NFL Q&A: What does Seahawks beat writer Gregg Bell think about the 2020 NFL Draft?
It has been a week since the NFL held what could be its most fascinating draft ever. Due to the coronavirus, everything was done remotely. Even with the arduous task of logistically getting 32 teams and multiple networks on the same page for three days, I thought the NFL did a tremendous job. In its aftermath, I reached out to News Tribune Seahawks beat writer Gregg Bell to get his thoughts on the event.
Andrew Hammond: What were your overall thoughts on ESPN/NFL Network’s production of the NFL Draft? I was pleasantly surprised at how clean it was, despite the obvious delays and obstacles they faced technically.
Gregg Bell: It went well. Fans couldn’t see the massive behind-the-scenes efforts on the technical support to do it all remotely for the first time. And not just in Roger Goodell’s basement outside New York City. Seahawks general manager John Schneider was concerned about his wifi service in his home in a tucked-away part of Newport, the Seattle eastside suburb near team headquarters. But after the draft, Schneider said he was amazed he had no issues connecting with Pete Carroll and his own scouts and coaches, nor with other teams.
I like the format better than all the green-room and fans and stage and hoo-hah. Players at home experiencing the moment with their families made it more real, and to me more interesting. But there’s too much money at stake for the league to ditch the glitz and staging the draft in different cities. Too many team draft caps to sell each year.
AH: One main criticism that was noted from the broadcast was the backstories of these players that, although impactful and part of their story, almost became (lack of a better term) “Trauma Porn,” at times. Like, I totally understand that these young men have gone through obvious trials and tribulations, but it almost felt like ESPN or host Trey Wingo went overboard at times. What did you think?
GB: I didn’t focus too much on that because I was writing 14 stories over three days as the draft happened. But the emphasis on humanizing almost every pick, most I’ve noticed in any draft telecast, did result in a lot of piano music. After a while, I believe some viewers lost the appropriate appreciation for those players who have overcome personal and family adversity to make it to the NFL.
AH: Switching gears for a bit to the actual draft, I’m not one for handing out grades because it’s hard to judge a draft class that hasn’t even signed yet, but it feels like Baltimore, Denver, and Dallas are some that stood out to me. Who were your standouts, both good and bad?
GB: Draft grades are dumber than betting on preseason games. OK, almost as dumb. These kids haven’t even been issued NFL shoulder pads yet, let alone played in a real game. If a team drafts a player few expected or have heard of, it’s a D or F. Let’s see in three years.
Let’s all remember the Seahawks’ 2012 get widely panned. F’s all around. Seattle’s first four picks that year: Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, Russell Wilson, Robert Turbin. That should have retired “draft grades” forever.
No doubt, Arizona and San Francisco got better, and not just in this draft. The Cardinals ripping off Houston to get DeAndre Hopkins totally change the way the Seahawks will defend Arizona. Getting Isaiah Simmons from Clemson in the first round...man, he can play everywhere. He might be the most impacting defensive player I saw when I watched college football the last couple years. Then Josh Jones, the tackle from Houston I thought the Seahawks might draft, and Leki Fotu from Utah at defensive tackle...those are two other rookies who can help the Cardinals immediately.
The 49ers were already stacked on the defensive front. Then they get Javon Kinlaw, another stud tackle from South Carolina who can run, play inside and play on the edge. Plug and play for departed DeForest Buckner. And Kyle Shanahan will use wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the Niners’ other first-round pick, as well as any coach will use a rookie wide receiver this season. If there is a this season.
AH: Say you’re in the room with Pete Carroll and John Schneider, or in this case on the virtual zoom call, and you guys are drafting. Do you feel good about this class, and think all the needs were met when it came to picking up what you got?
GB: No. They wanted to trade down in round one to get more picks, and Miami swooped in and made Green Bay at better offer one spot ahead of Seattle, at 26. The Seahawks need future offensive and defensive tackles and didn’t add there. They need a big nickel defensive back to compete with Ugo Amadi for a job it appears Seattle will use more than it did last season. The team didn’t draft there.
But, remember, Carroll and Schneider don’t draft need nearly as much as they draft talent, specifically speed talent. Jordyn Brooks was their first-round pick because the Seahawks had him rated more highly than almost every team in the league because of his 4.5 speed at linebacker, and open-field tackling in the pass-a-rama Big 12 Conference. And this year, in particular, they drafted for grit: guys who have overcome personal and family adversity to get here. Other teams do not value grit and personal makeup as much as Carroll does. This year he specifically wants guys he doesn’t have hold hands with between now and the season starting because of no OTAs and no minicamps and the possibility of a shortened training camp.
Think Stephen Sullivan, who used to sleep under a bridge and watched both his parents and all his brothers go to jail yet became an all-state player and the first in his family with a college degree, is going to get fazed by no offseason practices? They don’t, either.
But Darrell Taylor in the second round and Alton Robinson in round five definitely were need picks. It would have been negligence to not draft edge rushers, and those two will get chances to play right away. They have to. While they wait in hopes of re-signing Jadeveon Clowney, and especially if they don’t, the pass rush is the issue that will keep the Seahawks out of the Super Bowl again. They must improve that, above all else. Taylor and Robinson will get immediate chances to. Taylor has the Cliff Avril body type for LEO (weakside) defensive end: 6-4, 260-plus pounds. He’ll be there.
AH: Was there anybody that stood out on draft boards that say Seattle didn’t get that you were shocked they didn’t pick up? A guy for me that had been on many boards was Yetur Gross-Matos from Penn State.
GB: Not shocked, but surprised, they didn’t draft him. Or Josh Jones, offensive tackle from Houston. And in the second round with one of their two picks I thought they were going to select a running back, particularly because Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin was still available as the round went on. He would have been a Carroll running back. Travis Homer is the only healthy one on the roster who has played in an NFL game. He has one more career start than you and I do.
AH: Who in this draft class stood out to you and a person Seahawks fans need to keep an eye on come OTAs and training camp, if and when it ever comes.
GB: More like training camp, because it sure doesn’t seem like there will be OTAs or minicamps.
All eyes on Taylor. He must succeed. Think about Seattle’s last two top picks who were pass rushers: Malik McDowell, complete zero; and L.J. Collier, serious injury days into his first training camp last summer, then after he returned five healthy scratches in his rookie season. That is nothing from two number-one picks the three previous drafts. That set them back years. If either McDowell or Collier performs anything close to a top pick, the Seahawks would not have as bad a pass rusher as they do now. Taylor has the size, speed and production at Tennessee that suggests he will be NFL-ready to sack QBs as a rookie. We’ll all be watching to see if he does.
AH: OK, Final question....Your thoughts on “casual and laid back” Roger Goddell. I thought it was a breath of fresh air to see him not so buttoned up and principal-like.
GH: I agree. It fit the tone and the fact everyone was at home. Some of it felt forced. But the few times I’ve talked to Goodell he’s much more personable in conversation that his persona and reputation suggests. Comes with the job—and some of his and the league’s decisions, particular on player discipline—and a certain blackballed quarterback.
This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 10:30 AM.
