Reggie Bush might look good spelling Shaun Alexander on third downs, Mario Williams may be an intriguing option as a situational pass rusher, and D’Brickashaw Ferguson could probably learn a lot playing behind Walter Jones, but Mike Holmgren wants no part of any of them.
The Seattle Seahawks’ coach is exactly where he wants to be when the 71st annual NFL Draft begins this weekend.
Having the 31st pick in the first round might not ensure a top-line player, but it means the Seahawks are coming off a successful season. So rather than picking in the top five and having a shot at Bush, Williams and/or Ferguson, Seattle finds itself with the next-to-last position in the first round.
That’s good news for the 2005 season, but what it means for the future is still to be determined.
Recent history has shown that picks at the end of the first round don’t always pan out. Players like wide receiver Rashaun Woods (31st, by San Francisco in 2004), defensive end Tyler Brayton (32nd, by Oakland in 2003) and quarterback Patrick Ramsey (32nd, by Washington in 2002) have yet to pan out.
Then there are the success stories, like New England 2005 pick Logan Mankins (32nd overall), Indianapolis 2001 pick Reggie Wayne (30th) and Baltimore 2001 pick Todd Heap (31st).
That doesn’t even include some of the quality gems teams have found in Rounds 2 and 3 that are available late in the first round.
This year’s draft is no different, with plenty of quality to be had late in Round 1.
The Seahawks’ primary need appears to be at cornerback, where there are several candidates to slide to No. 31. Cornerbacks like Florida State’s Antonio Cromartie, Ohio State’s Ashton Youboty and Miami’s Kelly Jenkins have first-round talent but could be available for the Seahawks.
Seattle could also be looking for depth at tight end (UCLA’s Marcedes Lewis could be an option), defensive end (Penn State’s Tamba Hali or North Carolina State’s Manny Lawson may drop) and safety (Donte Whitner of Ohio State is a possibility).
Before the NFL expanded to 32 teams in 2002, there were a few players selected in the first round’s final two picks who went on to have success. San Francisco fullback William Floyd (1994) helped the 49ers get to the Super Bowl. Cincinnati pick Darryl Williams (1992) had some success, finishing his career with the Seahawks. The final two picks of 1983’s first round were quarterback Dan Marino and cornerback Darrell Green. The 1999 draft also had some solid talent at the end of the first round in Atlanta’s Patrick Kerney and Denver’s Al Wilson.
But most of the players selected near the end of the first round had only moderate success. Names like Trung Canidate, Marcus Nash, John Avery and Jamain Stephens don’t come with immediate recognition for most football fans.
The Seahawks aren’t worried about a lack of talent available when they make their first-round pick on Saturday. While they wouldn’t mind a crack at Bush, Williams or Ferguson, they’ll take the alternative any year.
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