The Seahawks have pulled off at least one draft-day trade every year under John Schneider and Pete Carroll. Trying to predict anything else usually has been futile. Nevertheless, here is our Seahawks-only mock draft.
The Seahawks have nine picks in the NFL draft, which will be April 28-30 in Chicago.
Given the Seahawks’ track record since 2010 under general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll, about the only thing we know is they are unlikely to use all nine of those picks. The Seahawks have pulled off at least one draft-day trade every season of the Schneider/Carroll regime — to either move up or, more often, down.
Otherwise, trying to predict what the Seahawks are going to do in the draft usually has been about as futile as figuring out what they were thinking with the latest Batman vs. Superman movie.
But foolhardy as it might be, taking a guess what the Seahawks will do with each pick is a challenge we are happy to accept.
So here is a Seahawks-only mock draft:
FIRST ROUND
No. 26: Defensive tackle Kenny Clark, UCLA.
Height, weight: 6-2⅝, 314.
Why he makes sense: Offensive line is considered by many to be the Seahawks’ most obvious need. But they also need defensive tackles and might find the best value by dipping into one of the deepest pools of talent at that position in decades. Clark would help fill a need as a replacement for the departed Brandon Mebane, a player to whom he has often been likened. Clark also can play the “three-technique” spot, where he could add depth behind Athyba Rubin. Clark also is just 20 years old. And, yes, let us acknowledge that it would be the second consecutive year the Seahawks used their first pick on a defensive lineman named Clark (they took Frank Clark in the second round in 2015).
SECOND ROUND
No. 56: Offensive guard/tackle Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M
Height, weight: 6-5¾, 324.
Why he makes sense: Ifedi could go higher based on his talent. But some question his readiness, particularly because he played primarily out of a two-point stance. He started at guard and right tackle in college and could step right into the competition at right tackle with newly signed free agent J’Marcus Webb. His arm length of 36 inches underscores his enticing measurables.
THIRD ROUND
No. 90: Defensive end Carl Nassib, Penn State
Height, weight: 6-6⅞, 277.
Why he makes sense: A second defensive lineman before taking a second offensive lineman? Well, as noted earlier, the Seahawks still have some depth needs on the defensive line and could find Nassib, who led the NCAA in sacks in 2015 with 15.5, hard to pass up. And with Frank Clark dropping weight to take on more of the role filled by the departed Bruce Irvin, the Seahawks might want a bigger end to add depth behind Michael Bennett.
No. 97: Le’Raven Clark, OL, Texas Tech
Height, weight: 6-5¼, 316.
FOURTH ROUND
No. 124: Defensive back Deiondre’ Hall, Northern Iowa
Height, weight: 6-1⅝, 199.
FIFTH ROUND
No. 171: Offensive lineman Rees Odhiambo, Boise State
Height. Weight: 6-3⅞, 314.
Why he makes sense: Odhiambo is one of the more enigmatic players in the draft. He is considered immensely talented but did not play a full season at Boise State due to a slew of injuries — including a broken ankle and a torn calf muscle. He then sat out the NFL combine because of an ankle injury. He had surgery on both ankles in the past year. But when healthy, he has been a standout, playing right and left tackle — he started eight games at left tackle for Boise State in 2015. He projects as a guard or tackle in the NFL, and his high-risk, possible high-reward factor seems to fit the Seahawks’ template for late-round picks. Seahawks offensive-line coach Tom Cable attended Boise State’s pro day.
SIXTH ROUND
No. 215: Running back Tyler Ervin, San Jose State
Height, weight: 5-9⅞, 192.
Why he makes sense: The Seahawks have just three running backs on the roster and might fill out the depth by drafting a tailback for the first time since 2013. Ervin was a standout at the combine and at his pro day, where he was reported to have had a lengthy conversation afterward with Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. His weight and ability to handle the physical rigors of a full NFL season are a question. But his explosiveness, receiving ability (45 catches in 2015), durability (42 carries for 300 yards against Fresno State) and ability to play special teams could make him a good late pick.
SEVENTH ROUND
No. 225: Linebacker Stephen Weatherly, Vanderbilt
Height, weight: 6-4, 267.
Why he makes sense: After losing Bruce Irvin, the Seahawks brought in a few free agents for visits without making any signings, indicating they will try to add depth at strong-side linebacker in the draft. Weatherly’s size and speed (4.61 40 at the combine) make him especially intriguing. Weatherly, however, might be viewed more as a traditional defensive end, and the Seahawks might look for more of a speedy, outside-linebacker type. But if they are seeking someone who can play with his hand down on the line and has experience playing off the ball, Weatherly could be a good fit.
No. 247: Fullback FB Soma Vainuku, USC
Height, weight: 5-11½, 246.
Why he makes sense: The Seahawks don’t have any fullbacks on the roster despite valuing that position as much as any NFL team. Vainuku is a cousin of Rey Maualuga, a standout at USC under Carroll and said he remembers attending many Carroll-run USC practices as a kid. He didn’t run the ball all that much at USC but was known as a good blocker with decent hands and as one of the better special-teams players in the Pac-12 — he twice was named USC’s Special Teams Player of the Year and blocked three punts in 2013.