2011 Draft Scenarios - Part 1 - The Line

Seahawks 2011 Projected Pick Breakdown

Round Pick
1 25
2 57*
3 No pick
4 103* (From SF via NE for Deion Branch)
4 131* (Possible Compensatory pick, assumes 3 compensatory picks at the end of round 3)
5 153*
5 154* (from BAL for Josh Wilson)
6 173* (From DET for Lawrence Jackson)
7 198* (from CLE for Seneca Wallace)

*Assumed position based on 2010 finish; does not include possible compensatory picks.

Overview: With 8 potential picks in the 7 rounds the Seahawks are well positioned to add quality starters and depth in the 2011 draft. They also have the potential to combine some picks and move up to improve their draft positions.

The Hawks proved last year they could find quality at the top of the draft (Russel Okung #6, Earl Thomas #14) and in the middle rounds (Walter Thurmond, 4th round #111, Kam Chancellor, 5th round #133). However WR Golden Tate (2nd round, #60) had a disappointing rookie year and DL E.J. Wilson (4th round, #127) was a complete bust, being waived by the team late in the season. Sixth rounder Anthony McCoy and 7th rounder Jamethon Konz ended up as the 4th and 5th TE's on the squad and neither played a down.

The good news about 2011 is that all the Hawks draft picks are in the top 200, and Schneider and Carroll proved they could find value in those lower picks. So given that, let's take a look at one potential scenario for the 2011 Seahawks draft choices.

Scenario 1 – Draft For The Line

Round Pick Rank Player Pos School Stats
1 25 39 Phil Taylor DT Baylor 6-4/337
2 57* 83 Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada 6-5/225
3 No pick
4 103* 108 Vincent Brown WR S.D. St. 5-11/184
4 131* 140 Jalil Brown CB Colorado 6-0/200
5 153* 153 Marcus Gilbert OT Florida 6-6/329
5 154* 139 Stanley Havili FB USC 6-1/228
6 173* 173 Zach Hurd OG Conn. 6-7/325
7 198* 198 Mike Mohamed ILB Cal. 6-1/241

Round 1 - Pick #25 - Given the depth of the draft at the DL position and given the Hawks needs on both lines, this pick is likely to be spent on a lineman. Baylor's Phil Taylor (#39 ranking) has the massive size and Top-20 talent to play over the nose or at the 3 technique DT. Call him Brandon Mebane insurance. Ingnoring the 5 technique DE position could be a problem if Red Bryant can't come back 100%, but the Seahawks do have Kentwan Balmer and Raheem Brock to potentially fill that position. And Taylor has too much upside to pass up. He could be a trainwrecker inside, especially if teamed with Mebane.

Round 2 - Pick #57 - The Seahawks need a young QB to become their heir apparent to Matt Hasselbeck, and Colin Kaepernick fills that void. At 6-5/255 Kaepernick possesses mobility, a strong arm, and better accuracy than UW's Jake Locker. Based on his current rank (#83 prospect) this pick could be a reach, but there is always a premium on QB's and Kaepernick could end up rising much higher after the combine.

Round 4 - Pick #103 - With the disappointing rookie year of Golden Tate and the late season injury to Deon Butler, the Hawks have a need at WR. I love San Diego St. wideout Vincent Brown (#108). Brown had a fantastic Senior Bowl week, catching everything in sight and showing an ability to separate from the corners covering him. Possessing a burst off the line, explosiveness out of his cuts and sticky hands, Brown could be the steal of the draft.

Round 4 - Pick #131 - Corner is now the need position on the board, and the Hawks found a good DB last year near this pick with Kam Chancellor. Both Chris Rucker of Michigan St. (#133, 6-2/200, 4.55) and Jalil Brown of Colorado (#140, 6-0/200, 4.49) measure up for size and speed. With Marcus Trufant on the decline the Hawks need help here, and I like Brown just a little bit better.

Round 5 - Pick #153 - If the Seahawks keep these picks, then it's time to pick up some road graters. Florida OT Marcus Gilbert projects exactly to this pick and comes in at 6-6/329. That's road grater material right there.

Round 5 - Pick #154 - Projects out as the Ravens pick for Josh Wilson. The Hawks select USC FB Stanley Havili (#139, 6-1/228). Some may scoff at taking a FB this high, especially with other needs, but Havili is a good blocker, which should make it easier for the Hawks to run max protect and get John Carlson out in the passing patterns more often instead of being stuck inside to block. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield, with 84 career receptions for 894 yards (over 10 yards per catch) and 10 TD's. Also had a 6.4 yards per carry career average.

Round 6 - Pick #173 - The second road grater, Zach Hurd, OG, of Connecticut. 6-7/325 says it all.

Round 7 - Pick #198 - Mike Mohamed, ILB, Cal. The Hawks need depth at ILB, and Mohamed plays all out every down.

Trade Up Scenario: The Hawks trade the #103 pick and the #154 pick to move up into the late 3rd round and take USC CB Shareece Wright, 5-11/184. They then take Havili at #133 and Ronald Johnson, USC WR/KR at #153.

Round Pick Rank Player Pos School Stats
1 25 39 Phil Taylor DT Baylor 6-4/337
2 57* 83 Colin Kaepernick QB Nevada 6-5/225
3 No pick
4 91* 91 Shareece Wright CB USC 5-11/182
4 131* 139 Stanley Havili FB USC 6-1/228
5 153* 153 Ronald Johnson WR USC 5-11/186 (4.46)
6 173* 173 Zach Hurd OG Conn. 6-7/325
7 198* 198 Mike Mohamed ILB Cal. 6-1/241