After a long and successful tenure, Pete Carroll is no longer the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Yet, new head coach Mike Macdonald brings an impressive defensive resume to a team loaded with talent at cornerback and could go in a multitude of directions to retool the Seahawks’ roster to play his brand of physical football heading into his first season.
Seattle Seahawks Picks by Round in 2024
- Round 1, Pick 16
Byron Murphy II, DT | Texas - Round 3, Pick 81 (from DEN through NO)
Christian Haynes, G | UConn - Round 4, Pick 118
Tyrice Knight, LB | New Mexico State - Round 4, Pick 121 (from DEN through MIA)
AJ Barner, TE | Michigan - Round 5, Pick 136 (from DEN through CLE through CAR)
Nehemiah Pritchett, CB | Auburn - Round 6, Pick 179 (from WAS)
Sataoa Laumea, G | Utah - Round 6, Pick 192
DJ James, CB | Auburn - Round 6, 207 (from DEN through SEA)
Mike Jerrell, T | Findlay
Who Did the Seahawks Draft in 2024?
Byron Murphy II, DT, Round 1, Pick 16
Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II is headed to Seattle, as the Seahawks land arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the 2024 NFL Draft. Murphy will join Leonard Williams in Seattle to form an intimidating duo on the inside.
Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings discussed Murphy’s potential in his scouting report. “Murphy has all the tools to succeed as a pass rusher, a block absorber, and a playmaker. And those tools extend beyond the pure physical category as well,” Cummings said.
Byron Murphy II could make an early impact as a run defender and pass-rushing threat. 💪#HookEm | #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/dN4pZih5Dt
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
“While he lacks elite flexibility, Murphy is a truly ruthless competitor who matches his explosiveness with an invasive, destructive mentality. His leverage, density, strength, and power make him a high-floor, high-ceiling 3-tech with additional alignment flexibility.”
Christian Haynes, G, Round 3, Pick 81
As a sixth-year senior, Christian Haynes may be an older rookie, but he has the traits to make a Day 1 impact, and the runway toward being an impact two-phase starter shouldn’t be a long one.
Tyrice Knight, LB, Round 4, Pick 118
With a bit more mass added to his frame, Tyrice Knight can function as a solid SAM linebacker in the box. But at his peak, with more refinement, he can be a quality starter at the MIKE and WILL spot as well.
This is a second quality piece for the Seahawks on the defensive side during this draft, positioning them well to improve on that side of the ball in short order.
AJ Barner, TE, Round 4, Pick 121
A transfer from Indiana, AJ Barner fared well for the Wolverines in 2023, notching a career-high 249 yards. He’s still fairly raw as a receiver, but as his 7.02 three-cone at 6’6″, 250 pounds shows, he has the agility, fluidity, and bend to expand his route tree, and he’s already a high-level blocker with alignment versatility and a physical edge.
His growth as a pass catcher will be something to watch as this team looks to increase their number of options through the air.
Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Round 5, Pick 136
Having four years of starting reps in the SEC and running a 4.36 40-yard dash certainly raises Nehemiah Pritchett’s draft floor. Tackling concerns and a lack of fluidity out of his pedal could drop him some, but the talent and tape are there, something that clearly caught the eye of the Seahawks as they continue to invest in defensive upside.
Sataoa Laumea, OL, Round 6, Pick 179
The tools are evident on Sataoa Laumea’s film. His quickness out of his stance is tremendous for his size and helps keep him in front of rushers. Add onto that good play strength, athleticism, and awareness, and it makes Laumea’s floor pretty solid. His competitive toughness will endear him to coaches as well for a team with a strong stable of running backs that they want to funnel their offense through.
DJ James, CB, Round 6, Pick 192
There’s no getting around it — D.J. James will need to add at least a little mass in the NFL. But if he can get closer to 180 pounds and retain his athleticism, he cannot only survive but thrive as a quality boundary starter in a man-oriented scheme.
He makes for a reasonable flier to take at this point in the draft, especially after having drafted Pritchett 56 picks earlier.
Mike Jerrell, T, Round 6, Pick 207
Jerrell played D-II ball, but his measurables graded out well enough to impress more than a few NFL teams. He has the size and strength it takes to succeed at this level — he’ll be an interesting name to track as he develops within a pro system.