Seattle, WA

Which Wild Cards Could Seattle Seahawks Draft in First Round?

Published

2 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

Which Wild Cards Could Seattle Seahawks Draft in First Round?

Now just six days away from the 2024 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks could go a number of different routes with their first round pick, including addressing the trenches on either side of the football investing in a guard, defensive tackle, or edge rusher.

But could Seahawks general manager John Schneider throw his signature curve ball and pick a player nobody expected entering year one of the Mike Macdonald era? Based on past precedent, nobody should be surprised if he makes a selection out of left field as he done plenty of times in the opening round in prior drafts.

Way back in 2011, Schneider stunned many by selecting Alabama tackle James Carpenter with the 25th overall pick, which even drew raised eyebrows from legendary coach Nick Saban in the green room. Fast forwarding to 2018, Seattle traded back with Green Bay before tabbing running back Rashaad Penny as the 27th pick and only a year later, the team selected defensive end L.J. Collier, who many viewed as a day two pick, 29th overall.

Which wild cards could Schneider turn in to commissioner Roger Goodell with the 16th overall pick or on a later selection after a trade down this year?

Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia

The best tight end in this year’s draft class by a mile, Bowers offers a rare set of skills for the position and starred for two eventual national champions in three years with the Bulldogs. Though he isn’t the biggest player at 6-3, 243 pounds and his lack of size may show up trying to block NFL defensive linemen, he held his own in that area against SEC competition. Where he really stands out from his peers, however, is his playmaking ability with the ball in his hands. Able to win down the seam as well as pile yardage up in bunches after the catch, he accumulated 175 receptions for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns as a receiver while also adding five touchdowns on the ground as a runner, offering unique versatility for a tight end.

From Seattle’s perspective, tight end may not seem like a big enough need to justify using a first-round pick on one. But with only Noah Fant under contract beyond 2024 and both Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson gone, new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb may be clamoring for Bowers to add another dynamic weapon for Geno Smith to pair alongside star receivers DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and if he’s available, Schneider could easily snag him at 16 overall.

JC Latham, T, Alabama

Weighing in at 342 pounds, Latham carries tree stumps for legs and uses his raw power coupled with 35 1/8-inch arms and heavy, brick-like hands to consistently knock defenders off the ball in the run game as an elite drive blocker. He’s surprising nimble at his size in pass protection as well and moves like he weighs 20 pounds less, as he only gave up 14 pressures and two sacks in his final season with the Crimson Tide as they advanced back to the College Football Playoff. He isn’t quite as adept in the zone blocking game and has a bit tougher time getting to the second level, but he should be able to improve upon those areas at the next level.

Built with a thick lower body and equipped with powerful hands, JC Latham should instantly upgrade the run game for whichever team drafts him.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Most teams will want to keep him at tackle in the NFL due to his smooth pass sets and length, but Latham’s power and average lateral mobility may make him a better fit to slide inside. With the Seahawks losing both Damien Lewis and Phil Haynes in free agency and desperate for long-term answers at guard, the Wisconsin native could jump in as a starter on day one on either side while providing another insurance option at tackle in case Abraham Lucas battles knee issues again in 2024.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU

Bursting onto the scene as one of the nation’s biggest breakout receivers last season in LSU’s explosive passing arsenal, Thomas exploded with over 1,100 yards while averaging a gaudy 17.3 yards per reception and scoring 17 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to beat opponents downfield and win vertically as a big play threat. Per Pro Football Focus, he finished in the top five in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns on throws traveling 20 or more yards through the air. At 6-5, 200 pounds, he has a lean frame that doesn’t lend itself to breaking many tackles, but he creates a major mismatch with his length and speed for opposing cornerbacks.

On paper, the Seahawks have one of the best receiving corps in the league, especially after drafting Smith-Njigba in the first round last season. But Lockett isn’t getting any younger and has a massive cap charge in 2025, so Schneider and the front office may be looking ahead of the curve if the right receiver falls to them after a trade down. Always looking for explosive vertical targets, teaming Thomas up with Metcalf moving forward would be a scary proposition for defensive coordinators in Grubb’s four-wide heavy offense.

Amarius Mims, T, Georgia

Unlike Latham, Mims doesn’t have any guard flexibility, as at 6-8, 340 pounds, he’s simply too tall to slide inside at the next level. He also has work to do in the run game, particularly when it comes to sustaining blocks where his built-in leverage issues can be problematic. However, he’s a silky smooth pass protector with an ideal build for an NFL tackle and with 36 1/8-inch arms, he has a condor-like wing span that helps him thwart speed rushers and has enough athletic ability to consistently recover on the rare occasion where he does get beat.

With Charles Cross and Lucas both returning for their third seasons, Seattle doesn’t have an urgent need at tackle. But if Schneider and the coaching staff identify Mims as the best player available, even with only eight college starts under his belt, they could decide to shift Lucas inside to guard and select the massive, smooth-footed blocker to plug and play on the right side. Such a selection would say a lot about how Grubb and line coach Scott Huff plan to deploy their offensive line for the long haul.

Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama

The latest standout cornerback ready to make the jump to NFL first round pick out of Tuscaloosa, Arnold enjoyed a dominant final season as a do-it-all defensive back for the Crimson Tide. Aside from picking off five passes, he posted a career-best 63 tackles and swatted away 13 pass breakups, functioning as if he had football magnets inside his gloves. An aggressive defender who likes to hit and has plus-blitzing skills, he played over 250 snaps in the slot and in the box last year, suggesting he could transition into a Swiss army knife role moving all over the formation at the next level with a bit more muscle to his lean 190-pound frame.

After drafting Devon Witherspoon with a top-five pick to pair him with Riq Woolen last year, cornerback is far from the Seahawks biggest priority in the present and some fans would scoff at the idea of investing another high pick at the position. But the team only has Witherspoon and Woolen under contract past this year and Macdonald likes to deploy three-safety and four-cornerback looks, which could make Arnold an intriguing candidate to bring on board to unleash in the scheme.

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Seattle, WA

Seattle Weather: Mild day with increasing clouds, later showers Friday

Published

49 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Press Room

Mild day with increasing clouds, later showers Friday

A sunny and clear start to the day Friday with only a few clouds. High clouds will start to increase into the afternoon as rain slowly moves in along the coast.

Plenty of sunshine and warmer temperatures today, finally above average after a cooler week. Highs topped out in the upper 50s.

Tonight, we will see temperatures a few degrees warmer than the last several nights along with plenty of clear skies. Lows in the upper 30s to low 40s.

A sunny and clear start to the day Friday with only a few clouds. High clouds will start to increase into the afternoon as rain slowly moves in along the coast.

Showers will move in along the coast and just west of I-5 by around 5pm, slowly making their way further inland by later into the evening.

Highs will still be warm and above average around the Puget Sound. A little cooler along the coast with the rain moving in for the afternoon. Highs will be above average in the mid 60s.

Regional Highs Tomorrow

The weekend will be cool and wet, with more showers continuing into early next week. Skies will slowly clear and warm up by the middle of the week.

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Seattle Seahawks GM shares thoughts on this year's draft strategy

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

Seattle Seahawks GM shares thoughts on this year's draft strategy

The Seattle Seahawks didn’t do anything wildly unpredictable in the NFL Draft this past weekend.

Seahawks Draft Grades: Insider on best pick, biggest reach

Sure, it was a bit surprising that they drafted a pair of cornerbacks in the fifth and sixth rounds, given that corner already seemed to be one of the stronger position groups on the team. And yes, they took a flier on a little-known Division II offensive tackle in the seventh round.

But overall, it seemed like a very systematic draft for the Seahawks. They had clear needs at a handful of position groups, and for the most part, they appeared to address them.

They used their first-round pick to beef up their interior defensive line, taking Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II at No. 16 overall. They added manpower to their interior offensive line, drafting UConn guard Christian Haynes in the third round and Utah guard Sataoa Laumea in the sixth. And with their fourth-round selections of UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight and Michigan tight end AJ Barner, they gained depth at two spots that desperately needed it.

During his appearance Thursday on Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, Seahawks general manager John Schneider shared a similar view on how the draft went.

“We had groupings throughout the board and we had touch points, and we got to them,” Schneider said. “We had a couple of times where we were going to move around, we didn’t. We were going to move up, we didn’t. You know, (at No.) 16, we stayed, waited. It didn’t feel like a draft to be trying to be like the smartest guy in the room and trying to be moving all over the place. It felt like a draft, like, ‘Hey, we have buy-in with a new staff on these areas. Let’s hit these areas and then grow from here.’”

Murphy was ‘primary guy on defense to go get’

The draft began with a record run of 14 consecutive offensive players selected, which ultimately benefited the Seahawks by making the top defensive prospects available to them at No. 16 overall.

The Indianapolis Colts finally broke the streak of offensive picks at No. 15, taking edge rusher Laiatu Latu out of UCLA. That allowed Seattle to take Murphy, who the Seahawks said they viewed as the best defensive player in the draft.

The 6-foot-1, 297-pound Murphy was a game-wreaking force at Texas and gives new Seattle coach Mike Macdonald a potential big-time disruptor at defensive tackle.

“We had several (offensive players) that we just knew weren’t going to be there,” Schneider said. “We were prepared for them to be there if they came, but … I personally think it’s like divine that you’re kind of focused on one individual and he felt like the guy all the time. You know, a couple offensive players just didn’t make it there, and we weren’t in a position to go get somebody either. … (But) he was obviously the primary guy on defense to go get.”

Listen to the full conversation with Seahawks general manager John Schneider at this link or in the audio player near the middle of this story.

More Seattle Seahawks coverage

• Ranked: Seahawks’ top 5 position group battles after draft
• There’s a very telling story behind Seahawks drafting Murphy
• Are Seahawks going to reunite with polarizing Jamal Adams?
• With draft complete, what is Seahawks’ biggest question mark?
• Huard explains why Seattle Seahawks drafted two cornerbacks

Follow @CameronVanTil

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Seattle, WA

What to know ahead of Justin Timberlake's Seattle shows

Published

15 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

What to know ahead of Justin Timberlake's Seattle shows

SEATTLE – Justin Timberlake is in Seattle for his “The Forget Tomorrow” World Tour, as he performs in Climate Pledge Arena this week!

Here are a few things to know before the Prince of Pop takes the stage:

When are the shows?

Timberlake has two shows at Climate Pledge, one on Thursday and another on Friday. Both start at 7:30 p.m.

Can I still get tickets?

Yes, tickets are still available on Ticketmaster. Prices range from $70-$400+

What can I expect at the show?

This is Timberlake’s first tour in five years, in support of his sixth studio album, “Everything I Thought It Was.” Fans should expect Justin to perform a few singles from his latest release, likely including “Selfish”, “Drown”, and “No Angels”.

If you’re shopping for exclusive concert merch, Justin Timberlake’s website has all the goodies you’ll want to check out.

Not much is known about how his set will look, as it’s only his second show of the world tour. However, his first show in Vancouver featured an elevated, rotating stage, meaning Justin could have something special planned for the Emerald City!

Online, it appears there’s a second stage across the floor section in the VIP area. It’ll be a performance fans will just have to wait to see!

Where should I park?

If public transportation or other means of transport aren’t an option for you, there are several parking garages concert-goers can use. There’s a parking garage south of the arena on Lenny Wilkens Way, and another on the east side of the Seattle Center campus on Harrison Street. Parking costs $63 for the one near the arena, and $35 for the other that’s a seven-minute walk away.

However, public transportation, the Seattle Center monorail, or other rideshare options are highly encouraged for getting to the venue.

How long is the tour?

Justin’s world tour spans until December 16, ending in Indianapolis. If you can’t make the Seattle shows, there are plenty of other opportunities to catch Timberlake live. See his full concert schedule online.