Bruce Irvin to Seattle Seahawks: Grading the NFL Draft's 15th Overall Selection

The Seattle Seahawks received a fourth and a sixth-round pick to move back three places in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, as reported by NFL.com. The Seahawks used the 15th pick to select West Virginia pass-rusher Bruce Irvin.

This has to be considered a reach pick. While Irvin has exceptional rush skills, particularly off the edge, he has also had his share of issues off the field. Irvin was arrested for property damage back in mid-March.

While he was projected as a second-round choice on most boards, Irvin does have the characteristics to fit Pete Carroll's scheme. The 6'3", 245 pounder is a 'tweener type who can flip-flop between linebacker and defensive end.

This flexibility fits the mold of the "elephant-style" end Carroll loves to accommodate in his hybrid defensive schemes. Irvin is a pure pass-rusher, possessing the natural speed that can translate to immediate production at the pro level.

He may only work on a situational basis initially, and that may not seem worth a first-round pick. Yet the Seahawks saw how successful Aldon Smith was for the San Francisco 49ers in 2011. Smith was utilized as a situational pass-rusher—despite being taken with the seventh overall pick—and recorded 14 sacks.

Irvin can have an impact on an underrated Seattle front featuring Jason Jones, Brandon Mebane and Red Bryant. However, there were more highly touted and low-risk names available to the Seahawks.

Grade: C-

Irvin's rush skills and scheme suitability will certainly be useful. However, the Seahawks could have gotten the same from Whitney Mercilus or Melvin Ingram.