Bleacher Report Community Draft: All 7 Rounds for the Seattle Seahawks
Bleacher Report has come up with an antidote to the common mock draft. While fans flock to the latest predictions from NFL analysts, draft scouts and over-eager fans, most mock drafts are riddled with one fatal flaw. Very few analysts have intricate working knowledge of the needs and strengths of all 32 NFL Franchises.
Bleacher Report responded to this issue, bringing together Featured Columnists from every NFL team to act as their franchise's general manager/front office. Trades were allowed, making the experience a bit more reflective of what is expected to be a very busy first day of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Following are the selections made, with the help of Thomas Holmes, for the Seattle Seahawks, along with links to each round of the draft. We look forward to your comments.
Round 1: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
1 of 6I see this pick as one the Seattle Seahawks will seriously consider trading unless a player they covet is available. Quinton Coples could be that person, though concerns about his motor could minimize Pete Carroll's desire to draft him.
However, the Seahawks defense is a solid group, and I find it difficult to believe Coples wouldn't bring a solid effort to the unit. Aside from Carroll, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas will accept nothing less from their unit.
Coples has the potential to be an elite defensive end. Adding that component to the 2011 Seahawks defense could push them into elite realm.
The draft started as follows:
- Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
- Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
- Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
- Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
- Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
- Rams: Trent Richardon, RB, Alabama
- Jaguars: Melvin Ingram, DE, S. Carolina
- Cowboys: Michael Brockers, DT/DE, LSU
- Panthers: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
- Bills: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
- Chiefs: Riley Reiff, OT/OG, Iowa
Without a solid trading partner, Coples makes the most sense here. Some will argue for Luke Kuechly, and I agree he'll be a productive linebacker in the NFL. However, that role in a 4-3 defense doesn't have near the impact as a solid pass-rusher.
Nick Perry is another option here, though one the Seahawks would likely be able to make a bit later in Round 1.
With defensive end and linebacker being the most pressing needs, this pick could be a leveraged bet that will be available in Round 2. The selection of Coples would leave the Seahawks needing Nigel Bradham or Lavonte David to be available at pick 43.
Depending on their opinion of Andre Branch and Jared Crick, they could opt for Kuechly here and bet that one of the two aforementioned defensive ends are available in Round 2.
Round 2: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
2 of 6The aforementioned Branch and Crick were both available with this pick, and both have first-round talent. They are tempting selections here, but unless Seattle was able to secure a linebacker in Round 1, the Seahawks' need for another quality starting linebacker will override the attractiveness of another pass-rusher.
Lavonte David is a fast, instinctive linebacker, with a nose for where the football is going to be. He had an amazing 260 tackles in two seasons and likely has the flexibility to play inside as well.
One factor that keeps David from entering discussions as a first-round talent is his size. At just 233 lbs, he could struggle in the NFL against larger blockers. However, an NFL strength and conditioning coach should be able to add a bit more bulk to his frame.
David succeeded in college because of his ability to read the field and know where plays were headed. His skill set will prove valuable in the NFL.
Round 3: Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State
3 of 6The comments started on March 28th when I announced the results of the first three rounds...the Seahawks signed Matt Flynn. They don't need a quarterback.
Respectfully, I disagree. It is no secret that I've been projecting Flynn would join the Seahawks for the last year. At first, I thought it would happen via trade, but the Packers felt the need to hold onto their backup, showing confidence in his ability to lead the team should Aaron Rodgers miss any time.
Seattle just waited until he became a free agent and then signed him, upstaging the Miami Dolphins for his services.
I still believe Flynn will be a good starting quarterback in the NFL, but also recognize he may not live up to some lofty expectations. Should that happen, Seattle will want another option to build the offense around.
Brock Osweiler could be that quarterback.
He is a bit raw and will need some time to season before being tested by the NFL fire, but he has the size, athleticism, accuracy and quick release that could propel him to a great career. He will need to work on his decision-making, as he got over-confident at times. I've also discussed concerns with his deep accuracy in prior articles.
With some time and coaching, though, he will be able to push Flynn after Tarvaris Jackson's contract is up...and could possibly become an elite quarterback.
Then again, he may not develop, and Seattle could be looking to grab one of the top prospects expected to hit the 2013 draft.
There is now talk that Osweiler could be the fourth quarterback selected in the draft, and in the first round at that.
"Despite his height, (Osweier) is very flexible and has a solid throwing platform. (Noel) Mazzone has worked with him to correct a tendency to drop his elbow, which Osweiler avoided doing on Friday.
Based on Friday’s workout, I think Osweiler vaulted himself into the first round on draft day. He will likely work out for a number of teams; there is a lot of excitement surrounding him. His showing Friday was somewhat surprising; I think he exceeded the expectations of everybody in attendance.
"
Surprising to some, perhaps, but it appears I'm not the only one interested in Osweiler joining the Seahawks. Pete Carroll, general manager John Schneider and Darrell Bevell (offensive coordinator) attended his pro-day workout.
Osweiler performed very well overall at his pro day. His 40-time was in the 4.9 second range, which is about what was expected. However, he showed great mobility in the pocket and threw very well on the run. His footwork was also impressive, along with a modified throwing motion that was more over-the-top than his normal 3/4 sidearm motion.
Osweiler's accuracy was very good for the most part, completing 66 of 75 passes with two drops. The one issue was again the deep ball, overthrowing his receivers for most of the incomplete passes.
Perhaps Ricardo Lockette can fix that issue.
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Round 4: Mitchell Schwartz, OT, Cal
4 of 6The Seahawks have pretty much tipped their hand with their direction on the offensive line.
Breno Giacomini was re-signed to a salary reflective of a lower-end starting right tackle. He performed well in that role at the end of the 2011 season, and it appears the Seahawks are ready to have him continue there in 2012.
When the Seahawks released Robert Gallery, the expectation was the move was made to bring Steve Hutchinson back to Seattle. That didn't happen, and Pete Carroll made it clear it was the re-signing of Paul McQuistan that allowed Seattle to make the move.
It seems likely Seattle plans to move James Carpenter to guard when he is able to recover from his knee injury. He might not be ready for the start of the season, though, which will make it difficult for him to displace Giacomini from the starting spot.
The Seahawks need depth on the offensive line, as well as a player that will be an option to replace Giacomini when his contract expires.
Mitchell Schwartz has been a versatile run and pass blocker for Cal, working at both left and right tackle. He has over 50 starts and was exposed to several different blocking schemes in his tenure. He is considered a second- or third-round talent and would be great value for Seattle here.
He may not project as a starting tackle in the NFL, but a season or two learning from a quality coaching staff could prepare him to be the future at the right tackle slot.
Round 6: Olivier Vernon, DE, Miami
5 of 6There were several tempting players available in Round 6, Terrance Ganaway and Janzen Jackson being two notable options. However, Olivier Vernon has the physical skills to be a great pass rusher in the NFL.
Vernon's college days were cut short after he was implicated in the Nevin Shapiro scandal, and he opted to forgo his senior year instead of dealing with the added scrutiny of returning to Miami. He is an athletic pass rusher that could help fill a major hole in Seattle's defense.
At 6'2" and 261 lbs., Vernon has the size to play the Leo end in Seattle's defense. He also dropped a 4.68 in the 40 at the NFL Combine, and his shuttle time of 4.50 was one of the better performances for defensive linemen...showing he should also have the speed and quickness.
Vernon has a few technical issues to work on, but his primary issue has been focus. Losing half of his 2011 season didn't help, and he will be looking to work on a clean slate in the NFL.
He is a bit of a risk, but he could be an impact player and is well worth the gamble in this slot.
Round 7: Bobby Rainey, RB Western Kentucky
6 of 6Bobby Rainey has been under the radar as of yet in the draft process. He's a short back at just 5'7", but is fairly thick at 208 lbs. He turned in an impressive 4.51 40-time at his pro day, which will keep him on the radars of teams around the NFL.
Running back is a slot I'd looked to fill earlier in the draft, but the value wasn't there compared to other options. If Seattle is able to get Rainey in the seventh round it will have been worth the wait. He won't be a marquee runner, but could be an exciting complementary back.
Davin Meggett was also an option, and one I struggled with. Both are under-rated speedsters with solid girth that are expected to be available late in the draft. Both could make a positive impact on an NFL roster.
It will be interesting to see what route the Seahawks take at running back. They added Kregg Lumpkin, which would be more of "bash" to Marshawn Lynch's "smash." Rainey would certainly bring some "dash" to the Seahawks offense, and the marketing side of adding him is also appealing.
I call dibs on the "It's Rainey at the CLink" shirts, though...
Bobby Rainey Collegiate Stats:
Season | Carries | Yards | AVG | Long | TD |
2011 | 369 | 1,695 | 4.6 | 56 | 13 |
2010 | 340 | 1,649 | 4.9 | 59 | 15 |
2009 | 144 | 939 | 6.5 | 49 | 6 |
2008 | 35 | 240 | 6.9 | 40 | 0 |
Total | 888 | 4,523 | 5.1 | 59 | 34 |
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