The NFL draft is over and it suddenly seems like a long time to wait for the next meaningful event on the NFL calendar. But frankly we’re still excited trying to break down what it all means for each team and so we’re going to share some of that excitement.
Every team is going to have each pick broken down as well as a look at their undrafted free agents. The Seattle Seahawks didn’t have a first round pick after the Jimmy Graham trade, but let’s take a look at what they did lower down.
Round 2: Frank Clark, ED, Michigan
Grade A
Leaving aside the domestic violence situation (and the exhaustive, or otherwise, investigation into it that the Seahawks carried out), there is no doubting that Clark is a great player on the field. Before being dismissed from the team, Clark had posted a impressive grade against both run and pass, and was one of the highest-graded edge defenders in the nation, despite having ‘only’ five sacks. In addition to those sacks he notched five hits and 25 hurries for 35 total pressures on just 421 snaps. His run defense grade was every bit as good, letting him tally 28 defensive stops.
Depth Chart Fit: Michael Bennett proved to the Seahawks that they don’t need a 330-pound Red Bryant manning one side of that line, and Clark has the ability to cover both Bennett and Avril’s role in the defense. Won’t start on either side immediately, but could contribute in the rotation.
Round 3: Tyler Lockett, WR/KR, Kansas State
Grade A+
They may have given up quite a lot to make the move, but I love the Seahawks going after Tyler Lockett. He is just 5-foot-10 and around 180 pounds, but that size doesn’t prevent him from doing anything on the field. Was the only receiver in this draft class to earn a grade comparable to Amari Cooper over the season, and only two receivers caught a higher percentage of deep passes (20+ air yards) sent their way than the 53.3% aimed at Lockett. Scored two touchdowns and was the second-graded punt returner in the FBS as well.
Depth Chart Fit: Seattle is talking up his ability as a return man, and he is a fine gunner too, but don’t sleep on his ability to claim a spot in a weak receiving corps. Lockett could be starting before long.
Round 4: Terry Poole, OT, San Diego State
A powerful run blocker, Poole struggled more in pass protection, surrendering three sacks and four hits in addition to nine hurries over the season. Those numbers aren’t huge, but the strength of his average opponent was far weaker than many of the top offensive tackle prospects in this draft. As an offensive tackle his weakness would definitely look to be dealing with the edge rush, but he should be able to run block at the next level without too many problems.
Depth Chart Fit: Slots in behind LT Russell Okung as primary backup on the left side. Team will be hoping they don’t need to start him early.
Round 4: Mark Glowinski, OG, West Virginia
Despite playing 1,124 snaps in West Virginia’s pass-heavy offense, Glowinski graded around average – for the FBS – which is hardly a ringing endorsement. His run blocking grade was actually below average, and he allowed 20 total pressures, as an interior player. Ranked 16th in the class among guards in Pass Blocking Efficiency, measuring the pressure he surrendered on a per-snap basis.
Depth Chart Fit: Will fit in as a backup guard, but the Seahawks interior is still very much in flux, just waiting for a player to step up and earn a spot. He will likely get a chance to do so, but not sure Glowinski has the ability to take it.
Round 5: Tye Smith, CB, Towson
Played one game against FBS opposition in 2014, 83 snaps against West Virginia. Graded positively in the game, limiting Kevin White to five receptions for 48 yards.
Depth Chart Fit: Seattle may not be quite as strong as a year ago in their defensive backfield, but Smith still has a way to climb to earn playing time.
Round 6: Obum Gwacham, ED, Oregon State
Gwacham played a hair under 500 snaps for the Beavers this season (498), notching five sacks, two hits and 19 hurries – an average rate of pressure given the number of snaps he rushed the passer. He earned a negative run defense grade, and could only tally 13 defensive stops all year.
Depth Chart Fit: Seattle has quality on the roster on the edge, and Gwacham will have time to develop to see if the Seahawks can coach him closer to his potential.
Round 6: Kristjan Sokoli, DI/OG, Buffalo
A renowned SPARQ stud, Sokoli’s production at the University of Buffalo was, at best, rank average. The schedule Buffalo faced was not exactly the NFC West either. He didn’t tally a single sack or hit on the quarterback, and notched only 12 hurries all year. About the best thing he managed was five batted passes on the season.
Depth Chart Fit: Luckily for Sokoli, and Seattle, they plan to convert him to a guard at the next level. He has size and athleticism, but his potential there is a clear unknown.
Round 7: Ryan Murphy, S, Oregon State
Another player whose athleticism is greater than his play, Murphy was the 53rd best-graded safety in this draft class. He allowed three touchdowns and a 99.6 passer rating on throws into his coverage, as well as missing 12 tackles on the season.
Depth Chart Fit: Murphy will be low man on the totem pole at safety for the Seahawks, fighting just to make the roster.
The Undrafted:
Quayshawn Nealy, LB, Georgia Tech: Tied for the eighth-best Pass Rush Productivity (17.5) among eligible ILBs.
Thomas Rawls, RB, Central Michigan: Finished with the eighth-highest overall grade in this HB class. Forced 39 missed tackles and averaged 2.98 YAC.
Nate Boyer, LS, Texas: Redressing some of the PR lost with the Frank Clark selection, the Seahawks signed NFL Network’s pet project, long snapper Nate Boyer from Texas. The 34-year old earned a marginally negative grade.
Keenan Lambert, S, Norfolk State: In his only game against an FBS team (Buffalo), he finished with a positive overall grade, playing 93.% of the snaps.
Ronald Martin, S, LSU: With 0.75 Yards/Coverage Snaps allowed, Martin tied for third-best among eligible SEC safeties.
Tory Slater, DI, West Georgia: Did not play aginst FBS opposition in 2014.
Triston Wade, S, UTSA: Seven passes defensed and four interceptions were most for eligible C-USA safeties
Alex Singleton, LB, Montana State: Played just one game against FBS opposition. Had five stops on his way to a 13.9 Run Stop Percentage.
Trovon Reed, CB, Auburn: Trovon Reed had the lowest catch rate allowed (34.6%) among eligible SEC CBs.
Jesse Davis, OT, Idaho: Allowed 23 total pressures on 397 pass blocking snaps
Austin Hill, WR, Arizona: QBs had a 80.4 WR Rating when throwing at Hill in 2014
Rod Smith, RB, Ohio State: Only played 18.0% of offensive snaps. being down on the depth chart at Ohio State.
Follow Sam on Twitter: @PFF_Sam
© 2024 PFF - all rights reserved.