It’s no secret the Seattle Seahawks are in the market for more help rushing the passer this season. Bringing Frank Clark back into the fold was a huge step, and returning Quinton Jefferson didn’t hurt either.
However, this team still needs more big-time pass rushers if they want their defense to reach the elite level it is capable of. The free agent market has a handful of options, but in order to save money, the Seahawks could look toward the NFL draft as a way to find some explosive edge defenders.
While the focus has been on Seattle’s first-round pick, we decided to take a look at an edge defender who could be available at each of Seattle’s (current) draft selections, and why they could be a nice fit for Ken Norton and Pete Carroll’s defense.
Round 1, Pick No. 21: Brian Burns – Florida State
There have been multiple edge rushers connected to Seattle at this spot. Montez Sweat was a popular one, but his draft stock soared into the top-10 with a strong combine performance. Jachai Polite was another, although his stock actually dropped thanks to a poor combine and some unflattering comments made.
One player who has not been talked about a ton is Florida State edge rusher, Brian Burns. Burns has been lauded for his pass rushing ability, using a variety of moves and his explosive quickness to get to the quarterback at a high frequency in college.
He would immediately add another threat alongside Clark, allowing players like Jefferson and Nazair Jones to play in run-defense sets, playing more to their strengths.
The Seahawks rarely keeps their first-round pick, but if they do, Burns is not a bad option to target at No. 21 overall.
Round 3, Pick No. 84: Joe Jackson – Miami
Jackson gained upward of 30 pounds while at Miami, which helped him with his push up front but limited him as an explosive edge rusher, something he was so good at early in his college career.
He’d be more of a project than Burns, but if anyone can help him get that explosiveness off the edge back, it’s the Seahawks coaching staff.
Taking a chance on a kid who has first-round talent but hasn’t quite reached his potential is a Pete Carroll specialty, and snagging Jackson with their third round pick could be the way to do so this offseason.
Round 4, Pick No. 117: Anthony Nelson – Iowa
Another high potential pass rusher, Nelson possesses fantastic length and quickness, although his strength needs to improve in order for him to consistently beat NFL offensive tackles around the edge.
Nelson had 9.5 sacks in his final year of college, showing the ability to get to the quarterback. If coach Carroll can help him unlock the strength needed to succeed in the NFL, he could be a very nice late round steal.
Round 5, Pick No. 148: Jalen Jelks – Oregon
Jelks has been all over mock draft boards, with some having him as a day 1 prospect, while others think he’s destined to be a fifth or sixth-round pick. The Seahawks would be over the moon if they could nab him in round 5, as the versatile edge defender has shown proficiency as both a run-stuffer on the edge and a pass rusher while at the University of Oregon.
Jelks is an athletic freak, but he’s woefully undersized for the position he played in college. He’s six-foot-five and 245 pounds, making him a potential outside linebacker/edge rusher in the NFL, despite having played mostly on the interior in college.
Carroll loves his projects, and the athleticism and grit that Jelks showed in college should play well in the NFL, regardless of what position he ends up at.
The Seahawks are certainly considering trading down to acquire even more picks, but even if they only keep the ones they have there are multiple options to improve their edge defense at each draft selection.
