicker.
Continue reading As Hawks face Lynch, rushing game is back — without Penny
When Earl Thomas gave his one-finger salute to John Schneider (who else would he be targeting?) as the safety was being carted off the field Sunday in Arizona, he was just pointing out the general manager’s latest error.
Earlier this year, we detailed many of the mistakes Schneider has made since his magical (lucky?) draft run from 2010 to 2012. It has merely continued this year, with the Thomas debacle now officially another black eye for Schneider and the Rashaad Penny pick looking every bit the waste it appeared in April.
Continue reading Thomas was just pointing out another big mistake by Schneider
CHAWK TALK: Everything being said about the Seahawks 