The 2018 NFL Draft is in the books, so check out the Seattle Seahawks' 2018 NFL Draft class and the grades given to them by major publications. Many felt that the Seahawks had a weak draft overall and could've done a good deal better. Here's how they fared in the draft grades given by major publications:
Chat Sports
Grade: C-
Breakdown:
USA Today
Grade: D
Breakdown: "Let's begin by saying that GM John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll have built a powerhouse while making draft "graders" look silly. Yet still ... RB Rashaad Penny seemed like a first-round reach on merit and especially because Seattle already had several backs on the roster. No qualms with USC DE Rasheem Green in Round 3, but the decision to virtually ignore the corner and offensive line (again) crops is puzzling. (Seattle did take OT Jamarco Jones in Round 5 but after taking a punter 19 picks earlier.)"
ESPN
Grade: C+
Breakdown: "No need to bury the lede here: I've done this nearly 40 years, and 35 years with ESPN. The drafting of Shaquem Griffin (pick 141) was one of the most memorable moments I can remember, and we got to experience it with him and his family. That was pretty special. But what you came for: He was also a steal! I thought Griffin could come off the board in Round 3. He accurately pointed out that Seattle can be creative on defense and find a good role for him. I agree.
"Now to the question marks. I like Rashaad Penny (27), but even after adding value by trading down, I saw him as a reach. I had Sony Michel rated higher, and I would have looked for running back help later. The Sheldon Richardsontrade left the Seahawks without a second-rounder -- overall: ouch. They have Duane Brown to show for a third, and now also added a player I really like in Rasheem Green (79). Cliff Avril is coming off an injury-plagued season and will be 32 years old. Green can really help and is a young guy with upside. Will Dissly (140) is depth at tight end, and he's the best blocking tight end in this draft. Michael Dickson (149) is a potential Pro Bowl punter, and Jamarco Jones (168) has experience and upside on the offensive line, though I could practically hear the Seattle fans in Dallas wondering why the Seahawks waited so long to address the O-line. They have a point."
Bleacher Report
Grade: C
Breakdown: "The Seattle Seahawks appear to be turning back the clock on their offense after looking at the talent they prioritized in this draft. Running back Rashaad Penny can be a workhorse for the offense, boasting tremendous size and downhill speed. He was an unexpected name to be called in the first round, but he wasn't going to last long on Day 2 if the Seahawks passed on him.
"Taking a blocking tight end at No. 120 in Will Dissly was a questionable investment for a team needing to rebuild most of the depth on the roster. Adding defensive end Rasheem Green and linebacker Shaquem Griffin boost the athletic profile of the unit, and Green in particular could be a better NFL player than collegiate player if he can take advantage of his uncommon size and explosiveness.
"Fifth-round tackle Jamarco Jones tested terribly at the combine but should compete for the right tackle job with incumbent Germain Ifedi. Jones had a great career at Ohio State as a reliable pass-blocker.
"Still, this wasn't a class that stands out with sure-things or potential short-term production."
SB Nation
Grade:BC
Breakdown: "Who blocks for Russell Wilson? That is the overarching theme of the draft for the Seahawks. That’s the lead storyline for Seattle. The secondary one taking running back Rashaad Penny in the first round. The system fit is obvious, and if it happened in the second round it would’ve been fine. but taking him at No. 27 was a stunner.
"If the can be coached up properly, third-round pick Rasheem Green was a solid pick up at No. 79. The Seahawks clearly needed defensive linemen in this draft, and Green fits the type of player they usually like up front.
As expected the Seahawks took Shaquem Griffin of Central Florida at No. 141. Look, the story of Griffin is obviously a great one. But as good as the story is, he’s a better football player. He can be put at safety or linebacker and make plays. I liked the pick of punter Michael Dickson, the best specialist in the draft this year. Moving up for him was a little odd. But again, who blocks for Russell Wilson? Taking Ohio State’s Jamarco Jones in the fifth round was fine, but he needs developing."
Yahoo Sports
Grade: F
Breakdown: "I’m not sure what the Seahawks were doing. Pete Carroll told ESPN’s Louis Riddick the Seahawks want to “reset” and get back to running the ball (h/t to Mike Clay of ESPN) which seems like a bad idea in a pass-first league when Seattle has one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. But the picks of Rashaad Penny in the first round and blocking tight end Will Dissly in the fourth align with that philosophy. This probably sums up the Seahawks’ draft: They picked a punter before an offensive lineman, and they desperately need help on the line. And the Seahawks traded up for that punter (though Michael Dickson is a good one). Penny might have been the most surprising pick of the first round, Seattle was drafting to be a ground-and-pound team instead of getting help for Russell Wilson in the pass game, and in general it treated the draft like it could make luxury picks instead of filling holes on a roster that is suddenly in decay. Though I do love that Seattle gave us a wonderful moment with the Shaquem Griffin pick (and I do like that pick strictly from a football standpoint), I’m stunned by its approach this offseason."
Sports Illustrated
Grade: C
Breakdown: "Drafting a running back is an odd way to kick off your massive rebuilding project on defense, but let’s remember: the better the ground game, the more effective an offense will be with a QB like Russell Wilson. Wilson’s best years may have come recently, but this offense’s best years came when the system went through Marshawn Lynch. Since so many of Seattle’s recent early round selections have been offensive linemen, finding a ballcarrier was the surest way to buttress the rushing attack. The people who like Rashaad Penny really like him.
"The Seahawks stayed on offense with their fourth-round pick, as well, filling their enormous tight end void (or, more likely, just part of it) with Will Dissly. Every other notable selection, save for Michael Dickson, was on defense, though now we’re talking about a bunch of mid-round picks. What’s shocking is that not one of those mid-round picks was a cornerback, the team’s greatest need entering this draft, even though the Seahawks have had success with those selections in past years.
"And Shaquem Griffin: What a tremendous feel-good story. But feel-good stories don’t impact winning or losing in the NFL, and Griffin is too respectable of a player for his selection to not be analyzed by the same standards as everyone else. This in mind, the Seahawks are not drafting a fifth-rounder with the intent of him replacing a star like K.J. Wright (who is in a contract year), or even with the intent of playing him on a majority of downs. So the Griffin choice appears to be about finding long-term depth. Though given that three-fourths of Seattle’s defensive contributors are nearing the ends of their contracts, a long-term depth guy might have to be a short-term starter come 2019."
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