FanPost

The First 7-Round Mock Draft of the Year

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

It is really early to start this, but here we go. Scouting reports are still limited and dated and we don’t have good testing data. That will get better as we go.

These 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.
Today’s was Matt Miller’s Bleacher Report Big Board from 30 Jan 19.


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.


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. I am super happy with it:


Trades:
Seattle sends picks 1:21 to KC for picks 1:29, 3:28 and 5:29
Seattle sends pick 1:29 to Jax for picks 2:6 and 3:30


Picks:
R2.6: Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
R3.20: Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
R3.28: Germaine Pratt, LB, NC State
R3.30: Jalen Jelks, Edge, Oregon
R4.21: Lil’Jordan Humphrey, WR, Texas
R5.21: Drew Sample, TE, Washington
R5.29: Matt Gay, K, Utah
Pick-by-pick Breakdown

Seahawks at pick 2:6 (from KC) select: S TAYLOR RAPP, WASHINGTON
Measurements: 6-0 212, FS/SS
Testing: ?

Overall this is the replacement for ET but different. Super instinctive guy who can play deep or in the box. Not the pure speed deep talent of ET, but a better tackler.

The Draft Network

PROS: Smart, aggressive player who fills multiple roles within the back seven. Recognizes running game flow and misdirection very quickly and regularly takes the correct angles to attack offensive concepts; does well to retain leverage when approaching tackles to defend the weakest area of the field/turn runners back into help. When taking on blocks, especially kick-out blocks as EMLOS defender, deconstructs and wins leverage with excellent physicality for a safety.
Is a sure space tackler and devastating close-quarters hitter alike. Breaks down with a wide base and low hips to tackle, regularly getting his head across his target’s waist and wrapping through the hips. Has impressive gear down ability when flying to the runner and excels at making difficult, flexible tackles on elusive runners. Tracks very well and will adjust angles effortlessly. Seeks out scrums and looks to punish, but protects his head on contact. Forced multiple fumbles with hustle plays to wrapped-up runners, getting his helmet into the football when other safeties wouldn’t have even gotten involved on the hit.
Has success as a man cover corner from the slot. Good step frequency and short area burst allow him to stay connected through breaks; willing and more than capable of playing with physicality through the stem to redirect. Can handle tight end size and slot receiver shiftiness. Short zone work also technically sound: reads the quarterback and understands half-field route concepts to stay disciplined in his drops. Has true instincts to extend his zones to different routes circumstantially. Similarly disciplined as a deep middle defender as a result of his inherent understanding of leverage and spacing. Projects best as a box safety with interchangeability.
CONS: Not overly rangy. Despite strong linear burst, top speed does not impress. Some tightness in the hips limits ability to turn corners with explosion, which gives him issues when flipping his hips to carry deep routes from the slot. Will take drop step when exploding, which only adds to the delay. Physical limitations in a straight line could force him into exclusively short zone responsibilities in the NFL, which would cap his efficacy as an interchangeable defensive piece. Does not have playmaking instinct; prefers to hit and tackle rather than play over the top for PBUs and/or INTs.
– Benjamin Solak

Seahawks pick at 3:20: CHRIS LINDSTROM, GUARD, BOSTON COLLEGE
Measurements: 6-4 305
Testing: ?

Plug and play power guard. We may re-sign Fluker and Sweazy, but they both might be on IR by the time the season starts. This guy is a no brainer starter from day one.

The Draft Network

Pros: Quick as hell out the blocks. Really sudden in his efforts to climb the ladder. Short area mobility is another plus trait and shows good range in his protection role to cover ground. Can improve his results by gearing down sooner on the second level and not overrunning blocks.
Fast to flow and fluid, a natural athlete in space who does well to stay within his means when engaged with defenders as well. Little issue peeling pack and picking off a late gap shooter. Can get a little over-eager on 2nd level, gear down and trust your angle!
Implemented in a lot of slide protections and also tasked with pulls in pass pro to influence eyes of LBs in play action passing. Has notched a few kills by playing as late to arrive help when left unoccupied. Feet are light and gets into short sets well out of his stance.
Cons: Has a smaller strike zone with his hands on account of sub-par length. Issues with length are mitigated thanks to short area quickness and lateral agility, assuring he can stay framed properly and be in front of his man at the LOS.
Overall: Chris Lindstrom translates as a scheme friendly iOL who can step into a starting role immediately thanks to his polish and experience at the college level. Lindstrom is a quick-footed blocker who excels at the snap, he would be best served in a system that allows their OL to win positioning (gap/power concepts) as compared to asking him to steer defenders at the LOS. Lindstrom has experience at OT and in emergencies he has functional ATH to play in spurts.


Seahawks select at 3:28 (from KC): GERMAINE PRATT, LB, NC STATE
Measurements: 6-3 245
Testing: ?

Fast tackling machine to fill in at WILL or SAM.

The Draft Network

Serving as a rotational and subpackage player in 2017 playing behind seniors, not starting any games last season didn’t preclude Pratt from making a major impact on the Wolfpack defense. Pratt was still NC State’s fourth leading tackler and secured game-clinching interceptions against Louisville and North Carolina. Expected to earn a starting role, Pratt is a breakout candidate for 2018 and he has my attention when it comes to his NFL upside.

Projecting nicely to a pursuit-style role, Pratt executes with a high level of urgency, quick processing skills and has terrific range. Able to cover ground and rapidly shut down distances, Pratt has the athletic ability and burst to make an impact in a wide radius. A converted safety, Pratt has a natural feel for defending zones with the upside to remain in phase with running backs and tight ends in man coverage. His ability to win in space and on passing downs is exciting. Pratt is a sound tackler that does well to wrap up at the the thighs and drive his legs through the ball carrier.
When it comes to areas that Pratt needs to improve, the primary area is functional strength. While he has positive moments playing off contact and keeping his hands active, stacking blocks and not getting worked out of gaps is problematic. His ability to play into the line of scrimmage is inconsistent and adding strength is critical.
Given it’s defensive line talent last year, all eyes were on the front four but Pratt’s impact was still notable. He has a prime opportunity to burst onto the scene during his senior season on the second level of the Wolfpack’s defense.

Seahawks select at 3:30 (from Jax): JALEN JELKS, EDGE, OREGON
Measurements: 6-5 245
Testing: ?

Long, twitchy pass rusher.

The Draft Network

PROS: Wicked quick. When asked to slant or when lined up in a penetrating role, will immediately win off the snap and disrupt the backfield within the first three steps of the play. Quickness as if not more deadly on two-way go pass-rush reps; loves to pair an inside swat/arm over move with a quick flip of his hips to generate rush angle to the quarterback. Packs a lot of power, especially in lower half, and can create rolling displacement on bull rush reps. Plays with hands over his eyes pretty regularly, with some impressive reps of low leverage given naturally upright build. Uses length well in both run and pass game and has the upper body power to stiff-arm and bench offensive linemen.
Marriage of quickness and length make him a fiend in the running game. Penetrates zone flow easily with initial explosiveness and fluid hips; able to make ridiculous tackles with massive radius. Difficult to fold/trap with good recognition and low play leverage. Generally a smart player who knows when to forgo the pass rush for the sake of a PBU, of which he has several. Blistering hustle player who gets involved in pursuit plays he has no business making. Long speed shocking for defensive lineman.
CONS: Unschooled in the finer points of EDGE play. Throws a cross chop without timing or consistent location, often striking the upper shoulder too early in the rep. Generally tries to play too far outside of offensive linemen’s cylinders, thereby converting sacks into pressures that just miss. Ability to rush at an angle with tilt present, but spotty on tape–both opportunity and success rate are low. Has a flexible frame evident in run defense but has not yet integrated dropping his shoulder and planting his foot to corner into his rush arsenal. He’s not incapable; he just needs work.
Gangly frame will betray him on double teams, though he occasionally drops anchor and splits. He can jump at shadows in the backfield looking to make a play, but you can hardly fault him for that, given the disruption he does create.
– Benjamin Solak


Seahawks select at 4:21: LIL’JORDAN HUMPHREY, WR/TE, TEXAS
Measurements: 6-4 220
Testing: ?

Giant target who typically played out of the slot, so is he a WR or receiving TE, who knows.

The Draft Network

Overall - Humphrey has the standout trait as a ball carrier, but he currently lacks supporting traits. If an NFL team projects him as a complimentary receiver and uses him as much as possible in the screen and underneath game, he will be a contributor. His lack of top-end speed on film limits his ceiling, as well as his lack of experience facing press coverage or contested catch points. Humphrey left Texas early after mulling the decision over, but I see him as an early-to-mid Day 3 selection.
-Brad Kelly

Seahawks select at 5:21: DREW SAMPLE, TE, WASHINGTON
Measurements: 6-4 251
Testing: ?

Described as the best true Y TE in the draft. He is Vannett but a little better blocker.

The Draft Network

Routes – Lacks the physical traits and nuance to separate from man coverage. Feet are heavy and he’s too tight in the lower half to sink and snap his hips through his breaks. Breaks require too much throttle down and are elongated. Was frequently used to create a rub on a shallow crosser. Ran a limited route tree and needs considerable development to be anything more than a check down option.
Hands – Targets were limited but did not have notable issues with drops. Appears to greet the ball naturally and extend his arms. Showcased the ability to catch the ball in a crowd and hang on through contact.In-line
Blocking – Has the frame and strength needed to exchange power in the trenches but is still more of a technician. Committed to working his hips around and positioning his frame to seal lanes. Would create more movement if he played with more consistently leveraged hips and developed more strength in his lower half that would allow him to accelerate his feet and move bodies. Does well to fit his hands.
YAC Ability – Lacks the juice to be a factor after the catch but is decisive to work up the field post-catch and gain the available yards. Will drop his shoulder and challenge tacklers with physicality.
Play Speed – Not a threat to challenge defenses vertically on speed alone. Separating from man coverage is a challenge. Not a laborious mover but the turf certainly doesn’t disappear quickly. Easy for opponents to mirror his patterns.

Seahawks select at 5:29: MATT GAY, K, UTAH
Measurements: 6-0 230
Testing: ?

A consistent kicker who won’t be afraid of bad weather.

The Draft Network

Did not miss an XP in college, 85 of 85. 86.2% on FG. Senior year he was 100% inside of 40, 7 of 10 from 40-49 and 3-5 from 50+.