One week into the new League year the NFL's free-agent frenzy has started to stall, with the Seahawks re-signing cornerback Jeremy Lane, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, and punter Jon Ryan, adding defensive tackle Sealver Siliga and offensive linemen Bradley Sowell and J'Marcus Webb, and saying farewell to linebacker Bruce Irvin, defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, and offensive linemen J.R. Sweezy and Alvin Bailey.
More moves are sure to be made before the 2016 NFL Draft gets going on April 28, but free agency's initial comings and goings have led to changes in several of the most recent mock drafts from around the web. So with free agency's first week in the rear-view mirror and the League's annual selection process just a month and a half away, let's take a look at which players NFL experts are projecting to Seattle with pick No. 26 in this year's first round:
Cris Collinsworth, ProFootballFocus.com: C Ryan Kelly, Alabama
Analysis: The more football I watch, the more I'm convinced that center is a very underrated position. The other thing I've noticed is that edge rushers are almost entirely dependent on the interior rushers getting a push that keeps the QB from stepping up in the pocket. I like Kelly's size. He should be able to hold his ground in the passing game to allow Russell Wilson to step up, get some movement on tough double teams, and still have the quickness get to the second level when needed. So many teams put a premium on the center's ability to get to the second level that they sign smaller centers that can move. I would put the premium on strength and size that could hold the point and allow my quarterback to step up. The Seahawks need help along that offensive line, and losing Max Unger in the Jimmy Graham trade last offseason hurt, but combining a talented young center like Kelly with Russell Wilson would give the Seahawks a communication tandem that would last a decade.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: DE Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
Analysis: After losing Bruce Irvin in free agency, the Seahawks could use another designated pass rusher to play a key role in their sub-packages.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: CB Eli Apple, Ohio St.
Analysis: He fits the profile of what the Seahawks look for in CBs.
Chris Burke, SI.com: G Joshua Garnett, Stanford
Analysis: Garnett and Kansas State's Cody Whitehair are the top two guard options in this class, and either would work here. Seattle also will be looking for tackles, but the guard combo hardly inspires confidence. Garnett can flat out maul in the run game. If the Seahawks sign a guard ... they might just take a tackle here instead. Circling back to a point made earlier, though, this stands out as a spot where Cleveland could jump up to nab a QB if it takes a defender early. The Seahawks get pick No. 32 (plus another one later), and the Browns get their potential 2016 starter under center.
Rob Rang, CBSSports.com: T Jack Conklin, Michigan State
Analysis: Seattle's offensive line was a weak spot in 2015 and has already lost two former starters in J.R. Sweezy and Alvin Bailey in free agency, with two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Russell Okung a candidate to leave as well. The cap-challenged Seahawks may be forced to look to the draft for reinforcements. Conklin is a former walk-on turned All-American who plays with the aggression and physicality that the Seahawks lacked up front a year ago.
Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: T Jack Conklin, Michigan State
Analysis: He is a self-made player who would really help a line that needs it. Conklin could play guard or tackle.
Dane Brugler, CBSSports.com: T Jason Spriggs, Indiana
Analysis: Seattle has several question marks on the offensive line, and left tackle Russell Okung is a free agent. Spriggs has core strength issues, but his frame and athleticism will be extremely appealing for teams with needs on the offensive line.
Dan Kadar, SBNation.com: T Jack Conklin, Michigan State
Analysis: Left tackle Russell Okung is still out on the open market, and if he signs elsewhere, Seattle needs to find his replacement. In this scenario, Conklin is still available and could slide into the starting job.
Check out which Seahawks players have a rooting interest in this year's March Madness NCAA men's basketball tournament.
In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, Colorado senior defensive tackle Will Pericak looks on before facing UCLA in the first quarter of an NCAA football game in Boulder, Colo. Pericak faces two opponents every Saturday: the opposing quarterback and diabetes. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado's Paul Richardson, right, runs past Iowa State's Leonard Johnson, left, in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010. (AP Photo/ Matt McClain)
Connecticut wide receiver Deshon Foxx (4) during his team's 35-10 loss to BYU in an NCAA football game in East Hartford, Conn., on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham)
Maryland defensive lineman A.J. Francis (96) carries a American flag during player introductions before the Military Bowl NCAA college football game against East Carolina, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010, in Washington. Also seen is Maryland running back Haroon Brown (32).(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Vanderbilt special teams snapper Andrew East warms up before an NCAA college football game against Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/John Flavell)
Miami's Jimmy Graham dunks in overtime period past Florida State's Ryan Reid in a college basketball game on Saturday, March 8, 2008 in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Cannon)
Miami's Jimmy Graham (80) is tackled by Duke safety Matt Daniels during the quarter of an NCAA college football game in Miami, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
Kent State's Trayion Durham (34) is brought down by Buffalo's Kristjan Sokoli (90) and Khalil Mack (46) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Amherst, N.Y., Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)
Oregon Will Tukuafu, right, and Blake Ferrras (90) tackle Utah's Eddie Wide (36) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore., Saturday Sept. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)
Baylor wide receiver Antwan Goodley (5) scores against West Virginia cornerback Travis Bell (26), right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Rod Aydelotte)
Duke tight end Cooper Helfet (81) stumbles for extra yards against Georgia Tech defensive back Dominique Reese (26), left, and corner back Rod Sweeting (6) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Atlanta, Ga., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Rich Addicks)
Texas safety Earl Thomas celebrates with the Golden Hat trophy at the end of their NCAA football game against Oklahoma in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 17 2009. Texas won 16-13. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Missouri tight end Martin Rucker, center, is sandwiched between Texas A&M's Devin Gregg, left, and Michael Bennett, right, during the second quarter of a college football game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won the game 40-26. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Texas A&M wide receiver Jeff Fuller (8) pulls in a 42-yard touchdown pass as Army defensive back Jordan Trimble (10) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin, right, congratulations offensive linesman Patrick Lewis (61) after a touchdown and extra point during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Methodist, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, in Dallas. Texas A&M won 48-3. (AP Photo/John F. Rhodes)
Texas A&M running back Christine Michael (33) breaks a tackle by Colorado cornerback Jalil Brown (23) and runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Boulder, Colo, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Kansas running back Daymond Patterson (15) and Texas A&M cornerback Steven Terrell (21) battle for the ball during the first half of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, in Lawrence, Kan. The pass was ruled incomplete. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Southern California wide receiver George Farmer, right, makes a touchdown catch as California cornerback Darius White defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Southern California tight end Anthony McCoy (86) runs with the ball between Ohio State linebacker Jermale Hines (7) and defensive back Devon Torrence (10) )during their NCAA college football game Saturday Sept., 12, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas, right, runs the ball as Southern California linebacker Michael Morgan defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Kentucky tight end Ronnie Shields (80), runs away from Tennessee-Martin defender Taino Fears-Perez (12) after a reception in their NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. Kentucky beat Tennessee-Martin 59-14. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly (10) passes as Notre Dame defensive lineman Kona Schwenke (96) watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Michigan defensive end Frank Clark (57) is seen before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
West Virginia's Mark Glowinski (64) during pre-game warmups prior to an NCAA college football game against Towson in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson)
Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson looks to pass against UNLV during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin beat UNLV 51-17. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Purdue defensive end Cliff Avril runs back an interception from Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber for a 43-yard touchdown during the first half of a football game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)
Purdue running back Brandon Cottom, left, breaks the tackle of Indiana safety Mark Murphy on his way to a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Iowa State defender Ahtyba Rubin (71) pursues Texas runningback Jamaal Charles (25) during the second quarter of their football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2006. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Colorado State quarterback Pete Thomas (4) is chased by Utah defensive tackle Sealver Siliga (98) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Jim Urquhart)
