Seattle Seahawks: Hroniss Grasu is a perfect fit in NFL Draft

The Seattle Seahawks are one of the most successful teams in the past few seasons in large part to their success in the NFL Draft.

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Most of the attention in the NFL Draft goes into the first-round, and for good reason. The Seahawks however are extremely good in finding players that can be starters after the first-round.

A major reason for the Seahawks being a Super Bowl contender every year is because of their scouting department. This will be an important draft for Seahawks, as their success has resulted in issues with signing players. Most successful teams lose players in free agency, and the Seahawks are no different.

This offseason, the Seahawks made a blockbuster trade to acquire tight end Jimmy Graham from the New Orleans Saints. The price was a steep one for Graham, as it cost the Seahawks their center Max Unger and their first-round pick.

Without having a first-round pick, the Seahawks will need to find starting-caliber players after Thursday night.

The loss of Unger is also going to be a big one for the Seahawks. The Seahawks’ offense lives by the running game. Graham will improve the passing game, but it’s hard to imagine a total philosophy change. Unger wasn’t the only starting offensive lineman to move to another team this offseason. Guard James Carpenter was signed by the New York Jets, as the Seahawks’ offensive line took too major hits this offseason

To replace Unger, the Seahawks could target Oregon center Hroniss Grasu after the first-round of the NFL Draft.

Unger is another former Oregon Duck center, and the two have drawn comparisons understandably.

“Both are extreme competitors. Unger was more of a hard-ass on the field and the one thing I get on Hroniss about is I think he’s too nice of a guy sometimes and he needs to finish guys off more,” Oregon Ducks’ offensive line coach Steve Greatwood said to Bryan Fischer of NFL.com. “I think Hroniss is a little bit more athletic than Max, though. They both have those intangibles at the position, though, extremely intelligent and tremendous competitors that do whatever it takes to win.”

Jan 10, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks center Hroniss Grasu (55) smiles as he answers questions during Media day for the Oregon Ducks at Dallas Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Grasu has been a four-year starter for Oregon, as he has made 52 starts in his four seasons. There are some improvements that Grasu can make however. In the NFL, Grasu could certainly use some extra weight. He was listed at 6’3”, 297lbs, which means he should be able to gain an extra 10-15 pounds to help block nose tackles. Grasu doesn’t do anything great, but he also doesn’t do anything bad, as he is just a solid football player.

Finding a center who could possibly start after the first-round could be another steal for the Seahawks. Seattle has recently struck gold in the third-round, as in the 2012 NFL Draft they selected quarterback Russell Wilson.

The Seahawks are looking to rebound from their disappointing loss in the Super Bowl to the New England Patriots. With a big contract likely coming soon for quarterback Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are going to need to continue to find value in the NFL Draft. Grasu could very well be the Seahawks’ starting center in 2015 if they decide to draft him, and that is good value.

Next: Full Grades and Analysis for Round 2

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