Good stuff Rob -- and I think you're right on the money in thinking that Seattle is going to commit early draft capital in to the run game. An Alex Collins there in the 2nd Round wouldn't shock me whatsoever.
Couple of thoughts/questions I've had over the past few days (you or anyone else can feel free to chime in on these) …
1) Virtually no one will disagree that the #1 priority coming in to this offseason is upgrading the offensive line. That goes without saying. However, if Seattle DOESN'T re-sign Okung to a team friendly deal ... the prospects of actually getting a ready to start LT in the draft appear pretty remote. Taylor Decker will probably be long gone ... and a guy like a Le'Raven Clark (while his upside is potentially quite high) is clearly a project. Thoughts on Seattle and the LT situation regarding the draft?
2) Given #1, as I’ve sat back and pondered this past season, the thing that just screams out to me is that Seattle just simply MUS T significantly upgrade the middle of its offensive line. Teams like the Rams and the Panthers have shown that if you can blow up the middle of Seattle’s line … you can fairly effectively shut down the offense. So, it would seem to me that (unlike previous years) that they might look to spend more draft capital at the center and guard positions. They’ve simply got to find a way to effectively counter the athletic Aaron Donalds and the Star Lotuleleis of the world. Guys like Cody Whitehair, Josh Garnett, and Christian Westerman would seem to make some sense.
3) I had a bit of an unorthodox “out of the box” thought the other day that I’d love to get some reaction on. Going clear back to the Kellen Winslow, Jr. experiment, Pete Carroll has talked excitedly off and on about the idea of having 2 dominant TE’s and all the problems that a 2 TE set would cause opposing defenses. That got me to thinking … would Hunter Henry or even Tyler Higbee possibly make some sense for Seattle? Hunter Henry in particular seems to be a pretty decent blocker, so that might help with some of the blocking issues as well as provide Seattle with another potential matchup issue to pair with Jimmy Graham. Thoughts?
4) Su’a Cravens – man, is there another defender in this draft class that more screams Seattle Seahawk than that guy or what? Great instincts, leadership, intensity, all out hustle, tackling ability, absolutely loves football – the kid looks like he’s got it all. That’s one that looks like a “must pick” for the Seahawks – he’s got Chancellor’s future replacement written all over him.
Love to hear thoughts on any of that.