The Seattle Seahawks have taken the approach of more = better in the last few NFL drafts.
The 2017 draft class saw the Seahawks select 11 players, with only six of them still on the roster just three years later.
Things went better in the class of 2018, with seven of their nine selections on the roster heading into the 2020 season. Of the two who are not, one of them is sixth rounder Jacob Martin, a wiry pass rusher who was sent to the Texans in the trade for Jadeveon Clowney.
The other is quarterback Alex McGough, a seventh rounder whom the Seahawks attempted to groom as an eventual replacement for Russell Wilson.
Here is a look at the seven who still remain, and what kind of role they are expected to have in 2020.
Round 1, Pick 27: Running Back Rashaad Penny
On the rare occasion the Seahawks do make a pick in the first round, they usually buck tradition. After a stellar showing from Chris Carson in his rookie season, the Seahawks went ahead and took San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny with their first pick in 2018.
Penny has yet to live up to expectations, with injuries hampering him in both of his first two seasons. He did have a nice 5.7 yards per carry in 10 games last season, however, and he looks primed to be Seattle’s No. 2 back again in 2020.
Round 3, Pick 79: Defensive End Rasheem Green
The Seahawks knew Green was a bit of a project when they took him in the third round, and after barely playing his rookie year he showed up in a big way in year two, leading the Seahawks with four sacks while also forcing three fumbles in 16 games of action.
With the team’s pass rush a major area of concern heading into 2020, the Seahawks will need Green to take an even larger leap forward in his third season. If he is able to do so, he could be a breakout star.
Round 4, Pick 120: Tight End Will Dissly
Speaking of breakout stars, a pair of injuries is the only reason Will Dissly is not being talked about among the best tight ends in the NFL.
Dissly has only appeared in 10 games in his first two seasons, with a knee and achilles injury ending each of his first two campaigns prematurely.
Dissly has 31 receptions for 418 yards and six touchdowns in those 10 games however, and if he can remain healthy he will be a huge part of Seattle’s offense in 2020.
Learning from veteran Greg Olsen, whom the Seahawks signed this offseason, won’t hurt either.
Round 5, Pick 141: Linebacker Shaquem Griffin
More than just a nice story, Shaquem Griffin proved to be a useful special teams contributor in his rookie campaign, and stepped into a pass rushing role late in the 2019 season, recording a sack in Seattle’s playoff win over Philadelphia.
Griffin is undersized for a LEO, but his contributions on special teams and speed off the edge should allow him to compete for a role on this squad in 2020, and his inspirational story and relationship with his brother Shaquill will likely keep him in the fold.
Round 5, Pick 146: Cornerback Tre Flowers
Flowers has started 30 games through his first two seasons, easily leading the 2018 draft class in starts and snaps.
However, that streak is likely to come to a close, as a poor campaign in 2019 led to Seattle trading for star corner Quinton Dunbar this offseason.
Dunbar is almost certainly going to start next to Griffin in 2020, leaving Flowers in a reserve role for the first time in his career. As a former safety, it’s possible he becomes a versatile, roving piece of the secondary – and the team could even consider working him out at nickel as well.
Round 5, Pick 149: Punter Michael Dickson
It was quite the spectacle when the Seahawks traded up to acquire a punter in 2018, but Michael Dickson proved worth the selection – making the Pro Bowl and being named an All-Pro in his rookie season.
He followed it up with a rockier 2019 season, although he still averaged a respectable 45.1 yards per punt.
He’s entrenched as the team’s punter for the foreseeable future, and there’s a good chance he has more Pro Bowl appearances coming down the line.
Round 5, Pick 168: Tackle Jamarco Jones
The Seahawks drafted Jones as a potential replacement for Germain Ifedi at right tackle. However, Jones has proven more capable as an interior offensive lineman, filling in at both left and right guard at times during the 2019 season.
After struggling in a start at left tackle, it now looks like Jones’ future is at guard, where he is expected to compete to start at left tackle with veteran Mike Iupati not expected to return.
