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Seahawks quick reaction NFL Draft grades: Freddie Swain

By Todd Vandenberg

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Freddie Swain #16 of the Florida Gators in action during the second half of the Capital One Orange Bowl against the Virginia Cavaliers at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 30: Freddie Swain #16 of the Florida Gators in action during the second half of the Capital One Orange Bowl against the Virginia Cavaliers at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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The Seahawks traded picks everywhere but the first round. Amazingly, they stayed put again, taking Freddie Swain with the final pick of the sixth round.

The Seahawks addressed needs on both sides of the ball early in the draft. They started the draft with a dual shock – nod to Playstation there. Not only did the Hawks keep their original first-round pick for the first time in nine years,  but they drafted a linebacker. An inside linebacker. You know, where Bobby Wagner plays. Wagner is clearly cool with it, and the draft returned to normal as the Hawks traded picks up and down the board. And finally, we came to the sixth round, where Seattle drafted wide receiver Freddie Swain from Florida.

At 6’0″ and 197 pounds, Swain is a great fit for the slot. He’ll have plenty of competition there between Tyler Lockett and free-agent addition Phillip Dorsett. He’s not going to push for a spot in the starting lineup, but he’s got big-play ability. Despite only starting 6 of the Gators’ 12 games last year, his seven touchdowns topped the receiving corps. He’s got a solid pedigree.

Swain played in every game as a freshman, pulling down eight catches, two for touchdowns. He made four starts as a sophomore. He didn’t see many targets, as he again hauled in just eight passes. He did double his scores, though, to four touchdowns. As a junior, he caught 14 passes, five of them for scores. See a pattern here, 12s?

Freddie Swain is a playmaker, folks. That happens when you have 4.46 speed. In four seasons at Florida, he caught 68 passes and scored 15 touchdowns. Sure, the seven scores as a senior aren’t outstanding, but he did lead the team. He can make things happen with the ball in his hands. He did a lot of that as a punt returner as well.

He didn’t have a great year as a returner last season, averaging just 4.0 yards per return. But he handled 22 punts as a junior, racking up 224 yards and a score. The Seahawks will certainly see how he handles the same duties at CenturyLink.

Next. Darrell Taylor will be great for the Seahawks. dark

Overall, Swain seems like a great fit for the Seahawks. He’ll compete for a spot in the rotation, and should make an immediate impact on special teams with his size/speed combo.

Grade: B+

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