Seattle Seahawks 2011 NFL Draft Review

The offensive line has been a problem area for the past several years, due mostly to injuries. Seattle used their first pick on James Carpenter, a tackle from Alabama. With no second round selection, Pete Carroll came back in the third round and drafted Wisconsin’s John Moffitt, a center/ guard combination player. Carroll said it was important that they came out of this draft tougher and more competitive. In Carroll’s first season, the Seahawks became the first team to win its division with a 7-9 record then upset defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in the first round of the playoffs. Last year’s backup, Charlie Whitehurst, is the only quarterback under contract. Look for Seattle to re-sign Matt Hasselbeck or sign another free agent when the lockout is lifted. James Carpenter was a reach as a first round pick. A junior college transfer, he was a twoyear starter at Alabama. He has average athletic ability and strength for the position. He has good arm length (34”) and hand size (10 1/8”). Carpenter was a different player in practice at the Senior Bowl – he hustled downfield after initial blocks and took good angles to wall off on the second level. His finish is inconsistent. A screen off type pass blocker, he appears top heavy at times. John Moffitt started at center in 2008. He plays with strong hands and a solid punch. He has a good base and mirror in pass protection. He keeps his feet in space on screen passes, locks on in the run game, and plays hard. Versatile and mentally tough, he plays with intensity, aggressiveness, and attitude. A competitive zone blocker, he runs his feet on contact. KJ Wright is an athletic productive tackler. He is an instinctive downhill player who has good lateral quickness. He plays square and balanced. Physical taking on blocks, he looks like a “thumper type” middle linebacker. He has good range in pursuit and fills well inside. Wright is versatile and can play inside or outside. A special teams contributor, he adds depth to the linebacker corps. Kris Durham is a big target who got his chance when AJ Green was suspended early in 2010. He made 65 career catches. The Seahawks like his big receiving radius and his ability to screen off defenders in the end zone to make a play. Richard Sherman is tall and rangy. A former receiver, he is just learning the nuances of the position. An aggressive cover-two corner, he has good arm length. He is smart and strong in his play. He is competitive and will match up to big receivers. He will be a factor in the nickel and dime packages. Mark LeGree will be looked at as a centerfielder free safety, strong safety, or as a nickel free safety. He has good versatility and playmaking ability. He adds competition and depth. A ball hawking safety, he has excellent recognition of run or pass. He possesses top level football intelligence. Disciplined and dependable, he is a physical hitter and solid open field tackler. Byron Maxwell is a big and fast corner who has press coverage skills. He only started seven games at Clemson but was productive on special teams. He is an above average athlete with long arms and has some hip tightness in turns. Lazarius (Pep) Levingston will provide competition and a backup to Red Bryant at the five technique end position. He has the size and versatility to work in the rotation at the threetechnique tackle spot as well as at end. He has long arms and big hands and uses his body to stack the run at him. Malcolm Smith played for Pete Carroll at Southern Cal. He knows the defensive scheme. He has rare speed for the position along with instincts and hitting ability. He will play on all special teams units. On his pro day 3/30/11 his numbers were: 6002, 226, 4.46/40, 1.65/10, 28/BP, 39/VJ, 10-5/BJ, 4.58/SS, and 7.15/3 cone. GRADE: BELOW AVERAGE.