SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Round 1 (No. 9 overall, from Broncos) – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State: Coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider hope trading QB Russell Wilson starts paying off here. It seems like Carroll wants to get back to running the ball and playing suffocating defense.
Round 2 (40, from Broncos) – Boye Mafe, LB, Minnesota: He had seven sacks in 2021, and his quick first step was partially quantified by the 6-4, 261pounder’s 4.53 40 clocking at the combine. He should be a good fit on the edge for a defense converting to a 3-4 front.
Round 2 (41) – Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State: Walker (5-9, 211) joins a trio that includes Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny but could quickly establish himself as the lead dog given his 4.38 speed can be a game changer.
Round 3 (72) – Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State: Looks like Seattle has new bookend tackles after picking Cross. Lucas will be on the right side.
Round 4 (109, from Jets) – Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
Round 5 (153) – Tariq Woolen, CB, Texas-San Antonio
Round 5 (158, from Dolphins through Patriots and Chiefs) – Tyreke Smith, DE, Ohio State
Round 7 (229) – Bo Melton, WR, Rutgers
Round 7 (233, from Dolphins through Chiefs) – Dareke Young, WR, LenoirRhyne
Grade: C
The Wilson trade and release of LB Bobby Wagner signaled a new era. Carroll and Schneider invested in young tackles (Cross, Lucas) plus potential building blocks for the next iteration of the Legion of Boom in a promising pass rusher (Mafe) and underrated CB (Bryant). Second-round RB Kenneth Walker III could eventually define this ground attack. But it’s really tough to grade this haul given the loss of Wilson is attached to it, and it will be another year before the Seahawks use the other first- and second-rounder obtained in the package for him. Then there’s the 2020 trade for Jamal Adams, one that cost two first-round picks (including this year’s) and his massive extension.