But did they outsmart themselves?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections VideosCoffee and CigarettesGame AnalysisThe Numbers GameCigar ThoughtsNFL DraftThe OffseasonRoster NewsHawks accumulate picks Womens K.J. Wright Jersey , but was it out of necessity, circumstance or design?New,73commentsSpoiler: All three is a good answerPDTShareTweetShareShareHawks accumulate picks, but was it out of necessity, circumstance or design?call me thursday and we¡¯ll work something outBrian Spurlock-USA TODAY SportsBefore the Frank Clark trade earlier this week, the Seattle Seahawks were NFL Draft beggars, owners of just four selections this year, a regular slate next year, and a few comp picks.After two trades back (of course) in the 2019 draft¡¯s first round, and after grabbing L.J. Collier at the end of the night, John Schneider and his team are still sitting on these choices:a 2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5 this yeara 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6 George Fant Jersey , 6, 7 next year.That¡¯s 20 more picks in two drafts. The distribution this year ¡ª few along the edges and a ton of selections in the middle rounds ¡ª tells me one of three things.A) John Schneider evaluated the 2019 draft as mid-round heavy and did his most to maximize picks where he felt the value was greatest.B) Circumstances somewhat outside the Seahawks¡¯ control meant that players they wanted dropped off the board at exactly the wrong time, precipitating trades back out of disappointment as much as design.C) They needed picks, and plenty of them, for the purpose of cheap labor while they pay maximum salaries to their QB and MLB, so they did everything they could to turn a deficiency into a surplus, a liability into an asset. Or 21 assets, to be more precise.Of course, it¡¯s possible to synthesize A), B) and C) into co-factors. Quite likely the Seahawks missed out on one or more targets (DL Henry Tillery? WR N¡¯Keal Harry? EDGE Montez Sweat?) by flipping 1.21 into 1.30 and a pile of mid-rounders. Quite possibly one or more of those players will develop into Pro Bowlers, or better. Quite possibly the Los Angeles Chargers and their DC Gus Bradley sniped Derwin James from the Seahawks last year and then Tillery this year, and both will go on to have exceptional careers, and fans will lament the missed opportunities and the vagaries of the draft. Quite possibly the Seattle front office outsmarted itself more than anyone else.I¡¯m not alone in thinking this possible.But the end result is that from a position of indisputable weakness, the Seahawks emerged from round one of the NFL Draft in a position of unusual strength. If there¡¯s a player anytime in Round 3 that Schneider needs, he has the ammunition to swing a trade. Same for Round 4. Remember how the Seahawks spent four picks to move up 26 spots in the third round and nab Tyler Lockett in 2015? The same type of move is now possible and it wouldn¡¯t leave Seattle completely broke thereafter.Anyone between 70 and 132 is fair game as the draft rolls along. It¡¯s not hard to move up a dozen spots when you have fourth-rounders galore. It¡¯s especially not hard to move up or down several spots in the fourth, when the value curve begins to flatten considerably. The Jimmy Johnson draft chart takes some flak these days, but the difference between each second-round pick is about ten points, while the difference between each fourth-rounder is about two points.And if, just if, the fourth round is loaded with talent, and Schneider feels it, and he knows who¡¯s going to be available when, and if, just if, Seattle does make all four of its picks between 114 and 132, the chances of hitting on your future favorite player just got a lot better.It¡¯s easy to lament on what could have been Brett Hundley Jersey Green , but maybe I¡¯m overstating things when I say The Seahawks have completed their spring ritual of teasing their fans with the prospect of a mid-first-rounder, only to opt for quantity over luxury. Now the real draft begins, with Carroll and Schneider¡¯s wallets overflowing. Seahawks¡¯ play caller wowed by Russell Wilson¡¯s preparation | The News TribuneBrian Schottenheimer has been an NFL assistant coach for 19 years, an offensive coordinator spending long hours with quarterbacks in the league for 11 of those years. Seattle¡¯s first-year play caller says he¡¯s never seen a QB prepare as fiendishly as Russell Wilson does for the Seahawks.Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett brings play ideas to Brian SchottenheimerSeattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett creates and labels plays and brings them to offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.Three Key Matchups: Seahawks vs. ChargersBreaking down three matchups that could make the difference when the Seahawks host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.Seattle-Area Buildings To Go Blue This Weekend To Honor Paul AllenSeveral structures around Seattle will light up blue this Saturday and Sunday to honor Seahawks owner Paul Allen, who died last month from complications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.K.J. Wright, Chris Carson & Bradley McDougald All On Track To Play Sunday vs ChargersThe Seahawks have three starters listed as questionable for Sunday¡¯s game against the Chargers, but Pete Carroll sounded optimistic that all three will play.2018 Week 9: Seahawks vs Chargers Picks & PredictionsLocal and national media predict the outcome of Sunday's game between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9 of the 2018 NFL season at CenturyLink Field.Seahawks make George Fant a starting WR, Fant hosts WKU team | The News TribuneBackup offensive tackle George Fant made his first start for the Seahawks in two years last weekend at Detroit, at, um...wide receiver? Fant is hosting his Western Kentucky basketball team at Seattle¡¯s game Sunday against the Chargers. WKU plays at the University of Washington in the college basketball opener Tuesday.Seahawks' 'reset' is on schedule, but November gauntlet begins - Seattle Seahawks Blog- ESPNThere have been some bumps but don't call it a rebuild. The Seahawks have a resurgent offense and a shot at a playoff run.Richard Sherman trade buzz: Seattle Seahawks' price, potential suitors - Seattle Seahawks- ESPNIt might sound unthinkable, but the Seahawks are legitimately trying to trade star CB Richard Sherman after his volatile 2016. Here's why.Niners bring back Tom Savage; place Mostert on IR - NFL.comWell, just like that, Tom Savage is back. The San Francisco 49ers re-signed the quarterback one day after being released. In corresponding moves, the team placed Raheem Mostert on IR.Dalvin Cook questionable to play for Vikings vs. Lions - NFL.comMinnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook's nagging hamstring injury has him listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.Bills GM: We'll 'definitely' keep LeSean McCoy for '19 - NFL.comBills general manager Brandon Beane says running back LeSean McCoy remains part of the team's plans for next season. "We like what he brings, to the point we'll have him back in 2019."Injuries: Gronk (back/ankle) listed as questionable - NFL.comNew England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski was back at practice Friday, after he was limited Wednesday and missed Thursday's session. Also, other injuries we're tracking around the league.Su'a Cravens eager to release his 'built-up frustration' - NFL.comDenver Broncos safety Su'a Cravens is off injured reserve and is expected to play against the Houston Texans. He's looking forward to releasing some "built-up frustration."Steelers hoping to make Joe Flacco regret his words - NFL.comJoe Flacco wasn't necessarily impressed by what he saw from the Pittsburgh Steelers when he played them in September. The Steelers are hoping to surpass his expectations this week.With Hue Jackson fired, most of the 2016 new coaching class is gone ¨C ProFootballTalkIn 2016, seven NFL teams hired new head coaches. Most of those coaches have now been fired. When the Browns fired Hue Jackson this week, it made the fourth member of that seven-member coaching class to lose his job.San Antonio mayor vows an NFL franchise within 10 years ¨C ProFootballTalkLondon isn't the only market hoping to land an NFL franchise. San Antonio, which openly flirted with the Raiders before Mark Davis struck a deal to move the team to Las Vegas, remains in the mix. Or so thinks it's mayor, Ron Nirenberg.