3 players the Seattle Seahawks could have drafted instead of Dee Eskridge in 2021

Seahawks missed on center Creed Humphrey

The Seattle Seahawks have seemingly needed an upgrade at center since the team traded away Max Unger for Jimmy Graham before the 2015 season. Creed Humphrey was a highly regarded player entering the draft, but the only knock against him was that he could only player center. The problem is that Humphrey was a very good center prospect and he could have helped solidify the Seahawks offensive line for many years to come.

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Humphrey was immediately impactful as a rookie. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team and was so good he finished third in AP Rookie of the Year voting which normally goes to the glamour positions of quarterback or receiver or something, not interior offensive lineman. Sure, Ma'Marr Chase won the award, but that two people voted for Humphrey tells you how good he was.

In 2022, Humphrey was named second-team Al-Pro by the Associated Press. Last season, Humphrey allowed zero sacks and just 2 quarterback hits, while allowing just 18 total pressures. Two things. One, his run-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required) was even higher than his pass-blocking grade. And while his 2022 overall grade of 90.0 was the highest in the NFL, it was actually lower than the grade he received in his rookie season (91.4).

Humphrey went 63rd overall in the 2021 draft, seven spots back of Eskridge. Eskridge might turn his career around and be a decent player, but he will likely never be close to the quality of Creed Humphrey. The Seahawks needed a center in 2021 and could have had Creed Humphrey, but instead they chose D'Wayne Eskridge and that will always be a colossal mistake.