Seahawks 1st-Round Potential Has Franchise 'Excited,' Says GM John Schneider
The Seattle Seahawks have two selections in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft. Seattle currently holds the No. 5 and No. 20 pick, and the thought of who the franchise will select has many fans drooling.
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter has consistently been projected to Seattle in mock drafts along with cornerback Devon Witherspoon and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. Defense is the expected direction the Seahawks will go.
Having a pick at No. 5 or higher for the first time since 2009 (linebacker Aaron Curry at No. 4) is new ground for Seattle, and general manager John Schneider says the entire franchise is excited at the possibility the pick brings.
"There's so much more research that goes into it," Schneider said at the Seahawks' pre-draft press conference.
"Last year obviously picking where we picked, but there's levels all throughout every round, and obviously in the first round there's specific levels every year. You have to evaluate the classes, and every class is completely different. Being up there with a fifth pick, I think, is just really exciting, and you have way more coverage and accessibility to all the prospects."
Having their choice of the majority of the draft board is uncommon for Seattle. With two first-round picks, the Seahawks can add some good pieces to what was a solid outfit last season as the unit ranked ninth in points scored (23.9) but 25th in points against (23.6).
According to many mock drafts, this is why the Seahawks will go defense with their first two selections. The franchise has already added linebackers Bobby Wagner and Devin Bush, so complementing them with two young stars is a good strategy.
Even people inside the organization are getting itchy feet about which way the Seahawks will go with their picks.
"Everybody is very excited about the fifth pick, so we have a lot of general managers in this building right now, and head coaches," Schneider said.
With under two weeks to go until the draft gets underway, the excitement will no doubt continue to build. And for the Seahawks, having two first-round selections doesn't happen very often.
That makes it all the more critical for the franchise to select wisely ... as that excitement could quickly dissipate if the wrong choice is made.
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