For the second day in a row, the Seahawks used a draft pick to focus on getting better in the trenches, selecting Christian Haynes, a guard out of Connecticut, with pick No. 81 overall in the third round.
Haynes is the second player selected by the Seahawks in this year's draft, joining first-round pick Byron Murphy II, a defensive tackle out of the University of Texas.
A four-year starter at UConn, Haynes brings considerable experience and durability to Seattle's offensive line, having started all 49 games over the past four seasons. Haynes was a two-time team captain as was named third-team AP All-American each of the past two seasons. And while he played almost exclusively at right guard in college, Haynes says he can play anywhere he's asked.
"I can play anything they need me to play," he said. "I'm going to go out there and dominate regardless. I just played a lot of right guard in college, but I can play any position they need me to play."
Asked to describe his style of play, Haynes said, "Somebody that's smart and nasty at the same time. Somebody who's very athletic, someone who's able to run, and also dominate at the point of attack."
Haynes is also looking forward to coming to Seattle having grown up a fan of the Seahawks and of current Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.
"Ah, man, the fans, that 12, it's everything man," he said. "That culture that's there—I've been a Seattle fan a little bit growing up. I am a big Geno fan as well. I used to watch him a lot when he was at West Virginia. I'm just ready to come out there and dominate."
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Haynes' draft profile per Lance Zierlein, NFL:
"Four-year starter and team captain who is sturdy at the point of attack. Haynes plays with football intelligence and sees every snap as a mandate to move opponents and finish blocks.
"His draft slotting could be affected by a lack of length and being limited to one position, but his determined playing style counters those factors.
"He's not overly rangy but wipes out targets on pulling blocks and is capable in space, and in pass protection. The hand usage can get sloppy, allowing opponents to slip away from him, and he has a tendency to do too much grabbing. All things considered, he might outplay his draft slotting and become a solid NFL starter."
The Seahawks selected UConn guard Christian Haynes with the 81st pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Check out the best photos of the 3rd rounder from his college playing days.
UConn offensive lineman Christian Haynes (64) celebrates after a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in East Hartford, Conn., Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
UConn offensive lineman Christian Haynes (64) celebrates after a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina State in East Hartford, Conn., Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
NCAA DI Football- 2023 - FIU at UConn, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut.
NCAA DI Football- 2023 - FIU at UConn, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut.
NCAA DI Football - 2023 - Utah State at UConn, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut.
NCAA DI Football - 2023 - Utah State at UConn, Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut.
American offensive lineman Christian Haynes of Uconn runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
American offensive lineman Christian Haynes of Uconn (63) and American offensive lineman Christian Jones of Texas (70) run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Connecticut offensive lineman Christian Haynes participates in the bench press at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
