NFL Draft: So Far, So Good in Seattle

I was extremely nervous prior to the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. With a new regime in town, I don’t think anyone knew what direction the Seahawks would go.

Would Pete Carroll overvalue players he was familiar with? Should we have been surprised if Taylor Mays, Everson Griffen, or Charles Brown were picked by Seattle in the first round (none of the three were selected on the first day)?

Despite acquiring Charlie Whitehurst, would the Seahawks spend a high pick on a quarterback like Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy?

The possibilities were endless, and I didn’t trust new management enough to expect a preferable outcome. I trust their judgment as professional talent evaluators, but there were a handful of possibilities that would have left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I was ecstatic when Russell Okung fell to Seattle at sixth overall. But I was nervous that the Seahawks would opt for a different player, like Jimmy Clausen.

I was worried that Philadelphia traded ahead of Seattle to draft Earl Thomas, then relieved when the Seahawks had the choice between Thomas or Derrick Morgan. But without trusting or knowing the new regime, I was concerned the Seahawks might pass and select a player like Taylor Mays.

When Seattle selected Earl Thomas, I was satisfied. The Seahawks had already acquired arguably the best offensive tackle in the draft and were able to also add a playmaker to their defensive backfield. Both players fill huge needs and should find spots in the starting lineup right away.

After the first day of the draft concluded, I was pleasantly surprised and pleased with the results. For months, we worried that Carroll and company would reach for overrated players or arrogantly waste picks on players who could’ve been had elsewhere in the draft. After the acquisition of Charlie Whitehurst, we were nervous that another trade was possible that would leave fans in Seattle scratching their heads – Ben Roethlisberger was a big rumor before the draft.

No worries. Peter Carroll, John Schneider, and the rest of Seattle’s front office know what they’re doing and they have a plan for the future of this franchise.

On the second day, the Seattle Seahawks snagged playmaker Golden Tate with the 60th overall pick in the second round. Tate offers great value that late and was graded by many analysts as a first-round talent. Selecting such a talented wide receiver late in the second round silences a lot of earlier critics; Clipboard Jesus cost us twenty spots in the second round, but Golden Tate is an absolute steal and could’ve been justifiably picked much earlier.

Tomorrow should be very interesting, as Seattle owns six picks in the final four rounds of the draft: 104, 127, 133, 139, 176, and 245. In such a deep draft, there are lots of talented players still available. After three excellent selections, it is not out of the question to expect the Seahawks to find another starter or two on the final day.

Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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