The #4 Pick – Taking it in a different direction

by Mike Salk

Obviously there has been a ton of anlysis leading up to Saturday’s NFL Draft. And here in Seattle, a good deal of it has centered around the #4pick. There have essentially been three names that have come up the most. In no particuular order, everyone has thrown out:

1. Mark Sanchez

2. Michael Crabtree

3. Eugene Monroe

And those names are fine. They each make a certain amount of sense. And all three have certain drawbacks as well. Mel Kiper has the team looking at Monroe. Todd McShay says Sanchez. And Steve Kelley is all over Crabtree. Fine.

But can I throw out another name?

Brian Orakpo. DE. Texas.

Here’s a nice compilation of his work in college:

 

This guy is a beast. He is probably the best defensive end in the draft. His measurables are awesome (how about a 4.63 forty for a guy 263 pounds?). He was a standout at Texas in an OFFENSIVE conference. And he is a smart guy, who speaks well and could handle being a high pick.

“But Mike,” I hear you say. “You don’t need a defensive end!”

And to that, I wonder: why not? Isn’t the situation at DE in Seattle roughly equivalent to the situation at OT, QB and WR? Walter Jones, Matt Hasselbeck, and Deion Branch/Nate Burleson are all legit stars when healthy. All three have had some injury problems and are advancing in years. But in all liklihood, all three still have some productive years left for the ‘Hawks.

Now, take that description. “Aging, injury-risk but productive.” Doesn’t that it perfectly fit for Patrick Kerney too? And if it does, then shouldn’t a DE make perfect sense?

And this guy is going to be good. McShay writes:

“Orakpo is the top-rated DE/OLB hybrid in this draft and we think he is a better fit at end in a 4-3 alignment.” That sounds like the kind of guy I’m willing to take a chance on!

One more thing. When you aren’t drafting for need specifically, the common advice is to draft the best player available. So, have you seen Scouts Inc.’s list of prospects by grade? Yeah, Crabtree is second. But Orakpo is fourth. Ahead of Monroe (fifth) and Sanchez (ninth).

Put all of this together, combined with the lack of conversation about the Seahawks and Orakpo, and it sounds appealing to me!

What do you think? Does Orakpo make sense? Would you be psyched to see Tim Ruskill use the #4 pick on him?

Email us at brockandsalk@espnseattle.com or call us on Wednesday at 866-979-ESPN.

Talk to you at 11:00!