Seattle Seahawks: 5 Targets with the 21st pick in 2019 NFL Draft

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Rashaad Penny of San Diego State after he was picked #27 overall by the Seattle Seahawks during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Dexter Lawrence of the Clemson Tigers looks on from the sideline during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Dexter Lawrence

Ordinarily, a player of Dexter Lawrence’s caliber would be gone by the Seahawks pick, but this draft is absolutely loaded with defensive linemen. Lawrence is, at best, the fourth best defensive tackle in this draft — at worst, he’s sixth. Even if he is fourth, there’s still a good chance that Seattle will get a shot at him.

While Lawrence isn’t as acclaimed as former All-American Clemson teammates Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkins, he has just as much opportunity to become an immediate starter in the league. Lawrence weighed in at 342 pounds at the combine and was measured at 6-4. NFL.com gave him a 6.19 prospect grade, which falls into the “should become instant starter” category. That grade is also the 17th best among all players in the draft.

The Seahawks have future Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jarran Reed, but they were not able to retain Shamar Stephen in free agency, who was Reed’s running mate in 2018. Reed is known first and foremost, as a pass rushing defensive tackle, but he also recorded 50 combined tackles in 2018.

He can play the run too, but Lawrence is a great space eater who will free up Reed inside. While Lawrence won’t really contribute as a pass rusher himself, he will make Reed’s job a lot easier.

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