Welcome back for the third official installment of my Mock Draft Series, the fourth will be more prognostication.
This draft is taking a look at what we might see if the value is there to pick up more picks while moving off of Day 1 entirely. For this draft, I'm assuming that Schneider has handed out scant few R1 grades this year and that all of those players will be long gone by the time that Pick 16 rolls around.
Unlike my other Mocks, I'll be giving some reasoning behind each of the picks prior to the Seahawks picks. If you want to read my other Mocks you can here:
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2024/3/29/24114269/mock-mayhem-7-qbs-in-the-first-15-lets-go
https://www.fieldgulls.com/2024/3/25/24112073/not-another-mock-draft-mock-draft
and one I had a little fun with here:
If you want the TL;DR version, scroll to the bottom
======
All of my rules are still the same, I use multiple sources to establish range and do not rely on any one, but my own judgment rules, Nubin goes in the second, so does Bishop. I enforce these on the Seahawks only, for other picks I try to think outside the box on how the draft might unfold, risers, fallers, etc...
I am expecting a depressed trade market this year, and so that will be reflected in my trades - I know you will get better deals on the simulators - that isn't what this is about.
Avoiding repetition is hard, and getting harder, but my goal is to hopefully get the community thinking beyond the same 20 players (and most fan bases are thinking of those same 20 players).
Let's get to the picks:
The Draft:
1. Bears - Caleb Williams, QB, USC - Williams chooses to not pull an Elway after being taken to Eddie Merlot's, whether this was a draft day set up remains to be seen.
2. Commies - J.J. McCarthy, QB, Mich - The Commies embracing McCarthyism is the headline we all need.
3. Vikes! - Drake Maye, QB, UNC - Pats need help everywhere, Vikes need QB. Drake Maye might just be that match.
4. ATL - Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU - Falcons cannot stand it, they've made big moves before and here they overwhelm the Cards to get their guy. Shades of Michael Vick in the wings while Cousins finishes out his career?
5. Lesser Harbaugh - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, OSU - This matches with Lesser Harbaugh's FTN drafts.
6. Giants - Malik Nabers, WR, LSU - Giants were hoping a QB dropped so they could trade back, but get more WR help.
7. Titans - Rome Odunze, WR, UDub - Titans are going to be fascinating to watch for the next couple of years. Rome is everything they need.
8. Cards - Dallas Turner, Edge, Bama - Cards trade down and get the player they need/want - yes, WR is a need, but it is so deep this year.
9. Bears - Byron Murphy II, DT, UTA - Bears play 2 games each against the Pack, Lions and Vikes. Game Wreckers needed.
10. Jets - Brock Bowers, TE, Ugga - All in! Rodgers is All In!
11. Pats - Michael Penix, QB, UDub/Hoosiers - Wolf's kid pulls a fast one, with Vegas sitting on their hands he swipes the apple of their eye (or does he)
12. Donkey - Jared Verse, Edge, FSU - Sean Payton Pick, for sure.
13. Vegas - Taliese Fuaga, OT, Beaver - Feels like an old School Raider, like the match.
14. Aints - Joe Alt, OT, Irish - Very Aints pick.
15. Colts - Troy Fautanu, OT, UDub - Very Colts pick.
And your SEATTLE SEAHAWKS are on the clock, and options abound!
JC Latham leads off the tackles with Amarius Mims. Chop Robinson is there at Edge, Mitchell and Arnold at CB. the phone rings....
Jerry Jones: "Howdy John, how's running the whole show now? Hey, do y'all got your eye on someone special? I know we do and we'd be just tickled if y'all'd swap places with us, and what's say I throw in pick #87, and we swap a couple 2025 picks so some nerd doesn't say one of us 'lost' the trade"
John Schneider: "Yeeeeeeee-hah!"
16. Cowboys - Amarius Mims, OT, Ugga - Very Boys Pick.
17. Jags - Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo - I wanted to pair Mitchell up before this, but the draft is weird. This is his floor unless the Eagles trade way up.
18. Bucs - Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn St - Bucs trade up and get a potential game-wrecker to terrorize Bryce Young
19. FTR - Terrion Arnold, CB, Bama - We will all end up hating them making this pick.
20. Stealers - Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn St - Total Stealers Pick, will probably end up being a multi-year All-pro or some nonsense.
21. Phins - JC Latham, OT, Bama - Love this pick for them. great player for their style of offense.
22. Philly - Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri - Surprise! but the Eagles need a CB and Rakestraw is the best fit left.
23. Pats - Roger Rosengarten, OT, UDub - Oh you sly Wolf! Doubles up on the Dawgs! Penix gets his blindside protector.
And your SEATTLE SEAHAWKS are back on the Clock!
Well, shoot, none of the options at 16 survived to pick 24! But John Schneider had planned for this, John Schneider stays true to his board now, it is precious to him!
Talent is there: Brian Thomas and Adonai Mitchell are two top WR; Tyler Guyton and Jordan Morgan could beef up the Tackle position; is it too early for Graham Barton for the IOL? Jer'Zhan Newton for DT? Laiatu Latu at Edge? Nate Wiggins at CB? Cooper DeJean or Tyler Nubin at Safety?
The trade line has been ringing, Schneider looks like he is on the set of Boiler Room, Thomas and Mitchell are the players that some team needs, and that team is...
The Kansas City Chiefs - and they want Brian Thomas Jr. something furious. 32 and 95 come back with a little change exchanged in 2025 to even things up.
24. KC - Brian Thomas Jr. WR, LSU - home run pick for KC, will not be surprised if they trade up to 16 to get him.
25. Pack- Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson - Feels so much like a Packers CB.
26. Cincy - Tyler Guyton, OT, OK - Attitude problem, in Cincy? Never!
27. Cards - Adonai Mitchell, WR, UTA - I suddenly feel less excited about them missing out on a top 3 receiver. Mitchell combined with Wilson. Those are some big boys.
28. Bills - Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA - Mr. Glass goes to the Bills. Not like they get bit with the injury bug or anything.
29. Lions - Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Ill - very Lions pick.
30. Ravens - Jackson Powers-Johnson, IOL, Duck - very Ravens pick, plays guard for them. This will make some of us sick.
31. FTN - Jordan Morgan, OT, Tucson - very FTN type,
The SEATTLE SEAHAWKS are back on the Clock with the final pick of Day 1!
[RECORD SCRATCH SOUND]
{LouDiamond - You said a double trade down! And also no Day 1 pick! Did you mislead us all?}
There is one player sitting there, one we all need to talk about:
The Red Rifle Andy Dalton er, the Meditation Master - Bo Nix. What you need to ask yourself right now, is who do you feet better with as the QBotF? Samuel Duke Howell or Bo Chapman Nix? The chatter is real, Schneider liked the Red Rifle, Grubb got himself multiple front row seats to watch Bo Nix.
The phone is ringing - the Broncos want back in, but lack powder for their cannon. Vegas, and Tom Brady, believe they have found their man, they want back up.
Schneider is given an offer he cannot refuse. 32 and 102 for 44 and 77, plus a 2025 2nd.
32. Vegas - Bo Nix, QB, Duck - 6 QBs in the first round!
Round 2:
33. East Coast Seahawks - Graham Barton, OL, Duke - Are they allowed to take a IOL early John? Are they now off your Christmas Card list?
34. Pats - TJ Tampa, CB, Cyclone - Wolf wants every pundit to give him an A+ for this draft
35. Cards - Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Bama - Doubling up on Tide players...NFC West is having an arms race of sorts at WR
36. Commies - Bralen Trice, Edge, UDub - Trice is a frustrating player, mainly because of his weird combine. I think the Commies overlook that and maybe get a draft steal here.
37. Lesser Harbaugh - Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU - Lesser Harbuagh has a type at tackle - checked it out.
38. Titans - Brandon Coleman, OT, TCU - Draft playing out like this, coupled with another nice one next year will have people really asking if it is Levis or the talent around him.
39. East Coast Seahawks - Darius Robinson, DT, Missouri - Yes! East Coast Seahawks do something Seahawks.
40. Commies - Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa - We really don't know what the trend with the Commies will be, so I've focussed on taking players that have unique traits that Quinn had success with in Seattle, ATL and Dallas, DeJean fits that, will be used on the outside there.
41. Pack - Junior Colson, LB, Mich - A very packers player goes to the Pack.
42. FTR - Spencer Rattler, QB, Cocks - Surprise! Mr. 75% will be in LA ready for his next Netflix special. This should worry you, even though it doesn't.
43. ATL - Cooper Beebe, G, KSt.- This is BPA/Need for the Falcons -
Your SEATTLE SEAHAWKS are back on the clock to start Day 2...and there are so many ways to go...
Wide Receiver is ridiculously loaded at this point. Offensive Tackle is picked over. Guard is overdrafted, so is Center - plus let's try to believe in Olu a little. Safety is loaded - Nubin, Bishop, DTD (but this draft is so deep), LB has Cooper and the damaged Mr. Wilson. I've made my feelings about this Edge group known - and I think the team will feel similarly. Defensive Line in the second has a wealth of exciting players: Sweat, Wingo, Hall, Jenkins, Carter...and Ruke Orhorhoro.
With the 44th pick in the 2024 NFL DRAFT the Seattle Seahawks select Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson.
I'm calling him Rook if we draft him. To me he is further along than Boye Mafe was at a position that is easier to learn. Rook has been learning it at an accelerated pace. The upside here is Chris Jones, that is not a typo or even hyperbole - it is a big IF, but that is your upside.
Lance Zierlein is much Cooler while comping him to Justin Madubuike.
Orhorhoro had to wait his turn and share reps during his time at Clemson, thanks to the Tigers' deep, talented defensive fronts. His game is built upon leverage and explosiveness, but in 2023, he added a little more polish. Orhorhoro can get distracted by individual battles and needs to keep his focus trained on pursuing the ball and making positive plays. His foot quickness and sudden hands shine in the running game and as a pass rusher when he has space to work, so teams would be wise to keep that in mind when it comes to his alignments. The pass rush still needs improvement, but he projects as an ascending talent and future starter in odd or even fronts.
Zierlein was cool on Chris Jones too.....
The wait so long...Schneider is watching...two players are falling Kamari Lassiter and Tyler Nubin...does he grab the phone to try and trade back up? What could it hurt? No deals are struck.
Your SEATTLE SEAHAWKS are back on the clock with the 77th pick in the NFL Draft.
The Seahawks own 4 round 3 picks now...
A once stocked cupboard now looks bare at first glance. Pratt is there if you are in for that. WR still has ridiculous value headlined by Ricky Pearsall. TE has the attractive duo of Theo Johnson and Cade Stover. Centers Zach Frazier and Van Pran are available. There are multiple guard options and some attractive tackles. There is talent out there at Safety, Corner, DT still, but one player cries out...
With the 77th pick in the NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Cedric Gray, LB, NC.
Gray caught my attention because I became obsessed looking for Linebackers who could cover RB, TE, and WR, especially on Crossing Routes. Gray did just that, and does that, beautifully. He is a a Will at the NFL level, not a Mike, but is versatile enough that Mac could use him creatively with schemes
Gray disappointed a bit at the combine - I am chalking that up to a Brian Branch type anomaly, watching him play his athleticism jumps off the screen.
Cedric Gray's draft profile presents a mixed bag of elite athleticism and areas needing polish. On the positive side, Gray's sideline-to-sideline speed, high motor, and blitzing prowess make him a disruptive force on defense. His ability to cover ground quickly and engage effectively in space positions him as a quintessential WILL linebacker in the NFL, suited for a scheme prioritizing range and versatility. Gray's knack for making plays in both the run and pass game, highlighted by his solid pass breakups and ability to spy mobile quarterbacks, underscores his potential as a three-down linebacker at the pro level.
Mac deserves some nice players, this is a nice football player.
You can almost hear the chants at the VMAC, what about IOL John? Please don't do this again...
The phone is a ringing, but Schneider has a plan and that plan calls for
With the 81st Pick in the NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Max Melton, CB, Rutgers.
Melton is my candidate for the player most likely to have the NFL Media asking "how did this guy go so late?", last year it was Bryce Young - the Edge. I've seen Melton play, he reminds me of a player that would have fit right in with the LoB.
Lance? He isn't showing this draft the love he has shown my others, what say you on Melton:
Versatile inside/outside cornerback who displayed improvement every year at Rutgers. Melton carries good size and did a nice job staying with some of the better receiving options from the Big Ten. He's adequate from press and has the burst to make up ground when he gets behind early. He's at his best, however, when playing with his eyes forward from zone and searching for clues to jump in and make plays on the football. The ball skills can flip the field, and he's very aggressive in collapsing the catch point. He's capable in run support but needs to work on his angles of pursuit. His versatility, traits, instincts and ball skills could make him an eventual starter and an early CB3/4.
The part I read The ball skills can flip the field Spoon and Melton, sounds like the making of a match.
It is pick 87 and YOUR SEATTLE SEAHAWKS are back on the clock, but this time a trade does happen, the WR depth is too much for Buffalo. Pick 87 is traded to Seattle for Pick 128 and a 2025 2nd.
Trader John is back at it again. The memes flood Twitter.
Now it is pick 95 and your SEATTLE SEAHAWKS are back on the clock
The options abound. But one player stands above the rest, a player that is believed to be a plug and play starter at LG, a perfect fit.
With the 95th Pick in the NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College.
I was asked about him in another thread, and I've been delaying this post trying to clean up my formatting and grammar. I'll try not to repeat myself.
I've watched every offensive snap from Fresno St. and UW during the Grubb play calling days. I've paid close attention to all the position groups, and especially the OLine. He wants a brutal and aggressive line, one that punishes the opponent, it is an attitude. His guards are also asked to pull, a lot, and guess what?
Brings a physical, aggressive approach to the game, using his strength to overpower defenders.
Skilled in executing double-team and combo blocks, demonstrating quickness and precision.
Effective in pass protection with the ability to absorb power and neutralize rushers.
Displays remarkable recovery quickness, maintaining engagement through his reach.
Excels as a puller and in screen plays, moving fluidly to create openings for runners.
Utilizes stiff, strong hands to disrupt defenders' momentum and protect the quarterback.
Adept at identifying and adjusting to stunts and twists, maintaining solid defensive fronts.
Embodies a mauler's mentality, with the drive and power to finish blocks aggressively.
Why is Mahogany not higher? He struggles in Pass Pro (Shocker), but these are fixable flaws, not fatal ones. The fact is a front of Cross, Mahogany, Olu, Bradford and Lucas is capable of blasting teams off the ball in the run game. If the pass-pro comes along even 25-50% better than last year, that should be plenty for Geno.
The wait to 118 sees some course correction with WR talent coming off the board....
No WAIT! Your Seattle Seahawks are back on the clock at pick 118 and there is a very special player who has fallen.
Every year there are some inexplicable drops, sometimes it is injury, and in this case, it is injury, but the flags are worth the round value here. By my ranking system this is almost the last mathematical spot this player can be taken.
Mac cracks a smile, Shanny and McVay don't know the delicious pain he is cooking up for them, maybe the commenters will name his new look DLine the Hellraisers?
With the 118th Pick in the NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Braden Fiske, DT, FSU.
Oh, the links I could throw you on Fiske. There are many, and it is totally possible that Braden Fiske does not make it this way, if we draft him I'm dubbing him Kingpin, unless injuries take him. Fiske has been an offseason star, done every drill, every camp, impressed the hell out of teams, and he played like his life depended on it for FSU last year.
What does Zierlein say;
Defensive tackle with below-average mass and length who makes up for it with above-average quickness and a constantly revving engine. Fiske uses sudden hands and nimble feet to whip single blocks. Once he finds daylight, he flies to whoever has the ball. He doesn’t have the anchor to sit down and muddy gaps, so scheme will be important for him. Fiske is a hustle rusher who can win quick or late if opponents don’t play with proper hand usage and match his energy. He lacks ideal measurables but has a chance to become an impact defender.
Fiske is sort of player I dreaded being drafted before, Mac has given me hope that he could be drafted and used in a way to maximize his disruptiveness. His injury flags could be too much, he could be gone long before this, but what a steal it would be. And yes, certain corners of the Hawkdom would be popping champagne corks over this pick.
The Seahawks are back on the clock at pick 128, but the Chiefs are on the phone again, they want to trade 128 and 235 for 131 and 227 - John likes those odds!
It is Pick 131 and your SEATTLE SEAHAWKS are back on the clock!
There is a lot of talent spread across the board, but one player is the sort of Swiss army knife this offense needs.
With the 131st Pick in the NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville
Jamari Thrash is the sort of player who started the season not being listed on big boards, basically an afterthought. Thrash is one of my favorite WR this draft, I comp him to Jayden Reed, one of my favorite's from last draft. At first, you might thing Thrash is redundant with JSN, in that they can each play every WR position, but they are actually very different players.
Thrash is the sort of WR that Grubb used a lot of at Fresno St. Maximum versatility. Thrash shines most in scramble drills, something I found lacking with the Seahawks last year.
Jamari Thrash enters the NFL Draft as a receiver with a polished route tree and a knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage. His ability to execute sharp cuts and showcase reliable hands makes him a threat on short to intermediate routes. With his demonstrated footwork and ability to make cuts quickly, Thrash can create separation against man coverage, making him a viable option in the slot or on the outside. His route-running savvy, combined with an instinctual understanding of defensive schemes, allows him to be a consistent target. However, Thrash's game does come with limitations, particularly in his downfield speed, (where his timed speed doesn't show) and ability to contest catches against more physically imposing defenders. His lack of elite burst and play strength could hinder his effectiveness in press coverage at the next level.
Despite these concerns, Thrash's versatility and football IQ position him as a promising prospect for teams looking to bolster their receiving corps. His ability to operate both inside and outside gives offensive coordinators flexibility in play-calling, while his hands and route precision ensure he can be a reliable chain mover. Thrash's performance in scramble drill situations and his knack for uncovering against broken plays add another layer to his on-field value.
If you liked what Jayden Reed did in Green Bay, Thrash could have the same impact with the Seahawks. Creative usage of Thrash and JSN could create absolute nightmares for opposing defenses trying to decipher assignments.
The wait to 179 feels like forever after all these quick picks....
The SEATTLE SEAHAWKS are on the clock with the 179th pick in the NFL Draft
So many directions. There has been a big investment on defense. How much help does the offense need? There are favorites out there at LB and Safety. Schneider, Grubb, Mac and Co have their eyes on a different player...
With the 179th Pick in the NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Jarrett Kingston, OLine, USC
I make no secret about my love for Anthony Bradford, get a big, athletic guard and let them grow into the role. Jarrett Kingston is of this vein. He is probably not going to stick at RT, but he can play it in a pinch, he is depth and someone you develop to play guard.
Zierlein?
Offensive lineman who has the grit, play strength and know-how to play guard, but his size and length could prevent it. Kingston has been well-trained in pass protection, with a steady posture and quick hand strikes, but he could have issues when he’s on an island and forced to defend both gaps against an athletic rusher. He’s capable of making zone-scheme blocks and does an admirable job of sustaining run blocks for as long as possible. While he never played the position in a collegiate game, Kingston’s future in the NFL might rest on his ability to prove he can snap and move to center.
Center conversion? Maybe a little harsh. Kingston is that backup depth piece that you want to know every position on the line. You take Kingston because his athletic upside is crazy and there are good fundamentals there, and he seems to recognize the game. Good character, but exemplifies a nasty streak. Fixing the OLine is going to be at least a two year project, and Kingston is the sort of player that you want for that job.
Waiting until 192 wasn't that bad...now lets see what Safety they are finally add....
With the 192nd Pick in the NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Jalen Green, Edge, JMU
I have trashed this Edge class thoroughly. You want overdrafted and overpaid? Take a look at this year's group. Yuck!
Now, for your palette cleanser, meet Jalen Green.
You might not know Jalen Green, you might not know where James Madison University is, let's chat....
Jalen Green isn't showing up on most sites, draft boards, or anything of note, is that because he is no good? Or because he is flying beneath the radar?
JMU’s Jalen Green led the FBS in sacks in 2023 despite missing the final four games of the Dukes’ season due to injury. Green, a prolific edge rusher, tallied 15.5 sacks in just nine games for the Dukes.
He has missed most of the draft process while in rehab.
I couldn't find a projected 40, or arm length, his speed and length look good. He is 6'2 and looks to be 250-260, listed at 245lbs. Very quick off the snap. Displays good center of gravity. Good strength, twitchy, great bend (comp to Taylor?). Excellent discipline on maintaining pass rush lanes. EDGE - setter, superb mirroring, attacks zone concepts (wrecker),
This is a LCH special - Jalen Green is potentially an UDFA type, but we are not letting him get there. He exhibits every trait I wish Darrell Taylor had, so let's bring him some competition.
Finally 227 is approaching and your SEATTLE SEAHAWKS are on the clock!
This card is a fast one, they are already scrambling to get the best UDFA in, but....
With the 227th Pick in the NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks select Evan Williams, DB, Oregon
No, I did not pick him because I was drinking Evan Williams while working through my final read through of this draft.
Williams to me is the player who can thrive in the system that Mac has historically run. If he continues to run that system, Williams can learn while playing on ST. in 3 years he could be Geno Stone.
=============================
Here is your TL;DR 2024 Seattle Seahawks draft:
44. Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
77. Cedric Gray, LB, UNC
81. Max Melton, CB, Rutgers
95. Christian Mahogany, Guard, Boston College
118. Braden Fiske, DT, FSU
131. Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville
179. Jarrett Kingston, OLine, USC
192. Jalen Green, Edge, JMU
227. Evan Williams, DB, Oregon
=========================================
Hopefully, this draft continued to press my thesis that the Seahawks need to be focussed on players with high ceilings, at the cost of low floors. The team is deep, with good talent across the board, what it lacks are blue-chippers, difference makers, game wreckers. Every player listed here has demonstrated leadership, character, resilience, and has untapped potential that could raise them to the top of their position.
Rook, El Dub, and Kingpin form the Hellraisers. Jalen Green gets to try and dislodge Taylor because Green is everything Taylor is not. Gray gets to rotate in at LB, where his versatility will help attack opponents and continue the theme "Death to Crossing routes". Max Melton immediately competes to start and gives those LOB vibes at CB.
Do not sleep on the offensive additions. Mahogany's tape looks like the exact sort of guard that Grubb needs, Kingston has a terrific athletic profile that can play all over the line and push for minutes (might be my Anthony Bradford this year), and Jamari Thrash - I said it above Jayden Reed comp - a Swiss army knife for the WR group that excels in the scramble drill.
What say you? Fear and Loathing are all that await us if we leave the 1st entirely? I was too generous with the trades? This draft would signal that Dre' is on his way out, for certain
What about my Mock to 44? Any big bones to pick there?
Loading comments...