Seattle Seahawks Draft Rumors: Xavier Su’a-Filo
By Todd Pheifer
Feb 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive lineman Xavier Su’A-Filo.
The Seattle Seahawks have the 32nd pick in the first round, which means that most of the notable names will likely be gone unless someone really falls through the cracks. This won’t worry the faithful fans because they know how much success the Seahawks have experienced in the later rounds of the NFL draft over the last few seasons.
This brings us to the many mock drafts, which tend to have a wide variety of opinions on which players might be selected. Based on perceived needs, there are some mock draft lists that have the Seahawks picking an offensive lineman like Xavier Su’A-Filo.
Let’s face it. Selecting offensive linemen in the NFL draft can be a little dull. Absolutely necessarily, but not exactly an exciting pick. With the departure of Breno Giacomini and Paul McQuistan, the Seahawks could turn to young backups like Alvin Bailey and Michael Bowie. Or, they could pick someone like Su’A-Filo.
Depth at offensive line can be a big part of NFL success, particularly for a team like the Seahawks that will undoubtedly want to keep running the ball with Marshawn Lynch. This makes Su’a-Filo a possible fit.
Su’A-Filo was 6’4″ and 307 pounds at the combine. He is not graded as a dynamic offensive linemen, but he is regarded as a solid run blocker that could do well as an NFL guard. This is where the Seahawks need to decide on whether they make the more “conventional” pick to meet a particular need, or if they go for the so-called “best athlete available.”
The selection of Su’A-Filo makes a reasonable amount of sense for the Seahawks, but that doesn’t mean much when it comes to the reality of the draft. Stay tuned to the rumors, because one or more of them could be right. Then again, we are talking about Pete Carroll and John Schneider.