The 2022 MLB season is almost finished, and with that, I thought I'd hand out some grades to some Mariner players. They have clinched a playoff spot for the first time in 21 years. So for that, I will tend to grade a bit on the kinder side. However, I must take expectations into account, so if they played great last year but not this year (even if they were on another team), I will have to take that into account. Here we go:
Starters
Cal Raleigh: A-
Cal has been a godsend for manger Scott Servais. After his slow start, boy did he pick it up. Imagine after Raleigh's slow start that someone told you that he would set the record that very year for home runs by a Mariners catcher. I certainly wouldn't have believed it. He's also handled the pitching staff like a 10-year vet. His average still leaves a bit to be desired. So hopefully, that rises next season.
Ty France: B+
Ty had a slightly healthier season and earned his first All-Star nod. Unfortunately, he battled injuries shortly after the break and his average plummeted. His defense has been very good, even when he had to play a few games at third with Suarez's injury. Hopefully, he can stay healthy all of next season.
Adam Frazier: C-
I felt a D+ grade was too harsh, but would it be? Frazier's average has hovered around .230, .240 for the second half. He had one small hot spurt for a few weeks, but that's about it. Not that he was expected to have any power, but that certainly didn't show much. His defense has been average at best. Frazier did not do enough to secure 2nd base for the future, leaving the Mariners' front office to possibly look again for a 2nd baseman in the offseason.
JP Crawford: C+
JP's season was quite the mixed bag. He started out very hot, hitting .300 and even showing power. He then cooled off considerably, and his defense seems to have regressed. But I'll give JP this: He works counts and is one of the best "battlers" on the team. Meaning he fights and works counts as well as anyone on the team.
Eugenio Suarez: A
In the Winker/Suarez trade, Suarez was almost considered an afterthought, a salary dump. But boy, are Mariners fans glad we got him. He hasn't hit for the highest average and strikes out a TON, but his home runs have been the most clutch on the team, and he has provided gold glove defense at third base. The Mariners wouldn't be in the playoffs without him.
Jesse Winker: D
Jesse gets a D for Disappointing. He hit over .300 last season and was an All-Star. He's not even close this season (.220 or so). He avoids a failing grade for his clubhouse leadership and his ability to draw walks. That's it. I can't forget to mention his defense, which has been way below average and has definitely cost the Mariners runs.
Julio Rodriguez: A+
Based on what we expected (or didn't expect) at the start of this season, how can I not give Julio an A+? A 25-25 season, amazing defense, and likely will lead the team in batting average at the season's end. I wouldn't have believed it if I had said that to myself in April. Julio has been everything this team needed and more.
Carlos Santana: C+
His batting average has been less than ideal, to put it nicely. But Carlos has hit some extremely clutch home runs and played some surprisingly good defense at first base. We also cannot forget his clubhouse leadership and his being a role model to young players like Julio.
Mitch Haniger: D+
It may seem harsh, but I expected a lot from Mitch when he got back. Unfortunately, he suffered a severe ankle sprain after his first at-bat back and missed several months afterward. Mitch did hit well immediately after returning but has since cooled off. His defense has been solid for the most part. We needed hot Mitch for more of this season.
Bench Players/Role Players
Dylan Moore: B-
I can't give him higher than that, I'm afraid. Dylan somehow inexplicably leads the Mariners in on-base percentage. But his average around .210, .220 leaves a lot to be desired. He strikes out a lot for a speedy contact guy. However, he has played above-average defense at six positions and has gotten some clutch steals.
Sam Haggerty: B+
"Swags," or "Swaggerty," as he's called; it's hard to believe that he was a fringe AAA early in the season. He has played some amazing outfield and was hitting near .300 for a few months. He's been a player Servais could plug into either corner OF spot, centerfield, or even 2nd base if need be.
Abraham Toro: D-
Toro could just not get his average above .200. He did provide some clutch hits, but that's about the only thing keeping him from a failing grade. His place on the roster is in jeopardy for the future.
Jarred Kelenic: D+
Kelenic also couldn't get his average above .200. He had three separate stints up, and it wasn't until the 3rd time that he started hitting. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. But Kelenic has played some solid outfield and drawn his share of walks.
Luis Torrens: C-
He had some clutch hits, and I do believe his defense has improved. He could get a lot better at framing pitches, I will say. But for a guy who is supposedly a "hitting" catcher, he doesn't hit well enough. We'll see if he'll do enough to earn the job of Raleigh's backup next year.
Everyone else: INCOMPLETE
Guys like Kyle Lewis, Taylor Trammell, Curt Casali, and guys that are no longer in the organization like Jake Lamb, Justin Upton, Steven Souza, and Mike Ford just didn't have enough time for me to grade them.
That's all for the hitters, look out for grades on the pitchers soon!
Showing posts with label Position. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Position. Show all posts
Monday, October 3, 2022
2022 Seattle Mariner Regular Season Grades - Hitters
Monday, January 13, 2020
Seahawks Position by Position Overview for 2019-2020
The Seahawks season is over, finishing with a 28-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. We can argue about the officiating or the defense's or offense's lack of consistency, but I'm just going to go over each position group for the Hawks and how they did for the 2019 season. The common theme is that the Hawks were hit heavily with injuries. The silver lining to that is that it gave the backups and rookies experience, most of them playoff experience, too. I'll also discuss how much of a need the position is in the offseason on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being a dire need and 1 being something we could basically ignore. And then finish up with a letter grade.
Quarterback: I think Russell Wilson had his best season. He carried the team more than ever, especially when injuries hit late in the season and we could no longer run the ball effectively. For this reason, he deserves MVP, because there is literally no other player that is more valuable to their team. There's really only one thing about his game I wish he'd improve, and that's throwing the ball away instead of taking sacks. He took a ton of sacks this year, which largely (but not entirely) can be attributed to the offensive line. But late in the year, you can see he occasionally held the ball too long and had opportunities to either find a receiver or throw the ball away. I don't think Geno saw the field at all this year, which is fine with me.
Need: 1
Grade: A
Running Back: Boy it is unfortunate Carson, Penny, and Prosise all went down within a few weeks. Before they went down, Carson and Penny were really doing well. The silver lining to them going down is that it gave us an opportunity to see Marshawn Lynch again and Travis Homer. Homer is a very capable back, and he could very easily be a #2. I think the Hawks consider trading Penny in the offseason. They don't have to, however. Seeing the injury bug hit this position hard will probably make John Schneider want as much depth as possible. I don't think Marshawn returns. And I think the Hawks finally part ways with Prosise. If the Hawks trade Penny, they'll bring in an undrafted rookie to compete for a backup role.
Need: 2
Grade: B
Wide Receiver: Lockett's not a true #1, but he doesn't have to be. With the emergence of D.K. Metcalf, I think the Hawks finally found a #1 guy. Boy was he a steal, and he should only get better. The rest of the group leaves a lot to be desired. Moore, Turner, and Brown all had just ok seasons. I think the Hawks only keep one, maybe two of those guys. I wish John Ursua had gotten more of a shot, but I expect him to in 2020 (Let him work the slot like Doug Baldwin did!). This unit was one of the healthier all year, which is mainly why Ursua was mostly inactive in 2019. I think the Hawks draft a mid-late receiver, hoping he can develop into a legit #3 some day. Overall, this group was criticized for their failure to get open at times, despite Wilson prolonging plays with his scrambling.
Need: 2
Grade: B
Tight Ends: Dissly gets hurt...again. If he hadn't, I think the Hawks win the NFC West and are still in the playoffs. He's a legit all-around tight end, but he just has to stay healthy. Jacob Hollister had his moments, but he also had drops and fumbles. I think the Hawks need to acquire a tight end for depth in case Dissly gets hurt yet again. Wilson to Dissly sure was fun to watch while it lasted in 2019.
Need: 3
Grade: C+
Offensive Line: The shakiest position group on the team, and it has been for years. They weren't as awful as past years, but injuries to Britt, both guards, and Brown really hurt this unit. The Hawks have to address this group in the offseason and make it a primary concern. Depth is needed, as well as a new right tackle, with Ifedi probably on his way out. The Hawks also need more youth at the guard positions and will soon need to find Duane Brown's successor.
Need: 5
Grade: C-
Defensive Line: I have to start out by saying boy LJ Collier has been a disappointment so far. He was mostly inactive all year, and I don't think he made any big plays. Acquiring Jadeveon Clowney was huge, but will he remain a Hawk? I like the rest of the guys in Green, Jefferson, and Reed. Ziggy Ansah was largely a disappointment. This unit did not get enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2019, and it will have to improve somehow in 2020. Unless they expect Collier to live up to his first round status, they need to address this position in the offseason with a fairly significant addition.
Need: 4
Grade: C
Linebackers: Bobby was All-Pro and KJ was pretty solid himself. Kendricks was doing ok, but Carroll/Norton asked him to cover routes more than anything, which included covering wide receivers. Cody Barton had a very solid rookie campaign, and he could be given a starting role in 2020. Ben Burr-Kirven was only seen on special teams but did well. Shaquem Griffin was used in pass rush situations to some effectiveness. This is a group I'm not concerned about going into 2020, but they'll need better coaching next year.
Need: 2
Grade: B
Defensive Backs: Shaquill Griffin had his best season in 2020. He only got flagged once in the regular season, a remarkable achievement for a starting cornerback. Tre Flowers, however, got burned multiple times, got flagged a lot more, and missed more tackles. Most Hawks fans don't think he should be starting in 2020. Quandre Diggs was an excellent addition, and he reminded me of an Earl Thomas/Kam Chancellor hybrid. Bradley McDougald did well, especially with tackling. We'll see what role Tedric Thompson has next year after being hurt for most of the season. I expect more out of this unit as it is Coach Carroll's specialty, and I grade them harshly as a result.
Need: 4
Grade: D+
Special Teams: Myers was certainly shaky at times, but with kicking the way it is in today's NFL, that's honestly about average and the Hawks would be foolish to move on from him. Dickson had a decent season, although not quite as good as his rookie campaign. The coverage was mostly good all season, except for perhaps the Saints game. The return game left a ton to be desired, as I don't think we had an electrifying return all season. I think the Hawks have sorely lacked a return specialist for a while, and with Lockett getting older, he cannot be relied on anymore. The Hawks need to draft some kind of return specialist, maybe KJ Hamler out of Penn State. But otherwise, they are set on ST.
Need: 2
Grade: C-
Coaching: This was both a great and terrible coaching job by the Seahawks coaching staff this season. Being able to get to the divisional round despite a ton of injuries is at least partly indicative of a good coaching job. However, Ken Norton Jr's schemes were largely exposed and he was often left adjusting and trying to fix things, rather than being the aggressor and making offenses adjust to him. Schottenheimer had an up and down season as coordinator, and he did fairly well late in the year given the circumstances. Carroll had some questionable coaching decisions, most notably not going for certain fourth down attempts. I really think this defense needs a different leader, but I can see Carroll wanting to stick with KNJ, unfortunately.
Need: 3
Grade: D+
Overall GPA: 2.33 (C+)
Overall, this team did better than most people expected, and most position groups did a good job. If certain areas are addressed, mainly the lines and secondary, and we can stay relatively healthy next season, I can see this team doing really well. Coordinators aside, if you have good enough players, they will succeed. I think a certain strength and conditioning coach should be fired (Ivan Lewis), even though he was hired less than a year ago. There's a reason they call him "Ivan the Terrible". Let's hope Pete and John address the right needs in the offseason, and there are far less injuries in 2020.
Quarterback: I think Russell Wilson had his best season. He carried the team more than ever, especially when injuries hit late in the season and we could no longer run the ball effectively. For this reason, he deserves MVP, because there is literally no other player that is more valuable to their team. There's really only one thing about his game I wish he'd improve, and that's throwing the ball away instead of taking sacks. He took a ton of sacks this year, which largely (but not entirely) can be attributed to the offensive line. But late in the year, you can see he occasionally held the ball too long and had opportunities to either find a receiver or throw the ball away. I don't think Geno saw the field at all this year, which is fine with me.
Need: 1
Grade: A
Running Back: Boy it is unfortunate Carson, Penny, and Prosise all went down within a few weeks. Before they went down, Carson and Penny were really doing well. The silver lining to them going down is that it gave us an opportunity to see Marshawn Lynch again and Travis Homer. Homer is a very capable back, and he could very easily be a #2. I think the Hawks consider trading Penny in the offseason. They don't have to, however. Seeing the injury bug hit this position hard will probably make John Schneider want as much depth as possible. I don't think Marshawn returns. And I think the Hawks finally part ways with Prosise. If the Hawks trade Penny, they'll bring in an undrafted rookie to compete for a backup role.
Need: 2
Grade: B
Wide Receiver: Lockett's not a true #1, but he doesn't have to be. With the emergence of D.K. Metcalf, I think the Hawks finally found a #1 guy. Boy was he a steal, and he should only get better. The rest of the group leaves a lot to be desired. Moore, Turner, and Brown all had just ok seasons. I think the Hawks only keep one, maybe two of those guys. I wish John Ursua had gotten more of a shot, but I expect him to in 2020 (Let him work the slot like Doug Baldwin did!). This unit was one of the healthier all year, which is mainly why Ursua was mostly inactive in 2019. I think the Hawks draft a mid-late receiver, hoping he can develop into a legit #3 some day. Overall, this group was criticized for their failure to get open at times, despite Wilson prolonging plays with his scrambling.
Need: 2
Grade: B
Tight Ends: Dissly gets hurt...again. If he hadn't, I think the Hawks win the NFC West and are still in the playoffs. He's a legit all-around tight end, but he just has to stay healthy. Jacob Hollister had his moments, but he also had drops and fumbles. I think the Hawks need to acquire a tight end for depth in case Dissly gets hurt yet again. Wilson to Dissly sure was fun to watch while it lasted in 2019.
Need: 3
Grade: C+
Offensive Line: The shakiest position group on the team, and it has been for years. They weren't as awful as past years, but injuries to Britt, both guards, and Brown really hurt this unit. The Hawks have to address this group in the offseason and make it a primary concern. Depth is needed, as well as a new right tackle, with Ifedi probably on his way out. The Hawks also need more youth at the guard positions and will soon need to find Duane Brown's successor.
Need: 5
Grade: C-
Defensive Line: I have to start out by saying boy LJ Collier has been a disappointment so far. He was mostly inactive all year, and I don't think he made any big plays. Acquiring Jadeveon Clowney was huge, but will he remain a Hawk? I like the rest of the guys in Green, Jefferson, and Reed. Ziggy Ansah was largely a disappointment. This unit did not get enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2019, and it will have to improve somehow in 2020. Unless they expect Collier to live up to his first round status, they need to address this position in the offseason with a fairly significant addition.
Need: 4
Grade: C
Linebackers: Bobby was All-Pro and KJ was pretty solid himself. Kendricks was doing ok, but Carroll/Norton asked him to cover routes more than anything, which included covering wide receivers. Cody Barton had a very solid rookie campaign, and he could be given a starting role in 2020. Ben Burr-Kirven was only seen on special teams but did well. Shaquem Griffin was used in pass rush situations to some effectiveness. This is a group I'm not concerned about going into 2020, but they'll need better coaching next year.
Need: 2
Grade: B
Defensive Backs: Shaquill Griffin had his best season in 2020. He only got flagged once in the regular season, a remarkable achievement for a starting cornerback. Tre Flowers, however, got burned multiple times, got flagged a lot more, and missed more tackles. Most Hawks fans don't think he should be starting in 2020. Quandre Diggs was an excellent addition, and he reminded me of an Earl Thomas/Kam Chancellor hybrid. Bradley McDougald did well, especially with tackling. We'll see what role Tedric Thompson has next year after being hurt for most of the season. I expect more out of this unit as it is Coach Carroll's specialty, and I grade them harshly as a result.
Need: 4
Grade: D+
Special Teams: Myers was certainly shaky at times, but with kicking the way it is in today's NFL, that's honestly about average and the Hawks would be foolish to move on from him. Dickson had a decent season, although not quite as good as his rookie campaign. The coverage was mostly good all season, except for perhaps the Saints game. The return game left a ton to be desired, as I don't think we had an electrifying return all season. I think the Hawks have sorely lacked a return specialist for a while, and with Lockett getting older, he cannot be relied on anymore. The Hawks need to draft some kind of return specialist, maybe KJ Hamler out of Penn State. But otherwise, they are set on ST.
Need: 2
Grade: C-
Coaching: This was both a great and terrible coaching job by the Seahawks coaching staff this season. Being able to get to the divisional round despite a ton of injuries is at least partly indicative of a good coaching job. However, Ken Norton Jr's schemes were largely exposed and he was often left adjusting and trying to fix things, rather than being the aggressor and making offenses adjust to him. Schottenheimer had an up and down season as coordinator, and he did fairly well late in the year given the circumstances. Carroll had some questionable coaching decisions, most notably not going for certain fourth down attempts. I really think this defense needs a different leader, but I can see Carroll wanting to stick with KNJ, unfortunately.
Need: 3
Grade: D+
Overall GPA: 2.33 (C+)
Overall, this team did better than most people expected, and most position groups did a good job. If certain areas are addressed, mainly the lines and secondary, and we can stay relatively healthy next season, I can see this team doing really well. Coordinators aside, if you have good enough players, they will succeed. I think a certain strength and conditioning coach should be fired (Ivan Lewis), even though he was hired less than a year ago. There's a reason they call him "Ivan the Terrible". Let's hope Pete and John address the right needs in the offseason, and there are far less injuries in 2020.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
EARLY Predictions for Seahawks 53 Man Roster
Well, with the draft completed the Seahawks roster for the 2015 season is
coming into clearer focus and I think now would be a good time to predict the
Seahawks 53 man roster. Obviously, there
are going to be injuries and probably more signings, but let's see how close I
can get.
QB (2): Russell Wilson, B.J. Daniels
With T-Jack probably gone, Daniels gets promoted to backup and might even be used on special teams a bit. With that in mind, the Hawks might have a young QB on the practice squad.
RB/FB (5): Marshawn Lynch, Christine Michael, Demitris Bronson, Derrick Coleman, Will Tukuafu
No Robert Turbin? Well, I just think the Hawks might just decide he's not going to blossom into a full-time RB in this league, so they might have to cut ties with him. Or maybe he gets hurt, who knows. Coleman will earn his starting FB job back and Tukuafu makes the team because of his versatility.
WR (5): Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Paul Richardson, Tyler Lockett, Ricardo Lockette
No Kevin Norwood or Chris Matthews, I know... I just don't see much production coming from either of them. Maybe Norwood can be on the practice squad. Ricardo Lockette is too good of a special teamer to leave off the team.
TE (3): Jimmy Graham, Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet
A lot are expecting Anthony McCoy to make a comeback, but I don't. He's too injury-prone.
Offensive Line (9): Russell Okung, Alvin Bailey, Kristjan Sokoli, J.R. Sweezy, Justin Britt, Lemuel Jeanpierre, Mark Glowinski, Terry Poole, Garry Gilliam
In the first five, you have my predicted starters on the OL from left tackle to right tackle. Sokoli will start at center, I'm predicting. Patrick Lewis might make it over Jeanpierre... it's a close call. Also I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the OL draft picks (Sokoli, Poole, Glowinski) be put on the practice squad.
Defensive Tackles (4): Brandon Mebane, Jordan Hill, Ahtyba Rubin, Tony McDaniel
I only see four here because the Hawks have Defensive Ends (Bennett, Scruggs) that can play interior as well as Tukuafu. I wouldn't be shocked to see McDaniel cut due to his age, but we'll see.
Defensive Ends (5): Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Cassius Marsh, Frank Clark, Greg Scruggs
Scruggs is a long shot but I like him for his versatility. Marsh should be a force if he can stay healthy. Clark, despite his legal problems, should have a good rookie season. Bennett should just stop whining about his contract situation and play. I have Obum Gwacham on the practice squad.
Linebackers (7): K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Brock Coyle, Mike Morgan, Mister Alexander, Alex Singleton
What? No Bruce Irvin? He's just too much of a problem now. I think KPL is good enough to start. I love the name of Mister Alexander, haha.
Cornerbacks (5): Richard Sherman, Cary Williams, Marcus Burley, Will Blackmon, Tye Smith
Simon and Lane will start out on the PUP or injured list, I'm assuming. I think the Hawks can get away with 5 CB's especially if they keep an extra safety that can move back and forth, like I'm predicting.
Safeties (5): Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Deshaun Shead, Keenan Lambert, Ryan Murphy
Shead can play safety and corner, plus he has experience so he has a good shot. Lambert is the half-brother (I think) of Kam Chancellor so that certainly helps. Murphy might only make the practice squad, but we'll see.
Special Teams (3): Steven Hauschka (K), Jon Ryan (P), Nate Boyer (LS)
I'm pulling for the former Green Beret. Sorry, Clint Gresham.
Well, that's 53 players. I'm sure I'm totally wrong on some but we'll see how close I get.
QB (2): Russell Wilson, B.J. Daniels
With T-Jack probably gone, Daniels gets promoted to backup and might even be used on special teams a bit. With that in mind, the Hawks might have a young QB on the practice squad.
RB/FB (5): Marshawn Lynch, Christine Michael, Demitris Bronson, Derrick Coleman, Will Tukuafu
No Robert Turbin? Well, I just think the Hawks might just decide he's not going to blossom into a full-time RB in this league, so they might have to cut ties with him. Or maybe he gets hurt, who knows. Coleman will earn his starting FB job back and Tukuafu makes the team because of his versatility.
WR (5): Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Paul Richardson, Tyler Lockett, Ricardo Lockette
No Kevin Norwood or Chris Matthews, I know... I just don't see much production coming from either of them. Maybe Norwood can be on the practice squad. Ricardo Lockette is too good of a special teamer to leave off the team.
TE (3): Jimmy Graham, Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet
A lot are expecting Anthony McCoy to make a comeback, but I don't. He's too injury-prone.
Offensive Line (9): Russell Okung, Alvin Bailey, Kristjan Sokoli, J.R. Sweezy, Justin Britt, Lemuel Jeanpierre, Mark Glowinski, Terry Poole, Garry Gilliam
In the first five, you have my predicted starters on the OL from left tackle to right tackle. Sokoli will start at center, I'm predicting. Patrick Lewis might make it over Jeanpierre... it's a close call. Also I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the OL draft picks (Sokoli, Poole, Glowinski) be put on the practice squad.
Defensive Tackles (4): Brandon Mebane, Jordan Hill, Ahtyba Rubin, Tony McDaniel
I only see four here because the Hawks have Defensive Ends (Bennett, Scruggs) that can play interior as well as Tukuafu. I wouldn't be shocked to see McDaniel cut due to his age, but we'll see.
Defensive Ends (5): Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Cassius Marsh, Frank Clark, Greg Scruggs
Scruggs is a long shot but I like him for his versatility. Marsh should be a force if he can stay healthy. Clark, despite his legal problems, should have a good rookie season. Bennett should just stop whining about his contract situation and play. I have Obum Gwacham on the practice squad.
Linebackers (7): K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Brock Coyle, Mike Morgan, Mister Alexander, Alex Singleton
What? No Bruce Irvin? He's just too much of a problem now. I think KPL is good enough to start. I love the name of Mister Alexander, haha.
Cornerbacks (5): Richard Sherman, Cary Williams, Marcus Burley, Will Blackmon, Tye Smith
Simon and Lane will start out on the PUP or injured list, I'm assuming. I think the Hawks can get away with 5 CB's especially if they keep an extra safety that can move back and forth, like I'm predicting.
Safeties (5): Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Deshaun Shead, Keenan Lambert, Ryan Murphy
Shead can play safety and corner, plus he has experience so he has a good shot. Lambert is the half-brother (I think) of Kam Chancellor so that certainly helps. Murphy might only make the practice squad, but we'll see.
Special Teams (3): Steven Hauschka (K), Jon Ryan (P), Nate Boyer (LS)
I'm pulling for the former Green Beret. Sorry, Clint Gresham.
Well, that's 53 players. I'm sure I'm totally wrong on some but we'll see how close I get.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Seahawks Needs at Each Position for the Draft
With the draft just a few days away, I thought it'd be fun to look at each
position for the Hawks and pick a player who might fit in well, if needed. This'll be fun to look back on to see if I
get any right and see how well I do in picking which positions are picked. The Hawks have 11 picks, so it'll be
interesting to see how they use them.
Here's what I predict:
Post Draft Review in RED.
Seahawks traded a few picks away, ended up with 8 picks instead of 11. Oh well.
Quarterback: Not a huge area of concern, but T-Jack's return being in question might make the Seahawks want to take a QB in the late rounds, if need be. They already have BJ Daniels, so perhaps they won't use a draft pick in just bring in someone as an undrafted free agent.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Sean Mannion, Oregon State (Big guy with big arm would be an interesting complement to RW. )
Mannion went to the Rams... might end up seeing him against the Hawks. But I was right in predicting the Hawks would NOT take a QB.
Running Back/Full Back: Again, not a huge area of concern, but depth COULD be added. Full back is set with both Coleman AND Tukuafu. Lynch will be back as well, and Turbin and Michael remain his understudies. I don't see a big risk on a running back, yet.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Michael Dyer, Louisville (Off the field issues but a tank on the field)
Again correct in saying no one was taken for this position. Michael Dyer went undrafted, so he might be brought in to camp to compete for a backup RB spot.
Wide Receiver: The Hawks focused heavily on this position in last year's draft, but that doesn't mean they won't try to find a stud in this one. I think they'll pick one to add to the competition.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Vince Mayle, WSU (Going with local kid, 6'2 so decent size)
Correct in saying the Hawks would take one, wrong choice though. Tyler Lockett was the choice. Vince Mayle went to the Browns.
Tight End: This position was fortified with Jimmy Graham. Also remains Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet, and Anthony McCoy. Don't see a draft pick here.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Randall Telfer, USC (Team needs a blocking tight end, and picking one from Pete's alma matter would be appropriate)
Again correct in saying there wouldn't be a pick. Telfer went to the Browns, so unless he's cut he won't be a Hawk.
Tackle: Hawks need more help on interior of line than outside, but could use someone to give Justin Britt competition. Also wouldn't hurt to have depth in case Russell "Glass Ankles" Okung gets hurt.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Ali Marpet, Hobart (Can play center, and has good speed for an OL)
Again correct in that they'd pick one tackle, but it was Terry Poole. Marpet went to the Bucs.
Guard/Center: I group these together because a player can go back and forth between them. This is one of the biggest needs, if not the biggest need, for the Seahawks. Don't be surprised if two interior linemen are drafted.
Will they draft for this position: Yes, two players
If they were to, who would they pick: Arie Kouandijo, Alabama and Andy Gallik, Boston College (Kouandijo is a future pro bowler IMO and Gallik is small but is gritty, smart, and well-developed.)
Technically the Hawks took two interior linemen. Glowinski will definitely play guard or center and they drafted Kristjan Sokoli, who played DT in college but the Hawks say will play guard. Well, it worked with J.R. Sweezy, so they think it'll work again.
Defensive Tackle: This position is currently held by Mebane and Williams, both can be injury prone and are aging. Their successors are needed, and I'd be shocked if the Hawks didn't draft somebody.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Michael Bennett, Ohio State (Imagine if we had two guys named Michael Bennett on the defensive line, how confusing that'd be. Someone would have to go by Mike Bennett.)
Again, technically correct. Sokoli was a DT that they drafted, but probably won't play there. Bennett went to the Jags, unfortunately.
Defensive End: The Hawks have Bennett and Avril, but both are nearing the end of their primes. Marsh should be in the mix as well, but some depth will probably be added.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Tavaris Barnes (Seattle had him for a workout and he's a rotational defensive end so he'd fit in VERY well here.)
The Hawks actually drafted TWO D-linemen, but Barnes was neither of them. The picks were Frank Clark and Obum Gwacham. The Hawks are now stacked there with depth. Barnes went undrafted and still could be brought in for training camp.
Linebacker: The Hawks starting trio is set with Wagner, Irvin, and Wright, with Pierre-Louis being a capable backup. The loss of Malcolm Smith means for sure there will be a linebacker drafted. I'll go with two, actually.
Will they draft for this position: Yes, two players
If they were to, who would they pick: Hau'Oli Kikaha, Washington, and Lynden Trail, Norfolk State (It'd be nice to get Shaq Thompson, but Kikaha is more likely. Trail is 6'7" so he'd be nice to have to knock down passes.)
Oops. Kikaha went to the Saints, Trail went undrafted (but signed with the Texans). Hawks did not pick a single linebacker, so their depth at that position will be thin, unless Gwacham or Clark moves to OLB.
Safety: The Hawks boast the best pair of safeties in the league, but could use depth with Jeron Johnson gone. Don't expect a high pick, but expect a pick nonetheless.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Tevin McDonald, Eastern Washington (Gotta pick another local kid. He could learn LOADS under Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. Well, anyone could.)
Hawks got a safety, but again didn't pick the right one. They picked Ryan Murphy from Oregon State. McDonald went undrafted.
Cornerback: With losing Maxwell, this position will need to be addressed. Jeremy Lane won't be ready for training camp. Who is starting outside of Sherman? Simon? I'm not too impressed with Simon so far.
Will they draft for this position: Yes, two players
If they were to, who would they pick: Alex Carter, Stanford, and Senquez Golson, Ole Miss (Imagine having two corners from Stanford starting... and Golson has excellent ball skills, something Pete covets.)
Hawks drafted just one CB (Tye Smith). I had forgotten about the signing of Cary Williams. Oops. Carter went to the Lions and Golson to the (sigh) Steelers.
Kicker/Punter: This position is set with Hauschka and Ryan. I don't see the Hawks using a pick on one, unless they can't think of anyone else to draft.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Darragh O'Neill, Colorado (College teammate of Paul Richardson)
It'd have been a shock, for sure. O'Neill went undrafted.
So there you have it. With the Hawks 11 picks, I have them taking a wide receiver, a tackle, two guards/centers, a defensive tackle, a defensive end, two linebackers, a safety, and two cornerbacks. We'll see how close I get!
Post Draft Review in RED.
Seahawks traded a few picks away, ended up with 8 picks instead of 11. Oh well.
Quarterback: Not a huge area of concern, but T-Jack's return being in question might make the Seahawks want to take a QB in the late rounds, if need be. They already have BJ Daniels, so perhaps they won't use a draft pick in just bring in someone as an undrafted free agent.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Sean Mannion, Oregon State (Big guy with big arm would be an interesting complement to RW. )
Mannion went to the Rams... might end up seeing him against the Hawks. But I was right in predicting the Hawks would NOT take a QB.
Running Back/Full Back: Again, not a huge area of concern, but depth COULD be added. Full back is set with both Coleman AND Tukuafu. Lynch will be back as well, and Turbin and Michael remain his understudies. I don't see a big risk on a running back, yet.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Michael Dyer, Louisville (Off the field issues but a tank on the field)
Again correct in saying no one was taken for this position. Michael Dyer went undrafted, so he might be brought in to camp to compete for a backup RB spot.
Wide Receiver: The Hawks focused heavily on this position in last year's draft, but that doesn't mean they won't try to find a stud in this one. I think they'll pick one to add to the competition.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Vince Mayle, WSU (Going with local kid, 6'2 so decent size)
Correct in saying the Hawks would take one, wrong choice though. Tyler Lockett was the choice. Vince Mayle went to the Browns.
Tight End: This position was fortified with Jimmy Graham. Also remains Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet, and Anthony McCoy. Don't see a draft pick here.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Randall Telfer, USC (Team needs a blocking tight end, and picking one from Pete's alma matter would be appropriate)
Again correct in saying there wouldn't be a pick. Telfer went to the Browns, so unless he's cut he won't be a Hawk.
Tackle: Hawks need more help on interior of line than outside, but could use someone to give Justin Britt competition. Also wouldn't hurt to have depth in case Russell "Glass Ankles" Okung gets hurt.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Ali Marpet, Hobart (Can play center, and has good speed for an OL)
Again correct in that they'd pick one tackle, but it was Terry Poole. Marpet went to the Bucs.
Guard/Center: I group these together because a player can go back and forth between them. This is one of the biggest needs, if not the biggest need, for the Seahawks. Don't be surprised if two interior linemen are drafted.
Will they draft for this position: Yes, two players
If they were to, who would they pick: Arie Kouandijo, Alabama and Andy Gallik, Boston College (Kouandijo is a future pro bowler IMO and Gallik is small but is gritty, smart, and well-developed.)
Technically the Hawks took two interior linemen. Glowinski will definitely play guard or center and they drafted Kristjan Sokoli, who played DT in college but the Hawks say will play guard. Well, it worked with J.R. Sweezy, so they think it'll work again.
Defensive Tackle: This position is currently held by Mebane and Williams, both can be injury prone and are aging. Their successors are needed, and I'd be shocked if the Hawks didn't draft somebody.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Michael Bennett, Ohio State (Imagine if we had two guys named Michael Bennett on the defensive line, how confusing that'd be. Someone would have to go by Mike Bennett.)
Again, technically correct. Sokoli was a DT that they drafted, but probably won't play there. Bennett went to the Jags, unfortunately.
Defensive End: The Hawks have Bennett and Avril, but both are nearing the end of their primes. Marsh should be in the mix as well, but some depth will probably be added.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Tavaris Barnes (Seattle had him for a workout and he's a rotational defensive end so he'd fit in VERY well here.)
The Hawks actually drafted TWO D-linemen, but Barnes was neither of them. The picks were Frank Clark and Obum Gwacham. The Hawks are now stacked there with depth. Barnes went undrafted and still could be brought in for training camp.
Linebacker: The Hawks starting trio is set with Wagner, Irvin, and Wright, with Pierre-Louis being a capable backup. The loss of Malcolm Smith means for sure there will be a linebacker drafted. I'll go with two, actually.
Will they draft for this position: Yes, two players
If they were to, who would they pick: Hau'Oli Kikaha, Washington, and Lynden Trail, Norfolk State (It'd be nice to get Shaq Thompson, but Kikaha is more likely. Trail is 6'7" so he'd be nice to have to knock down passes.)
Oops. Kikaha went to the Saints, Trail went undrafted (but signed with the Texans). Hawks did not pick a single linebacker, so their depth at that position will be thin, unless Gwacham or Clark moves to OLB.
Safety: The Hawks boast the best pair of safeties in the league, but could use depth with Jeron Johnson gone. Don't expect a high pick, but expect a pick nonetheless.
Will they draft for this position: Yes
If they were to, who would they pick: Tevin McDonald, Eastern Washington (Gotta pick another local kid. He could learn LOADS under Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. Well, anyone could.)
Hawks got a safety, but again didn't pick the right one. They picked Ryan Murphy from Oregon State. McDonald went undrafted.
Cornerback: With losing Maxwell, this position will need to be addressed. Jeremy Lane won't be ready for training camp. Who is starting outside of Sherman? Simon? I'm not too impressed with Simon so far.
Will they draft for this position: Yes, two players
If they were to, who would they pick: Alex Carter, Stanford, and Senquez Golson, Ole Miss (Imagine having two corners from Stanford starting... and Golson has excellent ball skills, something Pete covets.)
Hawks drafted just one CB (Tye Smith). I had forgotten about the signing of Cary Williams. Oops. Carter went to the Lions and Golson to the (sigh) Steelers.
Kicker/Punter: This position is set with Hauschka and Ryan. I don't see the Hawks using a pick on one, unless they can't think of anyone else to draft.
Will they draft for this position: No
If they were to, who would they pick: Darragh O'Neill, Colorado (College teammate of Paul Richardson)
It'd have been a shock, for sure. O'Neill went undrafted.
So there you have it. With the Hawks 11 picks, I have them taking a wide receiver, a tackle, two guards/centers, a defensive tackle, a defensive end, two linebackers, a safety, and two cornerbacks. We'll see how close I get!
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