The Seattle Seahawks had an eventful weekend, making nine selections in this year’s NFL Draft. While it’s been less than 24 hours since the final pick, the experts are already coming out with their grades.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper gives the Seahawks draft class a C+.
“No need to bury the lede here: I’ve done this nearly 40 years, and 35 years with ESPN,” Kiper writes. “The drafting of Shaquem Griffin (pick 141) was one of the most memorable moments I can remember, and we got to experience it with him and his family. That was pretty special. But what you came for: He was also a steal!
“I thought Griffin could come off the board in Round 3. He accurately pointed out that Seattle can be creative on defense and find a good role for him. I agree.”
While Kiper is on board with Seattle’s selection of Griffin in the fifth round, he has some question marks surrounding the remainder of the draft class, including the Seahawks’ first pick.
“I like Rashaad Penny (27), but even after adding value by trading down, I saw him as a reach,” Kiper notes. “I had Sony Michel rated higher, and I would have looked for running back help later.”
Here’s what Kiper had to say about the later-round selections.
Cliff Avril is coming off an injury-plagued season and will be 32 years old. Green can really help and is a young guy with upside. Will Dissly (140) is depth at tight end, and he’s the best blocking tight end in this draft. Michael Dickson (149) is a potential Pro Bowl punter, and Jamarco Jones (168) has experience and upside on the offensive line, though I could practically hear the Seattle fans in Dallas wondering why the Seahawks waited so long to address the O-line. They have a point.
In all, Kiper gave Seattle a slightly-above-average grade by adding the plus to the “C.” Lacking a second-round selection and waiting until the final day to pull the trigger on some offensive line help, clearly hurt the Seahawks’ score.
“Not a bad draft overall, I just wonder if they could do more with the first-round pick, and the loss of that second-rounder hurt.”
