Draft Picks
2 (63): Frank Clark, DE, Michigan
3 (69): Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
4 (130): Terry Poole, OG, San Diego State
4 (134): Mark Glowinski, OG, West Virginia
5 (170): Tye Smith, CB, Towson
6 (209): Obum Gwacham, DE, Oregon State
6 (214): Kristjan Sokoli, C, Buffalo
7 (248): Ryan Murphy, DE, Oregon State
Best Pick: Jimmy Graham - Trade
While Graham wasn't selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, Seattle traded its first-round pick and center Max Unger, to land the three-time Pro Bowler and 2013 All-Pro. It came at a heavy price and left the Seahawks' offensive line even more vulnerable, but they finally gave Russell Wilson an elite receiving option.
Graham is not a natural tight end, he has great size but despite the Seahawks desires, he just isn't going to be anything close to a reliable blocker. He will be asked to do it significantly more in Seattle's offense, but his best role is splitting out wide and creating mismatches versus linebackers.
Seattle has no problem trading high draft picks for instant impact players and that's exactly what they did here. Wilson is an excellent quarterback but has always lacked a weapon even remotely close to Graham's caliber. Now he has an elite weapon and should explode for a career season in 2015.
Worst Pick: Frank Clark
We cannot let the Seahawks slip under the "DeflateGate" coverage and get around the fact they ignored Clark's domestic violence case. This is the same team whose GM John Schneider said in 2012, "would never take a player that struck a female or had a domestic violence history". Yet as Sportsnaut's Andrea Hangst brilliantly wrote, Seattle has been willfully ignorant to Clark's domestic violence.
After drafting Clark, Seattle already had a statement ready saying they spent time researching Clark's background, investigating the incident and came to the conclusion that Clark never struck his girlfriend. Oh, how happy the Seahawks would have been if the story ended there and some reporters didn't decide to investigate just how much digging Seattle actually did.
Geoff Baker exposed the truth – Seattle interviewed the only witness they really cared to hear from, Clark. They took Clark at his word and chose not to interview two witnesses to the violence on that night. Police heard their testimonies and it's in the police record, but Seattle decided that just wasn't for them. They also didn't interview the hotel manager, who told police Clark told him "I will hit you like I hit her."
I love the NFL Draft and grades are almost always awarded simply based on talent, value and who was available. But the Seahawks ignorance to Clark's domestic violence, fabrications about doing in-depth investigating and the selection of Clark are inexcusable. It's just a shame that too many media members are focused on deflated footballs rather than an NFL team willfully ignoring domestic violence.
Immediate Impact: Tyler Lockett
As mentioned above, Seattle has no problem moving draft picks for players they feel can contribute immediately. In the fourth round, Seattle traded its third, fourth, fifth and sixth round pick to move up to the 69th pick for Lockett. That's not the type of price you pay for a receiver if he's just going to sit on the bench and develop.
Lockett should have a major role almost immediately. While he measures in at just 5'10" and 182 lbs., there is still plenty to like about his game. He can't be a real outside threat who can handle physical corners who jam him on the line, but he's a weapon you move around and let him get open. He could play a similar role to what Golden Tate did in his time with the Seahawks, while Lockett could also contribute as a strong option in the return game.
It's been emphasized how much more help Wilson needs around him if Seattle wants him to take that next step and help this offense become more balanced. This is another great step in the right direction, Lockett will step in immediately and can have a significant role for this team.
Final Grade: B