NFL Combine

[NorthHawk]

Starts next Saturday (Feb 21st -> 25th).

This will be a strange year considering we are on top of the heap.
I know we have some OL to upgrade, as well as possibly at WR or TE on the Offensive side, while a penetrating DL to replace Bennett might be in the works if they don't re-sign him.
Other than that, what other areas of need might we see the FO concentrate on?

[RiverDog]

Starts next Saturday (Feb 21st -> 25th).

This will be a strange year considering we are on top of the heap.
I know we have some OL to upgrade, as well as possibly at WR or TE on the Offensive side, while a penetrating DL to replace Bennett might be in the works if they don't re-sign him.
Other than that, what other areas of need might we see the FO concentrate on?

You pretty much named all of our areas of need. If I had to guess...and this is without doing much research into the draft class...I'd say tight end, as the top players in that position are typically had for less than a top 25 pick. Austin Sefarian-Jenkins out of UW is getting a lot of attention as one of the top tight ends in the country. With the FO looking to save some scratch, they might let Miller go and target a player like ASJ in the draft. I could also see us going after an OG, for the same reasoning. Low value position, picking from the bottom rung of the ladder.

[4XPIPS]

if the chips fall where they do, in which they probably won't but out of 10 NFL Mock Drafts that I have read they have Taylor Lewan landing as high as 18 in Round 1, and low as 44 in Round 2. I think he could really sure up our Right Tackle Spot, which I am still not sold on Breno. Taylor is true natural Tackle, and could give RW the much needed time he deserves. He still got hit and sacked a lot this year because or OL pass blocked like poop.

Second our OL had a ton of penalties, and those are just as bad giving up a sack half the times because they usually negate a positive play. Just my opinion. I know it probably isn't going to happen, but he can fill in as a major need

[Oly]

Starts next Saturday (Feb 21st -> 25th).

This will be a strange year considering we are on top of the heap.
I know we have some OL to upgrade, as well as possibly at WR or TE on the Offensive side, while a penetrating DL to replace Bennett might be in the works if they don't re-sign him.
Other than that, what other areas of need might we see the FO concentrate on?

Well, once you expand that "some OL to upgrade" to the reality that is "possible LT replacement, LG upgrade, RG upgrade, and RT upgrade," it seems like a pretty full list to me. I'd just add backups at both safety positions, where the Hawks are very thin.

[Futureite]

Rasheed Hageman could be a name for the Hawks. 6'4 280+ ridiculous athleticism, wingspan, and explosiveness. I have seen mock drafts where he goes mid first rd and others where he is not selected at all. He seems like a Carroll guy that could do what Irvin is not or possibly replace Bryant - on film, he looks that versatile. I prey the Hawks don't get him. If they do not, I eould love to see the 49ers add him with Aldon and Tank Carradine, whatever he turns out to be.

[Futureite]

Excuse me 6'6 320. Holy s*** this guy is a freak.

[c_hawkbob]

If Sheed falls to us in the first I'd love for us to grab him.

[RiverDog]

Who ever we draft, I hope we take the player that can contribute now, not 2 or 3 years from now like we did with Michael.

This is the best team we've ever had, but it won't stay together for long. I want to get as much mileage out of them as we can before they break up, and that means bringing in players that can contribute in 2014, not 2016.

[NorthHawk]

Selecting at 32, it's going to be tough for any player to break into the starting lineup. The most likely spots could be along the lines with the rotation on Defense and some upgrading on Offense.

Another DL might be Stephon Tuitt. 6-6 312 and according to NFLDraftScout is able to play in a 3-4 and 4-3 Defense and
"possessing the size of most interior linemen while maintaining the quickness to provide a rush off the edge".
A little like Red with more pass rush.
Maybe he's a replacement for Bennett.

[RiverDog]

Selecting at 32, it's going to be tough for any player to break into the starting lineup. The most likely spots could be along the lines with the rotation on Defense and some upgrading on Offense.

Another DL might be Stephon Tuitt. 6-6 312 and according to NFLDraftScout is able to play in a 3-4 and 4-3 Defense and
"possessing the size of most interior linemen while maintaining the quickness to provide a rush off the edge".
A little like Red with more pass rush.
Maybe he's a replacement for Bennett.

I disagree. If we go after a low value position, like OG or TE, that player has a helluva chance of contributing.

My point being is that the future is now.

[Eaglehawk]

if the chips fall where they do, in which they probably won't but out of 10 NFL Mock Drafts that I have read they have Taylor Lewan landing as high as 18 in Round 1, and low as 44 in Round 2. I think he could really sure up our Right Tackle Spot, which I am still not sold on Breno. Taylor is true natural Tackle, and could give RW the much needed time he deserves. He still got hit and sacked a lot this year because or OL pass blocked like poop.

Second our OL had a ton of penalties, and those are just as bad giving up a sack half the times because they usually negate a positive play. Just my opinion. I know it probably isn't going to happen, but he can fill in as a major need

I think penalties are the fault of O line coaching.

And yeah, talent as well.

I am not sold on Breno and Carpenter, or happy with the dropoff from Unger.

Something has to give. We need true position players that have excellent technique.

[Eaglehawk]

if the chips fall where they do, in which they probably won't but out of 10 NFL Mock Drafts that I have read they have Taylor Lewan landing as high as 18 in Round 1, and low as 44 in Round 2. I think he could really sure up our Right Tackle Spot, which I am still not sold on Breno. Taylor is true natural Tackle, and could give RW the much needed time he deserves. He still got hit and sacked a lot this year because or OL pass blocked like poop.

Second our OL had a ton of penalties, and those are just as bad giving up a sack half the times because they usually negate a positive play. Just my opinion. I know it probably isn't going to happen, but he can fill in as a major need

I think penalties are the fault of O line coaching.

And yeah, talent as well.

I am not sold on Breno and Carpenter, or happy with the dropoff from Unger.

Something has to give. We need true position players that have excellent technique.

[NorthHawk]

I really like what I've been reading about Antonio Richardson. NFLDraftScout has him rated as a 2nd round pick, so if that holds true, he should be there at 32. The other OT that might be there is Morgan Moses from Virginia, but I don't have much info on him.

TheHuddleReport's Drew Boylhart thinks Tennessee Tackle JuWuan James is better than Richardson, but NFLDraftScout has him rated in rounds 3-4.

If we really want to beef up the interior of the OL, we could select Gabe Jackson first and Cyril Richardson 2nd.
Realistically, we will probably only select 1 Offensive Lineman on the first 2 days, if any.

If they take a WR, I think Kelvin Benjamin is probably on their Radar. With his wingspan and height, he is a nightmare in the Red Zone. Unfortunately he's probably on a lot of teams lists including the 49ers.

[savvyman]

First and foremost to address this off season are the following three priorities:

1. Upgrade the Offensive Line

2. Upgrade the Offensive Line

3. Upgrade the Offensive Line

[NorthHawk]

I understand the concepts as to what JS and PC want from the draft, but I have had trouble identifying who might be candidates and have serious doubt an OL will be our first pick this year. I think they have a lot of faith in Cable - maybe too much in my opinion, but it would not surprise me if they took a DL first. It seems that's what PC understands most - Defense, and that's how he prioritizes the value. With Bailey and Bowie taken late last year it might solidify his thinking that taking OL early is a wasted pick.

[HumanCockroach]

I'm with North on this, I just don't see them taking an O lineman with the first overall pick ( unless someone they think to be gone in the top 15 somehow plummets). The draft is "deep" in the offensive line according to many, if that is the case, I see the Hawks doing exactly what it seems they always do, which is draft the highest rated player on their board, regardless of position, while believing they can find what they want without much drop off on the O line later in the middle rounds. Honestly think they will be looking at some offensive "skill" guys should they choose not to trade back ( TE, Big receiver) or a DL that they covet.....

Just don't get the sense that the FO is as concerned with the offensive line as much as some of us are. They have shown a willingness to mix and match and "dumpster" dive for a bulk of their lineman ( most are low round pick, reclamation projects, PS fodder, converted d lineman, or otherwise unconventional players). With the exception of Okung they simply haven't shown much desire to spend those high picks there. I don't doubt they would for an impact lineman, but I doubt that guy is there at 32.

Suppose they could "gamble" like they did with Carpenter, but I doubt it.

[RiverDog]

I really like what I've been reading about Antonio Richardson. NFLDraftScout has him rated as a 2nd round pick, so if that holds true, he should be there at 32. The other OT that might be there is Morgan Moses from Virginia, but I don't have much info on him.

TheHuddleReport's Drew Boylhart thinks Tennessee Tackle JuWuan James is better than Richardson, but NFLDraftScout has him rated in rounds 3-4.

If we really want to beef up the interior of the OL, we could select Gabe Jackson first and Cyril Richardson 2nd.
Realistically, we will probably only select 1 Offensive Lineman on the first 2 days, if any.

If they take a WR, I think Kelvin Benjamin is probably on their Radar. With his wingspan and height, he is a nightmare in the Red Zone. Unfortunately he's probably on a lot of teams lists including the 49ers.

Good work, North. It's that time of year. The time of the year when cabin fever sets in, when we need to start doing some homework, and you've given me some good ideas.

[Eaglehawk]

I'm with North on this, I just don't see them taking an O lineman with the first overall pick ( unless someone they think to be gone in the top 15 somehow plummets). The draft is "deep" in the offensive line according to many, if that is the case, I see the Hawks doing exactly what it seems they always do, which is draft the highest rated player on their board, regardless of position, while believing they can find what they want without much drop off on the O line later in the middle rounds. Honestly think they will be looking at some offensive "skill" guys should they choose not to trade back ( TE, Big receiver) or a DL that they covet.....

Just don't get the sense that the FO is as concerned with the offensive line as much as some of us are. They have shown a willingness to mix and match and "dumpster" dive for a bulk of their lineman ( most are low round pick, reclamation projects, PS fodder, converted d lineman, or otherwise unconventional players). With the exception of Okung they simply haven't shown much desire to spend those high picks there. I don't doubt they would for an impact lineman, but I doubt that guy is there at 32.

Suppose they could "gamble" like they did with Carpenter, but I doubt it.

Yeah, most of us have been talking about our NEED for an O lineman in a vacuum. We never realistically considered what PC and JS would do come draft day as we are doing now.
For example, I did not realize the draft was deep with OL players. If that is the case then my equation changes. Even if that were NOT the case, I think your points about PC and JS picking the best player on the board for that position on THEIR OWN DRAFT BOARD would hold. They have done the research personally, and they have paid scouts to really look at these players and talk to them. We can only conjecture. If I had to do that and make some educated guesses then I would be in yours and NHs camp. The Carpenter gamble and the Curry bust leads me to think that we are going to go for who we think will be the best fit for our team, not only the best player.
I think one of the x factors is that the hawks need people that have a strong work ethic. Self motivators. As well as players with a "buy in" mentality. Maybe with a little chip on their shoulder.



Good stuff NH.

[Zorn76]

Pretty hard to ignore OL early in the draft, IMO. The whole BPA philosophy is great 'n' all, but the Seahawks clearly have issues up front to deal with that can't be fixed with low round ban aids.

This unit needs to be overhauled in a similar fashion to what Pete and John did with our secondary a couple years ago. We can do better - much better - than what we have now in terms of protecting our franchise QB. RW's health is nothin' to mess around with. And if we can average just 3 points more per game this coming season, it'd increase our odds that much more of repeating.