5 Things We Learned From The Seahawks 2024 Pre-Draft Press Conference
5 Things We studied From The Seahawks 2024 Pre-Draft Press Conference
Updates and highlights from the press briefing on Thursday featuring assistant GM Nolan Teasley, VP of player personnel Trent Kircher, senior director of player personnel Matt Berry, and director of college scouting Aaron Hineline.
The Seattle Seahawks underwent a significant transformation this offseason by appointing Mike Macdonald as the new head coach, succeeding Pete Carroll after his successful 14-year tenure. Despite the extensive changes in the coaching staff, the core of the player personnel department, led by general manager and president of football operations John Schneider, remains largely intact. This group includes key members who have been with the organization since before Schneider and Carroll joined in 2010.
While the Seahawks are experiencing a wave of new faces this offseason, the experienced leadership of Schneider and other long-standing talent evaluators will spearhead the team’s efforts in the upcoming draft. A week before the 2024 NFL Draft commences in Detroit, four pivotal figures from the player personnel department engaged in a pre-draft press conference. Here are five insights gleaned from assistant general manager Nolan Teasley, vice president of player personnel Trent Kircher, senior director of player personnel Matt Berry, and director of college scouting Aaron Hineline during Thursday’s media briefing.
- Maintaining consistency provides a significant edge in preparing for the draft with a fresh coaching team. Schneider’s 15th draft as general manager, coupled with the extended tenure of key personnel department members like Berry, Hineline, and Kirchner, contributes significantly to the draft preparation process. Their collective experience, spanning over a decade, enables the personnel department to effectively onboard the new coaching staff for the draft. Berry emphasized the strong camaraderie and understanding among the group, which facilitates clear communication regarding player attributes, talent, and scheme fit. This consensus is crucial for achieving alignment between the personnel department and the coaching staff as the draft approaches.
- Although each coaching staff may have unique preferences, the Seahawks’ draft criteria are not expected to undergo significant alterations. Teasley highlighted the novelty of this draft being the first one with Coach Mike Macdonald and his team. He praised their seamless integration since their arrival, emphasizing their collaborative approach. The recent successful free agency period further solidified their teamwork, setting a positive tone for a more collaborative effort as they navigate the draft process together. The Seahawks’ draft approach will not undergo drastic changes despite the new coaching staff, as the team continues to prioritize the same key traits in players. Teasley mentioned that the process remains consistent, with the addition of the president of football operations title for Schneider not significantly altering the collaborative nature of the decision-making process. The new coaching staff, led by Mike Macdonald, has emphasized versatility, which is already evident in the current roster. Players like Leo Williams, Dre’Mont Jones, Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Coby Bryant showcase the team’s versatility, which the coaching staff aims to leverage effectively.
-
The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on college football remains a factor in shaping draft classes, affecting the evaluation process for teams.The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in rule changes like extended eligibility, still impacts draft classes, with more players staying in college for an additional year.Hineline noted that while there are more players to evaluate, the transfer portal poses a more significant challenge due to players transferring between institutions and working with new coaches. He expects the numbers to return to normal after this year or the next.Berry added, “In recent years, we’ve observed fewer players in the draft class due to students opting to return to school using the COVID year. This has impacted the depth of the draft pool and altered the undrafted free agent class. I believe we will see this trend for one more year before returning to standard numbers, as Aaron mentioned.Despite these changes, there are always players available. The key lies in identifying individuals who not only fit the role but also align with the team’s culture, as those players typically thrive when both aspects are considered.4. Analytics is playing a growing role in the draft evaluation process.As previously mentioned, many individuals involved in the Seahawks’ draft process have extensive experience, yet they continuously evolve each year. One aspect of this evolution is the increasing utilization of analytics, with Director of Research and Analytics Patrick Ward and Senior Football Research Analyst Becca Erenbaum contributing to draft discussions.Kirchner highlighted the progressive integration of analytics, noting Ward and Erenbaum’s active participation in draft meetings. He explained that the incorporation of analytics has been a significant development in the process, with a focus on new types of data such as GPS data from colleges and insights from sources like PFF. This data provides valuable information on metrics like yards after catch, enhancing the team’s decision-making process.5.The impact of offseason acquisitions on draft decisions varies for each team.The Seattle Seahawks were active in free agency this offseason, addressing roster needs and making strategic moves like trading for quarterback Sam Howell after losing Drew Lock. The primary objective of these moves, both this year and in previous seasons, is to enhance the roster and avoid feeling pressured to draft a specific position. However, these acquisitions do not limit the Seahawks from considering any position, including quarterback.Teasley emphasized that the goal of free agency is to supplement the roster rather than build it entirely.The acquisition of Sam Howell was part of this strategy to strengthen the team and provide flexibility in the draft, allowing the Seahawks to explore various options without feeling constrained. Teasley expressed satisfaction with the team’s moves and the opportunities they have created for the upcoming draft and beyond.Another notable addition to the Seahawks is veteran left guard Laken Tomlinson, who fills a position of need.Tomlinson, a 2021 Pro Bowler, has been a consistent performer, starting every game since Week 2 of the 2017 season and demonstrating exceptional durability and reliability on the field. Teasley praised Tomlinson’s track record of availability and performance, highlighting his valuable contributions to previous successful offensive lines in San Francisco and expressing optimism about his impact as a Seahawk.Teasley highlighted the additions of linebackers Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker, addressing a position of need for the Seahawks. He praised their athletic abilities and experience as green dot players, responsible for communicating on the field.Dodson, in particular, has demonstrated strong communication skills, athleticism, and coverage awareness under Coach Leslie Frazier in Buffalo. Additionally, Dodson has shown value in special teams, further strengthening the position group. Teasley expressed satisfaction with the linebacker group and mentioned some young depth players they are excited about, indicating a positive outlook for the team’s future at this position.
