The Seattle Seahawks traded up for a second time Friday evening, acquiring pick No. 88 and pick No. 209 in exchange for pick No. 92 and pick No. 159.
Seattle used the No. 88 pick to select Utah linebacker Cody Barton.
Barton will join teammate Marquise Blair in Seattle next season, after Blair was selected by Seattle in the second round.
Barton played primarily inside linebacker while in college, but has some experience as an outside linebacker as well. He has excellent upper body strength and good recognition in pass protection, although he’s a tad undersized at just 227 pounds.
Seattle seems to be all set at inside linebacker, with Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, Austin Calitro and Shaquem Griffin all in the fold – not to mention Mychal Kendricks if he is able to play next season.
Still, Barton definitely has the tools to be an immediate contributor on the special teams, and could turn into a future starter in the middle of Seattle’s defense.
For an updated look at Seattle’s picks in the 2019 NFL draft, follow our draft tracker.
