Full NFL draft coverage: What to know about Seahawks, Huskies on Day 3

2023 stats: 16 catches, 208 yards, two touchdowns

Selected round 7, pick 26 (247 overall) by Tampa Bay

Devin Culp’s Washington career was a rollercoaster. An athletic tight end from Spokane, he arrived at UW in 2018 and redshirted, before playing in 26 games between 2019-21. However, a series of drops early in Culp’s time with the Huskies seemed to leave him with unfulfilled potential. 

Culp was one of several players reinvigorated by Washington’s coaching change in 2022, becoming an important part of UW’s offense because of his ability to stretch the field vertically, catching a career-best 29 passes. He added 16 receptions in 2023, hauling in a helmet catch in the back of the end zone against USC on Nov. 5 and being named an All-Pac-12 honorable mention. 

Here's how he opened eyes at the NFL combine.

With pick 179 of the 2024 NFL draft, the Seahawks selected offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea of Utah.

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With pick 192 of the 2024 NFL draft, the Seahawks selected cornerback D.J. James of Auburn.

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With pick 207 of the 2024 NFL draft, the Seahawks selected offensive lineman Michael Jerrell of the University of Findlay.

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With the last of their eight scheduled picks in the NFL draft, the Seahawks on Saturday selected offensive tackle Mike Jerrell of Division-II University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio.

A native of Indianapolis, he is listed at 6-5, 309.

Sportskeeda.com recently listed Jerrell as a small college prospect to watch, writing: “Measuring 6-foot-4.5 and 309 pounds, Jerrell timed as fast as 4.94 seconds in the 40 with a super quick 10-yard split of 1.69 seconds. His vertical jump was 32.5 inches, and Jerrell completed 26 reps on the bench. Teams are looking at Jerrell as a tackle for the next level, which is the same position he played in college. The talented blocker has already made official-30 visits to see the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts and has the Seattle Seahawks on the schedule for next week.’’

The Seahawks liked drafting a cornerback from Auburn so much on Saturday morning they decided to do it again later in the day, taking D.J. James of Auburn with pick 192 in the sixth round.

The pick came after they selected Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett in the fifth round at pick 136.

James, a native of Mobile, Ala., began his career at Oregon where he played three seasons before transferring to Auburn in 2022. He had 38 tackles and two interceptions last season and was invited to the Senior Bowl.

James, 23, is listed at 6 foot, 175 pounds, he was 153^rd on Pro Football Focus’ Big Board.

Here is the PFF scouting report on James: “James brings the competitiveness and mentality you want from a cornerback. His lack of top speed and strength likely limit him to a rotational or spot-starter role.

“James is a competitive cornerback who has experience in man and zone, as well as in press and off coverages. He’s on the smaller side in weight and length, and that shows up at the catch point and when taking on blocks. With his smaller size, though, he possesses well above-average quickness and acceleration. He has the fluid hips to mirror and match off the line in press. Although he is quick, his long speed is average at best, which might hold him back from being a starter at the next level.’’

With its fourth pick on the third day of the NFL draft Saturday, the Seahawks added to their offensive line, selecting tackle Sataoa Laumea of Utah early in the sixth round, with pick 179 overall.

The 6 foot 4, 311 pounder played right tackle for the Utes the last two years but played solely right guard in 2021 and the Seahawks could view him as a depth option across the offensive line.

Pro Football Focus wrote that Laumea’s main spot in the NFL may be at guard.

“Laumea's power profile is that of a potential starting guard,’’ PFF wrote. “However, his footwork and anticipation must improve to match the speed of NFL rushers.’’

The Seahawks on Friday drafted guard Christian Haynes out of UConn in the third round and now has spent two of its six picks in the draft on offensive line.

Laumea is a graduate of Eisenhower High in Rialto, Calif., and was an All-Pac-12 first team pick in 2022 and second team pick in 2023.

2023 stats: 109 tackles, two interceptions, nine passes deflected 

Selected round five, pick 26 (161 overall) by Washington

Few players have been cast in as many roles as Dominique Hampton during the course of his Washington career. Originally arriving as an outside cornerback from Peoria, Ariz. to join Jimmy Lake’s vaunted defensive backs room, Hampton played four games in 2018 as a true freshman, then featured 11 times during the 2019 season. 

Hampton was a regular contributor in 2020 and 2021, too, before becoming the first-choice nickelback under coach Kalen DeBoer during the 2022 season. Before 2023, Hampton moved to safety, starting all 15 games and leading the Huskies with 109 tackles to be named an All-Pac-12 honorable mention.

2023 stats: 94 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, four passes deflected, one forced fumble

Selected round five, pick 25 (160 overall) by the Bills 

A former walk-on from Alaska who arrived at Washington via Las Vegas preps powerhouse Bishop Gorman, Edefuan Ulofoshio spent six seasons with the Huskies. He made an immediate impact on special teams as a true freshman in 2018, forcing two fumbles in his first college game on kickoffs.

Ulofoshio played 13 times as a true freshman in 2019. He earned a scholarship ahead of the COVID-impacted 2020 season, but missed the second half of the 2021 campaign because of injuries. Ulofoshio was sidelined for a majority of 2022, but reemerged as one of the best linebackers in the nation in 2023. He had 94 tackles, deflected four passes and had three sacks while earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors and being named a finalist for the Butkus Award.

With pick 136 of the 2024 NFL draft, the Seahawks selected cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett of Auburn. Here are three things to know about Pritchett.

Get to know the newest Seahawk: Here

The first Cougar off the board this year is former safety Jaden Hicks, who was drafted in the fourth round Saturday by the Kansas City Chiefs, who used the 133rd overall pick to take the All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection from last season.

Read more: Here

With pick 121 of the 2024 NFL draft, the Seahawks selected tight end AJ Barner of Michigan. Here are three things to know about Barner.

Gat to know the latest Seahawk: here

The Seahawks made their first addition to the secondary in the 2024 draft on Saturday, taking cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett of Auburn at pick 136.

Pritchett will add depth to a cornerback room that appears to have three obvious starters in Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen and Tre Brown (all three starting in the nickel and Witherspoon and Woolen in the base).

Brown can be a free agent after the 2024 season and they could use some competition for the backup spots, which would appear to be held by veterans Michael Jackson and Artie Burns, also on one-year deals.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Pritchett, who was a four-year starter at Auburn, ran a 4.36 40 at the NFL combine to raise a bit up draft boards. He also has some kick return experience, with 10 for 313 yards in 2021.

Here is his scouting report from PFF: “Pritchett proved quite versatile at Auburn, playing mostly outside cornerback but also seeing some snaps in the slot and as a punt and kick returner. His first-step acceleration and hip fluidity are above average for a player of his size. His long speed is decent, but when he faces quicker, faster receivers, he gets too grabby. He is more effective in off-coverage. His lower weight profile shows up when tackling. He dives at ankles too often, and when he does tackle with sound technique, he lacks the density and strength to truly stop ball carriers. He uses his long arms to force incompletions, but he lacks natural takeaway abilities.’’

With their third pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected UTEP linebacker Tyrice Knight at No. 118 overall Saturday morning.

Get to know the latest Seahawk: here

The picks began moving fast and furiously on Day 3 of the NFL draft, and with their second pick of the day at 121, the Seahawks selected tight end A.J. Barner of Michigan.

The pick was one they acquired earlier in the day in a trade with Denver.

Adding Barner helps fill out the depth at a spot where the Seahawks needed some after losing Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson. They re-signed Noah Fant and signed free agent Pharaoh Brown, but had no real experience after those two.

Barner, 21 and listed at 6-foot-6, 251 pounds, was the 213th-rated player on Pro Football Focus’ big board.

Barner began his career at Indiana, playing there from 2020-22 before transferring to Michigan for his final season.

Wrote PFF in its scouting report of Barner: “Barner has been a late bloomer throughout his football career, culminating in a career year in 2023. In 2022, he was slow off the line of scrimmage and in his routes. This past season showed a quicker, more explosive version of himself, though one that is still below average for the NFL.

“His calling card is blocking. His best work comes from an inline or wingback position, where he can push people around. He takes pride in his blocking, as he’s constantly looking for work and has excellent grip and core strength to maintain blocks. He can erase secondary players near the line of scrimmage, and he can even push defensive ends around, at times.’’

Barner had 22 receptions for 249 yards and one touchdown.

The Seahawks took linebacker Tyrice Knight of UTEP with their first pick of the final day of the NFL draft Saturday, at 118 overall.

The 6-foot, 233-pounder was among the players the Seahawks brought to the VMAC for a pre-draft visit.

Knight was a Senior Bowl invitee who had 140 tackles and 15.5 for a loss last season for the Miners.

“A really fun player to watch,’’ Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network said following his pick. “A ball of energy at the line of scrimmage.’’

Knight adds to a linebacking corps that has undergone a significant makeover in the off-season with Seattle not re-signing free agents Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks and signing veteran free agents Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker to fill in.

Knight has also played outside some. But given Seattle’s depth inside he would appear likely to start out there.

Yes Denver, as the Seahawks X account stated, we have a deal.

The Seahawks pulled off yet another trade with familiar partner Denver early during the draft Saturday, dealing picks 102 and 235 to get picks 121, 136 and 207.

That gave Seahawks an extra pick by moving down 19 spots, while the Broncos used the pick to take Oregon receiver Troy Franklin.

The Seahawks now has picks 118, 121, 136, 179 and 207 as the draft concludes today with rounds four through seven.

RENTON — The Seahawks drafted a Husky to fill a hole at guard.

Just not the one you thought.

After passing on former UW standout (and Seattle mock draft darling) Troy Fautanu to snag Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II with the No. 16 overall pick, the Seahawks waited 24 hours and 65 picks to address the position.

On Friday, they nabbed Connecticut Husky guard Christian Haynes in the third round, with the No. 81 pick.

Granted, he’s not Fautanu, a favorite of Seahawks (and former UW) offensive line coach Scott Huff. He lacks the local following.

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For a while, when NFL free agency began in March, it was tempting to wonder what the Seahawks’ plan was with the interior of their offensive line.

First, starting left guard Damien Lewis signed a four-year contract with Carolina.

Starting center Evan Brown signed with Arizona, and the Seahawks didn’t re-sign Phil Haynes, who began last season as the starting right guard. He remains a free agent.

Throughout, president of football operations John Schneider insisted the team had a plan.

What might be the last significant piece of that plan fell into place Friday when the Seahawks drafted guard Christian Haynes of UConn with the 81^st overall pick of the third round of the NFL draft.

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With their second pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected University of Connecticut guard Christian Hayes at No. 81 overall Friday night.

Here are three things to know about Haynes:

• The former two-star recruit had offers from Maryland and Virginia. Haynes, who redshirted as a freshman and received an extra year due to COVID, spent six years at UConn where he was a four-year starter at right guard. The two-year captain played in 51 games and started 50, including 49 in a row. Haynes said: “I’m a big loyalty guy and not leaving UConn that was one big thing. I wanted to show that you can make it anywhere you’ve been. UConn gave me an opportunity to play and I wanted to leave my legacy there.”

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Not surprisingly, the two teams that played in the College Football Playoffs championship game are crushing the first two days of the NFL draft.

Washington, which lost 34-13 to Michigan in January, have each had seven players taken in the first three rounds, which ties for the most among college teams.

On Day 2, Huskies receiver Ja’Lynn Polk didn’t have to wait long to hear his name called.

The New England Patriots selected him with the fifth pick in the second round (37^th overall) on Friday night, which pairs the former UW wideout with quarterback Drake Maye who was taken a day earlier at No. 3 overall.

“Man, they’re getting a beast,” Polk said during a news conference. “A dude that loves football, loves his teammates. Ready to build. A very eclectic person.”

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