Rost: 5 Seahawks nuggets from NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler

NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler dropped his massive 600-plus-page guide this week, an interactive (or printable) breakdown of more than 2,500 prospects. Barring a trade, four of those prospects will be Seattle Seahawks in just over a weeks’ time.

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While we’re eager to thumb through Brugler’s guide, we naturally had to have him jump on Bump and Stacy to ask about his perfect Seahawks fits.

Here are five quick takeaways.

• Like every other Seahawks fan, Brugler thinks it makes sense for the Seahawks to move back from No. 32 overall. “Only entering the draft with four picks is something I expect to change,” Brugler said. “Somehow, some way, they’ll figure out a way to get an extra pick or two.”

Seahawks general manager John Schneider had a three-player draft class back in 2021, but that was by far the smallest he’s had (the smallest in franchise history, in fact) and an outlier; he’s had at least eight picks otherwise. While he’s stayed put with the original first-round selection for the last few classes, those haven’t been No. 32 overall. Last time Schneider owned this pick, he traded back (twice!) before making a selection (Colorado wide receiver Paul Richardson at No. 45 overall).

• Brugler thinks a cornerback makes sense for the Seahawks if they stay put at No. 32. He mentions Tennessee’s Colton Hood and San Diego State’s Chris Johnson as his favorites here. In fact, Johnson is one of his favorite players in this class.

“We don’t normally see Group of Five guys in the first round anymore because they transfer, but some of the guys that stay loyal to the coaching staff that recruited and developed them, NFL teams still have their eyes on them,” Brugler said. “And Chris Johnson is one of them. He’s a fit for all 32 teams because he can play man, he can play zone. There’s a lot to like about his football intelligence and his cover ability.”

• If it’s not a corner, Brugler is eyeing a deep edge rusher class as a target for Seattle’s elite defense. This isn’t just about losing Boye Mafe in free agency; it’s about making the Seahawks’ already stellar defense better by choosing from one of the deeper talent pools in this draft.

“The back half of the first and early part of the second, that’s where (Clemson’s) T.J. Parker will come off the board, Malachi Lawrence (out of) UCF, and Zion Young (from Missouri).”

Brock Huard profiled Young as a potential fit for Seattle this week.

• We’ve been talking a ton about Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price, but if they Seahawks wait until Day 2, Brugler thinks another name makes sense: Mike Washington Jr. The 6-foot-1, 223-pound senior out of Arkansas was a second-team All-SEC selection and had eight rushing touchdowns for the Razorbacks. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein’s comp for Washington? Former Seahawks running back Chris Carson.

• And finally, Brugler is not buying the idea that this is a weak draft class. Sure, it’s not last year’s running back class or the ’24 quarterback group, but there’s plenty of depth at other positions.

“Edge rusher is really deep,” Brugler said. “Wide receiver is another really deep position. There’s a lot of good corners. Tight end is loaded, unbelievable – I have more draftable tight ends in this class than will actually get drafted, so there will be really good players who will be available later on and even as UDFAs.”

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Seattle Seahawks Draft: Analyst’s late-round sleeper at RB
• Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: Pitt hybrid LB/S Kyle Louis
• Schneider details where Seattle Seahawks are at in prep for draft
• Brock: 3 Seattle Seahawks who can make a jump this offseason
• Daniel Jeremiah: 2 boom-or-bust draft prospects for Seattle Seahawks

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