Seattle Seahawks 2010 Draft Review

I don't know if the Seahawks could have had a better three days. Okung, Thomas, Tate, Chancellor, and McCoy all could become starters. Wilson, Davis, and Konz all have intriguing potential. When you include LenDale White and Leon Washington into the bounty, the Seahawks, on paper, had one of the best drafts in recent memory. Pete Carroll will have to transfer the potential into wins, but he has let the media know that his first draft in Seattle could be a memorable one. 

Round 1, Pick 6

Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

Ht: 6’ 5 ¼” Wt: 307

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Seattle desperately needed a left tackle after Walter Jones was injured the last two seasons.  With a veteran quarterback, improved pass blocking could help this team contend for a division title.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Can stand to polish his technique but passes the eye test and has a desirable playing temperament. Dominated collegiate competition for stretches and has terrific length and good enough feet to ably man the blind side or become a top-notch right tackle. Emerged from the Combine as a surefire lottery pick and figures to be the first tackle drafted because of his intangibles and solid, all-around traits.

NFL projection: Top-10 pick.  

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Okung is an elite athlete with the height, long arms and pass blocking skill that few LT prospects have.  While he is far from polished and definitely needs work on his technique (Especially as a run blocker), his rare ability to pass blocker any and all pass rushers makes him a prospect that must be highly coveted.  If he is going to become a top level all around OT in the NFL he is going to have to improve his run blocking greatly and become more consistent with his punch in pass pro.  Overall, Okung is going to “WOW” NFL teams at the Senor Bowl and Combine, which will lead him vaulting up draft boards because few OT’s come out of college with his physical tools and pass blocking potential.  His athleticism, long arms and pass blocking potential remind me of Ryan Clady when he was at Boise state, but he must improve to become the All Pro that Clady has become. 

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Okung could play on the right side for a season or two for a team with a pressing need there.  He might not be as strong as the typical 325-330-pound right tackle, but no lineman gives more effort on every play and opposing defensive ends find themselves on the ground more often then they’d like when up against Okung.

Round 1, Pick 14

Earl Thomas, S/CB, Texas

Ht: 5’ 10 ¼” Wt: 208

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  The Seahawks need to add talent on both sides of the ball, and Thomas is an excellent addition.  The most instinctive DB in the draft, he could start from day 1.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A young cover safety with the type of range and ball skills coveted in a pass-first league, Thomas showed up at the Combine approximately 10 pounds heavier than his playing weight without detracting from his speed and agility. Has a rare blend of instincts, savvy, athletic ability and playmaking ability. Is still growing into his body but has an advanced understanding of the game, offers versatility to play corner and has a world of upside.

NFL projection: Top-20 pick.

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Thomas is a junior who came out early for the 2010 Draft and while he is likely going to be picked in the 1^st round, he definitely could have improved as a player by staying for his senior season.  He has the instincts, athleticism and competitiveness to be very productive in the NFL, but for him to become the elite player he has the talent to be he must become a more consistent tackler.  In the games evaluated he was involved in 1 play out of every 9.52 snaps that he was on the field for, which is a very good ratio for a safety.  Overall, Thomas is a very talented safety with the tools to be a very good and versatile starting safety in the NFL, but he must become a more consistent tackler to achieve that success.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Scouts must determine if Thomas has the size and strength to remain the dominate force he was at Texas when pitted against veteran NFL receivers.  He had several missed tackles against Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game.  If a team believes in him, Thomas can be a first-round pick.  Otherwise, he’ll be a great value in the second round.

Round 2, Pick 60

Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame

Ht: 5’11 1/4”  Wt: 199

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Tate may have been the best player available after the first-round.  A converted running back, he has excellent run after the catch ability.  The Seahawks needed an extra body in the receiver corps, and Tate will fit into their offense nicely.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: A compactly built, super-productive slot receiver trapped in a running back’s body, Tate emerged from a pro-style system and could not be stopped even after facing increased attention as a junior. Still raw, Tate must show he can beat press coverage and could struggle to duplicate his perimeter success in the pros. But he does offer strong hands, competitiveness, versatility and playmaking ability to contribute readily.

NFL projection: Top-50 pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  The son of Golden Tate, Sr., a fifth-round pick by the Colts in 1984, the younger Tate’s decision to leave South Bend was easy following the firing of Coach Charlie Weis and departure of QB Jimmy Clausen.  No matter what Tate’s height and 40-yard dash time turn out to be, his strength after the catch and ability to make the big play downfield make him a likely first-rounder and surefire top 40 pick.

111.)  Seattle Seahawks

Walter Thurmond, CB, Oregon

Ht:  5' 11" Wt: 189 

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Injuries have caused Thurmond to drop this far.  An excellent prospect if he can stay healthy, he could possibly turn into a very good starter.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:    Lean, long-limbed, athletic cover man who might have warranted interest in the first two rounds had he not blown out his knee as a senior. Durability will affect his draft value, but possesses starter-caliber athletic ability, quickness and ball skills and offers versatility as a return man. Value selection if he can stay healthy.

NFL projection: Third- to fourth-round pick.

127.)  Seattle Seahawks
E.J. Wilson, DE, North Carolina
Ht: 6' 4" Wt: 286

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Wilson is a big defensive end that lacks the speed to be a pass rusher.  His best fit is on the left side and his run stopping ability is adequate.  Seattle needs help at the defensive end position, and Wilson could help by taking up snaps as a part of the rotation.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:   Strictly a bull-rusher, Wilson’s ability to overpower the edge stood out in the Texas vs. the Nation all-star game. Could stick as a base left end in a “40” front or potentially as a five-technique in an odd front, although he does not have ideal length for traditional “30” fronts. Needs to loosen his hips but has potential to develop into a solid pro.

NFL projection: Late draftable pick.

133.)  Seattle Seahawks
Kam Chancellor, S, Virginia Tech

Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 231

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  An in the box safety much like Taylor Mays, Chancellor might not have the coverage skills to be a starter in the NFL.  His impact should come on special teams, and he could serve as a short term starter if injury thrust him into the starting line up.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Looks the part and has rare size, but few large safeties succeed without exceptional athletic ability, and Chancellor’s tight hips and stiff movement could force a position change to weak-side linebacker.

NFL projection: Third- to fourth-round pick.

185.)  Seattle Seahawks
Anthony McCoy, TE, USC

Ht: 6' 4" Wt: 259

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  The reason why McCoy dropped as low as he did is he is neither an explosive blocker or down field pass catching threat.  He's reunited with Pete Carroll, and there is the possibility that Carroll has a defined role in mind for McCoy.  

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Scouts will disregard McCoy’s gaudy 20.8 yards per reception in 2009, as he simply lacks the agility and straight-line speed to be a consistent game-breaker.  He does rank among the position’s better inline blockers, but McCoy will have to interview will to prove his willingness to work hard if he wants to earn a top 64 grade.

  

236.)  Seattle Seahawks
Dexter Davis, DE, Arizona State
Ht: 6' 1" Wt: 244

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  A projected situational pass rusher, Davis hopes to add depth to a Seahawks' team that has struggled in recent years with pressuring the QB.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  A tightly wound, college defensive end who projects to rush linebacker in the pros.  Must prove he can handle adjusting to linebacker in the pros and needs to figure out how to translate his workout numbers to the field.

NFL projection: Fourth- to fifth-round pick.

245.)  Seattle Seahawks

Jameson Konz, WR, Kent State

Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 227

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  An athletic 'tweener tight end who needs to step up his game at the next level, Konz could cause match up problems if he learns the pro-passing game.

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