Seattle Seahawks sign Christian Haynes, Mike Jerrell
RENTON, WASHINGTON - MAY 03: Christian Haynes #64 of the Seattle Seahawks works out during Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center on May 03, 2024 in Renton, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
RENTON, Wash. - The Seattle Seahawks signed third-round pick Christian Haynes and sixth-round pick Mike Jerrell to their four-year rookie contracts on Friday as the team now has all eight draft picks under contract.
Haynes, a 6-foot-3, 317-pound guard from the University of Connecticut, was the second selection in the draft for Seattle, following Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy in the first round. Jerrell was the team's final pick of the draft.
All rookie contracts for draft picks are four-year deals, though first-round picks carry an option for a fifth season.
Haynes was a four-year starter and two-year team captain for the Huskies at right guard and was named a second-team All-American in 2022. He started 49 straight games for UConn after redshirting during the 2018 season and missing the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
General manager John Schneider said after the selection that Haynes allowed just 48 quarterback pressures on 1,687 total snaps at Connecticut.
Right guard is the most obvious fit for Haynes with the Seahawks. Veteran Laken Tomlinson is the presumptive starter for the Seahawks at left guard after signing with the team in April. Haynes will come into the team with the chance to push second-year guard Anthony Bradford for the starting spot on the right side of the line.
Jerrell earned Division II All-American honors in 2022 and 2023, 2023 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year, 2023 first team all-region, and four all-conference awards including three first-team selections during him time at the University of Findlay in Ohio.
The Seahawks begin "organized team activities" (OTAs) next week as the team moves into the second phase of offseason work.