Clayton: Guard Davin Joseph could be another option for the Seahawks

By Brady Henderson

John Clayton added another name to the list of potential free agent targets for the Seahawks – that of Davin Joseph, a 27-year-old guard who has spent his entire five-year career with Tampa Bay.

Clayton said that Joseph could be a backup option for the Seahawks if they aren’t able to land free agent guard Robert Gallery. That’s if he’s not a higher priority than Gallery.

“He’s that 6-to-$8 million (per year) guard that can be pretty nasty on the run,” Clayton said of Joseph Wednesday on the Calabro show. “He’s been pretty much considered Tampa Bay’s best offensive lineman the last several years. So if they don’t get Gallery they can go for Joseph. Or maybe they like Joseph over Gallery because Joseph is a little bit younger.

“He’s going to be somebody that I think is going to be on their radar…”

Joseph, the 23rd overall pick in 2006, made the Pro Bowl in 2008.

Clayton also gave his impression of former Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith, who is projected by Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout to be taken by the Seahawks with the 25th pick.

Smith, who’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 211 pounds, reportedly ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine.

“He’s all the dimensions that you want. He’s got the height, the size. He’s got the speed, all the different things. He’s a man-to-man guy. He’s got the ideal body,” Clayton said. “But also too, he’s got a lot of issues off the field that make you worry about it, particularly on a first round pick.”

Smith failed a drug test in 2007 and has two arrests for underaged possession of alcohol, according to The Denver Post.

Clark Judge of CBS Sports.com wrote after the combine that he was turned off by Smith’s arrogance:

“It’s one thing to be confident; it’s another to be cocky — and Smith was so cocky that when he was asked about comparisons to Asomugha he said, ‘I think I have better ball skills than he does.’ Please. One guy’s an All-Pro; the other hasn’t played a down of pro ball. Whom would you trust?”

Clayton said that while the Seahawks are more willing to take on players with character concerns than they were under former GM Tim Ruskell – noting that Seattle drafted Anthony McCoy last year after he failed a drug test at the combine – Smith’s off the field issues “might be something that will scare them a little bit because he does come with some baggage.”

Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Smith as the 19th best prospect in his latest Big Board and projects him to go to Baltimore at No. 26, meaning the Seahawks would pass on Smith with the 25th pick.

You can listen to John Clayton’s Cold Hard Facts here. Follow Brady Henderson on Twitter @BradyHenderson

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