The Seahawks used their first two picks in the 2015 NFL draft, 63rd and 69th overall, on University of Michigan defensive end Frank Clark, a 6-foor-2, 271-pound defensive end with character issues, and Kansas State wide receiver/kick return Tyler Lockett, a small, speedy playmaker who was twice (2013-14) selected the Big 12’s Special Teams Player of the Year.
In order to select Lockett, the Seahawks, originally scheduled to select 95th overall in the third round, traded that pick, plus No. 112 (fourth round), 167 (fifth), 181 (sixth) — to Washington in order to move up.
Described by scouts as a player with “huge upside,” Clark, 21, was dismissed from the Michigan program in November after his arrest on domestic violence charges. In addition, in 2012, Clark pleaded guilty to second-degree home invasion felony charges after stealing a laptop from a Michigan dormitory. That resulted in a one-game suspension.
After Michigan head coach Brady Hoke removed Clark from the program last fall, he said, “This is a tragic situation. Our student-athletes will be held accountable when their actions fail to meet the standard we have at Michigan.”
In the police report, Clark’s girlfriend said he punched her in the face after an altercation in the Maui Sands hotel in Sandusky, OH. The woman’s brother, who was also in the room, said Clark picked her up the neck and slammed her to the ground. Clark was outside the room when police arrived.
Clark told officers he didn’t touch the woman, saying she was having “crazy fits” and maybe pregnant. The woman reportedly did not press charges.
Clark addressed the issue:
A senior at the time of his ouster, Clark made 26 career starts for the Wolverines and last year had 42 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss in 10 games. Clark made second-team All-Big Ten as a junior in 2013. He had an excellent pro day, recording times of 4.64 and 4.68 in the 40-yard dash.
A native of Bakersfield, CA., Clark attended Glenville High School in Cleveland, OH., where he participated in football and track. He was a three-star recruit coming out of high school. NFL.com’s analysis:
“Downhill defensive end who can play on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Has the power to control the edge and is able to disengage and finish as a tackler. Fires out of stance with good burst upfield as pass rusher. Keeps pad level low and converts speed to power. Gets shoulders turned when he rounds corner as pass rusher, gaining leverage advantage.
“Effort rusher who relies on motor and power over talent. Lacks fluidity and natural transition from move to move as pass rusher. Doesn’t gain much ground with spin-move counter, often twisting in place. Lacks subtlety of movement or footwork necessary to execute consistent inside move at the next level. Marginal change-of-direction talent. Has had multiple off-field issues during his time at Michigan and was dismissed from Michigan in November after being arrested on domestic violence charges.”
The 5-10, 182-pound Lockett was selected second-team All-America as an all-purpose player in 2014 and first-team All-Big 12. He was also a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist (nation’s top wide receiver).
Lockett ranked third nationally in total receiving yards (1,515) and all-purpose yards per game (176.6) in 2014, and also was tops in the nation with a 19.1-yard punt return average. He finished his collegiate career by setting Alamo Bowl records with 13 catches and 249 all-purpose yards in a 40-35 loss to UCLA last January.
Lockett set a school record with 2,196 career kick returns yards and four touchdowns and added 488 career punt return yards with two scores. He finished his K-State career holding 17 school records.
Lockett, who tallied 22 touchdowns the past two seasons, likely will become a slot receiver.
NFL.com’s analysis:
“Has a knack for making explosive plays as a receiver and return man. Steps up his game when matched up against top competition across from him. Likes to block . . . Very slightly built. Struggles with physical cornerbacks and can be redirected in his routes. Press coverage could be an issue for him on the next level. Scouts are concerned that he is too slightly built to be a full-time NFL kick returner.”
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5 Comments
Disappointed. An DE we didn’t need with more down than up and another short slot receiver to go with the other 2 we have on the team. Slot receiver doesn’t seem to be a need if we can get Baldwin back to where he has done best. Hope they produce, but even if they do it is not a big upside for the team.
With Bennett, Mebane and McDaniel on the wrong side of 30 the team needs to build up the D-line with some youth. Interesting they took a WR despite the obvious need for help on the O-Line. Evidently Lockett was the best player on the board when the Hawks turn came up to pick.
Kick returning had to be addressed.Walters and his fair catch itinerary surely was not what their vision held for the punt return dynamic in 2014.Let us suppose the Hawks have just one special teams TD in February in the SB?Then we are not talking about the brutal memories of how devastating a loss can be(since we lost by less than a TD).All Hawks games are close like this and taking one to the house could add up to an extra win or two this season.That might mean Home field in the play offs.We all know how crucial that is also.
Interesting though that the popular goat of the SB is Lockett.Now Seattle has a two lockett box and a DE who might need extra mental work and attention in order not to go astray and be Seattle’s next doughnut stealing nightmare.You gotta love this bunch that runs the Seahawks.they have fielded the most entertaining group we have had in their History~and this era is filled with story lines and twists.Cant wait for 2015.
Each year I am perplexed by Seattle’s draft picks, especially players with character issues.
If I were GM, I would have picked AJ Cann in the 2nd and Jaelen Strong in the 3rd.
I’m willing to give Schneider and Carroll the benefit of the doubt though.
Hawks took Golden Tate despite warnings about character and later on was caught breaking into a donut shop during training camp. But he grew from that. Same with Bruce Irvin who had issues with the law after dropping out of high school and getting kicked out of his home. Teams always think they can straighten out a troubled player and for the most part the Hawks have had success with the exception of Percy Harvin.