The Seattle Seahawks seem to be the whipping boy of the 2011 NFL Draft, with Rob Rang’s draft grades the only ones I’ve seen that shine a complimentary light on the picks.
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco wasn’t happy with the Seahawks draft, ranking it as the worst in the NFC West. Prisco singled-out John Moffitt as a good move, liked Mark Legree and didn’t like the choice of James Carpenter in the first round. He calls Moffitt a mauler and a perfect fit for the Seahawks offensive line.
Prisco gave the Seahawks a C-, behind the San Francisco 49ers (C+), Arizona Cardinals (B-) and St. Louis Rams (B).
Analysis: They needed to improve the offensive line and their first two picks were both used there. Both of them could push for starting jobs as rookies. The rest of the draft was just OK.
Oddly enough, the more I look around, the more I see people saying they like James Carpenter, but didn’t like him in the first round. But if the Seahawks like him, as well, why not just take him? What if a team had fallen in love with him in the early second round and took him off the board before the Seahawks could get him? In some sense, I understand the pick, though I do get the reach criticism, as well.
For even more on the draft, head on over to Field Gulls. Check out the rest of our 2011 NFL Draft grades to get caught up on all the picks. For a look back on the draft that was, check out our 2011 NFL Draft StoryStream. Stay with us for more on the draft as it becomes available.