Jay: Seattle on the clock…again? Yes FWG, Seattle has two picks in the top 15. They should be able to get two players that have an impact this year. My pick here (probably not loved by most) is RB CJ Spiller from Clemson. After his combine workout, he locked himself in as the number 1 RB come April. Spiller is electric. He is a big time play maker who would also be able to help out Seattle’s kick return game. Pete Carroll has a great opportunity in front of him in the Pacific Northwest. The Cards are done ruling that division with Playboy Matt Leinart running the show in Arizona. (Not to mention the loss of Anquan Boldin, Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle) Seattle has a decent team; they have just been hurt by injuries. (And the extremely poor play from Elizabeth Hasselb… I mean Matt) But lets forget that because I still think he has a year or two left in him. Carroll is bringing in a good coaching staff so look for Seattle to be much improved.
Will: Seahawks: Round 1 pick 14- RB C J Spiller, Sr. Clemson University
All signs point to the Seahawks dumping one of these picks in a trade, but given their various needs I see them addressing their offensive line and/or skill positions. Rob has Bradford still on the board at this point, which would be an automatic pick for Seattle, but I do not see him getting past Washington, Cleveland, Buffalo (even with their huge holes on the offensive line), or San Fran.
The linebackers and secondary are pretty solid in Seattle. While FS Deon Grant is turning 32, he is still good enough in open space that they can wait to pick a safety or conversion corner in the later rounds. SS Jordan Babineaux is coming off of a 100+ tackle season; while impressive, that generally means that the front 7 are getting pounded and/or not getting to the passer. Though DT is a primary need, the depth in this years draft for D lineman is amazing. I would look for them to grab Penn State’s Jared Odrick (listed at 6’5”, 305 with a 34 inch reach), a natural 3 tech who is very solid in the run game in the second or third round.
Though the loss of Walter Jones ( who has pretty much been gone for the past three seasons anyways) might force them to patch up their o-line, the depth at that position in the draft might allow them to wait until the second day or grab a free agent like Jamal Brown from the Saints (very unlikely they will part ways but the Seahawks will dump any amount of cash and/or picks to get a top caliber starter without having to risk a draft bust), or Alex Barron from Washington (natural right tackle who needs to develop his pass blocking, but is solid at the point of attack with his 6’7”, 310lbs frame.
With money tied up in Housh and a solid target in second year TE Carlson, they would love to see a guy like Dez Bryant (another automatic pick) drop so they can move Butler to the slot; a more natural position for him in the West Coast system. But if I am following your current boards, the best available pick would be C J Spiller out of Clemson. This guy is a monster talent who is a pure play maker. 21 of his 52 career TD’s went for over 50 yards and he is a running, receiving, and returning threat. Additionally, at his pro-day, he worked out on a muddy, rain soaked field and was more then impressive (by all reports; still waiting to be invited to some of these damn things!) with his change of direction, burst, and receiving abilities; a huge plus when considering the elements in Seattle. Julius Jones is coming to the end of his stay in Seattle. He will turn 29 this season and has yet to prove that he is a solid enough back to be “the man” or a big play threat in a dual back system. To the best of my knowledge, his contract was mostly front heavy, but his trade value is way down since he left Dallas, where he racked up his only 1,000 yard season. Forsett, while talented, is not an every down back and is another guy who can only take what is given to him. With Spiller in the line-up, Jones and Forsett’s pass blocking abilities will keep them on the roster if the Hawks cannot find a trading partner.
The Seahawks are obviously shopping for a QB, but Spiller would take a ton of pressure off of Hasselbeck by forcing the defense to take away a pass-rusher or cover man to spy and contain. The Seahawks have a very talented, athletic interior line between Chris Spencer, Max Unger (stud center), and Rob Sims. This means that screens, draws, and inside traps will replace the stretch zones that carried Shaun Alexander will die out (much like Alexander’s overrated career). In addition to eliminating the need for a stud, point of attack Tackle, it will shorten up the play actions, force the opposing line-backers into the middle of the field, again slowing the pass rush on the QB and opening up Carlson and his 6’7” frame to get behind them and put pressure on the safeties.
Injuries and whether or not their corners can play up to their past performances will determine whether or not they can succeed; but with Arizona imploding, San Fran in desperate need of a QB, corners, and safeties to compliment their front 7, and the Rams being the Rams, Seattle has a good shot of winning that division by default. However, they cannot take time to develop a left tackle, hope that a franchise QB falls in their lap, or count on their current backfield to win games for them. If available, C J spiller would make a perfect fit and he immediately improves their 26th ranked running game, receiving attack, and special teams.
Thanks a lot to Will for helping us out today. FWGNFL nation, Will may be stopping by from time to time to pick with us.
Tags: 2010 NFL Draft, CJ Spiller, Seattle Seahawks
