Seahawks Post-Free Agency Mock Draft: Seattle Trades Down, Fortifies Trenches
While free agency opened only a week ago and more moves will happen in time, activity has slowed down to a crawl for the Seattle Seahawks and the rest of the NFL with cap space drying up quickly across the league landscape.
In the case of the Seahawks, who have signed six outside free agents and handed defensive tackle Leonard Williams a massive three-year, $64.5 million extension, general manager John Schneider doesn't have much wiggle room left to work with. Per OverTheCap.com, without accounting for contracts for linebackers Tyrell Dodson and Jerome Baker as well as tackle George Fant, the team has $16.235 million in cap space remaining.
Assuming each of those contracts will carry at least $3 million cap hits, Schneider will have to make additional moves to create space to make any other notable free agent signings, meaning it is time to shift focus back towards the 2024 NFL Draft. After acquiring quarterback Sam Howell from the Commanders last week, the team has just two picks in the first 100 selections and seven picks overall to continue filling out the roster for next season.
Known for his propensity to move up and down the draft board, the decision to ship a third-round pick to Washington and the growing gap between picks on day one and two increases the likelihood Schneider will be looking to move down from No. 16 overall in the first round.
Keeping that in mind, in the aftermath of a busy first week of free agency, Schneider goes to work with a pair of trade downs in my latest seven-round Seahawks mock draft. Along with sending pick No. 16 and No. 108 to the Dolphins for picks No. 21, No. 55, and No. 198, I facilitated a second deal moving down in the third round to acquire an additional day three pick from the Packers.
Who does Schneider snag with nine total selections to bolster the roster? Here's my latest stab at projecting who the Seahawks will draft in April with a continued emphasis on solidifying the trenches:
Round 1, Pick 21* - Jer'zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
*Acquired in trade with Dolphins
A 6-2, 295-pound ball of raging fury coming off the line of scrimmage, Newton overwhelmed Big Ten guards and tackles as a versatile weapon who dominated both as a 3-tech defensive tackle and a 5-tech defensive end, demonstrating elite quickness thanks to previously playing running back in high school. Playing significant snaps as a true freshman, he emerged as one of the premier interior disruptors in all of college football, racking up 18 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in four seasons while earning consensus All-American honors in 2023.
Lack of length will be a concern for some teams in the draft process and he didn't test at the combine due to recovering from surgery to repair a broken foot, but he's expected to work out at Illinois pro day in the near future. If still available after a trade down, the Seahawks could turn their defensive line into a major strength coupling his relentlessness and production with Leonard Williams, Dre'Mont Jones, and Jarran Reed in the trenches.
Round 2, Pick 55* - Christian Haynes, G, UConn
*Acquired in trade with Dolphins
While the Huskies have struggled mightily in recent years, Haynes has risen above the ineptitude as a viable NFL guard prospect who earned All-American honors in each of his final two college seasons. After playing in two games as a freshman, the Bowie, Maryland product started 49 consecutive games in a five-year span for the Huskies, evolving into one of the country's most fearsome blockers. Aside from loving to shoot out of his stance and fire heavy hands into opponents as a drive blocker, he's a technician in pass protection, using his hands and feet in sync as well as any lineman in his class.
Allowing just 15 pressures in the past two years combined, Haynes answered questions about level of competition as one of the stars at the line of scrimmage at the Senior Bowl. He also tested well in Indianapolis, showcasing the athleticism he put on film against his peers with a quality 40 time. Given his wealth of experience and success at the college level, he should be a starter-ready day two pick for the Seahawks to plug in at one of the guard spots immediately.
Round 3, Pick 88** - Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, FS, Texas Tech
**Acquired in trade with Packers
After primarily playing special teams in his first two seasons on campus, Taylor-Demerson broke out as a ball-hawking stalwart in 2021, leading the Red Raiders with three interceptions and tallying 10 pass breakups. A rangy defender with plus instincts in coverage, he continued his ascent as one of the fastest rising pro prospects at his position over the past two seasons, adding seven more interceptions and earning Second-Team All-Big 12 honors in 2022 and 2023.
Prior to the combine, Taylor-Demerson looked to be a day three prospect, but he starred in Indianapolis by leading all safeties with a 4.41 40-yard dash and posting an impressive 38-inch vertical jump. Combining his developed ball skills with tackling ability and athletic metrics, the Seahawks could tab him as their next standout free safety to close out day two of the draft and pair with him with veterans Julian Love and Rayshawn Jenkins right away in Macdonald's three-safety sets.
Round 4, Pick 118 - Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina
Formerly a receiver in high school, Gray made the full-time transition to linebacker after committing to the Tar Heels, getting by on pure athleticism and playmaking ability early in his college career as he tried to learn the nuances of the position. But over his final two seasons in Chapel Hill, he demonstrated remarkable polish for a player still learning how to play linebacker, showcasing improved instincts and understanding of offensive schemes.
As a result, Gray amassed a whopping 266 tackles in 2022 and 2023 while adding three interceptions, six sacks, and five forced fumbles in that span, exhibiting proficiency as an all-around linebacker who can stop the run, rush the passer, and excel in coverage. Already boosting his stock with a strong week at the Senior Bowl, he turned in a fine performance at the combine and the Seahawks could immediately throw him into the competition against veterans Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker as a rookie with long-term starter potential.
Round 4, Pick 126** - Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
**Acquired in trade with Packers
Seldom used as a receiver in his first two seasons with the Nittany Lions, Johnson started to become a bigger factor in the passing game in 2022, snagging 20 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns while averaging north of 16 yards per catch. He capped off his college career taking on an even more prominent role as a pass catcher, setting career-highs with 34 receptions for 341 yards and seven touchdowns, proving to be a dynamic red zone threat.
At 6-6, 250 pounds, Johnson offers the build of a prototypical NFL inline tight end, but he lacked consistency in the run blocking department and will need to develop that area of his game before taking on an extended role in the NFL. As a receiver, his 4.57 speed doesn't always show up on film either, particularly after the catch. The Seahawks will have the flexibility to allow him time to grow with Noah Fant returning and Pharaoh Brown signing in free agency, however, making this a high-upside day three pick on a potential long-term starter down the line.
Round 6, Pick 179 - Jaylen Harrell, EDGE, Michigan
A former pupil for Macdonald during his lone season as defensive coordinator for the Wolverines in 2021, Harrell developed from a rotational defender early in his time in Ann Arbor into a quality starter for the 2023 national champions. Though he only received 215 snaps as a pass rusher last season, he totaled 31 pressures and 6.5 sacks, posting a respectable 14.4 percent pressure rate.
Though a bit on the lighter side at 250 pounds, Harrell has decent length with 33 1/4-inch arms and held up well against the run at Michigan, earning grades of 68.0 or better in each of his final two seasons. He may not have a high ceiling as an NFL rusher, but he will come into the league with a high floor and after already coaching him in college, Macdonald should have no problem finding a place for him to contribute in a reserve role early on as a depth piece off the edge.
Round 6, Pick 192 - Joshua Cephus, WR, UTSA
Off the radar as a draft prospect, Cephus didn't receive an invite to the NFL combine, but his numbers and film warrant more respect. Possessing excellent size at 6-3, 190 pounds, the long, athletic receiver quietly had a fantastic career for the Roadrunners against Conference USA and American competition, including eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns as a senior in 2023 to earn First-Team All-AAC honors.
A capable deep threat, Cephus didn't get many opportunities to reel in passes of 20-plus yards over the past two seasons, but he did score four touchdowns on 12 receptions of that variety with no drops. A sure-handed weapon in the intermediate game, he had one drop on 121 targets last season while amassing 641 yards after the catch, which ranked eighth in the nation. While receiver isn't an area of need, the Seahawks could add even more talent to an area of need and add more size to the position with a fun day three playmaker who offers some special teams value.
Round 6, Pick 198* - Frank Gore Jr., RB, Southern Miss
*Acquired in trade with Dolphins
The son of former NFC West nemesis Frank Gore Sr., Gore isn't quite as big as his father was at 201 pounds, but he possesses many of the same play style characteristics with a powerful low center of gravity. Toting the rock 229 times as a senior, he rushed for 1,119 yards with 824 of those yards coming after contact, frequently breaking arm tackles while averaging 3.6 yards per carry after contact and forcing 67 missed tackles, earning Second-Team All-Sun Belt honors.
In addition to his physical running style, Gore will enter the NFL with pass catching ability after snagging 75 receptions with four touchdowns in four college seasons for the Golden Eagles. He also shined in pass protection last season, earning PFF's 10th best pass blocking grade while giving up four pressures on 116 snaps. Helping replace departed DeeJay Dallas, he would compete immediately against Kenny McIntosh for third down duties in Seattle.
Round 7, Pick 235 - Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington
Injuries have been a major issue for Ulofoshio, including missing six games in 2021 with a broken arm and eight games in 2022 with a torn ACL. But when he returned to health last season, he emerged as a stalwart in the middle for the Huskies defense, racking up 94 tackles, three sacks, and an interception returned for a touchdown while earning First-Team All-Pac 12 distinction.
At his best in coverage, Ulofoshio's top-tier athletic traits show up defending tight ends and receivers in the middle, as he allowed less than seven yards per catch and no touchdowns last season with a pick and three pass breakups. He also has flashed as a pass rusher, generating seven sacks and a career 32.9 pressure rate when blitzing, adding sub-package value at the next level. With Dodson and Baker on one-year contracts, the Seahawks would be wise to double up at linebacker in the draft with the ex-Husky being a fun late day three flier to develop.
