Pro Football Weekly and Riddell present ...
2002 NFL draft

Better late than never

Seahawks trade down, pick up tight end

By Mike Holbrook, Managing editor of special projects
April 20, 2002

Seattle picked at No. 28 after swapping picks with Green Bay. The Packers wanted Florida State WR Javon Walker so badly that they offered Seattle their second round pick in exchange for the Seahawks’ fifth-round pick. Obviously, the opportunity to add another second-round pick was too enticing for Mike Holmgren to pass up.

So, the Seahawks had to bite the bullet and miss out on Graham, a player with a big upside as a pass-catcher and a blocker, who was gladly scooped up by the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots.

There really was no question that the Seahawks would take a tight end in this draft. They had lost starter Christian Fauria in free agency to those same Patriots. And they clearly needed an outlet for QB Trent Dilfer to use in the middle of the field and as a safety valve when all is covered downfield.

They re-signed Itula Mili, but he has yet to prove that he can be consistent enough to play regularly. They also failed to close the deal in public flirtations with free agents Shannon Sharpe and Ken Dilger. A pass-catching end was a definite need.

In Graham’s place, the Seahawks built their draft on a player with an equally big upside but who has had several run-ins with the law.

Stevens has racked up misdemeanors for assault, sexual assault and hit-and-run property damage and has tested positive for marijuana usage. He’s not the most upstanding citizen in the world off the field, but on the field, Stevens is a huge target (6-6 3/4, 265) with great hands.

I’ve got to think that Holmgren has done his homework on Stevens and feels he can work with him, draw the best from him and keep him out of trouble. Otherwise, this is a wasted pick.

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