The Seattle Seahawks had a successful 2020-21 season where they claimed the NFC West title with a 12-4 record behind Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jamal Adams. They had an extremely potent offense and a truly solid defense that was leaning towards the strength of the Legion of Boom from years earlier. Their biggest issues came on the offensive line. Russell Wilson was getting hit more than any other quarterback in the NFL and he expressed his frustration often which raised a lot of questions about what positions they would pick with their three picks which was the least in the NFL. Here is who the Seahawks chose to bring to Seattle.
Round: 2, Pick Number: 56
Player: D’Wayne Eskridge
The Seahawks had to wait almost until the very end of the second round, pick 56, to make their first choice of the 2021 draft. Most would have thought they would have jumped right at any strong offensive lineman, instead they went for a new offensive weapon. They chose wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge out of Western Michigan. He will join an elite receiving core in Seattle with Metcalf and Lockett who have taken the NFL by storm over the past several years.
As a freshman in 2016 he played in 12 of their 14 games where he put up decent numbers with 17 receptions for 121 yards and one touchdown and six rushes for 50 yards. He quickly became a favorite target for WMU QB’s. In 2017 he started all 12 games in which he had 30 receptions for 506 yards and three touchdowns. He had three games where he had 90 or more receiving yards. In 2018 he only played in 11 games and started seven of them, but even with less playing time he still increased his numbers with 38 receptions for 776 yards and three touchdowns. In the Mid-American Conference (MAC) he finished 7th in receiving yards and 2nd in yards per reception (20.4). He started the first four games of the 2019 season but suffered a season ending clavicle injury, but he came back stronger than ever in 2020 where he put career numbers and was nominated for several major awards. He put up 34 receptions for 784 yards and eight touchdowns. He was selected MAC Special Teams Player of the Year with his 18 kickoff returns for 467 and a 100 yard touchdown return. He also was selected first team All-MAC at kick returner and receiver.
Although this is not the pick most people would have expected, the Seahawks front office decided to pick a dominant receiver who will no doubt have a strong connection down field with Russell Wilson.
Round: 4, Pick Number: 137
Player: Tre Brown
After 79 more picks went by, the Seahawks were finally able to make their second draft pick. They decided to draft Tre Brown, cornerback out of Oklahoma. Uniquely enough, even though Brown plays on the defensive side, he is also a strong kickoff returner, just like his new teammate Eskridge. Oklahoma was a strong team in the Big 12 each year he was there which helped him flourish.
In his freshman season in 2017 he played in all 14 games, but only started one, where he recorded 12 total tackles, 10 solo, and two pass deflections. He progressed extremely quickly as he moved to his sophomore year which turned out to be his biggest season as he proved himself on defense and as a kick returner. In 2018 he played in 13 of their 14 games where he had 58 total tackles, 49 solo, 12 pass deflections and two sacks. All of those stats were his largest of his collegiate career, but it was his kick returns that got him sleeted for second team All-Big-12. His last two seasons were not as potent, but he still put up great numbers. In 2019 he started all 14 games where he had 40 total tackles and 11 pass deflections, but he recorded his first collegiate interception. In his senior year, which was a shortened season to only 10 regular season games, he had 31 tackles, six pass deflections and a career high three interceptions. He finished by landing another second All-Big 12 selection.
Brown made his name known in Oklahoma since his rookie year and continued to dominate on defense all four years. The Seahawks can always use more power on defense and Brown will be a force for years to come as he teams up with Jamal Adams, Bobby Wager and Carlos Dunlap.
Round: 6, Pick Number: 208
Player: Stone Forsythe
After another long wait for the Seahawks they finally did what Wilson and Seahawks fans have been waiting for: They drafted an offensive lineman. At the 208th pick they chose Stone Forsythe, offensive tackle out of Florida.
With Forsythe it is not so much about individual statistics since he is on the offensive line, but it is about what he was a part of in the swamp. It was not until 2017, his sophomore year in college, where he appeared in a game. He started at right tackle in the final two games of the season. In 2018 he played all 13 games and was a huge factor in the offensive line which allowed 18 sacks all season which was 20th overall and 3rd in the SEC. In 2019 he played in all 13 games and contributed to protecting the 16th ranked team in the country for passing and yards per play. In 2020 he had a huge task as he helped hold off defenders from the Heisman candidate Kyle Trask.
Forsythe was an important member in the Florida Gators offensive line from 2018-2020 and will bring his talents to Seattle where he will be holding off defenders from one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. This was a much needed pick for the Seahawks.
Although the Seahawks had three draft picks they went out and got dominant players for all sides of the ball. These three will no doubt make a strong case for decent playing time come the 2021-22 season, but it will also be important to wait and see whether or not the Seahawks can make some moves to get some undrafted free agents.
Follow us on Twitter!
Like us on Facebook!
Follow us on Instagram!
Northwest Sports Desk 