SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

NFL Draft Reaction: Seahawks insiders on trio of Day 2 picks

Apr 29, 2022, 8:44 PM | Updated: 9:19 pm
Seahawks Kenneth Walker...
Kenneth Walker III of Michigan State celebrates a 37-33 win over Michigan on Oct. 30, 2021. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Seahawks have made it through two days of the 2022 NFL Draft, and perhaps the most surprising thing is they’ve taken all of the picks they came into the draft with and made no trades.

Seahawks 2022 NFL Draft Tracker

So what should we make of their picks thus far? Our Seahawks insiders have been busy on the Seattle Sports Seahawks draft show on the SeattleSports.com video stream, and we’ve got plenty of insight on the three players the Hawks added during Day 2.

Let’s break down what former NFL players Michael Bumpus, Dave Wyman and Brock Huard had to say.

Seahawks pick: Boye Mafe, DE, Minnesota (No. 40)

Dave Wyman: “This guy is powerful. I love watching him. He’s kind of one of those guys that, I say this every once in a while like about Cortez Kennedy, that he just kind of goes wherever he wants to go. Incredibly explosive… He’s got all of the everything in his repertoire as far as a pass rush.”

Michael Bumpus: “Yeah, I like him. Long arms, like you said, and he’s a smooth rusher. Nothing seems like he’s out of control, he puts his body in great position, and he’s still raw. I can see where he can get better, he can get even better with his hands, better with his leverage, better with mixing up his moves at the line of scrimmage.”

Wyman: “He plays like a smaller player, like his quickness and everything. He’s a little on the stiff side, I would say that he’s not as fluid as like (first-round picks Kayvon) Thibodeaux and (Aidan) Hutchinson, but very powerful guy. … He had a swim move on a player in one of the highlights I saw and the guy fell flat on his face, the offensive tackle. … I think everybody’s gonna be going to be happy with this.”

Seahawks pick: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State (No. 41)

Brock Huard (from Friday night, before Walker’s selection): “I’m telling you right now, if Kenneth Walker is sitting there at 40 or 41, sign me up. (Seahawks running back) Chris Carson has a neck injury and (Rashaad) Penny’s on a one-year deal. … Kenneth Walker is nasty, man. … I would say (he compares to Cowboys running back) Zeke Elliott when he was healthier and explosive. Like, that size, home run. He hits the outside zone and you don’t make that tackle? He is gone. He is 4.38 speed and 220 pounds. I had Michigan State twice last year (as an announcer for FOX Sports) and both times, the most overwhelming player period on the field and on the practice field, and who (Michigan State head coach) Mel Tucker loved and said ‘one of the baddest dudes I’ve ever coached’ (was Walker). Like one of the baddest guys you could have, in a good way.”

Bumpus: “The big note I put on this kid was, to me, he’s the most athletic running back in this draft. I’ve seen him shake dudes in the ‘A’ gap with a center and a guard to the right side – he’s making guys fall down to the ground, and I’m like ‘Where’s he going? All he has to do is go straight.’ But I love his breakaway speed. Will make guys miss, and he finishes the run, drops his shoulder I see a little bit of Chris Carson in this dude with a lot more wiggle, though.”

Wyman: “Having that ability to (make tacklers miss) in tight spaces like that – yeah, that’s nice to hear.”

Seahawks pick: Abraham Lucas, OT, WSU (No. 72)

Bumpus (a former WSU wide receiver): “Love this dude. Really big, plays in control and strong as heck. It’s like once he engages with you, you’re not going anywhere. He was a leader on this (WSU) team, and he’s mean. I was at the spring game the other day and he’s just walking around the field and you just feel like, as Big Ray (Roberts) says, (he has) the big nasty in him. I’m happy for this dude and I’m happy for the Hawks.”

More Hawks draft coverage from SeattleSports.com

• Rost: Seahawks’ attempt to make good on trading Wilson begins
• Top Seahawks pick Charles Cross: ‘I bring great toughness and nastiness’
• Mike Leach, Cross’ college coach, details Seahawks’ first-rounder
• Huard: OT Charles Cross a lot like Duane Brown
• Seahawks keep No. 9 pick, select Mississippi State OT Cross

Wyman & Bob

Brock and Salk podcast

Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks draft Siaki Ika...
Brandon Gustafson

The massive ‘man eater’ Baylor nose tackle Seahawks could draft

The Seahawks need help on the defensive line, and big Baylor defensive tackle Siaki Ika could be an answer in the second round.
1 day ago
Seahawks Jalen Carter...
Brandon Gustafson

NFL Network’s Brooks: Seahawks taking Jalen Carter could be ‘mutually beneficial’

The Seahawks have been seen as a landing spot for Georgia DT Jalen Carter. Bucky Brooks thinks it's a move that makes sense for both sides.
1 day ago
Seahawks Pete Carroll Geno Smith...
Brent Stecker

Hasselbeck: Why it feels like the Seahawks are ‘in a really good spot’

"They have a real clear, strong vision of what they're trying to do," ex-Seahawks Pro Bowl QB Matt Hasselbeck said of his former team.
2 days ago
Seahawks draft Deuce Vaughn...
Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: Kansas State RB Deuce Vaughn

Brock Huard's Seahawks draft profiles kicked off Tuesday with Kansas State's Deuce Vaughn, a small but dangerous All-American running back.
2 days ago
Seahawks Kenneth Walker III...
Stacy Rost

Rost: 3 biggest questions Seahawks face to complete their roster

The Seahawks have made several moves already to improve, but there are still question marks both on their roster and with the cap situation.
2 days ago
Seahawks Bobby Wagner...
Brent Stecker

Hasselbeck: How Seahawks may use Bobby Wagner differently in return

Bobby Wagner comes back to the Seahawks a year older and a year wiser, and former Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck thinks that may play into his role.
3 days ago
NFL Draft Reaction: Seahawks insiders on trio of Day 2 picks