Draft day is finally here. The Seattle Seahawks and the rest of the NFL will add a new group of players to their roster when the draft officially kicks off at 5:00 p.m. PT.
The Seahawks added a new pick in the first round and moved back a few spots in the third round since we last completed a mock draft. That, plus a much bigger need to add an impact edge defender, has shifted quite a few things in the second (and final) version of our mock draft.
Although I believe Seattle will make more trades before (and during) the upcoming draft, I decided to complete this mock as if they are just keeping their picks as is.
Here is a look at five players Seattle could take with their picks, and what makes them a good fit.
Round 1, Pick 21: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
One of the few players who has the skills and experience to potentially replace Frank Clark right away in this draft is Clelin Ferrell, whom Seattle would no doubt love to snag at No. 21 overall.
Ferrell is a well-built edge rusher who has played in 4-3 sets and possesses the necessary size, speed and power to thrive at rushing the passer at the NFL level.
Ferrell has been mocked to Seattle a handful of times already, and now with Clark gone the need for an impact edge rusher is even stronger. Ferrell could be the answer, and has a real chance to make an impact right away in the Emerald City.
Round 1, Pick 29: N’Keal Harry, Wide Receiver, Arizona State
If the Seahawks keep both their first round picks, it seems likely they’ll use one of them on a wide receiver. Doug Baldwin had three offseason surgeries, which could impact his availability in the regular season. Jaron Brown is a cut-candidate, which leaves Seattle with Tyler Lockett and David Moore – and whatever they get out of Baldwin.
Enter a dynamic playmaker like N’Keal Harry, and suddenly you have what could be a very solid receiver core.
Harry is a big target with an innate ability to make contested catches, although his straight line speed isn’t elite. Still, he would add another dimension to Seattle’s passing attack, something they could use regardless of Baldwin’s future with the team.
Round 3, Pick 92: Lonnie Johnson, Cornerback, Kentucky
If the Seahawks go with a defensive end/wide receiver combo in the first round, which is what most expect them to do if they keep both picks, then it seems likely they’ll use their third round pick to shore up their depleted secondary.
Johnson is a freak athlete, with elite size and long arms that make him perfect for the position. His ball skills need some work, as he didn’t record any interceptions and only eight passes defended.
Most mocks have Johnson going in the second or early third, so this may be an ambitious pick. But Seattle’s love of long, athletic defensive backs make Johnson a dream pick if he’s around at No. 92 overall.
Round 4, Pick 124: Greg Gaines, Defensive Tackle, Washington
Gaines has been all over draft boards, with some having him as a seventh round or even undrafted player, while others like him as a third or fourth rounder.
I could see Seattle looking at him with their fourth round pick, especially with Shamar Stephen out the door and Nazair Jones moving over to five-tech.
Gaines is a high-motor run-stuffer, who takes on double-teams well. He has shorter arms and a tendency to fall to the ground too often, which can make him a liability, but Seattle loves their high-motor defensive players, and Gaines fits that bill enough that they could grab him in the fourth round.
Round 5, Pick 159: Kaden Elliss, Linebacker, Idaho
Elliss is one of my favorite late-round targets for Seattle. He is a high-energy linebacker who projects as a big time special teams contributor and eventually a situational edge rusher in the NFL.
Seattle likes their high-motor hybrid linebackers, and Elliss definitely seems like a player who could come in and immediately compete to be on Seattle’s special teams unit.
Elliss was a monster at the University of Idaho, recording 278 tackles (47 for loss) as well as 17 sacks. He would bring energy, a nose for the quarterback and elite quickness after running a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash at Idaho’s Pro Day.
That’s a lot of potential value to snag in the fifth round.
