Seattle Seahawks 2015 Draft Re-Grade: preseason edition
By Dan Viens
Aug 14, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark (55) rushes the passer against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter in a preseason NFL football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Seahawks 2015 draft garnered mostly solid grades nearly four months ago, but even in that very short time some perceptions can change. Halfway into the preseason, we have a “sample size” now, albeit a small one.
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So here’s my never-too-soon-to-regrade-a-draft edition of the Seattle Seahawks 2015 Draft Re-Grade:
FIRST ROUND: Pick traded to New Orleans along with Max Unger for TE Jimmy Graham and a 4th round pick.
GRADE: A+
Graham has only caught 4 balls for 51 yards an no TD’s so far, but his talent and potential impact on this offense are obvious. The bootleg play where he drags underneath looks unstoppable, and the back shoulder bullet Russell Wilson threw him down the seam in Kansas City shows you just how much confidence the QB already has in his new target. Graham has fit into the locker room well and has drawn raves from his new teammates.
And if you’re thinking the loss of C Max Unger in this deal has to impact the final grade you’re right, it should. But then so should the 4th rounder we got in the trade as well. The team turned around and packaged that pick, shipping it to the Redskins for the rights to move up in the 3rd round to select Tyler Lockett. More on that in a paragraph to come.
SECOND ROUND: Selected DE/DT Frank Clark from Michigan with the 63rd pick.
GRADE: A
Obviously, this was a hot-button topic at the time given Clark’s domestic violence issue that got him kicked off the team at Michigan. The Hawks subsequent awkward handling of the questions surrounding the pick didn’t make it any better.
But ON the field there’s no question that Clark wasn’t just worthy of being selected that high as a player, but that he has the makings of a potential star. After tweaking his ankle in practice he wasn’t on the field as much vs. the Chiefs, but he may have been the best player on the field against Denver. He will be a major contributor to an outstanding defense as a rookie, and looks like a long-term piece of the puzzle.
If he stays out of trouble, that is.
THIRD ROUND: Selected WR Tyler Lockett from Kansas State.
GRADE: A+
Touted mainly for this kick and punt return abilities after the choice, Lockett has since been so impressive as a receiver that he’s now being counted on to provide the kind of spark the Seahawks were hoping for when they invested so heavily in Percy Harvin two years ago. They had to pay to get this kid too, packaging 4 picks to move up to #69.
Unlike Harvin, Lockett is an incredible route runner, and has been quick to earn the respect of his teammates. If used properly on offense, he’ll be a star.
Next: Rounds 4-7: More Uncertainty