Seattle Seahawks 2021 draft fails to address most team needs
Chip Clark
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Face it 12’s; the Seattle Seahawks blew this draft. General Manager John Schneider and Head Coach Pete Carroll failed miserably at filling the team’s critical needs.
The annual draft is a time when NFL teams can fill holes and strengthen their roster. Unfortunately, the Seattle Seahawks didn’t accomplish that in 2021.
Dwayne Eskridge
Maybe the last thing the team needed so early in the draft was a wide receiver. So like many of you, I yelled at my television in disbelief when the announcement of wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge was made.
Eskridge is a 5-9 speedster from Western Michigan, the same school as Antonio Brown. He is known for his ability to break free from coverage and take off. Aside from his offensive role at WMU, Eskridge also played some cornerback.
Still a third receiver? What were Schneider and Carroll thinking?
But can he block?
The thing that makes the pick even worse is that Russell Wilson couldn’t have been clearer in his post-Super Bowl comments. RW3 is tired of getting knocked on his butt. Getting guard Gabe Jackson from Las Vegas should have been a start of building up the line, not the culmination.
Those who believe Eskridge is the missing piece who can put the Seahawks over the top are missing the point. He’s got talent. I don’t question his ability. I question why the Seahawks would draft another receiver when they have more pressing needs like an offensive lineman or a replacement for K.J. Wright.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter that Eskridge can blow off the top of a defense with his speed if Wilson doesn’t have time to throw or is running for his life because Seattle can’t protect him.
Right tackle Brandon Shell‘s pass blocking skills are far below average. Center Ethan Pocic needed too much help from his guards last season. They aren’t good enough to start on championship-caliber teams. If this is news, you haven’t been watching.
2021 was the year to draft and develop a good tackle. Instead, Schneider and Carroll drafted a third receiver. Unless there is an injury to either Tyler Lockett or D.K. Metcalf, the chances that Eskridge becomes one of the top two are extremely limited. It’s also important to remember; the Seahawks like to use dual tight end sets. The number three WR doesn’t always get on the field.
Maybe they use three-wides 70-ish percent of the time. The Seahawks needed someone who can be an every-down contributor. Not to mention a player who can help keep Russ upright.
The pick is in ‼
Welcome to Seattle, D'Wayne Eskridge! pic.twitter.com/uFHZ7JGqev
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 1, 2021