12th Man Rising
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Seahawks have more choices than Baskin-Robbins, just one they have to get right

By Todd Vandenberg

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Shaquem Griffin #18 of the UCF Knights sacks Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Auburn Tigers in the third quarter during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: Shaquem Griffin #18 of the UCF Knights sacks Jarrett Stidham #8 of the Auburn Tigers in the third quarter during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The Seahawks have amassed their usual war chest of third day picks for the 2018 draft. But there’s only one player they must have.

Maybe it’s a stretch to say the Seahawks have 33 selections today in the draft. It’s more of a gross exaggeration, as they actually have eight picks today. Still, eight picks in three rounds is pretty good. And if you’re complaining that it doesn’t matter how many picks you have after the third round, just remember these names: Cris Carson, Luke Willson, K.J. Wright, Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell, and Kam Chancellor. That’s a pretty solid core from day three picks.

Okay, so Seahawks picks from day three also include names like Jared Smith and Kiero Small. Ultimately the draft is a crap shoot. The more rolls of the dice you get, the better your chances of rolling a seven.

Ask the Browns about Tim Couch or the Raiders about JaMarcus Russell if you think first rounders are some guarantee of success. More picks equals more chances to be right. From round four on, what matters is your winning throws, not your losses.

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Seahawks have needs, and they have THE need

So who’s still available? There’s a lot of great talent out there. I’m not going to waste any time, as all 12s know who the Seahawks need to take with their first pick today. In fact, I hope they move back up to get him. There’s only one position they must address today.

Shaquem Griffin, LB. In one sense, he doesn’t really address a need. The Seahawks have two of the best already in Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, and rarely employ a third. Michael Wilhoite was third on the team in linebacker snap counts, and was in for just under 28 percent of all plays.

In a larger sense, Shaquem Griffin is the one player the Seahawks need from this draft. Forget that his brother plays for the Hawks. Forget that he’s already the feel-good story of the draft, and he hasn’t been drafted yet. You can even overlook his blazing 40 time of 4.38, the fastest ever for a linebacker in the history of the NFL combine. This kid has every chance to be the face of the NFL. The Seahawks absolutely need to get him.

Many 12s have complained that Seattle didn’t draft him on day two. The reason they didn’t is that he’s available on day three. Will he last until the 20th pick of round four? That, I’m not so sure about. So I’d love to see John Schneider and Pete Carroll move back up by burning one of their 700 fifth round picks (four, actually) and jumping up to get Griffin.

Happily, we’re through twelve picks in round four, and it’s still looking good. Too bad there’s no such thing as a gentleman’s agreement in the NFL. Everyone knows Griffin belongs in Seattle.

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