Welp, had a lovely four days on Orcas Island with the family, and missed the bulk of the 2025 NFL draft, so I've been spending much of today catching up on the new Seahawks that will be competing for roster spots in training camp.
My oh my...how things change.
Seattle started the draft with ten picks (for seven rounds)...they ended up with eleven picks by the end. Here's what they got.
Guard
Safety
Tight End
Quarterback
Defensive Tackle
Wide Receiver
Fullback
Guard
Running Back
Guard
Wide Receiver
A lot of beef in that draft. The QB lacks accuracy but he's as fast (or faster) than Lamar Jackson and built like a linebacker. The running back is a straight ahead bulldozer who runs with the ferocity and violence of Marshawn Lynch (though not the elusiveness). The safety has been compared to Kam Chancellor in terms of size and strength, but has the speed of Earl Thomas. And the last wide receiver on the list won the special teams player of the year in his conference, making a name as a kick/punt blocker.
Size. Beef. Toughness. Three guards? A fullback? There ain't no "finesse" in this draft class...this is just orks getting back to being orks.
I kind of love it.
Of course, it is stupid to fall in love with rookie draft picks. They are nothing compared to the veterans in the league...most of these guys won't even see the field during the regular season, unless catastrophic injuries occur. Or the season falls apart. Or both.
But in a couple years?
Interesting that seven of these guys were captains on their college squads. Eight of them finished their college careers at the same schools they originally declared for (and one moved solely to follow the coach that recruited him). In today's NIL world, this is unusual if not unheard of...the first round selection turned down huge deals to finish his college career in North Dakota State. North Dakota State?!
Dedication. Loyalty. Leadership. Plus solid athleticism.
Wonder if the coaching staff can turn them into professional football players. That's always the challenge.
But I'm more excited and curious than ever to see what next year's season has in store. The home team seems to be getting back to the kind of football that's helped them (in the past) to championship games...championship games we haven't been to since we traded away our last Pro Bowl lineman (Max Unger) for a tight end that couldn't block (Jimmy Graham).
Ork football. I dig it.
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| 6'4", 275# fullback...my new favorite ork: Robbie Ouzts. |
I was also excited we went after some size. We all have been complaining about the O line so long it felt like a victory to see a Guard get drafted.
ReplyDeleteRookies are Rookies and our best draft class ever was gradded super low so only time will tell, but it's good to enter the part of the NFL season that's about hope and promises. It's all roses and sunshine for the next few months.
Unless you'e the Browns, of course (hobgoblins be doing hobgoblin things...as usual).
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One day I need to sit down and really read over Blood Bowl. It looks like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteIt is. But for me it intersects two of my great loves: American football and fantasy gaming. I confess it may not hold the same appeal for everyone.
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