The Seahawks went into Day Two of the NFL Draft with three picks. The two second-round picks were the 8th, the 9th pick with the third-round pick being no. 8.
With quarterbacks Malik Willis and Desmond Ridder still on the board there was plenty of speculation that the Seahawks would be among those teams to move up. Just like yesterday the Seahawks stayed put on all three of their Day 2 of the draft. In their Day 2 wrap-up conference call with the media head coach Pete Carroll was asked if the team made a statement with the picks.
” The statement we have made so far is that we want to run the ball. That’s all”
PASS RUSH NEEDS MET
One of the many needs for the Seahawks going into the draft was the need for a pass rusher. The Seahawk’s inability to put pressure on the passer saw their defense ranked among the worst in pass defense. Perplexing, frustrating, and disappointing if you consider the Seahawks were ranked in the top ten in run defense. So the pick of Baye Mafe at no. 8th in the second round makes sense.
BIG AND AGILE
Mafe is a big man who is quick, agile, and can get to the quarterback. At 6’4, 261 pounds Mafe will take up some space along the defensive front. He is a talented player who has cat-like quickness. He has the ability to get off blocks from a two-point stance and is versatile enough to play inside. His versatility will enable the Seahawks to move interior linemen around on defense and be able to disguise blitzes. Mafe’s draft stock improved as numerous teams became aware of his outstanding rush skills, cat-like quickness, strength, and ability to turn the corner on speed rushes.
BACKFIELD INSURANCE
Just after picking Mafe the Seahawks selected Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III with the ninth pick in the second round.
Another solid pick and an ominous sign regarding the health of Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny for that matter.
Walker is as a solid pick as there is. It’s not a bad thing to keep repeating that the Seahawks made another solid pick. The theme here is the Seahawks are going with system picks as well as one of the best players in the draft at his position.
POSSIBLE STARTER BY SEASONS END
Given his pedigree, I would be shocked if Walker was not the starter and running back when the season ends. If not a starter he will be the second-best running back on the team. Why? Walker won the Doak Walker Award as the best running in college football last year. He also took home the Walter Camp Player of the Year award and received first-team Associated Press All-American and Big Ten Running Back of the Year honors by ranking second in the FBS with 1,636 rushing yards (263 carries, 6.2 per) and tying for eighth with 18 rushing scores in 12 starts (also 13-89-6.8, one TD receiving). Walker finished sixth in last year’s Heisman Trophy voting.
BOOKENDS
With their last pick on the second day of the draft, the Seahawks picked tackle Abraham Lucas. The 6’6 315 former WSU Cougar was a solid starter at right tackle for the Cougars. If Lucas can perform to expectations the Seahawks could have their starting tackles for the foreseeable future. Cross at left tackle and Lucas at right are enough to bring bubbling optimism regarding the future of the Seahawk’s offense.
STELLAR COLLEGIATE CAREER
Lucas redshirted his first year in Pullman. He garnered second-team All-Pac-12 and USA Today Freshman All-American notice for his efforts in 13 starts at right tackle in 2018. The Everett, Washington, native and three-star recruit again was named second-team all-conference in 2019 (starting all 13 contests at right tackle) and 2020 as a team captain (started all four games at right tackle). Lucas received 2021 first-team All-Pac-12 accolades, starting 12 games at right tackle before opting out of the team’s bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft.
WHAT IT ALL MEANS
The Seahawks made the selections they needed to become competitive in the NFC West. Pete and John will have you believe this will happen right away. I am not here to say they won’t . I believe the Hawks will be in the mix for a playoff position. Being competitive is a relative word. The three picks from Day 2 were solid and addressed some gaping needs. Walker is a big-time-back who can run inside, and outside and catch the ball. The Seahawks did make a statement in the first two days of the draft. We are a running team and we aim to get back to our bread and butter.
DAY TWO GRADE: A
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