The hardest round to predict in the NFL is the seventh
round, because teams will reach just to fill their roster in the 7th
round. That said, it’s not unheard of for late round pick to become a big
contributor, so while the chances of accurately predicting who any team will
take in the 7th is low, it’s a worthwhile exercise to think about
who could be taken.
1.)
Joey Haynos, TE, Maryland
Haynos is big -- 6’8" (!!) 259 lbs kind
of big. He has natural hands and a great wingspan that enables him to reach
passes that he really has no chance of winning. Being a potential late round
draft pick, he has flaws. He’s not going to win any footraces, but Seattle
can use his frame and work him in as a possession receiver. He’s not a very
good pass-blocker, but in Seattle’s offense the TE is rarely asked to stick
back and protect the quarterback. He’s a strong route-runner with good hands
and acceptable athleticism.
2.)
Davone Bess, WR, Hawaii
There’s no doubt that Bess had incredible numbers that were
inflated by playing in Hawaii’s offense. However, much like Hawaii QB Colt Brennan, there’s also no doubt about the talent. Bess ran a slow 40 (4.6)
but he’s much faster than that when the film comes on. Not quick enough to
win any foot races, but with his frame (5’9 194) strong route-running, hands,
and YAC ability he could excel in the slot spot, a plus since both Obomanu
and Taylor are more suited to the outside.
3.)
Hercules Satele, G, Hawaii
I’m tempted to write “his name is Hercules. ‘nuff said.” But I will elaborate
a little more. Had Seattle not already chosen Breno Giacomini, Satele would be my pick in
the 7th, but with that selection, the chances of Satele
making the 53-man roster are slim. He’s massive (benched 225lbs 40 times)
and was the only member of Hawaii’s offensive line not dominated by Georgia
in the Sugar Bowl. His cousin Samson plays center for the Dolphins.
4.)
Taylor Mehlhaff, K, Wisconsin
There’s a chance Mehlhaff will be
available here. There are other teams who need a kicker, but while I think
Mehlhaff is the best prospect in the draft teams could prefer
someone such as Georgia’s Brandon Coutu. The Wisconsin
product is a consistently accurate kicker in bad weather that has become the
best kickoff-specialist in college football. As a bonus, he registered 14
reps of 225 lbs at Wisconsin’s pro-day. Highly rated runner Felix Jones, on
the other hand, registered 8 at the combine in Indianapolis.
5.)
Nate Robinson, DT, Akron
Akron isn’t exactly a mega-factory of NFL talent, but they
do play against competitive teams. Robinson has great size (6’4 320). He’s
not exactly the quickest player in college football but he does have strong
strength and would be playing DT at Rutgers but their scheme emphasized more
of a penetrating game than he was capable of playing. He has talent, he’s
not a character risk, and he would be rated much higher had he not suffered
an injury to his ankle. If Seattle is unable to grab the kind of space-eater
the defensive line needs earlier, Robinson would be an acceptable consolation
prize.
6.)
Gregg Lumpkin, RB, Georgia
Lumpkin has prototypical size (6’0 228lbs). When looking at
the type of late-round/UDFA backs who have excelled, the key is that they’re
usually bigger backs. Lumpkin has that size, though he lacks much in the way
of speed or shiftiness. What I like is that he has good vision and a physical
nature. If you can clear a crease Lumpkin is pretty good at getting skinny
and fitting through even a small hole, though he lacks big-play ability. I’d
prefer one of the small-school prospects like Chad Simpson but Seattle is
unlikely to take a player from such a small school as Morgan State.
Who Seattle Takes: If Taylor Mehlhaff is available, he is my choice. He’s as accurate a
kicker as there is in this draft, and while he doesn’t have the incredible
leg strength for field-goals he gets unrivaled hangtime
on his kick-offs, which could be important for Seattle given the loss of special
teamers Niko Koutouvides and Kevin Bentley.