The always highly anticipated first round of the NFL draft is officially in the books. The Seahawks started the evening with two picks on day 1 – No. 21 and No. 29. In the end, Seattle only used the No. 29 overall selection to draft defensive end L.J. Collier out of Texas Christian University.
While many fans and analysts were surprised by the selection, the seemingly unconventional pick is typically conventional for the Seahawks. Rarely have they ever chosen a first-round pick people expected.
Looking back at Seattle’s last few drafts, not many predicted the Seahawks to take Rashaad Penny, Malik McDowell or Germain Ifedi. Even in the now-legendary 2012 draft, the Seahawks were questioned when they selected Bruce Irvin at No. 15 overall. L.J Collier appears to simply be the next in a long line of surprising first picks.
Seattle also held true to form in another critical aspect – the habit of trading down in the first round for more picks later in the draft. The Seahawks dealt No. 21 to Green Bay for the Packers’ No. 30 and two fourth rounders and then traded that pick to the Giants for No. 37 in the second round and additional draft stock in the fourth and fifth rounds.
Along the way, Seattle picked up three additional fourth-round selections and another fifth-round pick, for a net gain of four more choices in 2019.
The Seahawks shrewdly turned a league-low four picks into nine, including eight over the next two days. With players like standout wide receiver D.K Metcalf and Washington Husky star Byron Murphy still on the board, eight picks should be more than enough ammunition to restock a roster for a team with playoff aspirations.
