The Seattle Seahawks entered the 2024 NFL Draft with seven picks over the three-day event, but only two on the first two days.
The Seahawks stayed put with their first pick, No. 16, taking the top interior defensive lineman in the draft in Texas’ Byron Murphy.
After trading a second-round pick for defensive tackle Leonard Williams at the deadline this past season, Seattle did not pick again until No. 81, where it filled a hole on the other side of the line of scrimmage with Connecticut guard Christian Haynes.
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for analysis and grades for each Seahawks pick.
NFL Draft 2024 tracker: Live blog, pick-by-pick grades and analysis
Big board best available: Who’s left from Dane Brugler’s Top 300?
Draft pick grades: Day 2 | Day 1
Full draft order: Team picks for all 257 selections
“The Athletic Football Show”: Watch live reaction to the draft
Round 1
No. 16: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
How he fits
Good things come to those who wait? Sure, we’ll go with that. The Seahawks have had a need right in the middle of their defense for what seems like several years now. And after an early run on quarterbacks and tackles pushed the top defenders down, Seattle hits a whopper by landing the top interior defensive lineman in this draft at No. 16.
Murphy, who can play nose or three-technique, is extremely powerful and explosive with a lethal punch at the point of attack. A smaller body in the Aaron Donald mold, Murphy is all gas off the line of scrimmage and his natural leverage makes him a bear to deal with inside. Some teams valued Murphy as a top 10 player in this draft. This is terrific value for new head coach Mike Macdonald. — Nick Baumgardner
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Murphy doesn’t have ideal length, but his rare combination of lower-body twitch, natural leverage and power throughout his frame sets his apart. With his disruptive energy, both as a pass rusher and versus the run, he projects as an impact starter who can play shaded nose or three-technique, similar to Grady Jarrett.
Grade: A
Michael-Shawn Dugar’s analysis: Why the Seahawks drafted Murphy
Round 2
None
Round 3
No. 81 (from Saints via Broncos): Christian Haynes, G, Connecticut
Dane Brugler’s analysis
Haynes doesn’t always play up to his testing numbers, but his play strength, football IQ and finishing mentality make him equipped for battle against NFL fronts. He has the floor of a high-level backup but should compete for starting reps at guard during his rookie season (similar to Kevin Dotson).
Round 4
No. 102 (from Commanders)
No. 118
Round 5
No picks
Round 6
No. 179 (from Commanders)
No. 192
Round 7
No. 235
(Photo of Christian Haynes: Bryan Woolston / Associated Press)
