NEW YORK, April 20 (UPI) -- The Seattle Seahawks did not leave the Pacific Northwest for their first pick in the NFL Draft, taking Washington tight end Jerramy Stevens with the 28th pick.
The Seahawks turned to the draft after failing to land a tight end via free agency. Seattle pursued free agents Shannon Sharpe and Ken Dilger after losing Christian Fauria, but Sharpe signed with Denver and Dilger signed with Tampa Bay.
Seattle originally had the 20th choice, but traded down with Green Bay.
The 6-6 Stevens, who bypassed his senior season to enter the draft, finished his career with 74 receptions for 953 yards and nine touchdowns. Among Washington tight ends, only Rod Jones (75) and Mark Bruener (90) had more receptions while his 953 yards rank fourth on the Huskies' career list for tight ends.
Stevens is another in a long line of sensational tight ends produced at Washington in recent years, following Mark Bruener, Cam Cleeland, Ernie Conwell and Aaron Pierce, all of whom went on to stellar pro careers.
Stevens has had some brushes with the law, but is considered to be worth the risk. He was the third tight end chosen after Jeremy Shockey and Daniel Graham.
