Seattle Seahawks: Revisiting the botched 2016 NFL Draft

Seventh Round

Kenny Lawler

The wide receiver from Cal was taken with the 243rd overall pick. Lawler was never a standout in college, catching only 52 passes for 658 yards in his senior season with the Golden Bears. He did, however, have 13 touchdown receptions that year, which was enough to spark the intrigue of Seattle.

Unfortunately, like many seventh-round picks, Lawler never saw the field. He never recorded a single stat in his NFL career. Seattle cut Lawler and added him to their practice squad in 2016. In January 2017, the team signed him to a reserve/future contract, but they cut him in early September of the same season. He was added to the practice squad, but was cut again just a few days later.

Zac Brooks

Brooks was Seattle’s final pick in the 2016 draft. He was selected 247th overall out of Clemson. Like Lawler, the running back never recorded any stats in the NFL. He bounced around between a few teams, including Seattle, before announcing his retirement in April of 2017 with the Denver Broncos. Brooks was never more than a role player in college. He recorded just 804 yards from scrimmage in three seasons with Clemson. He missed his junior season with an injury.

Looking back at Seattle’s draft class, taking Brooks is a decent selection because it was likely a player taken this low in the draft wouldn’t make the active roster anyway. However, Seattle already drafted two running backs in this class. Taking another one was a little overkill.