For a long time, the Seattle Seahawks did not select players from nearby University of Washington in the NFL draft.
Then, a few years into the Chris Petersen era out on Montlake, the Huskies started churning out quality NFL talent – and Pete Carroll and his squad got in on the action.
The Seahawks have been thrilled with the performance of Will Dissly, a 2018 fourth round pick who began his career at UW at defensive end but transitioned to tight end for his final few years.
Dissly was joined by another teammate, linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, who the Seahawks nabbed in the fifth round in 2019.
While BBK was a reserve linebacker and core special teamer last season, the Seahawks view him as a key piece for the future and have been very happy with their two recent UW draft picks.
The question now is if Seattle will target anyone else from UW for the 2020 draft. While there are plenty of talented players from Washington expected to go in the first few rounds, the two most notable players (tight end Hunter Bryant and quarterback Jacob Eason) don’t play positions of need for the Seahawks, leaving them with fewer options to choose from.
However, there are still three players the Seahawks could pursue, including a pair of offensive linemen and a defensive back that all could be good fits for Carroll and company.
Center/Guard Nick Harris
At the start of free agency, UW center/guard Nick Harris was one of my favorite potential targets for the Seahawks.
The team’s free agent additions of B.J. Finney and Chance Warmack have made the need for help on the interior offensive line less imperative, although it’s not out of the question Seattle will still pursue Harris in the middle rounds – if he’s still available.
Harris is a lot like Finney, a versatile lineman who can play center and both guard spots, who is slightly undersized but uses leverage and a high-IQ to outsmart opponents.
With Justin Britt a likely cap casualty, and Mike Iupati almost certainly signing elsewhere this summer, the Seahawks could still use more bodies in the trenches.
Harris is a good scheme fit for the Seahawks, and would be a smart addition in the third or fourth round if he lasts that long.
Tackle Trey Adams
Few players had a worse performance at the NFL combine than UW tackle Trey Adams. Adams was once one of the most promising tackle prospects in all of college football, but a pair of devastating injuries while with the Huskies has sapped him of much of his athleticism, which was apparent when he finished dead last among all lineman in the 40-yard dash, vertical leap and broad jump while at the combine.
Still, Adams managed to play in every game for UW in 2019, and he possesses good strength and quickness as a pass protector. If he is able to build back up some of his athleticism as a reserve tackle for a year or so in the NFL, he could be a really nice late round pick or even an undrafted free agent pickup.
The Seahawks could afford to stash Adams on the practice squad for a year or so to see what coach Mike Solari and an NFL training regimen can get out of the youngster. If it doesn’t work out, it will cost very little, while the reward could be substantial.
Cornerback Myles Bryant
The Seahawks have a type when targeting defensive backs in the later rounds, and Bryant’s 5’9 height and 29 1/2 inch arms certainly don’t fit their typical bill.
However – most believe Bryant will be a slot cornerback at the next level, and with Ugo Amadi the only real nickel on the roster at the moment, it might make sense for the Seahawks to bring Bryant in as an undrafted free agent to compete with Amadi for that role.
Even if he doesn’t win the starting job, which would be a tall order, Bryant could play the part of a gunner on the special teams, a role that has gone to Neiko Thorpe and Akeem King the last few seasons.
Both King and Thorpe are free agents, so there’s an opening for a backup corner and core special teamer – and Bryant’s speed, good open field tackling and relentless attitude make him an ideal replacement if Seattle can snag him after the draft.
