Seahawks Day 2 Draft Recap

Seahawks Day 2 Draft Recap: They added four players on day 2 of the NFL Draft, including a defensive tackle who could prove to be one of the steals of the draft.

On the 2nd day of the 2016 NFL draft, the Seahawks added four new players. And in their usual fashion, they pulled some surprises.

It all started when they made a rare move to trade up, moving from pick #56 in the second round to #49 to select Alabama DT Jarran Reed in what might be one of the steals of this year’s draft. Reed was widely expected to go in the first round, and nfl.com’s Daniel Jeremiah had him as his #13 overall prospect.

READ: How Jarran Reed Fits With The Seahawks

Then things really heated up in the third round, where Seattle held picks 90, 94 and 97. They decided to sit tight and let their guys come to them, and surprised many with an emphasis on offensive skill players.

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With their first 3rd round pick, the Seahawks chose Notre Dame RB C.J. Prosise. He’s a big back (6’0″ 220 lbs) who only played running back his final year for the Irish after converting from WR. While he still needs to grow into the position, scouts believe he can be an every down back, and his receiving skills make him an intriguing compliment to incumbant rookie sensation Thomas Rawls.

READ: How C.J. Prosise Fits With The Seahawks

Four spots later the Seahawks made their most surprising selection, nabbing Ohio State TE Nick Vannett. Don’t think Seattle needs a tight end? Despite positive reports, Jimmy Graham is coming off a severe knee injury, and even if he’s healthy we know he’s limited as a blocker. Vannett is big (6’6″) and fluid as a receiver, and an oustanding blocker.

He may already be a better all-around tight end than Luke Willson, and could help in the passing game if the young offensive line struggles early in the season. I had Vannett pegged as a player Seattle should target two months ago, and included him in most of my 7 round mock drafts. He could emerge as a long-term mainstay at TE for this team.

READ: How Nick Vannett Fits With The Seahawks

Then with the 97th pick, Seattle threw us another mild cureball, taking OG Rees Odihambo from Boise State. There were plenty of reports that Tom Cable liked the former Bronco. He’s big, strong, and athletic, but he’s coming off an ankle injury.

He’s played outside and inside, but the Hawks are listing him as a guard and first round pick Germain Ifedi as a tackle, so that appears to be the plan. What makes it surprising is that both Joe Dahl from WSU, and Missouri’s Connor McGovern were still available, and most assumed the team was higher on those two players.

READ: How Rees Odhiambo Fits With The Seahawks

ANALYSIS:

These might not be the names that have been most commonly attached to the Seahawks, and for that reason there may some skepticism over the picks. The Vannett pick is confusing to some, but makes perfect sense to me. What I’m sure I’ll be telling the skeptics over the next few months is simply “Just wait, you’re going to love Vannett.” Prosise has huge upside and gives the team another young, exciting RB prospect to share the load with Rawls and possible Christine Michael, and Odhiambo is another Tom Cable-type big left guard prospect.

Ultimately, Tom Cable’s legacy, one that has already been questioned by many, may be tied to this draft. The Seahawks absolutely must improve up front on offense if they hope to contend in 2016, and both Ifedi and Odhiambo will be looked upon to contribute. Both, in some ways, are projects, but both have high upside. If Cable can get the most out of them, this draft so far could prove to be a home run. If they both struggle, it won’t just be an indictment of Cable, but could threaten to jeopardize Seattle’s championship window.

Next: Seahawks did the right thing by taking Ifedi

Overall, Seahawk fans should be pleased with today’s picks. The goal was to take four players who could eventually become starters, and possibly stars. They did that.