Seattle Seahawks: Complete 2015 NFL Draft Wrap-Up and Analysis
The Seattle Seahawks won the NFL title just two seasons ago and nearly came away with a come-from-behind victory in the last Super Bowl. This, however, doesn't mean that they didn't head into the 2015 NFL draft looking to add new talent.
Seattle didn't possess a first-round selection because it traded away the 31st overall pick in order to acquire New Orleans Saints star tight end Jimmy Graham. The trade also resulted in the loss of starting center Max Unger.
Other offseason movement included the departure of cornerback Byron Maxwell and the addition of cornerbacks Cary Williams and Will Blackmon.
This ultimately left room for improvement at wide receiver and along the offensive line and for depth in the secondary and on the defensive line.
Seattle began the draft with 11 total picks, and did a good job of addressing every one of its primary needs.
The Selections
1 of 6The Seahawks wound up only making eight total selections because they traded three of their picks to move up in the third round and secure former Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett.
"TRADE! Seahawks get #Pick69 (R3)... Redskins get: #Pick95 (R3) #Pick112 (R4) #Pick167 (R5) #Pick181 (R6) #SeahawksDraft #NFLDraft
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 2, 2015"
Lockett brings an immediate upgrade to a position group of need, as do guard prospects Terry Poole (San Diego State), Mark Glowinski (West Virginia) and Kristjan Sokoli (from Buffalo, who will be converted from defensive lineman).
Towson cornerback Tye Smith and Oregon State safety Ryan Murphy add depth to the Seattle secondary, while Oregon State defensive end Obum Gwacham bolsters the defensive line.
The most curious pick of the draft was probably the Seahawks' first selection. Former Michigan defensive end Frank Clark has the potential to become a legitimate pass-rusher at the NFL level, but he comes with a ton of baggage.
The good news is that if one of the offensive line prospects can emerge as a starting center, then Seattle would leave the draft with a pretty complete roster.
Best Pick: Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
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It took a trade to the top of the third round for the Seahawks to secure Lockett, but he brings the potential to be a true No. 2 or potentially even a No. 1 in the Seattle offense.
This was a wonderful move for Seattle, which had far more draft picks than legitimate openings on its roster. By grabbing Lockett, the Seahawks get a 5'10", 182-pound speedster (ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the combine) who can stretch the field and open up the offense.
Lockett finished the 2014 season with 1,515 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he also brings value as a potential punt returner.
Not only does this selection fill a need, but it also comes with a tremendous amount of value. Lockett can be used in a variety of ways and is more than just a wideout.
Worst Pick: Frank Clark, DE, Michigan
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Seattle's second-round selection of former Michigan defensive end Frank Clark was far and away the most curious pick the team made during the draft.
Clark was a solid all-around player at Michigan and amassed 9.5 sacks over the past two seasons. At 6'3" and 271 pounds, he has the size and build to serve as an end in Seattle's defensive front,
The problem with Clark is that he comes with a number of character concerns and past off-field issues. He was suspended back in 2012 after being charged with felony home invasion for the theft of a computer. He was dismissed from the team in 2014 after an arrest for domestic violence.
Seattle must obviously feel that Clark's past issues aren't a sign of a continuing problem, but this is a rocky history to overlook for a second-tier pass-rusher.
The Seahawks likely could have waited a round or two and still grabbed Clark because of his character concerns and instead addressed a bigger need with this pick.
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What the Experts Are Saying
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Here's a look at some of the views from around the NFL world, along with our take.
"Frank Clark had a ton of character concerns entering the draft, and getting him in the second round was a massive reach. The team managed an average Day 2 grade, however, because the selection of Lockett was a home run.
Moving up to get Lockett was a big win. Otherwise, the team's braintrust reached on almost all of its picks as the Seahawks look to restock the back end of the roster. There are a lot of athletes in this class, and maybe some will pan out, but they're betting a lot on coaching up raw talent.
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"Pete Carroll and John Schneider have built up a lot of equity with great pick after great pick since they took over the Seahawks organization in 2010, but they tested a lot of that faith with the second-round selection of Michigan edge-rusher Frank Clark, a third- to fourth-round prospect in the minds of many before you throw in the domestic violence issue that got him kicked off the Wolverines last November. Clark had better be special on the field and perfect off it, because Carroll and Schneider are taking a huge risk here.
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"Hard to doubt their draft success, but this one started badly when they made Michigan DE Frank Clark, their top pick. Clark was kicked off the team last season after being charged with domestic violence (he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct). WR Tyler Lockett fills a huge need as a returner, but Seattle gave up three picks to get him.
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The general consensus among analysts is that the Seahawks took a lot of risks with this draft, especially in the selection of Clark. His selection was a major reach and one that really doesn't make a ton of sense.
I don't have as much of an issue with the picks the team surrendered to acquire Lockett because the team probably doesn't have enough openings on its roster to keep all of the picks it did make.
What's Left to Address?
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Assuming one of the team's three offensive line prospects is capable of stepping up and claiming the starting center job, the Seahawks don't walk away with any major holes.
This, of course, is because the defending NFC champions didn't have a ton of major holes to begin with.
Had the Seahawks moved up to claim one of the elite wide receiver prospects, it might be a little easier to view this as a 100 percent complete roster. However, the Seahawks still have a championship team, even if they didn't have a stellar draft.
Final Grade
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Yes, the Seahawks filled a couple of minor needs in this draft and, yes, they did make a great move in grabbing Lockett.
Blowing a second-round pick on a marginal pass-rusher with serious character concerns affects how we view this draft. Seattle easily could have filled a more pressing need with a safer player at the end of the second round instead.
Taking mostly developmental prospects in the bottom rounds isn't an issue because the Seahawks don't need a lot of immediate help. Taking Clark where they did and then waiting to address the center position is an issue, though.
Final Grade: C-
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