NFL Draft 2024 grades: Seahawks get largely constructive marks from analysts

NFL Draft grades are out and, as typical, a lot of the class handed and can advance to a 300-level course.

As a substitute of combing via each main website in search of grades from notable NFL analysts, the work has already been completed for us. Rene Bugner did the time-intensive work of compiling the letter grades of 20 evaluators, and changing these scores right into a grade level common.

Solely the Atlanta Falcons bought broadly panned for his or her draft, largely due to the Michael Penix Jr choice at No. 8, but additionally the large commerce up for Clemson’s Ruke Orhorhoro, who was thought-about a attain as an early second-round choose.

The Seattle Seahawks didn’t have a glamorous draft in comparison with the earlier two seasons (aided closely by the Russell Wilson commerce), nevertheless it was sufficient for the pundits to usually give the Seahawks what would common out to a B or a B-.

It ought to be famous that Ryan McCrystal’s “D” grade for the Seahawks was really for the 49ers. His precise Seattle grade was a C+, however that doesn’t change a complete lot.

Let’s get into a few deep dives. Some fella named Danny Kelly from The Ringer gave the Seahawks a B for his or her draft:

SEATTLE FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON THE TRENCHES IN THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE JOHN SCHNEIDER/MIKE MACDONALD ERA. That technique began with the number of defensive sort out Byron Murphy II, an instantaneous affect inside defender who performs with first-step quickness and immense power to break down the pocket. The Seahawks lacked a second-round choose (used to commerce for Leonard Williams final season), however bought nice worth within the third spherical with offensive guard Christian Haynes, a plug-and-play starter at a place of want. Seattle added a rangy linebacker in Tyrice Knight, a powerful blocking tight finish in AJ Barner, and a pair of potential depth linemen in Sataoa Laumea and Michael Jerrell on Day 3. Plus they grabbed two former teammates at Auburn who may compete for snaps in cornerbacks Nehemiah Pritchett and D.J. James. All in all, an unsexy however stable weekend for the Seahawks.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper went a bit of decrease with a B-:

My mock draft decisions for the Seahawks had gotten a bit of boring, I’ll admit. I simply stored giving them Troy Fautanu, the top-ranked guard and one in all my favourite prospects on this class. Why? As a result of guard was their largest want and since I couldn’t discover one other spot for Fautanu above them at No. 16. The match simply made an excessive amount of sense.

Nevertheless it’s by no means that straightforward, is it? Seattle GM John Schneider handed on Fautanu and chosen top-ranked defensive sort out Byron Murphy II (16) as a substitute, attempting to shore up a run protection that ranked thirty first in dashing yards allowed per recreation (138.4) and thirty second in dashing first downs allowed (143). Murphy can also penetrate as an inside pass-rusher. I’d have had a much bigger drawback with the selection if Schneider hadn’t landed my third-ranked guard in Spherical 3, as Christian Haynes (81) may very well be an instantaneous starter. These are two stable picks for the Seahawks.

Tight finish AJ Barner (121) wasn’t a lot of a pass-catcher in faculty, however he’s a very good blocker. The Seahawks took not one however two cornerbacks from Auburn on Day 3 in Nehemiah Pritchett (136) and D.J. James (192). I really had James rated larger.

This isn’t essentially the most glamourous draft Schneider has put collectively, however there may be expertise all through.

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Lastly, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter paid the very best compliments to Seattle and handed them an A.

Evaluation: Murphy was at all times the choose for Seattle if obtainable at No. 16 due to his capacity to stress quarterbacks and play the run. Haynes will begin as a rookie for the Seahawks because of his athleticism and toughness. Re-upping defensive lineman Leonard Williams paid off the second-round funding in that commerce with the Giants.

Knight is the robust tackler the Seahawks wanted in the midst of their protection, although others like Jeremiah Trotter Jr. have been obtainable. Barner is a dependable receiver and blocker who can substitute Will Dissly. Pritchett ought to have been picked a lot earlier. Laumea performed nicely at sort out however initiatives as an influence blocker at guard. No edge rushers have been chosen, so I believe a pair prime undrafted free brokers will probably be signed.

As at all times, these grades are greatest noticed and reviewed in about three or 4 years. We’ll examine again in 2027 or 2028, aka three or 4 Seahawks Tremendous Bowls later.