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2017 NFL Draft: Seattle Seahawks Late-Season 7-Round Mock Draft
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The 2017 NFL Draft will provide the Seattle Seahawks a perfect opportunity to address some of their biggest needs before next season.
There’s no denying the Seattle Seahawks have been an outstanding team in 2016. They’ve already secured the NFC West crown and appear primed for a deep playoff run. Once the offseason arrives, though, much of the attention will fall on the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft.
As we’ve seen in the past, the Seahawks are experts when it comes to making the most of their available picks. They’ve been among the best teams in the NFL at finding hidden gems and consistently get solid production from their early-round additions. This year should be no different, especially with how loaded the 2017 draft class is.
Even with only six picks at this moment, the Seahawks should be able to do plenty of damage this offseason. With only a couple of glaring needs, they can address those early while adding some depth at other key positions.
Either way, I’d expect John Schneider and Pete Carroll to put together another strong class in 2017. With that, Seattle should remain among the NFL’s top annual contenders.
So without further ado, here’s my seven-round mock draft for the Seahawks.
Note: The Seahawks traded their fourth-round pick to the New England Patriots during last year’s draft. They also forfeited their fifth-round pick for violating CBA policies regarding offseason workouts. Finally, they received the Carolina Panthers’ seventh-round pick for Kevin Norwood.
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Round 1: Garett Bolles, OT — Utah
As we’ve seen this season, the Seahawks still need a lot of help along the offensive line. While injuries have played a big part in their struggles, it’s clear the talent they currently have isn’t cutting it. An upgrade or two is needed this offseason. That’s why someone such as Garett Bolles makes a lot of sense as a late-first-round target for the Seahawks.
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Bolles is a bit of a late-bloomer, as the JUCO transfer has quietly come on as a star for the Utes this season. After beating another NFL-caliber talent out for left tackle duties, he’s done nothing but impress on the blindside for Utah. It’s gotten to the point where he’s garnering first-round consideration from the draft community.
Obviously the Seahawks have already spent significant draft resources on the front five. They added three offensive linemen, including first-rounder Germaine Ifedi, during the 2016 draft. However, Seattle simply can’t sit around waiting for those players to develop into quality starters.
George Fant hasn’t been a complete disaster on the left side, but he’s no long-term answer. Drafting Bolles in the first round, though, could give the Seahawks a true cornerstone left tackle with the potential to properly protect Russell Wilson for the next decade.
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Round 2: Budda Baker, FS — Washington
As the 2016 season has progressed, it’s become clear the Seahawks need some extra talent at safety. Kam Chancellor seems to be hurt more often than not, and Earl Thomas is coming off a season-ending injury that has him pondering retirement.
Seeing as Seattle’s backups haven’t fared too well, it’s time to find an exceptional No. 3 with the potential to take over as the playmaker on the backend for the Legion of Boom. If a guy like Budda Baker is on the board in the second round, the Seahawks would be wise to pull the trigger.
Now it’s very possible Baker could be gone by the time Seattle is on the clock in the second round. Some folks have even talked about him being a Day 1 talent, so we’ll have to wait and see how it plays out in April.
If they did get him, though, they’d be getting as instinctive of a safety as you’ll find in this draft class. Baker is a sensational talent who flies to the football and has spent much of 2016 making huge plays for the Huskies. Look no further than the 65 tackles (nine for loss), two sacks, two interceptions and five pass breakups he has on the year.
Especially considering he’s a home-grown talent, the Seahawks will be hoping for an opportunity to call his name. If they get it, you can rest easy knowing they’d be getting a safety with the potential to develop into one of the NFL’s best—he’s earned comparisons to Ed Reed, after all.
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Round 3: Daeshon Hall, DE — Texas A&M
One of the main reasons the Seahawks defense has been so great over the last few years is the play of their defensive line. More specifically, it’s their ability to get after opposing quarterbacks at a consistent clip.
Obviously Seattle currently boasts plenty of talent at defensive end. Michael Bennett is still one of the NFL’s best, although injuries have been a concern as of late. Cliff Avril is still a star as well, but is getting up there in age. Frank Clark offers a lot of potential as a young edge rusher. However, I don’t think that’s enough heading into 2017.
The Seahawks need another possible star off the edge who can rack up sacks. I believe someone such as Daeshon Hall could be that guy.
The Texas A&M product is an intriguing talent who has been a bit overlooked. However, that tends to happen when you bookend a defensive line with Myles Garrett, arguably the top talent of the 2017 draft class. Still, Hall has been a productive part of the Aggies defense who more than warrants mid-round consideration.
Especially in Seattle, Hall has the upside to slide in at defensive end or outside linebacker in a Bruce Irvin-type of role. With plenty of athleticism, speed and bend around the edge, don’t be surprised to see the Seahawks take a long, hard look at him.
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Round 6: Davon Godchaux, DT — LSU
When it comes to the defensive tackle position, the Seahawks have a lot going against them right now. First off, they’re set to lose two defensive tackles to free agency this offseason, including starter Tony McDaniel. While losing McDaniel and John Jenkins wouldn’t be crippling, it would certainly be a blow to Seattle’s depth at the position.
Second, Atybha Rubin is getting up there in age. He’s definitely held his own through two seasons with the Seahawks, but is 30 years old and is showing signs of wear. Plus, he’s not exactly a prominent interior presence from a pass-rushing standpoint.
The Seahawks need to get younger in the middle of the defensive line. The addition of Jarran Reed during the 2016 draft was a big get, but they need more options along the interior moving forward.
Grabbing someone like Davon Godchaux in the later rounds would not only give the Seahawks some added depth, but he’s got some serious upside. The LSU defensive tackle is often overlooked among the Tigers’ sea of NFL talent. But you better believe Godchaux is more than capable of being a difference maker at the next level.
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Round 7 (via CAR): Cethan Carter, TE — Nebraska
More than likely, you haven’t heard of Cethan Carter unless you’re a Big Ten fan. It’s understandable considering he doesn’t put up huge numbers and isn’t exactly a star for the Cornhuskers. And still, he’s well worth the consideration in the later rounds.
What really stands out when you watch film of Carter is his relentless motor. While he isn’t an elite athlete and isn’t the strongest tight end out there, he wins with effort. He’s always fighting for more yards after the catch and is one of the better blocking tight ends in the 2017 draft class.
That’s what really gets me intrigued about his potential at the next level. It’s often hard to find a tight end who blocks with as much enthusiasm as Carter. What’s more is that he routinely wins in the run game, overwhelming defenders with his tenacity. Once he gets some coaching with his footwork, I could see him developing into a well-rounded asset for the Seahawks.
While finding a starter isn’t necessary with the way Jimmy Graham has played this year, Seattle could use some depth at tight end. Luke Willson and Brandon Williams are both scheduled for free agency in 2017. That would leave only Graham and Nick Vannett as the Seahawks tight ends. Carter can step in and make a difference from Day 1, whether it’s in goal-line situations or on special teams.
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Round 7: Psalm Wooching, OLB – Washington
Over the years, the Seahawks have done a great job of finding hidden gems when it comes to late-round/undrafted linebackers. A player like Brock Coyle comes to mind.
So with a small need at outside linebacker looming over them this offseason, they could look to find another diamond in the rough. One guy who seems to fit the bill is local product Psalm Wooching, who has quietly emerged as a legitimate NFL talent in 2016.
Prior to this year, no one was saying Wooching possessed any sort of pro potential. And then this summer, he emerged as a talent worth taking seriously. He earned a starting job for the Huskies and has spent most of 2016 proving he warrants at least a look as a late-round pick with some upside.
What really makes Wooching special is his relentless motor and undying work ethic. He’s lacking some physical tools that may limit his upside, but he’s got the tenacity to bring plenty of value to Seattle—especially as a project/special teams ace.
With Michael Morgan potentially leaving via free agency, the Seahawks need some more options at outside linebacker. While I don’t think Wooching will be ready to start anytime soon, he has the talent and determination to at least provide solid depth.
