Grading the Seahawks pick of defensive end L.J. Collier

The Seahawks traded down once but kept their 29th pick and with that they took defensive end L.J. Collier. Collier is good but is he good enough.

Two weeks ago I wrote an article about how defensive end L.J. Collier could wind up being a member of the Seattle Seahawks. At the time I thought it was a bit of a long shot. Collier was from a smaller school and had not yet proven himself against high-level competition. But he will now wear a Seattle uniform. How good was Seattle’s pick of Collier?

First of all, Collier isn’t a tall end. So don’t think he is one of those lengthy and quick edge rushers that you like to see on TV. He isn’t. Collier is a stocky player who will do the dirty business of being a defensive lineman and that is exactly what Seattle wanted. Plus, Collier is good against the run too.

Seattle needed a guy who could get to the opposing quarterback to take the place of Frank Clark. I am not sure Collier will ever be at Clark’s level as a pure pass rusher. But Clark also took some plays off and no one will ever question Collier’s motor. He will try his best on every play even if the results aren’t as splashy as what Clark did in Seattle.

I wrote in that article two weeks ago that Collier might still be available if Seattle traded down. They didn’t really trade down so much as just keep the pick they got in the Frank Clark trade from the Chiefs. Still, if Collier was the guy Seattle wanted all along they played their cards right. Collier is now a Seahawk.

The question is will Collier be a near-Pro Bowl player with the Seahawks. No one knows that yet. He isn’t a slam dunk pick. He is tenacious and strong but not quick. He can be blocked by strong tackles. If Collier can develop his technique andlearn to go around big tackles, he will be very good. Otherwise, Seattle may have ended up with a good end but not one who will change a franchise’s fortunes.

Grade: B