When the Carolina Panthers ended the Seattle Seahawks season in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, work started immediately not just on keeping the players they needed to keep, but on adding a few key free agents. The Seahawks come into this draft in decent shape and with a few more moves, should be able to find a way to fit nine draft picks onto their team.
This Seahawks Perfect Mock Draft addresses a lot of the holes left by departed player, replacing them with young, productive guys that can make a quick impact at the NFL level. To see every team’s Perfect Draft click here.
Round 1, Pick 26 – Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
2015: 395 carries, 2,219 yards, 5.6 yards per carry, 28 touchdown, 11 catches, 91 yards, 6-foot-3, 247 pounds
Regardless of how well Thomas Rawls stepped in for Marshawn Lynch last season, I can’t imagine the Seahawks would pass up on Henry if he falls right into their lap at this pick. Production? Unmatched in college football? Size? He’s a monster and he’s fast too, clocking a 4.54 40-yard dash at the NFL combine then a 4.52 at Alabama’s Pro Day. No one in the NFL will want to tackle a 250-pound house running at 18 miles per hour at them in the pros any more than they did in college. Henry will be bigger than some of the offensive linemen blocking for him. He’ll be just as big as the linebackers coming after him. How he ends up in the second round on some of the draft boards I’ve seen is a mystery. He’s literally the elephant Crimson Tide mascot come to life.
Round 2, Pick 56 – Kamalei Correa, OLB, Boise State
2015: 36 tackles, nine for a loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles, 6-foot-3, 243 pounds
Correa’s production was down last season, but if you look at his 2014 stats it’s easy to see the NFL prospect there, especially with his 19 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks. While his numbers might have taken a hit, his versatility worked for Boise State as they played him at every position across the defensive line. He should be able to rush the passer for Seattle on day one, replacing Bruce Irvin on those downs. The rest of his outside linebacker duties will take some time to learn.
Round 3, Pick 90 – Sheldon Day, DT, Notre Dame
2015: 45 tackles, 15.5 for a loss, 4 sacks, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, 6-foot-1, 293 pounds
Day may have the first move off the snap of any defensive lineman in this draft class. He uses that quickness and his strength to part the line and live in the opposing team’s backfield. Defensive tackle has not been a spot where the Seahawks’ defense has gotten a lot of production, even in their best years. A player like Day can change that.
Round 3, Pick 97 – Harlan Miller, CB, Southeastern Louisiana
2015: 49 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, four interceptions, 10 passes defended, 6-foot-1, 182 pounds
Miller is the prototype zone corner for the Seahawks who can play man when he needs to. His entire college career was mostly spent in one-on-one match ups, but his 4.54 speed could make that an issue in the pros. With safety help over the top, though, Miller is the big, physical corner that the Seahawks have been so successful with over the last few seasons.
Round 4, Pick 124 – Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia
2015: 58 catches, 865 yards, five touchdowns, 6-foot-0, 198 pounds
Mitchell’s college career was hampered by injuries, but the potential to be a super star is still there for the former five-star recruit out of high school. Mitchell made it through 2015 healthy and even with a down year for Georgia that got its coach fired, he still produced, averaging a career-high 14.9 yards per catch. In a slow class of wide receivers Mitchell stands out, putting up a 4.45 at the combine and following that up with a 4.40 at his pro day.
Round 5, Pick 171 – Stephen Weatherly, DE, Vanderbilt
2015: 39 tackles, 8.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, three passes defended, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, 6-foot-4, 267 pounds
Weatherly is exactly the kind of player the Seahawks turn into a defensive superstar. He’s raw, but he’s produced in the SEC against top-tier talent and ran a blistering 4.53 40-yard dash at his pro day to go with a 31-inch vertical.
Round 6, Pick 215 – Clay DeBord, OT, Eastern Washington
2015: Started 50 games, 6-foot-6, 308 pounds
The Seahawks have the best offensive line coaching crew in the league and I’m giving them three prospects to hone into starters to wrap this draft up. DeBord had to fight his way onto Eastern Washington’s roster, but when he hit the field he was a four-year starter at left tackle.
Round 7, Pick 228 – Joe Gore, OT, Clemson
2015: Three-year starter, 6-foot-5, 304 pounds
A key component of one of the best offensive lines in college football, Gore is a tough, smart kid who had to come back from apedicitis surgery in the middle of the 2014 season. He graduated early too, so any questions about discipline and heart should be out the window. A surprisingly good athlete Gore was actually brought in as a four-star defensive lineman recruit as a freshman. Considering how much the Seahawks like turning defensive lineman into offensive lineman, most of that work is already done with Gore.
Round 7, Pick 250 – LaQuan McGowan, OG/TE, Baylor
2015: two catches, 23 yards, two touchdowns, 6-foot-6, 405 pounds
You want a guy that can do it all? How about the monster offensive lineman that converted to the biggest skill player in college football. McGowan’s size and athleticism should go without saying, but go ahead and pop up a Youtube clip of one of his touchdowns and see if you can find a place for a guy like that on your team.
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