Seattle Seahawks front office members made a number of trades, but ended up with a first-round pick, a second-round pick and three third-round picks.
John Schneider and friends certainly had a lot to work with, and they did well to add players who not only fill needs, but add significant talent and upside to an already young and exciting Seahawks team. Here’s a look at the team’s picks.
1st Round Pick, 31st Overall, OT Germain Ifedi
Initially assigned the 26th-overall pick, the Seattle Seahawks traded down five spots with the Denver Broncos. For moving down just five place, Pete Carroll and company netted an extra third-round draft pick.
When it came to picking at 31, Seattle took offensive lineman Germain Ifedi. The Texas A&M product is extremely physical up front and could potentially start right away. What’s more, Ifedi could stay a starter for a long time. He has significant potential thanks to tremendous length and strength.
He isn’t a finished product by any means, but the presence of offensive line coach Tom Cable, Seattle can take some more risks with offensive lineman. The team knows they can eventually be coached up. Ifedi has a pretty solid base to begin with, and should only improve under Cable’s tutelage.
2nd Round Pick, 49th Overall, DT Jarran Reed
Seattle used the team’s second round pick to snag the last player left in the green room, Alabama defensive tackle Jarran Reed.
Reed should also contribute right away after earning a reputation as a tremendous run stopper. That’s where he’ll earn a living with the Seahawks, stuffing the run. The fact that Seattle got a defensive tackle with first-round talent with the 49th-overall pick is fantastic for the team moving forward.
Defensive line was a need for the Hawks entering the draft, and adding Reed gives the team a potential impact player on the line.
3rd Round Pick, 90th Overall Pick, RB C.J. Prosise
New Seahawk C.J. Prosise played wide receiver at Notre Dame before transitioning to running back. Physical and elusive, he can also contribute in the pass game thanks to his background as a wide out.
In his only season as a starter in the backfield the former receiver ran for 1,029 yards on 6.6 yards per carry. He found the endzone 11 times while also adding 26 catches for 308 yards and another score through the air.
As a pass-catching compliment to Thomas Rawls, this is an excellent pick. You can bet the Seahawks will try to get him the ball in different ways, lining him up in different spots and things of the like.
3rd Round, 94th Overall Pick— TE Nick Vannett
Seattle had two third-round picks, the team’s own and the pick they got from Denver when the Broncos wanted to move up a few spots in the first round to take Paxton Lynch. The Seahawks used the pick from John Elway and company on athletic tight end Nick Vannett.
Athletic with solid hands, Vannett gives Seattle some legitimate depth at tight end. With Jimmy Graham and Luke Willson already in the fold, Vannett gives the team another quality tight end. At 6’6” with serious athleticism, the Ohio State product will contribute. Did I mention he’s a solid blocker? The Seahawks got a good one here.
3rd Round, 97th Overall Pick— Rees Odhiambo
The Hawks’ last third round pick came via a compensation selection. Seattle took another offensive lineman, this time selecting Boise State’s Rees Odhiambo. Originally from Kenya, the lineman will likely see time at both guard and tackle. Strong and athletic, if he can stay healthy, he could be a long-term solution for the Seahawks on the offensive line.
Carroll, Cable and the rest of the Seahawks’ coaching staff values guys who can play multiple positions up front, and that’s Odhiambo. At worst, he’ll be a solid depth piece. However, he could easily develop into a starter.
