Here's a look at how the Seattle Seahawks' rivals in the NFC West division performed in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft and how those selections could impact Seattle:
San Francisco 49ers
The Pick:No. 3 overall
The Player: DL Solomon Thomas, 6-foot-3, 273 pounds, Stanford
What He's Done:Thomas led Stanford with a team-high 62 tackles (41 solo, 15 for loss) and eight sacks with two fumble recoveries in his final season with the team. In 2016 he received several accolades, including All-Pac-12 First-Team and the Morris Trophy.
How It Affects The Seahawks:For the third draft in a row, the 49ers selected a defensive lineman in the first round, presenting the Seahawks' ground and passing game with a challenge both times they play in the regular season. Thomas' power, athleticism and high motor off the edge could very much give the Seahawks offensive line a big test in those matchups.
The Pick: No. 31
The Player:LB, Reuben Foster, 6-foot-1, 228 pounds, Alabama
What He's Done:As a star linebacker for the Crimson Tide, Foster was named a unanimous First-Team All-American and All-SEC pick and also won the Butkus Award for the nation's best linebacker. He led Alabama with 115 tackles (13 for loss) and also posted five sacks during his final season in Tuscaloosa.
How It Affects The Seahawks: It might not be of the same magnitude because of how high the bar was set, but Foster could add physicality and an impact to the 49ers' linebacker corps similar to the one All-Pro Patrick Willis had during his playing days. Foster isn't considered a middle linebacker like Willis was, but his range and playmaking ability across the field could give the Seahawks offense challenges underneath.
Other 2017 selections:
- Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado
- C.J. Beathard, QB, Iowa
- Joe Williams, RB, Utah
- George Kittle, TE, Iowa
- Trent Taylor, WR, Louisiana Tech
- D.J. Jones, DL, Ole Miss
- Pita Taumoepenu, DL, Utah
- Adrian Colbert, S, Miami
Arizona Cardinals
The Pick:No. 13
The Player:Haason Reddick, 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, Temple
What He's Done:Reddick earned a scholarship at Temple after entering the football program as a walk-on. Last season for the Owls, he recorded 10.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss, which resulted in him being awarded a Senior Bowl roster spot. His performance in Mobile only continued to grow his draft status.
How It Affects The Seahawks:The Cardinals love Reddick because of his versatility to play inside and outside at linebacker. He could contribute right away for head coach Bruce Arians as a pass rusher in the team's nickel defense, giving the Seahawks offense another threat to watch on that side of the ball.
*Other 2017 selections: *
- Budda Baker, S, Washington
- Chad Williams, WR, Grambling
- Dorian Johnson, G, Pittsburgh
- Will Holden, T, Vanderbilt
- T.J. Logan, RB, North Carolina
- Johnathan Ford, S, Auburn
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams did not have a selection in the first round of this year's draft after moving up in 2016 to select quarterback Jared Goff (their pick went to the Tennessee Titans at No. 5).
2017 selections:
- Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama
- Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington
- John Johnson, S, Boston College
- Josh Reynolds, WR, Texas A&M
- Samson Ebukam, OLB Eastern Washington
- Tanzel Smart, DT, Tulane
- Sam Rogers, FB, Virginia Tech
- Ejuan Price, DE, Pittsburgh
