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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d68163bdd02ac64a4634253a84376ec1a5dcf69eacc7c7d9924e19821c149037.jpg)
Seahawks select Ethan Pocic–OL–LSU–58th Pick
Pocic is a utility offensive lineman, able to play virtually any position of the five up front. Tacoma News Tribune’s Greg Bell found Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll after the pick, who said:
#Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says they think 3rd-rd pick Ethan Pocic, C/G/T LSU "most flexible guy in the draft." Kept SEA's interest hushed
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) April 29, 2017
Pretty crafty stuff. Pocic wasn’t on many radars that I saw for mock drafts and predictions. He has size, with a 6’7″ frame, and he gets to the second level on run plays often. The only concern is that he won’t hold up on the inside against the massive defensive tackles of the NFL. He lacks upper body and core strength for such a big human being. There’s no telling where Tom Cable might plug him in on the offensive line.
Seahawks select Shaquill Griffin–CB–Central Florida–90th pick
The first of the Seahawks’ four third round picks was a rangy cornerback Carroll’s staff can work with. Seattle snagged Griffin, a sneaky pick with size at cornerback that Schneider and Carroll covet. He might be a step slow against elite, NFL speed, but he could be valuable in defensive coordinator Kris Richard‘s 4-2-5 defensive looks. Griffin decided to play for Central Florida with his brother, who lost a hand at the age of four, rather than accept scholarships at Florida or Miami. No joke.