MysterMatt":3ncf1vyf said:
I always appreciate the effort some of you guys put in to make thoughtful, defensible, mock drafts. Doing this for all 7 rounds is particularly difficult and based on all sorts of assumptions, which makes this exercise a pretty significant effort.
Thank you!
As for the picks, I love the balance and how they address areas of need. I suppose my only criticism is that I don't really see any impact players. Lots of projects who could become solid, maybe great, but nobody who really looks like Mr. Right Now. It's a pretty minor concern, I suppose, but there ya go.
That's precisely how the parity system works. Good teams don't pick early enough to get guys that outwardly look like impact players.
Seattle's method is and will remain to be tied directly with their ability to develop players after they get drafted. The reality is, players are not nearly as good on draft day as they will be even by the end of training camp. Not all players progress at linear rates. And not all teams successfully develop players to begin with.
Seattle's impact players are largely made up of guys that didn't look like impact players when we got them. Even Avril/Bennett weren't great impact prospects when they were drafted. Outside of Thomas, all of our secondary (even ones that have since departed) were really magoo prospects.
Seattle is outstanding at developing players. I believe it's far more vital to our success than actual talent evaluation. There are very few players who came in here and were just so much better players the moment they hit the rookie camp. Wilson and Wagner are probably the only exceptions. Given that, it really is important to get as many new players as you can that you think you can expect to develop well, and see what sticks.
It's core to the ability to buck the parity system. To be success proof in the draft, you have to get 3-5 starters that aren't great impact prospects on draft day. 2013's class is pretty lean. But a lot of that has to do with injury (J Williams) and a failed trade for Harvin. Last year's class is mixed, with promise. You have Britt as the standout. Richardson (injury), Marsh, KPL and Norwood as still possible quality players. Pinkins/Scott and Staten we should know about them by this training camp.
7 guys still developing and on the roster. There's a good chance 5 of those end up remaining on the 2015 roster to join Britt. 6 contributors in one draft would make it one of our better drafts. That's the beauty of a strong development program. This current draft looks like we could see similar quality as we'll have more picks in earlier rounds as opposed to the 8 out of 11 picks in R5 through R7.
