How Hawks are handling ‘wild, wild West’ draft

NFL draft“We’re trying to figure out how to whip the other guys, get better information, more intel and all that.” — Pete Carroll on preparation for the virtual draft

As the NFL gets ready for what Pete Carroll called “a one-time-only situation” and “really unique” virtual draft, this is an opportunity for the Seahawks to show they are still one of the league’s most tech-savvy franchises by taking advantage of less-prepared franchises.

The Seahawks have been a pretty bad drafting team since 2013, but John Schneider has an experienced personnel crew, established connections around football and a franchise that became cutting edge under the late Paul Allen. That all should help the Hawks where other teams might fail in this virtual format.

“It’s the wild, wild West a little bit,” Carroll recently told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “We’ve all got guidelines and rules and everything, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways in there that you can’t figure out how you can get what you need to get. Johnny is prepared knowing that he’s not going to have as much as normal and they won’t have the normal process that he would have. But we’re going to try and max that out in every way we can.”

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Which pass rushers fit the Seahawks?

NFL draftWe’re a week away from the first virtual NFL draft, and the Seahawks still have not addressed their most glaring need of the offseason: pass rusher.

Yeah, yeah: Benson Mayowa and Bruce Irvin are back. But they are supporting players. The star still has not arrived for his closeup.

John Schneider’s offseason will be a failure if he does not sign Jadeveon Clowney, Everson Griffen or Yannick Ngakoue (via trade). He must have a stud veteran pass rusher if the Seahawks are going to compete for the Super Bowl. And, whether he does or not, we can expect him to draft a defensive lineman on Day 2, too.

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Waiting for new core to emerge, Schneider won’t invest beyond two years

Logo -- Free agencyJohn Schneider had around $35 million in 2020 salary cap space to spend on free agents when the league year began, and everyone expected a chunk of that to go toward a pass rusher on a long-term deal.

That has not happened, and it would be a surprise now if it did — because Schneider has spent about $34 million on 13 veterans (including four RFAs). And he has followed his SOP of not giving out long-term deals to outside players — just three of his signings (Jarran Reed, B.J. Finney, Brandon Shell) have been for two years. Even his reported offers to Jadeveon Clowney have been for just one or two years.

Other than guys on rookie deals, the Seahawks have just three players signed for the next three seasons: Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner and shaky kicker Jason Myers.

Basically, this team is built — you might say patched together — through only 2021. And that includes Schneider and Pete Carroll, whose contracts expire after that season as well.

Why are they being so shortsighted? Because they generally give long-term deals only to players who have proven themselves in Carroll’s system — and few of their recent draft picks have earned the right to be considered part of the core.

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Will fear of second wave scuttle the season?

CoronavirusClearly, the return of sports is not significant in the face of a deadly pandemic that requires us to cease our normal lives in order to keep each other healthy. But the return of sports will be important because it will signal the re-normalization of society and thus the presumed passing of the coronavirus.

The question we all want answered and for which there is no answer yet: When might that happen? July? October? Next year?

And, if we have to repeat social distancing every few months, should/will the 2020 season even be played?

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Draft countdown: Skill players over pass rusher?

NFL draftThe NFL didn’t postpone free agency, so it makes sense that the league is not going to put off the draft either. It’s still on for April 23-25, three weeks from now.

Well, for John Schneider’s Seahawks, it probably will be April 24-25 – the usual two-day affair after a move out of the first round.

Just about every non-trade mock draft has the Seahawks taking a pass rusher with the 27th overall pick. Two problems with that: Seattle won’t stay at 27, and pass rusher probably won’t be Seattle’s first pick.

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Hawks must add their pass rusher by draft day

Logo -- Free agencyThe closer it gets to draft time, the closer it gets to decision time for the Seahawks about which established pass rusher they are going to add.

We already said the team needs to move on from Jadeveon Clowney if he is seeking just a one-year deal at this point, but now it seems he might be intent on waiting until the COVID-19 shutdown is lifted so he can undergo physicals in the hope of getting what he wants (at least $20 million a year).

If that is the case, it’s definitely time to move on; Seattle has to have a pass rusher before the draft begins April 23.

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If we flatten the curve, maybe ‘normal’ will return in July

CoronavirusThe COVID-19 pandemic has killed thousands around the world and will kill thousands more. It has changed the way we all live — for now, if not forever. It’s obviously so much bigger than football and sports, which mean nothing in the face of a deadly worldwide crisis.

That said, the sports world is doing everything it can to help. Among the first athletes to do so was Russell Wilson, who (with wife Ciara) is helping to contribute 10 million meals to those in need. Drew Brees and his wife are giving $5 million to hard-hit Louisiana to combat the virus. Many others are contributing as well, and athletes everywhere have joined the PSA calling for people to stay home and help flatten the curve.

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Roster report: After pass rusher, what’s next?

Logo -- Free agency(UPDATED) The Seahawks are trying to resolve their biggest roster question, but they are still making other free-agent moves.

In addition to the premier pass rusher (or two), they also need a run-stuffing defensive tackle, a cornerback, a running back and a backup quarterback. (UPDATE: They acquired CB Quinton Dunbar from Washington on Monday.)

Let’s take stock of each position:

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If Clowney won’t commit, Seahawks should quickly grab Griffen

Logo -- Free agencyIf Jadeveon Clowney wants only a one-year deal, the Seahawks should sign Everson Griffen instead.

Clowney’s market might be under $15 million at this point, per 710 ESPN’s John Clayton. We all know about the pandemic hurdle to teams giving Clowney a physical, but Clayton brings up another interesting thought: There aren’t many 4-3 teams in need of pass rushers now.

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If reports are correct, Clowney should take Seattle’s offer

Logo -- Free agencyIt sounds like Jadeveon Clowney’s contract choice right now might be taking around $18 million a year in a four-season pact with the Seahawks or holding out for a big 2021 payday by playing 2020 for as little as $13 million.

If that is true, his choice should be simple: Take the Seattle deal. And become a free agent again in 2024 at age 31.

Continue reading If reports are correct, Clowney should take Seattle’s offer