It is time, once again, for Pigskin Paul to embark upon the slippery slope of mocking team drafts. I will endeavor to cover all 32 NFL teams, but in case we should run out of time, I would urge those of you reading these mocks to make sure that you e-mail me about your favorite team, so that I make sure I get to them.
This is another important Draft for Seattle, as they continue to retool the roster on the fly. They surprised many last season by being in the Play-Off hunt all season, with a host of new names on their roster. But to the disappointment of their fan base, the 10-6 Wild Card team lost their first Play-Off game and were done. 8 of their 9 Draftees from last year’s Draft are still on their roster this off-season. This year’s Draft will be even more critical to them, because they currently have only 4 Picks, the fewest of any team. The brain trust of SCHNEIDER/CARROLL may be sorely tempted to trade out of Round One for extra Picks. That could play out, especially if DREW LOCK is still available at Pick 21, and some QB hungry team wants back into Round 1. Watch for that kind of scenario, but not now, not here. No trades allowed in my team mocks. So here we go, needing to strike golden ore with every Pick.
Round 1, Pick 21
DEXTER LAWRENCE DT CLEMSON 6’5/340
DL might not be the first place most folks would expect them to go, but they are a bit thin in that area, and especially when discussing a really big man to anchor, but one who also is very athletic. Remember that he ran a 5.02/40 at 340 lbs. at the Combine. He could be a generational player, ala Haloti Ngata. Like NGATA, he uses his size and athleticism to control the middle of the line-of-scrimmage. If you watch his tape, you will also notice that he chases the ball quite effectively and relentlessly, for his girth. He can also create pocket pressure up the middle, in a QB’s face. In other work if he’s available he’s a special talent and too good for them to pass up.
Round 2, Pick 84
KELVIN HARMON WR N.C. STATE 6’3/221
Their receiving group is also a bit thin right now, especially when you consider that DOUG BALDWIN has had two surgeries since the season ended, and may be in line for sports hernia surgery as well. HARMON is actually a bit reminiscent of another ex-Wolfpack player who had a brief run in Seattle, named Koren Robinson. Not quite as fast, but a bit of a bigger target than Koren, HARMON would complement TYLER LOCKETT quite nicely, and add some quality depth options to their receiving corps. His 4.60/40-time at the Combine is not impressive, until you factor in that he did it at over 220 lbs. His size is a very attractive contrast, and compliment, to both LOCKETT and BALDWIN.
Round 4, Pick 124
VOSEAN JOSEPH LB FLORIDA 6’2/230
Joseph is a good athlete, who really emerged this past season under the coaching staff of new Gators head man, Dan Mullen. He exploded for 93 tackles, including 9 TFL, and showed solid coverage skills, including 5 Passes Defended. With their re-signing of K.J. WRIGHT, JOSEPH will have time to develop even more, and find multiple roles in their defensive scheme. He was one of the more athletic LB’s at the Combine. He should also move right into a key role on Special Teams.
Round 5, Pick 159
SHELDRICK REDWINE DB MIAMI (F) 6’0/196
REDWINE is the kind of versatile, athletic DB that CARROLL always covets. The Hurricanes secondary was loaded last season, and REDWINE always seemed to be around the ball. He has played CB for the ‘Canes, as well as S. His 4.44/40 at the Combine would hold up as average for the CB group, never mind the S group.
And that is all she wrote for the Sea Hawks Draft this year. The team has never been bashful about trading out of Round 1 if the price is right. Keep your eyes peeled for exactly that kind of move this year.
Pigskin
