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Rasheem Green joins the Seahawks defensive line in the third round

By Todd Vandenberg

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Rasheem Green #94 of the USC Trojans reacts with Anthony Sarao #56 to his touchdown from a fumble to take a 26-21 lead over the UCLA Bruins during the third quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 28, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Rasheem Green #94 of the USC Trojans reacts with Anthony Sarao #56 to his touchdown from a fumble to take a 26-21 lead over the UCLA Bruins during the third quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 28, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Seahawks pick up the defensive lineman many expected them to take on day one, as they select USC’s Rasheem Green with the 79th pick of the 2018 draft.

The Seahawks traded down again to get their man. This time, the move wasn’t exactly spectacular, as they dropped three spots to 79 to get USC defensive lineman Rasheem Green. Seattle picked up a seventh round pick with the move. More importantly, they hope they found the replacement for Michael Bennett in the 6’4″ 275 pound Green.

Rasheem Green had a fine sophomore season for the Trojans in 2016, as he lead the team in sacks with six. Not bad for a second year player, but he really blew up last year. Blew up in a good way, not like some unnamed Avenger in Infinity War. In 2017, Green had 12.5 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks. He was named a second team All American and first team Pac-12 player.

That listed weight of 275 put a few teams off Green. Many see him as a tweener, too small to play inside in the NFL, yet not fast enough to handle the edge. Pro Football Focus appears to agree, as he’s ranked 13th among interior defensive linemen. CBS Sports rates him as the 12th prospect at defensive end. While the ranking doesn’t exactly blow you away, it’s interesting that he’s ranked as both a tackle and and end.

Rasheem Green will sky for Seahawks
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 14: Defensive tackle Rasheem Green #94 of the USC Trojans blocks a field goal attempt by place kicker Matt Gay #97 of the Utah Utes in the first quarter of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 14, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

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The new Michael Bennett in all the good ways

I’d say that is exactly what the Seahawks had in mind when they took him. I imagine they see Rasheem Green much like Bennett. Bennett could move along the line and disrupt plays inside, then move out for a quick offsides – sorry, I couldn’t resist. I meant to write sack. Anyway, Bennett is listed as 6’4″ and 271. So exactly how is Green too small when Bennett clearly isn’t?

Green isn’t likely to start in 2018. If he does, the Seahawks are either in trouble, or Green is a bigger monster than anyone suspects. But he’s just a kid. He won’t turn 21 until next month. As for the future, read what this AFC scout had to say about Green at the close of nfl.com’s draft report:

"“I wanted him to go back to school because he probably would have been a top-10 pick next year. He’s not strong enough to handle NFL guys yet so this year may be a redshirt year for him. [Green’s] got some serious juice though. He’s going to be a dude when it all comes together.”"

A dude. I have to say, I like that. A 20 year old with 20 tackles for a loss and 16.5 sacks – oh, and two blocked field goals – and he’s “going” to be a dude. Yes, I really like that. Welcome

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