A lot of early chatter among NFL personnel about how this draft is not particularly strong at the top. The four QBs and two defensive players are exciting prospects, but there's even been some doubt about Will Anderson compared to previous top pass rushers and now the Carter thing has popped up. After those six prospects there's so little consensus at DL, CB and WR that even though everybody has their own favorite it doesn't feel like the difference is very significant. TE and RB are extremely strong but viewed as lesser importance.
This could play into the Seahawks hands if we either draft a QB or trade down with a team who wants to draft a QB, but I get the sense that staying put to draft Tyree Wilson wouldn't excite our front office at all.
Nolan Smith is one of my favorite OLB prospects due to his personality, high motor and tenacity against the run. He would bring something to OLB that I think we're missing, unlike many of the young OLB prospects who are situational pass rush specialists only at this point. I think the split may have helped him too much, as now he will likely be off the board before pick #20 and almost certainly by #37. Very high floor experienced vet. If you haven't seen the video of his Georgia teammates watching his 40, highly recommend it if you want to see how well he is regarded by his teammates.
Lukas Van Ness was a measurables winner at OLB. Measured at 6'5" 272lbs with 34" arms, only ran 4.58 but looked fluid. Huge developmental upside due to transitioning from a hockey background and only playing football for two seasons and really only the 2022 season as an edge rusher. High ceiling prospect who needs time to develop.
Not that much to learn about the ILBs today. Lots of fast athletic guys this year; twice as many ran sub 4.5 as last year. Pretty much all as expected though, and the questions around most are coverage instincts in the passing game or ability to shed blocks in the running game.
- Simpson is an amazing athlete as expected and how high he goes will depend on development projections as well as how teams are putting value on off ball LBs.
- Campbell's 37 1/2" vertical and 10'8" broad jump probably did enough to secure him an earlier second round slot given he is the obvious high production guy.
- Henley lost an inch and 10 pounds with the official measurements but met with the Seahawks and ran a 1.55 split.
- Owen Pappoe is an amazing athlete but the real questions will be the medicals which we aren't privvy to.
Day 2 is going to be an excellent opportunity for the Seahawks to add interior DL run stuffers if they want to. The bench is going to be more important than the splits, but a lot of the big guys looked more than athletic enough today. Pickens looked the most athletic out of the run stuffers to me, he and Clark both slimmed down by about 15 pounds. Cameron Young only ran the 40 for some reason. Benton didn't test well, but that's not really his game anyway.
