Second round, No. 37 overall – Joe Tippman, C, Wisconsin
I am admittedly higher in this year’s central class than some others seem to be. I see a handful of future NFL starters and if Carter is, indeed, the No. personality and style of play matches Georgia’s imposing defensive tackle.
At 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds, Tippman is as big as it gets and he’s remarkably fast for such a big man, ticking off the agility requirements for Andy Dickerson’s mobile scheme. With a cap “tip” to John Michael Schmitz and Steve Avila of Minnesota and TCU, respectively, a clean scheme (and personality tweaks), I think the Seahawks are falling in love with the younger, more athletic player perceived as greater long-term potential. .
Second round, No. 52 overall — Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
With Kenneth Walker III deservedly earning more first-place votes than anyone else for last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, few outside of Seattle are likely expecting this. let the Seahawks invest a top-50 pick in that position again, but Charbonnet (pronounced Sharbone-aye) is just too slick to ignore. The 6-foot, 214-pound looks more like Clydesdale than a thoroughbred, dropping his shoulder and plowing through would-be attackers, but his galloping strides devour the footage in a hurry. Charbonnet had 8 carries / catches over 20 yards last year alone. Like Walker a year ago, Charbonnet dominated two different programs, starring in Michigan for Jim Harbaugh before returning to his home state of California and another former NFL head coach in Chip Kelly, where he rushed for over 2,500 yards and 27 touchdowns the last two years.
Third round, No. 83 overall – Henry To’oTo’o, ILB, Alabama
There are plenty of flashy off-ball linebackers in this class, but To’oTo’o — a rare underrated prospect from Alabama — might just be the most pro-ready of the bunch. He’s not the biggest or the fastest, but To’oTo’o offers Jedi-like instincts, a clean and reliable form tackle and great durability, having started a staggering 50 games over the past four years while splitting his time between the University of Tennessee (where he was named a Freshman All-American and played with current Seahawk Darrell Taylor) before moving to Alabama for the past two seasons, operating as an extension on the pitch of head coach Nick Saban. There are elements in the 6-foot-1, 227-pound game that remind me of former Seahawks center linebacker Lofa Tatupu, and not just because of their Polynesian roots.
Fourth round, No. 123 overall – Marte Mapu, S/OLB, Sacramento State
Even with Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs currently on the roster, Seattle could consider safeties sooner than expected, and Mapu, who is 6-foot-3, 217 pounds, has the size and explosiveness that Carroll favored as a safety box. traditional. Mapu, a Combine snub, is the reigning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year and allayed concerns about his level of competition with a splashy few days at the Senior Bowl.
Fifth round, No. 151 overall – Cameron Young, DT, Mississippi State
Like Robinson before him, Young is a very good football player who could go down on draft day amid questions about his place in today’s NFL. Young is a throwback to a previous generation where defensive tackles were primarily in demand to stuff the run, not rush the passer. His inability to generate much rushing (just two sacks in 34 career games) is concerning to some, but I see a powerfully built 6-foot-3, 305-pounder ranking among the two most proven and powerful. in this class and excellent value for a club that finished 30th in the NFL a year ago in rushing yards allowed.
Fifth round, No. 154 overall — Jon Gaines II, OG, UCLA
Seattle’s expected starting trio of interior offensive linemen – Damien Lewis (left guard), Evan Brown (center) and Phil Haynes (right guard) – are all scheduled for free agency at the end of next season. With second-round pick Joe Tippman’s projected 22 starts at center, the Seahawks would be wise to keep an eye out for late athletic guards. The 6-foot-4, 303-pound Gaines has the versatility of center guard, combining quickness with dedication to the draft as a future starter.