(Editor's note: One more mock draft from our fanposts section to promote to the front page. Thanks for everyone's contributions and input!)
Alright folks, rather than my usual moving around trying to get prospects who I like, today we are doing a stick and pick draft. Let's see if we can find some good rookies with no moves. As usual, I'll cover the first round until the Seattle Seahawks pick, then cover the Seahawks draft from there.
The First Round -
- Chicago Bears - QB Caleb Williams, USC
- Washington Commanders - QB Drake Maye, UNC
- New England Patriots - QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
- Arizona Cardinals - WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
- Los Angeles Chargers - WR Malik Nabers, LSU
- New York Giants - QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
- Tennessee Titans - OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
- Atlanta Falcons - ED Dallas Turner, Alabama
- Chicago Bears - WR Rome Odunze, Washington
- New York Jets - TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
- Minnesota Vikings - OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
- Denver Broncos - CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama
- Las Vegas Raiders - OT JC Latham, Alabama
- 'New Orleans Saints - OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
- Indianapolis Colts - ED Jared Verse, FSU
The Seahawks Draft -
Not much that is unexpected here. The Seahawks are on the board at pick 16 with a lot of prospects available who would be immediate impact players. There are obvious needs that could be filled by drafting an offensive lineman, Penix and Nix are still on the board at quarterback, and a variety of defensive options are still available. In what some might consider an unconventional move, the Seahawks select...
R1:16 - Iowa CB Cooper DeJean (6’ 0 1/2’’, 203 lbs) brings great versatility to a Seahawks secondary that lacks overall quality depth in that he can start at any position in the defensive backfield. The Seahawks believe that DeJean is the one prospect available at R1:16 who gives them the ability to put the best eleven players on the field at all times. DeJean is projected as the starting strong safety and will slide to outside corner in nickel formations when Witherspoon moves to the slot.
Highly competitive defensive back with plus ball skills and noteworthy special teams value. DeJean is big and bundled for a cornerback, with muscular arms and tight hips. He has fantastic interception production, but his movements are more linear than fluid, and he doesn’t have the easy change of direction needed in man coverage on the next level. His best football is played with his eyes forward, using his instincts to challenge quarterbacks and his big downhill burst to smack whatever needs smacking. He would seem to be a no-brainer as a punt returner and gunner in Year 1. DeJean should be a big athletic tester, which will help get the hype train going, but finding the proper schematic fit will be important in unlocking his best football as a zone corner or interchangeable safety.
R3:81 - Offensive line is expected to be a priority in this draft, and the Seahawks don't hesitate here and select Kansas State OG Cooper Beebe (6’ 3’’, 322 lbs). Beebe will be expected to compete with veteran Laken Tomlinson for the starting left guard position.
Wide-bodied guard who has been a model of consistency over the last four years, dialing in a very firm brand of football. While hand placement can be a little inconsistent, Beebe is still a bulldozer in cleats who jolts smaller players and moves big ones against their will. A lack of arm length will test him in certain interior matchups in the pros, and he will need to improve his technique to bolster his block sustain. He's slow of foot and is likely to be pigeonholed into downhill-oriented rush attacks, but that has never prevented him from doing his job in pass protection. Beebe's experience, girth and drive-blocking talent should make him a long-time starter who can step in right away.
R4:102 - After seeing his draft stock plummet following a recent DUI arrest, Texas DI T'Vondre Sweat (6’ 4 1/2’’, 366 lbs) gets the call from the Seahawks early in the fourth. Sweat is expected to be the starter at the nose tackle position, but due to his known maturity and conditioning issues, Coach Macdonald has assured Sweat that he will be competing for his playing time throughout the offseason program.
Sweat is a massive space-eater whose size and skill set will have him plugged into a role as a run-plugger for odd- or even-front defenses. He’s not quick off the snap or explosive into first contact, but it takes a village to try to uproot him and move him out of the way. The attention he will require from blocking schemes should help unlock the playmaking potential of speedy inside linebackers who won’t have to contend with as much traffic climbing into the second level. He offers more rush than expected for a man his size and could play more snaps than most at his position. Sweat’s area of impact will be narrowly focused, but it could create a much larger impact on the defense overall.
R4:118 - Moving back to their largest area of need, the Seahawks dip back into the deep offensive line class in this draft and select Pittsburgh OT Matt Goncalves (6’ 6’’, 327 lbs). Goncalves played both tackle positions in college and will be expected to backup at tackle, but he will also be expected to compete for the starting right guard position with Anthony Bradford.
Beefy lineman with experience at both tackle spots who should be able to transition inside if needed. He's not a natural knee-bender and lacks leverage as a projected guard but has the mass and power to execute blocks inside. He's a decent athlete for his size but is limited as a move blocker. He's sound in pass protection, with the only real issue being his inability to change direction quickly against counters and twists. Goncalves might get a shot to prove himself at tackle early in his career but limited foot quickness will shrink his margin for error. The physical traits and two-position potential could make him a middle-round pick with eventual starter potential.
R6:179 - The Seahawks stick to their guns here and select Arkansas C Beaux Limmer (6’ 5’’, 302 lbs). Limmer is a versatile lineman who will compete for playing time at the center position, but also brings experience at guard that will strengthen offensive line depth.
Limmer brings center/guard flexibility and a wealth of starting experience in the challenging SEC. He has decent upper-body strength and good lower-body flexibility to provide leverage, but he could use additional mass on his frame. His clear eyes and accurate block entries give him early leads in the initial phase as a run blocker, and he maintains active feet to stay connected to his blocks over the first and second level. His tendency to lean and sit heavily on his feet has created problems mirroring rushers at both guard and center, and that is likely to continue for him as a pro. Limmer's run blocking should create an NFL opportunity at center, but the pass protection must improve.
R6:192 - With outside linebacker depth being a concern, the Seahawks select Michigan ED Jaylen Harrell (6’ 4’’, 250 lbs). Considered undersized as a 4-3 DE edge defender in the NFL, Harrell will be a better fit as an outside linebacker, though he could still add a few pounds as he builds NFL strength.
Harrell comes from NFL bloodlines, as his father played for nine years as an NFL linebacker. Harrell followed in his father's footsteps as a linebacker in high school but has played on the edge for Michigan. Harrell wins with natural athleticism that allows him to showcase good body control, lateral quickness and short-area burst. His hands are fast and well-timed to stay off blocks and slip off OTs' shoulders. He also has a nice inside spin move. His lack of length for an edge rusher does show up when offensive tackles can get their hands on him. His power also fades quickly after he makes contact. This also shows up in run defense.-PFF 2024 NFL Draft Guide
R7:235 - Closing out their 2024 NFL Draft, the Seahawks add to the defense and select Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson (6’ 2’’, 233 lbs). Watson struggles some in coverage, but has good skills playing between the tackles in run defense and as a blitzer. He will be expected to be a key special teams contributor.
Watson is a throwback linebacker with the size, length and demeanor to handle the physical nature of life between the tackles. He plays with good diagnostic quickness and will punch and separate from most climbing blocks. Tight hips and a lack of pursuit speed seem to limit his ability to eat with solo tackles once plays flow wide or enter open space. There are too many bumpy moments on tape to expect him to hold up in coverage, but he’s better than average at disrupting when used as a blitzer. Watson’s size and production in impact categories are impressive, but athletic limitations could put a cap on his NFL production.
TL;DR -
- R1:16 - Iowa CB Cooper DeJean (6’ 0 1/2’’, 203 lbs)
- R3:81 - Kansas State OG Cooper Beebe (6’ 3’’, 322 lbs)
- R4:102 - Texas DI T'Vondre Sweat (6’ 4 1/2’’, 366 lbs)
- R4:118 - Pittsburgh OT Matt Goncalves (6’ 6’’, 327 lbs)
- R6:179 - Arkansas C Beaux Limmer (6’ 5’’, 302 lbs)
- R6:192 - Michigan ED Jaylen Harrell (6’ 4’’, 250 lbs)
- R7:235 - Mississippi State LB Nathaniel Watson (6’ 2’’, 233 lbs)
Discuss!
Loading comments...