Solid Starter
Mark Glowinski, G, West Virginia – Round 4 
This was an underrated pick by the Seahawks. Glowinski is a strong run-blocker with some natural power to him. The 6-foot-4, 307-pounder can open holes at the point of attack and is a real fighter. Glowinski rose in his final season before the 2015 NFL Draft as teams studied him more. He ultimately went from being a late-rounder to a mid-round selection.
Seahawks starting right guard J.R. Sweezy is entering the last year of his contract, and Glowinski could compete for playing time with Sweezy or prove to be a possible replacement. Seattle also traded away center Max Unger in the offseason, and Glowinski could be cross-trained to be a valuable backup on game days and possibly get consideration as Unger’s replacement.
The Seahawks have had some issues on the right side of their offensive line, and Glowinski is a great fit in the Seattle offense. With the Seahawks wanting to run a power ground game, Glowinski is a tough right guard candidate to get movement at the point of attack. Glowinkski looks like he could be a valuable mid-round pick and end up being a tough starter for Seattle.
Most Likely To Bust
Frank Clark, DE, Michigan – Round 2 
There are a number of reasons to be skeptical of the Seahawks’ selection of Frank Clark. First of all, there are serious off-the-field issues with Clark, including a domestic violence incident that got him kicked off Michigan’s team last November. Clark was able to skate on the charges, but many teams removed him from their draft boards because of the incident and their evaluations of Clark as a person.
As a player, Clark is a bit of a tweener. He is too light to play defensive tackle and doesn’t have the length or blinding speed off the edge of most defensive ends. The 6-foot-2, 271-pounder was a quality edge rusher for Michigan during his collegiate career, but Clark’s skill set may not translate to the NFL, and he might just top out as a good college player.
Even if Clark can find a niche as a player and stay out of trouble, the Seahawks aren’t an easy team on which to earn playing time on the defensive line. Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril are firmly established as Seattle’s starters and go-to pass-rushers. It wouldn’t be surprising if Clark is unable to break through for Seattle.
Potential Boom Pick
Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State – Round 3 
There were a lot of teams around the NFL that really liked Lockett. Walter Football knows from speaking with sources at an AFC team that they were trying to trade up in the third round to land Lockett but the Seahawks were able to strike a deal first. From talking to a variety of teams, Lockett was a favorite second-day prospect with a lot of scouts and coaches. Sources felt that Lockett was a potential playmaker and just a flat out football player.
As a senior Lockett had 106 receptions for 1,515 yards with 11 touchdowns while also averaging 21 yards per punt return. The 5-foot-9, 182-pounder is a slippery receiver that is a threat to stretch a defense vertically or score on any reception with his speed. He displayed that with a strong week at the Senior Bowl and a fast 40 time at the Combine of 4.40 seconds.
To help Lockett be a potential boom pick, he is going to a great situation in Seattle. They have a young, talented franchise quarterback in Russell Wilson entering the prime of his career. The Seahawks also have a stable of receivers that contribute, but none of them are insurmountable and Seattle rotates their receivers consistently. Lockett could end up being a real weapon for Wilson and absolute steal for the Seahawks.
Future Depth Player
Tye Smith, CB, Towson – Round 5 
The Seahawks have been superb at taking mid- to late-round defensive backs and developing them into studs. With that being the case, Seattle obviously likes Smith’s skill-set to take him on Day 3. The 6-foot, 195-pounder is a big corner similar to the other defensive backs with the Seahawks, and Smith will learn behind some great players on that roster. Smith probably won’t ever be on a par as those players, and that shouldn’t be the expectation given that Seattle has one of the top corners in the NFL with Richard Sherman. With the Seahawks’ quality coaching staff though, Smith looks like a nice bet to develop into a solid backup.
Walt’s 2015 NFL Draft Grades:
63. Frank Clark, DE/OLB, Michigan: B Grade
The Seahawks decided not to pick up the fifth-year option on Bruce Irvin’s contract, so here’s his replacement. Frank Clark is another ultra-talented pass-rusher who dropped because of character issues. Clark has numerous things on is rap sheet, including domestic violence. He was clear of those charges, but Clark dealt with other issues as well. Still, the Seahawks have taken chances on troubled players before and had it pay off, so this selection could definitely help their team.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
69. Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State: C+ Grade
Tyler Lockett would’ve earned the Seahawks a B+ grade if they simply took him at this spot, but they traded multiple picks to get him. I don’t know about that move, especially with several decent receivers still available, including Jaelen Strong and Rashad Greene. Lockett should be able to help Seattle’s receiving corps, but I think Seattle gave up too much to get him.
130. Terry Poole, OT, San Diego State: B Grade
Surprise, surprise, the Seahawks drafted another very athletic player. The knock on Terry Poole is his short arms, but his athleticism might make up for it. Poole, who makes sense as a fourth-rounder, could start in a year or two.
134. Mark Glowinski, G, West Virginia: B Grade
I can pretty much copy-paste what I wrote for Seattle’s previous pick, except that Mark Glowinski is a guard instead of a tackle. He’s very athletic and fits this range. He also fills a need, so this is a solid choice.
170. Tye Smith, CB, Towson: B Grade
Hold on one minute… the Seahawks just selected a tall, athletic cornerback? WOW! I like this pick for Seattle, as Tye Smith, who fits the range as a low fifth-rounder, could emerge as the team’s next sleeper corner.
209. Obum Gwacham, DE/OLB, Oregon State: B Grade
Obum Gwacham didn’t produce much as a college player at Oregon State, but his athleticism definitely intrigued the Seahawks. He could develop into a contributor as a rotational pass-rusher if Seattle’s able to coach him up. I thought he would go in this area, so this is a solid pick.
214. Kristjan Sokoli, DE, Buffalo: B Grade
This pretty much mirrors Seattle’s previous selection, though Kristjan Sokoli was even less productive at school and more athletic than Obum Gwacham. However, Sokoli was playing out of position, so the Seahawks might be able to get something out of him.
248. Ryan Murphy, S, Oregon State: B Grade
The Seahawks sure love their tall, athletic defensive backs. But the formula has worked for them all along, so why change now? Ryan Murphy has great potential and could emerge as a solid contributor sometime down the road.
2015 NFL Draft Team Grade: B . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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