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Seattle Seahawks: 5 Prospects to avoid in 2019 NFL Draft

By Samuel Teets

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Defensive back Byron Murphy of Washington talks to Los Angeles Chargers defensive backs coach Ron Milus during day five of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Defensive back Byron Murphy of Washington talks to Los Angeles Chargers defensive backs coach Ron Milus during day five of the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Irv Smith Jr. #82 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Irv Smith Jr. #82 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama

The Seahawks have a type when it comes to drafting tight ends. In 2016 the team drafted Nick Vannett from Ohio State. Vannett is 6-6, 261 pounds and was used as a specialized blocking tight end in college, a role he has taken up at the pro level as well.

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Then, just last year, the Seahawks drafted Will Dissly from Washington. Like Vannett, Dissly did not produce many yards or flashy plays in college, and he was utilized more as a run blocker. The 6-4, 265-pound tight end did play a decent role in the passing game in 2018 before landing on IR, but he was drafted with the intention of fitting into the run blocking scheme.

The Seahawks seem set on relying on the run game as the center of the offense moving forward. That means they’ll stick to drafting bigger, run blocking tight ends. Irv Smith Jr. isn’t a small player —  he’s 6-4 and 241 pounds — but his weight is closer to Jordan Reed‘s than Vannett or Dissly’s. Reed is absolutely an example of a pass-catching tight end, and that’s what I expect Smith Jr. to be in the NFL.

While the Seahawks still want to add one more playmaker around Russell Wilson, they also need to pick players who fit their offensive scheme. Smith Jr. just wouldn’t fit with what Seattle is trying to do.

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