Last year, the Seattle Seahawks drafted flash. Exciting players such as Devon Witherspoon, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Zach Charbonnet headlined Seattle’s top picks. Well, if last year was sizzle, then the 2024 NFL draft for the Seahawks was far more steak. Nothing against those players, they are excellent and are key contributors on Seattle’s roster.
But this draft was about rebuilding their trenches and depth. John Schneider and new head coach Mike Macdonald are building something new in the Emerald City, and it starts up front in the trenches. They have a vision for a more physical Seahawks team, and went after players in that mold.
Without further ado, let us grade each of Seattle’s draft picks from this weekend.
Pick No. 16: Texas DT Byron Murphy II: A-
Given the lack of a second round pick, many felt the Seattle Seahawks would trade back from No. 16 overall. Nope. Seattle stayed put and addressed their most glaring issue. The Seahawks are in dire need of interior defensive line help, and they found it by drafting the best defensive tackle available: Texas’ Byron Murphy II.
It’s hard to not get too excited about this pick. When it comes to the draft, there is the age old debate whether you draft the best player available or you draft for need. With Murphy, he’s both. Two birds, one stone.
The only reasons this grade sits at an A- is because the Seahawks did have strong trade offers to move down. One cannot help but wonder what those might have looked like. It is only natural to ponder the road not taken. But in the end, the path Seattle chose is one that involves a fantastic defensive line prospect, so we should all feel comfortable traveling down this road.
Pick No. 81: UConn G Christian Haynes: A+
The Seattle Seahawks were bullied up front on both sides of the ball last year. Actually, they have been for a few years now. Drafting interior defensive line help wasn’t their only major need, as they had similar issues on their interior offensive line.
So what did they decide to do? The Seahawks needed a guard, so they drafted a starting caliber guard, and did not have to move up to grab him. Sometimes, things work out nicely in the draft. This is a good pick.
Back in March, John Schneider mentioned he thinks guards are overdrafted and overpaid. Schneider may have been on to something, as he was able to snag the 56th ranked player in the draft at No. 81 overall.
Pick No. 118 – UTEP LB Tyrice Knight: B
After going with clear cut starters in Byron Murphy II and Christian Haynes, the Seattle Seahawks used their third pick of the draft to build depth. After the mass exodus of linebackers from the 2023 team, Seattle is now featuring a new corps with Jerome Baker and Tyrell Dodson.
Behind them will now be linebacker Tyrice Knight from the University of Texas at El Paso. As a pick initially to be a backup, the selection gets a B for now. But with Baker and Dodson on one year deals, he could find himself starting next year. According to his scouting profile, Knight possesses strong football IQ, which is likely a major reason why Macdonald wanted him in his defense.
Pick No. 121 – Michigan TE AJ Barner: A
There are few moves less sexy than drafting a run blocking tight end, but it is a crucial one – especially for the Seattle Seahawks, who saw Colby Parkinson and Will Dissly depart in free agency. Seattle needed depth behind Noah Fant, and they needed a guy who could lay down some blocks in the run game.
Enter: AJ Barner. Head coach Mike Macdonald clearly leaned on his former Michigan connections and selected a Wolverine who was on the team when he coached there. But Barner might not just be a blocking tight end, as Adam Schefter reported there are those who believe he has untapped potential as a receiving threat and might make more of an impact at the professional level.
Pick No. 136 - Auburn CB Nehemiah Pritchett: B+
The Seahawks drafted a long limbed, speedy cornerback in the late rounds of the draft. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before! Folks may not consider cornerback an area of dire need for Seattle, especially since they already have Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen. But Nehemiah Pritchett is a versatile and explosive player.
There should be an interesting battle between him and Tre Brown for a starting position during training camp. Even if Pritchett is not able to land a starting role, this is a quality depth addition, giving Macdonald a unique chess piece in his defense.
Pick No. 179 - Utah OT Sataoa Laumea: A
Last year was an absolute bloodbath for the Seahawks along the offensive line. Injuries in Week 1 to starting tackles Abe Lucas and Charles Cross put Seattle behind the proverbial eight ball from the start. The Seahawks managed a few weeks with a patchwork offensive line, but it predictably crumbled down the stretch. It got so bad they were forced to start 41 year old Jason Peters for two games.
By picking Sataoa Laumea, the Seahawks are doing their best to ensure they are not faced with a similar scenario in 2024. A four year starter for one of the nation’s most underrated college programs, Laumea gives Seattle proper depth behind Lucas and Cross.
Again, this draft may not be flashy, but these are quality foundational building blocks for the new Macdonald regime to work with.
Pick No. 192 - Auburn CB DJ James: B-
Auburn must have been doing a “draft one, get one free” promotion for their cornerbacks. Fifty-six spots after drafting Nehemiah Pritchett, the Seahawks selected his teammate DJ James. Another speedy corner for Macdonald’s secondary, James was considered one of the better corners in the SEC last year. USA TODAY even mentioned how analysts believed he would be gone by round four, giving Seattle excellent value.
While value may be great, the Seahawks already drafted a corner as I mentioned last paragraph. What Seattle really needed was to draft a safety. This is where I start to fall on the “draft for need” side of the argument. Going to the store and returning with a quality vacuum cleaner on discount is also great value, but it’s harder to sell that to your significant other if they needed you to grab milk, eggs and cheese.
However, James should still provide more depth in the secondary.
Pick No. 207 - Findlay OT Michael Jerrell: C-
Once again, this feels like the Seattle Seahawks are doing their best to avoid starting an offensive lineman north of 40. In many cases, drafting in the last two rounds feels like grabbing players before they hit undrafted free agency and avoiding bidding wars. This feels like the situation the Seahawks are in with Michael Jerrell.
Jerrell’s own scouting profile mentions he is nowhere near NFL ready. even selecting him in the sixth round feels a bit of a reach for someone scouts didn’t think would be drafted. Still, his athleticism might be worth taking a flier on to see what offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and offensive line coach Scott Huff can develop.
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