Here we go then, the second to last mock draft. I’ll do my final projection on Wednesday for Huddle Report scoring. It’s a two-round projection, followed by a Seahawks seven-rounder. There’s a big explainer after the mock.
Round one
#1 Chicago (v/CAR) — Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
They could call the pick now.
#2 Washington — Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU)
Drake Maye is too erratic to go above Daniels.
#3 New England — Drake Maye -(QB, North Carolina)
I still think they could trade out of this spot, with Eliot Wolf targeting an offensive lineman with the first pick instead of a quarterback. Ownership seems to be pulling the strings, though.
#4 Arizona — Marvin Harrison Jr (WR, Ohio State)
The Cardinals sense an opportunity to get an elite player and don’t trade down.
TRADE #5 NY Jets (v/LAC) — Malik Nabers (WR, LSU)
The Jets are in extreme win-now mode. They go and get another dynamic weapon, to try and create an explosive offense.
#6 NY Giants — Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia)
They don’t take J.J. McCarthy and stick to the board, with Bowers among the very best players in the draft.
#7 Minnesota (v/TEN) — JJ McCarthy (QB, Michigan)
The Vikings bide their time, balk at the asking price from Arizona and then strike a deal with the Titans for McCarthy — giving Tennessee #11 and #23 and saving future stock.
TRADE #8 Jacksonville (v/ATL) — Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
The Jaguars make a huge move to go up and get a #1 target for Trevor Lawrence, seeing that as the key to rejuvenating his career.
#9 Chicago — Troy Fautanu (T, Washington)
A year ago, Darnell Wright was the top O-liner on my horizontal board and the Bears took him at #10. This year, Fautanu’s top of my board. Maybe Ryan Poles sees it the same way again?
#10 LA Chargers (v/NYJ) — Taliese Fuaga (T, Oregon State)
The Chargers trade down and take Fuaga, who just feels like an ideal right tackle fit for Jim Harbaugh.
#11 Tennessee (v/MIN) — Joe Alt (T, Notre Dame)
The Titans trade down a few spots and get the same player many think they’ll take at #7. Alt is a tad overrated for me.
TRADE #12 LA Rams (v/DEN) — Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
Here’s the big shock. The Rams, who are loaded with picks, jump the Raiders (and potentially the Seahawks) to get Penix Jr. They see an heir apparent to Matt Stafford, with similar arm strength.
#13 Las Vegas — Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama)
The Raiders pivot to cornerback after missing out on Penix Jr and their preferred offensive tackles.
#14 New Orleans — Olu Fashanu (T, Penn State)
I think Fashanu’s a second-half of round one type but the Saints have a big need.
#15 Indianapolis — Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Toledo)
The Colts address a critical need with an extremely talented cornerback.
TRADE #16 Dallas (v/SEA) — Byron Murphy (DT, Texas)
The Seahawks, in this mock, are keen to trade down with Fautanu and Fuaga gone. They’re also eyeing a specific player/position in round two. The Cowboys move up for Murphy, after Micah Parsons’ recent off-season plea to add an impact interior defender.
#17 Atlanta (v/JAX) — Dallas Turner (DE, Alabama)
I thought Turner’s tape was very underwhelming. Great athlete but he needs work. The Falcons trade down and still get their guy.
#18 Cincinnati — JC Latham (T, Alabama)
Latham can start at guard this year and then play right tackle in the future. Cincinnati loves big linemen.
#19 Denver (v/LAR) — Jared Verse (DE, Florida State)
The Broncos collect picks by trading down, then secure a needed edge rusher. It’s great value, too. Sean Payton loves to draft for the trenches.
#20 Pittsburgh — Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
He has too much talent to drop out of the top-20.
#21 Miami — Laiatu Latu (DE, UCLA)
The injury concerns might temper his stock but the Dolphins were willing to take a chance on Jaelan Phillips.
#22 Philadelphia — Chop Robinson (DE, Penn State)
A classic edge rusher for the Vic Fangio scheme. Howie Roseman just goes with value and Robinson has special qualities.
#23 Tennessee (v/MIN, HOU) — Brian Thomas Jr (WR, LSU)
The Titans keep adding weapons after acquiring this pick from the Vikings.
#24 Seahawks (v/DAL) — Graham Barton (T/G/C, Duke)
I think John Schneider is fully aware that they need to fix the O-line. A great defender with exceptional value could turn his head, though.
#25 Green Bay — Cooper DeJean (CB, Iowa)
It’s easy to imagine DeJean in Green Bay.
#26 Tampa Bay — Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
He plays like Devon Witherspoon without the big hits.
#27 Arizona (v/HOU) — Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB, Alabama)
They could move up for a pass rusher or might just settle on the cornerbacks here.
#28 Buffalo — Ladd McKonkey (WR, Georgia)
After moving Stefon Diggs, they take a player who would mesh with Josh Allen and just be where the quarterback needs him to be on every route.
#29 Detroit — Darius Robinson (DE, Missouri)
This feels inevitable.
#30 Baltimore — Tyler Guyton (T, Oklahoma)
The Ravens would likely run to the podium to fill this need.
#31 San Francisco — Jer’Zhan Newton (DT, Illinois)
They love to draft for the D-line in round one.
TRADE #32 Washington (v/KC) — Jordan Morgan (T, Arizona)
The Commanders sneak back into round one to address their need up front.
Round two
#33 Carolina — Adonai Mitchell (WR, Texas)
#34 New England — Mike Sanristil (CB, Michigan)
#35 Arizona — Marshawn Kneeland (DE, Western Kentucky)
#36 Kansas City (v/WAS) — Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas)
#37 LA Chargers — Ricky Pearsall (WR, Florida)
#38 Tennessee — Braden Fiske (DT, Florida State)
#39 Carolina (v/NYG) — Kamari Lassiter (CB, Georgia)
#40 Washington (v/CHI) — Malachi Corley (WR, Western Kentucky)
#41 Green Bay (v/NYJ) — Edgerrin Cooper (LB, Texas A&M)
#42 Houston (v/MIN) — T.J. Tampa (CB, Iowa State)
#43 Atlanta — Max Melton (CB, Rutgers)
#44 Las Vegas — Jackson Powers-Johnson (C, Oregon)
#45 New Orleans (v/DEN) — Keon Coleman (WR, Florida State)
#46 Indianapolis — Troy Franklin (WR, Oregon)
#47 NY Giants (v/SEA) — Ennis Rakestraw Jr (CB, Missouri)
#48 Jacksonville — Andru Phillips (CB, Kentucky)
#49 Cincinnati — Ben Sinnott (TE, Kansas State)
#50 Philadelphia (v/NO) — Javon Bullard (S, Georgia)
#51 Pittsburgh — Zach Frazier (C, West Virginia)
#52 Denver (v/LAR) — Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
#53 Philadelphia — J’Tavion Sanders (TE, Texas)
#54 Cleveland — Ruke Orhorhoro (DT, Clemson)
#55 Miami — Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)
#56 Seahawks (v/DAL) — Spencer Rattler (QB, South Carolina)
#57 Tampa Bay — Payton Wilson (LB, NC State)
#58 Green Bay — Roger Rosengarten (T, Washington)
#59 Houston — Tyler Nubin (S, Minnesota)
#60 Buffalo — Cole Bishop (S, Utah)
#61 Detroit — Ja’Lynn Polk (WR, Washington)
#62 Baltimore — Junior Colson (LB, Michigan)
#63 San Francisco — Cooper Beebe (G, Kansas State)
#64 Kansas City — Kingsley Suamataia (T, BYU)
The trades explained
The Jets trade #10, their 2025 first rounder and #72 to the Chargers for #5
Everyone’s jobs are on the line, Aaron Rodgers is coming to the end and they need to win now. Building for the future doesn’t seem likely.
The Jaguars trade #17, their 2025 first rounder and #96 to the Falcons for #8
It feels likely someone will trade up for one of the top-three receivers. The Jaguars need to do whatever it takes to make Trevor Lawrence work.
The Rams trade #19, #52 and #99 to the Broncos for #12
The word on the street is the coaches like Penix Jr more than the scouts. If there’s one offensive coach in the league who’s say will carry huge weight when it comes to offense, it’s Sean McVay. If he likes Penix Jr, look out.
The Cowboys trade #24 and #56 to the Seahawks for #16
Micah Parsons complained about Dallas needing an interior threat. The Cowboys move up to secure local player Byron Murphy, giving the Seahawks a needed second rounder in the process.
The Commanders trade #36, #139 and #152 to the Chiefs for #32
A typical, cheap, jump back into the end of round one to make sure you get a player you really want.
Seahawks seven-rounder
#24 (v/DAL) — Graham Barton (OL, Duke)
John Schneider, I sense, has been dying to tell fans to ‘relax’ during an off-season of concern about the O-line. At the end of the day, I think they’ll find a way to address it that will have most people satisfied. The Ravens drafted Tyler Linderbaum in this range and there was some curiosity whether the Seahawks liked him. They supposedly did like Dallas’ Tyler Smith, also in this range. I suspect Steve Hutchinson will approve of Barton.
#56 (v/DAL) — Spencer Rattler (QB, South Carolina)
Over the last few days I’ve just really got the sense that the Seahawks are going to draft a QB. Not some throwaway late rounder either. I’m talking about one of these three options — Michael Penix in round one, Spencer Rattler in round two or Michael Pratt in round three or four. I think Schneider is going to start doing what he always said he set out to do — take shots at the position.
#81 — Jonah Elliss (EDGE, Utah)
There’s a common trend among the best pass rushers in the NFL — they run a great short shuttle. Elliss managed a sizzling 4.17 at his pro-day, on top of an explosive 38-inch vertical. He has the high motor, the aggressive playing style and the traits. Now he just needs guidance and development. This would allow them to potentially part with Darrell Taylor down the line to save money.
#102 — Dominique Hampton (S, Washington)
If the Seahawks want someone who can essentially play the same type of role as Kyle Hamilton, I continue to think this is your man. He’s an excellent athlete, played various positions for UW and my source at Washington hailed his discipline to handle a challenging role within the Huskies defense. My only concern is he’ll go in round three and not last to #102.
#118 — Jared Wiley (TE, TCU)
The tight end class is difficult to read and Wiley is a particularly tricky evaluation. He has an outstanding frame and ran a 4.62 with a great 1.62 10-yard split. However, his critical tests in the short shuttle (4.52) and three-cone (7.19) were not matching most of the top TE’s in the league. That could drop him a round. I think in Ryan Grubb’s scheme, they may well be prepared to take a chance on someone who’s basically more of a big receiving target.
#179 — Ryan Flournoy (WR, SE Missouri State)
The Seahawks tend to add a receiver at some point. I think they’d love to add this guy, who excelled at the Senior Bowl. Flournoy is highly admired for his A+ character and he has enormous 10 1/4 inch hands for a 6-1, 205lbs receiver. He’s also an exceptional athlete, he’s quick and he’s a very willing blocker in the run game. He’s someone I think could go earlier than this but other projectors are saying sixth round, so we’ll say he was available.
#192 — Michael Barrett (LB, Michigan)
I’m not convinced the Seahawks are going to attack this position early. They’ve signed two very competent linebackers and in the past, they’ve not had a ton of depth at the position. Barrett is a no-frills linebacker but he plays with an extremely physical style, he’s reliable and he gets in the right position to do his job. He could come in and provide excellent special teams value and then develop into a potential starter down the line.
#235 — George Holani (RB, Boise State)
I only checked out Holani after reading he was visiting the Seahawks. There’s not much else to say other than this — he is exactly the type of running back they tend to love.
Final thoughts
Things haven’t really changed in terms of round one. I think if Troy Fautanu or Taliese Fuaga lasts to #16, the Seahawks will stick and pick. Michael Penix Jr is a wildcard.
If Fautanu and Fuaga are gone, I think that could be the trigger point to trade down. After all, look at the defense.
They have four edge rushers already on the roster. This is the same GM who drafted Boye Mafe and Derick Hall as early as he did. He traded up in round two for Darrell Taylor. He paid Uchenna Nwosu. If they draft yet another edge rusher in the first two rounds, they’re just keeping players they invested in off the field. I get the sense Schneider is keen to see what Mike Macdonald can do with this group.
Jarran Reed and Dre’Mont Jones might not be long term fixtures on the D-line. Johnathan Hankins is a one-year fix. However, they do have numbers in this area. I’m not saying throwing Byron Murphy into the rotation too wouldn’t be great — but I’m not sure pushing Reed into a part-time role is going to be the plan. They might trade Jones later in the year to save money — but they might just stick with what they already have. After all, their one big splash in free agency was at defensive tackle (keeping Leonard Williams).
I’m not sure I agree with the growing voices suggesting the Seahawks are going defense in round one. Unless, of course, they just see the value. If they love Murphy, Jared Verse, Laiatu Latu, Chop Robinson or Dallas Turner, I understand why they might just go for it. But it’s hard to imagine them doing that and sufficiently addressing the O-line which is in dire need of improvement.
I actually wonder if most of the defensive work is done and they’ll use the mid/late rounds to add depth and competition as projected here. Then they’ll rely on the new defensive Head Coach to lift everyone’s level. Meanwhile, they focus on the offense.
I keep coming back to this — in the best offensive line class for years, after years of Schneider bemoaning the lack of quality O-liners coming into the league — are they really going to pass up the chance to get a good one now? Especially when the O-line, in its current form, isn’t fit for purpose?
It might not be Barton. It might be a right tackle. If Abe Lucas isn’t going to be able to return, it’s a pressing need. Or they might consider pushing Lucas inside. That could bring the likes of Amarius Mims into play. However, I think there’s still a good chance their top pick will be an offensive lineman.
I also think Schneider will be determined to add a quarterback with at least starting potential. I think this is the way things will be now — lots of shots at the position and a serious effort to find the future at QB. If they can’t trade down from #16, or if they take Fautanu or Fuaga at that spot, perhaps they pivot to Michael Pratt in round three or four. Here I have them selecting Spencer Rattler — taking a chance on his obvious natural talent in round two.
We’ve talked a lot about trying to have a transformational draft to get this franchise out of the middle-ground. I’m not sure you can do that without finding ‘the guy’ at quarterback. That’s why they have to take chances. This class also gives you a chance to improve up front and provide depth and competition at several areas.
I’ll be on the HawkBlogger draft roundtable again today at the slightly earlier time of 11am PT. You can watch via the embed below. Also, don’t forget to check out my interviews with Tony Pauline and Jack Westover on my channel.
