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The 2016 NFL Draft is still more than three months away, but experts who cover the League's annual event have already started thinking about where prospects will land when the first round of the selection process gets underway on April 28.
With the club's season-ending divisional round playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday, the Seahawks now know they own the No. 26 overall pick in this year's draft. It's the highest draft pick Seattle has held since prior to the 2013 season, when the team traded the No. 25 overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings as part of the deal for wide receiver Percy Harvin.
The last time the Seahawks made a pick in the first round dates back to 2012, when Seattle went after defensive end Bruce Irvin with the No. 15 overall pick after trading down from No. 12 overall with the Philadelphia Eagles. As mentioned above, the Seahawks' 2013 first-round pick went to Minnesota, and their 2014 and 2015 first-round picks were parted with as well. Seattle traded the No. 32 overall pick to the Vikings for more picks later in the 2014 draft and sent the No. 31 overall selection in 2015 to the New Orleans Saints as part of the deal to acquire Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham.
So even though Executive VP/General Manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll haven't made a pick in the first round over the past three years, here's a look at which players media pundits think could help the Seahawks if chosen in 2016's opening round:
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks: NT Andrew Billings, Baylor
Analysis: "Pete Carroll continues to guide the Seahawks deep into the postseason behind a dominant defense that features a number of stalwarts along the front line. Billings is an active defender with Brandon Mebane-like skills as an interior playmaker."
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah: DT Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech
Analysis: "Butler is gaining a lot of steam in personnel circles and he'd look great in this scheme."
ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. (Insider): CB Eli Apple, Ohio St.
Analysis: "The next two guys to come off the board (Penn St. DT Austin Johnson, UCLA DT Kenny Clark) would also be worth considering, because age is now a concern on the interior of that defensive line, but a long, physical cornerback who is a fearless tackler is a great fit for Pete Carroll. Yes, the secondary is a strength in Seattle, but it's impossible to have too many corners who can play, and one injury changes the depth equation in a heartbeat."
ESPN.com's Todd McShay (Insider): DT Maliek Collins, Nebraska
Analysis: "Collins is still developing as a player, but he's a hard worker with great feet/hand quickness for his size (6-2, 300 pounds). While his production is down from a year ago (6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks), the whole team struggled under a new coaching staff. His explosive first step still showed up on tape. Collins would really thrive in Seattle."
WalterFootball.com: OLB Darron Lee, Ohio St.
Analysis: "The Seahawks might be losing Bruce Irvin this offseason. Irvin is going to hit free agency in March, and he discussed going to Atlanta in the past. If he leaves, Seattle will need a new linebacker to go along with Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright."
CBSSports.com's Rob Rang: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio St.
Analysis: "Seattle's offensive line was a weak spot all season and with pending free agent left tackle Russell Okung likely to draw significant attention on the open market, the cap-challenged Seahawks may be forced to look to the draft for reinforcements. The 6-7, 315-pound Decker has the size and physicality offensive line coach Tom Cable prefers at tackle and is athletic enough to block in space."
CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler: OT Jack Conklin, Michigan St.
Analysis: "Seattle has several question marks on the offensive line, including the future of Russell Okung, who is in a contract year. Conklin isn't the most athletic player, but he plays with patience and power to win the point of attack and control speed rushers."
Team photographer Rod Mar shot what turned out to be his final photo essay of the 2015 season, as the Seahawks traveled to North Carolina and fell to the Panthers in the NFC Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs.
12s lined the streets near VMAC and along S. 188th Street near Sea-Tac Airport to wish the Seahawks well as they embarked on the trip to face the Carolina Panthers in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Bobby Wagner walks up the stairs to the rear door of the team's Delta charter for the long flight to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Five hours later, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson walks across the tarmac after disembarking from the team's charter in North Carolina.
On Saturday, receivers Jermaine Kearse and Tyler Lockett found a moment to relax before boarding the buses to the team's walk-thru.
Offensive linemen Russell Okung, Garry Gilliam and Justin Britt share a laugh before the start of walk-thru.
Offensive players Luke Willson, Christine Michael, Marshawn Lynch and Cooper Helfet enjoy a light-hearted moment before walk-thru.
Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam plays a hand-eye coordination game with Tyler Lockett, Russell Wilson, Patrick Lewis and Justin Britt before the start of walk-thru.
The offense takes their place during part of Saturday's walk-thru.
Seahawks helmets, uniforms and equipment hang in the players lockers in the visitors locker room at Bank of America Stadium, home of the Panthers.
Receiver Tyler Lockett listens to music on the bus ride back from Saturday's walk-thru.
Game day brought snow flurries early in the morning, and DeShawn Shead, Cassius Marsh and team doctor Jonathan Drezner made their way to the buses.
At the stadium, 12s were waiting with suitably sized 12 flags after the Panthers established a rule on size of flags within the stadium at games.
Led by strong safety Kam Chancellor, the Seahawks defensive backs run onto the field for pregame warmups.
Head coach Pete Carroll chats with quarterback Russell Wilson as the team does its pregame stretching.
Head coach Pete Carroll takes a moment during pregame to visit with seven-year old Ade Lewis, a die-hard Seahawks fans from North Carolina who was being teased at school for being a 12. The team invited Lewis and his family to the game where they watched pregame from the sidelines and got a visit from Coach Carroll and other players.
Head coach Pete Carroll paces behind his team as they work on the 11-on-11 portion of pregame warmups in Carolina.
Quarterback Russell Wilson greets teammates and coaches as they head back into the locker room after pregame warmups.
Receiver Doug Baldwin finds a quiet corner to himself in the locker room before the game. The large 12 flag on the wall was signed by fans in Seattle on Friday at Blue Friday rallies then sent with the team on the charter.
Seahawks long-snapper Clint Gresham pauses during the hustle and bustle of the locker room before the game.
Linebacker Bruce Irvin listens to music in the final moments before the game.
Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane gathers his teammates around him and shares some final words before the team takes the field.
Captains Bobby Wagner, Russell Wilson and Jon Ryan head to midfield for the pregame coin toss.
The Seahawks were stunned when Carolina's Jonathan Stewart raced 59 yards on the first play from scrimmage to set up the Panthers first touchdown.
On the ensuing series, Justin Britt walked back to the sideline after Carolina's Luke Kiechly returned an interception for a touchdown and the Seahawks found themselves in a 14-0 hole less than five minutes into the game.
Carolina's Kawaan Short celebrates after sacking Seattle's Russell Wilson in the first quarter.
Seattle's defense continued to hit hard as Jeremy Lane, Kam Chancellor and Michael Bennet forced Carolina's Mike Tolbert to lose his helmet on this play.
Carolina's Jonathan Stewart leaps over the pile to score the Panthers' third touchdown of the first half on their way to what would eventually become a 31-0 halftime lead.
Seattle's Michael Bennett sacked Carolina's Cam Newton as the defense continued to pressure.
Seattle's offense began to come alive as receiver Doug Baldwin, as he did in the playoff game in Minnesota, leapt high to snag a pass for a first down.
Seattle's Russell Wilson escapes the grasp of Carolina's Kawaan Short on a scramble up the middle.
Seattle's Bobby Wagner flies into finish a tackle with Earl Thomas as they stop Carolina's Mike Tolbert.
At halftime, quarterback Russell Wilson talked to receivers Tyler Lockett and Doug Baldwin in the locker room.
Defensive coordinator Kris Richard gives halftime instructions.
On the other side of the locker room, assistant head coach Tom Cable addresses the offense.
Before the team returned to the field, receiver Doug Baldwin gave an impassioned speech to his teammates.
Seahawks return specialist Tyler Lockett sparked the second half with a 50-yard kickoff return.
Seahawks receiver Kevin Smith stretches the ball out at the end of a seven-yard gain in the third quarter.
Seattle's Jermaine Kearse stretches high to catch a pass from Russell Wilson for the Seahawks first score of the game, cutting the lead to 31-7 after the extra point.
Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin grimaces as he can't quite reach a deep ball from Russell Wilson in the third quarter.
Turf flies as Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson slides to avoid being hit on a scramble.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett got open of the right side of the end zone and made this 33-yard reception to cut Carolina's lead to 31-14.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson fires a pass over the middle as Justin Britt blocks the Kawaan Short of the Panthers.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch saw his first action since being sideline by injury and took on Carolina's Cortland Finnegan in the open field.
Tight end Luke Willson can't grasp a pass just out of his reach in the end zone in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's Jermaine Kearse leaps to catch a three-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson and the Seahawks cut the lead to 31-21.
Seattle head coach Pete Carroll celebrates after he watched his team score 21 unanswered points to cut the lead to 31-21 in the fourth quarter.
Carolina quarterback Cam Newton reacts on the sidelines after watching the Seahawks cut the lead to ten points at 31-21 in the fourth quarter.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell consults with quarterback Russell Wilson during a break in the action.
Seattle kicker Steven Hauschka and holder Jon Ryan watch as Hauschka's 36-yard field goal with 1:16 left in the game cut the lead to 31-24.
Needing the ball back trailing by seven, Seattle tried an onside kick which was recovered by the Panthers, ending the Seahawks valiant comeback.
Head coach Pete Carroll stalks the sidelines in the final moments of the game.
Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse reacts as he walks onto the field after the loss to the Panthers.
Receivers coach Dave Canales hugs Doug Baldwin on the Seahawks sideline after the final whistle.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera shakes hands with Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch after the game.
Quarterback Russell Wilson holds hands with players of both teams in the postgame prayer.
Head coach Pete Carroll addresses his team in the locker room after the season-ending loss.
Seahawks players listen as head coach Pete Carroll addresses them after the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll reaches his hand together with his players and assistant coaches at the end his postgame address to the team.
The Seahawks join hands in the locker room for the last time in the 2015 season after falling to Carolina, 31-24 in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Safety Earl Thomas was the last player left in the locker room, and remained dressed in his uniform well after the last player had left.
Players and coaches walk from the bus to the airplane as the team departed for Seattle after the loss to the Panthers.
On the plane ride home, Hall-of-famer Cortez Kennedy spoke with, then asked for a photo with current defensive standouts Bobby Wagner, Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor.
12s lined the streets to greet the team and show their support on Sunday night after the plane landed back in Seattle.
Fans also gathered outside of the VMAC to greet the Seahawks upon their return to the team's headquarters.
