The Seattle Seahawks shocked the NFL world in two big ways on Thursday evening. First, they actually used their original first round pick – the first time they’ve done that since 2011 – and second, they used it on a speedy, run-stuffing middle linebacker, which doesn’t exactly address a position of need.
While there is some reason to be optimistic about Jordyn Brooks, the Seahawks will have to address some key areas of need in rounds 2-3 of the NFL draft, set to begin on Friday, April 24 at 4:00 p.m. PT.
Pass rush, offensive tackle and some skill positions (running back and wide receiver) are areas this team could stand to improve upon in the NFL draft, and will likely address at least in some fashion on Friday evening.
Here are four players who are still available who the Seahawks could target with their remaining picks on Day 2 of the draft, which are as follows:
Round 2 (59)
Round 2 (64)
Round 3 (101) (Supplemental)
Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Even though the Seahawks have 18 offensive lineman currently on their roster, they could use more help at the two tackle positions.
George Fant (Jets) and Germain Ifedi (Bears) are both gone, and while Duane Brown remains solid he is 35 years old and doesn’t have too many more years left in the league.
Brandon Shell and Cedric Ogbuehi are newcomers expected to challenge for the starting right tackle spot, along with returner Jamarco Jones, but this team could use more depth at that spot – and potentially someone to groom as an eventual replacement for Brown.
Enter Lucas Niang. Niang’s draft stock dropped thanks to a hip injury, but when he is healthy he is among the most prolific pass blockers in the draft – an area John Schneider specifically mentioned the team targeting this offseason.
Niang would be an ideal fit with one of the team’s two second round picks, No. 59 or No. 64 overall, and would have an inside track to an immediate starting position for the Seahawks if he stays healthy this summer.
Michael Pittman, Jr., WR, USC
The Seahawks have a solid group of wide receivers already in the fold, signing Phillip Dorsett to compliment Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, David Moore and John Ursua.
However, this is perhaps the deepest class of wide receivers in draft history, and the team would be silly not to try to find good value at that position with one of their second round picks.
If Pittman falls to 59, the Seahawks would be getting a big-bodied, speedy wide receiver with a huge catch radius late in the second round. Sound familiar?
Pittman isn’t exactly Metcalf – as he is more of a big slot receiver with a more varied route-tree – but the parallels are such that this would be a hard pick to pass up if he falls into their lap.
Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
Lewis is one of the few players we know held a video conference call with the Seahawks during the pre-draft process, a fairly good sign the team is interested in his services.
Lewis is a physical specimen who would be a first round pick in any other situation, except that injuries ravaged his time with the Crimson Tide and helped him fall down the draft boards.
Still, in the 26 games he was healthy during his collegiate career, Lewis displayed excellent footwork, football awareness and athleticism off the edge, and his overall size and length will be appealing to the Seahawks in their scheme.
If the Seahawks find Lewis in their lap at No. 59 overall, he would be a great addition to their depleted pass rush unit. While he’s a bit of a project thanks to his lack of experience, there’s little doubt he has the skill to be an impact pass rusher in the NFL – and Seattle should be smart enough to take that gamble if he is available.
Zack Moss, RB, Utah
Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny are pencilled in as the team’s No. 1 and No. 2 running back in 2020, respectively, but both are dealing with season-ending injuries that required surgery.
While both are expected to make a full recovery, Penny could end up on the PUP list over the summer and both have already dealt with a handful of injuries in their young careers.
Seattle is losing C.J. Prosise to free agency, and they’ll need another back to join Carson, Penny and Travis Homer in the backfield in 2020.
Zack Moss from Utah has the physicality, brutality and strength to be a running back in Carroll’s system – much like the mold of Carson himself.
While drafting a running back on Day 2 may seem silly for a team that already has a solid trio of backs, it just takes one look at what happened last year to see how crucial depth is, especially for a team with a punishing running offense like the Seahawks.
Moss is good enough to play right away, and would give Seattle an immediate plug-and-play depth option should either Carson or Penny need a spell during the 2020 season – which seems all but certain given their history.
