**DISCLAIMER -- READ THIS FIRST**
Draft grades do not matter, especially directly after the draft. Do not presume that I am saying my word is to be taken as gospel or that I think I know better than NFL evaluators. I am just sharing my thoughts as a fan of the sport and the draft.
1/16 -- Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas (A Grade)
Seahawks were spoiled for defensive choice at 16, and they took the guy with the highest upside. Interior defensive linemen who can legitimately crash a pocket and win on double teams are one of the most premium assets any team could have, and Murphy looks like a near sure-thing for the next level.
3/81 -- Christian Haynes, IOL, Uconn (A+ Grade)
No one expected Haynes to be available at 50, much less 81. Absurd value for a complete bastard with a Ph.D in playing guard. Plays angry with immense strength and is a likely day 1 starter.
4/118 -- Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP (D Grade)
Woof. Questionable value on a questionable prospect with limited upside. Not much of an athlete. Comes from a small school and is over-aged. Positional need is there and if MM likes him, it's worth it, but the prospect is a bit of a head-scratcher.
4/121 -- AJ Barner, TE, Michigan (D+ Grade)
Blocker with speed limitations who has limited upside as a receiver. He'll be the likely TE3 on the roster to start. They appear to want to run 13 personnel, but the value here is questionable and the potential upside is fairly low.
5/136 -- Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn (B- Grade)
Nehemiah is cool. Decent length, great speed, and has played a hell of a lot of football. He has questions in run support and suspect tackling, but you're getting real potential as a down-the-line CB2 in Pritchett. Value is about spot on. Could've gone a bit earlier on talent/profile.
6/179 -- Sataoa Laumea, RT/RG, Utah (B Grade)
This was ESPN's best guard available, Seahawks announced him as a tackle. He's played as a starting right tackle since 2022 for Utah, with significant experience at RG beforehand. He profiles more to guard due to shorter arms (32" 7/8). Not overly athletic but the play strength is very good, and he's coming into the league with a ton of playtime. Figures to provide great depth, and he was acquired for good value. Would've preferred WR here (either Rice or Washington) but I cannot complain.
6/192 -- DJ James, CB, Auburn (B+ Grade)
James was actually rated significantly above Pritchett on consensus big boards, and was expected to go 2.5 rounds prior (110th rank). Dane Brugler had a Round 3 grade on James. Another speedy corner. Fluid in press. Some questions in run support like his former and now current teammate Pritchett. Another pick representing extreme value. Still would've preferred Rice - his fall is perplexing.
6/207 -- Michael Jerrell, OT, Findlay (D Grade)
It's a D- for me, but those don't matter in the 200s where you're just saving guys from battling for them in the UDFA range. 644th on the consensus big board and we've already hammered the OL, but he did have buzz as a riser leading up to the draft and had multiple visits. I really question not taking someone like Michael Barrett or Brendan Rice here, although Rice is obviously falling for a reason. Christian Mahogany went right after to Detroit, and that might've been a better choice given that Mahogany was so touted coming out. That all being said, Jerrell is quite athletic outside of pedestrian agility. He's quite speedy. Developmental tackle prospect best suited to the right side with an option to slide him inside. I don't expect him to make the 53.
Overall, I'm giving this draft a B+. While I think day 3 had some really questionable selections and that we lost out on some true dawgs by chasing likely roster-fillers, the money picks at 16 and 81 were both absolute out-of-the-park home runs, and that's what counts.
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