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2019 NFL Draft: Grading the Seattle Seahawks Day 2 picks

By Samuel Teets

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 8: D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Mississippi Rebels catches a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels defeated the Salukis 76-41. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 8: D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Mississippi Rebels catches a pass for a touchdown during a game against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels defeated the Salukis 76-41. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 31: Cody Barton #30 of the Utah Utes reacts turnover a tackle against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half of The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 31, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 31: Cody Barton #30 of the Utah Utes reacts turnover a tackle against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half of The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 31, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Round 3, Pick 88: Cody Barton, LB, Utah

In the third round of the draft, the Seahawks selected another Utah player. This time they took linebacker Cody Barton, who was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention last year. Barton is almost surely a depth boosting pick and he probably won’t see a lot or any action early on in the season.

It’s no secret that the linebacker group in this year’s draft was very thin. Under ordinary circumstances, I’d expect a better linebacker to be taken at this position in any other year. While I acknowledge I haven’t seen Barton play, so I don’t know exactly what his style is or how he’ll fit with Seattle, I do have some complaints.

Alabama’s Mack Wilson, Clemson’s Tre Lamar, Stanford’s Bobby Okereke and USC’s Cameron Smith were all still available when Barton was taken. I don’t know exactly where Barton fits in that group, but I have trouble believing he’s better than Wilson, who I did see play in college. I feel like Seattle makes these kinds of selections often, sidestepping the obvious choice for a different option.

The Seahawks have depth needs at linebacker. Last year they were struggling to replace K.J. Wright, who missed significant time with injuries. Wright will be back for 2019 and Mychal Kendricks, as of right now, looks like he will also be available. Bobby Wagner has also been banged up a few times over the last couple of seasons and the middle linebacker depth is nonexistent for Seattle. If all three of those players are available, then the linebacker positions should be fine and Barton will spend his time on special teams.

2019 NFL Draft: Grades, analysis for every Day 2 pick. dark. Next

However, if something happens and Barton has to step up, he had plenty of production at Utah to suggest that he could play at the pro level. Barton recorded 117 combined tackles, four sacks, an interception and six passes defensed in his senior season. At the very least, he’s an experienced player who will be ready to step in if any situation requires it. That being said, why did the Seahawks trade up for a backup linebacker?

Pick Grade: C-

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