NFL Draft Results: Seahawks select G Jared Smith in the 7th

The Seahawks have selected New Hampshire DT Jared Smith with their third of four 7th round picks, and will move him to the offensive side of the football. "Tough, reliable, smart" - that's the mantra that John Schneider spouted off when he was asked what the team saw in Smith and why they thought he might fit on offense. Similar to what happened with DL-to-OL convert from last season, J.R. Sweezy, Tom Cable flew out to work Smith out last week and came back convinced he holds the necessary skillset and mentality to play on the offensive side of the ball.

Smith has nice measureables for the offensive guard position - 6'3, 303 pounds with 33 1/3" arms and 10 1/4" hands. He ran the 40 in 5.08 seconds, put up 28 reps on bench, recorded a 32.5" vert, and ran very respectable 7.20 3-cone and a 4.39 short shuttle.

Here's what his NFL Combine Profile had to say:

STRENGTHS Hustling five-technique prospect who spends a lot of time on the other side of the line. Continually works to the quarterback as long as the ball is in the pocket, also chases passers to the sideline if needed. Comes off the snap hard and low, usually gets his arms extended quickly to gain leverage. Can take out the shoulder of his man when playing one-gap, as well as hold his ground in two-gap alignments. Good backfield awareness, can shed to either side to attack ballcarriers coming through the hole or hustle towards the play down the line.

WEAKNESSES Average athlete who lacks great closing speed to make plays in the backfield or chase down backs outside the box. Ends up leaving his feet to try to grab quicker ballcarriers. Will turn his shoulders on occasion at the line, causing him to lose ground. Doesn't have elite bulk for an inside player, stronger linemen can control him if he doesn't get his arms extended.

BOTTOM LINE Smith's strength, hustle and still-growing frame could remind scouts enough of former CAA star and 2010 seventh-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys, Sean Lissemore, to spend a late-round pick on him.

It will be interesting to see how easily he makes the transition. My guess is that this will be a multi-year project and that with better depth at the offensive guard position this season, Smith won't need to be rushed into playing in Week One, like Sweezy last year.