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Seahawks get DL help drafting USC defensive end

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, right, answers questions about the upcoming NFL football draft, as Seahawks general manager John Schneider, left, looks on, Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at the Seahawks headquarters and practice facility in Renton, Wash. Photo: Associated Press/Ted S. Warren


RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Pete Carroll dipped back into the Southern California pipeline to fill a need on the Seattle Seahawks defensive line.

Unable to make a move back into the second round for an additional pick, the Seahawks selected USC defensive end Rasheem Green with the 79th overall selection in the third-round on Friday night.

Seattle’s initial selection on the second day addressed a significant need along the defensive line. Seattle was slated to have the No. 76-overall pick but traded with Pittsburgh and moved back three spots to No. 79 while also picking up an additional seventh-round selection.

It was a relatively quiet night for a team known for being busy with draft moves. Seattle will now have eight picks on the final day of the draft.

Schneider believed Green was still available in the third round due to a knee injury suffered several years ago that likely downgraded his stock among teams. Schneider said Green was examined twice by Seattle’s doctors and was given high marks.

Green played primarily as a defensive tackle at USC and was able to live in the backfield of opponents. Green had 12 ½ tackles for loss and 10 sacks last season at USC while being named a first-team All-Pac-12 selection. Green projects more as a defensive end in the NFL because of his size — 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds — and that’s where he would like to play.

Replenishing the pass rush is a priority for the Seahawks. Seattle traded Michael Bennett to Philadelphia earlier in the offseason and there are questions about the future of Cliff Avril after he suffered a neck injury that cost him most of last season.

While some of his skills may be raw, Green should have the opportunity to contend for significant playing time right away. Only Frank Clark and Dion Jordan would appear to have set spots in Seattle’s regular rotation of defensive ends.

 

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