Or 2012. Or 2011 if we only count defensive players. Those classes were so good it just depends on your favorite player David Moore Color Rush Jersey , really...." The Offseason2019 NFL DraftTravis Homer headlines a group that might signal John Schneider has found his groove againNew,35commentsPDTIt could be argued that Seattle’s strongest draft ever was 2010. Or 2012. Or 2011 if we only count defensive players. Those classes were so good it just depends on your favorite player, really. Seattle followed that run with the weakest draft in the Schneider/Carroll era, 2013. Only Luke Wilson emerged as a consistent contributor, with top picks Christine Michael and Jordan Hill vastly underperforming their potential.As good of a stretch as 2010-2012 was, 2013-2016 was equally disappointing. For the purposes of this discussion, the thing that really sets apart an average draft from exceptional draft are those bonus late-round selections that turn into surprisingly good players. Hitting on two of the first three picks is not what gets a GM their job; one would hope that top-50 choices can be identified with reasonable success. This Schneider has done with the sole exceptions of 2011 and 2013. 2010: Russell Okung, Earl Thomas and Golden Tate 2012: Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson2014: Paul Richardson and Justin Britt2015: Frank Clark and Tyler Lockett2016: Germain Ifedi (yeah, yeah, I know) and Jarran Reed. 2018: still too early to tell2017 has been covered in great and painful detail.What has made the 2013 to 2016 drafts a disappointment following Schneider’s immediate success was a complete dearth of late-round discoveries during that span. There were a few middling starter-level acquisitions from the 4th rounds (Mark Glowinski and Cassius Marsh), but not much more.It’s a lot to ask a GM to make their “big board” of 200-whatever players, expecting that all the way down the list they’ve identified athletes who have what it takes to play consistent football at the highest level in the world. But that’s perhaps the biggest single factor that separates the good from the great – and fans want their team’s talent acquisition department to be great.The New England Patriots have put on quite the ten year show in this area, and it is one part of what has helped them remain on top for so long. Patriots Day 3 draft picksStephen Gostowksi Round 4 2006Matt Cassel round 7 2007Matt Slater Round 5 2008 – 7 Pro BowlsJulian Edelman Round 7 2009Aaron Hernandez round 4 2010Marcus Cannon Round 5 2011James White Round 4 2014Shaq Mason round 4, 2015Trey Flowers round 4 2015Deatrich Wise Round 4 2017 – 4th highest sack total since coming into leagueNotice, again, the consistency in hitting big in the fourth round. After that it gets incredibly hard.Over the last three years https://www.theseahawksfanshop.com , an interesting trend is developing in Seattle. Namely, we still know the names of Day 3 draft picks from each year. Recent Day 3 Success Stories (in the making)2017Chris Carson (7th) - Performed solidly as the Seahawk’s first 1,000 yard rusher since 2014David Moore (7th) - Impressive deep-threat before cooling off at the end of the season. Currently being discussed as a no-brainer for one of Seattle’s top three receiversTedric Thompson (4th)– Wildly impressive in last year’s camp, then suddenly quiet, and now making noise again. If he finds consistency he’s probably the starting safety opposite Bradley McDougald this year.2018Jacob Martin (6th)– Red hot finish to his rookie season; one of the most efficient pressure rushers in the league. Michael Dickson (5th) – Pro Bowl his first yearTre Flowers (5th) – Quick transition from college safety to NFL corner; exceeded expectations and continuing to take first team reps. Will Dissly (4th)– Obviously showed a lot in limited time. Hopefully his recovery continues to progress as well as it has.2019This is where Travis Homer comes into play. I’ll admit two months ago I thought he was a long shot to make the team. Now, I think he might be what officially makes JD McKissic a receiver. He’s so fast. Imagine all the excitement over the potential of Prosise, except he’s got the ability to hurt someone else on every play instead of himself.Third string running backs do get an opportunity to make some noise in this offense, especially as Russ saw the fewest rush attempts of his career last season. That pattern seems more likely to continue than revert back to 90+ runs. Ugo Amadi may get to play some nickel and show some things, he may not. Phil Haynes may get ample opportunity to impress at guard this year, he may not. In any case he’s projected to be behind D.J. Fluker and Mike Iupati, who have combined to miss 38 of 64 starts over the last two seasons. However, all these three of these players have been in conversation throughout this summer, and now it’s time to see if something will come of it or whether it was just talk.Building Something That LastsIf you’re running an NFL team, and you’re giving more than $50 million per year to your two best players, what gets you excited in the morning is a roster full of ball-hungry freak athletes on rookie contracts. I don’t know, maybe you don’t run an NFL team and that’s still what gets you excited in the morning. But two a year is not enough. At that rate, by the time the first class comes around to extension time Seahawks Customized Color Rush Jerseys , that wouldn’t even field one side of the ball. Somewhere around 40% of NFL starters any given year were taken in the 3rd round or later. It looks like Schneider’s recent success (since 2015) is starting to take shape, as they put forth a higher-than-average rate of players still on their roster. This is known as draft hit rate, and the Hawks have come in at almost 80% since 2015.A possible starting roster this year could contain Chris Carson, David Moore, Tedric Thompson, Quinton Jefferson (because the D-line is made of glass), Jacob Martin, Michael Dickson, Tre Flowers, and Will Dissly. That’s eight players drafted in the 4th round or later since 2016. If any significant playing time comes from Travis Homer, Ugo Amadi, or Phil Haynes, Seattle’s looking at an absurd amount of help from late-round selections, vastly superior to the league average 26% starters coming in rounds four through seven. Seattle doesn’t have to turn fifth round picks into future hall of famers to experience success. It’s all about balancing salary and winning games. And maybe, just a little bit, getting lucky with guys that other GMs didn’t pull the trigger on soon enough. Read!" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteField Gullsa Seattle Seahawks communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsSeahawksOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections VideosCoffee and CigarettesGame AnalysisThe Numbers GameCigar ThoughtsFiled under:Century LinksCentury Links 5/23: What’s Your Ideal 53 Man Roster?New,100commentsRead!PDTShareTweetShareShareCentury Links 5/23: What’s Your Ideal 53 Man Roster?Photo by Al Bello/Getty ImagesSign up for the Seaside Joe newsletter!In addition to the great content you'll see on Field Gulls every day Seattle Seahawks T-Shirts , sign up for a daily newsletter to come to your email every morning that will be a short and sweet post, thought, stat, quote, musing by Kenneth or one of his guests that requires little thought or commitment. Just a good way to bring a Seahawks companion to your morning of sippin' joe by the seaside.Seattle Seahawks: Predicting the starters for 2019The Seattle Seahawks have added a lot of new pieces to their roster through free agency and the draft which means we could see new starters in 2019.It’s now or never for Seahawks wide receiver Amara DarbohSeahawks wide receiver Amara Darboh drew praise from coach Pete Carroll after OTAs on Tuesday, but he has a long road to make the roster.Seahawks Sign Second-Round Pick DK MetcalfThe Seahawks signed receiver DK Metcalf Wednesday, meaning 10 of 11 2019 draft picks are now under contract.Wednesday Round-Up: D.J. Fluker To Host Free Football CampSeahawks guard D.J. Fluker is hosting a free football camp on May 25 in Oak Harbor, Washington.Huard: Bobby Wagner's compromise at Seahawks' OTAs 'best news' right nowIs it bad news that Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner will not take part in workouts at OTAs? For 710 ESPN Seattle's Brock Huard, it's the best news to come in the middle of a tough stretch of contract talks.Seahawks backup quarterback competition shaping up to be strongVeterans Paxton Lynch and Geno Smith will battle it out this summer, competing for the job to back up Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.Grading Seahawks free agent signings so far in 2019The Seahawks have mostly waited until Phase 3 of free agency to make big moves. Here are the grades for each Seattle free agent signing so far in 2019.Starters out, 10 other observations from Seahawks OTAs | Tacoma News TribuneSeven starting were watching instead of practicing, for various reasons. Rookie DK Metcalf was fitting in fine with the veterans. And nine more observations from Seahawks organized team activities (OTAs).Seahawks got ‘bigger and tougher’ with Mike Iupati on offensive lineSeahawks coach Pete Carroll is excited about Mike Iupati, who will be Seattle's sixth starter in the last six seasons at left guard.Dak Prescott submits counteroffer to Dallas Cowboys - NFL.comIt's time for our weekly Dak Prescott extension negotiations update. They're going well. That's the word from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who spoke to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.ATN: Wesseling Wedding Recap; Suh Signing - NFL.comIn the aftermath of an exciting wedding weekend, a room filled with married heroes recap the festivities on Tybee Island and the latest NFL news.Redskins sign Jon Bostic, place Reuben Foster on IR - NFL.comThe Redskins on Monday announced that Reuben Foster (knee) was placed on injured reserve. In a corresponding move, the Redskins announced the signing of linebacker Jon Bostic.NFL Scouting Combine events shifted to prime time - NFL.comStarting in 2020 https://www.theseahawksfanshop.com/hats , the televised drill portion of the NFL Scouting Combine will shift from the morning and afternoon to the afternoon and prime-time slots on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.NFL awards 2021, 2023 drafts to Cleveland, Kansas City - NFL.comThe league announced Wednesday at that Cleveland has been selected to host the 2021 NFL Draft, while Kansas City will host the 2023 NFL Draft.Roundup: Seahawks sign receiver D.K. Metcalf - NFL.comThe Seattle Seahawks' signed rookie receiver D.K. Metcalf and the Tennessee Titans came to terms with their first-round pick, defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.Panthers hoping for healthy, restocked line by training camp – ProFootballTalkQuarterback Cam Newton wasn't throwing during OTAs yesterday, but they're not panicked about that. In fact, the encouraging signs were all around, as two of the key pieces of their offseason line makeover were doing more than anticipated.Browns still working without Odell Beckham, Duke Johnson – ProFootballTalkIt looks like Odell Beckham Jr. is going to show up for Browns events early, and not so often. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Beckham's only day of attendance for the voluntary OTAs was last week, as he's been at that one day of the five held so far.Stephen Ross: Dolphins’ starting quarterback is not my decision – ProFootballTalkDolphins owner Stephen Ross is staying out of his team's quarterback decision. Ross said coach Brian Flores and his staff will not get any input from the owner in deciding between second-year quarterback Josh Rosen and veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.Combine changes could lead to longer stays for players – ProFootballTalkThe football guys got the win they were hoping for, with yesterday's announcement that the NFL Scouting Combine was staying in Indianapolis at least through the 2021 season.Courtland Sutton wants to be a bigger threat in red zone – ProFootballTalkBigger wide receivers tend to be viewed as greater threats in the red zone due to their extra size giving them an advantage over smaller defensive backs. Denver Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton should fit that ball.