Will the Seattle Seahawks Find Safety in the 2009 Draft?

With Jim Mora taking the reigns, the defense is on center stage. Despite last year’s dismal defensive performances, previous seasons held most of the same personnel with much greater success. The question remains: What happened?

We can argue that injuries and those playing injured was part of the problem. Perhaps the issue was the defense wasn’t as sound as we thought to begin with. In 2007 the 'Hawks had one of the top-five pass rushes in the league, which gave the secondary and linebackers significant cushion. Players like Kelly Jennings and Brian Russell weren’t exposed the way they were in 2008.

That being said, most draft boards are showing Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech) as “most likely to be a future Seahawk.” This is assuming, of course, if he declares.

This might strike many as a strange pick for a team that just hired a defensive-minded coach and a run-oriented offensive coordinator. Given the change of tides in the coaching structure, I disagree with this pick. (Although it would be cool to see Hass hooking up with Crabtree.)

The defensive line was abysmal last season, however I can’t see Seattle selecting Brian Orakpo (DE, Texas) after selecting Lawrence Jackson last year in the draft. I think you can expect to see Patrick Kerney, Jackson and Darryl Tapp staying at the ends.

The front office is very impressed with Brandon Mebane, so that leaves one gap on the defensive line, assuming Rocky Bernard isn’t pursued. Bernard had another solid season, but the rumors are that he isn’t coming back.

Personally, if I could see them make any bid in free agency, it would be to pick up Albert Haynesworth. Naturally, that might be a pipe dream. However, Lawrence Jackson did line up a few times at tackle this year, and it might not be too outlandish to see them move him permanently to the inside to share time with Craig Terrill and Red Bryant. This would make it more probable to see them go after Orakpo to share time with Tapp.

They could always go straight after a tackle in the draft, however Sen’Derrick Marks (DT, Auburn) is the best DT in the draft right now, and he’s not top 5 talent. I would hate to see the ‘Hawks trade down that far for a position that might not pan out, when there are other talented players they can use.

There is a lot of chatter about Leroy Hill picking up the franchise tag. If this is the case, then there may not be any interest in selecting another linebacker such as Aaron Curry (OLB/ILB, Wake Forest) or Rey Maualuga (ILB, USC).

However, if Seattle lets Rocky Bernard go and doesn’t make a bid for another DT, they could always slide over to the 3-4 mold. Given the fact that their current personnel is weighted towards the 4-3, it would take some significant off season roster management to make this happen to avoid another injury baked catastrophe.

Ruskell’s media fodder suggests that this kind of personnel change isn’t likely. With the front seven pretty much intact, I think the top pick is coming from the secondary.

Malcolm Jenkins (CB, Ohio State) is a hot prospect, but I think we are waiting on his 40 speed before we declare him top 5 worthy. He does bring slightly more size to the table than Marcus Trufant, and if the 4.3 40 is legit, then it might be hard to pass him by. His play has been consistent all three years as a starter in Ohio State.

However, let’s not get too hasty. Taylor Mays (S, USC) is the man. With Brian Russell’s lackluster play, and the need to improve the defense, specifically against the “big play”, this is the type of guy you want.

When Seattle went with the “smaller, faster defense” they didn’t consider the freakish Taylor Mays. At 6'4", 225 his 4.3 speed is rare and beyond impressive. He has the size to challenge the larger running backs that have proven the bane to the undersized Seattle defensive line, yet he has the speed to go toe-to-toe with any receiver in the league. With the hiring of Greg Knapp, I think the odds of seeing Michael Crabtree coming to Seattle are less likely and Mays is going to be the way to spend that fourth overall pick.

I think the second round might be a better place for Seattle to address it’s offensive issues, however if Vontae Davis (CB, Illinois) is still on the board, you can bet he’s going to get a look. He’s listed as a top-25 pick, and given the need for corners throughout the league , the odds he’s still around aren’t too good. D.J. Moore from Vanderbilt is a lot smaller and a bit slower than Davis, but he might get a look as well.

I also like Clint Sintim from Virginia here. He is a solid pass rush ILB/OLB/DE type which would be a great depth player for Seattle, however I think the selection here depends on what happens at corner and there a bit too many needs to waste on depth. 

Percy Harvin (WR, Florida) and Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR, Maryland) are both receivers that might still be around by the 'Hawks second pick. Both of these guys boast speed we aren’t going to find in free agency, and they’ll likely come at a lower cost as well.

Harvin is a bit undersized, and given that Branch is probably going to be a day one starter, this gives Hasselbeck two small targets. Heyward-Bey is a taller receiver, and his numbers were squashed by the lack of a real QB in Maryland. It’s scary to think what he might do with a three-time pro bowler who’s got something to prove. If Heyward-Bey falls that far, I think Seattle has to pick him.

I think the later rounds are more of a question, but don’t rule out the chance of Seattle looking to the future by selecting Graham Harrell (QB, Texas Tech). His famous comeback against Minnesota , and the predictions of his doing nothing in the big leagues is all too reminiscent of that guy in New England (the one dating Giselle). I would love to see Seattle free up Seneca Wallace from backup QB duty, to WR duty.

If the Hawks retain Ray Willis, then I think there is a good chance that when Jones retires, Locklear will move to LT and Willis will move to RT, provided their play keeps up. If that’s the case, we might look for Ruskell to work that middle-round magic for an interior offensive lineman rather than exterior.

Trevor Canfield (G, Cincinnati) is a nasty, fleet footed guard. He’s been good since his February ’08 assault charge, and as long as he keeps it on the field, he could be the type of gritty lineman that Seattle needs.

Admittedly, I think if Seattle can land Ray Feinga (G, BYU) in one of the middle rounds they might find a sleeper starter. BYU was a top notch offense in 2008, and Feinga was one of the pieces to that puzzle. At 6’5, 330, he is a fairly quick lineman that would be a massive asset to the Solari/Knapp running game.

I don’t want to rule out a new direction at running back. In the middle rounds it’s possible that Knapp might need to sate his running addiction through some hard-nosed backs like Arian Foster (Tennessee) or Rashad Jennings (Liberty) in lieu of using TJ Duckett.

That’s all I’ve got for now. After the combine, I’m sure some of this will get shuffled around, and naturally we’ve got to see what happens with free agency to see if some gaps close or open based on the arrivals/departures.