Most media outlets who attempt mock drafts are only willing to do the first, or maybe the first and second round. After all, trying to predict how the draft will shake out after that is nearly impossible.
However, CBS decided to go the extra mile during this nationwide quarantine and churned out an impressive seven-round mock draft, which has seven players going to the Seahawks.
The draft as a whole does a good job of identifying team needs, although it’s hard to imagine the team using three of their first five picks on players from the University of Michigan.
Regardless, here is a look at the mock draft selections, and whether or not they are a good fit for the Seahawks in 2020.
Round 1 (Pick 27) Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan
Ruiz hasn’t been discussed all that often as a first round target by the Seahawks, but with Justin Britt’s contract likely to get him cut, it makes sense for Seattle to look for his replacement early in the draft.
Ruiz is a tenacious monster up front, possessing good traits as both a run blocker and a pass blocker. He has started most of his games at center, but has some experience at guard as well, giving him the kind of versatility Carroll loves in his linemen.
If the Seahawks do want to go with an offensive lineman early, Ruiz is certainly not a bad pick.
Round 2 (Pick 59) Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse
If the Seahawks don’t go with a pass rusher in the first round, Robinson is a player people expect them to target with one of their later picks.
Using their first of two second round pick on him seems a tad early, but Robinson does have a ton of burst and bend off the edge, and with some refinement to his technique it’s not hard to imagine him becoming a prominent pass rusher in Carroll’s 4-3 defense.
Round 2 (Pick 64) Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
Niang is an imposing six-foot-seven, 328 pound monster who moves well in space and projects as an immediate starter in a run-heavy offensive front.
His footwork is suspect and he battled injury issues last year, which could impact his draft stock – especially with teams unable to do a lot of research into his medicals – but Niang would be a very solid pick with Seattle’s second pick in the second round.
Round 3 (Pick 101) Ben Bredeson, OL, Michigan
Bredeson would represent Seattle’s second offensive lineman from the University of Michigan, giving coach Pete Carroll the ultimate level of continuity up front.
Bredeson is a pure left guard prospect who excels in the run game, so it’s not hard to see why he’s an attractive name for Seattle – who likes to run the ball and is likely losing their starting left guard from last year, Mike Iupati, to free agency.
Still, Bredeson has some athletic limitations, and I’m not confident Seattle will use two of their first four picks on interior offensive linemen now that they have already signed four this offseason.
Round 4 (Pick 133) Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
Alright. Taking three players from Michigan in the first five picks? Seems unlikely, but again it’s not hard to see why Peoples-Jones would be of interest to the Seahawks.
Peoples-Jones is six-foot-two with a 33 1/2 inch wingspan and blazing speed, which would make him a nice target for Russell Wilson. However, route-running limitations could limit him to slot duty, where he would be an oversized weapon.
DPJ would have to compete with Seattle’s large receiving corps, including Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, Phillip Dorsett, Malik Turner, David Moore and John Urusa, to carve out a role in 2020. However, his combination of size and speed will definitely make him a name to watch out for on draft day.
Round 4 (Pick 144) Benito Jones, DL, Ole Miss
I do think Jones is a decent fit for the Seahawks as a 4-3 offset nose tackle, but this feels like a pretty big reach.
Jones recorded a career high 5.5 sacks last year as a senior with the Rebels, and while he does possess good leverage and pass rush capabilities, he has some athletic limitations that likely limit him to being a productive backup, as opposed to a full-time starter.
Round 6 (Pick 214) Lamical Perine, RB, Florida
The Seahawks are almost certainly going to add a running back or two to compete with Travis Homer to be the No. 3 back in 2020. Using a late round pick, like they did with Homer, seems like an ideal situation for Pete Carroll and company – and Florida’s Lamical Perine would be a great fit.
He’s a grinder who is not afraid of contact, but who lacks the necessary burst to get outside and go for big yardage. He’s similar to Chris Carson, and would provide the Seahawks with added depth at a key position of need considering how injuries ravaged them last season.
