Seahawks search for versatility

With names like Alex Smith, Braylon Edwards, Ronnie Brown, Carnell Williams and Cedric Benson expected to be heard early in today’s NFL draft, the 70th annual selection of college players could be remembered for its wealth of skills players.

But beyond the high-profile quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers that have kept the draftniks abuzz all week, the first round of the 2005 NFL draft might be known for something else.

Versatility.

Many of this year’s prospects, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, are being projected at more than one position. Three projected first-round picks are linebacker/defensive ends. Georgia’s Thomas Davis was a college safety whom many teams project as an NFL linebacker. Miami cornerback Antrell Rolle played some safety in college. Florida’s Channing Crowder can play all three linebacker positions, and USC’s Shaun Cody is listed as a defensive end/tackle.

That’s just on the defensive side of the football. There’s also Arkansas quarterback Matt Jones, a possible late-first-round pick who is being considered as a tight end or wide receiver because of his size (6-foot-6, 242 pounds) and lightning speed (he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds).

The wealth of versatile players could play right into the hands of the Seattle Seahawks, who have shown a fondness for jack-of-all-trades types recently.

Seattle used its second-round pick in the 2004 draft on Michael Boulware, a college linebacker who was converted to strong safety. The Seahawks added linebacker Jamie Sharper, who can play inside or outside, in free agency. Even backup quarterback Seneca Wallace might see time as a receiver or return man next season.

In a league filled with specialists, the Seahawks don’t mind guys who can do more than one thing.

“There are a few players that fit that description,” Seattle team president Tim Ruskell said of the 2005 draft class.

So what will the Seahawks do with the No. 23 pick?

In a perfect world, they’d land a big, polished defensive end like Wisconsin’s Erasmus James or LSU’s Marcus Spears to develop in their system. Barring a trade up – and Seahawks officials have been working the phones this week to explore the possibility of making a move – those guys won’t be available.

But there are plenty of intriguing “slash” types, all of whom lack premier defensive-linemen size but have plenty of athleticism.

Georgia’s David Pollack and Troy State’s DeMarcus Ware both fit that description, and each are being mentioned as possible top-10 picks. But it’s just as likely Pollack or Ware could slide to No. 23. Maryland’s Shawne Merriman is another defensive end/linebacker who could go in the first round.

All three could fill a need in that they are big-time pass rushers. Only Merriman (8.5) had fewer than 10 sacks as a senior.

Pollack (6-2, 265) played defensive end in college but lacks the size of an every-down defensive linemen in the NFL. Ware (6-4, 251) and Merriman (6-4, 272) were linebackers who are seen to be perfect fits for a 3-4 defense. Seattle employs the 4-3 – four linemen and three linebackers – but could develop any of the three as a pass-rushing linebacker in the mold of recently departed Chad Brown.

Another possibility could be Oklahoma defensive end Dan Cody, who some scouts see as a pass-rushing linebacker unless he adds bulk to his 6-5, 265-pound frame.

Pollack could be intriguing because some scouts see him as a future middle linebacker in the mold of Tedy Bruschi. Seattle needs help at both end and middle linebacker.

Ware has the most potential to develop, while Merriman’s size makes him the most ready to play end at the NFL level.

Another option for the Seahawks could be Georgia’s Davis, who is trying to make the opposite switch that Boulware did last summer.

Davis is a 6-1, 230-pound safety that many teams project to bulk up into an NFL linebacker.

“I bet you’d get a 50-50 split if you talked to the league about would you play him at safety or would you play him at outside linebacker,” Ruskell said.

As the New England Patriots have proven, versatility can be important.

Two of New England’s starting linebackers were converted defensive linemen, they often used starting wide receiver Troy Brown at cornerback, and linebackers Mike Vrabel and Dan Klecko saw time at tight end.

Teams apparently took notice, as versatile collegiate prospects have been shooting up draft boards across the league.

The question for Seattle is whether there will be any left when the 23rd pick comes around.