ESPN’s Matt Miller thinks Seahawks ‘intriguing’, builds ‘perfect’ draft

As part of a much larger “NFL Draft 2023: Latest Rumors, News and Insights” article behind the ESPN+ paywall, NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller selected the Seattle Seahawks as his “intriguing team” and built what he considers the “perfect” draft. for the grill warriors of John and Pete.



Much of what follows is copy/paste, but there will, of course, be a lot of “FTR thoughts” worked on.


Navigate the ESPN article

As noted, Matt Miller picked the Seahawks. Miller’s literary partner/foil (Jordan Reid) picked the Texans.

Note: The links embedded in the bulleted list both lead to the “perfect” Seahawks draft, which is about 2/3 of the article.


Miller’s ideal scenario for the Seattle Seahawks

We’ll take Miller’s draft one day at a time. . .

DAY ONE

No. 5: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

No. 20: Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson

Miller’s comments/explanation:

The Seahawks rebuilt the offensive line last year with tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas in what is now considered one of the best draft classes of the past decade. General manager John Schneider can do something similar with the defensive line this year. Carter is the best inside passing thrower in the draft and would fill a 3-technique need with his speed and power off. And adding Murphy’s speed — he ran a 4.51 on his pro day while weighing 270 pounds — gives the defense the juice it’s been missing in 2022.

FTR’s review:

I still harbor hopes that Carter doesn’t turn into a Seahawk on Thursday night, but I will absolutely understand if he does.

Murphy, on the other hand, I just do NOT understand that choice – I never lived up to Murphy’s accomplishments or potential. Specifically, there were undoubtedly at least a dozen players I would have preferred us to pick at No. 20.


DAY TWO

No. 37: Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina

No. 52: Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State

No. 83: Ricky Stromberg, C, Arkansas

Miller’s comments/explanation:

On Day 2 of the draft, the Seahawks can continue to find value — and starters. I asked them to add a wide receiver (Downs) to eventually replace Tyler Lockett, a cornerback to play against last year’s gem Tariq Woolen (Brents) and a center with a lot of potential (Stromberg).

FTR’s review:

We’ve had a lot of talk about Josh Downs and Julius Brents over the past two months and I have no reservations about either (or both) becoming Seahawks next Friday.

Stromberg is someone I like, but picking him at 83 seems too high.


DAY THREE

No. 123: Davis Allen, TE, Clemson

No. 151: Jerrod Clark, DT, Coastal Carolina

No. 154: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA

No. 198: Warren McClendon, Occupational Therapist, Georgia

No. 237: Travis Dye, RB, USC

Miller’s comments/explanation:

Day 3 picks are more about stacking the roster with depth, especially at quarterback with Thompson-Robinson. He could be Geno Smith’s understudy.

FTR’s review:

I’ve caught Jarrod Clark in probably 15 or 20 of the over 500 fake drafts I’ve done; I don’t think I ever took it until Round 6 though.

DTR is an intriguing option on day three, although I don’t personally see him as anything more than a substitute. I may be wrong. (If we choose it, I hope I’m wrong.)

I don’t think I’ve heard of the other three until I read their names on Miller’s list.


Final Thoughts

The problem I always have with “less than complete” fake drafts is that there is no context for the choice(s).

  • Who else was available at each draft slot?
  • Did we go for a needs-based approach, an approach based on the best available players, a combination of the two, or something entirely different?
  • What was the reason for choosing player X instead of player Y?
  • Etc

Based on what we know, I don’t consider this a “perfect” draft.

I like that we added a Nose Tackle (Jerrod Clark) on day three. I like that we added a prospect each at QB, RB, WR, WR and Center. I wonder why we didn’t take an ILB (I would prefer a Mike to a CB). And I think we drafted some positions too soon (or too late).

Overall, I think I’d give this one a B.



Bonus coverage

Interestingly, I think I like every pick Jordan Reid has made for the Houston Texans (from a Seattle perspective).

Here is the list :

No. 2: CJ Stroud, QB, ohio state

No. 12: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

No. 33: Will McDonald IV, OLB, Iowa State

No. 65: Luke Wypler, C, Ohio State

No. 73: Daiyan Henley, ILB, washington state

No. 104: Jakorian Bennett, BC, Maryland

No. 161: Cameron Latu, TE, Alabama

No. 188: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, BC, TOS

No. 201: Andrew Vorhees, G, USC

No. 203: Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State

No. 230: Brandon Joseph, S, Our Lady

No. 259: Brenton Cox Jr., OLB, Florida

If I was Houston, I think I would have taken Alabama EDGE Will Anderson Jr. at #2 instead of CJ Stroud. (Logic = Houston is still at least a year away from being competitive; build the defense and the non-QB part of the offense and catch the quarterback of the future next year).

Andrew Vorhees at No. 201 could prove to be the steal of the draft.

Brenton Cox Jr. at No. 259 is excellent value.


Credit Tariq Laine if Julius Brents sneaks into the end of Round 1 (and presumably for the fact that he’s generally considered an R2 selection).

It’s from Jordan Reid; here is what he actually wrote:

Two prospects keep popping up in talks with league sources as potential picks at the end of the first round: Kansas State cornerback Julius Brent and inner blocker TCU Steve Avila. The NFL is a hearty league and the immediate success of Tariq wool helped Brents considerably. While not as fast in a straight line as Woolen, Brents has a lot of similar qualities as a prospect, including plenty of explosion and a deep toolbox. With Avila, the lack of consistent options inside and a solid performance in the senior bowl contributed to increasing its stock. I heard that Dallas and New Orleans are two teams to watch with Avila.

GO HAWKS!

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