National Media Just Graded Seattle's Draft Haul, and the Verdict Might Surprise You

The Seahawks walked into draft weekend with their hands tied behind their backs. Four picks total. Picking near the back of every single round. Not exactly the recipe for landing a game-changing class that's going to make SportsCenter highlights.

And yet, when the national media finished handing out their report cards, the verdict wasn't nearly as brutal as you'd expect.

Working With What They Had

Look, we all know the real grade doesn't come until three or four years down the line when these rookies either become difference makers or become cautionary tales. And yeah, at the end of the day, the scoreboard and the win-loss column are the only grades that actually matter. But in the immediate aftermath of the draft, those national takes tell you something about how the front office approached a weekend with serious constraints.

Seattle's draft class grades came back "actually not too bad overall," according to evaluations making the rounds. That's not exactly gushing praise, but it's a far cry from "yikes, they wasted those picks."

Did They Need To Do More?

Here's the interesting part: the question wasn't really whether the Seahawks improved the roster in the draft. The real question was whether they needed to improve it at all this year. With Sam Darnold running the offense under new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, and weapons like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp already in place, maybe Seattle didn't need to swing for the fences in April.

Maybe they just needed to hit solid contact and move on.

That's essentially what they did. Four picks. Not flashy. Not earth-shattering. Just decent value with limited ammunition.

What Comes Next

The real test starts now. Coach Mike Macdonald's second offseason is in the books, and the depth chart is set. The incoming rookie class will get their shot in training camp and preseason, but this year's Seahawks are built around the proven names already on the roster. The draft grades are footnotes. The wins and losses are the story.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.