The Seahawks Made Some More Trades & Drafted More Guys On Day 2 Of The NFL Draft 2019

You can take a look at my Day 1 Recap to see where we left off heading into Friday. Now, let’s see if I can recap all the wheeling and dealing that happened last night:

  • Trade from 37 to 47 with the Panthers, acquired 77 (third round)
  • Draft Marquise Blair, safety from Utah, at 47
  • Trade from 77 to 64 with the Patriots, gave up 118 (fourth round)
  • Draft D.K. Metcalf, wide receiver from Ole Miss, at 64
  • It was reported Doug Baldwin might have played his last game in the NFL (not a trade or a draft pick, but still shocking news)
  • Trade from 92 to 88 with the Vikings, gave up 159 (fifth round), acquired 209 (sixth round)
  • Draft Cody Barton, linebacker from Utah, at 88

And, for good measure, here’s what awaits on Day 3:

  • #114 – 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)
  • #209 – Sixth Round (from MIN, trade up from 92)

So, that’s four guys drafted so far, with five more possibly to go.

Starting with Marquise Blair, I’ll say that I like the fact that we got a safety. We need to shore up that spot in a big way, and this guy looks like he’ll be in the mix to compete right away. He’s fast, he’s physical, he can play both free and strong safety (looks like the team will start him out at strong safety and see where he goes from there). He might be a little bit of a liability in coverage (hence starting him in the Kam spot), but we’ll see if that can be coached or schemed up. What’s going to HAVE to be coached up is his line-crossing on the field. He was known as a bit of a loose cannon in college, frequently getting ejected for targeting. The Seahawks are renown for teaching defenders how to tackle the right way; I just hope Blair’s style isn’t too ingrained in him. The last thing this defense needs is drives being extended because of personal foul penalties.

The great unknown – and the greatest risk about this pick – is Blair’s ability to stay healthy. He was frequently injured in college. For such a hard, physical player, he’s pretty slight in build. It wouldn’t shock me in the least to see his professional growth stunted due to an injury-plagued rookie campaign. Other than that, though, he looks like he could be a consummate Seahawk.

Next up, we’ve got D.K. Metcalf. He was chosen just before the Doug Baldwin news broke on Twitter, but that’s beside the point, because the Seahawks were going to take a wide receiver regardless. Also, not for nothing, but Metcalf and Baldwin could NOT be more different. Metcalf is a little over 6’3. He’s built like fucking Thor. And, really, he does one thing and does it well: run straight down the field FAST. Which, really, is all I was hoping for anyway. Give me a guy who runs fast, who jumps high, and who can catch the ball in traffic. If he can do that, you can play Lockett opposite, or even in the slot, and have him be more of a possession-type receiver.

Regardless, Metcalf will never be Baldwin. He wins off the line of scrimmage by punishing opponents, or blowing past them; he won’t juke too many guys. He’ll need to take advantage of his straight-line speed to hopefully earn a pre-snap cushion, then catch balls on a fly or with a guy all over him. Just as long as he’s not a drop factory, I think he’ll carve out a nice role on this team. Plus, odds are the Seahawks also pick up another WR or two on day 3 (or among the undrafted), so be on the lookout.

Metcalf is another guy with serious injury issues out of college. You hate to see it. Considering how stiff he is, I feel like the last thing this team should do is force him to play special teams. I know that’s ridiculous though, because that’s what you bring rookies in here to do. Nevertheless, I can’t imagine he’ll be very good at them, and it’s only a matter of time before he injures something trying to tackle a guy.

Finally, Cody Barton is that special teams linebacker I told you the Seahawks would covet. Sounds like he’s pretty fast, is a good tackler, and can play all three linebacker spots. Considering our starting crop are all getting up there, and very well could see time on the shelf with nagging injuries, Barton is a necessity in what was already a VERY strong linebacker room. Even if he’s just a special teamer as a rookie, I like the pick. We need all the help we can get in our coverage units. And, should he take over for K.J. Wright next year, all the better.

I’ll have more on Doug Baldwin and his future when things become more clear. But, it’s a huge blow on what’s otherwise been a fun couple of days.

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