Seahawks Draft: Seattle Settles on Josh Wilson

The Seattle Seahawks came into the 2007 NFL Draft with a few question marks and a number of depth issues to address.  Their selections mostly filled the backup needs that became readily apparent in the 2006 playoffs.

1. Deion Branch, WR (acquired from New England for Round 1 Pick)

The Branch trade turned out to be a great deal for the 'Hawks.  While losing a first round pick (which might have been used on Dwayne Jarrett), Seattle received a bust-proof receiver who's just getting comfortable in the Seahawks offense.  Once Branch and Matt Hasselbeck are healthy enough to get on the same page, they'll lead a potent passing attack.

Grade: A

2. Josh Wilson, DB, Maryland (Round 2, Pick 55)

With Wilson, Seahawks President Tim Ruskell struck gold in the character and work ethic department. 

After anchoring the Maryland secondary, Wilson received the James Tatum Award as the top student athlete in the ACC.  While many people call him undersized, naysayers would do well to look at Lofa Tatupu, who was supposedly too small to be an NFL middle linebacker and is now a Pro Bowler.  

This pick is somewhat of a awkward fit for the 'Hawks, who have three quality corners in Marcus Trufant, Kelly Herndon, and Kelly Jennings. Don't forget, though, that Jennings and Jordan Babineaux started in place of the injured Trufant and Herndon in last year's playoffs.  Seattle also had to pick up Pete Hunter for the postseason, who hadn't played in two years and was employed as a loan officer. 

Overall, this is a great pick that provides depth for the secondary—even if it wasn't what most fans might have expected.  The Seahawks still need a young tight end, and this would have been a logical place to pick one up.

Grade: B+

3. Brandon Mebane, DT, California (Round 3, Pick 85)

This pick was mostly necessitated by the health of Marcus Tubbs, Seattle's injury-prone defensive tackle.  Mebane is considered by many to be too small,but as with Wilson, the 'Hawks picked on heart and brains rather than size. 

Mebane's strong Senior Bowl performance raised his draft stock, and the 'Hawks got a bargain by nabbing him in the third round.  Still, DT wasn't Seattle's most pressing need, and Mebane will have Tubbs, Craig Terrill, Chuck Darby, and Rocky Bernard ahead of him on the depth chart.

Grade: B

4. Baraka Atkins, DE, Miami (Round 4, Pick 120)

Atkins is a smart player who can play both DE and DT.  Questions about his work ethic and the general character issues that often surround Miami players make him something of a strange pick for the 'Hawks, but he should provide depth on an already adept defensive line. 

At defensive end, the Seahawks have Bryce Fisher and offseason acquisition Patrick Kearney to go along with the emerging Darryl Tapp, plus a handful of backups who haven't seen much playing time.  By drafting Atkins, the 'Hawks showed just how much emphasis they're putting on defense heading into 2007.

Grade: C-

5. Mansfield Wrotto, OG, Georgia Teach (Round 4, Pick 124-from 49ers)

A great pick for the Seahawks. Wrotto switched from the defensive line to offensive tackle before his senior year—and will move to guard in Seattle, where he'll benefit from the tutelage of Chris Gray and Sean Locklear.   

Wrotto should bolster a once-strong O-line that has become a question mark due to injuries and free agency. Even given his inexperience, Wrotto's size could make him a fixture in Seattle for years to come. 

The bad news: The 'Hawks got this pick by trading Darrell Jackson, their best receiver, to division rival San Francisco.  While cap considerations and wideout depth made Jackson expendable, the decision to ship him to the ascendant 49ers was a bad one.

Grade of Pick by itself: A

Grade of Pick considering the loss of Jackson: C

6. Will Herring, OLB, Auburn (Round 5, Pick 161)

Another Tim Ruskell score in terms of work ethic.  Some people have suggested that Herring should switch to safety—and he won't be starting as a linebacker in Seattle so long as Leroy Hill and Julian Peterson are still around. That said, he'll probably be used as a backup linebacker and special teams player.  This pick was something of throwaway, except to the extent that it gives the 'Hawks depth at LB.

Grade: C

7. Courtney Taylor, WR, Auburn (Round 6, Pick 197)

The Seahawks used this pick and their next one to help fill the void left by Jackson's departure. Taylor played with 'Hawks receiver Ben Obomanu in college, and will compete with him and fellow draftee Jordan Kent for the final roster spot behind Seattle's top four receivers. 

Taylor's physical skills will give him a chance to compete on the NFL level, though he probably doesn't have as much upside as Kent.  He was rated by many experts as a middle-round talent—and was a good late pickup for the 'Hawks, even if they had more pressing needs.

Grade: C

8. Jordan Kent, WR, Oregon (Round 6, Pick 210)

Kent is a prospect for the 'Hawks to toy around with.  He has tremendous upside, and only turned to football a few years ago after playing basketball and running track at UO. 

The Seahawks' depth at WR means they can afford to take a chance on Kent.  He has the body of a Randy Moss or Keyshawn Johnson, and could develop into a tremendous player if he's brought along in the right environment. The Taylor-Kent combination gives Seattle both immediate and future help at the wideout position.

Grade: A+

9. Steve Vallos, C, Wake Forest (Round 7, Pick 232)

Another hardworking player who has been called too unathletic to start in the NFL.  Doesn't really fill a pressing need for the 'Hawks, but provides good depth on the offensive line.  Vallos probably won't get a shot to play much with young Rob Sims already a backup at guard, but he could see time in the event of injuries or trades.  A smart player who would benefit from a touch more physical skill.

Grade: D

Overall Evaluation

The Seahawks had a solid draft that didn't leave many holes unfilled.  They didn't get a tight end, but they can make do with the aging Marcus Pollard for another year while they search for the answer.  Tim Ruskell has succeeded in the past by drafting smart players who work hard—see Lofa Tatupu as evidence.  Expect a few of these players to get on the field in 2007 as Seattle's skill players work to get healthy after last year's injuries.

Overall Draft Grade: B+ 

...and the grade would be higher if the 'Hawks hadn't shipped a stud receiver to a division rival for nothing more than a fourth-round pick.