The Seattle Seahawks trading their first-round pick to move back is nothing new for fans. We see this year after year because we understand that the NFL Draft is a big gamble. A scout can only do so much to predict if a college prospect will succeed in the NFL, and that leads to some of the best players in the NFL being drafted after the top picks in the first-round. Last year’s Pro Bowl game featured 86 players and only 34 of them were first-round picks.
I know that is not a perfect example, but it illustrates my point that the draft is a crapshoot. The smartest decision is to get more picks so you have a higher chance of getting a player that can contribute and excel for years. This year Seattle has more holes than usual and they need a couple guys that can come in and play significant snaps immediately. I believe the Seahawks need players at every position except for quarterback this year. Linebacker is the Seahawks second most stable position so I would avoid drafting a linebacker early as well.
Best case scenario is the Seahawks trade back in the first-round and then make another trade back into the second-round. They would accumulate at least four to five picks in this year and next year’s draft, that increases their chances of finding a starter or impact player.
What they got from the trade-
After making a trade with the Green Bay Packers the Hawks have a third-round and a sixth-round pick to play with, along with their original picks. The Seahawks believed Rashaad Penny was the right fit for them at pick 27, and they even said they were going to pick him at 18 until their trade was finalized. So, they got the trade they were looking for and the player they wanted. I wanted them to trade back but when Derwin James was almost available at our pick I wanted him on the team. He was the only player at that point that I would have taken over a trade.
Now, Seattle has Penny and will fit him into the offense. He has big play ability and has shown consistency throughout his career at San Diego State University. I wrote about him in an earlier article about which prospects I wanted Seattle to pick in this draft. I think he is an instant upgrade to our running back group and he could be the missing piece in the offense.
Snap Draft Judgements-
I liked the Seahawks moves, I thought they got what they could for a trade and selected someone they felt strongly about.
Lamar Jackson will be the best quarterback coming out of this draft class.
Derwin James will win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Sony Michel will score 10 touchdowns this year with the New England Patriots.
Josh Allen will not pan out but will flash enough potential that he starts for three years.
I liked the New Orleans Saints’ trade the most out of all the trades, except for the one for Lamar Jackson, they got one of the best pass rushers in the draft to add to an improving defense.
I was tooting Frank Ragnow’s horn throughout the draft process and was very happy he was the first center picked.
I am very surprised both Harold Landry and Josh Jackson are still on the board for the second-round.
