NFL Draft 2017: Seahawks Select Malik McDowell
By David Stobbe
The Seahawks drafted Malik McDowell with the 35th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. McDowell will look to compete right away for a starting spot and will be a big part of the team’s future.
The importance for the Seahawks to draft a successful class grows with each year, as the core players start to age. Last year, the Seahawks used their first-round pick to help shore up the offensive line, by picking Germain Ifedi.
This year, they traded out of the first round and made their first selection of the draft in the second round at pick 35. They used this selection to draft defensive lineman, Malik McDowell, out of Michigan State.
There were many players mocked to the Seahawks in the second round, and the team had several options when they were on the clock. Some of the players projected to the Seahawks were Forrest Lamp, Obi Melifonwu, Chidobe Awuzie, and Quincy Wilson. Seattle ultimately decided that McDowell was a good fit, and he should help the team right away.
Malik McDowell will fit in well with the Seahawks. He has a ton of athleticism and upside. The main concerns with McDowell are his character and determination on the field. If Pete Carroll can get through to him, though, McDowell could be an All-Pro player.
McDowell could be an All-Pro player
He will come in right away and bring some much needed interior pass rush. He can play the edge, as well as defensive tackle. I would assume that he will play solely on the inside, but he has versatility to play anywhere on the line.
McDowell will compete with the other defensive tackles for playing time. Jarran Reed and Ahtyba Rubin are the starters currently. McDowell should be able to get snaps, though, immediately on third down as a pass rusher.
This is a position that was a need for the Seahawks and they were able to get a top 15 talent in the second round, due to McDowell’s character concerns. The Seahawks environment should bring out the best in him, and the veteran leadership of Bennett and Avril will keep him in check.
Overall, McDowell is a player I really liked during the draft process and should have a bright future with the Seattle Seahawks. He will come in and compete with Reed and Rubin for playing time. McDowell will help the team with his athleticism and Seahawks fans will eventually fall in love with him. McDowell should be in a Seahawks uniform for a long time, and will help the team get back to the Super Bowl.