The Seattle Seahawks underwent a massive change this offseason. Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for this year’s ninth and 40th overall selections, next year’s first and second-round selections, a fifth-round pick this year, Drew Lock, Noah Fant, and Shelby Harris. Along with the departure of Wilson, Seattle has also reportedly received trade offers for Tyler Lockett. With Wilson gone, the Seahawks enter the draft with eight selections and a roster that desperately needs help.
To help with this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
Round 1, Pick 9: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Seahawks have never taken a cornerback before the third round under John Schneider and Pete Carroll. The change at quarterback comes with change across the rest of the roster. The current starters at the cornerback spots for Seattle are Sidney Jones and Tre Flowers. In a division with Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray, and whoever is the starter for San Francisco, the Seahawks have to find viable options at their cornerback spots. This pick slots in Gardner as the top cornerback on the roster for the foreseeable future. The Cincinnati cornerback didn’t allow a single touchdown during his collegiate career. If Gardner is available with the ninth selection, the Seahawks should run the card up to the table.
For more on Gardner, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 2, Pick 40: Tyler Smith, OL, Tulsa
Seattle’s offensive line has been a mess for as long as Wilson was on the squad. With Duane Brown and Brandon Shell still not re-signed, the Seahawks need to find someone to start at both their tackle spots. Smith has been a significant riser throughout the pre-draft process and could play either tackle spot or one of the guard spots for Seattle. Smith could go higher than this, but he was still on the board when the Seahawks were on the clock with the 40th pick, so he is the selection here.
Round 2, Pick 41: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
With Wilson gone, the Seahawks will likely take a stab at a quarterback as a trade-up in round one or take one to develop from day two. Ridder is a perfect example of a quarterback that can come right in and compete with Lock for the starting job. The NFL seems to be higher on the Cincinnati quarterback than the general media, so there is a small chance he could go day one, but he will likely come off the board early in the second round.
For more on Ridder, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 3, Pick 72: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
As stated in the write-up for Smith, the Seahawks desperately need help along their offensive line. In the third round, they get a player that can immediately fill one of their starting tackle spots. Lucas has logged a ton of starting reps at right tackle for Washington State and would slide in at the same spot for the Seahawks.
For more on Lucas, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 4, Pick 109: Matthew Butler, DL, Tennessee
The Seahawks could be a fit for Jordan Davis in round one. Well, since they went in a different direction, they instead add another option early on day three of the draft. Butler could go higher than this, but the Seahawks take a player that could factor in quickly for a team that desperately needs an infusion of talent.
Round 5, Pick 152: Dominique Robinson, EDGE, Miami (OH)
Another popular option for the first selection the Seahawks have is taking a pass-rusher. Seattle did add Uchenna Nwosu in free agency, but Rasheem Green wasn’t re-signed, and the Seahawks have made it a priority in recent years to fix their pass-rush group. Darrell Taylor had a 6.5-sack rookie season last year. With the addition of Nwosu, an edge-rusher isn’t specifically the biggest need, but adding another player earlier than this may be ideal. Robinson is a favorite of many on day three, and the Seahawks scoop him up as a depth piece in their rotation.
Round 5, Pick 153: Jack Sanborn, LB, Wisconsin
With the departures of K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner in the last two seasons, Seattle needs help in their linebacker room. Jordyn Brooks has developed nicely, but Sanborn could immediately line up and start for the Seahawks in the middle of their defense. Outside of Brooks, the current linebackers on the roster are Jon Rhattigan, Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Cody Barton, Tanner Muse, and Ben Burr-Kirven. Sanborn may be able to come in and immediately get snaps for Seattle.
Round 7, Pick 229: Brock Hoffman, OL, Virginia Tech
The Seahawks end with another offensive lineman selection with Hoffman. The Virginia Tech offensive lineman somehow didn’t receive a combine invite but is well worth a draft selection. Hoffman started two seasons at Coastal Carolina before transferring to Virginia Tech. He would slot in as a backup center to the recently acquired Austin Blythe.
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