It’s gotta be the shoes: Seahawks draft USC DE Jackson in first round

Published 4:59 pm Saturday, April 26, 2008

KIRKLAND — The Seattle Seahawks selected defensive end Lawrence Jackson of Southern California with the 28th overall choice in the NFL draft Saturday.

The Seahawks traded their 25th pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for that selection, plus Dallas’ fifth-round pick (163rd overall) and a seventh-round choice (No. 235 overall).

Seattle president and general manager Tim Ruskell had lamented not having a fifth-round choice in this draft, so the trade fills that void. And the selection fills the Seahawks’ need to bolster a defensive line that lost free agent tackles Chuck Darby and Ellis Wyms.

Jackson said he often moved inside to tackle on passing downs for USC to pose a speedy problem for interior offensive linemen.

“I bring versatility along the defensive line. I know everybody saw what the Giants did in the Super Bowl with their (rotating) defensive line,” Jackson said while on the telephone from a draft party at his family’s home in Los Angeles.

There, he was interrupted from getting one of his father’s grilled hamburgers by the call that the Seahawks were about to select him. He said he wore his “Seattle blue” shoes in hopes the Seahawks would take him.

“I’m glad I fell into the right team’s hands,” he said.

The Seahawks filled their need at tight end in the second round by selecting John Carlson from Notre Dame at 38th overall. To get the 6-foot-5 Carlson, they traded with Baltimore to move up from 55th overall. Seattle also sent the Ravens its third-round pick, No. 86 overall.

Many draft experts had Carlson rated among the top four at his position in the draft. He was a finalist for last season’s Mackey Award as the nation’s top collegiate tight end.

The Seahawks chose Jackson while bypassing the top-rated tight end, speedy Dustin Keller of Purdue. The New York Jets selected Keller at 30th overall.

Seattle already has veteran Pro Bowler Patrick Kerney and young, sometimes brilliant Darryl Tapp at defensive end.

Even though they also had needs on the offensive line, at wide receiver and perhaps — for the long term — running back, the Seahawks selected defense first for the fourth time in five seasons. In 2009, defensive mind Jim Mora will replace offensive guru Mike Holmgren as Seattle’s coach.

Jackson, known for his speed in getting into offensive backfields, was listed as 6-foot-5 and 268 pounds at the NFL combine in March. Jackson was a four-year starter for a powerhouse college program, another trait the Seahawks value.

Last season, The Associated Press named Jackson a second-team All-American.