Seahawks choose two Auburn players

The Seahawks chose defensive end Baraka Atkins from Miami and guard Mansfield Wrotto with their two fourth-round picks in today's continuation of the NFL draft.

Atkins, 6-feet-4-inches and 271 pounds, has played defensive tackle and defensive end but prefers to play end. The Seahawks like his pass-rush ability and his intelligence for the game.

Wrotto, a 6-foot-3-inch, 317-pound former defensive tackle, spent three seasons at that spot before moving to offensive tackle his senior year. He had a good Senior Bowl, the Seahawks felt, and will give the team power in the running game.

Atkins was the 120th overall pick and Wrotto the 124th, the choice Seattle obtained from the San Francisco 49ers in the Darrell Jackson trade completed this morning.

The Seahawks have chosen Auburn wide receiver Courtney Taylor with the first of two sixth-round picks today, the 197th pick overall.

Taylor, 6 foot, 1-1/2 inches and 204 pounds, had a good senior year after dealing with an ankle injury as a junior that limited his mobility and production. He's the second receiver from Auburn the Seahawks have drafted in the past two seasons -- joining seventh-round pick Ben Obomanu.

Taylor still managed to set the school record for catches with 153. He also had 12 total tackles on special teams in college.

Outside linebacker Will Herring from Auburn is the Seahawks' fifth-round draft choice, made at about 11 a.m. today.

Herring, 6 foot, 2-1/2 inches and 229 pounds, also played free safety in college. He moved to linebacker his senior year and is yet another multi-position player the Seahawks have added in the draft.

Herring registered 250 total tackles in 53 games with the Tigers, 49 of those as a starter.

Oregon wide receiver Jordan Kent, the first accomplished three-sport athlete in college sports since 2001-2002, became the Seahawks' second sixth-round draft choice. He was the 210th player taken overall.

Kent, 6 foot 4 and 217 pounds, came to Oregon as a basketball player and track athlete before joining the Ducks' football team in 2005 and continuing with the other sports. He switched to football full-time for the 2006 season. With his speed, he was used as a deep threat to stretch the field in Oregon's multiple-look offense.

Kent is the son of Ducks basketball coach Ernie Kent.

Steve Vallos, a 6-feet-3-inch, 307-pound guard from Wake Forest, was the Seahawks' final pick of the 2007 draft.

Vallos was the 232nd overall pick.

Vallos played tackle for part of his time in college and is another versatile front line player with plenty of experience as a four-year starter.

Vallos adds depth to the Seattle offensive line and was the second such player taken in the draft by the Seahawks.