Skip to main content
Advertising

Mock Draft Tracker: Trades For Top Two Picks Shake Up First Round

Find out how the Rams and Eagles trades for the top two picks in the 2016 NFL Draft might shake up the rest of round one.

The Rams and Eagles hit the reset button on the mock draft world this past week when the two teams traded for the top two picks in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Los Angeles worked a deal with the Tennessee Titans for the No. 1 overall selection and Philadelphia made a trade with the Cleveland Browns for the No. 2 slot. When the draft's first round gets going one week from today on April 28 in Chicago, the Rams and Eagles are widely expected to take quarterbacks - either California's Jared Goff or North Dakota State's Carson Wentz - with the top two choices.

That movement at the start of round one led to plenty of new predictions from draft gurus around the web aiming to determine how the rest of the opening round will play out. So with just seven days left before NFL teams start making these picks for real, let's take a look at which players draft analysts are now projecting to the Seahawks with the No. 26 overall pick. Interestingly enough, every expert listed here expects Seattle to use its initial selection on either an offensive or defensive lineman.

Todd McShay, ESPN.com (Insider): DT Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi

Analysis: This would mark Seattle's first Round 1 selection since 2012, but it could be a spot where a QB-needy team looks to trade ahead of Kansas City, Arizona and Denver. If Seattle says put, I wouldn't be surprised to see them take a shot on Nkemdiche or OLB Noah Spence, two high-risk, high-reward defenders. Nkemdiche is a top-10 talent who fell this far because of inconsistent 2015 tape and behavioral concerns.


Mel Kiper vs Todd McShay Head-To-Head Three-Round Mock Draft (Insider): C Ryan Kelly; DT Kenny Clark; CB Kei'Varae Russell; RB Jordan Howard

Round 1, No. 26 overall - C Ryan Kelly, Alabama: Russell Wilson was running for his life far too often last season. Kelly, my highest-rated interior offensive lineman, is a building-block piece up front. He has the size and versatility to play guard, along with the quickness, toughness and football intelligence to be a starter from Day 1 in the NFL (McShay).

Round 2, No. 56 overall - DT Kenny Clark, UCLA: Clark is a highly effective run defender who can help fill Brandon Mebane's old spot on the interior of the Seahawks' D-line (McShay).

Round 3, No. 90 overall - CB Kei'Varae Russell, Notre Dame: Russell has some upside because of his athleticism. He's a good fit for our scheme, given his strengths in zone/press coverage (McShay).

Round 3, No. 97 overall - RB Jordan Howard, Indiana: Howard isn't just a big banger, he's also capable of moving his feet and finding backside lanes. He might even be better than Derrick Henry in that regard (Kiper).


Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: DT Chris Jones, Mississippi State

Analysis: Jones has enormous upside, and he is a perfect fit in Seattle's scheme.


Charles Davis, NFL.com: DT Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi

Analysis: The Seahawks need help in the OL/DL areas, and Andrew Billings of Baylor would make a nice selection. However, I see GM John Schneider and head caach Pete Carroll "gambling" on the incredible talent of Nkemdiche, who provided plenty of "splash" plays both on D and even as a ball carrier. Now, he must show consistency.


Charley Casserly, NFL.com: DT Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi

Analysis: Nkemdiche has issues, but talent is undeniable.


Chad Reuter, NFL.com: OL Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M

Analysis: Seattle's offensive line needs an overhaul. Ifedi can play guard or tackle for the Seahawks, using his outstanding length and power to lead the way in the running game.

Take a look at NFL Media Analyst Mike Mayock's Top 5 interior defensive linemen in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Chris Burke, SI.com: C Ryan Kelly, Alabama

Analysis: Seattle gets its replacement for Max Unger, who was dealt away as part of the Jimmy Graham trade a year ago. Kelly is a high-IQ center with the movement to excel in Seattle's offensive attack.​


Robert Klemko, TheMMQB.com: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State

Analysis: Seattle's projected starting tackles at the moment are Bradley Sowell and Garry Gilliam. Powell hasn't started a game since 2013, and while Gilliam showed promise in his first season as a starter, he's no sure thing. I'd propose a scenario in which the Seahawks trade up and grab Stanley or Conklin, but history says John Schneider is more likely to trade back in the draft than sacrifice picks to move up in the first.


Rob Rang, CBSSports.com: OL Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M

Analysis: Just two years removed from their championship run, the Seahawks are essentially starting over along the offensive line with zero of the starting five blockers from Super Bowl XLVIII still on the roster. The cap-challenged Seahawks may be forced to look to the draft for reinforcements. With experience at guard and right tackle, Ifedi possesses the versatility Seattle looks for, as well as the exceptional length (including 36-inch arms) and experience blocking for a mobile quarterback.


Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: DT Jarran Reed, Alabama

Analysis: They need help inside and this is a kid who seems like a perfect fit for their scheme. He is tough and quick.


Dane Brugler, CBSSports.com: OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana

Analysis: With Russell Okung signing with Denver, the Seahawks need fresh blood at offensive tackle. Spriggs has core strength issues, but his frame and athleticism will be extremely appealing for teams with needs on the offensive line.


Will Brinson, CBSSports.com: OG Cody Whitehair, Kansas State

Analysis: The Seahawks need to improve their offensive line, especially on the interior, in a very bad way. Picking up Whitehair gives them some versatility and flexibility if they don't want to keep going with defensive tackles on the interior.


And if you're a Game of Thrones fan like me, you'll appreciate this last one..

Analysis: Gives team a great excuse to play System of a Down's "Spiders" in pre-game warmups. So that's something.


RELATED

Take a look at NFL Media Analyst Mike Mayock's Top 5 offensive tackles in the 2016 NFL Draft.

This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.
Advertising