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Top 5 Draft Prospects

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Orlando Pace

Position: Offensive tackle

School: Ohio State (junior)

Ht/Wt: 6-6-1/2, 335

By the numbers: Scouts clocked him between 4.95 and 4.99 seconds for 40 yards and he pressed 225 pounds 25 times during a workout.

The skinny: The best player in the draft. The Seahawks are not desperate for a tackle, but couldn’t pass on Pace if he was to slip to No. 3. That is unlikely.

The word: “He’s as good as I’ve seen in the 20 years I’ve been doing this. He’s a special entity. … Orlando can be a monster at this level. He can be as good as there is in our league.” - Phil Neri, Seahawks co-college scouting director.

Darrell Russell

Position: Defensive tackle

School: USC (junior)

Ht/Wt: 6-4-1/2, 322

By the numbers: Did 25 reps with 225 and had a 31-1/2-inch vertical jump. He was clocked between 4.78 and 4.85 seconds for 40 yards at a recent workout.

The skinny: Only 20, but Russell has the size (32-inch thighs, 22-inch calves) and strength (415-pound bench press) to be a disruptive force in the NFL. Like Pace, Russell does not fill a glaring need for Seahawks. Also like Pace, he would be tempting if still available at No. 3.

The word: “Darrell is a huge guy who can run and is very quick. He doesn’t look as big as he is. He runs faster than you would expect. And his quickness is in the same league as Cortez (Kennedy) and Sam (Adams).” - Tommy Brasher, Seahawks defensive line coach.

Shawn Springs

Position: Cornerback

School: Ohio State (junior)

Ht/Wt: 5-11-1/2, 197

By the numbers: Was clocked in 4.35 seconds in a workout at Ohio State. Also did 19 reps with 225 pounds and had a 40-inch vertical jump.

The skinny: In a perfect world, Springs will become a Seahawk Saturday. He fills the team’s biggest need, and more importantly is worthy of the pick. He should be there, unless the Jets do the unexpected.

The word: “In his career, he has worked against Joey Galloway, Terry Glenn and Chris Sanders. Shawn Springs has been covering guys at Ohio State that are going to be as good as anybody he sees in this league.” - Mike Allman, Seahawks co-college scouting director.

Peter Boulware

Position: Defensive end

School: Florida State (junior)

Ht/Wt: 6-4, 255

By the numbers: Ran 4.73 and had a 34-inch vertical jump at the combine. Improved his time in the 40 to between 4.51 and 4.56 during a workout.

The skinny: Seems to be several teams’ first option. If they don’t get (fill in the blank), it’s Boulware. Not a bad option. He has “marginal” size, but the Seahawks could use him to replace Michael McCrary.

The word: “This guy is gifted. He is special in his ability to come off the corner. Like Simeon Rice was special. You’re talking about a guy who belongs in that upper echelon of players who is going to be drafted in the early picks.” - Neri.

Bryant Westbrook

Position: Cornerback

School: Texas

Ht/Wt: 5-11-1/2, 200

By the numbers: Ran 40 yards in 4.42 seconds during a workout at Texas.

The skinny: Some teams rate him ahead of Springs. The Seahawks are not one of them. Westbrook is a shade slower than Springs but a bigger hitter. Returned from season-ending knee injury in 1994 to be an all-conference selection the past two years.

The word: “He has some of the qualities that Shawn (Springs) has. He’s a little rough in some areas, but I know Bryant from when we tried to recruit him in high school and he’s an extremely gifted young man.” - Willie Robinson, Seahawks defensive backs coach.