Seahawks second 4th round selection (114)
Name: Jaye Howard
Position: DT
College: Florida
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 301
40 yard dash: 4.85
Pick 114 was aquired with the day one trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. So far they have turned that trade into Bruce Irvin and Jaye Howard and they still have 6th round pick (172) out of the trade.
This selection shows the Seahawks have a continued effort to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks this off-season.
First they signed defensive tackle Jason Jones who is a pass rush stud in the middle, then they drafted LEO Bruce Irvin in the first round, perhaps the best pass rusher in the draft.
Now they have selected defensive tackle Jaye Howard out of Florida with the 114th pick.
Jaye is relentless in his pursuit of the quarterbacks. He is very raw at this point but he uses his motor to keep fighting through double teams to get after the quarterback.
He is going to need to be coached up and learn some technique to be successful at the NFL level but it wouldn’t be the first time the Seahawks turned potential into production.
A nice diamond in the rough type pick by the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
In the running game he has the ability to get down the line to get to the running back.
He is usually double teamed and does struggle to hold his ground at times. I would say he is mediocre against the run at this point.
Jaye Howard is a strong man and a solid tackler, once he gets his hands on you it is over.
You’re going down!
Best case scenerio Jaye can get some playing time in obvious passing down. If he can develop enough between now and the season to fill that role the line will be amazing.
Just think, a line of Chris Clemons, Jaye Howard, Jason Jones and Bruce Irvin and how scary that is going to be for opposing quarterbacks.
They could lead the league in sacks and pressures.
The Seahawks secondary should be very excited as well. More pressure equals more interception for Richard Sherman, Roy Lewis, Marcus Trufant, Kam Chancellor, Brandon Browner and Earl Thomas.
Worst case scenario Howard is just too raw and they place him on the practice squad to develop.
I would expect him to be moved to the active roster at some point if this happened.
This is a nice diamond in the rough type pick by the Seahawks.
It is low risk but could be huge reward type pick, especially if Jason Jones moves on after next season.
Expert Analysis
PER ESPN.com
Pete Carroll puts a premium on press-rush pressure without a lot of blitzes, but they only had 33 sacks a year ago. They are solid on the edge and they have worked in free agency to upgrade the interior and Howard will add depth as a one-gap penetrator. He might fit best in passing downs. He’s a bit of a feast-or-famine guy.
The Seahawks still hold 4 picks today
Fifth: 19th, 154th
Sixth: 2nd, 172nd
Sixth: 12th, No 181st
Seventh: 18th, 225th
Seventh: 25th, 232nd
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