Category Archives: NFL draft

Hawks reportedly trying to trade up in Round 2

NFL draftMany have speculated that the Seahawks — overstocked with 11 picks — would try to move up from their spot deep in the second round. And it turns out they apparently are trying.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, “Teams I hear want to come up into the early part of the 2nd round: The Steelers, Seahawks, Falcons.”

Draft Insider Tony Pauline said last week that the Seahawks “would love to grab Dorial Green-Beckham if he’s available at the 63rd selection, but they expect the receiver to be off the board during the initial 15 picks of Round 2.”

If they aren’t after Green-Beckham, they might be angling for one of the top offensive or defensive linemen.

On Day 2, Hawks should find a lineman

Pete Carroll spent the first day of the draft joking about the Seahawks’ first-round pick.

He even stopped in the media room at VMAC and cracked to reporters, “Don’t tell anyone but we’re taking a tight end.”

Obviously, the Seahawks consider Jimmy Graham their first-round pick — they sent the 31st overall selection to New Orleans along with center Max Unger for Graham and a fourth-rounder.

It was one of the best picks of the first round, which was one of the least intriguing in years — just two trades.

And now the Hawks’ draft will begin, with 11 picks from the 63rd to the 248th.

Continue reading On Day 2, Hawks should find a lineman

Irvin reports make sense

Graham vs. IrvinIt’s no surprise that the Seahawks apparently won’t pick up Bruce Irvin’s $7.75 million option. We already have pointed out why they probably wouldn’t do it.

As for the Atlanta trade rumor, it certainly makes more sense than the Michael Bennett/Atlanta rumor from a few weeks ago.

The Seahawks apparently told Danny O’Neil of 710 ESPN that they are not trying to trade Irvin, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t listening to teams asking about him.

O’Neil wrote: “Trading Irvin is not something Seattle is planning to do or has actively pursued. In other words, any ‘chatter’ about a potential trade is occurring somewhere other than Seattle’s front office. The team is planning on having Irvin back at strong-side linebacker, where he has established himself as a strong starter.”

Of course, nothing there says the Hawks are not talking to the Falcons. It is quite possible that Dan Quinn (former Seattle DC now Atlanta’s coach) initiated talks with Seattle about Irvin.

Continue reading Irvin reports make sense

Hawks more likely to move down than up

NFL draftThere seems to be growing sentiment that the Seahawks want to move up in the second round to get an impact player, but it seems more likely that they will bail out of the second round. And not just because John Schneider has moved down in all five of his Seahawks drafts.

Unless a player they really like falls to them, they are likely to see a bunch of similarly skilled players — any of which they might like — and that could make Schneider want to move down and pick up another draft choice or two.

Continue reading Hawks more likely to move down than up

CHAWK LINES -- Draft

NFL.com put together a seven-round mock draft. Like many, they gave Oregon center Hroniss Grasu to Seattle at No. 63.

Rotoworld gave the Hawks two Michigan players to start off its seven-round mock.

Rob Staton broke down the players selected in the NFL.com and Rotoworld mocks.

Everyone seems to have Ty Montgomery landing in Seattle, which means of course he won’t. But Bob Condotta lists him among 10 players who could fit the Seahawks.

The Seahawks likely have interest in a lot of the guys on this list of “underrated prospects” by Doug Farrar of SI.com.

The NFL has asked reporters not to tip picks on social media.

NFL.com calls out four draft smokescreens from teams.

Football Outsiders put together some data on teams that have created the best and worst trade value in the draft. The Seahawks were the best in 2000-04 — largely because they had two first-round picks in 2000 and 2001 off the Joey Galloway trade.

Will Hawks move off 63 or pull from 2016 stock?

NFL draftDRAFT COUNTDOWN: Five days. A weekly look at draft-related topics involving the Seahawks.

John Schneider already has made three trades involving picks in this draft, and everyone is curious to know whether he’s going to make another one — moving off the Seahawks’ first pick at No. 63 on Friday.

Last season, Schneider basically ended up swapping sixth-round picks while adding cornerback Marcus Burley and deleting wide receiver Percy Harvin.

But the big move was the one Schneider made March 10, sending center Max Unger and Seattle’s first-round pick (No. 31 overall) to the Saints for tight end Jimmy Graham and a fourth-rounder.

The other day, Schneider said, “When you acquire a player of Jimmy’s caliber with the 31st pick, that makes it that much easier to sleep at night knowing that we wouldn’t be able to get a player like that.”

With Graham coming in as their nominal first-rounder — much like Harvin in 2013 — the Hawks are left to pick at No. 63. But will they stay there? Or will they consider using some 2016 draft capital to add a pick in the second round?

Continue reading Will Hawks move off 63 or pull from 2016 stock?

What do Jeanpierre, Bennett mean for draft?

NFL draftWith the draft now a little over a week away, some of the Seahawks’ positional concerns were highlighted Monday with the news that (a) Michael Bennett did not show up to offseason workouts, (b) the Hawks re-signed center Lemuel Jeanpierre and (c) the Hawks hosted speedy wide receiver Chris Conley last week.

Bennett’s absence — likely tied to his sudden dissatisfaction with his contract — is nothing to be concerned about now and won’t be unless he remains absent when training camp begins in July.

The only mandatory team event between now and then is the minicamp June 16-18. But if Bennett remains away, he clearly won’t be following up on his stated goal of “trying to be a good Seahawk.”

Continue reading What do Jeanpierre, Bennett mean for draft?

Would the Seahawks draft a QB in the third?

NFL draftDRAFT COUNTDOWN: Two weeks. A weekly look at draft-related topics involving the Seahawks.

Three years ago, the Seahawks surprised everyone with their third-round pick, selecting an undersized quarterback even though they had just signed a presumptive new starter.

As it turned out, the rookie, Russell Wilson, beat out the favorite, Matt Flynn, and then helped lead the Seahawks to consecutive Super Bowls.

The Seahawks clearly expect to sign Wilson to an extension and have him be their quarterback for the next decade, but it would not be a surprise if the Hawks used another third-round pick (or a fourth) on a QB this year.

Continue reading Would the Seahawks draft a QB in the third?

What if preferred OL & WR are gone by No. 63?

NFL draftDRAFT COUNTDOWN: Under three weeks. A weekly look at draft-related topics involving the Seahawks.

A year ago, word was the Seahawks were hoping to draft a couple of offensive tackles because they needed to replace right tackle Breno Giacomini and weren’t sure they would keep left tackle Russell Okung when his contract is up after the 2015 season.

At the time, Okung was recuperating from foot surgery after missing half the 2013 season, and the Hawks did indeed draft two linemen: Justin Britt, who started at right tackle all season, and Garrett Scott, whose NFL career ended before it started due to a heart condition.

A year later, the Seahawks are looking at linemen more than ever — needing to replace Max Unger and James Carpenter and perhaps prepare to replace Okung.

But when will they take them?

Continue reading What if preferred OL & WR are gone by No. 63?

Is Schneider becoming the new Bobby Beathard?

NFL draftDRAFT COUNTDOWN: Four weeks. A weekly look at draft-related topics involving the Seahawks.

The Seahawks will be in rare historical company in this year’s draft, becoming the first team in nearly 20 years to go three straight years without a first-round draft pick.

John Schneider’s deal for Jimmy Graham, which cost Seattle its first-rounder and Max Unger, means the Seahawks will become the seventh team in the modern era to go without a first-rounder in at least three straight drafts.

To recap how the Hawks have joined the select club:

–In 2013, they traded a first-rounder, seventh-rounder and 2014 third to Minnesota for Percy Harvin.

–In 2014, they traded down from No. 32 and picked Paul Richardson with the 40th overall selection, also adding a fourth-rounder in the deal with the Vikings.

–Last month, they sent Unger and their first-rounder (No. 31) to New Orleans for Graham and a fourth-rounder.

So is this just a one-time oddity, like the Houston Oilers from 1979 to 1981? Or is Schneider becoming the Bobby Beathard of this era?

Continue reading Is Schneider becoming the new Bobby Beathard?