The NFL draft is now two weeks away, which means the Seahawks and 31 other NFL teams are in the final stages of preparation for a draft that will look very different than any we've seen before. While a virtual draft is going to be different and present its logistical challenges, the show will go on, so let's take another look at what the draft experts think the Seahawks will do with their first-round pick, No. 27 overall.
Of course, it's worth keeping in mind that there is a very real chance the Seahawks won't pick at No. 27 when the draft actually takes place. Seattle last used its original first-round pick in 2011 when it selected James Carpenter, and every year since the Seahawks have either traded back in the first round, traded back out of the first round entirely, or traded their first-round pick for a player ahead of the draft.
Schrager: "Epenesa is a favorite of a lot of NFL GMs. He's all business, a student of the game, was a multi-sport star in high school and can play different positions across the defensive line.
The Seahawks have one of the savviest front offices in the sport. Epenesa would be a good fit with what they do up in Seattle."
Jeremiah: "Jackson was very up and down last season, but he's an outstanding athlete. He should continue to improve as a pro."
McShay: "Value, value, value. In my eyes, Chaisson is the second-best edge rusher in the draft class behind Young, and he really popped at the end of the 2019 season, so getting him here is a terrific return. With Jadeveon Clowney's future still up in the air, Seattle's edge is a dearth of playmakers. In fact, the Seahawks only got home on the quarterback 28 times last season, tied for No. 29 in the NFL, with Clowney. Chaisson has good bend and burst off the edge."
McShay did a two-round mock, and has Seattle picking Wisconsin center Tyler Biadasz (No. 59 overall) and North Carolina defensive tackle Jason Strowbridge (No. 64 overall) in the second round.
Kelly: "Explosive, gap-shooting defensive tackle with a wrecking ball mentality. He's raw, but has all of the necessary traits to develop into a chaos creator."
Kelly's latest mock is a two-rounder, and in the second round he has Seattle taking Southern Illinois safety Jeremy Chinn with pick No. 59, and Auburn tackle Prince Tega Wanogho with pick No. 64.
Wilson: "Justin Britt is in the final year of a three-year deal, and Ruiz, who is the best pass-blocking center in this class, can also play guard."
Hanson: "Jadeveon Clowney remains a free agent and while he has recently lowered his price tag, at least one NFL insider says the chances of Clowney returning to Seattle is "slim to none." While the team has agreed to a contract with Bruce Irvin, who spent 2012-15 in Seattle, he'll be 33 in November. Gross-Matos has ideal length, a non-stop motor and quick first step, and has recorded 34.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks over the past two seasons combined."
Hanson's mock covers five rounds, and you can find all those picks here.
Smith: "Drafting Reagor wouldn't fill one of Seattle's biggest needs, but the former TCU star has speed to burn, excels at high-pointing the football, and can create chunk yardage after the catch, which has been an area of weakness for the team. Despite playing with shaky quarterbacks at the college level, he amassed over 2,200 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in three seasons for the Horned Frogs. Capable of running routes from the outside and the slot, torching defenses as a runner on jet sweeps and reverses, and hitting home runs as a kick and punt return specialist, he boasts the type of versatility the Seahawks covet at the position. Teaming him with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf would give Russell Wilson arguably the fastest, and one of the most talented, receiving trios in the entire NFL."
Smith has Seattle taking Reagor at No. 30 overall after a trade, and has mock picks for Seattle’s entire draft.
