Analysis: How will Seattle Seahawks' 2020 draft class fit into team?

The Seahawks selected eight players in the 2020 NFL Draft. How could they factor into the upcoming season? Click through the following slideshow for a look at how each of the Seahawks’ 2020 draftees may fit into the team for the upcoming season and years to come less The Seahawks selected eight players in the 2020 NFL Draft. How could they factor into the upcoming season? Click through the following slideshow for a look at how each of the Seahawks’ 2020 draftees may fit ... more Photo: John E. Moore III/Getty Images Photo: John E. Moore III/Getty Images Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Analysis: How will Seattle Seahawks' 2020 draft class fit into team? 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

Say hello to the latest Seattle Seahawks’ draft class.

The 2020 group includes eight selections: linebacker Jordyn Brooks (first round), defensive end Darrell Taylor (second round), right guard Damien Lewis (third round), tight end Colby Parkinson (fourth round), running back DeeJay Dallas (fourth round), defensive Alton Robinson (fifth round), wide receiver Freddie Swain (sixth round) and tight end/wide receiver Stephen Sullivan (seventh round).

With a different and potentially shortened offseason program due to the coronavirus pandemic, Seahawks general manager John Schneider indicated that there was an emphasis this year on finding players that were more refined and polished as prospects.

Here is a look at how each of the Seahawks’ 2020 draftees may fit into the team for the upcoming season and years to come:

Round 1, No. 27 overall: Linebacker Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech

Measures: 6 feet, 240 pounds

2019 stats (11 games): 108 tackles, 20 TFLs, 3 sacks

Fit: Even with a few days to sink in, the Seahawks’ selecting of Brooks is still a bit of a head scratcher, considering needs that were more pressing on the roster. But Carroll and Schneider made it clear speaking to reporters that the former Red Raiders standout was the top player on their draft board when they made their selection at No. 27.

Brooks, with his downhill speed and tackling prowess, may be the Seahawks’ star linebacker of the future. Most immediately, he could be the starter at strongside, assuming the kind of role Bruce Irvin played in his first stint with the Seahawks (and what Mychal Kendricks did last year) -- in the SAM spot in base packages, but also pressuring the quarterback on passing downs. The team has said it liked what it saw from Brooks as a blitzer out of the middle for Texas Tech last year, and exploring opportunities to use him as a rusher could be at the forefront.

Brooks may also also be K.J. Wright’s successor at weakside linebacker. 2020 is the last year of Wright’s contract. Brooks played the WILL spot his first three years at Texas Tech.

And in time, years down the road, Brooks could be the starting middle linebacker after Bobby Wagner has moved on.

The Seahawks have a lot of options with Brooks due to his versatility and athleticism.

Round 2, No. 49 overall: Defensive end Darrell Taylor, Tennessee

Measures: 6 feet 4, 267 pounds

2019 stats (13 games): 8.5 sacks, 46 tackles, 10 TFLs, 4 PBUs

Fit: Taylor will be in the mix right away to be a starting defensive end for the Seahawks. With 19.5 sacks combined the last two years, Taylor was arguably the best pass rusher in the SEC -- playing through a stress fracture in 2019. He addresses Seattle’s biggest need.

Carroll mentioned how the former Vols standout has the ideal frame and size to play LEO, the smaller and quicker of the Seahawks’ two defensive end spots. Taylor’s experience as a defensive end and outside linebacker at Tennessee makes him tailor made for the role.

Round 3, No. 69 overall: Right guard Damien Lewis, LSU

Measures: 6 feet 2, 327 pounds

2019 stats (15 games): 15 starts

Fit: Lewis will be in competition with veteran D.J. Fluker for the starting job at right guard. Carroll explicitly said so.

Lewis, a full-time starter on LSU’s championship-winning team last season, is a dominant and physical run blocker, an ideal fit for the Seahawks’ marriage to pounding the football up the middle.

Round 4, No. 133 overall: Tight end Colby Parkinson, Stanford

Measures: 6 feet 7, 254 pounds

2019 stats (12 games): 48 catches, 589 yards, 1 TD

Fit: Unless there are injuries in the tight end room, Parkinson should be closer to the bottom of the depth chart in 2020. But he offers extraordinary pass-catching potential at 6’7”, and could grow into a more featured role in the next few years.

Carroll wants to see Parkinson beef up his frame and improve as a run blocker, which he didn't have to do much of with the Cardinal.

Round 4, No. 144 overall: Running back DeeJay Dallas, Miami

Measures: 5 feet 10, 217 pounds

2019 stats (19 games): 115 carries, 693 yards, 8 TDs

Fit: With Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny recovering from injuries, Dallas’ battle with college teammate Travis Homer for the RB3 role will be featured in training camp (whenever it is held).

Dallas could be adept immediately in a third-down role, with his proficiency as a pass blocker and ability to catch out of the backfield (he started his college career as a wide receiver). He also brings return-specialist abilities and wildcat potential to the table. Dallas played quarterback in high school.

Round 5, No. 148 overall: Defensive end Alton Robinson, Syracuse

Measures: 6 feet 3, 264 pounds

2019 stats (12 games): 4.5 sacks, 46 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 3 PBUs, 1 FF

Fit: With the Seahawks’ obvious pass-rush needs, Robinson will be in the thick of the competition at defensive end.

The team was excited to grab him near the top of the fifth round and it believes he has the upside of some of the edge defenders that came off the board early in the draft.

Robinson should come in as a designated rusher, at the very least, until he can prove he can be an every-down end.

Round 6, No. 214 overall: Wide receiver Freddie Swain, Florida

Measures: 6 feet, 197 pounds

2019 stats (12 games): 38 catches 517 yards, 7 TDs

Fit: With a deep wide receiver room, it would seem that the only chance Swain makes the 53-man roster is by blowing the Seahawks away with his special teams ability.

Swain was Florida’s No. 1 punt returner and had an 85-yard return for a touchdown in 2018.

Round 7, No. 251 overall: Tight end/wide receiver Stephen Sullivan, LSU

Measures: 6 feet 5, 248 pounds

2019 states (14 games): 12 catches, 130 yards

Fit: The Seahawks indicated that Sullivan will play primarily tight end for the team, but will have the ability to split out as a receiver. He’s more of a developmental prospect.

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Ben Arthur covers sports for SeattlePI. He can be reached by email at benjaminarthur@seattlepi.com. Follow him on twitter at @benyarthur.