The Seattle Seahawks managed to sneak their way into the second round of the 2019 NFL draft on Thursday, trading the No. 30 overall pick to the Giants in exchange for pick No. 37 as well as a fourth and a fifth rounder.
Seattle was originally without a second-rounder this year, having used it to acquire Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown in 2017.
However, a series of trades gives Seattle an opportunity to bolster the roster even more after drafting pass rusher L.J. Collier in the first round.
The Seahawks have been connected to a handful of players expected to go early in the second round and still have pressing needs in their secondary and at wide receiver.
Here are three players the Seahawks could consider drafting with the No. 37 pick, as well as a few alternatives at each position.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, DB, Florida
Long is the key word here, as it almost always captures the attention of Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
Gardner-Johnson has the requisite length and versatility to be a Seahawk, as he can play cover 1 high safety, box safety on blitzes, and many even believe he will be a slot corner in the NFL – which could make him an ideal replacement for Justin Coleman.
Gardner-Johnson ran a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash, but there are some concerns his footwork may be an issue, which could make him more suited for a slot or a blitzing role.
Of course, Seattle may not want to use a high second round pick on a slot corner, particularly after the Seahawks acquired Coleman for pennies and turned him into a budding star.
The Seahawks rarely drafts defensive backs really high, and while they could make an exception for Gardner-Johnson, it would likely only be if they see him as a regular starter at the safety position.
Other corner options include Byron Murphy and Sean Bunting.
Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware
Our first suggestion was a lengthy, versatile defensive back who can play both safety and corner. The same attributes factor into our second option, Delaware safety Nasir Adderley.
Adderley played safety in college, but some inconsistencies with response time have some scouts believing he will be a cornerback in the NFL – where his length, athleticism and ball-skills would make him an intriguing target.
Seattle is familiar with moving safeties over to the corner position, as evidenced by Tre Flowers’ transition last season.
Adderley possesses true athleticism and actually played some corner in college so his transition could be even smoother than Flowers, which would be a huge boost for Seattle’s struggling secondary.
Other safety options include Taylor Rapp and Juan Thornhill.
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi
Carroll loves his big, athletic receivers. And with a lack of height among his current receiving corps, it will be very hard for Seattle to pass up on Metcalf if he is still available at pick No. 37.
Perhaps the biggest faller on Thursday night, Metcalf possesses an unbelievably rare combination of size and speed, which had many scouts projecting him in the top 10.
Metcalf ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash, and measured in at six-foot-three and 228 pounds, with 34 7/8 inch arms and 9 7/8 inch hands.
His speed and size would make him an imposing target for Russell Wilson, and while he is still quite raw, he’d immediately give Seattle a big red zone target who is capable of beating smaller corners down the sideline for big gains.
With Doug Baldwin’s health in question, Metcalf could realistically slot in as Seattle’s No. 2 receiver behind Tyler Lockett as soon as 2019, and would likely be a steal at No. 37 overall.
Other receiver options include Parris Campbell and Hakeem Butler
