2013 NFL Draft Part 2: The Players

Pete Carroll and John Schneider have their own opinions on players that are often differing from the general consensus. Because of this it is very difficult to predict if the Seahawks will be interested in any particular player. Here are some players that could potentially fit in the positions mentioned in part one:

1)   Three Technique Defensive Tackle

Player Type: In Carroll’s three years in Seattle he has preferred size and run stuffing ability at three-technique. His two three techniques during his time, Brandon Mebane and Alan Branch, weight 311 and 325 pounds, respectively.

Sylvester Williams, North Carolina

 Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern State

Kawann Short, Purdue

Bennie Logan, Louisiana State

Jordan Hill, Penn State

Montori Hughes, Tennessee-Martin 

Nick Williams, Samford

2)     Offensive Tackle

Player Type: The Seahawks prefer run blocking maulers to pass blockers on the o-line. Breno Giacomini is known for his feistiness and effort, and offensive line coach Tom Cable loves players who play up until the whistle. James Carpenter was selected to play right tackle in 2011 because of his strength.

Menelik Watson, Florida State

Terron Armstead, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Kyle Long, Oregon

Brennan Williams, North Carolina

Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin

Reid Fragel, Ohio State

Luke Marquardt, Azusa-Pacific

3)   Weakside Linebacker

Player Type: The Seahawks like fast, athletic players at linebacker. 40 times appear to be important to the Seahawks’ staff when picking linebackers, as both Bobby Wagner and Malcolm Smith run 40’s in the 4.4’s.

Alec Ogletree, Georgia

Arthur Brown, Kansas State

Khaseem Greene, Rutgers

Sio Moore, Connecticut

Zaviar Gooden, Missouri

Jelani Jenkins, Florida

Phillip Steward, Houston

4)   Interior Pass Rusher (“Jason Jones Role”)

Player Type: The ‘Jason Jones Role’ is basically a player that can play defensive end on base downs, or kick inside and play defensive tackle and rush the passer on passing downs. Jason Jones (now with the Lions), was a lanky 6’5”, 276 pounds. Michael Bennett, signed to replace Jones, is 6’4”, 274 pounds.

Datone Jones, UCLA

William Gholston, Michigan State

Malliciah Goodman, Clemson

Glenn Foster, Illinois

Quinton Dial, Alabama

Nick King, Oklahoma

Earl Okine, Florida

5)   Nickel/Slot Corner

Player Type: Pete Carroll likes his cornerbacks tall and strong to play press coverage. Every corner Carroll has drafted in Seattle has been at least 5’10, but he also signed 5’9 Antoine Winfield to play nickel corner. The Seahawks look for long (5’11+) cornerbacks outside, and quicker players to play inside at nickel.

Desmond Trufant, Washington +

Johnathan Banks, Mississippi State

Tyrann Mathieu, Louisiana State *

Sanders Commings, Georgia

Will Davis, Utah State

Jeremy Harris, New Mexico State

Tharold Simon, Louisiana State

+player can play outside or nickel

*player will be limited to nickel spot

6)   Quarterback

Player Type: The Seahawks want a player athletic enough to fit into the new read-option offense the Seahawks have been using, yet smart enough to spend as much time watching film as Russell Wilson. A blend between throwing ability, running ability, and brains will be necessary to back up Wilson.

EJ Manuel, Florida State

Matt Scott, Arizona

Zac Dysert, Miami (Ohio)

Jordan Rodgers, Vanderbilt

Sean Renfree, Duke

Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State

BJ Daniels, South Florida

7)   “Move” TE

Player Type: The “move” or “Joker” tight end is essentially a tight end that is half tight end, half wide receiver. The most notable “joker” in the NFL is the New England Patriots’ Aaron Hernandez, who at 6’1”, 245 pounds, can line up at tight end or in the slot. Usually a move TE has some ability to stretch the field and make yards after the catch.

Gavin Escobar, San Diego State

Jordan Reed, Florida

Ryan Otten, San Jose State

Joseph Fauria, UCLA

Mychal Rivera, Tennessee

Justice Cunningham, South Carolina

Brandon Ford, Clemson

8)   Free Safety

Player Type: To backup Earl Thomas, the Seahawks need a rangy free safety able to cover the deep middle third of the field. The free safety should fast, instinctual, and a sure tackler.

Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

Eric Reid, LSU

Baccari Rambo, Georgia

Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse

Duke Williams, Nevada

Gary Walker, Idaho

9)   Runningback/Returner

Player Type: The Seahawks need a third runningback with some speed and elusiveness to compliment Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin’s power running. Returning ability is a plus.

Giovani Bernard, North Carolina

Andre Ellington, Clemson

Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

Kerwynn Williams, Utah

Kenjon Barner, Oregon

Latavius Murray, Central Florida

Jawan Jamison, Rutgers

10)   Wide Receiver

Player Type: Pete Carroll and John Schneider both seem to prefer lengthy receivers and this draft is full of them. Pete Carroll likes his “touchdown makers” and will look for a receiver with athletic ability and college production.

Quinton Patton, Louisiana Tech

Aaron Dobson, Marshall

Mark Harrison, Rutgers

Charles Johnson, Grand Valley State

Tyrone Goard, Eastern Kentucky

Marcus Davis, Virginia Tech

Marquess Wilson, Washington State