While many colleges are cancelling their upcoming Pro Day events in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the Oregon Ducks went ahead and held theirs without a hitch.
While standout quarterback Justin Herbert was the main story, this team has tons of other draftable players, many who could appeal to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks have been known to mine talent from Eugene in the past – including nickel corner Ugo Amadi and former Legion of Boom backup corner Walter Thurmond – and while there are not any defensive backs for Pete Carroll and company to scout from the Ducks, here are four players, including three offensive linemen, the Seahawks could pursue in the NFL draft from the University of Oregon.
Guard Shane Lemieux
Lemieux is an absolute mammoth on the interior. A huge, broad-shouldered, blue-collar blocker who mauls opponents at the point of attack, Lemieux has everything you’d look for in a run-blocking left guard.
However, he doesn’t have a ton of length and he is prone to losing his base in pass protection, which makes him susceptible to bulrushes and attacks from quicker defensive tackles.
Lemieux profiles as an ideal fit for a Mike Solari guard prospect, and could come in and immediately compete with Phil Haynes and Jamarco Jones for the starting guard spot vacated by Mike Iupati, if he is not retained.
Lemieux will likely cost a middle round pick, but as long as this team is a run-first offense, he should be a successful NFL starter or very high quality backup.
Center Jake Hanson
Hanson was a four-year starter at center for the Ducks, drawing tons of praise for his high football-IQ and natural leadership abilities, as well as his quickness, balance and overall mobility.
However, he doesn’t have the requisite power to be an elite force in the middle, and often struggles in one-on-one blocking assignments, which would make him a liability against odd defensive fronts.
Hanson reminds me a little of Joey Hunt, although he is considerably bigger in overall size. Still, his IQ and mobility only get him so far, and if he cannot overpower opposing defenders he will be a liability at times.
Hanson represents a solid late-round flyer, a la Hunt, and could serve as a capable backup center and spot starter if needed. With Justin Britt a potential cap casualty and Hunt a restricted free agent, the Seahawks could look to add a backup center prospect and roll with Ethan Pocic as the starter.
If they do that, Hanson would be a perfectly fine fifth or sixth round pick.
Tackle Calvin Throckmorton
Throckmorton is one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the country. He has started at every offensive line position except left tackle, and his football IQ is off the charts.
Primarily a right tackle, there is concern that he does not have the length to play there in the NFL, and he could end up being a guard in the pros.
However, his balance and upper body strength would make him a promising prospect at either guard position, and that versatility would make him an ideal backup lineman – as he would be capable of filling in anywhere.
The Seahawks have always coveted versatility along the offensive line, and with a lot of changes potentially coming up front if would be nice to have a player like Throckmorton who they can interchange around the line as needed.
He has some work to do to be a quality NFL starter, and his lack of length may limit his ceiling, but he would be a quality depth option in the later rounds.
Wide Receiver Juwan Johnson
Johnson certainly has the size the Seahawks crave in their wide receivers, standing six-foot-four and 230 pounds with a 81 5/8 inch wingspan. His 4.56 in the 40-yard dash was 32nd among 45 receivers at the NFL combine, but would have been second among tight ends – which is where most scouts believe he’ll end up.
“He’s a tight end he just doesn’t know it yet,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said during Johnson’s run at the Combine. “Still a good time though with that size.”
The Seahawks don’t really need more depth at tight end after signing Greg Olsen and showing interest in another free agent, Jordan Reed. However, Johnson could be viewed as a tight end for the future, since it would take him at least a year to adjust to a new position.
I could see the Seahawks drafting him late and stashing him on the practice squad, giving him a whole year to learn a new position before unleashing him in 2021 after Olsen (and Reed, if they sign him) are likely out of the picture.
It’s admittedly not a perfect fit, but six-foot-four guys who run under a 4.6 are rare commodities, and coach Carroll has been known to bite for players with this profile in the past.
