Seahawks Draft Picks 2017: Results, Grades and Analysis for Each Selection

The Seattle Seahawks wasted no time in trading back in the opening round of the NFL draft--twice. 

Seattle traded with the Atlanta Falcons to swap the 26th and 31st selections, then ended up trading that freshly-acquired pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the No. 34 overall pick.

General manager John Schneider executed a recent first-round trend for the Seahawks, as the team has only used one first-round selection in the last five NFL drafts (offensive lineman Germain Ifedi, 2016). But even Schneider admitted in a press conference that the second trade of the night took the Seahawks war room by surprise.

"(The first trade) just made sense based on where we were," Schneider said in the team's post-draft press conference, seen here via the Seattle Times. "We didn't see the last one coming; I didn't think that one was going to happen, I thought we were going to pick, but the player was still available."

Who that player is, exactly, is up to speculation. But whoever it is, the Seahawks are almost guaranteed a shot at them as the team holds the second overall selection on the draft's second day (No. 34). Perhaps interior offensive lineman Forrest Lamp out of Western Kentucky University?

Seattle owns six picks entering Round 2 of the NFL draft, so expect them to have a busy day. Currently, the Seahawks have 10 picks to use, wheel or deal for the remainder of the draft. 

The good news for you is that, no matter what the Seahawks do this draft weekend, you can check back on this slideshow shortly after each pick for thorough analysis and reaction to every selection Seattle makes. 

Enjoy the rest of the draft, 12s, and feel free to follow Ethan on Twitter @ebai_today for Seahawks draft reaction and NFL musings.

Round 2, Pick No. 35: Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State

The Seahawks traded back twice to exit the first round of the NFL draft, and then they promptly followed suit on Friday, trading back one spot with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire the No. 35 overall pick and an extra sixth-round selection as well. 

Michigan State University's Malik McDowell was the pick, and it's a good one. 

McDowell, an interior defensive lineman, projects as a quality battle buddy for Seattle's Jarran Reed, who was taken in the second round of the 2016 draft. At 6'6", 295 pounds, McDowell's frame sets him up for big-time potential. In his career as a Spartan, McDowell notched 50 solo tackles, including 20 and 21 in his junior and sophomore seasons, respectively, according to Sports Reference. He also forced two fumbles and scored on a pick-six, all of which came in 2015. 

Disrupting the backfield is among McDowell's favorite things. More Sports Reference information reveals he racked up an impressive 24.5 tackles for loss during his college career, marking 13 of those down in his sophomore season. 

Sacking the quarterback was a bit of a struggle for McDowell in college, who posted just 7.5 sacks in three seasons with Michigan State. But his aforementioned disruptive nature makes you believe he can help create sacks for his teammates, which bodes well for Seattle's existing pass-rushing specialists. 

McDowell is a great example of what much of the draft is really all about for NFL teams: finding players with relatively raw talent and maximizing that potential. McDowell is a specimen of size and speed (4.85 40-yard dash time), but he is less than technically sound. His explosive ability to set interior edges in the run game and send quarterbacks scrambling with power moves can be diminished by inconsistency that stems from technique issues, such as body control and setting good foundations with his feet regularly.

The upside far outweighs the little issues that head coach Pete Carroll and his staff can iron out down the road. McDowell instantly upgrades a top-10 Seattle defense that now features two talented second-round picks at defensive tackle. Considering the fact that Seattle acquired four extra draft picks while only dropping nine spots in three trades (from No. 26 to No. 35) and still landed McDowell, this is a wonderful pick for the Seahawks.

Grade: A 

Round 2, Pick No. 58: Ethan Pocic, C, Louisiana State University

The Seahawks have finally found a potential long-term solution at center after taking Ethan Pocic out of LSU with the 58th overall selection.

Selecting Pocic addresses one of Seattle's biggest needs. Since losing former standout center Max Unger in free agency two years ago, the team has struggled at the position badly. Pocic brings toughness and added valuable versatility to a Seahawks O-line that surrendered a whopping 42 sacks last season.

At 6'6", 310 pounds, you'd expect Pocic to be a mauler. Surprisingly, that isn't the case with Pocic, but that's why he'll be a good fit in Seattle. He shows nimble tendencies when sliding laterally and getting to the second level, where he patiently and firmly engages linebackers. That lateral ability will work well in Seattle's offense, which features lots of read-option and shotgun running. His patience is an aspect of his game that stands out most in the highlight reel above, provided by Draft Breakdown.  

Pocic's biggest flaw is his vulnerability against power bursts from defensive linemen at the snap, which also shows up often during the highlight reel. It is an unfortunate liability that stems from his height, but hopefully O-line coach Tom Cable can help Pocic gain better leverage consistently. Pocic will likely need help in the form of double-team blocks and mobile offensive schemes to utilize his best traits early next season, assuming he is the starter (which he should be).

The versatility Pocic brings to Seattle's ailing offensive line is extremely valuable. You can put him at all five positions along the offensive front, and he'll be serviceable. Pocic projects as the future anchor for the Seahawks offensive line. No complaints here.

Grade: B+    

Round 3, Pick No. 90: Shaquill Griffin, CB, University of Central Florida

Seattle used its first pick in the third round to add youth to its aging secondary, selecting the University of Central Florida's Shaquill Griffin.

Griffin, a cornerback, is listed at 6'0" and 194 pounds. While just a bit smaller than the prototypical Seahawk defensive back mold, Griffin uses above-average ball skills to pinpoint pass apexes and anticipate ball arc to get interceptions. Griffin picked off six passes in his college career, including four his senior season. Two of those were returned for touchdowns, and he added a fumble recovery as well.

At close range, Griffin will eventually be a valuable asset to the Seahawks. His best trait other than tracking the ball is smooth transition on route breaks, which you can see in the UCF highlight above. Griffin also isn't afraid to show up in run coverage—he totaled 113 tackles at UCF, including three for loss. His aggressive style fits the Seahawks well, and he could be groomed as Seattle's future No. 2 or slot corner.

Griffin's top-end speed is a bit of a concern, even though he clocked a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Speedsters had a tendency to get away from him last season, but in Seattle's zone defense, Griffin should find great success as a shot-range, quick twitch corner.

Grade: B  

Round 3, Pick No. 95: Delano Hill, S, Michigan

Delano Hill out of Michigan is a great pick for the Seahawks.

A free-roaming safety standing at 6'1", 216 pounds, Hill is an excellent tackler, especially in the open field. It's what stands out most in the DraftBreakdown.com highlight reel above. Hill is another defensive back with triple-digit tackle totals in his college career, including seven tackles for loss. All three of his interceptions came in his senior season. 

The timing is good for Seattle with this pick. Kam Chancellor isn't getting any younger, and a scary leg injury forced Earl Thomas to consider retirement. As it turns out, Hill will get the opportunity to learn behind them both. His size keeps him from being smooth in coverage, however, and his speed doesn't allow for too much room for error against wide receivers.

Hill projects best as a run-stuffing safety and one who could eventually be good against tight ends due to his size and sure tackling ability.

Grade: B 

Round 3, Pick No. 102: Nazair Jones, DT, University of North Carolina

This might be the Seahawks' best pick in the draft's third round, in which they had four selections. The team opted to continue fortifying the center of its defense by taking Nazair Jones out of the University of North Carolina. Jones is the second defensive tackle the Seahawks selected on Friday. 

At 6'5", 304 pounds, Jones has the stature to fill space. In college, Jones was able to post more than 70 solo and 70 assisted tackles, 22 of those going for loss in a three-year span at UNC. Tackling was his biggest strength in college and projects to be the same at the next level.

When you watch his tape, Jones seems like a solid overall player. He sheds blocks well using power moves, and boasts an impressive bull rush. He can move blockers out of the way with his above-average arm strength and quickly devour a ball-carrier behind the line of scrimmage.

Something to keep an eye on is Jones' knack for swatting the football out of the air—at UNC, Jones got his hands up to tally 10 passes defensed, and he picked off two of them. It's a tremendous advantage to have a defender with the instincts to knock the ball midair, as it can often create turnovers. Not enough NFL D-linemen utilize this skill.

Unlike Seattle's previous two picks in the third round, Jones could see some rotational or even starting snaps sooner rather than later. Either way, the Seahawks nabbed a great insurance player to add to their collection of defensive linemen.    

Grade: A

Round 3, Pick No. 106: Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan

Amara Darboh made some amazing plays for Michigan this season, including a one-handed grab against Brigham Young University that some might consider the catch of the year in college football. At 6'2", 214 pounds, Darboh is a physically big receiver with big playmaking ability. 

That size lends itself well to blocking in the run game, which Darboh isn't afraid of doing. He can lock up safeties regularly and willfully engages other defensive backs when given blocking assignments. 

What quarterback Russell Wilson and Coach Carroll will love most about Darboh, though, is his ability to make subtle improvisations during routes to open throwing lanes. It's a highly coveted trait of Seahawks receivers Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, which is why Darboh should be a good fit in Seattle's offense fairly soon. 

Darboh ran a 4.45-second 40-yard combine dash. There is always room for improvement, but Darboh is not likely going to be leaving too many NFL defenders in the dust with that speed. Lance Zierlein wrote in his NFL.com draft profile on Darboh that the receiver lacks twitch and burst and that he takes some time getting up to top speed. The lack of burst speed could mean trouble against good press corners in the NFL. 

Football is more than a game of just size and speed, of course, and Darboh should find himself to be a quality fit in Seattle in the near future. His mental game may give him an edge sooner than expected, and he could be groomed in the image of Baldwin or Kearse to take the team's No. 2 receiver spot when the veterans decide to call it quits. Taking a receiver over another offensive lineman, of which the Seahawks have only selected one of in their first six picks, lowers the grade here. 

Grade: C+

Round 4, Pick No. 111: Tedric Thompson, Safety, University of Colorado

The Seahawks continued addressing the defense on Day 3 of the NFL draft, selecting free safety Tedric Thompson out of the University of Colorado. 

Thompson nabbed seven interceptions a season ago, which was good for third-best in the FBS. Thompson relies on excellent instincts and headiness rather than pure speed and athleticism to make plays, but he makes a ton of them regardless. Thompson put together impressive stats in college, despite questionable competition. But 215 combined tackles, including a whopping 157 solo, is nothing to scoff at no matter who you're playing against.  

Seattle has targeted sure tacklers in this draft so far, and the Thompson pick continues the trend. But tackling isn't Thompson's only strength, as the 6'0", 204-pound safety stole 13 interceptions in his college career. His high school background, where he played wide receiver, likely has something to do with his excellent ball skills. Anticipating throws is another strong point of Thompson's game, and it allows him to make up for a general lack of speed.

Thompson, in the Draft Breakdown highlight reel above, shows deficiencies in tackling near the line of scrimmage. The willingness is certainly there, but executing can be a problem as he gets lost in traffic. And, although Thompson posted exceptionally high tackle numbers in college, he shows a tendency to rely on arm tackles rather than wrapping up firmly. His angles on ball-carriers could also be better.

Overall, though, this is another good, typical Seahawks pick. Thompson's headiness and instincts make him a nice fit in Seattle, and it's nice to see the team commit to replenishing its secondary with young talent.

Grade: B+   

Round 6, Pick No. 187: Michael Tyson, Safety, University of Cincinnati

Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Michael Tyson of the University of Cincinnati (No. 5) reaches up to make a play on a contested catch.

Seattle is stockpiling defensive backs, and more specifically, safeties. Out of four defensive back selections, three have been safeties—this time, it's Mike Tyson from the University of Cincinnati. 

Being named Mike—like his father, grandfather and three-year-old son, according to Brady Henderson of the Seattle Times—Tyson said he's asked about his name once a day per a tweet from Henderson.

Tyson is about the same size as the rest of the DBs the Seahawks have taken in this draft, officially measured as 6'1" and 204 pounds. According to his NFL.com draft profile, he is a wrap-up tackler who likes to pursue the line of scrimmage. His college stats as a Bearcat suggest that's true, as Tyson tallied 137 total tackles, including 72 solo and 7.5 for loss in his career. In his only season as a full-time starter, Tyson led the team in interceptions with five in 2016. 

Many of the DBs selected by the Seahawks in 2017, Tyson included, project better as downhill, run-stuffing safeties than ones who will float back in deep coverage. It's important to remember that many of these draft selections will begin their NFL careers as special teams personnel, as well

Regardless, the team gets extra credit for sticking to its plan to reinforce the secondary.

Grade: B+ 

Round 6, Pick No. 210: Justin Senior, OT, Mississippi State University

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

Mississippi State University's Justin Senior, pictured here at the NFL combine, was drafted to the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft.

Justin Senior, an imposing offensive lineman standing at 6'5", 331 pounds, adds size and depth to an O-line that can use all the help it can get.

The Mississippi State Bulldog played in nearly every game during his last three seasons at the right tackle position, according to his NFL.com draft profile. He played left tackle his senior season.

Senior is the just the second offensive lineman taken by the Seahawks in what many consider to be a weak draft for the offensive line positions. The strategy to add such a seemingly very raw player is somewhat curious, given the immediate need for reinforcing Seattle's front five. His draft profile indicates that Senior is a physically powerful prospect with lots of sloppy tendencies. 

According to Gregg Bell of the News Tribune, Senior was beginning to doubt he would be drafted at all.

"I was pacing around my house," said Senior, quoted in one of Bell's draft-day tweets.    

Kudos to the Seahawks addressing the O-line again, albeit a little late. 

Grade: C

Round 7, Pick No. 226: David Moore, WR, East Central Oklahoma University

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

The Seahawks added a second wide receiver on Saturday, this time in the seventh round. David Moore from East Central Oklahoma University, a FCS school, brings with him very little but mostly positive information.

According to a tweet from Cover 32 Seahawks, Moore caught nearly half of his team's total touchdown receptions last season after hauling in 10. The entire team had 21. Cover 32 also notes that Moore clocked an official 4.43-second 40-yard dash time. 

Moore's draft profile on Draft Analyst suggests that he has spectacular-catch ability and is good at using his body to shield passes from defenders. It also notes he is a decent blocker. 

His only knock is that he is a "one-gear" receiver, meaning his game is currently one-dimensional. Look for him to be a special teams player and eventually compete for a WR5 spot. 

Grade: C

Round 7, Pick No. 249: Chris Carson, RB, Oklahoma State University

The Seahawks got a great value pick in their final selection of the night. Chris Carson out of Oklahoma State will remind you of another running back already on the Seahawks roster.  

On tape, Carson reminds you a little bit of Seattle's Thomas Rawls—quick burst speed and a craving for contact that stems from aggressive run tendencies. Those tendencies led to more than 1,000 yards rushing in just two seasons as a Cowboy, and he added 13 total touchdowns on the ground. Nine of those came this past season. 

Carson is certainly a power runner, which really stands out in the highlight reel above. Not only does he look for contact, but Carson is able to run through leg tackles and ill-fated arm tackle attempts from defenders. 

Things to keep an eye on include his upright running style and ball-carrying tendencies. The upright running style is not normally kind to running backs in the NFL, as it leaves more body exposed (especially the legs) for defenders to hit. Carson was fairly durable through college, only missing four games at the beginning of last season due to a hand injury. You'll also notice in the highlight reel that Carson has a bad tendency of keeping the ball away from his body when running and making defenders miss. That habit will lead to fumbles at the next level unless he works to change it. 

This pick is partially being graded on the overall value of the selection, which is high. Based on production and skill set, Carson could become the next unexpected breakout running back in Seattle sooner rather than later.

Grade: A-