#25 Seattle Seahawks
What They Need: Talent-wise, this team should be picking in the top ten of the draft. Unfortunately for Seattle, they won the pathetic NFC West, and then shocked the defending champion Saints, only to fall in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, which lands them the twenty-fifth pick in this year’s draft. Needs are abundant on this roster. They probably could do with a young quarterback to develop as Matt Hasselbeck is aging and has had multiple injuries. Running back is okay with Marshawn Lynch as their feature back, but they could use another talented player in the backfield. Mike Williams had a great comeback year at wide receiver, but he’s their only true threat on the perimeter, and I’m not sure he’s a number one-caliber wideout. Russell Okung was very good at left tackle for Seattle last year when healthy, Chris Spencer is a solid center, and Shaun Locklear is serviceable at right tackle. The guard spots aren’t all that strong, and adding a young right tackle would be a wise investment. Defensively the Seahawks sorely need help in their front four. Those guys just don’t make a lot of impact plays. Lofa Tatupu and Aaron Curry form a talented and athletic combo at linebacker that Seattle can build around. Earl Thomas is going to be a star at safety, Marcus Trufant is a good cover corner, and Kelly Jennings is a reasonably solid cover man. They could use another dynamic player in the secondary, but they have bigger needs.
Who They Might Pick: Since this team knows they are in transition, it wouldn’t surprise me if they took a quarterback here. Building the offensive line is a good thought, but that’s more of a move to support the current quarterback, and I think Seattle might be looking toward the future. If Seattle targets a signal caller, the three guys they could look at here are Jake Locker (Washington), Ryan Mallett (Arkansas) and Cristian Ponder (Florida State). If they look for offensive line help, they could look at tackle, though I’m not sure any of the top prospects will be left at this point in the draft. Nate Solder or Derrick Sherrod might still be on the board and could be solid fits at the right tackle spot. Mike Pouncey would be a great value here and could start at guard immediately for Seattle. Danny Watkins, a guard from Baylor, would be another good pick. If the Seahawks look at defense here, the pick should come on the defensive line. Muhammad Wilkerson, Phil Taylor, or Stephen Paea would be good selections at defensive tackle. Ryan Kerrigan could still be around and would add a nice pass rushing element at defensive end. Cameron Heyward, JJ Watt, Adrian Clayborn, and Cameron Jordan could all fill multiple positions along the defensive front.
My Advice: There are some good quarterbacks that should be available in the second round or later this year: Andy Dalton from TCU, Colin Kaepernick from Nevada, Ricky Stanzi from Iowa, Greg McElroy from Alabama, and perhaps Ponder. Unless they fall in love with Mallet or Locker, I think they should go defense with this pick and try to build around the promising nucleus of Thomas, Curry, and Tatupu. Muhammad Wilkerson, the defensive tackle from Temple, would be an excellent value at this point in the draft and should be the Seahawks’ pick. He improves a glaring need in the middle of Seattle’s defense. At 6’4”, 315 pounds he has great size, good athleticism, and quick feet. He can be a force in the run game and push the pocket to create pass rush.
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| For the twenty-fifth pick, the Seattle Seahawks take Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple. |
#26 Baltimore Ravens
What They Need: For what seems like the last ten years this team has relied on a stifling defense and an offense that was always inconsistent or up-and-coming but never fully competent. Now though, that defense is really starting to age. Ray Lewis will not be able to play for much longer, though he is still a high-level linebacker. Ed Reed played very well last year but nearly retired before last season because of his cumulative injuries. The corner spot is weak, and that showed for most of last year. Haloti Ngata is a monster in the trenches but could use some help from his linemates. Terrence Cody might be nothing more than a massive body; he didn’t do much last year as a rookie, but we’ll wait and see what kind of nose tackle he can become. Terrell Suggs is a truly dynamic pass rusher but could use another guy to create pressure opposite him. On offense, Joe Flacco has been good, though I think he has plateaued in his development. He’s good but not great, and I think that’s where he’ll stay. Ray Rice is one of the best six or seven all around running backs in the league. The offensive line is a really strong young unit with Ben Grubbs, Michael Oher, and Jared Gaither. Anquan Boldin is a great possession receiver, and young tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta are promising targets in the middle of the field. Another dynamic receiver could really complete this offense.
Who They Might Pick: Defensively they need help on the front line, another edge rushing linebacker, and at corner. On offense they really just need another big play wide receiver. I think this pick will probably come on the defensive line because this year’s draft is deep with 3-4-style linemen and not so much with edge rushers, corners, or receivers. Heyward and Clayborn could easily still be on the board here. Jimmy Smith might be available at corner, and if not, I could see the Ravens reaching for cover men like Aaron Williams (Texas), Brandon Harris (Miami), or Davon House (New Mexico State) because it is such a big need. Receivers are not all that plentiful in this year’s draft, so I think Baltimore will be content to wait until the second or third round to nab a wideout.
My Advice: Adrian Clayborn is a monster against the run and is just a solid all-around player who fits perfectly with the Ravens’ gritty style. Coming from the Big Ten, Clayborn will be used to taking on massive blockers. He will help relieve pressure on Ngata, keep blockers off of Lewis, and might even support Suggs in the pass rush department.
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| With the twenty-sixth selection, the Baltimore Ravens pick Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa. |
--from Adam
(first image from owlified.net, second from nepatriotsdraft.com)
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