Seahawks replenish pass rush, snatch Collier with 29th pick

The Seattle Seahawks selected pass-rusher L.J. Collier out of TCU with the 29th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

The move comes days after Seattle traded away star defensive end Frank Clark to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Seahawks also made a couple of draft-night trades to move back on the board and pick up more selections.

Collier enjoyed a steady career at TCU, finishing his final campaign with 42 tackles, six sacks, and four pass breakups. The Munday, Texas native could draw into the Seahawks' starting lineup immediately.

Seattle was slated to pick at No. 30, too, but traded the selection to the New York Giants.

Prospect profile

School: TCU
Height: 6-2
Weight: 283 lbs

Strengths

• Fantastic strength at point of attack
• Converts speed to power for nasty bull rush
• Stout run defender who sets the edge and locates the ball to make a play
• Strong hands, flashes potential for high-level usage in pass rush
• Length allows him to get into opponents' chests and control position
• Frame and skill set will provide position versatility across defensive front

Weaknesses

• Lacks explosiveness and short-area quickness
• Must make more consistent use of hands and length
• Limited pass-rush arsenal, relies too heavily on bull rush
• Lacks speed and flexibility to bend the edge

Bottom line

Collier will be drafted much higher than most expect, and it's not hard to see why. Though he doesn't bring the kind of edge speed most look for in today's NFL, his physicality and hand usage give him plenty of potential as a power rusher. Teams will be eager to get their hands on those traits with plans of unlocking that upside, and his ability as a run defender will give him a role as he develops.