Field Gulls
This time, the Seahawks flipped their draft focus on the offensive line.
It’s all about the trenches thus far for the Seattle Seahawks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Having taken Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II at No. 16, it was a long wait for Seattle’s next selection. Without a second-round pick, the Seahawks sat out the first half of Day 2, stayed at No. 81 instead of making a trade, and selected UConn guard Christian Hanyes. Normally when you think about UConn guards, you’re focusing on their dominant men’s and women’s basketball teams. This is only the second time the Seahawks have ever drafted a UConn player, and coincidentally it was a guard back then (David Franks, 9th round in 1989).
Haynes was an All-American under former Seahawks head coach Jim Mora. The Connecticut teams he played on didn’t finish any of their seasons above .500, but he still dominated his opposition. He played exclusively at right guard in college, so it’s logical to assume he’ll be competing with Anthony Bradford for the starting spot. Haynes did say, “I can play anything they need me to play.” I can’t wait to see what he provides as an auxiliary free safety.
Across the NFL, no quarterbacks were selected after the rush of QBs in Round 1. Spencer Rattler, Jordan Travis, Michael Pratt, and Joe Milton are all still available. On defense, the likes of linebackers Junior Colson, Payton Wilson, and Edgerrin Cooper were off the board, while top safeties Tyler Nubin, Cole Bishop, Javon Bullard, and Kam Kinchens were also drafted. Linebacker and safety depth are still needs for the Seahawks.
The draft concludes on Saturday, with coverage starting at noon ET/9 am PT.
Round 1, Pick 16: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
Round 3, Pick 81 (from Denver via New Orleans) - Christian Haynes, G, UConn
Round 4, Pick 102 (from Washington)
Round 4, Pick 118
Round 6, Pick 179 (from Washington)
Round 6, Pick 192
Round 7, Pick 235
33. Buffalo Bills (via Carolina Panthers) - Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
34. Los Angeles Chargers (from New England Patriots) - Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia
35. Atlanta Falcons (from Arizona Cardinals) - Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
36. Washington Commanders - Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois
37. New England Patriots (from Los Angeles Chargers) - Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington
38. Tennessee Titans - T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas
39. Los Angeles Rams (from Carolina Panthers (via New York Giants)) - Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
40. Philadelphia Eagles (from Washington Commanders (via Chicago Bears)) - Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
41. New Orleans Saints (from Green Bay Packers (via New York Jets)) - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
42. Houston Texans (via Minnesota Vikings) - Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
43. Arizona Cardinals (from Atlanta Falcons) - Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
44. Las Vegas Raiders - Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon
45. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans Saints (via Denver Broncos))...
