Field Yates’ 36 Favorite Picks From The NFL Draft
Three Seahawks were named in ESPN’s Field Yates’ favorite pick from this year’s draft.
Grey Zabel, G, Seattle Seahawks (No. 18)
Seattle entered the draft with major needs at guard and center. Landing Zabel here is right on target with his range, as I had him No. 17 overall on my board and thought he was the best interior offensive lineman in this class. Zabel is an excellent fit with new coordinator Klint Kubiak, who needs linemen who can play in space and move their feet in his zone scheme. As an FCS standout at North Dakota State, Zabel stamped his first-round case after starring at the Senior Bowl. He’s a plug-and-play addition for Seattle.
Bryce Cabeldue, G, Seattle Seahawks (No. 192)
After taking Zabel in the first round, Seattle selected another interior offensive lineman. Like Zabel, Cabeldue was a tackle throughout his career at Kansas, but he projects better inside at the NFL level. He is a crunching force in the running game who plays through the whistle, and he has the footwork to become a developmental guard in Kubiak’s zone scheme.
Damien Martinez, RB, Seattle Seahawks (No. 223)
The strength of this running back class will be a theme for the next few players, as Martinez deserved to go higher based on his tape alone from Oregon State and Miami. He is rugged, powerful and showed very good stamina to hold up and affect the game late in the fourth quarter. While not a huge home run threat or pass catcher, Martinez can chew up tough yards as a depth option behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.