Good morning, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Monday, May 4 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
Making The Grade
The Seahawks came away with eight players in this past weekend's NFL Draft, tabbing Michigan defensive end Frank Clark (No. 63 overall), Kansas State wide receiver/return specialist Tyler Lockett (No. 69), San Diego State offensive lineman Terry Poole (No. 130), West Virginia offensive lineman Mark Glowinski (No. 134), Towson cornerback Tye Smith (No. 170), Oregon State defensive end Obum Gwacham (No. 209), Buffalo offensive lineman Kristjan Sokoli (No. 214), and Oregon State strong safety Ryan Murphy (No. 248).
As is the case following each year's selection process, the sports media world was quick to dole out grades for each team's 2015 draft classes.
Here's a few quick-twitch marks on the newest crop of Seahawks. Click the link next to each media member's name to read their full review.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN.com (Insider)
Grade: A-minus
Overview: Let's start with this question: Will there be any rookie in the NFL next year who figures to be better than Jimmy Graham? In a health vacuum, I'd say no. And remember, Graham is truly the centerpiece of this draft, as he came over for the price of the 31st pick and Max Unger. Every guy drafted this week has the hope of being a star; Jimmy Graham IS a star. That's a good grade on its own. I have to trust Seattle has vetted Frank Clark's off-field problems and feels comfortable bringing him in. Assuming he's OK there, the value is pretty fair, and they could use the pass-rushing help. The pick of Tyler Lockett (they moved up for him) is one of my favorites in the entire draft. The guy is just always open, and anybody who watched the Super Bowl knows how much the Seahawks need pass-catchers who can create some separation. This is your guy. From there, you see some decent bets on offensive line help, which we know is an obvious need area. Overall, the combination of adding Graham and Lockett, plus the attempt to improve things with some new competitors to win jobs along the offensive line makes this draft a pretty good one for the Seahawks, who seem to always have a developmental plan for their picks. We often have players graded differently, but they know how to coach them up.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Grade: B-plus
Overview: Did you expect anything much lower from John Schneider and Seattle. The trade for Jimmy Graham is in the backdrop of this draft, but they still hit on their needs for depth at their strongest defensive positions (end, corner) and interior offensive line after losing Max Unger. Clark is just a pretty high risk for the second round.
Mark Maske, Washington Post
Grade: B
Overview: The Seahawks get credit here for the trade that sent the 31st overall selection (along with C Max Unger) to the Saints for TE Jimmy Graham and a fourth-round choice. There certainly was not a player of Graham's caliber available for the 31st pick, and the deal greatly strengthened Seattle's bid for a third straight Super Bowl appearance. The Seahawks traded up to get a potential contributor in the third round in WR Tyler Lockett, who could help on offense and is a dynamic returner. They gave up quite a bit to the Redskins in that trade but, in their enviable situation, could afford to do so.
Evan Silva, Rotoworld.com
Grade: B-minus
Overview: The Seahawks' grade includes the pre-draft acquisition of Jimmy Graham, while keeping in mind that the move cost No. 31 and stud C Max Unger. Seattle was obviously in absolute love with Lockett, sending fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-rounders to the Redskins in order to land the dynamic slot receiver/return man. While Clark's off-field history is worrisome, he offers difference-making talent as a 4-3 end. Underrated throughout the pre-draft phase, Glowinski could become a year-one starter at guard or center. Poole, Gwacham, Sokoli, and Murphy are athleticism-based projections. Albeit long speed-deficient, Smith is an intriguing press-corner prospect with plus length. I really would have liked to see Seattle draft a big wide receiver for Russell Wilson's sake. Still, my sense is there will be more year-one impact from this class than most expect. It becomes an excellent group if some of the late-round projects hit.
Doug Farrar, SI.com
Grade: B-minus
Overview: The guy to watch in Seattle's draft is Towson cornerback Tye Hill, regarded by many as the best small-school pass defender in the 2015 class. He'll get a legitimate shot to crash into the Legion of Boom.
Seattle welcomes the newest members of the 2015 Seahawks Draft class.
![graham-ig.jpg](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/zj14c1olh5cgenrl6z4n.jpg)
![pick63-ig.jpg](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/vufvikpnaugmwl4co48v.jpg)
![pick69-ig.jpg](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/qnxb0nqws4asfvaktvts.jpg)
![pick130-ig.jpg](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/wwiqlh9ibccaf1wwnqop.jpg)
![pick134-ig.jpg](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/zfvppvqptduxhbjygui3.jpg)
![pick170-ig.jpg](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/e9vf8oakuh5xtyiut3b7.jpg)
![pick209-ig.jpg](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/c6abmwn3kxofdsc5mljp.jpg)
![pick214-ig.jpg](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/hkmosb3imqx0nvuro40t.jpg)
![pick248-ig.jpg](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/gnzq45e0udcgofww85kp.jpg)
Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com
Grade: B-minus
Overview: Best Pick: Second-round defensive end Frank Clark had some off-field issues, but he can flat-out play. Clark is a perfect addition to the Seattle front.
Questionable move: Waiting until the fourth round to pick an offensive lineman. They did draft a couple later, so it's nitpicking.
Third-day gem: Doesn't this have to be a secondary player, considering their recent past? I will go with seventh-round pick Ryan Murphy, a safety who did some good things at Oregon State.
Analysis: They didn't have a first-round pick, trading it away for Jimmy Graham, which I think is a good move. Then John Schneider got two good football players with his first two picks in Clark and Tyler Lockett.
Rob Rang, CBSSports.com
Grade: B-minus
Overview: With Pro Bowl center Max Unger traded and starting left guard James Carpenter signing with the New York Jets, the Seahawks were widely expected to focus on the offensive line. Instead, they reinforced the defensive line with top selection Frank Clark and "tool-sy" sixth-round pick Obum Gwachum, a bulked up former wide receiver. Clark comes with significant character red flags, but his talent is clear and coach Pete Carroll has a soft spot (and proven track record) with troubled players, focusing their aggression onto the field. Contrasting Clark's off-field questions was Seattle's next pick, NFL legacy and Kansas State team captain Tyler Lockett, who lacks size but neither toughness nor playmaking ability, offering immediate help as a receiver and returner. Former West Virginia right guard Mark Glowinski could compete for early playing time with fellow fourth-rounder Terry Poole and defensive line convert Kristjan Sokoli (he'll be asked to switch to the offensive line for the Seahawks) offering offensive line coach Tom Cable toys to develop.
Bryan Fischer, NFL.com
Grade: C-minus
Overview: Moving up to get Lockett was a big win. Otherwise, the team's braintrust reached on almost all of its picks as the Seahawks look to restock the back end of the roster. There are a lot of athletes in this class, and maybe some will pan out, but they're betting a lot on coaching up raw talent.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from long snapper Nate Boyer, one of 12 players to agree to terms with the Seahawks following the 2015 draft. Boyer, a 34-year-old former Green Beret, served multiple tours of duty in Iraq.
More From Around The Web
If you missed any coverage of this past weekend's draft, you can find written, video, and photo content on all eight draft picks at Seahawks.com/draft.
Todd McShay at ESPN.com, calls out (Insider) wide receiver/return specialist Tyler Lockett as his favorite pick for the Seahawks, "Lockett was a member of both my All-Satellite (best prospects in space) and All-Tape teams -- a rare and distinguished double honor. I'm not sure there's much of a difference between him and Phillip Dorsett, who went to the Colts in the first round. He's undersized but has proved to be an outstanding playmaker, pairing very good ball skills with very good quickness, elusiveness, top-end speed and open-field vision. He should be a weapon in the return game, as well."
McShay also dubs Seattle the most-improved team in the NFC West (Insider) after the draft, "I was tempted to go with the 49ers or the Rams here. And while the Seahawks made a lot of reaches -- at least according to where I had players graded -- they do this every year, and every year they end up having one of the most productive draft classes in the league. So I'm just going to assume Seattle's class works out again. I'll also say this: Third-round WR Tyler Lockett is one of my favorite players in this entire class. He could be a dynamic weapon for the Seahawks after the catch and in the return game."
D*id I miss anything you think is worthy of inclusion? Let me know on Twitter *