The Seahawks signed rookie guard Christian Haynes on Friday, making the third-round pick out of Connecticut the seventh player in Seattle's eight-player 2024 draft class to sign his rookie deal.
A four-year starter and two-year team captain at UConn, Haynes started 49 consecutive games in his career, and was twice named third-team Associated Press All-American. He is expected to compete for the starting job at right guard.
"Smart, tough reliable, 50 starts, length, explosiveness, great pass protector, plays with some nasty," Seahawks general manager and president of football operations John Schneider said after Day 2 of the draft. "Obviously we're really excited.
"Initial quickness, length, he can get under people, he can roll his hips. The pass protection stuff is legit, lateral movement, stays in front of people, he's got strong hands, he's got anchor. He's just a really good football player. He's so experienced, he knows the nuances, he had a great zoom interview with (offensive line coach Scott) Huff, they love the football intelligence. Everybody's just really excited. He's played a ton of ball. 50 of 51 starts, he's had 48 pressures in 1,687 snaps. The guy's really, really experienced. This was a full buy-in, coaches, scouting, analytics. Everybody was really excited."
Following Haynes' signing, sixth-round pick Michael Jerrell, a tackle out of University of Findlay, is the only draft pick yet to sign.
The Seahawks selected UConn guard Christian Haynes with the 81st pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Check out the best photos of the 3rd rounder from his college playing days.
UConn offensive lineman Christian Haynes (64) celebrates after a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in East Hartford, Conn., Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
UConn offensive lineman Christian Haynes (64) celebrates after a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in East Hartford, Conn., Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
NCAA DI Football- 2023 - FIU at UConn, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut.
NCAA DI Football- 2023 - FIU at UConn, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut.
NCAA DI Football - 2023 - Utah State at UConn, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut.
NCAA DI Football - 2023 - Utah State at UConn, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut.
American offensive lineman Christian Haynes of Uconn runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
American offensive lineman Christian Haynes of Uconn (63) and American offensive lineman Christian Jones of Texas (70) run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes participates in the bench press at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
