Redrafting the Seahawks 2018 NFL draft class

Hindsight is 20/20 with any draft, of course, but the Seahawks could have made some better moves in the 2018 draft. Here’s how.

The NFL draft is not an exact science, though, most teams would like to make you believe it is. The Seahawks seem to have had a solid draft last year. Seattle gained Pro Bowl punter Michael Dickson and Tre Flowers for 2018 and both were excellent.

Still, Seattle could have taken other players that may have made them better for the next thousand seasons. Seattle chose a running back with their first pick in 2018 but what should they have done? Here’s a guess.

First round, pick 27

Seahawks chose: Rashaad Penny

Should have chosen: Braden Smith

Penny wasn’t terrible in 2018, but he didn’t get enough playing time to produce like a first-round pick should. And he shouldn’t have gotten all the snaps needed. Chris Carson is the best running back Seattle has and he may continue to be.

That is the issue. Based on what Seattle saw of Carson before he was hurt in 2017, Carson could have, and might still, be the starting tailback in Seattle for the next five season. The second back is there to replace Carson when he needs a breather and fills in. Picking Penny in the first round was odd simply because a first-round pick should almost instantly be a starter and Seattle didn’t really need a starter at running back.

Smith might have immediately started with Seattle. He turned out to be a really good guard with the Colts in 2018. Seattle needed fill-ins at guard with D.J. Fluker and J.R. Sweezy. Smith might have just helped solidify Seattle’s line for the next four years. As it stands, the Seahawks might just have to find different guards in 2019 as both Fluker and Sweezy are free agents.