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For the first time since 2011, the Seattle Seahawks did not trade down from their original draft pick... but it wasn’t for lack of trying.
General manager John Schneider revealed that the team was looking to move down from 27th to 30th, but a deal with the Green Bay Packers was nixed and they instead took Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks.
Seahawks GM John Schneider said the team had a trade in place at No. 27 but it fell through at the last minute, so they took the best player on their board in Jordyn Brooks.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) April 24, 2020
John Schneider just confirmed that the potential trade back out of No. 27 was with the Packers.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) April 24, 2020
GB jumped up to No. 26 instead.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst told Schneider on the phone, "Sorry, we got a better deal!"
Schneider said "it happens."
For reference, the Packers rose to 26th and gave the Miami Dolphins the 30th overall pick and a fourth-rounder (136th overall). Seriously, that’s it. Green Bay drafted quarterback Jordan Love, a pick that I’m not sure will get much love from Aaron Rodgers. (Get it?! GET IT?!)
Brooks was projected to be a second- or even third-round pick, but the Seahawks usually bust mock drafts by taking someone way earlier than is expected. Schneider and Carroll were evidently blown away by his performance at the NFL Combine.
Pete Carroll on the Seahawks' meeting with Jordyn Brooks at the combine: "This guy blew us away there. Confident. Clear. Had a plan. Knew how to express to us what was important to him. He was clear about all that." Said he was looking Seahawks people in the eye. "He kicked ass."
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) April 24, 2020
Now you know some of the answer as to why the Seahawks were high on Brooks as a first-round choice, and also why they didn’t trade down like we’re used to seeing.