Coming into last week, the Seahawks only had 4 draft picks this year: a first, a third, a fourth, and a fifth. After dealing Frank Clark, then moving down from 21 to 30, then moving down from 30 to 37, all of a sudden long-ass Thursday night, the Seahawks now have a total of 9 picks in the 2019 draft, including #29 which we used to pick up a defensive end out of TCU, L.J. Collier.
Before we get into the guy, let’s set the stage:
- #29 – L.J. Collier (DE)
- #37 – Second Round (from NYG, trade down from 30)
- #92 – Third Round (from KC, trade for Frank Clark)
- #114 – Fourth Round (from GB, trade down from 21)
- #118 – Fourth Round (from GB, trade down from 21)
- #124 – Fourth Round
- #132 – Fourth Round (from NYG, trade down from 30)
- #142 – Fifth Round (from NYG, trade down from 30)
- #159 – Fifth Round
Getting back to the actual guy, L.J. Collier is a 6’2, 283 pound defensive end who EVERYONE is comparing to Michael Bennett, which obviously is a shitload to live up to, but also RIGHT ON! That essentially means he’s a guy who can slide inside on pass rushing downs to allow extra speed rushers on the outside. It also means he’s equally as good at stopping the run as he is getting after the quarterback, which as we all know is a Seahawks Must.
I like the pick, because obviously I have to. What else am I going to say? The Seahawks traded away Frank Clark. As far as defensive ends go, we have Rasheem Green, Jacob Martin, and a bunch of nobodies. Also Known As: A Bunch Of Nobodies. There’s potential, but there are no proven guys. So, re-stocking through the draft was Priority #1. It’s probably Priority #1, #2, and #3.
There are complaints, of course. The Seahawks could’ve stayed at 21 and maybe gotten someone better. Hell, I thought the Seahawks were going to follow my plan to the letter! I said I thought we’d trade down from 21 to 24 or 25; instead we went from 21 ALL THE WAY to 30. As it turns out, right after we did that, the Eagles went from 25 to 22 in a swap with the Ravens, to climb up and draft Andre Dillard out of Wazzu. I don’t know if that deal was on the table or not, but if it was, the Seahawks could’ve done that and still landed Montez Sweat (who ended up going to the Redskins at 26). He was a guy many had as a Top 10 talent, who fell because of medical concerns (heart condition). Time will tell if that bit us in the ass.
What I won’t complain about is not taking a wide receiver in the first round. For a minute, the Seahawks had both #29 and #30, which was a SUPER FUN 20 minutes of draft time. I had the TV on mute, I had the 710 ESPN stream on one screen, and I had Mina Kimes going crazy on a different ESPN stream and I could NOT be more entertained! The thought of the Seahawks picking back-to-back was pretty exciting, but of course you knew we were going to spend every waking moment of those 20 minutes trying to trade down again (which we accomplished, naturally). A few minutes later, at pick 32, the Patriots took N’Keal Harry out of ASU.
First of all, are we sold that a receiver out of ASU is worthy of a first round draft slot? The kid has size and ability, but can he put it all together at the NFL level? I know that because the Patriots took him, that means he gets the NFL’s Stamp Of Approval, but when was the last time the Patriots drafted a wide receiver who actually panned out in a big way?
If you know anything about the Seahawks, you know we don’t throw the ball a ton. So, why would it make sense to blow your wad on a receiver with your top draft pick? We have SO MANY MORE needs on the defensive side of the ball! And, by all accounts, the drop-off from Collier to the next-best defensive end/defensive tackle hybrid was pretty severe. The drop off from Harry to the next-best receivers doesn’t feel all that bad.
If the Seahawks turn around at 37 and take a receiver, I won’t complain, but I’d prefer we stayed on the defensive side of the ball. What’s the point in making Russell Wilson the highest paid player if we’re going to spend all this capital on offensive weapons? Wilson is supposed to make the guys we already have BETTER! Hold out until the 3rd round, Seahawks! You’ll be glad you did!
Because it probably means you took a safety in the second round, which is absolutely what I’m clamoring for.
Tonight’s gonna be fun. Right off the bat, we’ll have another new Seahawk to obsess over. People on Twitter are talking about the large gap between #37 and #92, which I get. With 4 fourth round picks, you’d think we’d be able to package something together to either move 92 up, or move 37 down a few spots and get into the 50’s or 60’s as well.
Of course, I have a ticket to see Endgame tonight at 7pm, so my draft evening will be interrupted. That’s the price you pay for having one of the funnest weekends in recent memory fall into your lap!