We’re getting towards the end of the non-playoff teams in our 2018 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft, as we’ve now reached pick #18. Let’s take a look back at the last five picks to remind ourselves who has come off the board.
13. Washington Redskins - Derwin James, S, Florida State
14. Green Bay Packers - Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
15. Arizona Cardinals - Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
16. Baltimore Ravens - Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
17. Los Angeles Chargers - Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
That brings us to a team that is not used to picking this early, and that’s the Seattle Seahawks at #18. They couldn’t make their way into the postseason this year, and their offseason moves show that they may be looking into a full-on rebuild while Russell Wilson is still in his prime years. Let’s take a look at the Seahawks.
Seattle Seahawks
2017 record: 9-7 (2nd place, NFC West)
Offseason acquisitions
S Maurice Alexander (free agent signing), WR Jaron Brown (free agent signing), TE Ed Dickson (free agent signing), OL D.J. Fluker (free agent signing), DT Tom Johnson (free agent signing), CB Akeem King (free agent signing), LB Barkevious Mingo (free agent signing), DT Shamar Stephen (free agent signing)
Offseason losses
DE Michael Bennett (traded to Philadelphia), TE Jimmy Graham (signed with Green Bay), WR Paul Richardson (signed with Washington), DT Sheldon Richardson (signed with Minnesota), OT Matt Tobin (signed with New England), TE Luke Willson (signed with Detroit)
Team needs
Cornerback - It would appear as though the end has well and truly come for the famed “Legion of Boom.” Richard Sherman now resides in San Francisco, Kam Chancellor may or may not be back this season, and Earl Thomas is getting older and more injury-prone. The biggest need in the secondary, in my opinion, is a corner to go across from promising second-year player Shaquill Griffin.
Defensive line - The Seahawks let Sheldon Richardson walk away after trading a second-round pick for him last year, and have shipped Michael Bennett to Philadelphia, where he’ll fit in perfectly, based on his recent actions. The Seahawks could stand to go with either a defensive end or a defensive tackle here. Either would provide an immediate boost.
Offensive line - It seems like the Seahawks have needed help on the offensive line roughly forever, and this year is no different. At this point, Seattle only really has two competent offensive linemen in left tackle Duane Brown and center Justin Britt. The rest are average at best or just plain bad. I know that Russell Wilson is a magician and all, but the Seahawks eventually need to hit on an offensive line pick.
Options
Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio - Davenport is a player that is definitely going to need some time to develop, as he played his college ball at a smaller school. Still, he has as much physical talent as any other defensive end in this year’s draft.
Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan - Hurst gave everyone a scare at the Scouting Combine when he was diagnosed with a heart ailment and sent home early. He has since been cleared, however, and if teams have enough confidence in the clean bill of health he’s been given, he could be the sort of 3-technique tackle that could make Seahawks fans forget Sheldon Richardson in short order.
Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame - McGlinchey might be the best offensive tackle in this year’s class. . .though if you asked five different pundits to rate this year’s offensive tackles, you might get five different names at the top of that list. . .and would certainly step in and fill the huge hole at right tackle.
Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado - Oliver is next on the board as far as corners are concerned, at least in my view. He’s a big, rangy type of corner that seems to be well-suited for the sort of aggressive, man-to-man defense the Seahawks have been known for over the years.
Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia - If the Seahawks want to address the interior of their offensive line rather than the tackle spot, Wynn could be their choice. Though he played tackle for the Bulldogs, he projects to be a guard at the next level, and might be the most athletic interior lineman left at this point.
That’s what we’ve got for the Seahawks, folks. Next up, we’ll be taking a trip to Jerryworld to make a selection for the Dallas Cowboys at #19.
Poll
With the eighteenth pick in the 2018 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft, the Seattle Seahawks (should) select ____________
This poll is closed
-
14%
Marcus Davenport, DE, UT-SA
-
11%
Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
-
45%
Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
-
17%
Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
-
10%
Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia