Which drills are crucial for Seattle’s need positions? Rob Staton has the answers
What should Seattle Seahawks fans be looking for at the combine? I’m glad you asked...
This years event officially starts on Tuesday, 28th of February but the first drills won’t begin until Friday. Here’s the workout schedule:
Friday: O-line, running backs, special teams
Saturday: Quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends
Sunday: Defensive linemen, linebackers
Monday: Defensive backs
For a full combine schedule click here.
Positions of priority need according to Pete Carroll
As stated during his end of season press conference:
Offensive line
Cornerback
Linebacker
Offensive line
Key drills: Vertical, Broad, Bench
Ideal: 6-5, 320lbs, 35 inch arms, +31 inch vertical, +9’ broad, +30 bench reps
If you’re not familiar with TEF (Trench Explosion Formula) here’s a breakdown. We devised a formula at Seahawks Draft Blog that calculates a players physical profile in relation to Tom Cable’s admitted ideal traits (31-inch vertical, 9-foot broad jump, 30 bench press reps).
Note: People often mistake TEF results as an assertion of quality. This is not the case. It’s merely a way to decipher the likelihood of a prospect being drafted by Seattle using their self-confessed ideal physical profile.
A TEF score of 3.00 is considered the ‘ideal’. Here are the O-liners drafted by the Seahawks since 2012:
Mark Glowinski: 3.34
Terry Poole: 3.12
Kristjan Sokoli: 3.75
Justin Britt: 3.00
Garrett Scott: 3.27
Ryan Seymour: 3.10
Jared Smith: 3.35
J.R. Sweezy: 3.13
Gary Gilliam (UDFA): 3.09
Germain Ifedi: 2.97
(Rees Odhiambo’s test results were impacted by injury, Joey Hunt didn’t produce a pre-draft workout)
The Seahawks like to draft explosive offensive linemen. It doesn’t mean they’ll definitely target every explosive lineman in the draft (they passed on a handful a year ago). TEF shows, however, that Seattle has consistently drafted to a certain physical profile.
Size is also important. We developed a ‘weighted TEF’ to add extreme size as a positive in the overall calculation (something that was clearly a positive trait for Ifedi). This formula revealed Ifedi was the third best combination of size and explosive athleticism in the draft last year. It wasn’t a surprise he was Seattle’s pick at #31.
We will publish 2017 TEF scores on Seahawks Draft Blog as soon as the results come in.
Under Pete Carroll and John Schneider, the Seahawks haven’t drafted an offensive lineman with shorter arms than 33 inches, which is where Glowinski and Moffitt fit. Russell Okung (36 inches), Germain Ifedi (36 inches) James Carpenter (34 inches) were all drafted in the first round.
The average size of the offensive tackles drafted by Seattle is 319lbs.
Three names to keep an eye on
Taylor Moton (T/G, Western Michigan)
He has the size (6-5, 330lbs) and length (33 1/8 inch arms). His run blocking quality and power at the POA hints at an explosive physical profile. Seattle likes versatility and the ability to play multiple positions. Moton could be an option at tackle or guard. Can he excel in the broad and vertical jumps?
Dorian Johnson (T/G, Pittsburgh)
Recruited as a 5-star offensive tackle, Johnson played left guard for Pittsburgh. It’s possible he emulates Branden Albert at the next level and returns to tackle. He’s listed at 6-5 and 315lbs. If he has a productive combine it wouldn’t be a surprise if he ends up generating interest as a first round option.
Roderick Johnson (T, Florida State)
After a really underwhelming college career, it was a surprise Johnson chose to declare this year. However, he has got a lot of the traits to become a NFL starter at tackle. He’s about 6-6 or 6-7 and listed at 311lbs. He looks like he has incredible length. The key is whether he has the explosive profile to match.
Cornerback
Key drills: three-cone, vertical jump
Ideal: +6-1, 195lbs, +32 inch arms, 4.50 forty, +35 inch vertical
The Seahawks have drafted six cornerbacks in the Pete Carroll era. All six have +32 inch arms. So why is length so important?
100% of multiple first team All-Pro cornerbacks drafted since 1998 have +32 inch arms. Most of the top cornerbacks in the league currently pass the length test:
Chris Harris – 33 1/2 inch arms
Aqib Talib — 32 1/8 inch arms
Patrick Peterson — 32 inches
Josh Norman — 32 3/4 inches
Xavier Rhodes — 33 3/4 inches
Richard Sherman — 32 inches
The one exception is Marcus Peters (31.5 inch arms). I’m not sure half an inch constitutes a rethink.
You can pretty much run through the list of CB measurements at the combine and cross off any player with sub-32 inch arms. For a truly dynamic slot cornerback the Seahawks might be willing to make an exception -- but 31.5 inches might be the cut-off and they better be an exceptional athlete (the name to watch here could be USC’s Adoree’ Jackson).
Five of Seattle’s six drafted cornerbacks ran between a 4.47 and a 4.56 in the forty yard dash (Walter Thurmond didn’t run). The three-cone times were in the 6.97-7.12 range apart from Richard Sherman’s 6.72. Jeremy Lane had a tremendous vertical jump (42 inches) but the rest average out at 35 inches.
In terms of size, the drafted cornerbacks have an average size of 196lbs. We know the Seahawks are willing to go bigger (see: Brandon Browner and Deshawn Shead).
Having never drafted a cornerback earlier than the fourth round, a prospect drafted in the first 2-3 rounds (especially at #26) by this team is probably going to need to have a truly sensational workout. For example, something like Kevin King’s Husky Combine performance a year ago:
4.02 short shuttle
6.40 three-cone
39.5 inch vert
10-10 broad
The Seahawks are comfortable drafting and developing cornerbacks. We could see 20 drafted in the first three rounds. Unless a freak of nature is staring them in the face at #26, they might be willing to wait until rounds 2-3.
Three names to keep an eye on
Kevin King (CB, Washington)
If he repeats the workout above he’ll not only run the fastest ever recorded three-cone at any position, he could be a certainty for the first round. Recent reports have suggested he could run in the 4.4’s too. With his size (6-3, 192lbs), length and tremendous physical profile — King is a man to watch next week.
Akhello Witherspoon (CB, Colorado)
On tape he was very impressive in coverage, doing as good a job as anyone in 2016 marking Washington’s top-20 pick John Ross. He’s 6-3 and 190lbs. He needs to do a better job in run-support and his tackling form needs major work. However, he has the size and profile of a Seahawks cornerback.
Howard Wilson (CB, Houston)
Wilson averaged an interception every 15 targets in college and is one of the more underrated prospects in a deep cornerback class. He’s approximately 6-1 and 190lbs with room to grow. Expect a terrific workout. If he has the 32-inch arms, he could easily be on Seattle’s radar.
Linebacker
Key drills: forty yard dash, three-cone, vertical, broad
Ideal: +6-0, 230-240lbs, 4.4-4.5 forty, 6.70 three-cone, +10’ broad
Carroll has firmly stated his desire to draft for the linebacker position. He wants a player or players to compete with Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright. They also need help. Wagner played 99.35% of the defensive snaps in 2016 and Wright played 97.41%.
It’s unclear whether Carroll wants a SAM linebacker who has the versatility to play MIKE/WILL or simply depth at the MIKE/WILL
Wagner was an elite athlete when he entered the NFL, running a 4.4 at his pro-day and posting a 39.5 inch vertical. He is 6-0 and 241lbs.
Wright only ran a 4.71 at the 2011 combine, jumped a 34 inch vertical and ran a 7.21 three-cone. He was only five pounds heavier than Wagner.
Despite Wright’s fairly middling performance, he had unique length for a linebacker with 35-inch arms. That was one of the things that attracted the Seahawks. Overall the two starters at MIKE and WILL are very different in terms of traits.
The SAM they drafted early (Bruce Irvin) is one of the best athletes they’ve added in the Carroll era. At 245lbs, Irvin ran a 4.50 with a 1.55 split and ran a faster three-cone (6.70) than Richard Sherman despite weighing 50lbs more.
Seattle has drafted four other linebackers since 2010. Kevin Pierre-Louis, Korey Toomer, Malcolm Smith and Eric Pinkins were all highly athletic running between a 4.44 and a 4.51. KPL, Smith and Pinkins all jumped +39 inches in the vertical.
Wright is the anomaly here — the rest of the linebackers tested superbly either at the combine or in Wagner’s case at his pro-day. If they’re going to draft a LB early this year, it’s likely going to be someone who runs in the 4.45-4.55 range with a good three-cone of about 6.70-6.80. They will need to test well in the vertical and broad jumps too.
Three names to keep an eye on
Haason Reddick (LB, Temple)
At his junior pro-day he reportedly ran a 4.47, jumped a 10-10 in the broad and had a 36 inch vertical. His ability working in space shows up on tape so these numbers are realistic for the combine. He’s 6-1 and 237lbs and could be the ideal pick for Seattle at #26. He has the athletic profile, the college production (21.5 TFL’s in 2016), the gritty backstory and the potential to play SAM, MIKE or WILL.
Tyus Bowser (LB, Houston)
Considered a freakish athlete, Bowser has a basketball background and would likely be a SAM in Seattle. He’s 6-3 and 244lbs and like Haason Reddick enjoyed a productive Senior Bowl. He only scratched the surface of his potential in college and he’s a possible alternative if Reddick leaves the board before Seattle’s first pick.
Zach Cunningham (LB, Vanderbilt)
Long limbed linebacker. That could help if he doesn’t match Reddick and Bowser as an athlete. Cunningham was originally recruited to play for Alabama but they switched their attention to Auburn-commit Reuben Foster and he ended up at Vanderbilt. His playing speed is good but he might struggle to match Reddick and Bowser in the forty.
Note: Florida’s Jarrad Davis would’ve been one of the three names to watch but he’s not performing at the combine due to injury.
Safety/big nickel
Key drills: forty yard dash, three-cone, vertical, broad
Ideal: +6-0, 200-220lbs, 4.4 forty, +39-inch vertical, +10-5 broad jump
The Seahawks might look to draft a ‘big nickel’ or ‘Buffalo nickel’. Increasingly teams are running 4-2-5 formations, replacing a linebacker with an extra safety. This helps combat bigger slot receivers and tight ends. For more information on this concept, click here.
It’s a scheme that could work for Seattle. They have a good enough free safety to play single high in Earl Thomas. The strong safety is required to play up at line, something Kam Chancellor is used to. The Buffalo covers the weakside slot.
They’d essentially be swapping the SAM for a highly athletic DB. They’ve already drifted towards this concept. Seattle’s starting SAM, Mike Morgan, only played more than 50% of the defensive snaps in one game last season (@ LA Rams). He played 20% or less of the snaps in four games. Jeremy Lane played 71% of the total 2016 defensive snaps as an orthodox nickel.
If they draft a ‘Buffalo’ early it won’t be a luxury pick. The player could conceivably take those snaps from Lane. It’d also be a way to take advantage of the deep safety class this year and provide extra depth behind Thomas and Chancellor.
The Seahawks have seemingly tried to go down this route before. Eric Pinkins and Brandon Browner were both tested in a role that appeared to be similar to the ‘Buffalo’.
Pinkins (at 6-3, 220lbs) ran a 4.44 forty, had a 39.5 inch vertical, a 10-6 broad jump and ran a 4.33 short shuttle at his pro-day. That’s a superb physical profile and any prospective early round pick at ‘big nickel’ will likely need a similar performance in Indianapolis.
Size might be equally important but here are some of the players that have been used in this type of role in the NFL:
Aaron Williams — 6-0, 199lbs
Tyrann Mathieu — 5-8, 186lbs
Kenny Vaccaro — 6-0, 214lbs
Antrel Rolle — 6-0, 206lbs
Eric Berry — 6-0, 212lbs
Budda Baker at around 5-10 and 185lbs could be an option — but they’d have to believe he was capable of emulating Tyrann Mathieu’s unique and brilliant career. That won’t be easy -- and for that reason teams might view Baker as a pure free safety. Mathieu is uniquely talented at defending bigger targets despite his lack of size.
Three names to keep an eye on
Obi Melifonwu (S, Connecticut)
He could be the ideal pick for this type of role. He has the quickness and fluidity as an athlete to match-up in coverage vs dynamic TE’s and bigger WR’s. He has the size (6-4, 219lbs) and length (32.5 inch arms). He’s being tipped to be one of the stars at the combine, potentially matching another former UConn safety Byron Jones. He’s a sure tackler and would provide adequate run support — giving the Seahawks the best of both worlds (coverage skills of a DB, certain aspects of the SAM).
Justin Evans (S, Texas A&M)
He might have an even better workout than Melifonwu. Expectations are high for a super-fast forty yard dash, potentially +40 inches in the vertical and a leading broad jump. He’s 6-0 and 193lbs but hits like a train. Evans will legitimately add to the Kam Chancellor fear factor on crossing routes. Evans could backup Earl Thomas as an eraser at free safety or even act as an orthodox nickel corner.
Shalom Luani (S, Washington State)
If the Seahawks want Melifonwu or Evans they’ll likely have to take them at #26. Luani is an option for later, possibly as early as round three. He has the kind of backstory that screams Seahawks. Deone Bucannon has tipped him to make the transition to ‘Buffalo’. Luani’s the best safety nobody ever talks about.
Other positions
The Seahawks might look to add a running back at some point. If so, all of the running backs they’ve previously drafted have been approximately 220lbs and test well in the vertical and broad jumps. The fastest running back they’ve selected is C.J. Prosise with a 4.48 so electrifying speed has not necessarily been the priority. Explosive physical traits appear to be the preference. Keep an eye on North Carolina’s Elijah Hood.
At defensive tackle, Quinton Jefferson, Jordan Hill and Jaye Howard all tested superbly in the short shuttle (4.37, 4.51 and 4.47 respectively). If they’re looking for a quicker, interior pass-rush option -- this drill appears to be significant.
Kenny Lawler (4.64) and Chris Harper (4.50) are the only receivers they’ve drafted who didn’t run in the 4.4’s. Paul Richardson (4.40), Golden Tate (4.42), Tyler Lockett (4.40), Kris Durham (4.46) and Kevin Norwood (4.48) all cracked the 4.4’s. That appears to be a benchmark.
Dynamic quickness is a trend for EDGE players. Bruce Irvin (4.03) and Frank Clark (4.05) both ran incredible short shuttles. Cassius Marsh’s 4.25 and Obum Gwacham’s 4.28 were also really good. All of the EDGE rushers they’ve drafted had +33 inch arms.
Rob Staton writes Seahawks Draft Blog and appears on the 3000 NFL Mock Draft Podcast with Kenneth Arthur