I’ve never done a four-round mock before. This is what happens when you’re on a seven-hour flight and none of the films on the plane are any good. I also wanted to run through some scenarios today with two weeks to go until the draft, including:
— The likelihood of Troy Fautanu & Taliese Fuaga being off the board by #16 and how the Seahawks pivot after that
— What a realistic trade-down scenario looks like
— How the Seahawks gain a pick in the ideal range to select a starting guard for this year
— What I think a Ron Wolf-influenced John Schneider might do now he’s in charge
If you want to see the four-round mock draft as one big list without any comments, click here.
First round
#1 Chicago (v/CAR) — Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
Williams has been locked in as the #1 pick since the minute the 2022 college season ended.
#2 Washington — Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU)
Daniels will be the second quarterback off the board.
#3 New England — Drake Maye -(QB, North Carolina)
I still think it’s very plausible that Eliot Wolf will prefer to trade down, grab a haul of picks and draft an offensive lineman instead.
TRADE #4 Minnesota (v/ARI) — JJ McCarthy (QB, Michigan)
The Vikings might still spring a surprise and use their stock to secure Michael Penix Jr and Byron Murphy — but they’re very analytically focused and McCarthy has the best data. This move costs them #11, #23 and a first next year.
TRADE #5 NY Jets (v/LAC) — Marvin Harrison Jr (WR, Ohio State)
The Jets are in extreme win-now mode and aggressively trade up to get arguably the best player in the draft, giving up their 2025 first rounder.
#6 New York Giants — Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
He’s as close to a sure-thing as you’ll find.
#7 Tennessee — Malik Nabers (WR, LSU)
Brian Callahan once said in an interview that the key to success in the modern NFL is your quarterback and receivers. The Bengals drafted Ja’Marr Chase ahead of Penei Sewell and the Titans could follow suit. Plus, Brian brought his dad in — the best O-line coach in the league — to sort out the protection for Will Levis.
#8 Atlanta — Dallas Turner (DE, Alabama)
I thought his tape was underwhelming but the physical upside is unquestionable.
#9 Chicago — Troy Fautanu (T, Washington)
The best left tackle in the draft.
#10 LA Chargers (v/NYJ) — Taliese Fuaga (T, Oregon State)
The Chargers trade down and secure a player who screams ‘Harbaugh’.
#11 Arizona (v/MIN) — Jared Verse (DE, Florida State)
The Cardinals move down seven places and take a much needed pass rusher.
#12 Denver — Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia)
The Broncos don’t force things at quarterback and take the best player available.
#13 Las Vegas — Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
Al Davis would be proud to see his team select the QB with the best deep ball in the draft.
#14 New Orleans — Joe Alt (T, Notre Dame)
I think teams will rate Fautanu and Fuaga higher.
#15 Indianapolis — Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Toledo)
The Colts fill a big need with a player who has excelled in the pre-draft process.
TRADE #16 Arizona (v/SEA) — Brian Thomas Jr (WR, LSU)
The Cardinals weren’t afraid to talk trade with the Seahawks at #5 a year ago and they pick up the phone again here. They repeat the act of trading down, then back up to go and get their new WR1, jumping the Jaguars. They give the Seahawks pick #66 and Seattle sends #179 to Arizona.
#17 Jacksonville — Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama)
With Thomas Jr off the board, they pivot to Arnold at cornerback.
#18 Cincinnati — JC Latham (T, Alabama)
The Bengals love size at offensive tackle and Latham can start at guard as a rookie.
#19 LA Rams — Byron Murphy (DT, Texas)
This feels pretty scary.
#20 Pittsburgh — Amarius Mims (T, Alabama)
His upside is through the roof and he’ll go in the top-20.
#21 Miami — Laiatu Latu (DE, UCLA)
With injuries galore at this position, the Dolphins tap into the value on offer with Latu still available.
#22 Philadelphia — Chop Robinson (DE, Penn State)
With the top two cornerbacks off the board, the Eagles turn their attentions to an EDGE with the ability to be Philly’s answer to Micah Parsons.
TRADE #23 Washington (v/SEA, ARI, MIN, HOU) — Olu Fashanu (T, Penn State)
The Seahawks trade down for a second time, with the Commanders jumping up to usurp Dallas and Green Bay for an offensive tackle. They give Seattle #78 and #222 and swap the #152 pick to the Seahawks for #192. Seattle turns #16 into #36, #66 and #78.
#24 Dallas — Graham Barton (T/G/C, Duke)
The Cowboys seem to always do a good job drafting early for their O-line.
#25 Green Bay — Tyler Guyton (T, Oklahoma)
He has the ability to play left or right tackle.
#26 Tampa Bay — Jackson Powers-Johnson (C, Oregon)
The Buccs have a hole at center and they’ve liked size at this position in the past.
#27 Arizona (v/HOU) — Cooper DeJean (CB, Iowa)
Many people think he fits the Eagles’ defense — which means he’s also a fit for Jonathan Gannon. The Cardinals add Verse, Thomas Jr and DeJean in round one and get Minnesota’s 2025 first rounder too.
#28 Buffalo — Adonai Mitchell (WR, Texas)
The Bills get their Stefon Diggs replacement.
#29 Detroit — Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
The Lions have a big need at corner and while he’s not the ‘dog’ that Devon Witherspoon was, they have similar playing styles. The Lions supposedly liked Witherspoon a lot.
TRADE #30 Tennessee (v/BAL) — Jordan Morgan (T/G, Arizona)
The Titans jump back into the first round to secure a player some believe can stay at left tackle, despite his short arms.
#31 San Francisco — Jer’Zhan Newton (DT, Illinois)
The 49ers love to invest in their defensive line in round one.
#32 Kansas City — Ladd McKonkey (WR, Georgia)
He could go earlier than this — he’s a fantastic player.
Round Two
#33 Carolina — Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas)
The Panthers need to keep adding weapons for Bryce Young.
#34 New England — Ricky Pearsall (WR, Florida)
The Patriots have to give their new QB a fighting chance and that means drafting a player who will go earlier than people think.
#35 Arizona — Kool-aid McKinstry (CB, Alabama)
If they use Cooper DeJean as a versatile chess piece, they’ll still need another outside cornerback.
#36 Seattle (v/WAS) — Darius Robinson (DE, Missouri)
Ron Wolf’s mantra was about building the trenches, focus on the tape and don’t worry too much about testing. Robinson fits that perfectly. He’s the type of player the Ravens would draft and his versatility, strength and ability to develop into ‘the’ voice in the locker room could appeal to the Seahawks.
#37 LA Chargers — Braden Fiske (DT, Florida State)
Harbaugh gets a new Justin Smith for his defense. Smith and Fiske both have short arms but they have similar playing styles and they’re both athletes.
#38 Baltimore (v/TEN) — Edgerrin Cooper (LB, Texas A&M)
The Ravens trade down and address a key need. Cooper is a perfect fit to replace Patrick Queen.
#39 Carolina (v/NYG) — Kamari Lassiter (CB, Georgia)
He’s being underrated in the media.
#40 Washington (v/CHI) — Ben Sinnott (TE, Kansas State)
He could be this year’s Sam LaPorta.
#41 Green Bay (v/NYJ) — Junior Colson (LB, Michigan)
A solid player who’s good at everything but not great in any particular area.
#42 Houston (v/MIN) — Mike Sanristil (CB, Michigan)
He seems like a player DeMeco Ryans will really like.
#43 Atlanta — T.J. Tampa (CB, Iowa State)
I loved his tape and have been on the round two bandwagon for a long time.
#44 Las Vegas — Troy Franklin (WR, Oregon)
The Raiders get a Duck for their new Husky to throw to downfield.
#45 New Orleans (v/DEN) — Keon Coleman (WR, Florida State)
He has a chance to be really good, regardless of a substandard forty time.
#46 Indianapolis — Malachi Corley (WR, Western Kentucky)
The ‘YAC King’ would bring a new element to the Colts’ offense.
#47 NY Giants (v/SEA) — Max Melton (CB, Rutgers)
He’s one of the big risers as the draft nears.
#48 Jacksonville — Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)
He has good size and dynamic downfield ability.
#49 Cincinnati — Ruke Orhorhoro (DT, Clemson)
He has everything — length, toughness and athleticism.
#50 Philadelphia (v/NO) — Javon Bullard (S, Georgia)
He’s an Eagle.
#51 Pittsburgh — Zach Frazier (C, West Virginia)
A tough, brutal center who fits the Steelers perfectly.
#52 LA Rams — Spencer Rattler (QB, South Carolina)
This is also a scary thought.
#53 Philadelphia — J’Tavion Sanders (TE, Texas)
The Eagles like to invest in depth at this position.
#54 Cleveland — Jalen McMillan (WR, Washington)
Too many people are sleeping on McMillan.
#55 Miami — Roman Wilson (WR, Michigan)
Another speed merchant for Miami.
#56 Dallas — Michael Hall Jr (DT, Ohio State)
He’s inconsistent and there are some speculated character issues — but as a specialist interior rusher he can deliver dynamism.
#57 Tampa Bay — Payton Wilson (LB, NC State)
Another player who would go earlier but for the injuries.
#58 Green Bay — Cole Bishop (S, Utah)
There’s a real feeling he’ll land in the late second round
#59 Houston — Tyler Nubin (S, Minnesota)
The best overall safety in the draft.
#60 Buffalo — Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (S, Texas Tech)
He’s so smooth, fast and instinctive.
#61 Detroit — Ja’Lynn Polk (WR, Washington)
He’s known as a ‘dog’ who plays through pain — another knee-cap biter for Detroit.
#62 Baltimore — Roger Rosengarten (T, Washington)
Another player the Seahawks and Ravens will both probably be eyeing.
#63 San Francisco — Cooper Beebe (G, Kansas State)
The 49ers add an immediate starter to their O-line.
#64 Kansas City — Kingsley Suamataia (T, BYU)
I think he has feet like cement but plenty of others like him earlier than this.
Round three
#65 Carolina — Tykee Smith (S, Georgia)
#66 Seattle (v/ARI) — Christian Haynes (G, Connecticut)
He plays with an edge, he’s athletic, he has the length they like and he’s high character. The Seahawks will probably want to try and get a pick in this range to tap into the Beebe/Haynes/Puni trio.
#67 Washington — Marshawn Kneeland (DE, Western Kentucky)
#68 New England — Patrick Paul (T, Houston)
#69 LA Chargers — Blake Corum (RB, Michigan)
#70 NY Giants — Dominick Puni (G, Kansas)
#71 Arizona (v/TEN) — T’Vondre Sweat (DT, Texas)
#72 NY Jets — Jaden Hicks (S, Washington State)
#73 Detroit (v/MIN) — Zak Zinter (G, Michigan)
#74 Atlanta — Mekhi Wingo (DT, LSU)
#75 Chicago — Bralen Trice (DE, Washington)
#76 Denver — Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
#77 Las Vegas — Trey Benson (RB, Florida State)
#78 Seattle (v/WAS, SEA) — Theo Johnson (TE, Penn State)
The Seahawks regain their native pick from Washington after trading down in round one and take a dynamic athlete at tight end.
#79 Atlanta (v/JAX) — Ennis Rakestraw Jr (CB, Missouri)
#80 Cincinnati — Chris Braswell (DE, Alabama)
#81 Seattle (v/NO) — Dominique Hampton (S, Washington)
I can’t think of a better fit for Mike Macdonald’s system. Hampton is a quiet killer who played everywhere for Washington. He’s a great athlete, he’s disciplined and does his job very well. He’s going to go earlier than people realise.
#82 Indianapolis — Dewayne Carter (DT, Duke)
#83 LA Rams — Adisa Isaac (DE, Penn State)
#84 Pittsburgh — Jamari Thrash (WR, Louisville)
#85 Cleveland — Jaylen Wright (RB, Tennessee)
#86 Houston (v/PHI) — Jonathon Brooks (RB, Texas)
#87 Dallas — Sedrick Van Pran (C, Georgia)
#88 Green Bay — Brandon Dorlus (DE, Oregon)
#89 Tampa Bay — Cam Hart (CB, Notre Dame)
#90 Arizona (v/HOU) — Beaux Limmer (G, Arkansas)
#91 Green Bay (v/BUF) — Andru Phillips (CB, Kentucky)
#92 Tampa Bay (v/DET) — Caedan Wallace (T, Penn State)
#93 Baltimore — Calen Bullock (S, USC)
#94 San Francisco — Isaac Guerendo (RB, Rutgers)
#95 Kansas City — Cedric Gray (LB, North Carolina)
#96 Jacksonville — Kris Jenkins (DT, Michigan)
#97 Cincinnati — Javon Foster (T, Missouri)
#98 Pittsburgh (v/PHI) — Renardo Green (CB, Florida State)
#99 LA Rams — Trevin Wallace (LB, Kentucky)
#100 Washington (v/SF) — Brandon Coleman (T/G, TCU)
Round four
#101 Carolina — Marshawn Lloyd (RB, USC)
#102 Seattle (v/WAS) — McKinley Jackson (DT, Texas A&M)
He has the same kind of attitude and personality as Jarran Reed, was the emotional leader of the Texas A&M defense and he’s a warrior you want in the key games.
#103 New England — Jacob Cowing (WR, Arizona)
#104 Arizona — Maason Smith (DT, LSU)
#105 LA Chargers — Tip Reiman (TE, Illinois)
#106 Tennessee — Mason McCormick (G, South Dakota State)
#107 NY Giants — Ray Davis (RB, Kentucky)
#108 Minnesota — Brenden Rice (WR, USC)
#109 Atlanta — Tez Walker (WR, North Carolina)
#110 LA Chargers (v/CHI) — Javon Baker (WR, UCF)
#111 NY Jets — Malik Mustapha (S, Wake Forest)
#112 Las Vegas — Jeremiah Trotter (LB, Clemson)
#113 Baltimore (v/DEN) — Malik Washington (WR, Virginia)
#114 Jacksonville — Cade Stover (TE, Ohio State)
#115 Cincinnati — Jared Wiley (TE, TCU)
#116 Jacksonville (v/NO) — Jarvis Brownlee Jr (CB, Louisville)
#117 Indianapolis — Tylan Grable (T, UCF)
#118 Seattle — Ryan Flournoy (WR, SE Missouri State)
The Seahawks have often taken receivers in round four with Schneider as GM and Flournoy is their type of guy. He’s a high-character, sudden receiver with enormous hands who excelled during Senior Bowl week.
#119 Pittsburgh — Christian Mahogany (G, Boston College)
#120 Philadelphia (v/LAR) — D.J. James (CB, Auburn)
#121 Denver (v/MIA) — Jaylen Harrell (DE, Michigan)
#122 Chicago (v/PHI) — Brennan Jackson (DE, Washington State)
#123 Houston — Luke McCaffrey (WR, Rice)
#124 San Francisco (v/DAL) — Kitan Oladapo (S, Oregon State)
#125 Tampa Bay — Justin Eboigbe (DE, Alabama)
#126 Green Bay — Josh Newton (CB, TCU)
#127 Houston — Fabien Lovett (DT, Florida State)
#128 Buffalo — Tyrice Knight (LB, UTEP)
#129 Minnesota (v/DET) — Beau Brade (S, Maryland)
#130 Baltimore — Jarrett Kingston (G, USC)
#131 Kansas City — Kris Abrams-Draine (CB, Missouri)
#132 San Francisco — Kiran Amegadjie (T, Yale)
#133 Buffalo — Will Shipley (RB, Clemson)
#134 NY Jets (v/BUF) — Blake Fisher (T, Notre Dame)
#135 San Francisco — Michael Pratt (QB, Tulane)
The trades explained
Minnesota trades #11, #23 and their 2025 first round pick to Arizona for #4
The Vikings clearly have a plan after acquiring the #23 pick from Houston. Trading into the top-five still seems most likely (in this instance to land J.J. McCarthy) although I do wonder if they’ll instead try to work out a way to turn their picks into Michael Penix Jr and Byron Murphy.
The New York Jets trade #10 and their 2025 first round pick to the LA Chargers for #5
The Jets owner, GM and Head Coach are all desperately needing this season to be a success. They’ve band-aided an O-line together, they’ll hope Aaron Rodgers can stay healthy and in this scenario, they trade up to #5 to land another big-name target in Marvin Harrison Jr.
Arizona trades #23 and #66 to Seattle for #16 and #179
Per the trade chart, the points difference between #16 and #23 is 240 points. The #66 pick is worth 260 points and #179 is worth 20 points. Perfect. The Cardinals traded down and then up a year ago and they repeat the act here to get ahead of Jacksonville for Brian Thomas Jr.
Washington trades #36, #78, #152 and #222 to Seattle for #23 and #192
There’s a 220 points difference between picks #23 and #36. #78, #152 and #222 add up to 233 points, while #192 is worth 15 points. In total, this is 218 points so it’s almost perfect. The Commanders have a ton of stock and badly need a left tackle to protect their new quarterback, so they trade up for the falling Olu Fashanu.
Tennessee trades #38 and a 2025 third rounder to Baltimore for #30
The Titans took Malik Nabers at #7 so they move back into the late first round to get a left tackle in Jordan Morgan.
Full Seahawks seven-round projection
#36 (v/WAS) — Darius Robinson (DE, Missouri)
#66 (v/ARI) — Christian Haynes (G, Connecticut)
#78 (v/WAS, SEA) — Theo Johnson (TE, Penn State)
#81 (v/NO) — Dominique Hampton (S, Washington)
#102 (v/WAS) — McKinley Jackson (DT, Texas A&M)
#118 — Ryan Flournoy (WR, SE Missouri State)
#152 — (v/WAS, SEA) Nathaniel Watson (LB, Mississippi State)
#222 (v/WAS) — Karsen Barnhart (G, Michigan)
#235 — Emani Bailey (RB, TCU)
The thought process with this mock
I do think there’s a strong chance the Seahawks will ‘stick and pick’ if Fautanu or Fuaga are available at #16. If not, I think that’s the trigger point to try and trade down to gain more stock. This isn’t a deep roster currently — and they need to add talent in various positions. They also need to develop foundations for the new Head Coach.
What does that mean? It means a very trench-heavy, identity-setting draft class. It means prioritising toughness, physical play up front, versatility and trying to increase the level of violence on both sides of the ball. The Seahawks became increasingly finesse in the late Carroll years. There’s nothing finesse about this group.
While Robinson lacks twitch and agility, he does carry a lot of qualities I think Schneider and Macdonald will admire. He can play across the line, he can occupy blocks to create opportunities for others, his run defense is very good and he can wreak havoc. Kirby Smart highlighted him by name before Missouri’s game against Georgia. There’s some Jadeveon Clowney to his game (albeit a less-athletic version) in that while he looks ungainly and out of control at times, he still F’s plays up. He was dominant at the Senior Bowl, winning practise player of the week.
I also think Robinson could develop quickly into the voice of the team. Former Missouri team mates rave about him. I’ve interviewed one of them. I don’t think it’s a stretch to suggest within three years, this could be Robinson’s team.
The Seahawks have a huge need at guard but Schneider has made it clear he doesn’t intend to necessarily address that area in round one. Thus, the sweet-spot is going to be approximately pick #60-80 — where Cooper Beebe, Christian Haynes and Dominick Puni are set to go. Zak Zinter could also go in this range, medicals permitting.
By trading back they get the early third rounder they need to be in with a chance of getting one of these players. Haynes has everything they’re looking for — athleticism, intensity, an unmatched passion for the game, scheme-fit, aggression. He’d be a rookie starter filling a huge void in a value range.
Trading down a second time to gain another third round secures Theo Johnson — an extremely dynamic tight end whose best football will come at the next level. The Seahawks need to draft another tight end at some point and Ryan Grubb will have a lot of fun scheming opportunities for Johnson and Noah Fant.
Dominique Hampton is an ideal ‘Kyle Hamilton’ type defender who can play anywhere at safety and offer discipline, execution, violence and consistency. He tested brilliantly at the combine and will go earlier than many people think.
McKinley Jackson is toughness personified. When he speaks, teammates listen. He carries some of the leadership qualities you see from Jarran Reed and with Reed out of contract after this season, a pick like this would be ideal for planning ahead. He’s very capable of playing the one or three technique.
Ryan Flournoy is the kind of receiver the Seahawks take a chance on — extremely high character, great hands, enormous hands, sudden with excellent speed. He has a legit chance to shine in the NFL, despite not being one of the big names in this fantastic receiver class.
Nathaniel Watson called the plays on defense for Mississippi State and is a great blitzer (21 career sacks). These are things Macdonald has said are important for players in his scheme. Karsen Barnhart has positional versatility on the offensive line and Emani Bailey has the third-down ability to replace Deejay Dallas.
A lot of people will not be excited by a class like this. However, I do think it’s somewhat likely. The Seahawks know what type of team they want to be — they keep telling us what it is. With a new Head Coach fresh from the Harbaugh tree, it’s time to create an aggressive, tough, physical football team. This class would further enable you to achieve that goal. A lot of these players are also versatile and intelligent — which equally feels important for Macdonald.
