When it comes to the Seattle Seahawks, guessing what they might do in the draft is usually an exercise in futility. Under general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks have not only been very successful over the course of six drafts, landing numerous future All-Pros and Pro-Bowlers, many in the mid-to-late rounds, they have also been very unpredictable.
Aside from when they addressed an obvious need with the No. 6 pick in the 2010 draft by selecting left tackle Russell Okung, the Seahawks have almost never gone with an obvious or predictable player with their first pick in the draft. All of that being said, however, it's always fun to speculate while we wait for the actual draft to happen, so with that in mind, Seahawks.com polled a few national experts while in Indianapolis last week for the NFL scouting combine.
Anyone in the draft-prognostication business will tell you it's too early to make an accurate guess on what a team might do this early in the offseason with free agency still looming, but they are at least able to guess at the general direction a team might go while also shedding some light on what type of player might be on the board when Seattle is on the clock.
Rob Rang, Senior NFL Draft Analyst for CBS and the Sports Xchange
Rang is one of the most respected draft analysts in the business, and like a lot of people, he feels like the line of scrimmage could be Seattle's focus, both because it fits a need and because there is good value to be found along the offensive and defensive lines.
"They have to improve along the line of scrimmage," Rang said. "There are a number of offensive and defensive linemen who in this particular draft fit their needs. They should still be able to get extreme value in those spots just because of the fact that those happen to be strongest positions in this draft class."
And finding value in the trenches doesn't necessarily mean drafting a lineman in the first round.
"It's pretty deep at offensive tackle, at center and at defensive tackle specifically," Rang said. "Those are the three strongest positions in my mind, and outside linebacker is also strong. Really it's a testament to Schneider and his scouting staff that it seems like every year, they're planning not just for the next year's draft, but the year after that as well."
What Rang is getting at is that the Seahawks don't just wait until a particular draft to address the needs the team has that offseason, but rather they have the foresight to recognize a year or two out what the strength of a future draft might be, then line up possible holes in the roster with that year's draft.
"That's something that's fairly unique," Rang said. "When I watch other clubs across the league, it seems like they're always reacting, and the Seahawks do a pretty nice job of looking ahead and aligning their needs with that's going to be the strengths of that year's draft class."
As for some specific names that might makes sense for Seattle at 26, Rang says, "There's a lot of positions and a lot of different players. If you're looking at offensive tackle, I've said Ohio State's Taylor Decker, Michigan State's Jack Conklin. The player who's got a lot of buzz about him right now is Indiana's Jason Spriggs—four-year starter with really long arms and really showed off his strength. He's a former tight end, so he has the athleticism and the strength you're looking for. At guards, Joshua Garnett from Stanford is a tough guy. Then this year's defensive tackle class is so good, you could have a Sheldon Rankins or a Vernon Butler just kind of fall in your lap, and they would make sense as well. There are a number of players who fit their needs."
Jason La Canfora, CBS NFL Insider
The draft is just a part of what La Canfora covers, but he knows his stuff. After the first round last year, he mentioned Seattle as a possible landing spot for Frank Clark.
La Canfora laughs at the idea of guessing a specific player this early in the process: "I have no idea. It's so early. We don't know what they're doing in free agency, who are they losing, is Russell Okung back? And when you're picking that low, it's so dependent on what's already been plucked. It'll be exciting, I can tell you that. They're such an aggressive front office, and I love it. They're willing to make moves other people aren't, they're willing to go bold. If you told me they moved up to pick No. 5, I'd be surprised, but I don't think I'd be shocked. If you told me they traded out of the round entirely, that wouldn't surprise me all that much."
But while he won't make any bold predictions just yet, La Canfora, like most, sees the line as an option.
"Obviously offensive line is an area they'll continue to address, especially if they do lose a starter or two, and I'm sure that's going to be high on their radar," he said. "But they collect athletes. If there's somebody there who just has a skillset, like four years ago with Bruce Irvin, you know they always want athletes. I'm sure offensive line and pass rush will be near the top of their list."
John Clayton, ESPN.com Senior Writer and Commentator
Like La Canfora, Clayton specializes in more than just the draft, but like La Canfora, Clayton is very well connected in NFL circles, so his opinion on just about any topic carries weight.
"There's about five tackles, I just don't know how the tackles are going to come off the board," Clayton said of Seattle's options at 26. "That's the need, but you can't reach."
Unlike in past years where the Seahawks have gone into an offseason with at least one starting defensive tackle under contract, both Brandon Mebane and Ahtyba Rubin are set to become unrestricted free agents when the new league year begins next week, so that position could also become one of need depending on what happens.
"They may also be tempted by a defensive lineman, they may need to find another pass rusher if they can't re-sign Bruce Irvin."
With the 2017 NFL Combine underway, take a look back at some current Seahawks at their own NFL Combines.
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, MAY 15-16 - FILE This Feb. 27, 2010, file photo shows Miami's Jimmy Graham running a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Graham believes that overcoming a difficult upbringing gave him confidence to do what he did at Miami: play four years of basketball, one year of football, earn a degree and become a third-round draft choice of the defending Super Bowl champions. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
West Virginia offensive lineman Mark Glowinski runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Michigan defensive lineman Frank Clark runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin of Iowa State runs a drill at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Defensive lineman Cliff Avril of Purdue runs a drill at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Defensive lineman Cliff Avril of Purdue runs a drill at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Michael Bennett runs a football drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Michael Bennett runs a football drill at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Michael Bennett runs the 40-yard dash during football drills at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Boston Col linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Jimmy Graham of Miami poses for a headshot during the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. on Feb. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Kam Chancellor of Virginia Tech poses for a headshot during the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. on Feb. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Earl Thomas of Texas poses for a headshot during the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. on Feb. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Miami's Jimmy Graham runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas' Earl Thomas runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson poses for a headshot during the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 24 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
University of Washington wide receiver Jermaine Kearse poses for a headshot during the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 24 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Mississippi State linebacker KJ Wright poses for a headshot during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 26 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Stanford defensive lineman Richard Sherman poses for a headshot during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 27 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Mississippi State linebacker KJ Wright runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Stanford defensive back Richard Sherman runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Stanford defensive back Richard Sherman runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston Col linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas State University defensive back Kelcie McCray poses for a portrait during the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson throws as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Washington receiver Jermaine Kearse runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Washington receiver Jermaine Kearse runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Arkansas State defensive back Kelcie McCray runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Arkansas State defensive back Kelcie McCray runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Missouri offensive lineman Justin Britt runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
University of California-Los Angeles defensive end Cassius Marsh poses for a headshot during the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 22, 2014 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Central Michigan Thomas Rawls runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Michigan defensive lineman Frank Clark runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
UCLA defensive lineman Cassius Marsh drops the ball during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
West Virginia offensive lineman Mark Glowinski runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
West Virginia offensive lineman Mark Glowinski poses for a headshot during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Central Michigan Thomas Rawls runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Central Michigan running back Thomas Rawls poses for a headshot during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday, February 19, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
UCLA defensive lineman Cassius Marsh runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
UCLA defensive lineman Cassius Marsh runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
University of Missouri offensive lineman Justin Britt poses for a headshot during the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 20, 2014 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Boston College linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis poses for a headshot during the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 22, 2014 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Central Michigan Thomas Rawls runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett poses for a headshot during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday, February 19, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Michigan defensive lineman Frank Clark runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Missouri offensive lineman Justin Britt runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Michigan defensive lineman Frank Clark poses for a headshot during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Missouri offensive lineman Justin Britt runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
University of Colorado wide receiver Paul Richardson poses for a headshot during the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 21, 2014 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Central Michigan Thomas Rawls runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Colorado wide receiver Paul Richardson makes a catch during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
University of Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson prepares to throw during drills at the NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Boise State defensive back Jeron Johnson poses for a headshot during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 27 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Boise State defensive back Jeron Johnson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett performs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama defensive lineman Jarran Reed runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Tuesday, March 1, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Alabama defensive lineman Jarran Reed runs the 40-yard dash during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Alabama defensive lineman Jarran Reed poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Notre Dame running back C.J. Prosise poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Notre Dame running back C J Prosise runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Notre Dame running back C J Prosise runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boise State offensive lineman Rees Odhiambo poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
California wide receiver Kenny Lawler poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
California wide receiver Kenny Lawler runs the 40-yard dash during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
California wide receiver Kenny Lawler catches a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Maryland defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Maryland defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson runs a drill during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Maryland defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas A&M offensive lineman Germain Ifedi poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Texas A&M offensive lineman Germain Ifedi makes a vertical jump at the NFL football scouting combine in Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas A&M offensive lineman Germain Ifedi runs the 40 yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Colorado State defensive back DeAndre Elliott poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Colorado State defensive back Deandre Elliott runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 29, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Colorado State defensive back Deandre Elliott runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Thursday, March 3, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arkansas running back Alex Collins poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Arkansas running back Alex Collins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas running back Alex Collins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
