12th Man Rising
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Seahawks 2016 draft recap, the best and worst picks

By Dan Viens

Jan 26, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad tight end Nick Vannett of Ohio State (81) runs the ball after a catch in a drill during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad tight end Nick Vannett of Ohio State (81) runs the ball after a catch in a drill during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /
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Now that the 2016 NFL draft is in the books, we look at the best and worst of the Seattle Seahawks 10 draft picks.

The Seahawks are generally getting high marks for the draft haul they reeled in over the last 3 days, but not every pick makes perfect sense. The draft began with the selection of OT Germain Ifedi, and was met with some criticism, particularly from my co-editor Keith Myers.

But Seattle may have saved their worst for last this time around, with a bunch of strong contenders for Best Pick sandwiched in between.

Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad defensive end Jarran Reed of Alabama (90) in the second quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad defensive end Jarran Reed of Alabama (90) in the second quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

BEST PICK:

This one is kind of a no-brainer, it’s DT Jarran Reed from Alabama. NFL Network’s outstanding draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah (who unlike many of the other network draft gurus has actually worked as an NFL personnel guy) had Reed as his 13th best prospect in the entire draft……and Seattle got him at 49!

Reed is an outstanding run-stuffing interior lineman capable of eating up multiple blockers, forcing plays to the outside where Seattle’s big-time team speed can run things down. He’s a natural fit as Brandon Mebane’s replacement, although Pete Carroll says Reed and Ahtyba Rubin may flip-flop responsibilities depending on the situation. Carroll also said, unlike many of the analysts, he believes Reed can add a pass rush element to his game once they get him in the system and coach him up.

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He was great value in the middle of the 2nd round, so much so that the Hawks considered taking him with their first pick at #31.

Expect Reed to be on the field for the first play of the regular season, next to Rubin, and be a fixture on the defensive front for years to come.

Honorable Mention: Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State – Vannett didn’t strike the casual fan as a need pick, but I’ve been pounding the table for this guy since March. He was simply the best two-way tight end in this class. The first time I saw him play I thought “This guy is a Seahawk tight end,” and GM John Schneider admitted they’ve been looking for a player like this at the position for over 2 years. He’ll begin the season above Luke Willson on the depth chart, allows the Hawks to stop using Jimmy Graham in-line and deploy him more like the outside weapon he was in New Orleans, and is positioned to be the teams starting TE for years to come. You’re going to love this player.

Next: And the Seahawks worst pick was.....

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