Instant Reaction: 710 on Seahawks’ 2nd-round pick D’Wayne Eskridge

The Seahawks have made their first pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Was it the right one?

Based on the reaction from 710 ESPN Seattle’s hosts and Seahawks insiders, the answer appears to be a resounding “yes.”

Seahawks stay at No. 56, draft Western Michigan WR D’Wayne Eskridge

They’re not the only people happy about Western Michigan wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge coming to Seattle with the 56th overall selection in the second round on Friday night.

Shortly after the Seahawks’ pick was revealed, Eskridge himself shared a screenshot of a text conversation on his Twitter account that showed he was actually hoping Seattle would end up being his destination.

It’s already been written.. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/VpgU417sEV

— D’Wayne Eskridge (@allaroundplays) May 1, 2021

You know who else likes the Seahawks’ pick? The quarterback.

.@allaroundplays can’t wait to see you ball out!!! #GoHawks

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) May 1, 2021

Now let’s get to what you came here for – the instant reactions from the 710 ESPN Seattle crew to the Seahawks using the first of their three precious draft picks on Eskridge.

Jake Heaps (from the 710 Draft video stream)

D’Wayne Eskridge makes a lot of sense here … The reason why (I’ve been high on him) is even though he’s 5-9, he’s 190 pounds – so he’s strong. And if you look at the next pick by the Los Angeles Rams, they picked a very similar guy (in Tutu Atwell of Louisville) … I think (what the Seahawks) got with D’Wayne Eskridge was a bigger, stronger version of what Tutu Atwell could be for the Rams. And when you talk about this offense for (new offensive coordinator) Shane Waldron, it is all about yards after catch (as we saw from his time with the Rams)

D’Wayne Eskridge is going to be able (to be utilized in screens and jet sweeps) and an electric player that you’re going to have to keep tabs on at all times … When you have a guy who can beat everybody vertically as well as work underneath in the short to intermediate part of the field, I think that is an exciting proposition.

WR D'Wayne Eskridge brings elite speed, playmaking ability and is electric as a return specialist which was important to the Seahawks to address this season!

— Jake Heaps (@jtheaps9) May 1, 2021

Listening to D'Wayne Eskridge speak to the media makes it clear why the Seahawks fell in love with him. His mindset jumps off the page. Eskridge is going fit right in here in Seattle and with Lockett and DK.

— Jake Heaps (@jtheaps9) May 1, 2021

Michael Bumpus (from the 710 Draft video stream)

They’re getting a guy who can play in the slot. That’s what they need. He can also play outside … They move (DK Metcalf) and (Tyler Lockett) around and I think they’ll do the same with Eskridge. Now they have a guy who can just hold down the slot. Extremely fast. Does a lot with the ball in his hands. And I think with this new offense, they’re going to ask these receivers to get yards after the catch and I think he can do that … I see a guy who’s eager, who’s ready to go, who can make big plays. That’s what this offense needs.

@allaroundplays (D'wayne Eskirdge) played both sides of the ball at one point in college. Such an advantage! Understands what the DB is thinking and trying to take away. Love it #Seattle #Seahawks #NFLDraft

— Michael Bumpus (@michaelbumpus5) May 1, 2021

Related: Bumpus calls for Seahawks to take Eskridge before draft

Paul Gallant (from the 710 Draft video stream)

If he catches a pass on a hook route he can turn it upfield and he’s already going with that straight-line speed blowing by everybody. He was playing at the (Mid-American Conference), but he ran a 4.38 (40-yard dash) at his pro day, he had a 20-plus yards average per catch when he was in college.

D'Wayne Eskridge at his pro day, where he ran a 4.38:

"I just feel like a ticking time bomb…Just like the Senior Bowl. I exploded. People started know more of who I am and what I do on the field…Competitors compete, and that’s who I am. I always like being overshadowed."

— Paul Gallant (@GallantSays) May 1, 2021

Bob Stelton (from the 710 Draft video stream)

To me the biggest surprise is that with three picks (they didn’t trade down) … I looked at it like if they made the pick (at 56), they had a strong conviction because you know how much (general manager John Schneider) loves having more opportunities out there. So if you’re going to spend one of your only three picks on a player (at any position), they love this kid. And that makes me feel better about it because you’re now only sitting there with two picks left in the entire draft and that tells me that there was a strong conviction. It doesn’t mean he’s a sure thing by any stretch, but that just tells me (they’re not “taking a flyer” or are hoping it works out).

Dave Wyman (from the 710 Draft video stream)

Without David Moore (leaving in free agency), is (wide receiver) that big of a priority? But again, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is they think this guy is this caliber at this pick (and is) worthy (of being selected 56th) otherwise they would have traded out. As far as need, they don’t go that way. They never do and never had … Probably going to be one of those guys with a lot of shake, but we’ll see if he has some return ability as well.

Danny O’Neil (from the 710 Draft video stream)

There’s nobody who lost a job because of this pick. But it shows that nobody slotted themselves into that (No. 3 receiver role). They felt there’s an opportunity for a guy to get on the field and play his way into the rotation. Freddie Swain showed a lot of promise last year. I thought he was a really productive player … It’s two years and (John Ursua) can’t get on the field. It’s not like a team would choose not to put him out there if they thought he was going to be an effective cog … I’m not going to say (losing David Moore) was a huge setback, but was a pretty productive player for them and had some big plays. I think this is about Seattle thinking that, especially with (new offensive coordinator) Shane Waldron’s offense, that getting another explosive and quicker inside threat and someone who can work underneath is a huge asset there.

Stacy Rost

With pick No 56 (and the first of their three picks) the Seahawks select WR D’Wayne Eskridge out of Western Michigan.

I wasn’t expecting a WR first, but it was an underrated need for this team. VERY little experience behind Lockett/Metcalf without David Moore.

— Stacy Jo Rost (@StacyRost) May 1, 2021

James “Boy Howdy” Osborn

With Lockett, DK, Eskridge and Swain, the Seahawks seem to have prototypes players at WR1-4

— Boy Howdy (@BoyHowdyESPN) May 1, 2021

Mike Lefko

Maybe it’s nothing, but in one of his answers Eskridge misspoke and said when he saw “the Rams calling” and then corrected himself. The Rams picked a WR right after 🤔 I believe the Seahawks grabbed a guy the Rams really wanted #NFLDraft

— Mike Lefko (@MikeLefko) May 1, 2021

Seahawks 2021 Draft Breakdown: A detailed look at each Seattle pick