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The Seahawks Add Defensive Depth….and Draft a Lineman!

By Ben Renner

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana State offensive lineman Ethan Pocic speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana State offensive lineman Ethan Pocic speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Seahawks
Mar 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State defensive end Malik McDowell speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Seahawks drafted two defensive tackles, a utility offensive lineman, a wide receiver, and two defensive backs on Day Two of the NFL Draft. Because you can never have too many quality defensive linemen.

The Seahawks traded their 26th pick and then their 31st pick on Thursday night, dramatically opting out of the first round of the NFL Draft yet again. Holding the second pick of the second round, the Seahawks watched the Green Bay Packers pluck fan-favorite Kevin King of Washington away from them with the 33rd pick.

Then they traded down again, handing their 34th pick to Jacksonville to move back one spot and add a sixth round pick. Then the Seahawks, with Sidney Jones, Forrest Lamp, and Budda Baker all available, drafted Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell with the 35th pick, their first of the NFL Draft.

McDowell has played inside and outside at Michigan State, although he added in a conference call with Seattle sports media: “I played primarily nose, probably 90 percent of my snaps, and probably like 10 percent D-end.” Supposedly he’ll play on the interior of the defensive line and rotate with Jarran Reed, Ahtyba Rubin, and company.

McDowell, when asked to describe himself, added he is “a dominant player.” So he’s confident, and there’s that.

While McDowell doesn’t appear to fit an immediate need for the Seahawks, he figures to earn playing time immediately, and could become a regular run-stuffer and interior pass rusher for the Seahawks defensive line. I’d call it a relatively safe pick.

Let’s take a look at their whopping five other picks from Day Two of the NFL Draft:

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