The Seattle Seahawks used their original first round pick for the first time since 2011, selecting Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks at No. 27 overall.
Brooks is an inside linebacker who is excellent at stuffing the run, displaying above average speed and a nose for the football.
However – he has deficiencies in pass coverage, which could be a limiting factor in Seattle’s 4-3 base defensive sets.
If the Seahawks drafting a relatively unheralded inside linebacker with speed and elite tackling – and the pick getting met by lots of criticism – sounds familiar, it’s probably reminding you of 2012 when the Seahawks took a little known linebacker from Utah State – Bobby Wagner.
In fact, prior to Brooks’ selection, many analysts had already compared him to Wagner.
Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells called Jordyn Brooks the "next Bobby Wagner" which he would know since he coaches Wagner at Utah State.
I think Seahawks fans would sign up for that.
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) April 24, 2020
Our film guy and evaluator @bobby_depaul told us @IA1057TheFan a month ago that Jordyn Brooks was a 1st round RB and one of 3 best RB in draft. His comp for him – Bobby Wagner. Seattle just took him. You should listen to Bobby D
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 24, 2020
Seattle just took a guy that reminded me of Bobby Wagner when I watched him. Jordyn Brooks was one of the funnest players we watched this year for the @seniorbowl.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) April 24, 2020
Brooks is likely ticketed as a replacement for K.J. Wright at weakside linebacker, at least for now, but it is entirely possible he develops for a few years under Wagner and takes over in the middle when the time comes.
I’m sure Seattle fans wouldn’t mind that outcome.
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