Category Archives: NFL draft

Franchise history, NFL draft

Hawks get rare third-round comp pick

Leave a comment

NFL draftAs expected, the Seahawks will have three compensatory draft picks this year — including a third-rounder for losing Byron Maxwell last offseason.

Adding a fifth-rounder for losing James Carpenter and a sixth for Malcolm Smith, the Seahawks now have nine picks: a first, a second, two thirds, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth and two sevenths. They have four picks in the top 97.

Last summer, they traded their fifth to Kansas City for safety Kelcie McCray and their sixth to Detroit for cornerback Mohammed Seisay. They acquired the other seventh from Dallas for running back Christine Michael.

This will be just the second time the Seahawks have ever had a third-round comp pick. In 2005, they pulled a third-rounder for losing Shawn Springs that they used on Leroy Hill.

Continue reading Hawks get rare third-round comp pick →

It's bigger than football, NFL Combine, NFL draft

Carroll: Clark ‘a great kid in the program’

1 Comment

Frank ClarkA year ago at this time, the Seahawks were in the process of vetting Frank Clark — the controversial pass rusher they were targeting at the bottom of the second round.

They were ripped for the pick by almost every mainstream media outlet, and The Seattle Times did its own reverse investigation into Clark’s domestic incident and criticized the Seahawks’ background research into Clark. (For the record, we told everyone to lay off and trust the judgment of Pete Carroll and John Schneider.)

Not surprisingly (to us), Clark made it through his first season without drawing another bad word from anyone, and Carroll said Monday that the team monitored Clark closely — he reportedly continued counseling that he had started in Michigan — and “he was a great kid in the program.”

Continue reading Carroll: Clark ‘a great kid in the program’ →

NFL Combine, NFL draft

Don’t expect D-line in first round

1 Comment

Combine logoThis draft apparently is so deep on the defensive line that not even the Seahawks could screw it up.

You might think that to be a harsh and unwarranted comment coming against a two-time Super Bowl club, but the simple fact is the Seahawks have been terrible at drafting and developing defensive linemen.

John Schneider & Co. have selected 11 in six drafts, and they are still looking for their first sustained success story: Frank Clark (2015), Jordan Hill (2013) and Cassius Marsh (2014) are the last men standing.

The Seahawks have had great defensive lines because they have relied almost exclusively on veterans — Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Chris Clemons, Alan Branch, Jason Jones, Tony McDaniel and Ahtyba Rubin — to step in alongside longtime Seahawk Brandon Mebane.

Mebane and Rubin — the heart of the NFL’s No. 1 run defense in 2015 — are pending free agents, which explains why most mock drafts have the Hawks taking a defensive tackle at No. 26. But their history says they won’t do that.

Continue reading Don’t expect D-line in first round →

Free agency, NFL draft

Will Schneider use any of top options to fix OL?

1 Comment

OsemeleAs the Seahawks plot to rebuild their offensive line this offseason, they appear to face a steep and slippery uphill climb — one where it could be easy to backslide and end up right back where they started.

If the Hawks were forced to play a game today, they could barely field a line with the guys they have under contract. Garry Gilliam likely would move to left tackle, Drew Nowak would return to center, Justin Britt would move back to right tackle, Mark Glowinski would step in at right guard (J.R. Sweezy reportedly is expected to have a hot market in free agency) and Kristjan Sokoli probably would be the de facto left guard.

What an underwhelming, overmatched line that would be, eh?

The offensive line is the one spot where the Seahawks simply have not “competed” well in personnel. In six years, John Schneider has signed just eight free agents — and none have lasted more than a year. He also has drafted just four linemen in the first three rounds — and Britt (a major reach in the second round) is the only one from the past four drafts.

Will Schneider change that this year to get the Seahawks back atop the NFC? Will he be willing to spend resources — money and draft picks — to fix it?

Continue reading Will Schneider use any of top options to fix OL? →

CHAWK LINES, Free agency, NFL draft
Leave a comment

Chawk lines 75 pct

Rob Staton posits a seven-round mock draft for the Seahawks, which nets a couple of linemen and a pass rusher.

Bob Condotta takes a look at the Seahawks’ linebacker situation entering the offseason.

Hawk Blogger presents five alternative free-agent D-tackles as Brandon Mebane and Ahtyba Rubin prepare to hit the market.

Derrick Coleman apparently was smoking synthetic weed when he had his car accident in October.

Kam Chancellor is out of the Pro Bowl — appropriate considering he didn’t merit it anyway.

Condotta explains why the Seahawks surely wouldn’t ask a retiring Marshawn Lynch to return bonus money.

Dave Boling points out that Carolina has used Seattle’s blueprint to get to the Super Bowl — a good sign for the Seahawks heading forward.

News flash: Seahawks fans hate Cam Newton.

Franchise history, NFL draft, State of the team, Week 15: Cleveland

Michael, Hill reminders of bad 2013 draft

2 Comments

Michael to CowboysJohn Schneider and Pete Carroll built the Seahawks into Super Bowl contenders using three strong drafts to start their tenure.

Of their 28 draft choices from 2010 to 2012, 17 contributed in some fashion, a dozen became full-time starters and six have been named to the Pro Bowl at least once. Those three drafts were a great foundation for consecutive Super Bowl appearances.

Then there was 2013. It was a bad draft year for the entire NFL — and Seattle certainly didn’t buck the odds.

Christine Michael’s somewhat surprising return to Seattle and Jordan Hill’s latest injury are reminders.

Continue reading Michael, Hill reminders of bad 2013 draft →

NFL draft, Trades, Week 13: At Minnesota

Schneider helped build this Vikings team

Leave a comment

John Schneider draftingWhen Minnesota GM Rick Spielman sees John Schneider this weekend in Minneapolis, he will probably give him a big hug and kiss.

After all, Schneider has helped Spielman build his team into the NFC North leader. Schneider has handed Spielman his quarterback, a starting cornerback and a backup running back over the last three years. Oh, and he also relieved Spielman of a massive locker room headache.

Continue reading Schneider helped build this Vikings team →

NFL draft, State of the team, The roster, Week 12: Pittsburgh

The O-line the Hawks could have had

Leave a comment

OL redraft collage.png

As Bruce Irvin misses another game and David DeCastro comes to town with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week, it’s a great opportunity to show you how the Seahawks could have put together a very good offensive line by now — if they really wanted to.

It all starts with DeCastro, a Bellevue native who has played some very good guard for the Steelers ever since they drafted him in the first round in 2012.

He should have been Seattle’s choice — as we said then.

Continue reading The O-line the Hawks could have had →

NFL draft, State of the team, The roster, Trades

No matter how season ends, Hawks have to make changes next year

2 Comments

Chancellor, Carroll and SchneiderNo matter how the season ends for the Seahawks, they have some key changes to make next year.

They certainly don’t need to blow up the team completely – even if they miss the playoffs. But they will need to make a few small detonations — even if they make the postseason and even if they somehow manage to win the Super Bowl (which seems like California dreamin’ at this point).

Whether Pete Carroll intends to stay beyond 2016 or not, John Schneider needs to fix the problems that have been holding this team back from greatness and help avoid becoming, as he has called it, “one of those teams that skates in and skates out” of contention.

Bottom line: The Seahawks cannot go through another year with such a disjointed offense holding back a potentially great defense. And they have to make some changes to the defense as well – beyond Bruce Irvin leaving in free agency (they will get a taste this week of how Frank Clark and Kevin Pierre-Louis might replace him).

Continue reading No matter how season ends, Hawks have to make changes next year →

NFL draft, State of the team, Trades

Another fourth-round flunkout for Schneider

1 Comment

Norwood Aug. 18John Schneider has been hailed for his ability to find mid-round diamonds in the rough, but his track record in the fourth round certainly hasn’t been responsible for that reputation.

The trade of Kevin Norwood is the latest example. And, if rookie Terry Poole is let go this week as well, Schneider’s Round 4 record will take yet another hit.

Obviously, the fourth round is a bit of a crap shoot, but teams should hit on at least half of those picks. Since Schneider took over the Seahawks in 2010, the league average on successful fourth-rounders has been between 55 and 60 percent (not counting this year, of course).

But the fourth round has been Schneider’s worst — based on typical expectations. In his six drafts, Schneider has selected a league-high 12 players in the fourth. Of the 10 drafted before this year, just four remain — and only two have really done much to help the Hawks.

Fourth and short

Continue reading Another fourth-round flunkout for Schneider →