One NFL draft analyst said this week that if the draft were held in June, quarterbacks would comprise the top five picks. The logic being that given enough time to think about it and the criticality of having a top tier quarterback to win, every general manager would have talked themselves into thinking any available quarterback could be their franchise quarterback. Franchise QBs are like gold they say, and if you find one, you have to pick ‘em.
And this seems to be the direction the 2009 NFL draft is going. On Saturday we might see two quarterbacks taken within the first four picks - Matt Stafford to Detroit and Mark Sanchez to Seattle. Now there is more talk that St. Louis and Kansas City are willing to trade their No. 2 and 3 picks respectively, opening the door to anyone who is will to trade up to get Sanchez (Redskins or Jets maybe?). We could see quarterbacks taken No. 1 and 2.
That scenario would be the best possible outcome for the Seattle Seahawks at No. 4. The temptation to take Sanchez is there, but they don’t need him. Not right now. Not with the defense the Seahawks currently have in place. If you go by the numbers, the Seattle Seahawks defense was a catastrophe last season.
- 25th in points allowed with 24.5 points per game
- 30th in the NFL in total yards allowed with 378 yards per game
- 32nd in passing defense, allowing 259.3 yards per game
- 18th in rushing defense, allowing 118.7 yards per game
It was a considerable drop off from the 2007:
- 7th defense in points allowed with 18.2 points per game
- 15th in total yards allowed with 321.8 yards per game
- 19th in passing defense, allowing 219.1 yards per game
- 12th in rushing defense, allowing 102.8 yards per game
The reasons for the drop off are varied. Some say the defense was gassed because the Seahawks patchwork of an offense couldn’t ever string together a drive. There’s merit to the argument, opponents had the ball nearly two hours more than the Seahawks for the season. They lost the time of possession battle in every game except for the season finale in Arizona, when they still lost by nearly two touchdowns.
However, the “bend, but don’t break” defense that they like to talk about running pretty much invites opponents to eat up the clock on you. And if you’re going to play that way with an undersized defense, wouldn’t you think they’d be better conditioned to stay on the field? In any case, the Hawks defense didn’t help their own cause by coming up with a stop and gettting off the field. Their opponents converted on third down 42.3 percent of the time, which puts them in the bottom third of the league. Opponents converted 61.5 percent on fourth down. Unfortunately, it could be they don't have the talent or size to compete. It may not be just the system.
Another big question is whether or not the Seahawks have adequately addressed the defense with the addition of defensive lineman Cory Redding along with a new coaching staff and defensive coordinator. Without a real answer for that, the Seahawks should look at picking the best available defender in the draft because, they can use the help at every position. Here are the top five defensive players in the draft and what NFLDraftScout.com has to say about each:
1. Aaron Curry, LB - The 2008 Butkus Award winner, given to the nation's top linebacker, Curry so impressed the award's namesake that Dick Butkus surprised him in early December when he arrived on campus to personally hand the award to its recipient. Curry started 49 of the 51 games he appeared in, going on to rank third in school annals with 45.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. The All-American defender also finished ninth on Wake Forest's all-time record list with 332 total tackles.
2. Tyson Jackson, DE - Jackson's decision to return to school for his senior season in 2008 seems to have paid off. With more NFL teams expected to convert to a 3-4 defensive alignment in 2009, Jackson has the frame, strength and run-stuffing ability to fit the mold of the type of defensive end used in that system. In a classic 4-3 setup, most scouts felt he would be better suited playing inside at defensive tackle. A three-year starter at left defensive end, Jackson proved to be a capable, yet unspectacular pass rusher, managing just eight quarterback sacks over his last two seasons -- compared to 8.5 as a sophomore. His forte was flushing the quarterback out of the pocket, as he boasts 30 pressures for his career, along with his run-containment skills, ranking 11th in school history with 27 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
3. Brian Orakpo, DE - Orakpo, a product of the Texas training program, came to the university as a lanky basketball player, but is leaving the school as a rock-solid defensive end. He worked his way up the depth chart to earn a starting job as a junior. Despite lost time in each of his last two years due to knee injuries, he filled his mantelpiece this winter, capturing Big Twelve Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also claimed the Lombardi Award (best lineman), Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player) and Hendricks Award (best defensive end).
4. B.J. Raji, DT - Raji made a successful return to the field in 2008 after sitting out the previous season due to academic issues. He re-joined teammate Ron Brace in the middle of the front wall, as they proved to be one of the most feared defensive tackle tandems in college football. With those two anchored in the middle of the line, they combined for 11 of the team's 35 sacks (31.43 percent) and 27 of the Eagles' 108 tackles behind the line of scrimmage (25.0 percent). Raji led a unit that led the Atlantic Coast Conference in rush defense (91.21 ypg, seventh in the NCAA) and total defense (268.14 ypg, ranked fifth nationally).
5. Malcolm Jenkins, CB - Positives: Lockdown corner. Very physical at the line, has a strong punch to knock receivers off their route. Attacks ball carriers behind the line, making secure tackles. Also willing to assist in tackles downfield or inside. Effective playing off receivers as he can flip open his hips and accelerate, close quickly on the ball in front of him or change direction to mirror receivers. Stays with even the fastest receivers down the sideline. Plays free safety on occasion and has all of the tools to succeed there in the NFL. Excellent hands for the interception, and he has the vertical to high-point the ball and strength to fight for it. Can make plays with the ball in his hands.
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