The Seahawks traded down before getting a defensive lineman, and then traded down again.
The Falcons traded up to shore up their offensive line by drafting the University of Washington’s Kaleb McGary.
And the Eagles also traded up to take Washington State tackle Andre Dillard.
It was a big day for big men in the Northwest.
The Seahawks selected TCU defensive end L.J. Collier with the No. 29 pick.
Seattle addressed one of its major needs on Thursday night by grabbing a versatile pass rusher who can project to rush off the edge and move inside as well. Collier was a first-team All-Big 12 selection in his senior season after recording 42 tackles, 11 1/2 tackles for loss, six sacks, and four pass breakups.
Defensive end became a bigger need this week after Seattle traded Frank Clark to Kansas City.
Seattle was originally set to select at No. 21, but traded that pick — its original selection — to Green Bay in exchange for the No. 30 pick and a pair of fourth-round selections. Seattle has not used its original first-round pick in eight straight drafts and the move this time landed the Seahawks the two extra mid-round picks along with the 30th pick.
That 30th pick was later dealt to the New York Giants as Seattle picked up a second-round pick, an additional fourth-rounder and another fifth-round selection. Seattle began the week with just four selections, the fewest of any team in the NFL.
The Falcons traded back into the first round and drafted Washington offensive tackle Kaleb McGary on Thursday.
The Falcons sent their second- and third-round picks to the Rams to acquire the pick at No. 31.
McGary was a projected second-round pick who made a top-30 visit with the Falcons, according to NFL media.
McGary attended Battle Ground High School for two years before finishing his high school playing days at Fife.
“Fifth-year senior took over as a starter in the middle of his redshirt freshman season,” wrote Bob McGinn of BobMcGinnFootball.com.
The Eagles got their future left tackle to protect Carson Wentz’s blindside.
The Eagles traded up three spots to select Dillard with the 22nd pick in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night. Philadelphia sent Baltimore the 25th pick, a fourth-rounder (No. 127) and a sixth (No. 197) to move up.
Dillard isn’t expected to be in the starting lineup this season unless the offensive line has injuries. He’ll learn from nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, who enters his 15th season at 37 years old. Peters started every game last season after missing nine in 2017.
“This wasn’t what we had anticipated. Our evaluation was this was the best tackle in the draft,” Eagles personnel boss Howie Roseman said. “Usually, those guys go in the top 10. That’s how we had it rated. When he started to fall, we saw an opportunity to get a top-10 player at an important position.”
Dillard was the third offensive lineman selected after Boston College guard Chris Lindstrom went 14th to Atlanta and North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury went 18th to Minnesota.
The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Dillard started 39 games for the Cougars. He’s an athletic blocker who excelled at pass protection. Scouting reports say Dillard needs to work on his run blocking. He didn’t have to do much of it at Washington State, which predominantly threw the ball on offense.
“He wants to be great and he takes to coaching well,” Roseman said.
Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas said the team spent a lot of time with Dillard at the Senior Bowl and came away quite impressed.
“His foot quickness, is lower body strength, his ability to redirect, those are very intriguing to us,” Douglas said.
