Rob Rang: No,
Trent Dilfer, according to every insider I know of, is remaining with the Seahawks.
PEHawk: Thank
you for acknowledging that Reggie Williams is the 2nd best receiver in the draft.
It is pure East Coast rubbish that he's not listed higher on most rankings.
Okay, now to my question... where and when do you see my boys from WSU, DD Acholonu
and Devard Darling going?
Rob
Rang: Acholonu
likely will be either a late, late round pick (7th) or undrafted free agent.
Unfortunately, unlike his former teammate Isaac Brown, DD was never really given
much of a chance to show what he could do at OLB, his likeliest NFL position.
Seattle has invited him in for a private workout and would likely be willing
to give him a shot as a free agent if no one else bit. Darling has nice potential,
which is why I wish he would have remained in school for his senior season.
I see him as a mid to late 2nd round to mid 3rd round pick.
.NET Staff: Do
you think that with the aggressive acquisitions of Grant Wistrom and Bobby Taylor,
we may see a shift away from “BPA”, as this productive off-season
might indicate a shift in gears to more of a “now time” mindset?
Is it possible that “BPA” worked more effectively when Holmgren
was rebuilding the team, and drafting for need would now be the way to go if
the Hawks are close to real contention?
Rob
Rang: An
interesting theory… Knowing some of the players the team is considering
at #23, the consensus could be that they reached for their player, so this theory
will make even more sense then. The Seahawks know they are close and might be
a little more willing to take a player they think can make an immediate impact
at a position needed – ala DT, LB, or S.
.NET Staff:
I’ve read that Mike Holmgren really likes Steven Jackson and that Jackson
would be an excellent fit as a west coast offense RB. Would Jackson be the target
if an Alexander trade is made? Which of the other RBs would be a good fit in
Seattle?
Rob
Rang: If
the team traded Alexander – this appears unlikely now – Jackson
would seem to be a perfect fit. That said, there are several scouts for the
club considerably higher on Kevin Jones than Jackson (though I, personally,
like Jackson better too…).
.NET Staff:
Regarding D.J. Williams…is there any chance he could be there at #23?
If so, do you think he’s a viable solution at OLB/MLB?
Rob
Rang: Not
likely D.J. Williams is available at #23. Seattle would strongly consider him,
but there are just too many teams who have privately told me they’d jump
at him – Minnesota, New Orleans, etc…
.NET Staff:
Would you take Manning as the first QB? If so, why? If not, who?
Rob
Rang: In
a New York minute, lol (though there is still considerable talk that the Chargers
are staying at #1)... There are other QBs in this draft with a higher upside,
but then again there aren’t many talent evaluators that wouldn’t
have said that Ryan Leaf didn’t have a higher upside than Peyton Manning
years ago. What is so damn impressive about Eli is his poise, arm strength,
and accuracy . The arm strength is always nice, but the poise and accuracy are
the two most underrated (and in my opinion, most important) aspects of the quarterback
position.
.NET Staff:
What’s
the latest, last-minute scoop on the Seattle Seahawks? Draft targets? Trade
rumors? Your predictions?
Rob
Rang: Over
the past two weeks I’ve gone back and forth between two players –
Marcus Tubbs and Karlos Dansby for #23. I’ve recommended each to local
and national media as the Seahawks’ choice because each player not only
makes sense, they would arguably be the best available player at #23, as well.
That said, there is obviously the element of surprise factor when picking this
low in the draft. Certainly the possibility exists of an offensive playmaker
like one of the RBs or WRs to slip into Seattle’s lap. There is a 3rd
player that some in the organization are supremely high on, but have intentionally
kept from me. I’m willing to bet that if the pick is not one of the two
players I listed above and not a Reggie Williams/Michael Clayton selection simply
because they drop too far, he is one of the surprise 1st round picks you will
only see on my 1st round
mock – and virtually nowhere else… You’ll know what I mean
when/if it happens…
Rob Rang, one of the foremost Draft Experts in the country, is the Owner and
Editor of www.westcoastdraft.com.
First recognized by SportsTALK.com (now a component of ESPN Insiders), Rob's
work has been featured in quality print, radio, internet, and television networks
across the country. USA Today, ESPN, The Sporting News, and CBS Sportsline have
all featured elements of Rob's work in the past. NFL front office executives,
scouts, and collegiate scouting directors agree that Rob's work is some of the
best available, as well. Gil Brandt, recognized for his 29 years as the vice
president of player personnel for the Dallas Cowboys and now the head draft
analyst for NFL.com, frequently uses Rob's information as a supplement to his
own for the NFL's base website. His work features not only the detailed player
profiles for which he has become so well known, but also historically accurate
mock drafts, position breakdown lists considered even more reliable than the
scouting services NFL teams typically use, and breaking information such as
underclassmen declarations and the Combine results before anyone else. Based
in Gig Harbor, Washington, Rob has quickly become a fixture at the elite scouting
events held all over the country each year - including the East-West Shrine
Game, Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and numerous Pro Day workouts.