Draft day live: Hawks trade down twice, add pass rusher Collier

NFL draft8:45 p.m.: Picking at 29 and 30, the Seahawks used 29 to draft TCU pass rusher L.J. Collier and moved out of the 30th spot, dropping to 37th and getting a fourth and fifth from the Giants.

Most of the top pass rushers were gone after the Hawks traded down from 21; their only other options were offensive linemen or cornerbacks. But they wanted to make sure they got a pass rusher.

Collier was considered a second-round prospect (ranked in the 50s) and didn’t really fit Seattle’s athletic profile, but he’s strong and versatile and has been compared to Michael Bennett.

Pete Carroll called him “a lot like Michael Bennett. … He has a nice pass rush bag of tricks.”

Carroll, John Schneider and scout Josh Graff all called Collier “our kind of guy.”

Graff: “How does he fit us? His physicality, No. 1. He’s super-long (34-inch arms), he’s versatile, he’s got powerful hands and a nonstop motor. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s one of our type of guys. He’s a competitor by nature and he wants to prove people wrong.”

Some scouting reports on Collier:

Lance Zierlein: “A 4-3 base end who won’t wow teams with his frame or athleticism but who will pique their interest with his rugged play demeanor and surprising rush acumen. Collier is stout at the point of attack and will offer some value as a power rusher; he really flashed an ability to translate his power into an above-average rush at the Senior Bowl. Collier’s toughness, size and strength are traits seen typically from players who develop into quality starting ends.”

Tony Pauline: “Hard-working college defensive end with poor size and speed numbers. Fires off the snap, displays speed and quickness off the edge and gives great effort. Breaks down well, plays with proper lean and keeps his feet moving. Penetrates the gaps, gets behind the line of scrimmage and flashes athleticism. Very explosive. Effective when he must get into space, redirects to ball carriers and brings opponents down on initial contact. … Lacks size and bulk and gets easily knocked off balance by the initial block. May not have much growth potential.”

Rob Staton: “I wish he tested better but here’s the facts: He wins with power, hand use, speed, stunts and setting up blockers. Had a great 19.7% pressure percentage. … Pete Carroll said they focus on pressure percentages. Collier’s almost identical to Montez Sweat (20.2%) and Brian Burns (19.7%).”

The Seahawks have eight more picks, including four in the fourth round. They surely will use those to move up in the third round, especially as John Schneider says there is a “drop-off” from Day 2 to Day 3.

7:35: The Seahawks traded down from the 21st spot to the 30th position, with Green Bay.

The Packers gave up two fourth-rounders (picks 114 and 118), which the Hawks likely will try to use to move into Day 2. Green Bay drafted Darnell Savage, a safety the Hawks had shown interest in.

The Seahawks were thought to be interested in Louisiana Tech pass rusher Jaylon Ferguson. They have been “doing a ton of homework on him,” draft expert Tony Pauline said this morning. It’s possible they could target him in the second round.

Ferguson was not allowed to work out at the Combine due to an old misdemeanor assault charge. So it figures that the Seahawks have done more work on him. And the “homework” might not necessarily mean they want to draft him.

His Pro Day workout was a bit underwhelming, so he has had to show people via private workouts.

“I’ve had to see a lot of people, shake a lot of hands,” Ferguson said of his makeup work for the Combine snub. “It’s been busy, busy, busy. Other prospects have been enjoying free time, going on TV, doing other things. I can’t do that. I’m always working, trying to get me a workout somewhere. There’s a lot of expectations on my plate. It’s a lot of work and it’s not going to stop.”

The Seahawks also were linked to defensive linemen Rashan Gary, Montez Sweat and Jeffery Simmons — all guys who would be considered top-10 talents, if not for injury concerns. Gary went 12th to Green Bay, Simmons went 19th to Tennessee and Sweat went 26th to Washington, which made a big jump from the mid-second round.

Seattle was linked to ASU WR N’Keal Harry, who was taken 32nd overall by New England.

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