Seahawks 7 Round Mock Draft: Pre-Combine Edition

With the NFL Combine right around the corner, here are some names the Seahawks will be looking at in the NFL Draft.

The Seattle Seahawks are expected to have 9 selections in the 2016 NFL Draft (6 native and 3 compensatory picks). While it is likely mad scientist John Schneider will move around the board during draft weekend, it is nevertheless enjoyable trying to predict who the team will add to its roster as it attempts to once again reign supreme in the NFC.

Beginning February 25^thand running through the 29th, the underwear Olympics- aka the NFL Combine– will once again commence in Indianapolis (and if you’re there, you’ve got to eat at one of the best Italian restaurants in the region- Iaria’s). We know the Seahawks put a lot of stock in players with high-end athletic attributes (SPARQ), so results of the tape measurements and stopwatches will at least affect their draft board in some way.

Until then, however, we’ll use the overall player rankings by draftscout.com in conjunction with cbssports (as of 2/12/16) to choose players at each of the nine points in the selection process Seattle is positioned as of today.

Without further ado, I present to you the 2016 Seattle Seahawks draft: pre-Combine edition!

ROUND 1, #26 OVERALL- Jason Spriggs, OT, Indiana

First of all, I really want this pick to be DT Sheldon Rankins (DT, Louisville). Seattle has just as much room for talent at defensive tackle as they do the offensive line due to the free agent status of Brandon Mebane and Ahtyba Rubin and the dearth of depth. However, Rankins is hot among draftniks right now after a scintillating performance during Senior Bowl practices and is projected as overall player #25 available, leaving him just shy of qualification for making him this pick. I believe, however, that all is not lost and Rankins may get pushed down a little as the eligible juniors show off what they can do at the Combine and Pro Days, despite other draftniks basically deeming him impossible to grab at pick 26. I’m not giving up hope just yet.

Spriggs (6’5”, 301) has considerable collegiate experience at left tackle with 47 starts, so there’s plenty of film to dissect. What you see is a very athletic tight end-turned-tackle with good feet, ability to get to the second level quickly, and excellent balance. Shortcomings include a lean frame not meant to drive block and a habit of allowing counter moves to the inside of him on pass sets. These are correctable, however, through weight room hours and coaching. He is expected to test exceptionally well among his peers, which will only pique Seattle’s interest that much more.

However, even if Russell Okung leaves and the team adds a free agent to the mix at tackle, it will be difficult for Spriggs to step in and be a day 1 starter at left tackle. It may be ideal to either try him on the right side initially or sit him for a period of time if Gilliam and a free agent can protect the edges in a satisfactory way. The expectation here is for Spriggs to be the blind-side tackle for years to come either late in 2016 or certainly in 2017, but he needs to put about 15 lbs of sand in his pants and improve his technique first.

Also considered: Jonathan Bullard, Vernon Butler, Shon Coleman, Sua Cravens

ROUND 2, #56 OVERALL- Tyler Boyd, WR, Pittsburgh

This pick had lots of quality options to choose from, and it almost makes me hope Seattle can trade down from 26 and possibly pick up another selection in this general area.

The first time I saw Tyler Boyd (6’1”, 200) was in what is called the ‘Big 33’ game, which is an all-star contest featuring college-bound players from Pennsylvania versus kids from another state, in this case Maryland. Boyd made one of the most eye-popping catches for a touchdown in the first quarter of that game that you’ll ever see. His unbelievable body control and impressive catch radius were evident from that play- even at the age of 18.

He has flashed those same traits at Pitt over and over again during the last three seasons, putting up impressive numbers despite having average quarterbacking. More importantly, Boyd has proven to be effective at the X, Z and slot WR positions. His game has a very Reggie Wayne-ish feel to it and is a chess piece that an offensive coordinator can use in any number of ways. His route-running is smooth and precise, his sideline footwork is flawless and he also returns kicks and punts, if needed.

If Jermaine Kearse is re-signed in the offseason, Boyd would be a bit of a luxury and the pick would shift to one of the players listed below. If Kearse leaves for more money, however, Tyler Boyd would be a wonderful long-term weapon to add to Russell Wilson’s arsenal. Not a straight-line burner, Boyd is a technician tailor-made to take over as the chain-moving, clutch catch receiver that Kearse has played so well in Seattle.

Also considered: Josh Garnett, William Jackson III, Nick Martin, Adolphus Washington

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ROUND 3, #90 OVERALL- Kamalei Correa, EDGE/SLB, Boise St

If you’re looking for a replacement for Bruce Irvin in the draft, this is a good place to start. Correa (6’3”, 245) doesn’t have the same blazing speed as Irvin showed at his Combine, but he does have more success converting speed to power when rushing off the edge. He plays like his hair is on fire every play and sets the edge quite well for a guy his size. He has also shown the ability to effectively drop and cover his area as an outside linebacker as well, so when you add up all of his capabilities, you end up with a tough, hard-nosed EDGE/LB combo player that can contribute right away, even in a defense as accomplished as the Seahawks. He has, as Richard Sherman calls it, “that dog in him”.

Also considered: Joe Haeg, Harlan Miller, Zack Sanchez

ROUND 3, #99 OVERALL- Deiondre’ Hall, S, Northern Iowa

With the proliferation of pass-first offenses spreading the game out and creating as many mismatches down the field as possible, defenses simply can’t have enough quality secondary players. Hall (6’2”, 192) has experience playing both corner and safety and is equipped with freakishly long arms, sure to entice Seahawks brass. While he has the ability to play corner and compete with receivers down the field as proven during Senior Bowl week, Hall’s best position in the League is probably free safety where he can cover large swaths of turf quickly with his long limbs and make plays on the ball (13 career interceptions at N Iowa). Hall would be an ideal 3^rd safety in sub packages and could contribute immediately on special teams. A legit backup to Earl Thomas is needed in order to be able to continue to play the single-high safety defense this team prefers if something were to happen to #29. Hall could develop into that player.

Also considered: Javon Hargrave, Cardale Jones, Paul Perkins

ROUND 4, #126 OVERALL- Isaac Seumalo, C/G, Oregon St

I think Seumalo (6’4”, 310) is the perfect player to ‘redshirt’ for a year, indoctrinate him into the Seahawks version of zone blocking with a year’s worth of practice reps, and let him take over the center position in 2017. This assumes the Seahawks have picked up at least one (maybe more) O-line free agent in March and the need for a rookie to start at center or guard is not necessary. With experience at four different positions in college, Seumalo offers the kind of versatility this team loves. The only question mark for him is medical (foot). He is an example of what information is the most important for teams to gather in Indianapolis- clean bills of health. If Seumalo gets the thumbs up from doctors in Indy, he becomes a very focused target of mine that will help shore up the interior of Seattle’s leaky line.

Also considered: Joe Dahl, Graham Glasgow, Antonio Morrison, Max Tuerk

Next: Seahawks Free Agent Wish List

ROUND 5, #174 OVERALL- DJ Reader, DT, Clemson

There is a question about whether Seattle will retain Mebane and/or Rubin at defensive tackle. I think they will bring one back on a 1-yr deal. Regardless, that position is in need of some new, cheap blood.

Reader (6’3”, 340) is a big, big boy that would look good stuffed into a Seahawk uniform and plopped down in the middle of the line of scrimmage. Actually, ‘plopped’ isn’t a fair term to use, because Reader shows the ability to move along the LOS and make plays away from the middle, flashing a nice motor for such a big dude. He chased down a quick WR screen vs Oklahoma and planted a very talented and tough RB in Samaje Perine (2017 draft crush alert) in the college semifinal and gave the Alabama interior linemen, including day 2 center Ryan Kelly, fits in the final. He is a bit of a ‘dancing bear’ in the mold of Ahtyba Rubin and would be a very welcome addition to the run defense, with some QB pressure ability as well.

Reader is undervalued right now because he began the 2015 season by leaving the team for ‘personal reasons’ but came back the second half of the year to be an integral part of the Tigers’ success. A great value pick here whose talent is higher than his draft status.

Also considered: Geronimo Allison, Caleb Jones, David Morgan, DeAndre Washington

ROUND 6, #217 OVERALL- Ryan Malleck, TE, Virginia Tech

The Seahawks have a gaping hole on the roster at the 3^rd tight end position. It has been filled previously by guys like Chase Coffman and my arch nemesis, Cooper Helfet. Malleck (6’4”, 256) would instantly bring legitimacy to that position by being the best blocking TE on the roster the first day he steps on the field. That carries value, especially on a run-first team such as this one.

Also considered: Nobody. Helfet must be upgraded before anything else happens in life.

ROUND 7, #225 OVERALL- Marquise Williams, QB, North Carolina

This draft has several candidates to be groomed as the long-term backup to Russell Wilson. I’ve chosen Williams (6’2”, 225) because he’s been a leader at UNC , quarterbacking them to three bowl games and saving his best season for last (11-3). And the fact he is getting ZERO publicity right now and seems like he’ll available late on day three. He has over 10,000 total yards, with over a quarter of them coming on the ground. This means he shares similar athletic and leadership traits with Russell Wilson and could be a reasonable facsimile of QB1 if pressed into action after he gets comfortable with the offense. To get a player with his moldable qualities this late in the draft could be a real coup for the Seahawks for the long haul.

Also considered: Deon Bush, Jeff Driskel, Matt Skura

ROUND 7, #247 OVERALL- Dean Lowry, DT, Northwestern

Lowry incrementally improved over the course of his career at NU. What he offers is 6’6”, 295 lbs and a coachable, non-stop motor. This may not be the typical SPARQ star the team usually takes late in drafts, but Lowry may be a player that actually sticks on the roster and contributes in a D-line rotation in need of assistance. Picture a Tony McDaniel-ish body type that can learn 3-tech right alongside DJ Reader at 1-tech. Young, fresh and willing legs are always welcome on the line of scrimmage, where only men need apply. This is a positional value pick.

Also considered: Caleb Benenoch, Tra Carson, Montese Overton

Wow. Admittedly, the overall rankings of a lot of these players are going to change and in reality, not all will be available at the spots where they are ranked today when the actual selection committee commences in late April. However, if the Seahawks draft looked like this in a couple months, I’d be a very happy fan! Would you?

Tell me what you think of this mock draft in the comments below or on Twitter.

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