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Eastern Drafted by Seattle
4/25/2026 5:40:00 PM | Football
Minnesota has had at least one draft pick in the last eight drafts
Former University of Minnesota defensive lineman Deven Eastern was selected in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday. The Seattle Seahawks took Eastern with the 242nd overall pick.
Eastern started all 13 games in 2025 and made 38 tackles. He also totaled five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one pass breakup and forced one fumble. Eastern was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and participated in the NFL Scouting Combine and the Senior Bowl.
The Shakopee, Minn., native played in 45 career games for the Gophers and made 97 (43 solo) tackles. He added 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups and forced two fumbles. He was also named Academic All-Big Ten four times in his career.
Eastern is the 20th Gopher drafted who played for head coach P.J. Fleck and he is the 284th Gopher drafted all-time. He is the fourth Gopher to be drafted by the Seahawks, along with Boye Mafe (2022), Chester Cooper (1982) and George Adzick (1977).
Minnesota has now had at least one draft pick in the last eight drafts (2019-26). The last time that happened was 2001-08.
Eastern started all 13 games in 2025 and made 38 tackles. He also totaled five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one pass breakup and forced one fumble. Eastern was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and participated in the NFL Scouting Combine and the Senior Bowl.
The Shakopee, Minn., native played in 45 career games for the Gophers and made 97 (43 solo) tackles. He added 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups and forced two fumbles. He was also named Academic All-Big Ten four times in his career.
Eastern is the 20th Gopher drafted who played for head coach P.J. Fleck and he is the 284th Gopher drafted all-time. He is the fourth Gopher to be drafted by the Seahawks, along with Boye Mafe (2022), Chester Cooper (1982) and George Adzick (1977).
Minnesota has now had at least one draft pick in the last eight drafts (2019-26). The last time that happened was 2001-08.
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