Hawks need some hits in the draft

By Chris Cluff  |   Thursday, April 05, 2007  |  Comments( 5 )

Seattle Seahawks
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One for four. That's what the Seattle Seahawks batted in the opening month of free agency.

Entering the offseason, the Seahawks' top needs were a tight end, right guard, free safety and run-stopping defensive tackle. They aimed high at guard and tight end and struck out swinging on Kris Dielman and Daniel Graham. And they probably lost Graham because they focused so intently on getting defensive end Patrick Kerney, a luxury addition who comes as-is, with no guarantee.

The Hawks finally filled a hole when they doubled up at safety with Deon Grant and Brian Russell. They also eventually found a tight end and are crossing their fingers that age (35) won't catch up to Marcus Pollard and that Pollard can still catch a few passes.

They're also hoping for a miracle from Floyd "Pork Chopped Liver" Womack, the injury-prone guard who probably should start spelling his last name "Woe-mack." That said, the Seahawks currently are counting on Pork Chop to remain healthy for once and start at right guard in 2007. If it isn't him, it will probably be Chris Gray, the 36-year-old graybeard who was recently re-signed.

So of their four major needs, the Hawks satisfactorily addressed only one and then found Band-Aids for two others. They still might add a free agent or two, but they otherwise will have to try to fill a few needs in the draft at the end of the month.

They must come out of the college selection meeting with more options along the interior line, as well as a young tight end and that run-stuffing tackle. They also could use a fourth defensive end, another backup linebacker and perhaps another cornerback.

The Seahawks' first pick is scheduled to be at No. 55. The ideal guy there would seem to be Arizona State tight end Zach Miller, who in the past month has slipped out of the first round almost within reach of the Seahawks. Miller, who starred at Arizona State for three seasons, is well versed in the passing game. At 6-foot-5, 256 pounds, Miller runs very good routes and has excellent hands, having averaged 48 catches per season at ASU. They might have to go up a few spots to get him, but Miller would seem to be one of the best matches of need and value for the Seahawks.

Another good option in the second round - if he were available - would be USC center Ryan Kalil, whom the Seahawks could convert to guard and also use as a backup center. However, Kalil's stock apparently has risen to the edge of the first round, so the Hawks might not be able to stretch high enough to get him.

If the Seahawks cannot get Miller, Kalil or another good guard prospect (Ben Grubbs, Justin Blalock, Arron Sears), they could add another Marcus to a team that already has three (Tubbs, Trufant, Pollard).

DeMarcus "Tank" Tyler, a 6-2, 306-pound defensive tackle from N.C. State, seems to be the kind of plugger the Seahawks could use in their tackle rotation, and he figures to be available at 55. Then there is Fresno State's Marcus McCauley, a big (6-1), fast (4.39) cornerback who could supplant Kelly Herndon as the No. 3 guy and provide insurance in the unlikely event the team does not re-sign Trufant after the season.

If the Seahawks can't get Miller in the second round, they might be able to secure a tight end in the third round, when they select 85th overall. Ben Patrick, a 6-3, 252-pound senior from Delaware, is a great receiving tight end who could be a nice fit in Seattle's West Coast scheme.

Another option in the third round could be Ohio State defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock, a 6-2, 299-pound run stopper, or Boston College guard Josh Beekman (6-2, 313).

In the end, the Seahawks can consider the first day a success if they come out of it with two of the top needs - tight end, guard, defensive tackle. The perfect scenario would involve trading receiver Darrell Jackson to get another first-day pick and then filling all three major needs.

The second day could offer future help, too. Over the past six years, the Seahawks usually have hit on a guy in the fourth or fifth round. Rob Sims, the projected starter at left guard this year, was a fourth-round pick last year. D.J. Hackett, who played like a starting receiver last season, was a fifth-round choice in 2004. Backup quarterback Seneca Wallace was a fourth-rounder in 2003. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard was a fifth-rounder in 2002. And Womack was a fourth-rounder in 2001, when the Hawks also got former special-teams ace Alex Bannister in the fifth round.

So even if the Seahawks ignore need for value in the second or third round and end up with, say, a cornerback and linebacker, they still could get some help at key spots on the second day. However they do it, they have to come out of the draft with the positions they struck out on in free agency, or they will be stuck trying to find a tight end, guard and defensive tackle again in 2008.

Hard-hitting Seattle Seahawks draft analysis, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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About Chris Cluff

Chris Cluff spent 10 years as an editor and sportswriter for The Seattle Times. He was a key figure in the newspaper's coverage of the Seahawks, particularly during their Super Bowl run in 2005. He also has written two books on the Seahawks: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Heart-Pounding, ...
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