The Seattle Seahawks entered the 2024 NFL Draft with seven picks over the three-day event, but only two on the first two days.
The Seahawks stayed put with their first pick, No. 16, taking the top interior defensive lineman in the draft in Texas’ Byron Murphy.
After trading a second-round pick for defensive tackle Leonard Williams at the deadline this past season, Seattle did not pick again until No. 81, where it filled a hole on the other side of the line of scrimmage with Connecticut guard Christian Haynes.
Advertisement
The Seahawks had the second pick of Round 4 but traded back with the Broncos, giving Nos. 102 and 235 for Nos. 121, 136 and 207. At No. 121, Seattle added UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight. Three picks later, the Seahawks grabbed Michigan tight end AJ Barner.
With the first pick of Round 5, Seattle added depth at cornerback with Auburn’s Nehemiah Pritchett.
The Seahawks opened a trio of picks in Round 6 with Utah guard Sataoa Laumea, then grabbed Auburn cornerback DJ James, who was the best remaining player (No. 85) on Dane Brugler’s board, at No. 192. They capped their class with Findlay offensive tackle Mike Jerrell at No. 207.
NFL Draft 2024 tracker: Live blog, pick-by-pick grades and analysis
Big board best available: Who’s left from Dane Brugler’s Top 300?
Draft pick grades: Day 2 | Day 1
Full draft order: Team picks for all 257 selections
Round 1
No. 16: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
How he fits
Good things come to those who wait? Sure, we’ll go with that. The Seahawks have had a need right in the middle of their defense for what seems like several years now. And after an early run on quarterbacks and tackles pushed the top defenders down, Seattle hits a whopper by landing the top interior defensive lineman in this draft at No. 16.
Murphy, who can play nose or three-technique, is extremely powerful and explosive with a lethal punch at the point of attack. A smaller body in the Aaron Donald mold, Murphy is all gas off the line of scrimmage and his natural leverage makes him a bear to deal with inside. Some teams valued Murphy as a top 10 player in this draft. This is terrific value for new head coach Mike Macdonald. — Nick Baumgardner
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Murphy doesn’t have ideal length, but his rare combination of lower-body twitch, natural leverage and power throughout his frame sets his apart. With his disruptive energy, both as a pass rusher and versus the run, he projects as an impact starter who can play shaded nose or three-technique, similar to Grady Jarrett.
Grade: A
Michael-Shawn Dugar’s analysis: Why the Seahawks drafted Murphy
Advertisement
Round 2
None
Round 3
No. 81 (from Saints via Broncos): Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut
How he fits
This might wind up as a steal for the Seahawks, who are trying to fortify the interior of their offensive and defensive lines. One of the top offensive linemen for multiple years, Haynes opened 49 career games over four seasons as a right guard at UConn. Haynes (6-2 1/2, 317) was known for his physical play, power and leadership qualities. — Scott Dochterman
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Haynes doesn’t always play up to his testing numbers, but his play strength, football IQ and finishing mentality make him equipped for battle against NFL fronts. He has the floor of a high-level backup but should compete for starting reps at guard during his rookie season (similar to Kevin Dotson).
Grade: A-minus
Michael-Shawn Dugar’s analysis: Why the Seahawks drafted Haynes
Round 4
No. 118: Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Knight has some coverage limitations, but he is a rabid dog against the run, with the instincts and play personality that directly led to production. He has rosterable talent at the next level and is looking to become UTEP’s first defensive draft pick since 2008 (Quintin Demps).
No. 121 (from Dolphins via Broncos): AJ Barner, TE, Michigan
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Barner is lighter than ideal to be an every-down Y tight end and doesn’t have the resume of a playmaking receiver, but he is a solid athlete with pass-catching upside and the play personality to handle run-blocking duties. He can provide depth on an NFL roster as a flex tight end.
Round 5
No. 136 (from Panthers via Browns and Broncos): Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Pritchett needs to improve his tackling and downfield judgment skills, but his length, speed and football character are traits NFL teams want to bring into the building. He projects as a rotational cornerback for an NFL secondary.
Advertisement
Round 6
No. 179 (from Commanders): Sataoa Laumea, G, Utah
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Laumea is at his best leveraging gaps in the run game, although movement-pattern flaws as a pass blocker mean he will require NFL coaching before he sees the field at the next level. He has the versatile experience to play tackle in a pinch but has a guard skill set with down-the-road starting potential.
No. 192: DJ James, CB, Auburn
Dane Brugler’s analysis
James won’t be a fit for every scheme, because of his undersized build, but his quick feet will help him maintain phase in coverage. If he can handle big slots and improve his consistency as a tackler, he will compete for a starting nickel role in the NFL.
No. 207 (from 49ers via Broncos): Mike Jerrell, OT, Findlay
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Jerrell will encounter a steep learning curve against NFL power, but he is an agile big man with light feet in his sets and the length and toughness teams target in a developmental tackle.
Round 7
No picks
(Photo of Byron Murphy II: Aaron E. Martinez / USA Today)