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It is getting tough to find new guys, but they are there. So excited for the talent available.
These mock drafts are not intended as a prediction of what will happen, they are merely a vehicle to look at different players that the front office may be looking at. With that, I will probably change who I draft just about every time, just to take a little bit closer look at more players at different levels of the draft at different positions. I will also trade out of the 1st every time I publish one of these. There are plenty of other places where you can learn about the first round and even the top of the second, here we want to look at all the other guys. In the end, we may find some draft crushes and know more names throughout the draft.
Disclaimers:
Big Board Order
I use different big board just about every time. None of them are perfect and I realize that none of them match. Some guys will go higher and some guys will go lower. The point is that we take a look at lots of guys, so don’t get too hung up on where someone is drafted.
Trades
I use fansided to simulate the drafts. I paid for the premium edition, so it lets me do trades. I realize that many trades aren’t realistic, but based on my wish to look at more possible players, I don’t care either.
Needs
We all know some of the basic needs that they have, but some basic rules are also in play with this front office. Since PC/JS have been here they have used 14 1st and 2nd round picks. Only 5 have been used on non-lineman: 2 WR, 1 RB, 1 FS and 1 ILB. Only 1 pick has been used in the 1st round on a non-lineman and that was Earl Thomas. Every time you see them saying they will grab a short-armed CB or some RB, remember, that would completely break with the mold. More likely is they do two things: they trade back as much as possible to maximize 2nd and 3rd round opportunities and they also lean towards four-year starters early on.
If you aren’t reading Rob over at Seahawks draft blog, you are doing it wrong.
Scouting
I am not a scout, nor do I pretend to be. I will give my thought process on drafting a guy, but will link and copy to other scouts and give you what they think of him, which is probably much higher quality than what you would get from me.
Here is my draft for today. As usual, I am super happy with it:
Picks:
34: R2P2 LB LORENZO CARTER, GEORGIA
57: R2P25 EDGE DUKE EJIOFOR, WAKE FOREST
108: R4P8 CB RASHAAN GAULDEN, TENNESSEE
120: R4P20 CB TARVARUS MCFADDEN, FLORIDA STATE
141: R5P4 WR TRE’QUAN SMITH, CENTRAL FLORIDA
146: R5P9 RB AKRUM WADLEY, IOWA
156: R5P19 C BRADLEY BOZEMAN, ALABAMA
226: R7P8 LB TEGRAY SCALES, INDIANA
248: R7P30 FB NICK BAWDEN, SAN DIEGO STATE
Trades:
TRADE PARTNER:
NEW YORK GIANTS
SENT: ROUND: 1 PICK: 25, ROUND: 5 PICK: 31
RECEIVED: ROUND: 2 PICK: 2 ROUND: 4 PICK: 8
TRADE PARTNER:
TENNESSEE TITANS
SENT: ROUND: 1 PICK: 18
RECEIVED: ROUND: 1 PICK: 25 ROUND: 2 PICK: 25
Pick-by-pick Breakdown
Seahawks at 34 (round 2, from NYG) select: LEO/DE LORENZO CARTER, GEORGIA
Measurements: 6-6 250, 34” arms
Testing: 4.5 40, 36” vert, 130” broad
Elite pass rusher with room to grow
Long, rangy frame with excellent wingspan and “spider-like levers.” Sets the edge very well and holds containment without sacrificing flexibility or option to disengage from his blocker. Gets excellent leverage for such a tall player and beats offensive linemen to the punch to earn good hand placement allowing him to control his adversary rather than the other way around. Will get his hands into the air to affect passes and bat balls away. Still has room to add bulk to his frame without sacrificing speed or agility. Was mentioned by coaches as athletic enough to play cornerback if necessary. Is a willing tackler who wraps up well and brings anger to each hit. When rushing the passer, stays wide and keeps his eyes up, never losing sight of the ball and keeping himself in position to make a play away from his immediate location. Times the snap well and gets a great jump on the ball because of it. Presses blockers with his early movement and puts them on their heels with his athleticism. Drinks all the coffee in Glengarry Glen Ross — is a closer! Does not miss tackles when he gets close to passers or backs. Will flat out lay people out whether rushing from a standing or down position. Has a knack for forcing fumbles and his length makes him an asset on kick-block units, as well. — Hunter Ansley 2/2/2018
Carter was a five-star prospect and one of the most heralded players in the nation when he was recruited by Georgia but he never made the impact expected of him as a Bulldog. However, Carter played with increased toughness and confidence this year and his NFL potential began to reassert itself once again. Carter absolutely wrecked the Combine in just about every category and could be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 or 4-3 with sideline-to-sideline range and the tools to become a productive edge rusher in sub-packages. He needs to add more bulk, but he is a future NFL starter.
Seahawks pick at 57 (round 2, from Tenn) DE/DT DUKE EJIOFOR
Measurements: 6-3, 270
Testing: No Workout, medical
Relentless rusher, who can move inside and out depending on the down.
Violent hands. Fires off the snap and gets skinny to knife through gaps. Balanced spin move with smooth hips to shake blockers one-on-one. Quick-thinker and can patch together a rush sequence. Uses his body well to gain proper angles and control the edge. Backfield vision to mirror and string runs outside. Retraces his steps. Locked in every snap and never quits working to the pocket. Film study and mental preparation are important parts of his success. Unselfish and plays assignment sound football. Graduated with a degree in sociology (May 2017). Developed his body in the weight room, adding 50+ pounds since high school. Finished his career third in program history with 23.5 sacks. – Dane Brugler 1/12/2018
Ejiofor looked a little quicker and more fluid last season, but he’s not a naturally gifted athlete. Ejiofor’s game revolves around his heavy hands and his ability to finish as a rusher if a blocker gives him an opening. Ejiofor needs to play with better play speed and a more consistent motor to reach his potential, but his natural strength and ability to harass the quarterback as an interior rusher on sub packages gives him a chance to find some early playing time even if he’s a backup.
Seahawks pick at 108 (round 4, from NYG) S RASHAAN GAULDEN, TENN
Measurements: 6-1 200, 31” ARMS
Testing: 4.5 40, 30” vert, 119” broad, 7.16 3 cone, 4.33 short shuttle
A safety who played all CB positions in college also. A little over emotional out of control.
Finely-tuned athlete. Outstanding top-end speed. Hustle and chase skills are above average, making plays from the other side of the field. Decisive reactor and closing burst to drive on routes. Lower body burst to mirror routes in his transition. Dependable tackler and loves contact. Closes down the edge and strings out runs. Strong hands/wrists to finish tackles. Brings juice off the edge as a blitzer – zero career sacks, but routinely flushed the pocket or forced the quarterback to move his feet. Undersized, but feisty and doesn’t play small (added 35-pounds of good weight since high school). Never takes a play off or coasts – easy to appreciate his passion and desire to make plays. Junior captain and well-liked teammate (defensive back Cameron Sutton wore the No. 7 jersey in his honor during his missed 2015 season). Plays with infectious energy and nicknamed the “energizer bunny” by his roommate and teammate running back Todd Kelly. Versatile experience in the secondary, playing cornerback, nickel and safety. – Dane Brugler 1/14/2018
Gaulden played very well for the Volunteers in 2017, but a temporary moment of insanity against Alabama is what made national headlines. Tennessee had just scored their first touchdown in many weeks when Gaulden answered jeers from the Tide’s student section with a profane gesture. He was contrite after the game, acknowledging that frustration had gotten the best of him. On the field, Gaulden was one of Tennessee’s best players, starting all 12 games, posting 65 stops, 3.5 for loss, an interception, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. He started nine of 13 games played at nickel as a sophomore in 2016, recording 68 tackles, six for loss, and four pass breakups. The Tennessee native and four-star safety recruit played in all 11 games as a true freshman (seven tackles), but couldn’t build on that success the following year, undergoing surgery for a foot injury suffered during 2015 camp.
Seahawks select at 128 (round 4): CB TARVARUS MCFADDEN, FSU
Measurements: 6-2 204, 32.5” arms
Testing: 4.58 40, 38.5” vert, 121” broad, 7.00” 3 cone, 4.45 shuttle
Rangy CB who is quick, but not burner speed.
Outstanding height and length for the position. Notable ball production with 32 passes defended in 26 starts. Gathers his feet with flexible ankles and hips to mirror in his transition. Maintains his speed to carry receivers downfield. Excellent leaping skills to highpoint and make plays on the ball. Natural ball skills and finishes interceptions he should. Doesn’t allow receivers to get comfortable and looks to out-muscle receivers. Aggressively works through blocks to close on screens. Plays tough and won’t back down in one-on-one situations. Leverages the sideline as a downhill defender. Experienced on special teams, averaging 3.5 yards on punt returns (12/42/0) – also returned a blocked field goal 63 yards for a touchdown (Nov. 2017). Proved to be durable, starting every game the last two seasons. – Dane Brugler 1/10/2018
Press corner with long arms and disruptive qualities but lacking in foot quickness and makeup speed. McFadden put together a highlight reel of impressive interceptions with NFL-caliber ball skills, but his ball production dropped sharply this year. On top of that, his 4.68 forty at the Combine seemed to prove what the tape showed regarding his long speed or lack thereof. McFadden has cover talent, but may be forced into a zone scheme to cover up for his speed concerns. McFadden will need to tighten up his coverage technique and become a much better tackler in order to find meaningful snaps as a pro.
Seahawks select at 141 (round 5): WR TRE’QUAN SMITH, WR
Measurements: 6-2 203, 33.5” arms
Testing: 4.49 40, 12 reps, 37.5” vert, 130” broad, 6.97 3 cone, 4.5 short shuttle
Raw, but physically elite and long WR prospect.
Well-built frame. Balanced athlete and bursts off his plant foot. Deceiving route speed – his second and third strides are stronger than his first. Carries his speed well downfield to be a big play threat (41 career catches of 20+ yards). Natural tracking skills and provides a large strike zone for the quarterback. Elevates and contorts his body mid-air. Several one-handed, acrobatic catches on his film. Flashes power and acceleration to be a threat after the catch. Uses his upper body power to press corners from his frame and box out. Willing, effective blocker and always looking for work. Graduate with a degree in interdisciplinary studies (Dec. 2017) and earned AAC All-Academic honors. Unassuming personality and well-respected for his team-mentality and coachability. Durable and played in every game of his college career. Highly productive career, leaving UCF ranked third-best in school history in receiving yards (2,748) and touchdown catches (22). – Dane Brugler 1/17/2018
Smith possesses average NFL size, but unusually long arms. While there is clearly room for more consistency with finishing catches outside his frame, he does have the ball skills and ability to go up and over opponents to win the downfield throws. Smith’s easy acceleration in space creates workable advantages early in routes, but he’ll need to keep improving on his press release technique. Smith should challenge for a spot at WR4/WR5, but his his ceiling is a little limited.
Seahawks select at 146 (Round 5): RB AKRUM WADLEY, IOWA
Measurements: 5-10 191
Testing: 4.54 40, 12 reps, 33.5” vert, 4.39 short shuttle
Small RB who makes guys miss, can catch and return kicks.
While perhaps lacking eye-popping triangle numbers, Wadley is a natural runner with very light feet and lateral agility, showing the suddenness to make defenders miss in a phone booth. He is quick to the hole, squirting to and through the line of scrimmage and setting up defenders with shimmies and shakes that leave even quality open-field tacklers lunging. He accelerates quickly, throwing off pursuit angles and possesses enough straight-line speed to gain yardage in chunks with nine combined runs and receptions of at least 35 yards to his credit. Wadley’s quickness shows up as a receiver, as well, as he is able to create separation as a route-runner, utilizing shoulder-fakes and stutter-steps before planting his foot and getting free. He is a generally reliable hands catcher with some return experience. -- Rob Rang 1/11/2018
The highlight reel runs are full of jukes, cuts and missed tackles for this explosive runner, but his lack of size and concerns over his durability limit where teams will consider drafting him. Wadley’s unique talent in creating unblocked yardage for himself is a huge plus and his ability to catch passes and return kicks should add to his value. Wadley may become a committee runner who can have a solid NFL career if he proves he can be a full-time third-down option.
Seahawks select at 156 (Round 5): C/G BRADLEY BOZEMAN, ALABAMA
Measurements: 6-5 300
Testing: 5.46 40, 27 reps, 97” broad, 24” vert, 8.25 3 cone, 5.17” short shuttle
Big for a center/guard and can run and pass block from an OL factory.
Offers rare size for the center position with a broad-shouldered, well-distributed frame including thick, long limbs which give him a significant advantage. He has a vice-like grip which helps him latch on and sustain his blocks, controlling opponents throughout the play. Despite his bulk, Bozeman possesses enough athletic ability to climb to the second level and mirror in pass protection, showing good initial quickness. His greatest asset, however, is clearly his bulk and strength as a drive blocker. Bozeman is a classic mauler who can drive defenders off the ball to create space in the running game, locking out his arms, driving through his hips and exploding through contact to intimidate with pancake blocks. Experienced snapping the ball with the QB under center as well as in shotgun. -- Rob Rang 1/14/2018
Bozeman comes from a winning program where work ethic and toughness are hardly optional and he faced NFL-level competition in practice every day. His size is a big check mark in his favor, but he will be very limited by his lack of athletic ability. Bozeman’s ceiling may be as low-level starter, but he has to find the right team.
Seahawks select at 226 (Round 7): LB TEGRAY SCALES, INDIANA
Measurements: 6-0 230
Testing: 4.7 40, 27 reps
Not elite size or speed, but production and instincts are off the charts.
Highly instinctive linebacker who combines a keen sense of play direction with a feel for the optimal angles to fill up the stat sheet. Scales may lack desired size and speed, but his 36 tackles for loss and 13 sacks over the last two seasons should give an indication of his playmaking ability. Evaluators may hem and haw over where to take him, but he has the football intelligence, motor and skill to continue finding tackles as an eventual NFL starter at inside linebacker or as a 4-3 SAM.
Seahawks select at 248 (Round 7): FB NICK BAWDEN, SDSU
Measurements: 6-2 245
Testing: 4.7 40, 109” broad
Old school smash mouth FB who can pass block and catch.
Quarterback turned fullback who has bought into the physicality of the fullback position and has the mangled nose to prove it. Bawden has good size and is a competent pass-catcher. The market for old-school fullbacks has shrunk, but he has the ability to find a roster home as a contributing lead blocker and pass catcher on play-action.