Hoping the Seahawks move up in the draft? Don’t hold your breath

Before we get into looking at what might happen when the Seahawks’ first pick comes up in the draft, a couple links from our draft coverage so far. On Sunday, a look at Pete Carroll and John Schneider’s willingness to bet on a player’s potential rather than focus on weaknesses, and how that’s paid off in some big mid-round hits, but also led to some misses. And from today: assuming Leroy Hill is gone, just how much of a need is linebacker?

The Seahawks enter a draft without a first-round pick for the first time since 2007 and for the fourth time in franchise history, having traded the 25th pick to Minnesota as part of the deal that brought wide receiver Percy Harvin to Seattle.

That means Seahawks fans will have to wait until late in Friday’s second round—pick No. 56 to be specific—to find out who is the newest Seahawk unless Seattle decides to package some of its 10 picks and move up in the second round, or perhaps even into the first round.

But if you’re rooting for that scenario, well, don’t hold your breath. If anything, John Schneider and Pete Carroll’s draft history tells us they’re likely to move back from that 56th pick, not up.

“We don’t really move up,” Schneider said with a laugh. “I’m not going to say that. You never know, there may be a player that falls. We have no idea. My boss kind of gives me crud for never moving up.”

But even if Schneider was joking when he said the Seahawks never move up, in his three drafts as Seattle’s GM he has not traded up a single time, but he’s moved back plenty, including from pick 12 to 15 in last year’s draft, and even more relevant in this case, they’ve gone back in the draft with every one of their second-rounders.

A month before the 2010 draft, the Seahawks moved back 20 spots in the second round and sent a third-round pick to San Diego for Charlie Whitehurst, then used Pick No. 60 on Golden Tate.

The Seahawks went into the 2011 draft with pick No. 57, but sent that pick, a fifth-round pick (157) and a seventh-rounder (209) to Detroit for a third-round pick (No. 75, John Moffitt), and fourth-rounder (No. 107, Kris Durham), a fifth-rounder (No. 154, Rich Sherman) and a seventh-rounder (No. 205, Pep Levingston).

Last year, in addition to moving back in the first round, getting a fourth-rounder (No. 114, Jaye Howard) and a sixth-round pick (No. 172, Jeremy Lane) in the process, the Seahawks once again moved back in round two, sending pick No. 43 to the Jets and getting pick No. 47 (Bobby Wagner), a fifth-rounder (No. 154, Korey Toomer) and a seventh-rounder (No. 232, Greg Scruggs).

The Seahawks don’t move back over and over again just to torture fans who are waiting for a pick, it’s because they believe enough in their scouting process that they think they can add more talent to the team by acquiring more picks. It’s a draft philosophy Schneider learned in Green Bay, and one that has paid off for the Seahawks. Just look at some of the names above, most notably Sherman, a first-team All-Pro last season, and also people who have made significant contributions such as Moffitt and Wagner.

The Seahawks are in a different place now than they have been in the past — they are more talented and much deeper than when Carroll and Schneider took over — so it would make more sense now than a couple years ago to package some picks and move up. Just don’t go into this week’s draft expecting it. You’ll probably end up disappointed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.