Draft day live: Hawks overpay for Penny

NFL draft8:30 p.m.: The Seahawks did not move out of the first round, instead doing what they usually do when they stay: Reaching.

This time it was for San Diego State RB Rashaad Penny, who was rated a Day 2 pick and the sixth or seventh back in the draft. Instead he went second, becoming the third RB ever drafted in the first round by Seattle (Curt Warner and Shaun Alexander).

Penny was a decorated player in the Mountain West. He was the conference special-teams player of the year in 2015, 2016 and 2017, taking eight kickoffs back for TDs. In his only year as a starting RB, he was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year after leading the country with 2,248 rushing yards and scoring a conference-high 23 rushing TDs.

Some scouting reports on Penny, projected as a Round 2 prospect:

Lance Zierlein: “Volume-carry running back who plays with an active running style that rarely sees him slow his feet. Penny has the short-area foot quickness to create yardage for himself, but he doesn’t really have the burst or long speed to be a homerun hitter. His motor gives him a chance to be a productive NFL starter, but he may lack the explosiveness to be a great back.”

Tony Pauline: “Penny possesses the size, athleticism and overall skill to be a productive ball carrier at the next level. He’s displayed an improving game and comes with big upside.”

7 p.m.: The Seahawks made their expected move down, dropping to 27 in a trade with the Packers. Seattle got a third and sixth for the drop and gave up a seventh (248 overall).

They made the move right after Gus Bradley and the Chargers took stud Florida State safety Derwin James. Good thing the Hawks didn’t have to decide between James and the needed move down.

The Seahawks seem likely to make one more move down, hoping to pick up another third-rounder perhaps. They have traded their first-round pick in every draft since 2012.

Seattle’s picks after this trade: 27, 76, 120, 141, 146, 156, 168, 186, 226.

3 p.m.: More good news for Seattle’s effort to move down: There reportedly is no shortage of teams wanting to make a short move up from the 20s into the teens.

Atlanta, picking 26th, apparently is one of them. Connecting dots: Seattle could move down to 26 and then let Tampa Bay come up for Derrius Guice. That would drop Seattle to 38 and give the Hawks pick 58 from Atlanta, too, with the Hawks returning pick 120 to the Falcons.

The Bucs then ideally would pay Seattle pick 102 (second pick in the fourth round), plus the Bucs’ third-rounder in 2019. Remember, Seattle is without its second-rounder in 2019, given to Houston for Duane Brown.

Of course, Seattle might prefer more immediate Day 2 dividends, in which case the Cleveland deal below (if viable) would be better.

12:20 p.m.: Cleveland reportedly is willing to give Seattle both of its top second-round picks (33 and 35 overall) in a move up to 18 so the Browns can draft offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey or Kolton Miller. It would be a surprising trade from a value standpoint, unless Seattle were giving a pick back.

However it turns out, it seems the Seahawks have set up some contingencies for moving down.

9:45 a.m.: It sounds like the Seahawks are now willing to take a second-round pick (and maybe something else) for Earl Thomas, with the main holdup being a long-term deal between Dallas and the star safety. If a contract can get done before Round 2 starts tomorrow, it sounds like a trade could be made.

8:30 a.m.: Two players the Seahawks reportedly are targeting after their expected trade down are UTSA pass rusher Marcus Davenport and Colorado corner Isaiah Oliver.

Davenport has the length of Malik McDowell (both are 6-6) and seems like the unique kind of pass rusher the Seahawks like. He probably would need to bulk up (from 264) to play inside.

Per Tony Pauline, the Seahawks “have spent a tremendous amount of time with Oliver in the lead-up to the draft.” Rob Rang wrote: “Teams willing to gamble on traits will love Oliver, who offers a terrific blend of size, arm length (33 1/2 inches), speed and overall athleticism.”

Pauline also lists Auburn CB Carlton Davis as an option for Seattle. Rang wrote: “Scouts can check off a lot of boxes with Davis, a physically imposing corner with the long arms (32 3/4 inches) and athleticism necessary to match up with the monster receivers playing on the perimeter in today’s NFL.”

7 a.m.: John Schneider does it every year, and there’s even more reason to do it this time. With Seattle holding no Day 2 picks at this moment, he’s going to trade down again.

Seattle (picking 18th) reportedly is among at least four teams in the second half of the draft looking to move down. Baltimore (16), Detroit (20) and Tennessee (25) are the others.

Seattle has been linked to several teams potentially moving up: Cleveland, Atlanta and New England.

Remember, this is the trade chart the Seahawks are using now.

Based on that, Cleveland would need to offer picks 33, 64 and 114. The Browns, who also have picks 1 and 4 to start the draft, apparently are eyeing offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey in the middle of the first round.

Atlanta, reportedly interested in DT Da’Ron Payne, would have to surrender 26 and 58, with Seattle giving back 120. The Seahawks and Falcons, coached by former Seattle DC Dan Quinn, made a first-round deal in 2017 as well.

If a QB falls within range, New England reportedly could jump. To get to 18, the Patriots would have to give up 23 and 95. The Seahawks then likely would attempt to move down again.

Seattle is expected to try to amass some combination of three picks in the first two days.

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4 thoughts on “Draft day live: Hawks overpay for Penny”

  1. I know that it’s not sexy, but trade down but get better extra picks next year. If it means we don’t fill every need but pick up two or three 1st-4th round picks in 2019, that’s smart thinking. Start building up significant picks and restock next year.

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  2. Only player on the roster that could command enough draft picks to restock the roster is Wilson. Might sound crazy but they could trade Wilson to Cleveland and even tell the Browns they can keep the 1st pick in the draft to take Barkley to team up with him. All we would want is pick #4, both 2nd round picks and a 1st and 2nd round pick next year. With those picks and Schneider’s penchant for trading down should give them enough draft Capitol to flip the roster and get younger. At pick #4 they could go after a QB to replace Wilson or they could wait till later and use a later pick on a QB. Lots of holes to fill and unfortunately not many picks.

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  3. Dealing their franchise QB & starting over would be incredibly stupid. This roster is not that bereft. There is plenty of talent — and they will find ways to add more. Contender by 2019 again — with Wilson as QB

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