Emerald City Swagger
Fansided

Mock Draft: McShay Picks Alabama OT for Seahawks

By Ben Renner

Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Cam Robinson (74) works at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Cam Robinson (74) works at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

In his latest Mock Draft, ESPN analyst Todd McShay has the Seahawks picking Alabama Offensive Tackle Cam Robinson in the first round.

The NFL Draft is fast approaching. In his latest Mock Draft, subject to changing many times before April, ESPN analyst Todd McShay has the Seahawks choosing Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson with the 26th overall pick.

Many Seahawks fans, including myself, hope McShay’s Mock Draft projection turns out to be correct. The Seahawks had the worst offensive line in football last year, per Pro Football Focus, and they don’t appear to want to make many changes to the personnel or coaching staff that left quarterback Russell Wilson running for his life on far too many occasions.

With his latest Mock Draft, McShay sees the Seahawks playing it safe and trying to accumulate as many talented linemen as possible. Acquiring talent and building from the draft is a way to keep spending on the line down so they can commit dollars to their defensive stars and possibly extending tight end Jimmy Graham.

More from Emerald City Swagger

The tackle position is a particularly glaring hole for the Seahawks. Right tackle Garry Gilliam is a restricted free agent. Gilliam earned the starting role in training camp but lost his job to Bradley Sowell midway through the season. Sowell was so bad that Gilliam retook his job at right tackle for the final four games, including the playoffs.

Rookie George Fant had an–ahem–uneven season at left tackle. He could still have plenty of upside with another year of Tom Cable coaching, but the former college basketball player was inserted into the starting lineup last season before he was ready and seems unlikely to make a huge second-year jump.

Robinson is one of the better offensive linemen in McShay’s Mock Draft, standing 6’6″ and weighing 327 pounds. He was a three-year starter for the Crimson Tide under Nick Saban and eschewed his senior year for the draft.

Next: Gary Payton Honor a Prelude to Something Special

Whether the Seahawks actually select Robinson will depend on his combine outing. Pete Carroll and John Schneider place a large emphasis on their offensive linemen having certain athletic qualities. I, for one, hope Robinson falls to them and they don’t trade down.

Home/Seahawks Rumors