Next up: the draft

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

The visits are just a prudent move all around. They have the #5 overall. Due diligence says they should evaluate players that the pundits are rating as in that range. The visits help solidify their evaluation of the top prospects while at the same time signaling to other teams that those players, especially the QBs, are in play for the Seahawks. Even if Seattle comes away from these visits eliminating some of the players from consideration at 5, they don't have to and definitely won't tell the other 31 teams that. Sets up the scenario for a possible trade down. Bottom line, for me, it doesn't tip their hand either way and leaves them with options.

They can most definitely carry 3 QBs and likely will if they draft one inside the top three rounds. Since drafting Wilson and then trading Wilson, they haven't had a reason to. Geno and Drew make a solid 1-2 situation for them, but there's a time limit on that. This draft or the next will need to get a QB.

Don't know what to think about Hooker. If they draft him, I don't figure him to start for the seahawks until 2025. If they don't go high for QB this year, it may be better to draft a guy later and see where that goes with the caveat that a late QB draft pick this year would make getting one high next year imperative. A high QB draft pick isn't out of the question if a trade down this year nets another 1st rounder next year.

[RiverDog]

Sure they'd carry 3 QBs. It's a draft for the future when selecting a QB and it's the perfect situation for any young QB regardless of who he is to sit for a year or maybe more before getting some real playing time.

Regarding Hooker, he probably wouldn't be a top 5 selection because there is a bias against older QB's. He'll be 25 this year and although he could easily play for a decade, teams tend to shy away from older QBs. It seems some think that they can't learn and their habits are ingrained. In any event, there haven't been very many successful QBs taken at 25 or older that have done very well. Now with his injury recovery, he'll be 26 or thereabouts when he does start. So for those reasons, he will probably fall farther than he probably should.

Yeah, that's one of the reasons why the QB from Georgia, Stetson Bennett, isn't attracting a lot of attention.

[mykc14]

The way he was playing guys, IF he hadn't of gotten hurt he would have been taken one or 2. All these guys are a crap shoot, WTH, I would have no problem rolling the dice on him if Young and Stroud are off board. He could heal, have a mentor in GS, the more I think of it, the more I like it. He is not noisy, arrogant, or any major Red flags.

A lot of pundits compare Hooker to Geno. It could be a really good situation for Hooker.

[Hawktawk]

The way he was playing guys, IF he hadn't of gotten hurt he would have been taken one or 2. All these guys are a crap shoot, WTH, I would have no problem rolling the dice on him if Young and Stroud are off board. He could heal, have a mentor in GS, the more I think of it, the more I like it. He is not noisy, arrogant, or any major Red flags.

“A lot of pundits compare Hooker to Geno. It could be a really good situation for Hooker.[/quote]
Geno has made plain he will compete with anyone but “ I’ll help them out too “ like with Drew we were competing but I was still helping him . I won’t withhold information “

whatever one thinks of Genos game or chances for another great year he is a breath of fresh air in a diva driven league . I think it’s an excellent spot for any rookie qb .

But Hooker being injured and we have a guy that threw for 4300 and 30 and a solid backup it’s the perfect spot to learn and get healthy and pass Lock and see how long the old man can hold you off .

[c_hawkbob]

Geno has made plain he will compete with anyone but “ I’ll help them out too “ like with Drew we were competing but I was still helping him . I won’t withhold information “

whatever one thinks of Genos game or chances for another great year he is a breath of fresh air in a diva driven league . I think it’s an excellent spot for any rookie qb .

But Hooker being injured and we have a guy that threw for 4300 and 30 and a solid backup it’s the perfect spot to learn and get healthy and pass Lock and see how long the old man can hold you off .

I agree with every bit of this. An ESPN mock has us with Carter at 5 and Hooker at 20, that'd work for me.

[tarlhawk]

Making the draft simple from a fan's perspective. Based on the assumption that most NFL teams begin their draft hunt the day after their current draft the Seahawks have already identified potential targets well before the "Draft Experts" have made their boasts. Their vetting process is no doubt much different from a presidential candidate screening but certain traits like character /party alignment (team's culture fit)/skills shown when playing the "big games" (Seattle refers to it as "grit") are similar.


A top 10 pick is rare for NFL teams and sometimes is a "gift" from a trade partner as is our case or a result of very poor seasonal play (if pundits claim of doom (4 wins top) had played out). A "game changer" usually takes the form of a QB showing rare skills or a defensive "game wrecker" who creates nightmares for opposing offenses via elite pass rushing (Will Anderson Jr./Tyree Wilson) or freakish strength (Jalen Carter). Current times even push wide receivers and their defensive counterparts the cornerbacks into such demand as well.
At number 5 Seattle is "likely" to take a QB or one of the aforementioned defensive "studs" (Anderson/Carter/Wilson) My own perspective is based on our possible GM mindset. I think Drew Lock backing up Geno is viewed as "safety net" for 2023 should bad luck strike. Our current view of 2024 based on contracts signed by both is we can go after the 2023 drafted QB if John Schneider finds "his man" still available at pick #5. So outside of his QB falling into our laps... our focus would address the 2023 goal of an attacking defense that keeps teams from exploiting our "weak box" schemes that expose our lighter speedy linebackers to punishing pulling guards.


Dre Jones will present more opportunities for our speedy OLB/Edge to wreck havoc as pocket "collapse" is what shortens the time a QB must execute and "flushes" a QB out of the pocket into a rushing edge like Uchenna/DT/Mafe...or even Jamal Adams. Currently Dre has Jarran Reed as an interior partner but no true NT to demand double teaming from our opponents O-line. Jalen Carter is an ideal 3T/5T who often demands double teaming so you'd get Dre and Jalen shifting along the defensive front especially once we obtain a true NT (re-signing Al Woods or a 2nd round pick of Mazi Smith (possibly highest ranked "true" NT).


...BUT if Jalen Carter is severely "character" flawed and Will Anderson Jr is somehow available then your "outside" rotational pincer attack (Uchenna/Darryl/Boye and Will) can reach the territory of our elite peers (49ers/Eagles/KC). If Will is taken then drafting a true NT becomes paramount with our second pick (number 20) even if Al Woods can be brought back...this is key to keeping Dre Jones penetrating single block isolation and not being constantly doubl teamed.


If our Number 5 pick somehow frees up our direction for number 20 selection...then we can focus on pairing a strength with a drafted strength...ie an elite CB (Ringo/Porter Jr. since Gonzalez will be long gone (top 10 easy)to pair with Woolen...or elite RB (Bijuan Robinson (likely top 15 pick) to pair with Walker Jr...or an elite WR (Jaxon Smith-Njigba/Jordan Addison/Jalin Hyatt/Zay Flowers) to extort the offensive pressure of DK/Tyler...or an interior offensive anchor (O'Cyrus Torrence or John Michael Schmitz) to pair with our bookend tandem of tackles (Cross/Lucas)...or keep piling up Def-line interior (Mazi/Bresee/Iki/Chancey)


Many seem to question Richardson's value due to lack of touch/accuracy and I questioned it as well...but in a "Locked on Seahawks" broadcast for Seattle possible "Big Board" potential Dallas Cooper offered up some proper context for Anthony Richardson by expressing the comp % (54) is comparable to current NFL stars for their first year starting in college...he emphasized its relevance by comparing Josh Allen (56 in 2016) Pat Mahomes (56.8 in 2014) Joe Burrow (57.4 in 2018) Lamar Jackson (54 in 2015) and Dak Prescott (58 in 2013) when these men had their first year as starting QB in college...a point I was unaware of.


As for "wasting" a year developing/"stuck" behind Geno/Lock ...Rob Rang (NFL Draft Analyst for Fox Sports had this take...

I do not believe that Richardson will be graded this highly by every club. With just 13 college starts under his belt, Richardson is sushi raw. Any team that started him as a rookie would be catering their offense to his unique strengths.

But the talent is obvious and seemingly limitless. I think he might be the second coming of Cam Newton and by that I mean a future MVP.

Richardson would make sense in Seattle because with an established starter and veteran backup already in place, the expectations for this season would be minimal, allowing the still 21-year-old time to truly grasp Shane Waldron's offense, with the expectation that he'd be ready to compete for the lead role in Year Two.

There is a very real argument, however, that anyone selected as high as No. 5 overall should offer immediate impact. Richardson potentially offers that as a runner, if the Seahawks wanted to rotate him in as a Wildcat quarterback option. The idea isn't as crazy as it might sound. At the Combine Carroll was asked about the rugby scrum plays used so effectively by Philadelphia's star quarterback Jalen Hurts and said that the Seahawks would be "deeply involved" with the play, if the league agrees to allow it to be run, as currently ruled. Last year alone the powerfully-built Hurts rushed for 67 first downs and 13 scores. Hurts is 6-foot-1, 223 pounds. Richardson is 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds and runs a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash.

Like every other man on this list, Richardson would be drafted with the hope that he'd be the long-term at quarterback. But given that he also has immediate impact potential, in a very real way Richardson makes more sense for the Seahawks than any other quarterback in this class, bar none.

So...keeping it simple a number 5 selection of Anthony Richardson/Jalen Carter/Will Anderson Jr. would all be fantastic "gifts" from our 2022 trade with Denver. Go Hawks

[NorthHawk]

I'm pretty much convinced Carter won't be in play at #5 for us because of the ongoing character doubts. JS and PC have repeatedly stated that last year they decided character was one of the most important qualities they looked for and they intend to continue that philosophy this year because of last years success. The draft falling to them as it did helped, but they weren't going to select a player if they didn't think they fit their profile.

Richardson or Levis would be ideal fits in Seattle like the article said because of the year to develop without pressure to play or produce. Consider that if we got Richardson and he started in 2 years, he would still be 2 years younger than Hooker is today. Levis is 2 years older, but he's also played in about 40 games in college and he's played in our system and produced. I'd be happy with either one. If all 4 are gone, there are worse consolation prizes than Anderson. He's not going to be another Lawrence Taylor off the edge, but he should be a very solid OLB who can provide some good pressure on the QB as well as counter the horizontal game of some of the Offenses we face. So we're in a good spot either way at #5.

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

My money is on a trade down. I think another QB needy team is going to make an offer too good for JS to refuse.

[RiverDog]

So...keeping it simple a number 5 selection of Anthony Richardson/Jalen Carter/Will Anderson Jr. would all be fantastic "gifts" from our 2022 trade with Denver. Go Hawks

Strike Carter and add Stroud and Levis to your short list and I'm right there with you. Even if you are good with Carter, there's no reason to spend the #5 overall on him when he can be had for less. It's that type of drafting, ie taking players above their projected status, that has burned us in the past.

[tarlhawk]

Rob Rangs analysis compared Richardson to Jalen Hurts punishing running but I was remembering our Oct 9th game against the Saints when their 3rd string QB (Taysom Hill) ran amok for 112 yds on 9 carries (7 of which created first downs) and three scores...the final rush being an untouched 60 yd scamper with only 5 min left in the game...a real back breaker! We toyed with a version of "wildcat"...but what would Anthony Richardson at 6'4" 244lbs with 4.4 speed do in such a formation? I know we all want defense but I hate what Taysom Hill did to us as a running "QB".

[NorthHawk]

You don’t want the future of the franchise to be used like Hill.
That would be a waste of a draft pick. He has the physical traits to be a monster QB but just like Cam Newton, too much punishment will mean a short and disappointing career. If he has what it takes between the ears he could be a once in a lifetime player. But we’ll have to draft him first.

[govandals]

IF we end up with Richardson, I'm sure Pete will at least be tempted to use him occasionally in a wildcat role. I prefer he sits the whole year though.

[NorthHawk]

IF we end up with Richardson, I'm sure Pete will at least be tempted to use him occasionally in a wildcat role. I prefer he sits the whole year though.

I'd sit him at least a year and, sure there will be some Wildcat plays when he gets the chance, but it should take a limited role, unlike Hill who is mostly a running QB who occasionally throws.

[RiverDog]

IF we end up with Richardson, I'm sure Pete will at least be tempted to use him occasionally in a wildcat role. I prefer he sits the whole year though.

I'd sit him at least a year and, sure there will be some Wildcat plays when he gets the chance, but it should take a limited role, unlike Hill who is mostly a running QB who occasionally throws.

That would be the plan, but often times the schedule gets interrupted by an injury to or poor performance of the starter. If we were to draft Richardson or one of the other top QB's, there's a good chance that they'd be starting by the end of the season.

[NorthHawk]

A chance? Yes. A good chance? I'm not on board with that description.
They would have to be disciplined in how they develop him. I didn't know much about our new QB coach but he's been around for a lot of years including in College where he worked with Brees and has been an OC as well as a QB coach for a long time.
I think we would be in good hands with developing a young QB.

[RiverDog]

A chance? Yes. A good chance? I'm not on board with that description.
They would have to be disciplined in how they develop him. I didn't know much about our new QB coach but he's been around for a lot of years including in College where he worked with Brees and has been an OC as well as a QB coach for a long time.
I think we would be in good hands with developing a young QB.

If Geno and the team start out the season like we finished at the end of last year, I wouldn't be surprised if Pete decided to at least give a new QB a shot. And...knock on wood...there's always the chance that the starter gets injured. I'd peg the chances at roughly 1 in 5 that he'd be the starter by the end of the season. It would fit with Pete's 'always compete' motto.

[jshawaii22]

I think all the "love" we've shown for the 4 QB's workouts is all a sham. Selfies with our coaching staff and JS is nice for the internet, but Pete's a defensive coach and it must suck his craw every day knowing how bad we were last year. He wants #5 to be Will Anderson and the only way to get Anderson is to get picks 3 and 4 to QB hungry teams that move ahead of us (thinking we're going to take a QB) End result is #1-4 are all QB's.
AZ has let everyone know the pick is for sale. I think that's a given. That makes 3 QB's.
If Indy doesn't trade down, and they DO need a QB, (they have Nick Foles to start) Indy might surprise and take Hooker if they don't like whoever is left at #4.
Anyway it works out, Pete wants and finally gets a 'real' rushing D-End. Will Anderson @#5 is our pick.
#20 still should be the best starting center to take over from Day #1.

If it works out, I then would trade back into the end of round #1 (using our 2nd #6 and ?) to get Hooker if he's still there. To me, even at his 'old age' he's the best prospect at QB that's actually a pro-style QB.
That elusive 5th contract year really does have positive benefits in the long run.

[NorthHawk]

Does a team tell their QBs that a 1st round pick for a QB is a good possibility and tramp around the country with 7 coaches to each of the 4 QBs Pro Days just to perpetuate a smokescreen? I think not.

I think we should look at these post Wilson drafts as a whole and not as individual picks.
So far we traded a starting Frequent Pro Bowl QB in Wilson for Cross, Mafe, Woolen, and Fant. I don’t count Harris as he’s not currently on the roster. Then add what we get this year from picks 5 and 37.
After moving on from Wilson we are now going to find his long term successor. The alternative is to go on a years long Monty Pythonesque search for one using mid 1st round picks and hoping to strike gold. I’d rather not be like the Jets and try desperately to sign an aging and possibly disinterested veteran after more than 20 years of failed attempts at finding one.

Our 1st and 37th picks are bonus Bingo cards and we should take a chance on one of the QBs because Franchise Quarterbacks are much more difficult to find than any other position and they are all worthy of being a top 4 pick. We have the perfect setup for a young QB with no pressure to play and a veteran to show what it takes to play in the NFL like what the NFL used to do and what KC did with Mahomes.

[TriCitySam]

[/quote]So why did they go to Kentucky?[/quote]

Uh, as the post says: "They go the the pro days, and will look at all the prospects there that might fit, including the QB's" . Seattle has multiple picks in the later rounds and Kentucky has 10 coming out, including Will Levis.

[govandals]

I think all the "love" we've shown for the 4 QB's workouts is all a sham. Selfies with our coaching staff and JS is nice for the internet, but Pete's a defensive coach and it must suck his craw every day knowing how bad we were last year. He wants #5 to be Will Anderson and the only way to get Anderson is to get picks 3 and 4 to QB hungry teams that move ahead of us (thinking we're going to take a QB) End result is #1-4 are all QB's.
AZ has let everyone know the pick is for sale. I think that's a given. That makes 3 QB's.
If Indy doesn't trade down, and they DO need a QB, (they have Nick Foles to start) Indy might surprise and take Hooker if they don't like whoever is left at #4.
Anyway it works out, Pete wants and finally gets a 'real' rushing D-End. Will Anderson @#5 is our pick.
#20 still should be the best starting center to take over from Day #1.

If it works out, I then would trade back into the end of round #1 (using our 2nd #6 and ?) to get Hooker if he's still there. To me, even at his 'old age' he's the best prospect at QB that's actually a pro-style QB.
That elusive 5th contract year really does have positive benefits in the long run.

Sorry, I disagree with most of what your saying. All the pieces are in place for the PCJS to draft a qb. They have the picks, the ammo to move up if needed, an easy out with Geno's contract and a one year deal with Lock. They have made both qb's aware of the situation. I hear folks saying smokescreen and I don't get it. The time is now to take a big swing for a potential franchise qb with the bonus picks from the RW trade. If you hit a home run, that's great, If you strike out, oh well. At least you tried. You can't not take one because of the bust factor. If you want to take a shot on a mid/late round guy, well those guys have a far lower success rate than 1st round guys.
I think the only way we do not get a qb is if Arizona trades down. If so, we probably end up with Will Anderson and I'm OK with that. I would prefer a small trade up to #3 myself.

No way Indy takes Hooker at #4. He is not a pro style qb at all. At least not right now. Josh Heupel's pace and space offense (scheming WR's open, half field reads) does a good job of helping Hooker put up crazy numbers but none of it translates to what NFL offenses do. Go watch some Tennessee games and watch Hooker stare down his targets. That won't work in the NFL. He is a project right now. However, I could see him going late first round just because the 5th year option like you said.

[TriCitySam]

Buck Brooks has us getting Carter and Richardson in the first round. I'd be ecstatic about that (we can't evaluate character, do trust JS to do so)

[c_hawkbob]

Buck Brooks has us getting Carter and Richardson in the first round. I'd be ecstatic about that (we can't evaluate character, do trust JS to do so)

That'd be about as good as any scenario I could come up with.

[RiverDog]

Brock Huard had some interesting thoughts on Richardson at his Pro Day:

Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard discussed Richardson’s pro day and some Seahawks-Richardson rumors during Friday’s Brock and Salk on Seattle Sports. “I will say of the four (top quarterback prospects’ pro days) – and I watched most of them, but not every single throw – Anthony’s was different. It was really loose,” Huard said.

Huard thought Richardson’s workout happened around two-thirds of actual game speed, and noted that Richardson was smiling and joking around a lot of the time. He called that a big contrast to what CJ Stroud did at Ohio State’s pro day. “CJ Stroud was locked in, he was dialed in. It felt like, ‘Hey man, sense of urgency.’ That’s the NFL – sense of urgency,” he said. “This was happy go lucky, let’s laugh a little bit, let’s giggle, let’s have some fun, let’s just put on a show, but let’s do it at like two-thirds speed.”

Huard said he assumes that some of the top Seahawks brass who have been attending these pro days didn’t like that. “There’s no question it bothered some of them. It has to. This is the NFL. The NFL is not just, ‘Hey, we go half speed.’ The NFL is grown man, trying to take your livelihood and take your health away from you and blow you up. There’s got to be a sense of detail and sense of urgency,” he said.

https://sports.mynorthwest.com/1749531/ ... ww41ELEHgE

[NorthHawk]

So why did they go to Kentucky?

Uh, as the post says: "They go the the pro days, and will look at all the prospects there that might fit, including the QB's" . Seattle has multiple picks in the later rounds and Kentucky has 10 coming out, including Will Levis.[/quote]


Who outside of Levis and in the latter rounds a RB (Rodriguez sp), who would they make the trip for?
Other than those two there’s not much talent coming out from there this year that I can find and teams don’t make road trips with a bunch of coaches to scout late round or UFAs.
They went to see Levis specifically and if someone else caught their eye it was by happy accident.

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

Would it not be prudent to go visit the pro days of all the projected top pick? I’ll be no more surprised if they pick a QB, a defender, or anybody or a trade down. There was virtually no down side to making the visit and meeting the QBs. They get to see them in person and make sure other clubs take notice that the QBs are in play. Whether they are or not doesn’t matter; they either take the guy they want or possibly draw a nice trade. It’s just smart play by the front office; this doesn’t tip their hand.

[TriCitySam]

Would it not be prudent to go visit the pro days of all the projected top pick? I’ll be no more surprised if they pick a QB, a defender, or anybody or a trade down. There was virtually no down side to making the visit and meeting the QBs. They get to see them in person and make sure other clubs take notice that the QBs are in play. Whether they are or not doesn’t matter; they either take the guy they want or possibly draw a nice trade. It’s just smart play by the front office; this doesn’t tip their hand.

It would, and as the Athletic article called it "organizational malpractice"......AND the Ohio State, Kentucky, Alabama prodays are only a couple days and a short distance apart (less than 200 miles from Ohio State to Kentucky).

P.S. Former Jets G.M. Mike Tannenbaum has Seattle taking Hendon Hooker at #5, if that happens then I will take a Hooker....

[Hawktawk]

Saw reports of Seattle trading down . Also a report Levis may be sliding . Can’t imagine very far .

[NorthHawk]

Would it not be prudent to go visit the pro days of all the projected top pick? I’ll be no more surprised if they pick a QB, a defender, or anybody or a trade down. There was virtually no down side to making the visit and meeting the QBs. They get to see them in person and make sure other clubs take notice that the QBs are in play. Whether they are or not doesn’t matter; they either take the guy they want or possibly draw a nice trade. It’s just smart play by the front office; this doesn’t tip their hand.

They took Jody's private plane to these Pro Days. They didn't go to Georgia, so it would seem they aren't doing the rounds of the expected top picks.
They told the current QBs on the roster that a QB first overall is in play.
Both Pete and John have let it known that they are interested in a QB at #5 if the draft falls that way.
John apparently spent a long time talking to Richardson's Agent and Pete spent that same time talking to Richardson's College coach.

It's more that a smokescreen or doing routine diligence, it's a lot of money spent seeing these players up close. When was the last time there was a traveling road show to see players by Seattle coaches and FO?
However, the draft could fall quite differently than it's currently expected. If Houston with Ryans as HC wants to go heavy on Defense and starts with Anderson, or trades down, things might change, but it seems the current
consensus is both Carolina and Houston will take QBs. Nobody knows if the Colts will want one of the QBs left on the board, but they have been looking for a starting QB since Luck retired and signing ageing veterans hasn't helped.

Even if all 4 QBs are gone, it's still a good draft position to be in with Anderson being the 2nd prize. He should be a solid Pro for the next 10 years but wouldn't provide the value a new Franchise QB would.

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

It's more that a smokescreen or doing routine diligence, it's a lot of money spent seeing these players up close. When was the last time there was a traveling road show to see players by Seattle coaches and FO?
However, the draft could fall quite differently than it's currently expected. If Houston with Ryans as HC wants to go heavy on Defense and starts with Anderson, or trades down, things might change, but it seems the current
consensus is both Carolina and Houston will take QBs. Nobody knows if the Colts will want one of the QBs left on the board, but they have been looking for a starting QB since Luck retired and signing ageing veterans hasn't helped.

Even if all 4 QBs are gone, it's still a good draft position to be in with Anderson being the 2nd prize. He should be a solid Pro for the next 10 years but wouldn't provide the value a new Franchise QB would.

I couldn't tell you the last time they went on the road in style like this. I also can't tell you the last time Seattle had a top 5 pick. I not saying it was just a smokescreen or just due diligence; I am saying that's part of the draft game. This high of a pick dictates this approach; it satisfies multiple angles. Get a good look at highly-rated, possible QBotF prospects while also signaling to other clubs you could very well be serious about taking one of them. There'd be even less of possibility of a big trade down if they didn't make a grand effort. You can't bluff if you don't represent that you may have something. They may not be bluffing about it, but they damn sure need to leave that option out there. I'm also guessing Jody Allen isn't overly concerned about the monetary outlay for her FO personnel to do their job.

I'm not bearing the torch for getting a QB; it's not going to make or break the team if they don't grab one so long as they still nail the draft. I won't be surprised or upset if they pass on one of the top 4 qbs.

[c_hawkbob]

John and Pete may not have been at Georgia's pro day but we had people there. I recon we'll have someone at Grand Valley State's pro day this week (last one, 3-deep to follow soon after), due diligence demands it.

We are in play for anything, not just a QB (although certainly a QB as much as any other team).

[NorthHawk]

John and Pete may not have been at Georgia's pro day but we had people there. I recon we'll have someone at Grand Valley State's pro day this week (last one, 3-deep to follow soon after), due diligence demands it.

We are in play for anything, not just a QB (although certainly a QB as much as any other team).

Of course they had some scouts there. But not the FO and 5 coaches like they did for other programs. But Georgia doesn't have a top QB in this draft.

I think it's important to get a QB now when we can because the alternative is next year or the year after to give up more than we did for Adams to move up into a spot to get someone as good as one of these 4.
That will mean mortgaging the future instead of paying cash we have on hand today. It's the best thing for the franchise. I'm even leaning toward being OK trading up if necessary.

I haven't heard of any pressure from Jody, but if we did have a top QB, it could increase the value of the team when it's ready to go up for sale. It could be attractive to a new owner to have a team that's got a lot of pieces in place including the face of the franchise at QB. Maybe that was part of the plan in trading Wilson.

[tarlhawk]

The numerous visits to the Pro Days of potentially targeted QB seems to reflect Jodi Allen is actively involved in giving John Schneider the opportunity to take advantage of such a high pick...especially since she provided her own private plane for their use.

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

I think it's important to get a QB now when we can because the alternative is next year or the year after to give up more than we did for Adams to move up into a spot to get someone as good as one of these 4.
That will mean mortgaging the future instead of paying cash we have on hand today. It's the best thing for the franchise. I'm even leaning toward being OK trading up if necessary.

If they slay this draft like they did last year's, they've already secured the future. It would make it far more bearable to give up significant draft capital in 2024 and 2025 to move up next year to get the QBotF when they've already loaded the team. This is one of the reasons why I think a trade down is a realistic possibility. It's a viable approach.

[NorthHawk]

We’re at least two years away from realistically challenging for a championship. By that time we will have an old QB with no future who probably is average at best. The teams that get to the SB have those QBs that can make the big plays or are consistently playing at the top of their game. If we get one this year we will be in that position at the right time. We still have a lot of holes to fill over the next couple of years, so why not get the biggest piece of the puzzle when it’s cheap to do so.

[c_hawkbob]

We’re at least two years away from realistically challenging for a championship. By that time we will have an old QB with no future who probably is average at best. The teams that get to the SB have those QBs that can make the big plays or are consistently playing at the top of their game. If we get one this year we will be in that position at the right time. We still have a lot of holes to fill over the next couple of years, so why not get the biggest piece of the puzzle when it’s cheap to do so.

I disagree, we've got the starting QB that just had one of the best seasons in team history, an O-line that is one or two players from being very good, the makings of a much better defensive back end and the opportunity to make the front remarkable this draft. It could easily all come together for us this year. Not predicting we will, just saying there is a realistic opportunity.

[Aseahawkfan]

I'm with c-bob on this one. League is weak right now or in transition, however you want to see it. With a good defensive draft and improvement from last year's draft, we're competing this coming year. There are not dominant teams right now. There are teams with some standout players that are up and coming. But the only truly somewhat dominant team is KC and even they have come close to losing and aren't anywhere near what I consider unbeatable. They barely won the Super Bowl last year against a young Eagles team.

The NFC is definitely wide open. Frisco almost went all the way without a great QB. We can easily step up and take it all the way to the Super Bowl if Pete can get the defense rebuilt into even a top 10 unit.

It's a wide open NFL. One more good draft and Pete finally getting the defense back to his expected level of play, we're right there.

[RiverDog]

We’re at least two years away from realistically challenging for a championship. By that time we will have an old QB with no future who probably is average at best. The teams that get to the SB have those QBs that can make the big plays or are consistently playing at the top of their game. If we get one this year we will be in that position at the right time. We still have a lot of holes to fill over the next couple of years, so why not get the biggest piece of the puzzle when it’s cheap to do so.

I disagree, we've got the starting QB that just had one of the best seasons in team history, an O-line that is one or two players from being very good, the makings of a much better defensive back end and the opportunity to make the front remarkable this draft. It could easily all come together for us this year. Not predicting we will, just saying there is a realistic opportunity.

I agree that we had a very surprising season that beat all expectations, but going 9-8 while losing 5 of our final 8, backing into the playoffs by virtue of another team's loss in the final regular season game, then one-and-done in the playoffs, it was hardly "one of the best seasons in team history." You must be applying Cleveland Browns or Detroit Lions standards.

However, I do agree that while we can't be considered favorites, when you consider the state of the other teams around the conference, especially considering that within our own division, we have a realistic chance of reaching the promised land.

[c_hawkbob]

1- I still disagree with your definition of "backing into the playoffs" and 2- Check the stats.

[Aseahawkfan]

If the defense were even middle of the pack, we would likely have won a few more games. We need a big turnaround on defense to turn this around, but if we do get the defense right we could compete.

[RiverDog]

1- I still disagree with your definition of "backing into the playoffs" and 2- Check the stats.

Sorry, when you go sub-.500 in the last half of the season, enter the last weekend of the season needing another team to lose in order to qualify, that's backing into the playoffs.

And I've checked the stats. We have had no less than 24 seasons with a better W/L record than our 2022 squad. That's over half of all 46 of our seasons in franchise history. Please don't tell me that a season that finishes in the lower 50% of franchise history is "one of the best."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_S ... ks_seasons