"the Seahawks are not at all interested in trading Sims for defensive end Alex Brown"

Good. The last thing they need is yet another d-lineman who is indistinguishable from the other dozen d-linemen already on the roster.

"generally the price of a traded RFA is less than the tender placed on that player"

Unless you're the Seattle Seahawks.

unless there is another bidder for the player

A 4th round pick for a STARTING LG is not to much to ask for. Especially one going into his prime. There is no way Chicago gets a guard in the 4th ready to start day one. This would be a good move for BOTH teams, as chicago is shooting for the playoffs NOW, and we are building for the future.

I thought of a possibly trade scenario involving getting Brandon Marshall. Here it is

Trade #60 and Matt Hasselbeck and 2011 4th for Brandon Marshall and Kyle Orton.

Why? Because I do not! wanna see matt hasselbeck under center while we have a 27 year old quarterback in charlie whitehurst who has been under one of the best qb's in philip rivers for 4 good years. And we all know the positives and negatives we will we get in Marshall, and the leaves us with Kyle Orton, I dont care if he wants to start, he is not a starting quarterback at all. He can provide a great backup to charlie.

wishfull thinking, i dont see denver considering that a good deal. they wont want matt.

I was also thinking the Denver broncos will become desperate to get rid of marshall in the next couple weeks, so they should just get a trade done with the hawks and matt could be there starter since he has some left in him and he could mentour newly bronco Brady Quinn,

I wonder how much Holmgren wants Hasselbeck. Would he trade the Browns 1st rounder for Hass, Sims, and one of our fourth rounders this year or even throw in Spencer to seal the deal if we had to? I'd love another crack the the top ten picks this year. If Suh or McCoy plus Berry was available, it would be such a coop to score both players.

I suspect Holmgren wanted Hass and settled for Delhome (sp) after he found out PT wouldn't trade. Maybe PT wanted to much, or Holmgren was offering too little.

Too bad, too, because I would have loved to have seen a trade to the only team in the NFL that would value Hasselbeck as much (and likely more) than Seattle.

Giving up a 4th rounder for a solid LG is not asking a lot. This is a even trade across the board.

A 4th round isnt asking alot at all, I completely agree, but when you dont have a frist round pick or a second round pick those frist two picks are pretty valuible. There is no way the bears will part with any of their picks this year......If they trade away their 3rd, 4th, or 5th it kills the chance of them trading up to the second or getting in the 3rd again that is why they wont part with the 4th....

but the risk is way higher on a 4th rounder. They need line help already. If you can get a stud LG for a 4th then you need to do it. Doesn't matter how many draft picks you have or don't. A good deal is a good deal.

They need receivers and line help. using a 4th on Sims makes sense.

Sleepness nights cant wait till draft day babyy!
Here is my very own mock draft

1st. #6: 0T Trent Williams

1st. #14: DE Derrick Morgan

2nd. #60: WR Eric Decker/ WR Jacoby Ford

Trade Sims and/or Spencer to the browns for there #93 third rounder

3rd. #93: RB Montario Hardesty/ RB Anthony Dixon

4th. #105: S T.J Ward/ S Larry Asante

5th. #140: BPA

6th. #177: BPA

7th. #214: BPA

How about that?

#140

Yeah it is a good deal....and it does matter how many picks the bears have at this point in time, cause like the seahawks, the bears have needs too. Just like you stated they need some playmakers at WR, an aging offensive line, and a defense that is a bit over the hill. They dont have much depth at S,CB, and DL. I'm not saying it wont, but I dont think a deal will go through with the bears. They wont give the pick up, and PC wants draft picks this year not a 4th for next. I dont see the sense in taking anything other then a 3rd from the bears for sims for nexr years draft and the bears arent going to over pay. Does anyone know anything on sims for smilely from miami?

I really hope we don't draft Trent Williams, he proved he couldn't handle playing LT in college. He is very athletic, but that doesn't mean he would make a good LT. Of all the top LT prospects (Okung, Campbell, Bulaga or Brown) personally I think he is the worst option.

I do like Derrick Morgan but I don't think he is a good pick in the top 20. If Dan Williams is still on the board I think he should be our guy. He would be our new Marcus Tubbs, replacing that big man in the middle. Cole is not that guy, and Mebane needs someone else to help push the pocket back into the QBs face, to me that was a bigger issue than the edge rush last season.

I do like Decker, but he is another TJ Housh. We already have that big possession guy, so why add another? I think Andre Roberts or Damian Williams are better options even though we would likely have to trade up to get tham.

I expect us to get some tackles in the 4-5 round range since they can slide inside to play guard without a problem. I remember Schnider saying that was one of his favorite strategies while in Green Bay. I think both of their starting guards were tackles in college.

I should have said Dan Williams should be the guy at 14 if we don't draft Suh or McCoy at 6. If we do get McCoy or Suh at 6 Brown should be the pick at 14 IMO.

...and those who want an OT in the first:

1) McCoy/Thomas
2) Berry/Brian Price

That first round will solidify a young defense for years to come.

The first option is probably the best: some people have McCoy rated higher than Suh (younger, fewer injuries, more upside) and Thomas rated above Berry (Mayock I believe).

A McCoy/Thomas first would be awesome. As many of you have argued, taking Hardesty or Tate at 60 will satisfy the RB requirement (and I'll throw PT's McKnight out there as a possibility as well).

For WR, I really like Omar's sleeper Andre Roberts, though not sure how he can be had.

Derek Morgan will be the pick at 6 unless Suh or McCoy fall there.The Seahawks ran his pro day and he has already came to Seattle to meet with the brass.I do expect the Hawks to draft Spiller or Bryant at 14 if they are there.If they are gone expect to see Brown or Campbell.There is a chance the Hawks pull the trigger on Marshall and trade the 14th pick before then.Since I havent done a mock draft for a few weeks here is mine.

#6 Derek Morgan
#14 Dez Bryant

Woops lets try that again

#6 Derek Morgan DE
#14 Dez Bryant WR
#60 Ben Tate RB
#101 Tyson Alualu DT
#124 Jon Asamoah G
5TH bpa
6th bpa
7th bpa
supplement pick bpa
#133

The ONLY way we are not addressing the OT spot with 6 is if Suh or McCoy falls there. Derrick Morgan is an average DE in a weak class. He couldn't handle Bulaga, how do you think he is going to handle LT's like Joe Thomas, Jake Long, or Ryan Clady?

These are the only options at six.

1. Suh
2. McCoy
3. Ukung
4. Williams
5. Trade down

PERIOD

I meant Okung

I wouldn't rule out Campbell or Bulaga at 6, they at least have LT potential unlike Trent Williams who is purely a RT.

Also Charles Brown at 14 is a very real possibility. I wouldn't mind seeing us take him at 14, while getting a McCoy/Berry/Haden at 6.

Hawksmack,
just so you know our picks in the 4th are now 104 and 127 because of the compensatory picks that were given out this past week. Not a big deal but just wanted to let you know.

I still hope we trade down. with hopefully both picks in the first unless Mccoy or Suh is there at 6. And at 14 unless we Spiller, Bryant Haden or somehow Berry is there.

These are the only players at these draft positions that would be better to pick up than having an extra draft pick.

If we could pick up two trade backs I would be happy.

current hope for the draft
#6 Mccoy
#14 Spiller
#60 BPA at LT, SS, WR, CB

If we trade back (6 for 10 and extra 3rd) (14 for 23 and 56) we could have
#10 Spiller
#23 Charles Brown
#56 Best SS (Morgan Burnett maybe)
#60 Best DT (maybe Alualu)
early to mid 3rd best WR or OL

There is no way we take morgan at 6..listen we will go defense with the frist pick (pick 6) but it wont be a defensive end, it will be safety! It was a pressing need for the hawks before we let grant go, and it only got worst when we let him go. We have no playmakers in the secondary...we ranked almost dead last in pass defense last year. Yeah you can say that pressure causes interceptions or helps with good pass defense...but I think we've picked up enough good players to compete for those positions.Yeah we prob will draft a DE somewhere in the draft but no way are we doing it in the frist..

Mock drafts are pointless...but so fun. They’re also a great way to procrastinate. Here is mine. I include some trades (a trade down and a 4th round for Sims, no Marshall Trade). I feel that there is at least a reasonable chance that each player is available where I have us picking them. Enjoy.

#6: McCoy – DT
#14: (Trade down for mid-late 3rd and 5th) – C. Brown LT
#60: B. Tate – HB
3rd round (from trade down): R. Jones – S
#104: B. White – WR
4th rounder (for Sims): M. Johnson – G
#127: M. Lewis – CB/S
#139: D. Te'o-Nesheim – DE
5th round (from trade down): J. Estes – C/G
#176: J. Crompton – QB
#213: C. Scott – T
#245: D. Gettis - WR

Drhawk,
If Mccoy or Suh is not there I think we also trade back with #6 and pick up a 2nd or 3rd depending on how far back we go. Hopefully just 3 or four spots and we could still pick up Haden, Berry or Spiller. All playmakers at positions of need.

I also really hope we can work something out with the Broncos were we send a couple of players that they really need for Marshal. Maybe even three (Sims, Spencer, Branch).

Hawthorne should not be included because I have a feeling we are converting to a Hybrid 3-4 of some kind.

It would be hard to imagine us trading away the chance to get Suh or McCoy (if they're even there). Either would provide great help to our pass rush (or lack there of).

I too hope we can get Marshall, as long as we don't spend too much.

I also agree that we need to hold on to Hawthorne, whether we convert to 3-4 or not. We really lack depth at the LB position, and with Tatupu and Hill being injured, it wouldn't be wise at this point.

If, however, Bradford, Suh, McCoy, Okung and Berry are off the board, and they can get a good offer to trade down with someone who wants Clausen, great.

Other than that, I would pull the trigger on Berry, Suh or McCoy and feel like I made really good use of the top Seahawk pick in the draft.

Great article for draft lovers. It talks about Bradfords pro-day, and eludes to how it's probably now a done deal. Bradford will be #1.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/nfl-draft/sam-bradford-impresses-in-pro.html

...on the link Recordblender provided) and if Detroit drafts Okung, then the math says Clausen, Berry Suh or McCoy will be there at 6.

If I was the Seahawks, I would seriously consider going after Bradford. If he is that good, then it might be worth spending 2 of Seattle's top three picks to trade up to the Rams.

I can't imagine Seattle trading up for Bradford, especially after giving up so much for Whitehurst. Plus, the Rams would never give their rival a chance to get a top QB. Now, if he falls to Seattle at 6, or if Clausen falls to Seattle at 6 or 14 (and they think he's worth it), then I can see them pulling the trigger.

Exactly, There's no way in hell the Rams trade us the first pick unless they think Bradford is crap--which they dont.

Hawksince77--I do think Bryant is a once-a-decade player, he is huge and fast. I dont see why you dont agree--care to enlighten me? (Your reasoning is usually quite sound and always interesting.) And his character concerns are very mild. I would MUCH rather have him than Okung or Claussen. Comparing him to Crabtree, he has just as much strength and nearly the same size, yet is quite a bit faster.(Yes, I remember Crabtree's freakishly long arms. He's got that on Bryant). Crabtree fell to pick 9, which was farther than a lot of people expected. I doubt Bryant falls that far. (Especially since Crabtree did so well despite only playing two years, then sitting out more than half the season.)

And while next years crop of WR's will be good as well, they thin out quite rapidly after Julio Jones, a guy I would love to have but we cannot count on that. Nor can we count on landing Marshall. That would be foolish. I still think having Bryant and Marshall would be great. It would make Housh a luxury and help Butler reach his true potential in the slot. It would solidify our WR corps in one fell swoop, and allow us to concentrate on filling other gaping holes for the next five years or more in the upper rounds.

Plus, if we dont pick him, he will either go to the Browns or Niners. And that would make me sick. You wanna play Crabtree and Bryant twice a year?! Josh Wilson, tough as he is, would have no chance.

I would be very happy to land McCoy or Suh as well, and I like Eric Berry and Early Thomas a lot. So any of those guys look to be solid, star-player for the next decade picks. (I still cant believe Thomas is being spoken of as a top-10 pick--safties just dont go that high!)

Any combo of those guys would make me happy. But Im gonna be bummed if we pass on Bryant and take Spiller, Okung, or Claussen--though if Okung falls and we nab him I guess I will just hold my breath he isnt Jason Smith redux.

STTBM,

Why all the Okung hate? The guy is a legit top 5 prospect. He actually has played in a pro style blocking scheme unlike Jason Smith (never once played in the 3 tech posistion), and actuall proved something in college and is not being drafted just for his upside. Personally I think he will have a Joe Thomas like start to his career.

I believe I was the one who said Dez Bryant wasn't a once in a decade player on a different thread. I feel this way because its obvious Bryant is not a once in a decade player. No one would rank him in the Calvin or Andre Johnson category, he does not have that elite size/speed combo that those two have to be considered a one in a decade player. He has decent size, yes, but 6-2 is nothing to go crazy over. He also isn't very fast, running in the 4.5-4.6 range. He does have good hands but I don't see him having a good enough NFL career to justify drafting him at 6. Hes not my #1 choice at 14, but that is more in his range IMO and wouldn't be too upset if we drafted him there.

I'm still for waiting for next year because guys like AJ Green, Mike Floyd, and Julio Jones all are bigger, faster and stronger than Bryant. I think any of the 3 will make better pros than Bryant. I haven't heard any of them accused of being a diva either.

Omar--Hate is WAAY too strong a word. I dont even dislike Okung. As I said, I would be disappointed if we take Okung at 6: because I feel strongly that players including Dez Bryant, Gerald McCoy, Ndamakong Suh, Eric Berry, and perhaps even Earl Thomas and CJ Spiller, all would be better choices, for many reasons. A major reason is that quite a few Draft "experts" have pointed out his inconsistencies. Many have him falling almost as far as Oher last year (I doubt that--that mistake wont happen again). I do wonder if some of the chatter is from guys like Ruskell trying to cause a free fall so they can nab a player, but overall it seems Okung has too many questions to his game to warrant the sixth pick for us, especially since we can likely get a quality LT as good, or maybe even better at 14.

Of course, I also think Detroit will take him. So moot point.

But I could be wrong about many of my assumptions. You've probably watched a lot more tape on Okung than I have, and its quite possible your opinion of him may turn out to be right.

I will have to watch some tape of the WR underclassmen you mentioned. Jones is the only guy I have watched, and he was a stud from the get-go. I believe I saw him two years ago ripping it up, but I could be confused...I didnt watch all that much college football last year.

Bryant may not turn out to be a once a decade player, but I bet he's a perennial pro bowler. He's pretty fast onfield, and he's very big and strong. I think he's gonna be a beast, and I think he's right up there with the other guys that should be there at 6. Of course, I would love to nab him at 14 as well, but I dont see him falling past the Browns or 49'ers, as I said, and I dont want to see him lining up against us with Crabtree.

But hey, maybe we'll get this Calhoun kid and maybe he will beef up, he's got decent speed and is the same height.

I do agree with you on the fact I don't want to see Bryant paired up with Crabtree and Vernon Davis on that 9er squad. That would be pretty intimidating regardless of who they have under center.

I also agree that Bryant is a good player, and I'm sure he'll be to many pro bowls. I personally feel that 6 is too high however, not just for him but for almost any WR. Regardless of if we pick him or not, we can sure use his skill on this team. I've seen him compared to Chad Ochocinco on many sites, and we've seen what a 85/Housh combo did in Cincy. It could provide a real spark assuming we get some OL help in this draft.

Personally I would like Haden at 6 (possibly even over one of the DTs). He is projected to be a shut down guy in the mold of Asomugha or Revis, and that can do wonders for any defense. Since we don't have much behind Wilson and Trufant, this also supplies depth to our DBs. Imangine being able to put him on anyone and have that WR taken out of the game, that would allow us to blitz more often and more exotically without fear of getting beat deep. I also think his 40 time is being overblown, since he didn't run with good technique at the combine, its obvious that he plays faster than his combine 40 shows.

I still like Charles Brown at 14. Some may say its a bit high but he fills a very important need and I think he can be a good day 1 starter while still having some upside, especially in Gibbs' blocking system. He is bigger than guys like Matt Light or Jordan Gross, both elite pass protectors, and far more athletic. IMO he is the #2 LT in this draft.

I like Haden and Brown too. If the Browns dont take Haden at 7, he may fall to us at 14, which would be great--we could put Wilson back in the slot where he belongs (I like him, he hits hard, but he gets beaten too much and he just cant hang with the big WR's worth a damn).

Brown or Bulaga at 14 (if he falls) would also be fine with me.

I just keep harping on Bryant because I disagree with some of the logic folks use to ignore WR's, and him in particular. I dont think 6 is too high for a WR necesarily, especially when its a position of need. And WR is a huge need for us, as our only good WR's are Branch and Housh and they are 1)Old and 2) slow. Right now, our WR corps is barely passible and aging quickly. That needs to be rectified in a hurry.