SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick #37

Apr 10, 2009, 4:00 PM UTC

No. 37

SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS
Pick by Field Gulls

Eben Britton
Offensive tackle
Arizona

John Morgan of Field Gulls went with Matt Stafford in the first round. Now he’s making more moves for Seattle’s offense.

Eben Britton is the rare human being that is both tall and wide, and, and athletic, and though he’s step a below Eugene Monroe and Jason Smith in overall value, and a step below Andre Smith and Michael Oher in potential, he sits at a nice middle ground where there’s good value, good potential and little risk. Britton has a broad base of skills, less risk because of character and injury concerns, and should he not meet his potential and simply become an above average right tackle, little is lost. Seattle has three starting caliber tackles on its roster. After undergoing microfracture knee surgery, Walter Jones’ career may be over; it may be effectively over; or it may just be nearly over. Sean Locklear has the footwork and kick slide to play left tackle, or so it seems. Seattle should at least let him prove he can’t, because Locklear at left, even if he’s just average, is excellent value. Ray Willis is Seattle’s newest utility lineman, joining the venerable ranks of Floyd "Trichinosis" Womack and Tom Sm-Ashworth. Willis is a lot like Britton, in that they are both tall men with large belt sizes. Scouts ensure me Britton is more of a technician, while Willis is more of a scrambler than pocket passer. Should Locklear take over at left, Willis is the right tackle in waiting. That might not be good. In limited snaps, Willis looked like a very able run blocker that could handle the pass rush, except for the really fast pass rush. That was hard.

Britton frees Willis to sub or convert full-time to right guard. The two would make a massive and surprisingly agile right side for an offense that’s implementing some sort of zone-blocking scheme. Britton is also left tackle insurance should Locklear be injured or ineffective. The upside for Britton is not, to my eyes, Joe Thomas like I’ve occasionally read, but Michael Roos. Both are monster offensive tackles that with good strength and technique, but only good athleticism. Britton has a 52-inch chest, roughly Chase Daniels’ wingspan, and good size and muscle development through his core and legs. He’s a good student and fits Seattle’s Sunday School criteria for roster construction. Britton would throw his jacket across a puddle for a little old lady rather than, say, blow his leg off searching through his pants’ pocket for his snooter. A guy like Britton needs only a couple skills to develop to become very good, and the non-injury downside is stomach-able. Seattle needs line talent, so there’s an outside need here, but mostly, I just think Britton is a first round talent that’s fallen too far. And whether Seattle can find a place for him to play right off, or Seattle figures that out over the next couple of years, this is when drafting best available talent is the one right rule to building a contender.

MTD thoughts: Although I have no clue what a snooter is, I really like this pick as long as Britton isn't being expected to replace Walter Jones. He's more of a right tackle, a position he played for two seasons.