I'm With Huard.

[TheLegendOfBoom]

Carter has too many red flags to pick as a #5. And literally THE worst red flag you likely can find.
Is there any NFL player that turned out to be a star despite issues with lack of work ethic? (Maybe Harvin? But he is more a cautionary tale than a success story)

With few exceptions, likely the biggest red flag you can have in the draft is lack of work ethic. It almost trumps everything else. Lack of a love of the game is big too - but people with little work ethic rarely deliver for whatever team picks them.

Most of the other red flags - drug use, DV accusations, or even criminal history?
You can overlook if the player produces enough. But lack of work ethic is the big killer.
(Unless we all feel that Carter is hammered with survivor's guilt, which is the root of his inability to finish drills or stay in shape now. Problem is concerns about his work ethic predate his accident...)

Carroll likes to roll the die on high-risk, high-upside picks (remember Metcalf was one) and it often works. But work ethic concerns might make Carter too high a pick at #15, and a HELL NO at #5.

I’ll pass on Carter cause the guy wasn’t great in the playoffs either.

I want an elite player, in any position, if it’s top 5 pick.

Seattle has 5th pick.

Why would you settle for less and not draft the top position player in that draft class?

DT, since Carter has his issues now, he’s not worthy of top 5 IMO and his play has fallen IMO.

QB, Seattle doesn’t need a high draft QB this year but if they feel AR can develop and it will take a year or two, and then AR, will be a game wrecker then yes, it’s worth the number 5 pick but if Seattle thinks he is too raw and it would take 3 or more years, then no, hard pass.

OT, no need for this.

WR, no elite receivers in this draft.

CB, Seattle, has seen success with later round corners so, hard pass.

DE/LB, 5th overall on a DE/LB? Anderson, is really a 5 tech DE, and possibly, limited to a 3-4 rush backer (in the mold of Clay Matthews) but I’ll be honest, I don’t see that Anderson is great with his hands. I think he is a little overrated, honestly. I think in the past 5 years of drafts, there has been better pass rushers than Anderson, Anderson, wouldn’t be top 5 for the past 5 drafts.

OG, definitely not top 5.

RB, because of the value of the position, it’s hard to use a top 5 pick on a RB, but pick 8-10, I’ll heavily consider it. There is no other player in this draft that looks to be an elite player in their position other than Bijan Robinson.

Really hard to pass on Robinson even if Walker is already on the roster.

Honestly, I think Robinson is better than Walker. Robinson would have been the number 1 RB drafted last year and 2021.

No player in their respective position group for this years draft is worthy of the top 5 pick for Seattle.

I’d try to trade down to top 10 and draft Robinson. But that’s just me.

 

[CactusJack]

I’ll pass on Carter cause the guy wasn’t great in the playoffs either.

I want an elite player, in any position, if it’s top 5 pick.

Seattle has 5th pick.

Why would you settle for less and not draft the top position player in that draft class?

DT, since Carter has his issues now, he’s not worthy of top 5 IMO and his play has fallen IMO.

QB, Seattle doesn’t need a high draft QB this year but if they feel AR can develop and it will take a year or two, and then AR, will be a game wrecker then yes, it’s worth the number 5 pick but if Seattle thinks he is too raw and it would take 3 or more years, then no, hard pass.

OT, no need for this.

WR, no elite receivers in this draft.

CB, Seattle, has seen success with later round corners so, hard pass.

DE/LB, 5th overall on a DE/LB? Anderson, is really a 5 tech DE, and possibly, limited to a 3-4 rush backer (in the mold of Clay Matthews) but I’ll be honest, I don’t see that Anderson is great with his hands. I think he is a little overrated, honestly. I think in the past 5 years of drafts, there has been better pass rushers than Anderson, Anderson, wouldn’t be top 5 for the past 5 drafts.

OG, definitely not top 5.

RB, because of the value of the position, it’s hard to use a top 5 pick on a RB, but pick 8-10, I’ll heavily consider it. There is no other player in this draft that looks to be an elite player in their position other than Bijan Robinson.

Really hard to pass on Robinson even if Walker is already on the roster.

Honestly, I think Robinson is better than Walker. Robinson would have been the number 1 RB drafted last year and 2021.

No player in their respective position group for this years draft is worthy of the top 5 pick for Seattle.

I’d try to trade down to top 10 and draft Robinson. But that’s just me.

Carter's play is elite for a Defensive Tackle. In College, you're not gonna find many better. Now, the character & off-field stuff is certainly a red flag and alarming. But on the field? The guy was the most dominate IDL in college Football last season. One or two games (CFP), shouldn't change people's opinion. Six weeks ago, we all would have killed to have the opportunity to take him. This draft is short on blue chip talent. But Jalen Carter is absolutely one.

I like Anthony Richardson. But right now, all anyone remembers is his Combine & Pro Day performances & is completely disregarding his actual play (film) last season. Which wasn't great.

 

[AgentDib]

There is no better example of how injury prone running backs are than our own team.

That's how I see it too. It's fun to think about what healthy Bijan would provide to the team, but it's more realistic to consider the odds that we'd end up with often-injured Bijan. Rashaad Penny is on pace to set an NFL record for YPC - if he can stay healthy this season - and he was reportedly given the highest medical grade ever by our doctors. Despite that he wasn't worth a first round pick. It's too risky to spend major resources at a position where the job description is to get tackled 20-30 times per game by modern NFL players.

 

[Spin Doctor]

First off, there is no doubt in anybody's mind that Lynch, at that point of his young career, is DEFINITELY the value of an early day one pick. Seattle gave up two firsts for Jamaal Adams. Are you trying to convince me that, in hindsight, knowing what they now know about Lynch, they wouldn't give up the equivalent for him? Knowing what we know now, if they had the equivalent draft capital in their back pocket, and had to make a choice between Lynch of Adams, who do you think they would choose?

Further, there is no such thing as a "short lived" position. There is only the rookie deal or veteran minimum, and that is what levels the playing field for ALL positions. Players are offered to renew (or not) dependent upon their productivity and demonstrated potential of their first four years with a third renewal being quite rare regardless of position escept quarterback. THAT is what defines "short lived" because extending into the veteran minimum salary is what defines a given player's tenure. Hence, if a running back typically only lasts eight years, then it is consummate with the salary structure of one renewal. Relatively speaking, that isn't much different than any other position.

Additionally, the league is chock full of "Short lived" positions. Look at what the Rams assembled for their brief Super Bowl window and then look at how they are currently dismantling their expensive roster. The last thing they cared about is the life span of any given player's career. They are only looking for the short-term talent burst to put them over the top. What follows is a cap induced fire sale because no team can escape the inflated salary demands of a roster full of ring bearers. A lot of "short lived" turnover happening there.

Further, because you don't spend #5 on a running back, the resultant "trade down" parlay is defined as quantitatively more than just a running back. It is in addition to another valuable position player chosen on day one as well. In fact, for that #5 pick, Seattle could get day one picks of both a nose tackle and a running back with the running back likely being the best back in the draft and the nose tackle probably being a first-year starter.

At that point, no -- Lynch wasn't the value of a first round pick. We paid a fourth rounder for him. Would he be worth two first? No, even at the height of his success, it would have been foolish to pay two first for Lynch. I doubt even a back such as Derek Henry would've gone for two firsts. You're way over-valuing the RB position. It's one of the easiest positions to plug and play. If you really care about the run game you build from the line out. It's even more dumb to spend a 5th or even the 20th pick on a RB when we already have a servicable number one at one of the positions that is easiest to plug and play.

Our longest most, sustained success at RB since Lynch was a 7th rounder in Carson. Even with Lynch we paid a 4th rounder plus a conditional pick. Our current RB, K9 was a second round pick and he's doing just fine. Or how about the Chiefs with Issiah Paecheco, a 7th rounder. What about the Ravens turning Forsett into a 1k yard rusher?

If you need more proof how easy it is to insert RB's into the running game, look at this chart:

DraftHistory.com

www.drafthistory.com

Most of the starting NFL running backs were not taken in the first round.

You don't draft a RB top 10 unless you have a generational talent, we don't have that in this draft, nor is RB a particular big position of need. Sure, we need one -- but we only need a backup at this point that can get the hard yards. You can find those guys all over the NFL draft. We have a starter, spending a first on a RB when you already have your main guy is dumb -- especially when RB as demonstrated by that chart is THE easiest skill position to plug in play. That 20th spot, if you really cared about upgrading the run game would be better spent on an O-Lineman to replace Jackson.

 

[SarG3Hawk]

The only thing I don’t like about when people say “defense is the safe pick” with our first pick is that it gives me ptsd to Aaron Curry. I realize that can be said for any draft pick that high “so and so position is safer” and they can bust.
But whenever I hear that I get those flashbacks

 

[SoulfishHawk]

AGAIN, most teams in the league would have taken Curry if they had the 4th pick.

 

[massari]

25

25

Brady started 23 games in college, no?

Richardson started 13.

 

[WarHawks]

There is no consensus sure thing pick at #5 in this draft. I think we can all agree on that. However, I don't see us trading down either. It's just not John's m.o. to trade down when picking that high. Therefore, it seems logical to me they will either go for a high risk/high reward player like AR or Levis, depending on how the board falls, or they may try to trade up to get more of a sure thing. If the value isn't there at 5, you either trade down or swing for the fences. I predict the latter. I'm probably wrong, but that's how I see it.

 

[bileever]

CB, Seattle, has seen success with later round corners so, hard pass.

I agree with most of what you said, but I think if there's a Sauce Gardner at CB, you take him. There's no magic to picking late when it comes to CBs. It's a high value position, and if there's elite talent, you take him, even at number 5. For a lot of people, Christian Gonzalez, Joey Porter, Jr. and Devon Witherspoon are top 15 picks. Not sure any of them are Sauce Gardner, but I wouldn't eliminate CB as a general rule.

 

[Frozenropers]

Couple notes about Richardson.

1. His stats continued to improve throughout the season.
2. Look at how that Florida team played without him in their bowl game against the Beavs. He is a tilt the field type of player.
If the Hawks want to improve the defense, and they should…they can take impact defenders at #20, #37 and #52, Going DLine, DLine and LBer/Safetey.

 

[Yxes1122]

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Couple notes about Richardson.

1. His stats continued to improve throughout the season.
2. Look at how that Florida team played without him in their bowl game against the Beavs. He is a tilt the field type of player.
If the Hawks want to improve the defense, and they should…they can take impact defenders at #20, #37 and #52, Going DLine, DLine and LBer/Safetey.

None of what you say about Richardson is wrong, but he's also barely a one year starter and is somewhere around #100 in the nation in accuracy stats.

Every team including us would be FAR more comfortable taking him in the top 5, or even 10 if he had another year or two under his belt.

Sure every pick is a gamble, but when you have a top 5 pick? You're trying to mitigate and hedge against that gamble as much as possible. This is why I don't think we're drafting Richardson, just too much uncertainty and body of work to scout to land on "yeah he's our guy, and we're 100% committed that he can become a great NFL QB."

That makes no sense to me. The one position in the NFL where just being an amazing athlete isn't good enough.

 

[GemCity]

This is the first draft in a long time where I’m not “tied” to any one ‘must have’ player.

If they take Richardson, I’d understand why. We’re not picking at #5 anytime soon again. We need a successor to Geno and unless you believe in Lock, Seattle is in a great position to bring in a guy like Richardson.

If they bring in an IDL like Carter…well…it’s our biggest need. The reports on him haven’t been favorable as of late but, I’d get it.

If they trade back and snag a guy like Gonzales or Robinson at 9ish or so…while potentially still grabbing a guy like Smith, I’d get that too.

Besides doing something absolutely insane in this year’s draft, I don’t see how we can fudge this one up. I’m not saying it’s not possible but, you’ve got to like our chances here regardless of who we take (or don’t take) at 5.

Most pre-draft excitement of all time? It is for me.

I will add this opinion….it’s hit or miss of course. But, if JS and PC do take Richardson, I expect him to be an absolute nightmare to deal with in 2-3 years.

Any other guy we take in that spot, we obviously expect big things from them. Maybe Pro-Bowl caliber once they get their feet wet. But if it’s Richardson…..my bet is that he’s going to be Mike Vick 2.0.

Maybe a bit unfair to the kid but my expectations are simply based off of how damn good we drafted last year.

April 27th can’t get here fast enough…

 

[Ozzy]

None of what you say about Richardson is wrong, but he's also barely a one year starter and is somewhere around #100 in the nation in accuracy stats.

Every team including us would be FAR more comfortable taking him in the top 5, or even 10 if he had another year or two under his belt.

Sure every pick is a gamble, but when you have a top 5 pick? You're trying to mitigate and hedge against that gamble as much as possible. This is why I don't think we're drafting Richardson, just too much uncertainty and body of work to scout to land on "yeah he's our guy, and we're 100% committed that he can become a great NFL QB."

That makes no sense to me. The one position in the NFL where just being an amazing athlete isn't good enough.

I don't disagree but Richardson's adjusted completion % when you factor in catchable balls that were dropped is 64%. TO me that's not as bad as people are making it out to be for a kid who was 20, first year as a starter in the SEC and is still learning the position. I think his inaccuracy is being a little exaggerated. His supporting cast was terrible. Same with Levis. It's why its really hard to compare these guys with Stroud, Young who have mini NFL rosters supporting them.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

I don't disagree but Richardson's adjusted completion % when you factor in catchable balls that were dropped is 64%. TO me that's not as bad as people are making it out to be for a kid who was 20, first year as a starter in the SEC and is still learning the position. I think his inaccuracy is being a little exaggerated. His supporting cast was terrible. Same with Levis. It's why its really hard to compare these guys with Stroud, Young who have mini NFL rosters supporting them.

It's important enough to pause at taking him at 5 is all I'm saying.

Especially for team that just signed their two QB's and has gaping holes all over the defensive roster.

I don't see the fit or value at a 20 year opportunity getting a top 5 draft pick used on a project QB that's a year or two away from developing to the point of being even an adequate NFL QB.

 

[EverydayImRusselin]

None of what you say about Richardson is wrong, but he's also barely a one year starter and is somewhere around #100 in the nation in accuracy stats.

Every team including us would be FAR more comfortable taking him in the top 5, or even 10 if he had another year or two under his belt.

Sure every pick is a gamble, but when you have a top 5 pick? You're trying to mitigate and hedge against that gamble as much as possible. This is why I don't think we're drafting Richardson, just too much uncertainty and body of work to scout to land on "yeah he's our guy, and we're 100% committed that he can become a great NFL QB."

That makes no sense to me. The one position in the NFL where just being an amazing athlete isn't good enough.

The thing is, if he went back to school another year or two and showed improvement like you are saying, he would go #1 overall and we would have to mortgage an entire draft to get him. That's why you draft him now, because you hope that progression is there for him and that your coaching staff can bring it out in him.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

The thing is, if he went back to school another year or two and showed improvement like you are saying, he would go #1 overall and we would have to mortgage an entire draft to get him. That's why you draft him now, because you hope that progression is there for him and that your coaching staff can bring it out in him.

Right. So now you're using a once every 20 year pick at 5 on a QB who now needs years of his development on your roster. Not starting, not helping you win now, or even next year.

And STILL hoping he continues to develop. If not? Hello Trey Lance. Hello Malik Willis. Hello wasted generational draft pick.

 

[Hockey Guy]

Brady started 23 games in college, no?

Richardson started 13.

Well, he was the starter for his junior & senior year & they went 10-3 & 10-2 for 25.
IDK if he started all those games but it's certainly more than 13 which was the question posed by Fade.

 

[NoGain]

There's a couple of baseline things about Richardson that makes me okay about drafting him if PC/JS think he's their guy. For one, he's going to be an absolute load to bring down. For two, he's got a cannon for an arm. You put these two things together and teams are going to have to prepare for him in ways they don't have to for most QB's. He'll be a run threat, a QB who'll be able to buy time for his receivers, and probably a nightmare of an off-script/busted play type of QB. I mean, you'll have these things as a baseline to begin with, and then you just hope he develops as a leader/processor/passing QB.

 

[Frozenropers]

None of what you say about Richardson is wrong, but he's also barely a one year starter and is somewhere around #100 in the nation in accuracy stats.

Every team including us would be FAR more comfortable taking him in the top 5, or even 10 if he had another year or two under his belt.

Sure every pick is a gamble, but when you have a top 5 pick? You're trying to mitigate and hedge against that gamble as much as possible. This is why I don't think we're drafting Richardson, just too much uncertainty and body of work to scout to land on "yeah he's our guy, and we're 100% committed that he can become a great NFL QB."

That makes no sense to me. The one position in the NFL where just being an amazing athlete isn't good enough.

Lamar Jackson is on line one holding.

I kid…..but I hear you….it’s not like there is no risk, but after another season the Seahawks would have zero chance of drafting him. So if the JS, has that feeling……like when he says, You have to be able to project where these guys are going to be, rather than where they are now……it sure feels like he’s talking about someone like AR. I honestly think the Hawks will be I. Great shape if either Richardson or Anderson are available @#5. Either way they go they have tons of draft capital to help the D.