Seahawks Post-Combine Seven-Round Mock: Seattle Drafts Athleticism on Both Sides
With the clock striking midnight at the annual NFL combine on Sunday, general managers, coaches, and scouts will now transition their attention towards free agency and pro days with the new league year opening on March 15.
Looking back at the festivities this year in Indianapolis, several position groups rose to the cream of the crop in the 2023 draft class, including an uber-athletic stable of defensive tackles, cornerbacks, and EDGE rushers. That's great news for the Seattle Seahawks, who hold four selections in the first 52 picks, including the No. 5 overall pick acquired from the Denver Broncos in the Russell Wilson trade last March.
But while Seattle will have a great opportunity to fortify the trenches on defense and potentially add more talent to the secondary, the buzz surrounding the quarterback situation creates the most intrigue heading towards April's draft. With Geno Smith still unsigned and the franchise tag deadline looming on Tuesday, sizzling performances from C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis may complicate the decision making process at the position for general manager John Schneider and company.
As speculation about the franchise drafting a quarterback early continues to gain steam, if Schneider falls in love with a prospect who remains available to select, nobody should be surprised to see him pull the trigger regardless of what happens with Smith's contract in coming days.
Considering the possibility with plenty of talent available at other positions, will Schneider pass up the chance to pick a top signal caller at No. 5 overall? Making 11 selections thanks to a trade down from No. 20 with the Vikings to recoup a third and fifth round pick and prioritizing athleticism across the board, here's my latest stab at who the Seahawks will draft with a post-combine seven-round mock draft.
Round 1, Pick 5 - C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
One of the most prolific passers in college football over the past two seasons, Stroud may not last until the Seahawks pick. However, in this mock, Florida's Anthony Richardson leapfrogged him as the Colts selection and the Bears and Cardinals both selected defensive players in Alabama's Will Anderson and Texas Tech's Tyree Wilson, opening the door for general manager John Schneider to land a talented franchise quarterback prospect.
Stroud stands tall in the pocket at 6-foot-3 with a muscular 214-pound frame. A technician throwing the ball, he delivers passes with precision to receivers in stride at all levels of the defense and has flashed throwing receivers open with anticipation. Coming from a QB-friendly Buckeyes offense, he will have to adjust to a pro style system with more reads and progressions and he needs to learn to take advantage of his athleticism more as a runner. Still, all the tools are in place for a future NFL star and learning behind Geno Smith for a year could be a blessing in disguise.
Round 1, Pick 24 - Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia*
*Acquired from Vikings
Proving he was fully recovered from an injury that cost him a significant chunk of the 2022 season, Smith put on a scintillating performance at the combine, becoming the biggest player in the event's history (238 pounds) to run a sub-4.40 40-yard dash and post a 40-plus inch vertical jump. With the Seahawks still seeking upgrades off the edge, they can't pass up on his elite athletic tools after trading down four spots to recoup an extra day two selection.
Despite being on the small side at 238 pounds, Smith proved to be stout against the run at Georgia, playing with excellent technique and physicality setting the edge. His pass rushing has been inconsistent, as his burst and quickness is evident but his lack of counter moves and struggles working off blocks have led to fewer sacks than expected of a player of his immense athleticism and talent. A ball of clay with tons of room to grow, the Seahawks hope to see him develop into a more productive NFL player in their 3-4 scheme.
Round 2, Pick 38 - O'Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
Testing wise, Torrence didn't turn any heads in Indy, finishing in the middle of the pack in the 40-yard dash and 10-yard split and near the bottom in vertical and broad jumping drills. But at 6-foot-5, 330 pounds, he ran a respectable 4.81 second short shuttle, exhibiting decent lateral quickness for a player of his size, making him an ideal replacement for veteran Gabe Jackson in Seattle.
A stout pass protector against power and finesse rushers alike, Torrence didn't yield a single sack in his entire collegiate career at Florida and Louisiana-Lafayette. He can be susceptible to lapses in technique, notably getting caught leaning when trying to execute run blocks. But when he fires out of his stance and lands a firm strike, he takes defenders for a ride off the line of scrimmage with his pure strength and exhibits sufficient movement traits on zone concepts. A likely day one starter, this has a chance to be a great value pick early in the second round at a major position of need for the Seahawks.
Round 2, Pick 53 - Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
After bypassing on Georgia's Jalen Carter in the first round, the Seahawks upgrade their interior defensive line with a versatile all-around defensive tackle in Benton, who grew into a viable pass rusher in his final two seasons with the Badgers. After posting only 17 pressures in his first two years on campus, he eclipsed 20 pressures in 2021 and 2022, registering 4.5 sacks while earning Third-Team All-Big Ten honors last year and earning a Senior Bowl invite.
A massive immovable object in the trenches, the 309-pound Benton created major problems for Big Ten opponents aiming to run the football against the Badgers. He regularly overwhelmed guards and centers to drive them into the backfield while recording 10 tackles for loss as a senior. Still developing as a rusher, his ability to play nose tackle or 3-tech at a high level immediately would bolster Seattle's defensive front with a potential long-term starter.
Round 3, Pick 84 - Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State*
*Acquired from Vikings
With Jordyn Brooks recovering from a torn ACL and Cody Barton set to become a free agent, the Seahawks once again pursue elite athleticism with their additional third acquired from the Vikings by keeping Henley in the Pacific Northwest. A converted receiver who thrived at linebacker for the Cougars, he's on the lighter side at 225 pounds, but he's a dynamic prospect with 4.54 speed and a 35-inch vertical.
While getting stronger and improving at reading his keys will be the biggest challenges for Henley at the next level as he continues to learn after switching from offense, he flies all over the field making plays in pursuit with his top-flight speed, offers plus coverage traits and ball skills, and can be utilized as a weapon rushing the passer. Registering four sacks in 2022, his blitzing ability in a 3-4 scheme such as Seattle's could be a fun experience, especially working in tandem with a healthy Jamal Adams.
Round 3, Pick 88 - Steve Avila, C, TCU
A beacon of versatility after earning All-Big 12 recognition in consecutive seasons playing center and left guard, Avila stands out as one of the few prospects in this class who could start on day one at either position. With the consensus First-Team All-American somehow still available midway through the third round, that's great news for the Seahawks as they land Austin Blythe's replacement.
Light on his feet for his size at 332 pounds, Avila mirrors well against all types of defenders, sliding to keep pass rushers at bay and allowing zero sacks as a senior. While he can play a bit upright at times and lose leverage in the run game while also slipping off blocks rather than maintaining them, he fires heavy hands into defenders and regularly knocks them off the ball. Such physicality and pass rush prowess will be welcomed to a Seattle offensive line that has played musical chairs at center for almost a decade.
Round 5, Pick 154 - Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
One of college football's breakout stars for the surprising Green Wave, who stunned USC in the Cotton Bowl, Spears torched opponents for 1,581 rushing yards, nearly 7.0 yards per carry, and 19 rushing touchdowns in 2022. Adding versatility to his game, he also set career-highs with 256 receiving yards and two touchdowns, and those receiving tools were on display during a strong week at the Senior Bowl.
Though smaller than the Seahawks typically have preferred at running back at 201 pounds, Spears runs with more oomph behind his pads than expected and he's electric making defenders miss once he gets to the second level, possessing the second gear to rip off explosive runs in bulk. A prior knee injury could concern teams, but he showed no ill effects last season and with a developing game in the receiving and pass pro department, he would be an exciting addition to battle for third down back duty behind Ken Walker III in Seattle.
Round 5, Pick 157 - Riley Moss, CB, Iowa
After excelling in the Senior Bowl and posting excellent testing numbers in Indianapolis, Moss remains under the radar to an extent. Despite being a First-Team All-Big Ten selection each of the past two years and producing 11 interceptions in his college career, a deep class at the position could keep him on the board well into day three, giving Pete Carroll another chance to land a late round gem at the position.
Moss lacks the arm length (30 inches) Seattle has normally preferred and at times, his 4.45 speed didn't translate on the field when initially beaten by receivers in coverage. With that said, he has elite ball skills compared to his peers that were exhibited in Mobile and he's a willing and able tackler who brings his hard hat to work each week. Possibly a candidate to play a big nickel role as well as line up outside, he would compete with Mike Jackson and Tre Brown right away for snaps across from Tariq Woolen.
Round 5, Pick 178 - Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion*
*Acquired from Vikings
Initially beginning his college career as a seldom used backup at Penn State, Kuntz found new life when he transferred to Old Dominion, snagging 73 passes for 692 yards and scoring five touchdowns in 2021. While injuries wrecked his final season with the Monarchs, he still posted 144 receiving yards in five games and showed off a dynamic athletic tool box at the combine by running a 4.54 40-yard dash, jumping 40 inches vertically, and posting a sub-6.90 3-cone drill.
A former high jump and hurdles state champion in high school, Kuntz stands 6-foot-7 with room to add mass to his frame. He wasn't asked to block as an in-line tight end often in college and when he did, opponents consistently bullied him and he will need to hit the weight room hard to develop in that regard. Still, his off the charts athleticism and receiving potential would make him an intriguing day three flier for the Seahawks who could have a similar trajectory to Colby Parkinson.
Round 6, Pick 199 - Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia
Hindered by subpar quarterback play and a questionable offensive scheme in Morgantown, Ford-Wheaton's numbers never matched the size and athletic tools he put on display in Indianapolis last week. Despite having sub-4.40 speed at 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, he only surpassed 700 receiving yards and caught 15 total touchdowns in four seasons with the Mountaineers.
Seattle has never shied away from freak athletes, however, and Ford-Wheaton has shown a propensity for being able to come down with contested deep balls thanks to his size and speed. He's a bit of a one-trick pony right now who will have to prove himself on special teams out of the gate, but with proper coaching to improve as a route runner and help him more consistently separate with his physical tools, there's upside to be a dangerous No. 3 receiver with unique size and explosiveness in time.
Round 7, Pick 238 - Tyreque Jones, S, Boise State
Assuming Adams comes back healthy and Ryan Neal re-signs as a restricted free agent, safety isn't an immediate area of need for the Seahawks. Still, it's smart to be looking a year ahead in the draft and in the seventh round, Jones has enough fascinating traits with 4.52 speed and nearly 34-inch arms to stand out as a late draft pickup for future development.
Overshadowed by teammate JL Skinner, who could be an early second round selection in April, Jones capped off his college career with two stellar seasons in the Broncos' secondary. Missed tackles have been a persistent problem for him and last year, his coverage play regressed to an extent matching up with more athletic tight ends and slots. He did post three interceptions and seven pass breakups, however, showing flashes as a pass defender. Like Joey Blount last year, he's likely a special teams contributor early with a chance to develop into something more.
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