Should Seahawks draft a RB in 2nd round? If so, Brock Huard has his pick
Mar 31, 2020, 11:55 PM
The Seahawks have been known to have a run-first mentality under Pete Carroll. (Getty)
(Getty)
Brock Huard has a controversial opinion about what the Seahawks should do in the NFL Draft.
Well, maybe it’s not entirely controversial, but it is with 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny O’Neil.
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Huard said on Tuesday’s edition of Danny and Gallant that the Seahawks should pick a certain running back if he’s still available when Seattle’s second-round selection comes up at 59th overall (we’ll get to exactly who soon).
O’Neil had some fun with that.
“Can he rush the passer?” O’Neil quipped. “I’m just spitballing here, but it seems like they need somebody to rush the passer and they’ve already got a bunch of running backs.”
O’Neil has spoken (and written) before about his thoughts on drafting a running back with a high pick, and he seems all the more convinced this offseason. That’s because while they could use a little help in the backfield, the big issue is the Seahawks struggled to sack opposing quarterbacks last year and have done little to address that defensive need, with Jadeveon Clowney still a free agent and Bruce Irvin the lone addition at the spot.
The Seahawks do have depth at running back, but they may not be as deep as it seems.
“I know Chris Carson broke his hip, and I also know Rashaad Penny tore his knee late in the year,” Huard said. “I also know that C.J. Prosise is still on that market, and I’m not gonna count on Travis Homer and Marshawn Lynch going into the season. … I think that position, the injuries brings it that much more to the forefront.”
To be fair, O’Neil’s main point is that he hopes the Seahawks will rely more on quarterback Russell Wilson’s passing ability and less on a run-first mentality, therefore he wants Seattle to concentrate more on other needs like the pass rush instead of focusing on the backfield in the draft.
“Throw the ball – that’s what you do. Don’t give Pete (Carroll) any running backs,” O’Neil said with a laugh. “Say ‘OK, hey, we looked, Pete. We really tried but we’re gonna have to make due with what we got so let Russell cook.'”
If Seattle picks a RB, who?
Should the Seahawks pick a running back early on in the draft, Huard has his eye on Jonathan Taylor from Wisconsin, who has speed, strength and a game-breaking ability.
“He is a home run hitter,” Huard said. “I mean, he is 230 pounds, running 4.3 (seconds in the 40-yard dash) and scoring touchdowns. Everybody loves C.J. Prosise’s one unbelievable play where he broke a tackle and he took it 75 yards. That’s Jonathan Taylor. Not that he’s going to do that in the NFL time after time after time, but when you’ve got his kind of juice and his explosion and his strength, that dude is just an absolute baller.
“If he were to fall into the late second round, Russell Wilson, Wisconsin Badger would be happy, and yours truly would be happy too.”
You can listen to the full conversation in the Blue 42 segment of this podcast from Tuesday’s edition of Danny and Gallant.
Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock Huard, Danny O’Neil and Paul Gallant on Twitter.
More Seahawks offseason coverage
• Moore: If Clowney rejects Hawks, here’s where he’s likely to sign
• Wyman: Seattle has had more recent draft success than you’d think
• Do Seahawks need to give Clowney a firm deadline?
• Huard feels ‘apprehension’ about Dorsett signing
• 2020 offseason tracker: Signings, departures and more
