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To the surprise of absolutely no one on planet earth who has been following the Seattle Seahawks in the nearly years that Pete Carroll and John Schneider have been in charge of the team’s personnel, the Hawks traded down with their first pick in the draft. In doing so they picked up a couple of extra draft picks in the middle rounds, while at the same time setting themselves up with consecutive first round picks at 29 and 30.
When they came on the clock at 29, they took plenty of time, and then took even more time as they continued to negotiate a second trade for extra draft picks. By the time the clock was winding down on pick 30, it became apparent that the team had decided to use one pick on a player and to trade the other pick. The player they selected became defensive end LJ Collier out of TCU, and then they dealt pick 30 to the New York Giants in exchange for a second, a fourth and a fifth.
The moves down leave the team with two picks on Friday and six picks on Saturday, but those are different discussions for a different day. For now, let’s take a look at how Twitter reacted to the Seahawks selection of Collier at 29.
For starters, we’ll hear from Mr. Collier himself.
The moment my dream cane true lets go to work https://t.co/6C3yZkpy6j
— Lj collier (@ljcollier91) April 26, 2019
Its all love big bro lets go get us one!! @cliffavril https://t.co/daEKRX5FGI
— Lj collier (@ljcollier91) April 26, 2019
One of my most cherished memories ill never forget it https://t.co/hMGvXQ7oXt
— Lj collier (@ljcollier91) April 25, 2019
And now we can get to what pundits had to say about Collier and his selection by the Seahawks.
For what it’s worth, LJ Collier is who I had the Seahawks taking in my mock draft. Fits the profile of a versatile edge rusher that can move inside, like Seattle wanted in Malik McDowell and Rasheem Green.
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) April 26, 2019
Former Seahawks scout told me this about Collier: pic.twitter.com/Sw7QK32HWW
Of course the Seahawks did the staring contest thing with LJ Collier. He kept his eyes open 4-5 minutes. I bet that sealed the deal.
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) April 26, 2019
Here's my report on LJ Collier #Seahawks. I like him. Feels a little rich here (which is standard operating procedure for Seattle) pic.twitter.com/S4BKlxHAJ3
— Danny Kelly (@DannyBKelly) April 26, 2019
LJ Collier is pretty sweet. He's going to wreck some kids in the NFL - mean, mean bull-rusher.
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) April 26, 2019
Rivals @PFF_Seahawks pick EDGE LJ Collier. With #49ers picking Bosa earlier, #Rams may need to think about picking an OL at 31 to protect against some serious pass rushers pic.twitter.com/69yiZMMoMr
— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) April 26, 2019
John Schneider said LJ Collier "fits us... tough, chip-on-his-shoulder guy." #Seahawks
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) April 26, 2019
LJ Collier file for Hawks fans:
— Brock Huard (@BrockESPN) April 26, 2019
-Pro Style system at TCU for DE’s demands technique, accountability & understanding leverage
-Strong, Country Strong w/25 reps of 225. It shows at point of attack
-4.91 forty is good, not great as is 30” vert.
-Hawks went power over twitch/speed
.@TCUFootball @ljcollier91 plays far better than he tested in Indy. He has as much power off the edge as any rusher in this draft. Keep the analytics professors away from this player. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/ajZVRkZtFk
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 22, 2019
Wow. I had LJ Collier in my list of guys I expected to go after the first and even the second round. https://t.co/rY6SZJ5qZZ pic.twitter.com/CkDKz1fW1R
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) April 26, 2019
Listen to the entire interview with former Munday Mogul and future NFL star @ljcollier91 to get his thoughts on Munday, life, and football. #NFLDraft https://t.co/puYbxlbju5
— BCH Sports (@BCHsports) April 25, 2019
LJ Collier is a sneaky good pick for Seattle. Thought they were going Harry but love LJ
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) April 26, 2019
Think he's got some elite skills. 2nd round makes a lot of sense
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) April 23, 2019
And now to move on to fan reactions.
LJ Collier is not worth more than a 3rd round pick. Charles Tapper/Breeland Speaks type player. Absolute shit pick in my opinion..
— Magnus Bendixen (@BendixenNFL) April 26, 2019
Drafting 24 year olds in the first round owns >>>
— Lifelong Draft WRs in the Draft Fan (@zjwhitman) April 26, 2019
I can't wait to trade LJ Collier for a first and a second in 4 years.
— Patton Richard (@ThePatton) April 26, 2019
LJ Collier And a 2020 2nd round pick Vs Frank Clark
— Matt Lane (@ChiefinCarolina) April 26, 2019
Kyler Murray, Allen HS Enrollment: 6,664
— Matt Stepp (@Matt_Stepp817) April 26, 2019
LJ Collier, Munday HS Enrollment: 92
Both state champions, both first round picks and both proof if you can play it doesn't matter what school you go to, you have a path to greatness #txhsfb
RIP to John Schneider's summer spending it in Munday, TX keeping LJ Collier off ATVs.
— Ichiro forever (@twelfth_monkey) April 26, 2019
LJ Collier cannot do this. https://t.co/JpJhNeEwnx
— Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson) April 26, 2019
*whispers*
— Matty (@itweetstuffhere) April 26, 2019
(i suspect lj collier will be perfectly acceptable, tho not great, while playing lots of snaps and spending lots of years with seattle)
OMG SEAHAWKS TRADED FRANK CLARK FOR LJ COLLIER
— WD Ford (@WDFordy360) April 26, 2019
Take ur pick, Frank Clark or LJ Collier... lol
— Low Lip (@LowLipMcGee1) April 26, 2019
Because LJ Collier is not a player to be selected in 1st round.
— Lucas Brogni (@lucasbrogni1) April 26, 2019
Lj Collier and Jarran Reed might be a great for impact for the Seahawks like if agree
— Siddhant (@Siddhan63899497) April 26, 2019
I like how there's suddenly all this "LJ Collier was a THIRD DAY player" talk. Pretty much everywhere I looked, the consensus was that he was a mid-to-high second rounder. Come on now.
— SoDo Mojo (@SodoMojoFS) April 26, 2019
BUT WHO IS LJ COLLIER?!? A LITERAL NOBODY
— Andrew Nathan (@AndrewNathanM) April 26, 2019
I don’t have a strong opinion on LJ Collier yet, but I’m glad we addressed EDGE. I’m honestly just really excited about Day 3 where we have a stretch of 4 picks in an 18-pick span.
— David (@David_Seahawks) April 26, 2019
LJ Collier in the first...come on Seahawks...
— Josh Carney (@JCarney_Sports) April 26, 2019
LJ Collier reaction pic.twitter.com/0agPTbUOup
— Jake Oliver Ellenbogen (@JKBogenDTR) April 26, 2019
And for those fans who still want to learn more about Collier and watch some more highlights before reacting, here’s a highlight reel.
LJ Collier 2018 Highlights!https://t.co/sRdT4MqRMQ
— AV (@Ash_Vanderbilt) April 26, 2019
So, it seems like a pick that a lot of pundits like and feel is a good match for the Seahawks, while many fans are upset because the Hawks passed on the opportunity to add weapons to the arsenal for Russell Wilson.
And now it’s on to Day 2.