Seattle Seahawks 2014 NFL Draft: The Players, The Picks, The Fit
By Ben Natan
Paul Richardson, WR, Colorado
6′, 175 lbs
The Player
Paul Richardson has all kinds of speed and can make circus catches, but that being said, he has bad hands, bad overall size and is not a good route runner.
The Pick
Thought this was an awful pick. They reached for a pure speed guy in an incredibly deep and talented class. That being said, the Seahawks have the wiggle room to take risks with high upside players.
The Fit
With Golden Tate out and Sidney Rice seemingly never healthy, Richardson has a very good chance to see the field early and often. He can play on special teams, he’ll get worked out of the slot and he can burn on the outside. I am sure Seattle and Russell Wilson will make good use of his speed.
Sep 7, 2013; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Paul Richardson (6) reacts in the stands following the win over the Central Arkansas Bears at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Bears 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Britt, OL, Mizzou
6’6″, 325 lbs.
The Player
Britt is a solid technician who has very good strength. Not a very good athlete overall though.
The Pick
This was a huge reach. Britt seems maxed out as a player and wasn’t a very good one to begin with. Not sure a guy with quickness issues should be drafted to block Robert Quinn, Aldon Smith, Chris Long, and Corey Lemonier. Even if he gets moved to guard, it seems like a reach.
The Fit
The Seahawks line was pretty iffy last year so Britt has a shot to win a starting job. He is a big body who can come downhill so he could be seen as valuable.
Cassius Marsh, DE, UCLA 6’4″, 250 lbs.
The Player
Marsh is a Seahawks type of player. He is relentless. Not an overly impressive athlete, but a guy who is just going to piss the other team off. Plays to whistle, loves to hit, can get up field and play the run. If he can improve his strength, he could turn into a mean player.
The Pick
This was a reach by my board, and there were better defensive ends available, but I like Marsh’s fit both on and off the field for Seattle.
The Fit
Seattle loves to rotate its defensive ends and Marsh could see action very early.
Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive end Cassius Marsh (99) during the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the 2013 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. UCLA defeated Virginia Tech 42-12. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Norwood, WR, Alabama 6’2″, 198 lbs.
The Player
Norwood is a very reliable football player. He has very good size and a nice set of hands to pair with a very good route running skill set.
The Pick
I thought this was very good value for Norwood. Every team needs a dependable receiver and the Seahawks certainly got that guy in Norwood
The Fit
I think that Norwood could see the field early. He has a translatable skill set that should get him some starting time, especially in the slot. I think that he may have a better rookie year than Richardson.
Kelvin Pierre Louis, LB, Boston College
6′, 232 LBs
The Player
Pierre Louis is a speed freak of a linebacker who flies all over the field and uses his speed to cover and rush by blockers to stop the run. His lack of size can really hurt him against the run, but his field motor and playing speed helps him overcome that.
The Pick
Louis is a high upside player, especially in a defense that values his kind of speed at linebacker. I think the Seahawks got a steal.
The Fit
Louis is going to have a hard time seeing the field with KJ Wright, Bobby Wagner and Malcolm Smith’s speed and coverage ability at linebacker. Louis could make a move to safety and sit behind Kam Chancellor while being a similar type of player.
Jimmy Staten, DT, MTSU
6’4″, 305 lbs.
The Player
Staten seems to be a big bodied defender with good strength. One dimensional player.
The Pick
The fact that Staten was not on my radar until his selection is in no way a detriment to his talent, but I feel like there were better players available.
The Fit
With McDaniel, Mebane, Scruggs on the roster and Jesse Williams now healthy, it is going to be hard for Staten to see the field, but the Seahawks could use him in their rotations.
Garrett Scott, OT, Marshall
6’5″, 294 lbs.
The Player
Scott is a very athletic tackle who has very good feet and mirroring ability. Hopefully he can improve on his functional strength, but I am a big fan of his. T
he Pick
Scott could use some improvement, but he is a very good late round pick for the Seahawks. Lots of upside for a team that needs offensive linemen.
The Fit
I like Scott and I am pretty confident he can be the better rookie offensive lineman for the Seahawks. Could start all over that line for them.
Eric Pinkins, S, SDSU 6’3″, 220 lbs.
The Player
Pinkins is a big bodied safety who flies around the box and is a very good run defender. However, he is not just a box guy. He displays great straight line speed. I think his range could improve and needs to play the ball better, but I like his overall skill set.
The Pick I am a big fan of Pinkins and as a late round addition, the Seahawks got a good talent at a great price.
The Fit
Pinkins, from a physical and playing style point, is a lot like Kam Chancellor and has a great opportunity to learn under him. He won’t see the field other than special teams, but I like his fit with the team long-term.
Kiero Small, FB, Arkansas
5’8″, 244 lbs.
The Player
Small is anything but. He is a well-built, runner who just loves to hit things. He has starting full back potential with his size, speed and mentality.
The Pick
Small could compete for the starting full back job and any time you can get a starter on offense in the 7th, that is good value.
The Fit
With Michael Robinson and Derrick Coleman, Small will have his competition cut out for him, but Small has a great chance of ending up as a special teams ace.