My Reviews of 2019 Movies

Hard to believe, but I saw 29 movies released in 2019 and 24 of them in theaters.  I think it was perhaps the best year for cinema ever.  Of course, if you haven't seen any of these films, this is your spoiler warning.  If you get to a film you're still planning on seeing don't read my review for it.  

Glass - 6.5/10
I don't know what it was.  It felt like it was missing something.  Or maybe I expected a movie with all three supernatural beings to be more exciting.  It kept me entertained, but that's about all I can say.  It was well acted by the big 3 of Jackson, Willis, and McAvoy, but that’s one of the few good things about it.

The Upside - 7.5/10
I definitely enjoyed this flick, but I wasn't really ever wowed by it.  Everything was pretty much expected from what I saw in the trailer.  Bryan Cranston was perfect as billionaire Phillip DeCasse.  Kevin Hart was believable as the ex-con father.  Kind of hard to believe Phillip would hire an ex-con to take care of him.  But Kevin and Bryan had great on-screen chemistry. 

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World - 6.0/10
I can't explain it, but I just lost interest in this series as it went along.  The first one I really enjoyed, and the second one was okay, but I didn't enjoy quite as much.  This one was very meh.  The villain was so stereotypical and predictable.  I just lost interest at times.

The Lego Movie 2 - 5.5/10
I honestly didn't care for this one.  I think the magic of the first one didn't pass on to this one.  Also, I got spoiled a bit that Rex was Emmet because I saw Chris Pratt voiced both characters.  Oops.  Anyway, I didn't really see this film as necessary, although it did have some nice moments and I loved some of the voice casting.  Also they kind of copied Toy Story with the LEGO characters acting like sentient beings that could move.

Fighting with My Family - 7/10
It was fun and enjoyable, although a tad predictable.  I wish the brother had been able to advance as a wrestler, but seeing as this is based on a true story, they couldn’t make stuff up.  I fell in love with Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Saraya.  She did an amazing job and looked good while doing it.  Lena Headey and Nick Frost weren’t really believable as a married couple, but they somehow sort of made it work.

Dumbo - 7/10
Very cute and heartwarming.  Believable?  No.  But neither is a flying elephant.  The part that made me cringe was Michael Keaton's character basically destroying his own park's operations to try to get things under control.  It just made no sense.  The kid actors did a really good job.  Not my favorite Disney live action adaptation, but it certainly could've been worse.

Captain Marvel - 8/10
I'm torn with this one.  On one hand, Brie Larson killed at as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel.  On the other hand, I didn't really understand the mythos behind where she came from and how she lost her memories.  There were some parts that were too out there for me.  But I still enjoyed it as a whole.  And having Nick Fury lose his eye the way he did… too funny.

Us - 8.5/10
What Get Out lacked in violence this makes up for it in.  However, that doesn't mean it was better than Get Out.  The family we follow predictably makes some questionable choices.  And the twist was pretty obvious.  If Get Out had never happened, I think this would be a bit better received because people wouldn't have Get Out to compare it to.  But still it was thrilling, suspenseful, and captivating.

Avengers: Endgame - 10/10
This (slowly) became the biggest box office hit of all time, so I had to rate it high. It was everything I hoped for.  The only thing I wished for was that Spider-Man, Star Lord, and all the snapped Avengers appeared sooner.  But I totally understand why they didn't.  The Avengers saga was finished by all of the original Avengers.  My favorite moment by far was after all the Avengers appeared, Steve got Thor's Mjolnir, and he said his famous line: "Avengers... Assemble."  That gave me some of the biggest chills I have EVER experienced watching a movie.  And Captain Marvel's re-entrance was a close second.

Shazam! - 7.5/10
D.C. finally puts out a light-hearted and funny superhero film.  It didn't make me laugh as much I was hoping, probably because most of the funny moments were in the trailers.  Zachary Levi was an absolute perfect casting choice for Shazam.  There hasn't been a sequel announced yet, but they sure set up for one with the post-credits scene.  I hope they have a sequel and include an actual D.C. superhero to join Shazam.

Pet Sematary - 6.5/10
First off I wasn't a huge fan of the changes they made from the book: Most notably being Gage surviving and Ellie dying.  I wasn't a huge fan of Jason Clarke as Louis Creed, either.  He's not a bad actor, just not someone who I think fits the role.  And Lithgow, while a good actor himself, isn't 80+ years old like the book describes Jud Crandall as.  Despite all that, the movie was still enjoyable and thrilling.  It captured a lot of the same elements and feelings the book had.  However, I think the original film adaptation was a bit better at staying true to the book.

Aladdin - 8/10
One of the more enjoyable Disney live action adaptations.  Will Smith was surprisingly good and put his own take on the Genie.  Mena Massoud was very believable as Aladdin and did his singing parts well.  My biggest gripe with Aladdin was Jafar.  He sounded and looked almost nothing like the original.  He did, however, capture the evilness of Jafar, I'll give him that.  Also the climax/ending seemed a bit rushed.  It was definitely more suspenseful in the original animated version.  I did love how Genie introduced the story and then we find out he had kids with Jasmine's handmaiden.  Very cool addition.

Rocketman - 8.5/10
If Taron Egerton doesn't win awards for his portrayal of Sir Elton John, I'll be shocked and flabbergasted (He won a Golden Globe, at least).  Aside from Egerton, I still really enjoyed the film.  I learned a lot about "Reginald's" upbringing.  Richard Madden did a fantastic job.  And I like how they had Taron do his own versions of Elton's songs.  They were still very catchy and enjoyable.  My favorite would probably be "I'm Still Standing", the song done at the end.

John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum - 8/10
I'll start out by saying John kicked ass with Halle Berry's character Sofia.  That scene with the two of them and her dogs was easily the highlight.  It's unfortunate she wasn't in the film at the end.  Of course the scene that was hard to watch was John having to cut off his own finger... ouch.  He is one tough motherf***er.  My favorite kill of John's would have to be the giant guy towards the beginning who he killed with just a book.  Either that or the horse kicking the one guy.  What'll he kill someone with next?  And then the ending... how the hell did John survive being shot and falling that far?  But it makes me excited for Chapter 4 for sure.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters - 6/10
These Godzilla films just aren't doing it for me.  I found my believability in the film waning a lot.  I was entertained for most of the film, but I was never really wowed.  Millie Bobby Brown was great, but her character wasn't that well written.  I also didn't like how her dad played by Kyle Chandler basically become the decision maker when it came to Godzilla, yet he had no official rank or position. 

Detective Pikachu - 7.5/10
Never did I think we'd ever see a live action Pokemon movie.  First off I thought Justice Smith did a great job in the lead role.  But my favorite was of course Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu.  He was hilarious as usual.  And I saw him being Tim's (Justice Smith) father from a mile away.  Bill Nighy was predictably cast as the villain.  I would definitely watch this again on a rainy day.

Toy Story 4 - 8.5/10
The toys get separated and have to work and scheme to make their way back to each other.  Sound familiar?  This time it's Woody going after Bonnie's new favorite toy "Forky".  I mean you could make a hundred Toy Story films with the same general plot.  But I liked the additions of the new toys.  And they did such a great job of turning Gabby Gabby from a villain to a toy to root for.  I actually got tears in my eyes when she was accepted by that little girl and her family.  The main gripe I have is that Woody was separated from all the other toys.  Maybe they're setting up for Toy Story 5.  We'll see.

Yesterday  - 7.5/10
So Earth experiences a worldwide flash/loss of power and a British-born Indian fellow named Jack Malik is one of a few people who remembers the Beatles.  It's an interesting premise, but never really explained.  I did really like Himesh Patel's performance; both his singing and acting were great.  It was also funnier than I thought it would be with Joel Fry's character of Rocky providing most of the comic relief.  Lily James was as lovely as ever.  When Jack went to visit one of the Beatles, I so wish Paul McCartney was going to make a cameo appearance.  Instead, they cast an actor to play John Lennon.  Oh well.  Still a very enjoyable film, despite its lack of believability.

The Lion King - 8.5/10
Say what you want, I loved it.  It was well cast, my favorite being Billy Eichner as Timon.  I just didn't really like Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar.  Apparently Jeremy Irons was willing to reprise his role of Scar (just like James Earl Jones reprised his role as Mufasa), so why not let him?  Anyway, the film didn't deviate too much from the animated original which I liked.  I liked the new hyenas, and they stayed true to actual hyenas by having female be the leader and the biggest which is true in real life.  The thing that made this film was the chemistry between Eichner, Seth Rogen,  and Donald Glover.  They really did seem like old friends.

Spider-Man: Far From Home - 9/10
Best standalone superhero movie I've seen in years.  Jake Gyllenhaal's character being the bad guy was pretty obvious, but the film was entertaining from start to finish.  Tom Holland again absolutely KILLED it as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and even Zendaya did a great job as MJ.  I loved the illusions Mysterio made Spider-Man see and how Spider-Man had to fight against it to finally beat him.  And then the post-credits scene... biggest jaw dropper of a post credits scene I’ve ever scene.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - 8.5/10
Boy I sure could tell this was a Tarantino flick.  DiCaprio was awesome, but Brad Pitt may have been even better.  Could Pitt get a supporting actor nomination?  I could definitely see it (He did).  This film was quite drawn out and long, as are many Tarantino films, but sometimes I wondered why certain scenes and dialogue was in there.  But at the end it sure had a great climax and surprisingly for a Tarantino film, had a happy ending.  At first I didn’t like how he basically “rewrote history”, but after contemplating on it for a bit, I’m glad he did.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw - 8/10
I can see why they made this F&F spinoff film.  Johnson and Statham have great chemistry.  Throw in Kirby and that threesome really gelled well together.  Idris Elba was awesome as the villain and seemed unbeatable.  It was also surprisingly funny.  I didn't like how they had to force the romance between Hobbs and Hattie (Kirby).  Didn't seem natural.  Another thing that bugged me was how it was portrayed Deckard Shaw was only a few years older than his sister Hattie, when in reality Statham is over TWENTY years older than Vanessa Kirby.  I guess Statham just ages really well, but I wish they had been portrayed as further apart in age.  Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this film and I loved how they showed Hobbs' Samoan roots.

Angel Has Fallen - 7/10
Hard to say which film in the "Has Fallen" series is best, but Angel Has Fallen may be it.  It was enjoyable throughout, and Nick Nolte as Mike's father was a nice addition.  I didn't like how they recast Mike's wife, Leah.  Also this marks the second straight in the series a black female authority figure dies.  I liked Morgan Freeman as the president, and Tim Blake Nelson as the deceitful and villainous VP.  Lastly, the premise of this movie is timid at best.  Why wouldn't the FBI at least give Mike a chance that he was set up?  Hasn't he proven his integrity and worth time and time again?  Other than that, solid film. 

It : Chapter Two - 7.5/10
This film was a mixed bag.  There were parts I liked and parts I didn't.  I don't think it was as good as its predecessor.  I really liked the scene at the Chinese restaurant and how they imagined everything transforming and trying to hurt them.  I didn't like the end and how they tried to get back to Pennywise.  I lost interest.  The ending in how they defeated Pennywise was a bit underwhelming.  I will say they cast very well for the most part, and the actors did a pretty decent job.

Joker - 9.5/10
Holy shit.  Excuse my language, but this movie stunned me.  I should've seen some things coming, but I didn't.  I tried not to predict what would happen or think too much during the film, and I'm glad I did.  If there ever were a film based on a comic book that showed how some fairly normal person can turn into a murdering lunatic, this is it.  Joaquin Phoenix was absolutely tremendous, and it certainly was the best acting I've ever seen from him.  He should at least be nominated for an Oscar.  Will they make a sequel?  They might just have to.

The Addams Family - 6.5/10
Honestly, it wasn't bad.  But there were too many moments that were eye roll-inducing.  The pink house being the worst.  I don't know why this had to be made, and I don't know how they already have a sequel in the works.  I liked the voice casting choices and they all did a great job.  Writing?  Meh at best.

Doctor Sleep - 7.5/10
This film was so close to being a lot better.  Ewan McGregor was a decent choice for Danny, but the original Danny had brown eyes and they had to change that... Anyway, the villains weren't too compelling and Rebecca Ferguson's "Rosie" character--what was her power again?  But it kept me entertained which isn't easy to do for a 2 and a half hour movie.

Knives Out - 9/10
A great murder mystery film.  The set-up was great, and I was able to keep track of (most of) the characters and their ties to the family.  I thought Ana De Armas was perfect as the caretaker that we could root for.  Chris Evans proved he can go from a hero to basically being the villain.  I think this is a film that requires a rewatch just so you can see everyone’s motives again and better understand the choices they make.  Daniel Craig’s southern accent wasn’t bad, but I’m so used to hearing his British one that it was a bit of a distraction.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - 7.0/10
I hate rating a Star Wars movie less than 8/10, but “The Rise of Skywalker” doesn’t deserve it.  There are too many things that, upon reflection, bother me about the film and the way the “Skywalker Saga” concluded.  Rey being Palpatine’s granddaughter is probably worse than being a nobody.  I liked the idea that a girl (or anyone) doesn’t have to have special parents (or ancestors) to be a special person themselves.  The Chewbacca red herring was unnecessary.  What did BB-8 do, again?  Oh yeah, he helped with Rey’s training… at the beginning.  And I do not like how you can now transport matter using the Force, although that was technically introduced in The Last Jedi.  And I don’t like how you can Force heal anyone.  Makes me wonder why it wasn’t a necessary part of Jedi training and why Obi-Wan didn’t use it to save Qui-Gon, or why Anakin didn’t use it to save his mother.  Sometimes introducing plot devices in a series creates plot holes for the other films.  JJ started out the sequel trilogy pretty great with The Force Awakens, but he finished it rather lamely with this one.

Well, that was all the films I saw in 2019!  I don’t think I’ll see quite as many in 2020.  One, because I don’t think there’s as many films coming out that I want to see, and two, because I’m going to try to save a bit more money, and constantly going to the theaters to see films adds up.  But if it’s a special film that I will enjoy, then it’s worth it.  But I will definitely be more selective here in 2020.  Check my other post here to see what films I’m looking forward to in 2020.

Seahawks Position by Position Overview for 2019-2020

The Seahawks season is over, finishing with a 28-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.  We can argue about the officiating or the defense's or offense's lack of consistency, but I'm just going to go over each position group for the Hawks and how they did for the 2019 season.  The common theme is that the Hawks were hit heavily with injuries.  The silver lining to that is that it gave the backups and rookies experience, most of them playoff experience, too.  I'll also discuss how much of a need the position is in the offseason on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being a dire need and 1 being something we could basically ignore.  And then finish up with a letter grade.

Quarterback: I think Russell Wilson had his best season.  He carried the team more than ever, especially when injuries hit late in the season and we could no longer run the ball effectively.  For this reason, he deserves MVP, because there is literally no other player that is more valuable to their team.  There's really only one thing about his game I wish he'd improve, and that's throwing the ball away instead of taking sacks.  He took a ton of sacks this year, which largely (but not entirely) can be attributed to the offensive line.  But late in the year, you can see he occasionally held the ball too long and had opportunities to either find a receiver or throw the ball away.  I don't think Geno saw the field at all this year, which is fine with me.
Need: 1
Grade: A

Running Back: Boy it is unfortunate Carson, Penny, and Prosise all went down within a few weeks.  Before they went down, Carson and Penny were really doing well.  The silver lining to them going down is that it gave us an opportunity to see Marshawn Lynch again and Travis Homer.  Homer is a very capable back, and he could very easily be a #2.  I think the Hawks consider trading Penny in the offseason.  They don't have to, however.  Seeing the injury bug hit this position hard will probably make John Schneider want as much depth as possible.  I don't think Marshawn returns.  And I think the Hawks finally part ways with Prosise.  If the Hawks trade Penny, they'll bring in an undrafted rookie to compete for a backup role.
Need: 2
Grade: B

Wide Receiver: Lockett's not a true #1, but he doesn't have to be.  With the emergence of D.K. Metcalf, I think the Hawks finally found a #1 guy.  Boy was he a steal, and he should only get better.  The rest of the group leaves a lot to be desired.  Moore, Turner, and Brown all had just ok seasons.  I think the Hawks only keep one, maybe two of those guys.  I wish John Ursua had gotten more of a shot, but I expect him to in 2020 (Let him work the slot like Doug Baldwin did!).  This unit was one of the healthier all year, which is mainly why Ursua was mostly inactive in 2019.  I think the Hawks draft a mid-late receiver, hoping he can develop into a legit #3 some day.  Overall, this group was criticized for their failure to get open at times, despite Wilson prolonging plays with his scrambling.
Need: 2
Grade: B

Tight Ends: Dissly gets hurt...again.  If he hadn't, I think the Hawks win the NFC West and are still in the playoffs.  He's a legit all-around tight end, but he just has to stay healthy.  Jacob Hollister had his moments, but he also had drops and fumbles.  I think the Hawks need to acquire a tight end for depth in case Dissly gets hurt yet again.  Wilson to Dissly sure was fun to watch while it lasted in 2019.
Need: 3
Grade: C+

Offensive Line: The shakiest position group on the team, and it has been for years.  They weren't as awful as past years, but injuries to Britt, both guards, and Brown really hurt this unit.  The Hawks have to address this group in the offseason and make it a primary concern.  Depth is needed, as well as a new right tackle, with Ifedi probably on his way out.  The Hawks also need more youth at the guard positions and will soon need to find Duane Brown's successor.
Need: 5
Grade: C-

Defensive Line: I have to start out by saying boy LJ Collier has been a disappointment so far.  He was mostly inactive all year, and I don't think he made any big plays.  Acquiring Jadeveon Clowney was huge, but will he remain a Hawk?  I like the rest of the guys in Green, Jefferson, and Reed.  Ziggy Ansah was largely a disappointment.  This unit did not get enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2019, and it will have to improve somehow in 2020.  Unless they expect Collier to live up to his first round status, they need to address this position in the offseason with a fairly significant addition.
Need: 4
Grade: C

Linebackers: Bobby was All-Pro and KJ was pretty solid himself.  Kendricks was doing ok, but Carroll/Norton asked him to cover routes more than anything, which included covering wide receivers.  Cody Barton had a very solid rookie campaign, and he could be given a starting role in 2020.  Ben Burr-Kirven was only seen on special teams but did well.  Shaquem Griffin was used in pass rush situations to some effectiveness.  This is a group I'm not concerned about going into 2020, but they'll need better coaching next year.
Need: 2
Grade: B

Defensive Backs: Shaquill Griffin had his best season in 2020.  He only got flagged once in the regular season, a remarkable achievement for a starting cornerback.  Tre Flowers, however, got burned multiple times, got flagged a lot more, and missed more tackles.  Most Hawks fans don't think he should be starting in 2020.  Quandre Diggs was an excellent addition, and he reminded me of an Earl Thomas/Kam Chancellor hybrid.  Bradley McDougald did well, especially with tackling.  We'll see what role Tedric Thompson has next year after being hurt for most of the season.  I expect more out of this unit as it is Coach Carroll's specialty, and I grade them harshly as a result.
Need: 4
Grade: D+

Special Teams: Myers was certainly shaky at times, but with kicking the way it is in today's NFL, that's honestly about average and the Hawks would be foolish to move on from him.  Dickson had a decent season, although not quite as good as his rookie campaign.  The coverage was mostly good all season, except for perhaps the Saints game.  The return game left a ton to be desired, as I don't think we had an electrifying return all season.  I think the Hawks have sorely lacked a return specialist for a while, and with Lockett getting older, he cannot be relied on anymore.  The Hawks need to draft some kind of return specialist, maybe KJ Hamler out of Penn State.  But otherwise, they are set on ST.
Need: 2
Grade: C-

Coaching: This was both a great and terrible coaching job by the Seahawks coaching staff this season.  Being able to get to the divisional round despite a ton of injuries is at least partly indicative of a good coaching job.  However, Ken Norton Jr's schemes were largely exposed and he was often left adjusting and trying to fix things, rather than being the aggressor and making offenses adjust to him.  Schottenheimer had an up and down season as coordinator, and he did fairly well late in the year given the circumstances.  Carroll had some questionable coaching decisions, most notably not going for certain fourth down attempts.  I really think this defense needs a different leader, but I can see Carroll wanting to stick with KNJ, unfortunately.
Need: 3
Grade: D+

Overall GPA: 2.33 (C+)

Overall, this team did better than most people expected, and most position groups did a good job.  If certain areas are addressed, mainly the lines and secondary, and we can stay relatively healthy next season, I can see this team doing really well.  Coordinators aside, if you have good enough players, they will succeed.  I think a certain strength and conditioning coach should be fired (Ivan Lewis), even though he was hired less than a year ago.  There's a reason they call him "Ivan the Terrible".  Let's hope Pete and John address the right needs in the offseason, and there are far less injuries in 2020.

My Hopes and Thoughts for 2020

The year 2019 was definitely interesting for me.  I got a new job, I helped my parents move out of my childhood home and into their new home, and our apartment complex underwent renovations (on the outside--roof, windows).  The last year of the 2010s was a memorable one for me, and I'm thinking 2020 will be just as memorable.  I will discuss my thoughts and hopes for the upcoming year, from my personal to professional life.

I cannot state this enough: I need to lose weight.  I don't consider myself obese, but overweight, yes.  I am not expecting this to happen overnight or even over just one month.  I think it may take close to all year.  But I am going to put my mind to it.  I need to find some way to work out fairly consistently, and start planning lighter and healthier meals.  I'd like to lose 50 pounds over the course of next year, which would be an incredible amount, but I'd even be happy with 20-30.  I do not have a set plan yet, but I am going to give myself goals and rewards for reaching weight milestones.  For example, I cannot eat one of my favorite (unhealthy) foods until I've lost 20 pounds.  I will continue to make choices which involve more exercise, such as taking the stairs instead of the escalator/elevator, and eating the healthier option if I eat out.  I just don't like my self-image very much right now; and I know if I got back to the shape I was in in my early 20's, I would be so much more confident and happier.

Professionally, I don't know if I necessarily want to change jobs (already), but I will keep my options open.  I will continue to look at jobs, and if one pops up that I think would be a really good fit for me, I may go for it.  I do like where I am now, but it's not a job that someone stays at for years and years.  I also want to make a bit more money.  I will probably go back on some of the job sites (Indeed, ZipRecruiter) and opt-in to the e-mails again so that I can see what's out there.

I want to travel in 2020 for sure.  It may not be until the summer or even Christmas season, but I don't think I've flown to California in three or four years.  I haven't seen Amanda's family in that long, either.  I will do my best to get some time off to go with her somewhere, whether that be in the summer or for Christmas.  Christmas falls on a Friday next year, so it would be a great opportunity to get a three day weekend and travel to see her family.  Which reminds me, I also will have to either get my first ever passport or an enhanced driver's license.  I also want to see a Seahawks game next year; I saw one in 2018 but not this year.  I want to take Amanda to one in 2020, as she's only seen one Seahawk game, and that was in 2011. 

Next year will also be big for news.  We're going to have a presidential election in November, and hopefully get a new president.  The 2020 Summer Olympics will happen in Tokyo.  There are other things, but let's not forget it's also the first year of a new decade.  Also, when before some people were starting the current year "Two thousand-", they now almost all will start calling the year "Twenty-Twenty".  Not many people are going to say "Year Two-Thousand Twenty".  They'll say "Twenty-Twenty".

There are a couple other things that might happen in 2020, but I am not entirely sure.  I may get a new car, but that could wait until 2021 or later.  I may get a new computer, as my current one is having issues, as it is pretty old (around a decade old) and runs Windows Vista.  But I also want to build up my savings next year after the hit it took this year.  There are a couple other big things that might happen in 2020, but are personal to me, and I'll share them on here if they do end up happening.

I am excited for 2020 and what it brings.  I'm very curious to see how much my life changes in the next year.  I am really hoping for an improved me by this time next year.  I know that sounds all very cliche, but it's very true for me.  I am going to be that 2020 will be a significant year in my life, even more so than 2019 was.

My Thoughts on the Seahawks 2019 Draft

I haven't done one of these in a while: A review and recap of the Seahawks draft.  The reason I'm doing it is because I'm pretty stoked about this draft class.  I'll go through each of the picks and give them a letter grade.  The letter grade will be based on when the Seahawks selected the player, and how well I think he fits our team.  Let's go!

Round 1: LJ Collier, DE, TCU
Grade: C
The reason the grade is a C is because he was yet another first round reach for the Hawks.  He could've been taken in the 2nd or maybe even 3rd round.  Nevertheless, he's been described as a Michael Bennett-type D-lineman, able to move along the D-line wherever, depending on the down and distance.  Bruce Irvin was also a first round reach and he didn't turn out half bad.  If LJ is anywhere near Michael Bennett's capability, I'll call this a win.  But for now, I stand pat with a C grade.

Round 2: Marquise Blair, S, Utah
Grade: C+
This was also called a reach.  But Marquise has some upside, many see him as a Kam Chancellor-lite.  He'll probably end up backing up McDougald for the time being and playing special teams.  Hopefully he'll blossom and become a starter for years to come.

Round 2: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
Grade: B+
The first draft pick the Hawks made that I was legitimately excited for.  He's a big-bodied and strong receiver like a Terrell Owens or Josh Gordon, but has speed that beats both of them.  He has the potential to be an elite #1 receiver.  However, he has injury concerns (who doesn't?) and he ran slower cone drills at the combine than Tom Brady.  I kid you not.  So he's not an agile receiver.  But if the Hawks can use him effectively and he stays healthy, he's going to be an elite receiver.

Round 3: Cody Barton, LB, Utah
Grade: B
The Hawks drafted two defensive players from Utah in their first four picks, so Blair and Barton should be able to help each other out and pull for each other in training camp.  Barton will be an excellent special teamer, but could he possibly start if need be?  Time will tell.

Round 4: Gary Jennings Jr., WR, West Virginia
Grade: A-
I just found out Gary Jennings Jr. has known Russell Wilson since childhood as Russ coached him at the YMCA he went to.  That's awesome.  Russ will instantly have a rapport with this guy.  Not only that, but Gary has very few if any glaring weaknesses and has less bust potential than Metcalf.  If I had to pick who has the longer and more consistent career right now (between Metcalf and Jennings), I'd say Jennings.

Round 4: Phil Haynes, G, Wake Forest
Grade: B+
Solid pick who will most likely be groomed to play guard.  With Iupati and Fluker as the current starters, it works out perfectly to have Haynes sit behind them and learn and take over in case of an injury.  Keep in mind we still have Roos, Simmons, and Pocic.  This is the first time in a while I can say I am happy with our O-Line depth.

Round 4: Ugo Amadi, S, Oregon
Grade: C+
He's a bit undersized, but will be used on special teams and in some nickel packages.  Also... he's a Duck... Nevertheless, he's a decent mid-round selection, but my gut says I don't think we'll see him on the team in 3 years.

Round 5: Ben Burr-Kirven, LB, Washington
Grade: B-
Don't think we really needed to draft two middle linebackers, but it certainly doesn't hurt.  And it's a local kid from UW!  I'm excited to see who will do better between Barton and Burr-Kirven, both were Pac-12 middle linebackers.  Good to have depth in case something happens to Bobby *knock on wood*.

Round 6: Travis Homer, RB, Miami
Grade: B+
This kid has the fight and tenacity that Schneider and Carroll love.  He's an-all around back, too, can block, catch passes, can even play special teams.  I would like to see him in the preseason get a bunch of carries to see how he does there.  Could be a dark horse pick that gets some carries in the regular season (Think Phillip Lindsay of Denver last year).

Round 6: DeMarcus Christmas, DT, Florida State
Grade: C+
It's Christmas in Seattle!  Literally.  I'm going to be honest, it could be fairly tough for him to make the roster, but with Shamar Stephen gone there's a chance.  He's like Poona Ford a bit, not quite as short though.  I could see him backing up Ford and Reed when they need a breather on rushing downs.

Round 7: John Ursua, WR, Hawaii
Grade: C+
Good-looking kid, but he'll find it tough making the roster, even if Doug isn't able to play.  Ahead of him are Lockett, Brown, Moore, and the two other Wide Receivers we drafted in Metcalf and Jennings.  If he's able to excel on special teams, he could make the roster, but as a fairly-undersized wide receiver that'll be tough to do.

Overall GPA: 2.77 (+.5) = 3.27 or B+
I gave John and Pete an extra .5 because they started with only four picks (before trading Frank Clark) and ended up with 11.  Wow.  Just the way they were able to trade down and not lose much value was impressive.  So I give their draft a B+ as a whole.  They did well for the most part, but time will tell how well they did based on the careers of these young men.  Hopefully this'll be a draft class like 2011 or 2012 where we can look back on it and say they hit it out of the park.