Written by: Peter Vandeventer | @PeteVandeventer
As the playoff race speeds up, it’s always fun to look towards the future and take a second to make a mock draft.
The Seahawks sit, once again, near the top of the NFC and are currently slotted at the 28th pick in the 1st round. The current 2019 draft capital for the Seahawks is as follows:
1st - 28th overall
2nd - 55th overall (Via KC in Frank Clark trade)
2nd - 60th overall
4th - 124th overall
5th - 140th overall (Via PIT)
5th - 155th overall
As well as these 6 picks, Seattle is also projected to receive the maximum number of compensatory picks (4) in the form of a 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th. But because the system is not confirmed yet, it’s best to not include them in mock drafts as well as the order in which they are placed can get a little murky.
Seattle will enter the offseason with a few key free agents. Jadeveon Clowney, Ziggy Ansah, Jarran Reed, Mike Iupati, Mychal Kendricks, Quinton Jefferson, George Fant, and Germain Ifedi. Of course the Seahawks will attempt to resign most of these players, but nonetheless, Seattle will have to approach free agency by making a few key decisions.
I’m going off of the presumption that the Seahawks let Ifedi, Ansah, Woods, Kendricks, and Iupati walk. With those vacancies, the Seahawks will have to fill needs to DE (preferably LEO), DT, Boundary Corner, OG, and OT to name a few.
From what I’ve seen in the past few years, the Seahawks prefer to take players who are multiple-year starters who tend to have high characters (though they don’t shy from players with a few character issues), leadership capabilities, and high motor players. With that said, let’s get right into the mock draft:
1st round - 28th overall
Jedrick Wills Jr. - Alabama - RT
Wills, a two-year starter for the Crimson Tide is a tone-setter. His level of aggressiveness and ability to put opposing defenders on the ground is amazing. He has more pure strength than anyone else in this class and is one of the best blockers in the class, and it’s probably not a stretch to say that he’s the best run blocker. If we see Ifedi walk in the offseason, look for Seattle to look RT and why not sure up the hole with their 1st pick in the draft. Solari will have to work on Wills’ pass protection but going from Ifedi to Wills isn’t a downgrade by any means in pass pro. Wills also played in front of Tua Tagovailoa so he has experience blocking for a mobile type of QB.
2nd round - 55th overall
Bryce Hall - Virginia - CB
Seattle needs work in the back end of the defense. They’re young with Shaq and Tre both continuing to develop well as the year goes on. But with that said, Seattle is in desperate need of another corner. Akeem King has been a liability when forced into action and Thorpe hasn’t been able to develop into anything more than a key special teams player. Adding someone like Bryce Hall, who is coming off a season-ending injury, could add another fold to the Seahawks secondary. Hall is a steal in the 2nd round as he was a projected 1st rounder before his season-ending injury, but still could possibly be taken by a team that is fine with letting him sit for a little. Hall has great downfield play and an ability to read the ball that you don’t see often. He’s physical, smart, and competitive which bodes well for a Seahawks corner.
With the entirely likely ability that the Seahawks don’t get a shot at Hall, you could slide Jaylon Johnson of Utah right into this pick who matches the Seahawks style of play really well. Both are great value picks.
2nd round - 60th overall
Yasir Durant - Missouri - LT/OG
Durant isn’t often mocked to be this high in drafts but he is worth it. A lot of the issues people have brought up centers around his wingspan. He might get the “Conner Williams” treatment and get pushed inside when his official wingspan numbers come out at the combine, but this won't be an issue as he has experience at both guard and tackle while at JUCO. But still, Yasir is a great pass blocker and finished his ‘18 campaign with the least amount of pressures given up in the SEC. The Seahawks love players who are viable players all along the line as well as huge maulers and Yasir is all of that and more. Durant stands tall at 6’7 and 330 but has surprisingly clean footwork which really should open eyes.
Expect Durant to rise up draft boards after the combine when teams get to see him move. As well as the combine, Durant was part of the 2020 senior bowl watch list so Yasir Durant is a name to keep watch of while invites continue to be sent out.
I’m all on the train to go for the trenches early because Russ is a generational talent and needs to get protection. For the sake of the franchise, increasing the longevity of Russ’ career lies in the pass bocking which is bottom 5 in the league according to PFF. With Ifedi set for free agency, Iupati being on a 1-year contract, Britt’s future with the team up in the air, and Duane Brown’s age, Seattle needs to address the OL in 2020.
4th round - 124th overall
Alex Highsmith - Charlotte - EDGE
Highsmith is a unique draft prospect with a nice combination of overall strength and athleticism. Could fit perfectly into the LEO role and provide some needed pass rush. Seahawks have an abundance of 5Ts and really only have one close option to LEO which is Shaquem Griffin (but Clowney can easily play LEO as well). I can almost guarantee the Seahawks draft a LEO in the draft and develop some sort of speed on the DL outside of Clowney.
Here is a thread where I dive into Highsmith’s film and see what he could bring to the table:
5th round - 140 overall
Ross Blacklock - TCU - DT
The Seahawks love high motor players and Blacklock is no exception. With a bit of a durability issue, Ross could easily slide in the draft. Thankfully though, Seattle would be taking him at this point in the draft to become a key rotational player, as he continues to learn the game, his role will expand. But make no mistake, Blacklock knows how to ball out, he bullies opposing lineman and is surprisingly athletic. Add Blacklock to a defensive tackle room with Reed and Ford as well as a plethora of players who can kick inside.
5th round - 155th overall
Bryan Edwards - South Carolina - WR
It’s always a general belief among NFL franchises that you try to take a WR or RB in every draft. There is always a lot of turnaround at the position and you can’t afford to have either position be lacking in talent as the year goes on. For that, this pick is a pure luxury pick for Seattle and they made sure to help Russ out in the process.
With Gordon being on a one-year deal, no one has any idea if Seattle plans on bringing him back or not after the year is over. But If he goes then watch for Seattle take another player who can stretch the field. The Seahawks offense is developing extremely lethal with Schotty as the OC. Edwards is just another toy for Schotty who will help stretch the field. You can never have too many receivers when you run the Air Coryell offense.
If you prefer to look towards RB then another name to watch for is Kylin Hill from Mississippi State, a bruising back who is electric and loves to hit (or get hit). Love his style of play and would help tire out defenses alongside Carson.
The 2020 draft is right around the corner and it’s so exciting to think of all the possibilities. Though we are closing in on the end of the college football season, there’s still tons of film to watch and players to discover. Such a wonderful time of the year!!