Good afternoon, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Monday, Feb. 22 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
Mock Draft Central
As Seahawks coaches and personnel staff head to Indianapolis this week for the NFL Scouting Combine, where more than 330 prospects will compete to take the next step in their football careers, media who cover the NFL Draft each year have been busy rolling out mock drafts projecting each team's first-round picks.
Seattle owns the No. 26 overall choice in this year's selection process and defensive line has been a common mock pick to the Seahawks in round one.
A couple names have popped up more than others, including Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche and Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, each of whom will be worth keeping a close eye on as combine drills and press conferences get underway.
Here's a look at which players recent mock drafts have coming to the Seahawks this spring:
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss. Pete Carroll has never shied away from talented prospects with character concerns. Nkemdiche is unquestionably a top-10 talent with a destructive game, but off-field behavior could lead to a draft-day slide.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville. While offensive tackle might be the need pick here, I'm betting on GM John Schneider taking the better talent at another position of need. Rankins isn't the biggest interior defender out there, but you won't find many who have fewer holes.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama. The Seahawks could take some hits in free agency at the position and Robinson has enormous upside.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville. The Seahawks will be looking for active interior defenders in his draft, and that description fits Rankins' game to a tee.
Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville. Both Brandon Mebane and Ahtyba Rubin are free agents. Rankins really impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl.
Rob Rang, CBSSports.com: Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State. Seattle's offensive line was a weak spot season long 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 Seattle's offensive line coach Tom Cable prefers at tackle and is athletic enough to block in space.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN.com: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss. If a player like Cody Whitehair is still available at this point, you could see the Seahawks looking to address an immediate need on the offensive line. If not, Nkemdiche is more than a consolation prize if he can stay focused and put major off-field questions to rest. He's a top-10 talent but could see his stock slip if teams don't trust him, especially in a draft that is loaded with future impact starters on the defensive line.
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Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from the NFL, which shares a short clip of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson's workout at the 2012 combine.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle chats with Seahawks left tackle Russell Okung, who's hosting a public launch of his Greater Foundation this Thursday at Seattle's EMP Museum.
Seahawks owner Paul Allen announced he would issue two grants worth more than $2 million to battle the Zika Virus.
Mike Salk at 710Sports.com lists 10 reasons why Seattle is a great sports city.
Sheil Kapadia at ESPN.com wonders if pass rusher Chris Long, who was released by the Rams last week, would be a fit in Seattle.
Mel Kiper Jr. at ESPN.com says Seattle's positional needs match the strengths of this year's draft class.
Evan Hill at FieldGulls.com shares a Q&A with former Seahawks quarterback and Ring of Honor member Jim Zorn.
Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times has a reader mailbag answering questions about the Seahawks' cornerback position and compensatory draft picks.
And Dave Boling at the Tacoma News Tribune comments on the Seahawks' offensive line situation heading into this week's combine.
