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Well, this is new.
Actually, it's probably mostly old. John Schneider is still our GM, and every trusted source in the world has basically said that he was the head honcho of our draft ops during Carroll's tenure. Still, we're picking for a new head coach with a different aura from a different school of ball.
16 is an interesting native spot in this draft. We're smack dab in the middle of what figures to be an extremely attractive range for certain teams to trade up into to fulfill needs at offensive tackle, cornerback, or even quarterback. There's likely some added incentive to trade back given our lack of a second rounder. However, there's arguments to be made for sticking and picking, as we WOULD be moving down a talent tier when players like Terrion Arnold, Quinyon Mitchell, JC Latham, Byron Murphy, and a few others have very real chances of being available.
I think there are scenarios that exist in which we stick, and scenarios that exist in which we vacate 16 for day 2 value. We'll see.
I think sticking and picking is contingent upon one factor above the others: Byron Murphy being available. Byron has stated that he's been told that "he won't be on the board past the top-16 picks." We just happen to hold 16. Yeah, I'm reading into that. John Schneider values having a large stable on the DL, and Macdonald obviously likes to bring the ruckus from the front-7. You can never have enough on the defensive front 7. Ever.
With that said: I don't think he lasts. In fact, I have him going at number 9 to Chicago, who are reportedly extremely interested. So we trade back. I think Green Bay and Kansas City are the likely suitors, and Green Bay has more to offer. Both would be gunning for a tackle.
So, without further ado, here's my yearly mock draft where I get every single pick wrong. Enjoy.
TRADE: Seattle trades picks 16 and 118 to Green Bay for picks 25, 58, and 126.
Round 1, Pick 25: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
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Call it a gut feeling.
This pick would be a bit unpopular because most don't see a preeminent need on the edge. John Schneider has a history of hedging positions that saw injuries the year prior, and our edge rush failed down the stretch with Uchenna Nwosu out. While Boye Mafe is promising, Seattle will surely be looking to fill the spot in further with talent. It's a crucial position that you need to be several guys deep at.
Chop has a blazing 10 yard split (1.54), which Seattle is known to favor as a predictive success indicator for edge rushers.
Seattle has held a 30 visit with Chop.
Round 2, Pick 58: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
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Note: Colson could very well go much higher. There have been some mentions of him sneaking into day 1 recently, and it makes sense. The consensus board may disagree, but I believe that he's the top LB coming out and translates the best to the pro game.
He's prototypical, he's strong, he's got the frame, and he's got the Michigan connection. Colson knows Macdonald and he'll have a head start with that in mind. I think he's going to be under consideration with our first rounder, and they'd be overjoyed to grab him here.
Round 3, Pick 81: Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
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This defense needs reloading on the back end, and Mustapha appears to fit like a glove. He plays with fire, he's built like a running back, and he has the type of range to grow into a commanding force in the defensive backfield. A synergistic fit with the feist that Spoon injected into this secondary.
Round 4, Pick 102: Mason McCormick, OG, South Dakota State University
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Despite the addition of Laken Tomlinson as a hedge, guard is still a need. Mason McCormick is an agile guard who played very well for a smaller school, and his profile matches a lot of what Seattle looks for - namely his 20yd shuttle, which is an elite 4.45s. 20yd shuttle has a strong correlation with NFL success. Abe Lucas is an example of a guy with an elite shuttle who came in and succeeded immediately, and he's just one in a strong trend. Zach Tom is another example.
Mason would compete with Laken immediately, but would likely be depth in year 1 behind Laken and ready to take over a guard spot in his sophomore year.
Round 4, Pick 126: McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M
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Look at that guy.
He's got
that frame at 330.
McKinnley Jackson is a likely hidden gem, in my eyes. He's strong as hell, is explosive off of the snap, and held up well despite likely being misused as a 0-tech lining up in a 4 point squat.
Here's a snippet on him from McGinn.
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I'll tell you now - you don't have that body at 330 if you're lazy or unmotivated. He loves football and he's a badass who sets the tone. That's what this team is in need of. He's just a football player, man.
Round 6, Pick 172: Dallin Holker, TE, Colorado State
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Dallin Holker is a total gamer. He has a knack for making catches in traffic, and he has a knack for reeling it in when the chips are down. He's not the fastest, but he has a very underrated level of twitch and agility to his game (also an excellent 3-cone at 6.83 seconds, which is a good number for a 190lb. slot receiver and a crazy number for a 240 lb. tight end). He can throw a block decently, as well. Everything you'd want out of a TE3 that'll be competing for TE2 come next year.
Holker immediately caught my attention in the Colorado v. CSU matchup, where he looked like an elevating force in a marquee matchup. Could be a steal, but is probably promising depth at the very least.
Round 6, Pick 192: Tylan Grable, OT, UCF
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We met with John Rhys Plumlee, the quarterback from UCF. My personal theory is that his visit was more about getting intel on his teammates Javon Baker and this guy here, Tylan Grable. Grable was Plumlee's blindside protector. Grable has a profile that could see him as a swing tackle or a guard convert, with length to handle any spot and a great 6'6" frame. Slender, muscular. Grable is a great athlete who was a star high school quarterback. You're not going to do much better if you're looking for an OL at this juncture. UCF's scheme didn't have him doing much, but he did well and is an enticing ball of clay. Potential quality depth who could end up backing up 4 spots across the OL, with an outside chance of developing into a starter in time.
Round 7, Pick 235: Lideatrick Griffin, KR/WR, Mississippi State
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The NFL kickoff rule change has put an increased value on the kick return position, as actual returns will now happen at several times the rate they did before. Lideatrick Griffin was one of the top returners in the nation last year with a high average. He's not a 4.3 burner, but he's a low-4.4 guy with a clear understanding of angles and lanes. Offers limited upside as a receiver but could develop into a depth piece deep threat/YAC guy.
Recap:
1/25: Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State
2/58: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
3/81: Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest
4/102: Mason McCormick, OG, SDSU
4/126: McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M
6/172: Dallin Holker, TE, CSU
6/179: Tylan Grable, OT, UCF
7/235: Lideatrick Griffin, KR/WR, Mississippi State
Alternate picks/Guys to watch:
Matt Goncalves, OT, Pitt
Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas
Marshawn Kneeland, DL, Western Michigan
Javon Baker, WR, UCF
George Holani, RB, Boise State
Ladarius Henderson, OT/OG, Michigan
Zak Zinter, OG, Michigan
Dominick Puni, OG, Kansas
Javon Bullard, S, Georgia
Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State
Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois
Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan
Michael Hall Jr., DT, Ohio State
Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
Maason Smith, DT, LSU
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina
Michael Barrett, LB, Michigan
