Solid Starter
Germain Ifedi, OT, Texas A&M – Round 1 
The Seahawks’ offensive line was a serious weakness at times in the 2015 season and led to Russell Wilson seeing far too much pass rush in his face. Seattle needed to upgrade the right side especially, and Ifedi should be able to step in immediately for Seattle. The 6-foot-5, 324 pound, Ifedi is strong at the point of attack with the ability to knock defenders off the ball. He should be a great fit in the Seahawks working to establish their smash-mouth ground game.
Ifedi’s strength is the ground game, but he has potential in pass protection. Ifedi is a good athlete with quickness to block speed rushers off the edge. Sometimes, he just gets sloppy with reaching after defenders, not using his feet, and bending at the waist. Ifedi can bend at the knees, but that also is something he needs to get more consistent at doing. Overall, his technique just needs improvement.
Ifedi has a lot of potential, and it wouldn’t surprise me if turns into one of the better right tackles in the NFC. If Seattle’s coaches can get him to be more consistent in his technique in pass protection, he could be a special player. At the very least, I think Ifedi will develop into a solid starter for Seattle.
Most Likely To Bust
Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama – Round 2 
There wasn’t a pick in the Seahawks’ early rounders who really stood out to me as having serious bust potential. I went with Reed because he does have limitations to his game entering the next level. At Alabama, Reed was a superb run defender and physical presence at the point of attack. However, Reed was a not a contributor to the pass rush and really did not produce at all in getting after the quarterback. He had only one sack as a senior and one as a junior.
In the passing-driven NFL, players like Reed come out of the game in passing situations. Defenses are now playing their nickel defense on the majority of their snaps and pulling run defenders for situational pass-rushers. Reed is one of those players who will get pulled for a player who is more proficient at getting after the quarterback.
Reed (6-3, 311) has some quickness and athleticism, so it is possible that he will develop into a three-down defender. However as a limited run plugger, I think there is the possibility that Reed could end up being a disappointment as a low-impact second-round pick.
Potential Boom Pick
C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame – Round 3 
Prosise was one of my favorite second-day prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft. He reminded me of David Johnson-type back as a big, quick runner who also was dynamic with receiving skills. Prosise is a former wide receiver who could be a perfect fit for Seattle and the passing-driven NFL.
Prosise played wide receiver at Notre Dame before moving to running back. As a senior, he showed real quickness to hit the hole and get upfield as he averaged 6.6 yards per carry with 11 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 220-pounder has size, but could stand to run with more of a mean streak and use his bulk to get more yards after contact.
Seattle was a great landing spot for Prosise. Thomas Rawls impressed last year, but the team also needs a replacement for Marshawn Lynch. Between Rawls, Prosise and Alex Collins, the Seahawks have a stable of talented young running backs. I think that Prosise could end up being a special player and a boom pick for Seattle.
Future Depth Player
Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State – Round 3 
Vannett probably will never be a three-down starter in the NFL because of his limitations as a receiver. He lacks speed to get open and lacks soft hands, which leads to a lot of dropped passes. That being said, Vannett is a good blocker. He has strength and size at the point of attack to move defenders and open running lanes. In the passing game, Vannett also will help with double teams on edge rushers. The 6-foot-6, 257-pounder won’t turn into an impactful starter with his lack of receiving skills, but he should be a quality backup and rotational tight end because of his blocking.
Walt’s 2016 NFL Draft Grades:
31. Germain Ifedi, OT/G, Texas A&M A- Grade
If the Seahawks had stayed put and chosen Germain Ifedi at No. 26, I would’ve given this a solid “B” grade. It’s a very logical pick. Ifedi is the sort of athletic player the Seahawks covet. He also fills a big need. Russell Wilson’s pass protection was disastrous last season, and it was bound to get even worse with Russell Okung gone. Taking an offensive lineman early was a must.
This “B” turns into an A- because of the trade. The Seahawks were targeting Ifedi all along at No. 26, so it’s outstanding that they were able to move down and still acquire him.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
49. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama B+ Grade
When I saw that the Seahawks surrendered a fourth-round pick for this selection, I said that it better be a good player, or else they’d earn a terrible grade. Well, they definitely made a solid choice. Jarran Reed is a good player, but he tested very poorly. Seattle taking a low SPARQ player will surprise quite a few, but in truth, the team doesn’t completely focus on that. Reed will help a weak defensive interior for sure.
90. C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame A- Grade
C.J. Prosise could’ve been chosen about 20 or so picks earlier than this, so I like the value. The fit is even better, as the Seahawks taking an athletic running back with great receiving skills is hardly a surprise. They needed a replacement for Marshawn Lynch to pair with Thomas Rawls, and Prosise figures to be a decent replacement.
94. Nick Vannett, TE, Ohio State C+ Grade
First of all, congrats to Urban Meyer, whose blood money really paid off in giving him 10 prospects in the first three rounds. Second, I thought Nick Vannett would be chosen a bit later than this, but this is not a bad pick. Vannett has very little athleticism to speak of, but he could become a steady pass-catcher for Russell Wilson. He provides solid insurance for the Seahawks, who may never have Jimmy Graham at 100 percent ever again in the wake of his patellar tendon injury.
97. Rees Odhiambo, G, Boise State C Grade
I guess the end of the third round is the time to begin taking risks on middling prospects. That’s what the Seahawks are doing at this juncture. Rees Odhiambo has played well when on the football field, but he has yet to play an entire season. He has constantly nursed injuries, but perhaps with proper training, he can overcome that. If so, he’d be a solid addition to Seattle’s weak offensive line.
147. Quinton Jefferson, DT, Maryland C- Grade
The Seahawks usually draft well, but I don’t like this pick very much. Part of the problem is that Seattle surrendered a fourth-round pick in 2017, which will be a better class (check here for my 2017 NFL Mock Draft.) As for the actual player, Quinton Jefferson was an average producer with mediocre athleticism. I had him down as a sixth-round prospect, so I don’t know why Seattle moved up for him.
171. Alex Collins, RB, Arkansas A+ Grade
How did Alex Collins last this long? And it’s not just Collins, as numerous talented running backs fell in the 2016 NFL Draft. Collins, who could’ve been chosen in the third round, will be stuck behind Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise on Seattle’s roster, but he’ll be productive in the event of an injury. Seattle is suddenly extremely deep at running back.
215. Joey Hunt, C, TCU C Grade
The Seahawks added their third offensive lineman of the draft, which makes sense. I thought they’d pick up three, perhaps even four blockers to really bolster their front line. However, I didn’t have Joey Hunt in my top 400, and there weren’t even any athletic numbers posted for him. It seems like Hunt is someone the Seahawks could’ve obtained in the UDFA market.
243. Kenny Lawler, WR, California B Grade
It’s a bit telling that the Rams didn’t even try to draft Kenny Lawler so that Jared Goff could continue throwing to him. Lawler was productive at California, but he tested very poorly at the Combine. He has no upside, but the range is right for him toward the end of the seventh round.
247. Zac Brooks, RB, Clemson MAKE THE PLACE LOOK NICE FOR SOME KIELBASA TIME MILLEN Grade
I don’t think I’ve ever given out a Millen grade in the seventh round. I once did so in the sixth frame when the Redskins wasted a pick on Colt Brennan. But this seems like some kind of joke. Zac Brooks retired from football so he could venture into a career of interior design. I assume he’s going to show up to OTAs, but perhaps he’ll only do so just so he can make the locker room look pretty.
2016 NFL Draft Team Grade: B . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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