A correction to OP. Lynch wasn't signed as a free agent, we traded for him (2011 4th and 2012 5th round picks). For me one of the best trades of all time.

 

 

Quote:Not that I am knocking Seattle's drafting, but this presumes they didn't reach for any of their picks.

 

They drafted a T out of Alabama in the first round-James Carpenter.  After struggling at RT, they eventually moved him inside to G.  While there are definitely some that are worth first round picks, I'm not sure, as a general rule, taking guards in the first round is not a good thing.  If they drafted him with the idea he had the bulk and the athleticism to be a RT, and they have shifted him inside to G, that likely means they reached on the pick. 

 

Furthermore, they took Richard Sherman in the 5th round in 2011, more than a full round after they drafted WR Kris Durham, who is no longer on the team.  If Sherman is among the top 2-3 CBs in the NFL and great value at 5, then taking a WR over him who is no longer on the team has to represent a reach to some degree.

 

I agree Carpenter was a reach.

 

He was drafted as a RT, but is too slow for outside pass rushers, so we moved him to guard. We selected him, because he is a good run blocker (which is important in our system) and pre-draft they also mentioned, he played all positions but center at Alabama and our OL coach Tom Cable liked his versatility (Cable is known for rotating players and try to play them at more positions during practice). Carp was his personal pick, but didn't work out as planned so far. He struggles in pass protection and also has problems with weight and injuries. Now he is part of "rotation" at LG. 2014 is his last contract year, I doubt we will keep him after that.

 

I didn't like Carpenter pick at draft time and he still didn't convinced me. But Carroll&Co. wanted to adress OL problems in 2011 draft so we take Carpenter and then John Moffitt (he has retired meanwhile) in 3rd round. I wanted QB (Dalton or Kaep) in that draft, but today I'm happy, Carroll and Schneider didn't go that way. I still believe we could use that #25 pick better, but no way I complain about 2011 draft, as we get Wright, Sherm, Maxwell and Malcolm Smith in rounds 4-7.

 

Quote:Bullseye, you are wrong about the Percy Harvin trade. Only the Redskins and Colts do not have first round picks this year. They traded last year's first for him.

 

I read Earl Thomas is the only defensive back on the roster who was selected in the first round.

 

More than that, Thomas is only defensive player on our roster, selected in the first round. But he is certainly the most important player.

 

 

You are right about Harvin. We traded 2013 1st and 2014 3rd and 7th round picks for him.

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