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Seattle Seahawks: Ranking top picks last 10 NFL Draft classes

By Samuel Teets

KALAMAZOO, MI - SEPTEMBER 4: Malik McDowell #4 of the Michigan State Spartans during warmups prior to the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Waldo Stadium on September 4, 2015 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
KALAMAZOO, MI - SEPTEMBER 4: Malik McDowell #4 of the Michigan State Spartans during warmups prior to the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Waldo Stadium on September 4, 2015 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft
Seattle Seahawks (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

4. Germain Ifedi, OL, Texas A&M (2016)

Seeking to stabilize the offensive line, Seattle used the 31st pick in 2016 on Germain Ifedi. Out of Texas A&M, Ifedi possessed all of the physical traits of an NFL offensive lineman. However, he lacked refinement. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com gave Ifedi a 5.86 grade out of 10.0, which qualified him for the “could become early NFL starter” category. Overall, Zierlein gave Ifedi a second-round grade.

Seattle moved Ifedi inside to right guard for his rookie season and continued bouncing him between right tackle and right guard depending on the team’s injuries. In four years with the team, Ifedi appeared in and started 60 games, but the Seahawks did not pick up his fifth-year rookie option.

While he played 100 percent of Seattle’s offensive snaps in 2017 and 2019, Ifedi never refined his technique. He committed 46 penalties with the Seahawks, mostly stemming from poor anticipation, bad leverage, improper use of hands, and heavy feet. Ifedi signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears this offseason.

3. Bruce Irvin, DE, West Virginia (2012)

By no means is Bruce Irvin a bad NFL player, he’s just not worthy of a first-round pick. When the Seahawks took him with the 15th overall selection in 2012, the team sought a running mate for Chris Clemons. As a rookie, Irvin made 16 appearances and no starts. He did record eight sacks and 19 quarterback hits but only managed 17 tackles.

In 2013, Seattle signed Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, which stunted Irvin’s growth. He did start all 12 of his appearances that season, but he only recorded two sacks and four quarterback hits. Irvin added 6.5 sacks in 2014 and 5.5 in 2015, but that wasn’t enough for Seattle to pick up his fifth-year rookie option.

Irvin left Seattle for four seasons, amassing 30 sacks and 66 quarterback hits with three other teams. However, the Seahawks signed Irvin to a contract this offseason, hoping the improved journeyman can boost their sack production in 2020.

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