Jabril Cox, LSU Tigers.
So far, we’ve brought you compilations of other mock drafts from across the internet. Here we give you our Seattle Seahawks mock drafts in two different varieties, with and without trades. For this set of mocks, we used the Mock Draft Database Simulator.
To recap, the Seahawks only have three draft picks this year. The select in the second (56th overall), fourth (129th), and sixth rounds (250). Seattle’s first and third picks went to the New York Jets for Jamal Adams. Guard Gabe Jackson came from Las Vegas for the Seahawks fifth-rounder. The sixth-round pick went for Quinton Dunbar. Finally, this year’s seventh-round pick was the price for Carlos Dunlap.
After free agency, the Seahawks still have holes to fill. Their most critical needs are:
Tackle – Right Tackle Brandon Shell couldn’t stay on the field in 2020. When he did play, he couldn’t handle outside pass rushers. Additionally, left tackle Duane Brown, the O-line anchor, turns 36. An ideal tackle could come in and start on the right side this season and move to LT when Brown retires.
Center – Seattle resigned last year’s starter Ethan Pocic. He was good but struggled with line calls and, at times, needed more help from the guards than he should have. Pocic’s best position is guard and will likely move there in 2022.
Defensive Tackle – Poona Ford, Bryan Mone, and Al Woods are all back with the team. Unfortunately, Jarran Reed was sacrificed to open cap space. Another defensive tackle would help in the long term.
Linebacker – K.J. Wright is a free agent. There is still hope that the Seahawks find a way to bring him home. So until either he’s re-signed or Seattle GM John Schneider finds a replacement, the job is open.
Wide Receiver – 2020’s third receiver David Moore left as a free agent. While there are internal candidates, no one stood out enough last year to be called a favorite.
Cornerback – This is the NFL. A team can never have enough cover cornerbacks.
Before I post who and when this is how I make my pick decisions, I use a system weighted toward needs. As for as evaluations go, I wish I could watch tape on 630-plus prospects, but it’s almost impossible. When I’m in doubt, my five go-to places are NFL.com draft profiles, The Beast from The Athletic, writer Dane Brugler’s comprehensive draft guide, Mike Renner’s draft guide from Pro Football Focus, Profiles from The Draft Network, and the same from Walter Football.
This year the Seahawks pick 56, 129, and 250 overall. In this mock, I made no trades, so the Seahawks pick in their original spots.
Since K.J. Wright isn’t a with the Seahawks and the two sides aren’t actively negotiating, the team needs another linebacker. Cox could be a good pick to fill the vacant job.
Cox started his college football career and North Dakota State before transferring to LSU last year. He was dominant at the FCS level. Against SEC competition, Cox wasn’t as explosive but rather a steady, skilled contributor.
His pass coverage skills are outstanding. With the league trending toward more dynamic pass-catching tight ends, Cox is the perfect linebacker to defend them. He reads the quarterback well and has the athletic ability to cover from sideline to sideline. Oh yeah, and he’s dangerous on blitzes, too.
It’s a bit of a surprise Cox was still on the board at 56, but that’s how drafts work sometimes. If he falls to the Seahawks, Schneider will be more than happy to select him.
Moving downhill, Cox accelerates rapidly, and his straight-line burst can create problems for players who linger in the backfield too long. Cox’s ability to cover ground quickly also helps in coverage.
There, he has the traits to hawk in front of short and intermediate routes, and he found great success doing this, as evidenced by his nine career interceptions. Additionally, his burst enhances his pass-rushing utility. If he’s unblocked, he can absolutely wreck plays. – Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network.
At Notre Dame, Robert Hainsey played right tackle. For several reasons, he doesn’t project as a tackle at the next level. During Senior Bowl week, Hainsey played center, and he looked good doing it. It’s a position that maximizes his strengths and limits the weaknesses he showed at tackle.
Due to his limited athletic ability, Hainsey is a much better fit inside. He looks like a natural in the tight operating area that is the interior offensive line. Additionally, Hainsey was a two-year captain at Notre Dame. That speaks volumes about the young man’s character and leadership. With Pocic already entrenched as the Seattle Seahawks starting center, Hainsey has time to develop.
“Hainsey showed out at the Senior Bowl across multiple positions along the interior — most notably center. That’s likely where he ends up at the NFL level. His quick hands and ability to find shoulder pads at the snap should serve him well there.” – Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus.
A new toy for Russ. Marquez Stevenson is a burner who could add another dimension to the Seattle Seahawks offense. He’s the kind of receiver who will take advantage of the opposition corners covering D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Stevenson has the physical skills to dominate nickelbacks. Of course, he needs polish and development, but he’d be learning from the best receivers and RW3
“What sets Stevenson apart is his game-breaking speed. He is extremely fast and can score from anywhere on the field. Stevenson is a flier who can take the top off a defense with his ability to burn coverage over the top. When he gets free, he is nearly impossible to track down, because his dynamic speed can take away angles. Stevenson is the kind of a receiver who can take a short slant the distance.” – Charlie Campbell, Walter Football.
No small thinking here. The Mock Draft Database simulator, however, has no quantity limits on making trades.
With so few picks and not very well positioned, I knew I had to find a way to improve my position and acquire picks. So I traded down three times to add draft capital. Additionally, I didn’t want to deal away too many 2022 picks because it will be a strong class.
Picks are listed in their overall position. Round numbers are in parenthesis.
There are only so many tackles in this draft who have a chance to come in and compete for playing time. At that point, the only thing to do was trade up and get one before it was too late. Liam Eichenberg played left tackle for the Irish but shouldn’t have a problem starting his pro career on the right side.
On a run-first team (don’t tell Russ), he’s the kind of power blocker who can blow opponents off the line and open up holes for Chris Carson. Eichenberg is strong, smart, and plays with an edge. He is the perfect guide to start on the right, then move to protect Wilson’s blindside when Brown retires.
Like with many second-rounders, he’s got some issues to clean up. Speed rushers with good moves will give him trouble to start, but he’ll learn and grow.
Eichenberg is an imposing offensive lineman who gets the most from his ability and plays intelligent, intense football. He was productive and durable for Notre Dame and comes with growth potential. Eichenberg has the tools necessary to develop into a terrific right tackle in the NFL. – AJ Schulte, Pro Football Network.
Maybe it’s time to start looking for Russell Wilson‘s successor. Maybe it isn’t. But the Seahawks could still use a steady number two. Davis Mills has the skills to succeed in that role and the skills to step in as a starter after learning the system.
Mills is the big prototypical quarterback with a strong arm that NFL teams love. That’s why some mock drafts have him as high as a late first-round choice.
He doesn’t have much experience as injuries, and he pandemic limited Mills to only 14 games. Who better to get an on-the-job education from than Russell Wilson?
Mills is still in the developmental stage as it pertains to his ability to command the offense and play chess against coverages and blitz looks. He’s made for a play-action attack that can promote his timing as a passer and help keep him protected. The injury background and lack of experience are potential stumbling blocks, but the talent is better than the production and worthy of a middle-round pick for development as a good backup to low-end starter. – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com.
The same player just a few picks later. I had to trade up to make sure he didn’t get away. See the No Trade draft on page two for details.
Let’s get the negatives out of the way. Shakur Brown isn’t very big, and he certainly isn’t fast for an NFL cornerback. Sometimes it’s not the size of the dog in a fight; it’s the size of the fight in a dog.
The first thing that jumps off the scouting reports about Shakur Brown is that he’s a warrior. When coaches use the term “fox hole guy,” they mean someone like him. Brown has no quit in him.
Throw out the measurables on this one. What he lacks in size and speed, Brown makes up for athleticism, intelligence, and anticipation. He reads QB’s and jumps pass routes with an ability beyond his age. Brown also isn’t afraid to come into the box to stop a run.
Brown uses his upper-body strength to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage. The cornerback also possesses some phenomenal short-area quickness, which allows him to read and react without hesitation… It will be very hard for NFL general managers to ignore Brown if their team needs a promising developmental corner. He has the instincts to be a reliable young defensive back with room to improve moving forward. – Sports Illustrated Draft Bible.
Generally, I’m not a fan of drafting DII players. Not because of the individual player’s talent, but due to the level of completion. It’s much easier to be a big fish in a small pond. However, if someone wanted to build a prototypical receiver, at 6-5, 224 pounds and an 84-inch wingspan with great wheels, Strachan fits it to a tee.
Highly productive small-school wideout with elite size but with work to be done. Playing against bigger, stronger, faster defenders could create a challenging transition, as the route running and ball skills will need more development to be pro-ready. His size and ability to win jump balls make him an intriguing late-round possibility. – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com.
What are your thoughts on who the Seattle Seahawks will draft this weekend? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.