Seahawks general manager John Schneider spoke to 710 AM radio Monday in the wake of the weekend’s NFL draft. Here’s the highlights of what he had to say:
– This was our first chance to get concrete information about the undrafted free agents Seattle signed immediately following the draft. Schneider said the Seahawks signed 13 undrafted free agents and that all13 received draftable grades from Seattle. He did not list all the signings, but did mention TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin, USC running back Tre Madden, East Carolina linebacker Montese Overton, Oregon linebacker Christian French, Ohio State safety Tyvis Powell, Colorado State cornerback DeAndre Elliot and Florida Atlantic defensive tackle Brandin Bryant by name.
Boykin is the big name here, largely because starter Russell Wilson was the only quarterback under contract going into the draft. Boykin was a star at TCU, but was hampered by injury last season, then allegedly punched a policeman in January, which resulted in him being suspended for the Alamo Bowl — Schneider said the incident was the only reason why Boykin wasn’t drafted. Boykin is not big (6-foot, 212 pounds), but he’s accurate and mobile.
Schneider said Madden and Bryant will be given chances at fullback — the Seahawks have no returning fullbacks currently on the roster — while Overton and French will compete to replace Bruce Irvin at strong-side linebacker.
– It won’t just be undrafted free agents trying to impress at Seattle’s rookie minicamp next weekend as the Seahawks are also bringing in several undrafted players as invitees. That group reportedly includes a couple of intriguing names in Washington defensive tackle Taniela Tupou and Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams.
Tupou is a graduate of Archbishop Murphy High School and the University of Washington. He played defensive tackle at Washington, but saw reps during Washington’s pro day as a fullback. So that may be Tupou’s best avenue toward making the team.
Adams starred at Eastern Washington before playing his senior season at Oregon. Adams’ collegiate stats were outstanding, but at 5-foot-11 he’s been called too short to be an effective NFL quarterback. Sounds a little like Russell Wilson, doesn’t it? And with Wilson and Boykin the only QBs with contracts, Adams may actually have a chance.
– Schneider said third-round pick Rees Odhiambo will start off being played at left guard. Odhiambo played left tackle at Boise State. Justin Britt was Seattle’s starter at left guard last season.
– Finally, it seems the No. 24 is getting some time off for the Seahawks. Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin tweeted the following after the draft:
Dear @PeteCarroll,
We are thrilled with the new teammates. One condition. Nobody wears #24 for years to come.
Sincerely,
The Players
— Doug Baldwin Jr (@DougBaldwinJr) April 30, 2016
Schneider was asked about this, and he said one of the last conversations he had with Lynch was that no one was going to wear No. 24 this year. So from the players’ mouths to Schneider’s ears.
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