Seahawk Rookie Camp

It has been a week since I wrote about the Seahawks draft last weekend. I liked what the Seahawks did though I am not too familiar with the players they drafted however they went out and got after need. They first landed offensive lineman Germain Ifedi in the first round out of Texas A&M. Long term he could be a tackle however they are going to try him at right guard initially. He has a lot of versatility playing both guard and tackle in college.

The second round they moved up and took defensive tackle Jarran Reed out of Alabama with the 49^th overall pick. The Seahawks are looking at him being a run stopper and general manager John Schneider said that he was the best run defender in all of the draft.

In the 3^rd round they took running back C.J. Prosise out of Notre Dame. The Seahawks right now figure he will be the 3^rd down specialist. He started out as a wide receiver at Notre Dame and has a lot of speed. So he will be able to catch passes out of the backfield well as running the ball. He played special teams as well so we could see him on kick offs as well as the backup to Lockett on punt returns. He was the first of three running backs the Seahawks took in the draft.

Also in the third round the Seahawks took tight end Nick Vannett out of Ohio State who they considered the best blocking tight end in the draft. For the Seahawks it is important that they have a good blocking tight end especially with Jimmy Graham who will be the starting tight end if he is able to return from injury. In many ways Graham is a lot like a wide receiver. Often on third downs the Seahawks will go with two or three tight ends depending on the situation. Luke Willson is expected to be the second tight end or the starter depending on Graham’s health. Being picked in the third round likely Vannett will be the third tight end. We hope that he is able to catch some passes as well though it will not be his first assignment.

The Seahawks also had a third pick in the third round and took offensive guard Rees Odhiambo who played at Boise State. Likely he will compete at left guard for the Seahawks. The Seahawks like his strength and flexibility. Primarily being a running team the Seahawks went out and got lineman that can block. This is important because the Seahawks don’t want Russell Wilson to run around as much as he did last season.

The Seahawks had no 4^th rounder however in the fifth round they drafted Quinton Jefferson defensive tackle out of Maryland. Coach Carroll compares him to Michael Bennett and has the speed to play in several positions. Also they had another 5^th rounder and took their second running back Alex Collins out of Arkansas. With his locks I figured he and Richard Sherman will be buddies. In fact we might be confused. In some respects he is similar to Thomas Rawls and if he makes the team could substitute for Rawls when needing a rest.

In the sixth round the Seahawks took center Joey Hunt out of TCU. It is hard to say what chances he has in making the team. Don’t know anything about him however Carroll considers him being very smart and is able to captain the offensive line. It would not surprise me if he is on the practice squad for this coming season.

In the seventh round the Seahawks took Kenny Lawler from the California Bears. The Seahawks say that he has really good hands though he does not have a lot of speed. With the receivers the Seahawks have the odds are against him sticking but you can’t say ever. The final pick in the seventh round by the Seahawks was the third running back they took in Zac Brooks out of Clemson. His odds to make the team are remote as well but we never know he could be a surprise.

This makes all the guys the Seahawks drafted.

Including the draft picks the Seahawks have sixty-eight players in rookie camp. Most of the guys I haven’t heard of. The one I am most familiar with like most fans around here is Vernon Adams who played at Eastern Washington and then ended his college career this last season at Oregon. In many ways he reminds us of Russell Wilson. Another quarterback the Seahawks brought in as a free agent was Trevone Boykin out of TCU. If either guy sticks with the Seahawks likely will be as the third quarterback. The Seahawks do need to develop a quarterback however neither one will be the backup quarterback. The Seahawks likely will sign a veteran quarterback like last year’s Jackson.

I am not familiar at all with the other players at rookie camp. I am sure the Seahawks are looking for a nugget. We never know who may make it on the roster even so remote. Besides Kenny Lawler from the California Bears the Seahawks have eight other receivers in camp. Other positions the Seahawks have beside the drafted players they have four fullbacks, two running backs, three tight ends, one center, three tackles , three guards and a long snapper. Also one place kicker/punter. 

On the defensive side of the ball the Seahawks have three defensive tackles, three defensive ends, seven linebackers, three safeties and four cornerbacks.

It will be interesting to see how many out of this group will be invited back to regular training camp. One thing for sure is the Seahawks are going for quality players and those specifically they like. Next week should know some of the names of the players coming back. The Seahawks may add additional free agents who have experience in the league. Go Seahawks!