Seattle Seahawks Draft Review

1st Round, Pick #25: James Carpenter (Guard/Tackle Alabama)

While James Carpenter is a solid guard prospect, and should be an above average starter, this is not at all the type of prospect that should go in the first round. Carpenter played tackle at Alabama, and was very solid, but in all the Alabama games I have watched over the past 2 years, he never once stood out to me as a top prospect. He is the type of guy you pick in round 3, somebody who will be a solid starter for a few years, but in the first round you need to get an impact player, and Carpenter is not that. Poor value here by Seattle.

Grade- D

3rd Round, Pick #75: John Moffit (Guard Wisconsin)

Pete Carroll is doing the right thing by building up the Offensive Line which was atrocious for Seattle last year. And while I hated them taking James Carpenter earlier, this pick I like, here is why. When you are talking about Interior lineman, unless you are one of the elites, like a Steve Hutchinson, or a prospect like Mike Iupati last year, the difference between the rest of the guys is so miniscule. So even though James Carpenter is better than John Moffit, it is not by much at all, they will both be solid starters, and it will be hard to tell the difference from a talent perspective, which makes the only difference, where they got selected. Seattle's offensive line is definitely better, but they missed a golden chance to get an impact playmaker in round 1.

Grade- B+

4th Round, Pick #99: K.J Wright (OLB Mississippi State)

Just to give a better perspective on why I don't like what Seattle did in the draft, I will give you this scenario. They could have taken 2 good interior line prospects, with John Moffitt with the last pick, and here they could have taken Clint Boling who was available at pick #99, who I actually think is just as good as James Carpenter. Had they waited and gotten Moffitt and Boling, they could have used their 1st round pick on a big time talent, like Jimmy Smith, Mark Ingram, or the QB of their choosing. As for this pick, K.J Wright is nothing more than a slightly above average linebacker who can be a spot starter, but contribute son special teams.

Grade- C-

4th Round, Pick #107: Kris Durham (WR Georgia)

What? Why? In the Fourth Round? All questions that we all asked, and should be asked of the Seahawks front office. Kris Durham is a guy who only managed to start 15 games in his 5 years at Georgia, one of which was missed completely with a torn labrum. He had 4 Career TD's, 3 of which came against Georgia Southern, LA Lafayette, and Vanderbilt. Durham was drafted this high because he is 6 Foot 5, and ran in the 4.4 range at Georgia's pro day, but I'd like to think that Al Davis isn't running the show in Seattle. All Durham is, is a big body who can run in a straight line pretty fast, he is not agile, doesn't make sharp cuts well, and will have a tough time getting separation at the next level. I hate to rip on the guy so much, but he just is not even close to good enough to justify this selection.

Grade- F

5th Round, Pick #154: Richard Sherman (CB/S Stanford)

Finally Seattle decided to address their less then reliable secondary, and did a pretty good job with Richard Sherman here in the 5th. Sherman was a huge reason why Stanford was able to have such a big season last year, as he did a terrific job shutting down opponents #1 WR. Sherman is very raw to the position, as he transitioned from Receiver to Corner before his Junior year, and it shows. He is very raw, and unlike many of the other big cornerbacks this year, Sherman does not have the hips to go along with his size, so he may have to make a permanent move over to safety. But he has proven that he can play somewhere, as he has very good instincts, and a high football IQ.

Grade- B+

5th Round, Pick #156: Mark Legree (Safety App. State)

Very good attempt here by Seattle to solve their Secondary woes later in the draft. Mark LeGree has looked like a man among boys in Division 2, with 22 career interceptions which is a ridiculous amount. He has average size, and can run pretty well. He shows excellent instincts, but I have concerns whether he will hold up in run support. LeGree lacks the strength you like, and has a tough time wrapping up and dragging down bigger taller guys by himself. Solid pick in the 5th round though.

Grade- B+

6th Round, Pick #173: Byron Maxwell (CB Clemson)

There were a few cornerbacks left on the board I like better than Maxwell, but overall this is another good selection in an attempt to fix the secondary. Byron Maxwell will find a way to make the roster, whether it's a cornerback, safety, or kick coverage, Maxwell is a very physical player who plays very well in tight spaces. He is a good tackler, and is good in press coverage, but when he starts to get into open space is where his weaknesses show. He has average speed, and has pretty stiff hips, so he can't really change directions that well. He could be a fit at safety, but he does lack the speed you look for there as well. He will find a way to make the roster, and not a bad pick in the 6th round.

Grade- B-

7th Round, Pick #205: Lazarius Levingston (DE L.S.U)

Levingston will have to really improve in some aspect of the game to make an impact. I have seen a lot of him, mostly watching his teammates, and he is just average through and through. He's not bad, but just extremely mediocre. I thought of him mostly as a 3-4 DE, at 280 he can eat up space and blockers, and maybe if Seattle plans to run some 3-4 sets he could make it, but in a 4-3, he isn't going anywhere.

Grade- D-

7th Round, Pick #242: Malcolm Smith (OLB U.S.C)

I expected Pete Carroll to pick up one of his former players earlier in the draft but he waited until the 7th round to pick up a former Trojan. Malcolm Smith is very talented, and is a great athlete, but just is not big or strong enough to be a regular contributor on the defensive side of the ball. He has the potential to be very good on special teams as a 225 pound guy who can move around very well.

Grade- C+