Now to the final team in the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks. I call it the "mixed bag" draft, but "glass half empty/half full" may be the more appropriate title. A lot of the so-called experts are doggin' their draft. I think it's all on how you look at it. So let's get to the breakdown:
2nd round (55th overall) - CB Josh Wilson
Seattle's first pick of the draft is a "need" pick. As most fans can remember, the Hawks ran a little thin at DB at the end of last season. Plus, the team can always use a kick returner. Wilson will make his money on special teams and possibly in dime packages on defense in his first season. He's fast (4.39 40), but lacks ideal size (5'9" 189 lbs.). Wilson has a great attitude and is the son of a former NFL running back (Tim - who blocked for Earl Campbell).
3rd round (85) - DT Brandon Mebane
Mebane is a run stopper who'll have to add some weight. Seattle is unsure if former 1st round pick DT Marcus Tubbs will be healthy. Tubbs has been nicked up since entering the league. So the team needs a run stopper on the D-line. He should see some snaps this season...for if nothing else, he's fresh legs to rotate in and out on the line.
4th round (120) - DE Baraka Atkins
Here's a guy with potential. Atkins played every position on the line at Miami. Although, he'll probably play defensive end in the NFL due to his size (271 lbs.). I would venture to guess that Atkins will be a practice squad player, unless the team is hit with injuries.
4th round (124) - OG Mansfield Wrotto
Fair or not, Wrotto's name will always be attached to Darrell Jackson. The former Hawks wideout was traded to San Francisco for this pick. Wrotto started out as a defensive tackle at Georgia Tech. 2006 was his first full season on the offensive line. So he's a little raw, but in time, he could play for the Hawks...just not this season.
5th round (161) - LB Will Herring
Obviously, he's a little small by NFL standards. Herring is 6'2" 229 lbs. The former safety switched to linebacker last season. He's good at pass coverage, but needs help learning to play LB. Herring will have to learn how to shed blockers better because he's more in the mix of things as an LB than a safety. He's highly competitive which will serve him well on his first job in the NFL...special teams.
6th round (197) - WR Courtney Taylor
The Hawks dip into the Auburn well, again (last year, they drafted WR Ben Obomanu from Auburn). He has size (6'2" 205 lbs.), but needs strength and has durability questions. Taylor is considered a nice little find in the 6th round. Scouts say he's quick but not fast...which could help him in the Seahawks offense. He'll work well in the intermediate routes. Bad news for Taylor...the Hawks are incredibly deep at WR.
6th round (210) - WR Jordan Kent
Here's the most intriguing player drafted. He's only played two seasons of football. Both seasons came at the college level. Kent's letter in three sports in one season (football, basketball & track). In 2006, he caught 2 TD's versus Wazzu. I still have nightmares of the 68-yard bomb he caught against the Cougs in 2005. Obviously, he'll need to work on his routes because he's so raw. Today it's "Hello practice squad"...tomorrow it could be "Hello starting lineup." This is my favorite Hawks pick.
7th round (232) - OL Steve Vallos
Of course, the Seahawks can always use O-line depth. According to NFL.com, Vallos started 48 straight games at Wake Forest. I know the Demon Deacons aren't know for their football program, but it's still 48 straight starts. He played every spot on the line except center. Vallos lacks proper technique, but that can be taught by the Hawks. Sometimes you have to roll the dice and hope someone develops into someone like a Robbie Tobeck (undrafted) or Chris Gray (5th round pick).
Final Analysis:
You have to put Deion Branch as the Hawks #1 pick. Sure, he was in the league already, but the Hawks traded their top pick for him. He'll probably make a larger impact on Seattle's team in 2007 than anyone that was available with the 24th overall pick. Plus, Branch will have a full off-season to work with a healthy Matt Hasselbeck. Overall I give them a B- I'm giving them a higher grade than most. I think Branch will help make people forget D-Jack this season. I believe Coach Mike Holmgren will utilize him more this season as the starting flanker (he played split end last year). Plus, the team added depth where they needed depth. Realisticly, was the team going to draft anyone who'd crack the starting lineup with the 55th & 85th pick? No. Around the web, experts grade the Hawks draft between a C and a D. The average is a C- to D+. Hawks fans have to trust Ruskell and Holmgren. Their recent track record shows they've earned it. Let me know what you think of the team's draft. Leave your comments here on the blog.
I questioned some of the picks since they are so raw, but I like this draft. Counting Branch, first 3 picks filled needs and depth now, and the 2nd day picks should all be solid players with a few yrs of experience. This team is solid already barring extreme injuries. Ruskell drafted for now and the future. Wrotto sounds like a raw but has so much upside for a G, and with the 2 wide outs, engram wont last to much longer and adds competition for 2 yrs down the road. I wish the draft could have a more immediate impact on the team, but I think in 2-3 yrs, we will look back and think this was a very good draft.
With the track record that Ruskell and Holmgren have, I say just sit back and enjoy the show. Yes, we still need another go-to TE eventually and could add some more depth on the offensive (in particular) and defensive lines. However, if we stay healthy, bias aside being that I'm a Seattle fan, this should be a break out year. I truly think the Seahawks could win the Super Bowl this year. C- to D---who cares! All I see is a great season to look forward to. Go Hawks!!!!