Dream Scenario for the 2016 Offseason

[dogorama]

We got spoiled that 2013 team was one of the best of all tme.

 

[firebee]

JS is pretty much always in bargain shopping mode. I think they will let the market determine where they spend their money, rather than feeling they have a gun to their head to sign specific players. Whether they spend on OL or not will be decided by the market.

I think they also really want a pass rusher, but Pete hinted that it would be in the draft. I sure hope not, this draft is not that great for pass rushers, and Seattle's success at pass rusher so far has been almost entirely with veterans (Brock, Clemons, Avril, Bennett).

Disagree... Frank Clark was a stud last year and I have a ton of confidence in him. Outside of that, who have we really drafted to be primarily a pass rush specialist, besides Irvin? Most of the guys we've drafted for the line since PC & JS have been multi-dimensional players that play the run as well as the pass... Jaye Howard, Cassius Marsh, Jordan Hill, etc. None of them have really been drafted as pass rushing specialists.

 

[Yxes1122]

I think much of our available cap will be spent on our line. Okung might be gone, in fact Okung might want to be gone, but if his injury and surgery scare people away, the self represented Okung might return to Seattle and no income tax for a season. He would have to be a relative bargain. I feel like there is about a 25 percent chance it breaks this way.
My gut tells me we get a vet center in free agency. Our line is Gilliam, Glow at LG, vet center, Sweezy (sorry haters, but they love Sweezy in the front office), and Britt back to RT. Sokoli is the wild card, but to me counting on him before 2017, or ever, is pie in the sky.

This is actually how I see the offseason looking. I think after seeing Denver's pass rush, I expect there to be a frenzy in defensive FA. It is why I'm not sure Seattle will be able to find a veteran pass rush option this year and why I am a little more hopeful Irvin will net a 3rd round comp. This league is so reactionary in nature and several front offices struggle with instant gratification, so I expect DL talent to be overpriced in this years market. On the flip side, I think there are so many OL options in this draft, I think teams will look to build it in the draft, which would make the OL market a little more manageable. I also think that there is interesting OL talent in this draft, but I think many will go higher than they should. I could see a 2013 style offseason except, instead of pass rushers, Seattle adds a few value signings on the OL on short term deals. I think that can patch the OL for the next 1 or 2 years while they figure out a long term plan.

Then I think Seattle goes heavily on the defensive side of the ball in the draft. While I don't think the top tier DL talent is there (except for Billings maybe) I think there are 2nd day options that can come in and feel some of the void. Shilique Calhoun doesn't necessarily flash on tape, but he's put up 12+ sacks over three seasons. I think that production merits at least consideration in round 2. A guy like Darius Latham seems interesting after the 2 minute highlight reel I saw. Point being, I think there are guys in this draft that can be as productive for us as Hill has been. That's not that exciting of a talent but Hill has been a valuable role player when healthy.

Finally, I really like the secondary talent in this draft. If Ramsey is the Sammy Watkins of DBs, I think Hargreaves III is the Odell Beckham. I don't think he falls to us, but Pauline has him as a fringe 1st rounder so who knows. Outside of that I think guys like Artie-Burns and Sean Davis are interesting. I think it is shaping up to be a nice draft for DBs. Finding another guy to start opposite Sherm will be the biggest upgrade on D if Lane walks.

I think my dream scenario is to see some manner of change in the FO this year. In the sense that they don't keep trying strategies that aren't working. Particularly on how they evaluate OL talent and DL talent in the draft. Mainly I don't want to see a Britt style reach for a tackle prospect, or another shot gun blast of 3 OL on day 3 that likely won't make the roster.

 

[Davidess]

IMHO I think if there is going to be any FA signings I think they should be Oline. CBs on our rosters can be coached up and they have been in our system. weve seen what happens when a FA CB comes in and has to try to adapt.

I would be down with trying to sign Osemele (formerly of Bal) top OGs get around 8-8.5m a year (i.e Mankins, Yanda etc.) I would be down if they give Osemele 8.5m~ and sign a veteran C (Wisniewski or Manuel Ramirez)

Also the thing about letting Rubin and Mebane go in FA makes the whole bigger on that side of the trenches. I can see Rubin coming back but not mebane. Mebane has been a solid players and I think he could be back on a cheaper deal but depends on what his asking price is. The reason I think he declined renegotiating his contract this last season was because he had a one year left.

What JS said during a radio interview days after the Carolina game was that they are not going to force a position. you do that and it can be bad. he reiterated they will go BPA over need. Makes sense. This draft is mainly a DT draft and back up RB draft. lots of solid back up RBs with potential to spot start.

I wouldn't be surprised if the hawks go after FA Veteran O-lineman (Osemele, Boone, Jahri Evans etc.) and then in the draft go after a Mebane/Rubin replacement and than a Hybrid DT/DE (Jonathan Bullard for example)

 

[firebee]

IMHO I think if there is going to be any FA signings I think they should be Oline. CBs on our rosters can be coached up and they have been in our system. weve seen what happens when a FA CB comes in and has to try to adapt.

I would be down with trying to sign Osemele (formerly of Bal) top OGs get around 8-8.5m a year (i.e Mankins, Yanda etc.) I would be down if they give Osemele 8.5m~ and sign a veteran C (Wisniewski or Manuel Ramirez)

Also the thing about letting Rubin and Mebane go in FA makes the whole bigger on that side of the trenches. I can see Rubin coming back but not mebane. Mebane has been a solid players and I think he could be back on a cheaper deal but depends on what his asking price is. The reason I think he declined renegotiating his contract this last season was because he had a one year left.

What JS said during a radio interview days after the Carolina game was that they are not going to force a position. you do that and it can be bad. he reiterated they will go BPA over need. Makes sense. This draft is mainly a DT draft and back up RB draft. lots of solid back up RBs with potential to spot start.

I wouldn't be surprised if the hawks go after FA Veteran O-lineman (Osemele, Boone, Jahri Evans etc.) and then in the draft go after a Mebane/Rubin replacement and than a Hybrid DT/DE (Jonathan Bullard for example)

I'm actually opposed to spending big on any free agent, especially on the interior of the O-Line considering the talent on the interior in the draft. I think our best bet for value and quality in free agency is Mitchell Schwartz. The word is he'd be a great left tackle if the Browns didn't have a franchise LT, Joe Thomas, playing for them. He also has the skillset to move inside and play guard. Joe Thomas, himself, has said that he thinks Schwartz might be better than he is. Then add Bradley Sowell. Sowell started at LT for the Cardinals until the Cards brought in Veldheer, another guy that's a franchise LT in the league.

I like the odds of pulling a starting left tackle out of two younger guys that've been behind a couple franchise left tackles on the depth chart. Arians and Jackson also run a variation of the zone blocking spread WCO like we do, so their should be some similarities in schemes and terminology, which would make transitions for Schwartz and Sowell a lot smoother and quicker. Harbaugh runs more of a classic WCO with 2 back sets, so I begin to worry about how an offensive lineman will transition from that offense to our offense. Sowell and Schwartz are scheme fits for our offense that are young and talented with no injury concerns. Schwartz hasn't missed a snap since he entered the league and Sowell hasn't been injured yet either.

We need to draft Sebastian Tretola. IMO, he's the guy that solidifies our interior. Just an absolute monster and not a fatty monster, a big athletic hulking monster. He's the one guy I look at in this draft and think... We absolutely have to get him into a Seahawks uniform. He'd be a gamechanger for our offensive line, especially if you get Sowell or Schwartz to step up and stabilize the left tackle position. Then you can move one of the two over to right tackle to compete with Gilliam. If Gilliam improved even more and could man right tackle, you could move Schwartz inside to guard and he'd be a stud there. He has the combination of strength, agility, size and technique to be effective anywhere on the line. If I'm going to spend over 5 million a year on an offensive lineman, Schwartz is the guy I'd put the money on.

As for later round draft prospects, I wouldn't be opposed to us drafting Fahn Cooper, the starting right tackle at Ole Miss and Laremy Tunsil's backup at left tackle. Considered a very good swing tackle prospect that could also possibly move inside to compete for the start at guard in the NFL. Joe Haeg is another guy that has my interest... Needs to get stronger and play with better leverage to be more effective and improve on his run blocking, but his footwork and pass protection is top notch. He stays in front of the pass rush and doesn't get beat by speed. He just gives up ground more than he should and may have problems with the stronger pass rushers in the NFL. Cable's forte is improving on the strength of linemen and improving their leverage, so I could see Cable rounding Haeg out into a really really good offensive tackle.

 

[RichNhansom]

Great info Firbee. What is your thoughts on center?

My belief is it is as or more critical than even the LT. A poor center will often put his guards in poor position and can leave the LT on an island and vulnerable. I really believe it is very difficult to even trully evaluate the other lineman when the center struggles.

Do you see Lewis as the answer? Or is there someone you feel could step right in and upgrade the position? Also would you be willing to be aggressive at the position?

I have said many times I think we need to start by upgrading our blocking from the TE, FB and RB but that really is a bandaide to give a cushion for the line to grow and gel. Again though it won't matter if the center is below average, your net results will always be below average.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

Big problem with the OP is that he's assuming that a draft pick will automatically and immediately turn out better than what we have. It's pretty common thinking, but pretty risky. Especially when you're talking about kicking two players on each line to the curb. I could see the hope of the draft making up for one starter at a position, but not two.

Believe it or not, the Seahawks have not been drafting 7th round for ALL their linemen. Okung was a first-round pick. Moffitt was a third-rounder. James Carpenter was a first-rounder, and when fans went "Ehhh, let him go, he can't be THAT hard to replace", it turned out they were wrong. Now we have Justin Britt - also a high pick. Same with Unger; Seattle traded him out of health concerns. He didn't miss a game for the Saints, while we watched Drew Nowak struggle to block thin air.

"Blow it up and start over, it can't get worse" thinking is a bad move for the team at this juncture. You might get a first-round stud, but you might also get a first-round bust who's happy to slack it out for a big contract for four years before he starts selling insurance. There are a lot of such players in the draft, and a lot of them in the league. Cap room is a valid concern, but so is continuity, scheme familiarity, and experience.

I also think OP vastly undervalues both Sweezy (in run blocking, at least) and both Rubin and Mebane. Flashy stats aren't the whole story.

 

[firebee]

Great info Firbee. What is your thoughts on center?

My belief is it is as or more critical than even the LT. A poor center will often put his guards in poor position and can leave the LT on an island and vulnerable. I really believe it is very difficult to even trully evaluate the other lineman when the center struggles.

Do you see Lewis as the answer? Or is there someone you feel could step right in and upgrade the position? Also would you be willing to be aggressive at the position?

I have said many times I think we need to start by upgrading our blocking from the TE, FB and RB but that really is a bandaide to give a cushion for the line to grow and gel. Again though it won't matter if the center is below average, your net results will always be below average.

Honestly, I see us resigning JP, tendering Lewis, keeping Nowak and running with whoever performs the best out of the bunch. They're the most likely to call the right shots after being in the system, they're inexpensive and they're the devil we know. I could see us taking Martin or Kelly with our first pick, but it's hard to pass on a player like Rankins or Jaylon Smith if they happen to slide to us. This would be an especially difficult situation if a combination of those players slid to us after we traded down to pick up extra picks later in the draft. If I was looking at FA for a Center, I'd say Senio Kelemete would be a great value option to consider for competition at Center and Guard... Just seems like he'd be a good fit after playing for Sarkisian at Washington.

I think the FO needs to be looking for free agents that will play at a level above what people expect them to play. They need to get back to looking for players that have something to prove... I feel like Schwartz, Sowell and Kelemete are guys in free agency that have something to prove. I feel like Schwartz has been overshadowed by Thomas and Mack, Sowell was put on the back burner after a couple years in the NFL when Veldheer was brought in, and Kelemete's been a utilitiy lineman stuck on a depth chart behind guys like Evans and Unger.

The foundation for my plan though... Is us drafting Sebastian Tretola in the 2nd round, even if it looks necessary to package and trade up. I, myself, wouldn't be opposed to us spending a 1st on him, but many would call that a huge reach. Nevermind the fact that he's been the starting LG at Arkansas and hasn't allowed a sack in two years. Let's also just ignore that he's had less than 10 false starts over the last two years. Doesn't sound like a 1st round pick to me.

 

[Willyeye]

Big problem with the OP is that he's assuming that a draft pick will automatically and immediately turn out better than what we have. It's pretty common thinking, but pretty risky. Especially when you're talking about kicking two players on each line to the curb. I could see the hope of the draft making up for one starter at a position, but not two.

Believe it or not, the Seahawks have not been drafting 7th round for ALL their linemen. Okung was a first-round pick. Moffitt was a third-rounder. James Carpenter was a first-rounder, and when fans went "Ehhh, let him go, he can't be THAT hard to replace", it turned out they were wrong. Now we have Justin Britt - also a high pick. Same with Unger; Seattle traded him out of health concerns. He didn't miss a game for the Saints, while we watched Drew Nowak struggle to block thin air.

"Blow it up and start over, it can't get worse" thinking is a bad move for the team at this juncture. You might get a first-round stud, but you might also get a first-round bust who's happy to slack it out for a big contract for four years before he starts selling insurance. There are a lot of such players in the draft, and a lot of them in the league. Cap room is a valid concern, but so is continuity, scheme familiarity, and experience.

I also think OP vastly undervalues both Sweezy (in run blocking, at least) and both Rubin and Mebane. Flashy stats aren't the whole story.

I never assumed that draft picks will automatically turn out to be an improvement. I have no problem re-signing Mebane, Rubin, Okung and Sweezy, but only at the right price. We simply don't have a lot of cap space this year. I have a bad feeling that these 4 linemen will end up being priced out of our market when they hit FA. As replacements for these linemen, I also mentioned getting FA's on the cheap...that could be guys like Kevin Williams, Bennett and Avril...or even some young FA's that haven't hit their ceiling yet...guys that are behind a star on the depth chart, and sign them after June 1. Also, one important thing to keep in mind: the Hawks will want to get their 4 Comp Picks next year. If they let Irvin walk, and 3 of these 4 linemen, that will give them their 4 Comp Picks. Signing FA's after June 1 keeps us from losing any of those Comp Picks, while also making them desperate enough to sign for cheap.

Regarding Sweezy, I think our offense is going to transition even more to the pass game this year. The RG and LG both need to be able to maintain a pocket for Russell, and neither Britt nor Sweezy can do this consistently. Sweezy will be getting a raise, and I don't think he'll be worth it for the Hawks. Mebane and Rubin have become brick wall type of DT's. They stuff the middle against the run, but they are getting too old to do much else. I think between Hill, other guys they already have, maybe 1 or 2 cheap DT FA's, and 1 or 2 DT's in the draft, they will be fine. I think it might be worth keeping Rubin and Mebane after June 1, but only if they get no offers and they're ready to sign for really cheap, but even then, there might be younger FA's with even more upside for the future.

Regarding Britt, true he was a 2nd rounder, but I honestly believe they could have waited until the 5th if not 6th round. I think in 2014 they were feeling invincible with their draft picks and they thought that Britt would be worth a 2nd round pick. Obviously they were badly mistaken. I also think Okung has only been average-below average the last few years. Is one pro bowl season worth a 1st round pick? Carpenter is baffling...he was never worth a 1st round pick for the Seahawks, yet now he is suddenly a stud. Maybe Jets opponents line up their best pass rushers against their tackles, Giacomini and Ferguson, thus making life easier on Carpenter...I just don't get it.

 

[Willyeye]

Great info Firbee. What is your thoughts on center?

My belief is it is as or more critical than even the LT. A poor center will often put his guards in poor position and can leave the LT on an island and vulnerable. I really believe it is very difficult to even trully evaluate the other lineman when the center struggles.

Do you see Lewis as the answer? Or is there someone you feel could step right in and upgrade the position? Also would you be willing to be aggressive at the position?

I have said many times I think we need to start by upgrading our blocking from the TE, FB and RB but that really is a bandaide to give a cushion for the line to grow and gel. Again though it won't matter if the center is below average, your net results will always be below average.

Honestly, I see us resigning JP, tendering Lewis, keeping Nowak and running with whoever performs the best out of the bunch. They're the most likely to call the right shots after being in the system, they're inexpensive and they're the devil we know. I could see us taking Martin or Kelly with our first pick, but it's hard to pass on a player like Rankins or Jaylon Smith if they happen to slide to us. This would be an especially difficult situation if a combination of those players slid to us after we traded down to pick up extra picks later in the draft. If I was looking at FA for a Center, I'd say Senio Kelemete would be a great value option to consider for competition at Center and Guard... Just seems like he'd be a good fit after playing for Sarkisian at Washington.

I think the FO needs to be looking for free agents that will play at a level above what people expect them to play. They need to get back to looking for players that have something to prove... I feel like Schwartz, Sowell and Kelemete are guys in free agency that have something to prove. I feel like Schwartz has been overshadowed by Thomas and Mack, Sowell was put on the back burner after a couple years in the NFL when Veldheer was brought in, and Kelemete's been a utilitiy lineman stuck on a depth chart behind guys like Evans and Unger.

The foundation for my plan though... Is us drafting Sebastian Tretola in the 2nd round, even if it looks necessary to package and trade up. I, myself, wouldn't be opposed to us spending a 1st on him, but many would call that a huge reach. Nevermind the fact that he's been the starting LG at Arkansas and hasn't allowed a sack in two years. Let's also just ignore that he's had less than 10 false starts over the last two years. Doesn't sound like a 1st round pick to me.

Tretola is not known for his pass protection regardless of zero sacks, and it would not be worth using a 1st round pick for another guy that won't protect Wilson. Bear in mind, if nobody special falls to the #26 pick, it would be awesome to trade the 1st round pick for a 2nd and 3rd round pick. That would give us 5 picks between like the #38 overall pick to the #98 pick. That would also give us a little bit earlier pick in the 3rd round, a pick where we could likely still get Tretola...and if he's gone, I think Glasgow or Dahl would be a great alternative. I'd love for them to take Martin or Kelly with the earlier 2nd round pick. A DT at #56 would probably work out great, or maybe even OT Clark or Tretola.

 

[firebee]

Great info Firbee. What is your thoughts on center?

My belief is it is as or more critical than even the LT. A poor center will often put his guards in poor position and can leave the LT on an island and vulnerable. I really believe it is very difficult to even trully evaluate the other lineman when the center struggles.

Do you see Lewis as the answer? Or is there someone you feel could step right in and upgrade the position? Also would you be willing to be aggressive at the position?

I have said many times I think we need to start by upgrading our blocking from the TE, FB and RB but that really is a bandaide to give a cushion for the line to grow and gel. Again though it won't matter if the center is below average, your net results will always be below average.

Honestly, I see us resigning JP, tendering Lewis, keeping Nowak and running with whoever performs the best out of the bunch. They're the most likely to call the right shots after being in the system, they're inexpensive and they're the devil we know. I could see us taking Martin or Kelly with our first pick, but it's hard to pass on a player like Rankins or Jaylon Smith if they happen to slide to us. This would be an especially difficult situation if a combination of those players slid to us after we traded down to pick up extra picks later in the draft. If I was looking at FA for a Center, I'd say Senio Kelemete would be a great value option to consider for competition at Center and Guard... Just seems like he'd be a good fit after playing for Sarkisian at Washington.

I think the FO needs to be looking for free agents that will play at a level above what people expect them to play. They need to get back to looking for players that have something to prove... I feel like Schwartz, Sowell and Kelemete are guys in free agency that have something to prove. I feel like Schwartz has been overshadowed by Thomas and Mack, Sowell was put on the back burner after a couple years in the NFL when Veldheer was brought in, and Kelemete's been a utilitiy lineman stuck on a depth chart behind guys like Evans and Unger.

The foundation for my plan though... Is us drafting Sebastian Tretola in the 2nd round, even if it looks necessary to package and trade up. I, myself, wouldn't be opposed to us spending a 1st on him, but many would call that a huge reach. Nevermind the fact that he's been the starting LG at Arkansas and hasn't allowed a sack in two years. Let's also just ignore that he's had less than 10 false starts over the last two years. Doesn't sound like a 1st round pick to me.

Tretola is not known for his pass protection regardless of zero sacks, and it would not be worth using a 1st round pick for another guy that won't protect Wilson. Bear in mind, if nobody special falls to the #26 pick, it would be awesome to trade the 1st round pick for a 2nd and 3rd round pick. That would give us 5 picks between like the #38 overall pick to the #98 pick. That would also give us a little bit earlier pick in the 3rd round, a pick where we could likely still get Tretola...and if he's gone, I think Glasgow or Dahl would be a great alternative. I'd love for them to take Martin or Kelly with the earlier 2nd round pick. A DT at #56 would probably work out great, or maybe even OT Clark or Tretola.

Not a big fan of LeRaven Clark... If we had a true starting LT that was already seated at the position and under contract; I'd be okay with him because we'd have time to develop him and groom him for the LT position, but even then... their are no guarantees. I don't think 1st day picks should be developmental guys. They should be guys that you think can step in and legitimately start on day one. I'm kind of looking at Jaylon Smith or Rankins as a likely candidate for us in the first round, but I like Tretola too. He's a guy I think will start and make a positive impact on day one, regardless of which team lands him. He's the best Guard in the draft and when I look at Wilson's strengths, as long as he's not getting pressured up the middle and has outlets to escape the pressure coming around the edge, he can make plays. If the gates open on the interior, very very bad things happen in the backfield. I also like Dahl and he's likely to be there for us on the 2nd day, maybe even early on the 3rd day, based on current projections. Of course... all projections go out the window on draft day.

 

[Willyeye]

Great info Firbee. What is your thoughts on center?

My belief is it is as or more critical than even the LT. A poor center will often put his guards in poor position and can leave the LT on an island and vulnerable. I really believe it is very difficult to even trully evaluate the other lineman when the center struggles.

Do you see Lewis as the answer? Or is there someone you feel could step right in and upgrade the position? Also would you be willing to be aggressive at the position?

I have said many times I think we need to start by upgrading our blocking from the TE, FB and RB but that really is a bandaide to give a cushion for the line to grow and gel. Again though it won't matter if the center is below average, your net results will always be below average.

Honestly, I see us resigning JP, tendering Lewis, keeping Nowak and running with whoever performs the best out of the bunch. They're the most likely to call the right shots after being in the system, they're inexpensive and they're the devil we know. I could see us taking Martin or Kelly with our first pick, but it's hard to pass on a player like Rankins or Jaylon Smith if they happen to slide to us. This would be an especially difficult situation if a combination of those players slid to us after we traded down to pick up extra picks later in the draft. If I was looking at FA for a Center, I'd say Senio Kelemete would be a great value option to consider for competition at Center and Guard... Just seems like he'd be a good fit after playing for Sarkisian at Washington.

I think the FO needs to be looking for free agents that will play at a level above what people expect them to play. They need to get back to looking for players that have something to prove... I feel like Schwartz, Sowell and Kelemete are guys in free agency that have something to prove. I feel like Schwartz has been overshadowed by Thomas and Mack, Sowell was put on the back burner after a couple years in the NFL when Veldheer was brought in, and Kelemete's been a utilitiy lineman stuck on a depth chart behind guys like Evans and Unger.

The foundation for my plan though... Is us drafting Sebastian Tretola in the 2nd round, even if it looks necessary to package and trade up. I, myself, wouldn't be opposed to us spending a 1st on him, but many would call that a huge reach. Nevermind the fact that he's been the starting LG at Arkansas and hasn't allowed a sack in two years. Let's also just ignore that he's had less than 10 false starts over the last two years. Doesn't sound like a 1st round pick to me.

Tretola is not known for his pass protection regardless of zero sacks, and it would not be worth using a 1st round pick for another guy that won't protect Wilson. Bear in mind, if nobody special falls to the #26 pick, it would be awesome to trade the 1st round pick for a 2nd and 3rd round pick. That would give us 5 picks between like the #38 overall pick to the #98 pick. That would also give us a little bit earlier pick in the 3rd round, a pick where we could likely still get Tretola...and if he's gone, I think Glasgow or Dahl would be a great alternative. I'd love for them to take Martin or Kelly with the earlier 2nd round pick. A DT at #56 would probably work out great, or maybe even OT Clark or Tretola.

Not a big fan of LeRaven Clark... If we had a true starting LT that was already seated at the position and under contract; I'd be okay with him because we'd have time to develop him and groom him for the LT position, but even then... their are no guarantees. I don't think 1st day picks should be developmental guys. They should be guys that you think can step in and legitimately start on day one. I'm kind of looking at Jaylon Smith or Rankins as a likely candidate for us in the first round, but I like Tretola too. He's a guy I think will start and make a positive impact on day one, regardless of which team lands him. He's the best Guard in the draft and when I look at Wilson's strengths, as long as he's not getting pressured up the middle and has outlets to escape the pressure coming around the edge, he can make plays. If the gates open on the interior, very very bad things happen in the backfield. I also like Dahl and he's likely to be there for us on the 2nd day, maybe even early on the 3rd day, based on current projections. Of course... all projections go out the window on draft day.

Like I said: it would be cool to trade down our #26 pick for a 2nd rounder and a 3rd rounder. No pick 1st round...Clark on Day 2 at #56. No project in the 1st round. Of course Jaylon Smith will not likely last to #26, although if Rankins is available, I wouldn't trade that #26 pick.

 

[Davidess]

IMHO I think if there is going to be any FA signings I think they should be Oline. CBs on our rosters can be coached up and they have been in our system. weve seen what happens when a FA CB comes in and has to try to adapt.

I would be down with trying to sign Osemele (formerly of Bal) top OGs get around 8-8.5m a year (i.e Mankins, Yanda etc.) I would be down if they give Osemele 8.5m~ and sign a veteran C (Wisniewski or Manuel Ramirez)

Also the thing about letting Rubin and Mebane go in FA makes the whole bigger on that side of the trenches. I can see Rubin coming back but not mebane. Mebane has been a solid players and I think he could be back on a cheaper deal but depends on what his asking price is. The reason I think he declined renegotiating his contract this last season was because he had a one year left.

What JS said during a radio interview days after the Carolina game was that they are not going to force a position. you do that and it can be bad. he reiterated they will go BPA over need. Makes sense. This draft is mainly a DT draft and back up RB draft. lots of solid back up RBs with potential to spot start.

I wouldn't be surprised if the hawks go after FA Veteran O-lineman (Osemele, Boone, Jahri Evans etc.) and then in the draft go after a Mebane/Rubin replacement and than a Hybrid DT/DE (Jonathan Bullard for example)

I'm actually opposed to spending big on any free agent, especially on the interior of the O-Line considering the talent on the interior in the draft. I think our best bet for value and quality in free agency is Mitchell Schwartz. The word is he'd be a great left tackle if the Browns didn't have a franchise LT, Joe Thomas, playing for them. He also has the skillset to move inside and play guard. Joe Thomas, himself, has said that he thinks Schwartz might be better than he is. Then add Bradley Sowell. Sowell started at LT for the Cardinals until the Cards brought in Veldheer, another guy that's a franchise LT in the league.

I like the odds of pulling a starting left tackle out of two younger guys that've been behind a couple franchise left tackles on the depth chart. Arians and Jackson also run a variation of the zone blocking spread WCO like we do, so their should be some similarities in schemes and terminology, which would make transitions for Schwartz and Sowell a lot smoother and quicker. Harbaugh runs more of a classic WCO with 2 back sets, so I begin to worry about how an offensive lineman will transition from that offense to our offense. Sowell and Schwartz are scheme fits for our offense that are young and talented with no injury concerns. Schwartz hasn't missed a snap since he entered the league and Sowell hasn't been injured yet either.

We need to draft Sebastian Tretola. IMO, he's the guy that solidifies our interior. Just an absolute monster and not a fatty monster, a big athletic hulking monster. He's the one guy I look at in this draft and think... We absolutely have to get him into a Seahawks uniform. He'd be a gamechanger for our offensive line, especially if you get Sowell or Schwartz to step up and stabilize the left tackle position. Then you can move one of the two over to right tackle to compete with Gilliam. If Gilliam improved even more and could man right tackle, you could move Schwartz inside to guard and he'd be a stud there. He has the combination of strength, agility, size and technique to be effective anywhere on the line. If I'm going to spend over 5 million a year on an offensive lineman, Schwartz is the guy I'd put the money on.

As for later round draft prospects, I wouldn't be opposed to us drafting Fahn Cooper, the starting right tackle at Ole Miss and Laremy Tunsil's backup at left tackle. Considered a very good swing tackle prospect that could also possibly move inside to compete for the start at guard in the NFL. Joe Haeg is another guy that has my interest... Needs to get stronger and play with better leverage to be more effective and improve on his run blocking, but his footwork and pass protection is top notch. He stays in front of the pass rush and doesn't get beat by speed. He just gives up ground more than he should and may have problems with the stronger pass rushers in the NFL. Cable's forte is improving on the strength of linemen and improving their leverage, so I could see Cable rounding Haeg out into a really really good offensive tackle.

I think Osemele is someone the hawks should go after or some other Vet. possibly at C. don't want to go into the year with a bunch of youngins on the Oline or we might be in the same boat that we were in this year. Going oline in FA for a for sure Vet is definitely a better gamble than hoping Oline from the draft can play right away ( not always the case). I would be down with going after Schwartz. consistent starter and solid OT. Just think we need Interior Vet Olineman. we currently have a hole at both OG positions and C. id feel safer with a vet in either of those spots as appose to a couple rookies. Constantly got destroyed up the middle for the better part of the season because our OG/C play was so bad.

don't take this as an attack haha just an observation.

 

[Willyeye]

IMHO I think if there is going to be any FA signings I think they should be Oline. CBs on our rosters can be coached up and they have been in our system. weve seen what happens when a FA CB comes in and has to try to adapt.

I would be down with trying to sign Osemele (formerly of Bal) top OGs get around 8-8.5m a year (i.e Mankins, Yanda etc.) I would be down if they give Osemele 8.5m~ and sign a veteran C (Wisniewski or Manuel Ramirez)

Also the thing about letting Rubin and Mebane go in FA makes the whole bigger on that side of the trenches. I can see Rubin coming back but not mebane. Mebane has been a solid players and I think he could be back on a cheaper deal but depends on what his asking price is. The reason I think he declined renegotiating his contract this last season was because he had a one year left.

What JS said during a radio interview days after the Carolina game was that they are not going to force a position. you do that and it can be bad. he reiterated they will go BPA over need. Makes sense. This draft is mainly a DT draft and back up RB draft. lots of solid back up RBs with potential to spot start.

I wouldn't be surprised if the hawks go after FA Veteran O-lineman (Osemele, Boone, Jahri Evans etc.) and then in the draft go after a Mebane/Rubin replacement and than a Hybrid DT/DE (Jonathan Bullard for example)

I'm actually opposed to spending big on any free agent, especially on the interior of the O-Line considering the talent on the interior in the draft. I think our best bet for value and quality in free agency is Mitchell Schwartz. The word is he'd be a great left tackle if the Browns didn't have a franchise LT, Joe Thomas, playing for them. He also has the skillset to move inside and play guard. Joe Thomas, himself, has said that he thinks Schwartz might be better than he is. Then add Bradley Sowell. Sowell started at LT for the Cardinals until the Cards brought in Veldheer, another guy that's a franchise LT in the league.

I like the odds of pulling a starting left tackle out of two younger guys that've been behind a couple franchise left tackles on the depth chart. Arians and Jackson also run a variation of the zone blocking spread WCO like we do, so their should be some similarities in schemes and terminology, which would make transitions for Schwartz and Sowell a lot smoother and quicker. Harbaugh runs more of a classic WCO with 2 back sets, so I begin to worry about how an offensive lineman will transition from that offense to our offense. Sowell and Schwartz are scheme fits for our offense that are young and talented with no injury concerns. Schwartz hasn't missed a snap since he entered the league and Sowell hasn't been injured yet either.

We need to draft Sebastian Tretola. IMO, he's the guy that solidifies our interior. Just an absolute monster and not a fatty monster, a big athletic hulking monster. He's the one guy I look at in this draft and think... We absolutely have to get him into a Seahawks uniform. He'd be a gamechanger for our offensive line, especially if you get Sowell or Schwartz to step up and stabilize the left tackle position. Then you can move one of the two over to right tackle to compete with Gilliam. If Gilliam improved even more and could man right tackle, you could move Schwartz inside to guard and he'd be a stud there. He has the combination of strength, agility, size and technique to be effective anywhere on the line. If I'm going to spend over 5 million a year on an offensive lineman, Schwartz is the guy I'd put the money on.

As for later round draft prospects, I wouldn't be opposed to us drafting Fahn Cooper, the starting right tackle at Ole Miss and Laremy Tunsil's backup at left tackle. Considered a very good swing tackle prospect that could also possibly move inside to compete for the start at guard in the NFL. Joe Haeg is another guy that has my interest... Needs to get stronger and play with better leverage to be more effective and improve on his run blocking, but his footwork and pass protection is top notch. He stays in front of the pass rush and doesn't get beat by speed. He just gives up ground more than he should and may have problems with the stronger pass rushers in the NFL. Cable's forte is improving on the strength of linemen and improving their leverage, so I could see Cable rounding Haeg out into a really really good offensive tackle.

I think Osemele is someone the hawks should go after or some other Vet. possibly at C. don't want to go into the year with a bunch of youngins on the Oline or we might be in the same boat that we were in this year. Going oline in FA for a for sure Vet is definitely a better gamble than hoping Oline from the draft can play right away ( not always the case). I would be down with going after Schwartz. consistent starter and solid OT. Just think we need Interior Vet Olineman. we currently have a hole at both OG positions and C. id feel safer with a vet in either of those spots as appose to a couple rookies. Constantly got destroyed up the middle for the better part of the season because our OG/C play was so bad.

don't take this as an attack haha just an observation.

Osemele will probably get $10-13 million APY. If the Hawks sign him, they will basically not be able to sign any of their own top-5 FA's...Irvin, Okung, Sweezy, Mebane and Rubin...and probably not Kearse. They need to sign a couple of cheap guys that have been cut (young backups), or cheap, veteran FA's after June 1...that way they don't count against comp picks for 2017. And then of course get some REAL O-Linemen (no projects) in the draft...at least 2 picks (no Britt picks=5th rounders in the 2nd round). If we get a couple of guys this year, maybe they'll be ready by the end of the season or at least by next season. Maybe Glowinski will play RG this year, after all, he was a good pick and he has a year of seasoning under his belt now.