Post Fire Sale Mock Draft: Who Do Seahawks Land After Geno Smith, DK Metcalf Trades?
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North Dakota State tackle Grey Zabel prepares for a snap during a regular season game. Credit: Grey Zabel/Instagram [/caption]
Well, that escalated quickly, didn’t it?
A busy weekend for the Seattle Seahawks led to trading away two figureheads of their offense. They dealt quarterback Geno Smith to the Raiders and receiver DK Metcalf to the Steelers, adding two day two selections to their draft treasure chest.
Now with 10 total draft picks, including five in the first 92 selections thanks to the Smith and Metcalf trades, general manager John Schneider certainly has his work cut out for him. This, all of a sudden, becomes the most important offseason of his entire Seahawks tenure.
After signing Sam Darnold as Smith’s successor, Seattle has checked off the quarterback spot in free agency, but needs aplenty remain on offense with the best receiving option outside of Jaxon Smith-Njigba being Jake Bobo. Not to mention, the offensive line remains a mess that needs shored up.
What can the Seahawks do to maximize their abundance of draft capital? A post-fire sale seven-round mock draft:
Round 1, Pick 18: Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State
This guy has shot up draft boards and has entered the conversation for first round-worthy after starring at the Senior Bowl and performing well during testing at the NFL combine. Given his elite versatility with prior experience playing all five positions along the offensive line, the Seahawks almost have to pull the trigger. Zabel instantly becomes their best interior lineman.
At the best FCS program in college football, Zabel logged over 900 career snaps at both tackle spots while also spot-starting at both guard spots. He even has 17 career snaps at center. At the Senior Bowl, he played all three interior positions and was a standout player. The Seahawks need about four of him.
Round 2, Pick 50: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
One of the freakiest athletes to show up at the NFL Combine, Porter put on a show. He has Riq Woolen vibes with his other-worldly size, length, and speed. Yet he’s more polished as a boundary corner with an abundance of experience against Big 12 competition.
Having Porter and Woolen, two of the freakiest athletes playing cornerback on planet Earth, in the same secondary, would be a huge advantage for Seattle. Also, Porter acts as insurance in case Woolen is not retained beyond this coming season entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Round 2, Pick 52*: Jared Ivey, EDGE, Ole Miss
*from Steelers
Ivey is not a polished product, as most prospects outside the first round are not. However, there’s enough juice in his pass rushing repertoire and versatility to bring him into the fold as a fun chess piece for Macdonald’s defense.
Ivey notched 12.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss over his last two seasons at Ole Miss. He can rush from way out wide as an outside linebacker, from a 5-tech spot with his hand on the turf, or even inside in the 3-tech slot. He was in the top 10 in the SEC in quarterback pressures. He could stand to add more mass to hold his own in run defense, but he’s an intriguing pass rushing prospect.
Round 3, Pick 82: Savion Williams, WR, TCU
The low-hanging fruit would be to say that Williams could be DK Metcalf’s replacement since he’s 6-4.
However, Williams’ frame is leaner and he ran a 4.48 versus Metcalf’s insane 4.33. At this point, fellow TCU alum Quentin Johnston might be a better comparison. Williams is a raw athlete without a refined route tree database. Still, the raw athleticism and sheer size are enough to work with as a late day two selection.
Round 3, Pick 92*: Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
*from Raiders
Make no mistake, Milroe is a project. He has major flaws, most of which are fixable. When you take a quarterback in the third round, you’re going for traits and potential. At Alabama, he was an elite athlete playing quarterback instead of a quarterback who happens to be an elite athlete.
The Texas native has the physical tools you want with athleticism complemented by a rocket arm. His ability to process a defense from the pocket leaves a lot to be desired. He could have a very high ceiling if given time to develop with the right coaching staff. Patience is key and with Sam Darnold now cemented as the starter for the next few years, Seattle could be the right landing spot for that development to happen.
Round 4, Pick 137: Seth McLaughlin, C, Ohio State
The Seahawks can’t afford to leave this draft with just one new offensive lineman. McLaughlin helped Ohio State get into position for a playoff run before tearing his Achilles in November. That likely puts his availability for offseason and preseason workouts in jeopardy.
Still, the former Buckeye has got the football IQ you want in a center. He is technically sound, especially in pass protection. He allowed just one sack in his entire college career, spanning over 1,200 pass block snaps. He offers depth and intrigue at center with Olu Oluwatimi as the projected starter.
Round 5, Pick 173: Marcus Yarns, RB, Delaware
Yes, the Seahawks already have two solid backs in Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. However, Walker is a free agent after this year and Charbonnet out-performed him in several ways last season.
Yarns doesn’t have the ideal size to be a bruiser in the middle for 20-plus carries a game. However, he possesses the speed and pass-catching ability to be a quality third down and change-of-pace back and would compete against Kenny McIntosh for the third spot on the depth chart.
Round 6, Pick 186: Jalin Conyers, TE, TTU
There is a decent chance Conyers is gone by this time after turning heads at the combine. However, in this simulation, he was the best player still available. Regardless of what the Seahawks do with Noah Fant’s contract, they need more depth at tight end.
A.J. Barner had a solid rookie season in Seattle. If the Seahawks wanted to get younger at tight end, Conyers is an ideal prospect on Day 3. He’s more of an athlete playing tight end than vice versa. He has the ball skills and athleticism any offense wants in a tight end. If he can tighten up in his blocking skills, he could be a steal in a scheme that accentuates tight ends.
Round 6, Pick 212: Jamon Dumas-Johnson, LB, Kentucky
With the Seahawks bringing back Earnest Jones to pair with Tyrice Knight, the need at linebacker isn’t as dire. However, depth is key. Dumas-Johnson has a bevy of special teams experience from his early days at Georgia before becoming an impact defensive player later on at Kentucky.
After transferring to join the Wildcats, Dumas-Johnson didn’t have the same production but the tape is there from Georgia. At worst, he’s a piece to add to special teams for the Seahawks.
Round 7, pick 236; LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado
Hoping to find a replacement for Tyler Lockett in the seventh round is folly. However, Wester has a similar build and skill set. He amassed over 1,000 return yards during his college career.
Wester provides depth on special teams and maybe could develop into a useful slot receiver down the road with some lightning in a bottle potential as a deep threat.
