Seattle Seahawks 2018 Draft Class Review

With the 2018 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to begin the review process on how each team stacks up with the selections they’ve made. While Seattle begins the rebuild of their once overpaid defensive unit, this draft would give an indication of what the team will look like this season. With many holes on the roster on both offense and defense, General Manager John Schneider was able to add nine players to the fold while adding large numbers in undrafted free agent talent, let’s review… 

Seattle Seahawks 2018 Draft Class Review:

Round 1 – Pick 27 (27)

Rashaad Penny (RB)

While some may not view Penny as a true NFL three down running back, ADF was excited to see the Seahawks take a chance in selecting Rashaad in the first round. Penny exemplifies the prototypical size and speed desired from any team looking to rebuild their run game with a true speed-power back. While his speed for his size looks great, his shifty mobile aspect of his game will indeed provide Seattle with a running style they haven’t had since Marshawn Lynch retired and left for Oakland. Penny possesses great awareness and patience when he runs hitting holes and accelerating into the second level of the defense making defenders miss with great regularity. On top of that, Penny doesn’t shy away from initial contact making him very difficult to bring down. This is a clear upgrade for the Seahawks offense while giving Russell Wilson a viable running game to take pressure off the pass attack and regaining play action.

While Penny was making slim waves in his first three seasons in San Diego State, his senior season statistically was one for the ages. Penny was trusted to lead the charge almost achieving 300 carries (289) while crushing the opposition for 2248 rushing yards and finding the endzone a whopping 23 times, very impressive. ADF does believe in Rashaad’s ability in the pass game with above average hands which could make him quite dangerous in the open field. With that said, Penny will have to work on his craft in run blocking to remain on the field for all three downs. Thankfully for the Seahawks, they employ other capable backs to fill that void as Penny perfects that part of his game. Either way, this is a slam dunk of a pick for the Hawks.  

ADF Prediction: Great potential, potential high end producer.

Round 3 – Pick 15 (79)

Rasheem Green (DE)

In Coach Carroll’s tenure, he has managed to find good pass rushers and depth for a defensive line that has dominated these many years. Starting to fix their issues on that line begins with former USC Trojan Rasheem Green. What stands out from Green is his great size and speed but he lacks the overall agility we would like to see from a player manning the outside of the line. While its clear Green could develop as a disruptive force in the future, some scouts question his ability to step in from day one and hold the position with his lack of strength against the top tackles in the NFL. While ADF can’t argue that point, we are definitely encouraged with the mass tool-kit Green possesses with his many diverse moves at the point of attack. This pick has a lot to like but could be a bust if not developed in the correct manner.    

ADF Prediction: Great potential, has a floor.

Round 4 – Pick 20 (120)

Will Dissly (TE)

With Jimmy Graham taking his talents to Green Bay, the Seahawks have a massive hole to fill at the tight end position. Making free agent signings to help fill the void (Ed Dickson) drafting Will Dissly should purely act as insurance to help the run game, protecting Russell Wilson, and having a situational role in sub packages. Dissly does have good size standing 6’4” tall with good playing weight at just over 260 pounds. Will wont dazzle in terms of highlight reel plays but should have a clear role assisting the offensive line and running with the special teams unit from day one. Dissly should act as a good depth piece to a committee of tight ends on this roster.

ADF Prediction: Situational player.

Round 5 – Pick 4 (141)

Shaquem Griffin (LB)

Perhaps the most exciting and most talked about player in the combine and draft process was the standout line backer from UCF, the one handed Shaquem Griffin. Finding his way to Seattle to reunite with his brother who’s currently on the roster (Shaquill Griffin), the Hawks have drafted an athletic gem that continues to prove the masses wrong. Griffin has shown to be a very impressive player in his time at UCF garnering awards for the best defensive player in his conference. Shaquem possesses great traits that include world class speed, very good strength, and intelligence to place himself in the right position to make plays. ADF is a huge fan of this selection to the Hawks as gritty players with the preverbal chip on their shoulder to prove everyone he can play should be on display early and often for Griffin.

During the draft process, many teams struggled to find the correct placement for Griffin which led to his drop into the fifth round. ADF firmly believes Seattle will use Griffin primarily as a rusher with his fantastic ability to penetrate offensive linemen which saw him post 33.5 tackles behind the line, while adding 18.5 sacks in his final two seasons at Central Florida. Griffin could be a solid playmaker in Seattle if used the right way.    

ADF Prediction: Good potential.

Round 5 – Pick 9 (146)

Tre Flowers (DB)

Adding more pieces to a defensive backend that requires more depth, the Hawks chose Tre Flowers the safety from Oklahoma State. Flowers has good height and a decent frame to man the safety position in the NFL, but we would like to see another 10 pounds added to round out his stature. The Seahawks and the Legion of Boom were well known for having fast players on the defense which Flowers does in fact possess. Clocking a nice 4.45 40 time at the combine showed he has the appropriate wheels to man a position on the backend. While Tre wasn’t overly productive in his four years in college, he did provide sound plays when needed. ADF could suggest Flowers is still quite raw and would undoubtedly benefit from being in the same room as Earl Thomas and Cam Chancellor perfecting his skill set.      

Round 5 – Pick 12 (149)

Michael Dickson (P)

While kickers and punters are never sexy picks in the draft, Seattle perhaps scored one of the better talents at the position. With not much to evaluate for Dickson other than average hang time and average kicking distance, he definitely answers the bell in both those categories. What we know for sure is that Seattle will have a punter competition in camp between Michael Dickson and John Ryan for the rights to be the punter.  

Round 5 – Pick 31 (168)

Jamarco Jones (OL)

We have heard throughout the offseason from some of our colleagues that suggest the Seahawks still don’t possess a good offensive line, ADF tends to disagree. Losing George Fant for the season was a massive blow right out of the gates, and having acquired Duane Brown from the Texans via trade and losing him to injury also hurt the outlook. Drafting Jamarco Jones is a perfect step in the right direction for much needed depth at the tackle position. With Fant on track to return and Brown locked in as the starting left tackle, Seattle now has the option to kick Germain Ifedi inside to play Guard leaving Jones as the primary backup at the tackle position. Jones is a very good athlete that possesses great agile traits to move quickly to stifle defensive ends from getting to the quarterback. The largest benefit should be that Jones can sit back and learn while adding more weight to his frame as a great depth piece for the Hawks. Jamarco could steal a starting role in the future.    

Round 6 – Pick 12 (186)

Jake Martin (DE)

While it’s no surprise this draft was dictated by mostly defensive talent, Seattle chose Jake Martin, defensive end from Temple to help a troubled unit. Pete Carroll loves players that don’t quit and will be a force on every play wearing down the opposition, that’s exactly the type of player Martin is. Even though his athletic ability hovers around the average range, his passion and drive is what separates him from the pack. This pick is more evidence that Seattle is trying to recreate a defense with more depth having rotational pieces keeping players fresh instead of having superstar talent to lean on. Martin should find his way to sub packages as a specialty rusher to start his career.  

Round 7 – Pick 2 (220)

Alex McGough (QB)

Seattle took a shot on the small school quarterback with a strong arm with their last pick in the 2018 draft. Alex McGough does possess good athleticism to go along with his strong arm but failed to wow statistically in his time at Florida International. Posting a career 60% completion rate while throwing for just over 9000 yards, doesn’t scream super talent in playing in a weaker class in college. His touchdown to interception ratio also leaves something to be desired seeing Alex post 65 touchdowns to 37 interceptions. McGough will have to surely impress in camp to remain on the roster or he’ll settle to becoming just the camp arm for the third team offense.  

2018 Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Khalid Hill, FB, Michigan

Poona Ford, DT, Texas

Jason Hall, DB, Texas

Marcell Frazier, DE, Missouri

Taj Williams, WR, TCU

Tanner Carew, LS, Oregon

Skyler Phillips, OL, Idaho State

Brad Lundblade, C, Oklahoma State

Eddy Wilson, DT Purdue

Marcus Martin, FB, Slippery Rock

Caleb Scott, WR Vanderbilt

Emmanuel Beal, LB, Oklahoma

Ka'Raun White, WR, West Virginia

Warren Long, LB, Northwestern

Jake Pugh, LB, Florida State