This is a projection based on what I think might happen with the information we have today. If you want to see my post-Senior Bowl horizontal board — which measures how I grade players — click here. I’ve got further thoughts on the Seahawks picks at the end of the mock.

Round one

#1 Tennessee — Abdul Carter (EDGE, Penn State)
He recorded 66 pressures in his final season at Penn State, the same number Nick Bosa had in his last full season at Ohio State. This is starting to feel inevitable, with the Titans embracing the need to build not just cycle through quarterbacks.

#2 Cleveland — Travis Hunter (WR/CB, Colorado)
There isn’t a quarterback worthy of a top-five pick, even if a player will go in that range. I think the top two picks will likely go on talent over need. Expect the Browns to add a veteran quarterback. Kirk Cousins, for example, had two years with Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota. His minimal cost will off-set how much they’re wasting on DeShaun Watson.

#3 NY Giants — Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
There’s been a growing feeling for a while that the Giants are enamoured with Ward and even if it’s a reach based on pure need, they invest in a young QB with playmaking qualities.

#4 New England — Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
In my last mock I had the top two tight ends in the top-10. Get ready for that to become the norm. Warren is probably going to end up with top-five grades on most boards. He’ll be Drake Maye’s best friend.

#5 Jacksonville — Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)
The fact is that Jeanty, in terms of pure grade, will probably be at the top of every board with perhaps the possible exception of Abdul Carter. Someone is going to take him early, it’s just a question of how early.

#6 Las Vegas — Will Johnson (CB, Michigan)
The Raiders will likely begin a process of building. Johnson is well regarded for character and talent, even if he had an off year as Michigan regressed from the glory days under Jim Harbaugh. He still has exceptional talent.

#7 NY Jets — Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
Teams will have Loveland graded way higher than the internet. He will be seen as one of the few genuine first round talents in the class. He is going to go earlier than people realise.

#8 Carolina — Mason Graham (DT, Michigan)
I personally have Graham graded very highly. However, I saw someone raise his body type as an issue recently. They might have a point. He’s built like a bowling ball. It’s not a prototypical frame. If he tests well, it’s not an issue. If he doesn’t, it could just keep him on the board a bit longer than originally thought.

#9 New Orleans — Luther Burden (WR, Missouri)
People are sleeping on Colston Loveland because his offense collapsed in 2024 and Burden’s getting the same treatment. He didn’t really fit the Mizzou system. The league will see a top-level talent though.

#10 Chicago — Armand Membou (T/G, Missouri)
This seems to be trending in a way that doesn’t feel like a red herring. Reportedly he can run a 1.63 10-yard split. If he does that at the combine, this becomes realistic. He also grades brilliantly in both zone and gap schemes — something other lineman haven’t managed. Membou also sets the tone with a physical playing style.

#11 San Francisco — Mykel Williams (DE, Georgia)
The injuries and inconsistent play makes you pause. But it’s also worth remembering that at the start of the college football season, people thought his upside made him a #1 overall pick contender. The 49ers may want to start adding talent to their defensive line again.

#12 Dallas — Shemar Stewart (DE, Texas A&M)
He looks the part with a remarkable frame. If he tests well at the combine, teams might be prepared to overlook the fact he struggled to finish at Texas A&M. He was a classic ‘nearly man’ on tape.

#13 Miami — Kelvin Banks (T/G, Texas)
He’s not a tackle for me but you can at least try him there first, unlike some of the shorter-armed members of this O-line class. He’s a good zone blocker so would fit the system in Miami.

#14 Indianapolis — Jalon Walker (LB, Georgia)
At times last season he looked like a top-10 pick but things tailed off towards the end. He’s a player who can wear a number of different hats at linebacker, while being able to rush the passer on third downs.

#15 Atlanta — Walter Nolen (DT, Ole Miss)
He flashed quickness and the ability to penetrate at the Senior Bowl. Kudos to him for sticking it out for the week instead of buggering off home on Wednesday like some others.

#16 Arizona — Will Campbell (T/G, LSU)
One of the more overrated players in the draft. The testing numbers will help him but he had a poor season for LSU and he has short arms. For me he didn’t play with enough aggression either. He’ll need to kick inside.

#17 Cincinnati — Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
The Bengals need to add talent to their defense. Barron can play in the slot or outside, he plays with physicality and has great character.

#18 Seattle — Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
As I was watching the Senior Bowl practises I just thought, no. Don’t fudge this into day two, hoping one of these tackle converts can solve a problem. Just go and draft a plug-and-play left guard, who is ready-made to be a plus starter. Not to mention, he ticks all the character boxes Seattle likes. Booker is an excellent guard who will solve a huge problem in the interior immediately. He can be Seattle’s modern-day Steve Hutchinson.

#19 Tampa Bay — James Pearce (EDGE, Tennessee)
His 22.7% pass-rush win-percentage is really impressive. However, he’ll likely last longer than expected because he hasn’t shown he can set an edge. At the moment, he plays like a pass-rush specialist.

#20 Denver — Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona)
He’s a natural receiver and could go earlier than this. However, I don’t think he’ll be a great tester. Other positional priorities could force him down the board.

#21 Pittsburgh — Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado)
He lacks great physical traits. He hasn’t done anything at the Shrine or Senior Bowl. He’s going to come with a bit of a media circus and an opinionated dad. It’s entirely possible he lasts longer than people realise. This might work out well for him — I doubt Coach Prime will test Mike Tomlin at his weekly press conference.

#22 LA Chargers — Mike Green (EDGE, Marshall)
His pass-rush win-percentage is good (20.1%) but he looks small, he only has 32-inch arms and he didn’t flash unbelievable athleticism in Mobile. His production will tempt a team to select him in this range. He didn’t handle his departure from the Senior Bowl well at all, with a member of ESPN’s draft crew tweeting he was going home before anyone told Jim Nagy.

#23 Green Bay — Matthew Golden (WR, Texas)
He stood out for Texas and was their clear top receiver and playmaker at receiver. The Packers need a talent like this.

#24 Minnesota — Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
I thought Grant’s tape was massively underwhelming in 2024 and he constantly left you wanting more but he’s expected to be a combine star and if so, at his size, he could easily go in round one.

#25 Houston — Donovan Jackson (G, Ohio State)
He did such a good job filling in at left tackle but when he started at guard, he showed a lot more promise than he did in 2023. He will be a first round pick and could be an alternative option for the Seahawks. He’s from Texas so this would be a homecoming.

#26 LA Rams — Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
Size and athleticism off the charts but he also showed a playmaking quality too. He could end up being an absolute steal in this range.

#27 Baltimore — Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
As the year went on his play fell off a cliff. There’s talent here but it was difficult to watch his second half of the season and feel like he was still a high first round pick.

#28 Detroit — Jack Sawyer (DE, Ohio State)
Everything about Sawyer feels like a Lions pick and they’re never shy about taking ‘their guys’ early. He’ll have to handle moving to Michigan but it’s very easy to imagine him landing in Detroit. Not a great athlete but his character and playing style screams Dan Campbell.

#29 Washington — Josh Simmons (T, Ohio State)
If he didn’t have the knee injury he’d be a top-15 pick. Now we have to see how teams view the medical situation. The best left tackle in the draft and it’s not close.

#30 Buffalo — Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama)
He’s built like a tank and moves effortlessly. He was one of the few bright spots for Alabama in 2024.

#31 Philadelphia — Grey Zabel (G, North Dakota State)
The Eagles are never shy in taking offensive linemen. He could replace Mekhi Becton immediately at right guard if he leaves in free agency.

#32 Kansas City — Josh Conerly (T, Oregon)
The left tackle spot has been a problem all year for the Chiefs. Conerly’s best position is going to be sticking on the blindside.

Round two

#33 Cleveland — Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss)
There’s an increasing buzz that Dart will find a first round home. He reminds me of a plus version of Jarrett Stidham. There’s something here but not quite enough to make you think ‘I have to have this guy’. He carries a Joe Burrow personality vibe though which teams will like.

#34 NY Giants — TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
All the buzz is that the league loves Henderson. There’s a feeling he might have a remarkable combine performance and that his best play will come in the NFL.

#35 Tennessee — Mason Taylor (TE, LSU)
After an excellent Senior Bowl, coupled with a strong 2024 season, Taylor is destined to go in this range.

#36 Jacksonville — TJ Sanders (DT, South Carolina)
I thought he had a disappointing Senior Bowl. I’m not sure if he was carrying an injury but he didn’t flash and then went home early.

#37 Las Vegas — Tre Harris (WR, Ole Miss)
Pete Carroll loves a big receiver and the Raiders need a #1 target. I suspect they will add a veteran quarterback — either Sam Darnold or Geno Smith.

#38 New England — Jonah Savaiinaea (T/G, Arizona)
The O-line will be a big priority for the Patriots. Savaiinaea only had a so-so Senior Bowl week so he’ll be hoping for a good combine.

#39 Chicago (v/CAR) — Princely Umanmielen (DE, Ole Miss)
They need an edge rusher to work across from Montez Sweat. His pass-rush win-percentage of 22.8% was second only to Josaiah Stewart.

#40 New Orleans — Jordan Burch (DE, Oregon)
He didn’t go to the Senior Bowl in the end which is a shame but how many players who are 290lbs can run like this guy? He can be the heir apparent to Cam Jordan.

#41 Chicago — Elijah Arroyo (TE, Miami)
After a brilliant week in Mobile, Arroyo could be seen by Ben Johnson as Chicago’s answer to Sam LaPorta.

#42 NY Jets — Tyleik Williams (DT, Ohio State)
Williams would make a terrific, stout partner for Quinnen Williams. He does such a good job against the run.

#43 San Francisco — Azareye’h Thomas (CB, Florida State)
What a week in Mobile. The more you watch of Thomas the more you wonder if he might go higher than this. Testing will be key for that to happen.

#44 Dallas — Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
He’s exactly the kind of #2 they need to pair with Ceedee Lamb — consistent and gets the job done. A chains-mover.

#45 Indianapolis — Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
He looked so smooth in Mobile and the Colts need to add talent at cornerback.

#46 Atlanta — Donovan Ezeiruaku (EDGE, Boston College)
Showed in flashes at the Senior Bowl. Testing will determine if he goes this early but he has the size and length. Pass-rush win-percentage was 18.1% in 2024.

#47 Arizona — Josaiah Stewart (EDGE, Michigan)
The only think keeping him from going earlier is a lack of ideal size and length. His motor and ability to bend and attack the quarterback is highly impressive. Led college football with a pass-rush win-percentage of 27.1%.

#48 Miami — Andrew Mukuba (S, Texas)
Packs a punch on tape and as the season went on, kept jumping off the screen for the Longhorns.

#49 Cincinnati — Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
He had a highly productive season for the Ducks but I never quite felt like I was watching a first round talent. The Bengals tend to draft D-liners I’m not crazy about.

#50 Seattle — Darius Alexander (DE/DT, Toledo)
Outstanding size, length, athleticism and he played with real aggression at the Senior Bowl. One of the top performers in Mobile and that often catches Seattle’s eye. Capable of lining up inside or off the edge on early downs. A dude. After the combine people might be talking about him in round one.

#51 Denver — Harold Fanin Jr (TE, Bowling Green)
The Broncos need a tight end. Sean Payton has found ways to max-out receiver-first TE’s in the past and Fanin Jr might appeal to him.

#52 Pittsburgh — Deone Walker (DT, Kentucky)
His frame is so sloppy with a flabby gut hanging over his pants and skinny legs. However, his playing style at least reminds you of a Steelers D-liner.

#53 Tampa Bay — Carson Schwesinger (LB, UCLA)
He reminds me a ton of former blog favourite Logan Wilson. Schwesinger could easily go in the top-40.

#54 Green Bay — Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss)
It’s a need for the Packers. Amos has talent but it was disappointing that he bailed on the Senior Bowl as early as he did.

#55 LA Chargers — Ty Robinson (DT, Nebraska)
A physical machine who gives everything on every snap. He’s a Jim Harbaugh type of player and will be a favourite among scouts.

#56 Buffalo (v/MIN) — Kevin Winston Jr (S, Penn State)
Injury prevented him from maxing out his stock at Penn State but he’s a quality player who could provide real value here.

#57 Carolina (v/LAR) — Bradyn Swinson (EDGE, LSU)
One of the most underrated edge rushers in the class. He had a 22.1% pass-rush win-percentage in 2024.

#58 Houston — Alfred Collins (DT, Texas)
He has the size of a nose tackle but he carries plenty of athleticism. Had a much better season this year.

#59 Baltimore — Shavon Revel (CB, East Carolina)
A knee injury keeps him on the board. Without it, he could’ve worked his way into round one.

#60 Detroit — Joshua Farmer (DT, Florida State)
What a Senior Bowl. Farmer has also promised to shock people with his testing at the combine. If he does, he could go in the Keeanu Benton range (#49 overall) and be an option for Seattle.

#61 Washington — Quinshon Judkins (RB, Ohio State)
The other running back from Ohio State is reportedly also creating a buzz and could go in the second round.

#62 Buffalo — Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
He’s a very good player who could’ve been a first round pick. However, the injury issues might push him into this range. Medical checks will be key.

#63 Philadelphia — Nic Scourton (DE, Texas A&M)
The Eagles always draft for the trenches.

#64 Kansas City — Kaleb Johnson (RB, Iowa)
I really like Johnson and think he has star potential but where’s the buzz?

Third round

#65 NY Giants — Cameron Williams (T, Texas)
#66 Kansas City (v/TEN) — Rylie Mills (DT, Notre Dame)
#67 Cleveland — Jack Nelson (T, Wisconsin)
#68 Las Vegas — Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
#69 New England — Emery Jones (T, LSU)
#70 Jacksonville — Dylan Fairchild (G, Georgia)
#71 New Orleans — Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas)
#72 Chicago — DJ Giddens (RB, Kansas State)
#73 Las Vegas (v/NYJ) — Jordan Phillips (DT, Maryland)
#74 Carolina — Xavier Scott (CB, Illinois)
#75 San Francisco — Omarr Norman-Lott (DT, Tennessee)
#76 Dallas — Devin Neal (RB, Kansas)
#77 New England (v/ATL) — Landon Jackson (DE, Arkansas)
#78 Arizona — Oluwafemi Oladejo (EDGE, UCLA)
#79 Washington (v/MIA) — Kyle Kennard (EDGE, South Carolina)
#80 Indianapolis — Mitchell Evans (TE, Notre Dame)
#81 Cincinnati — Xavier Watts (S, Notre Dame)
#82 Seattle — Tate Ratledge (G, Georgia)
#83 Pittsburgh — Jacob Parrish (CB, Kansas State)
#84 Tampa Bay — Wyatt Milum (T/G, West Virginia)
#85 Denver — Dylan Sampson (RB, Tennessee)
#86 LA Chargers — JT Tuimoloau (EDGE, Ohio State)
#87 Green Bay — Jared Wilson (C, Georgia)
#88 Jacksonville (v/MIN) — Elic Ayomanor (WR, Stanford)
#89 Houston — Marcus Mbow (T/G, Purdue)
#90 LA Rams — Kyle Williams (WR, Washington State)
#91 Baltimore — Carson Vinson (T, Alabama A&M)
#92 NY Jets (v/DET) — Will Howard (QB, Ohio State)
#93 New Orleans (v/WAS) — Denzel Burke (CB, Ohio State)
#94 Cleveland (v/BUF) — Aireontae Ersery (T, Minnesota)
#95 Philadelphia — Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia)
#96 Kansas City — Josh Kelly (WR, Texas Tech)
#97 Minnesota — Jared Ivey (DE, Ole Miss)
#98 Miami — Yahya Black (DT, Iowa)
#99 San Francisco — Bilhal Kone (CB, Western Michigan)
#100 LA Rams — Jordan James (RB, Oregon)

Thoughts on the Seahawks picks

#18 Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
#50 Darius Alexander (DE/DT, Toledo)
#82 Tate Ratledge (G, Georgia)

This might be a draft where the Seahawks seek to establish their newfound identity under Mike Macdonald, drafting impact players for the trenches with a high level of physical toughness and ready-made playing potential. All three of the players selected are bullying linemen.

After a 10-win season that, theoretically, could’ve and should’ve been better — rightly or wrongly, the Seahawks might think the best move (even if it’s just for self preservation) is to attack the weakest area of the team. That could be a full-blown assault on the offensive line — with one significant veteran addition and high draft picks too.

In this projection, I have the Seahawks signing Drew Dalman to play center. Based on what we’ve discovered since Klint Kubiak’s appointment — the center in his system is responsible for a lot of the line calls and protection adjustments. Dalman has just had a highly successful year playing for Zac Robinson in Atlanta, utilising the same kind of blocking system. This might be their best shot to add a significant free agent. The competition will be fierce for Trey Smith, who probably wants to find a way to stay in Kansas City anyway. Other veteran options are not as attractive as Dalman, who graded as PFF’s fourth ranked center in 2024 with a 79.8 grade blocking in the running game.

Then, you bookend your new center with two rookie guards who are tailor made for the pro’s. They are big yet athletic for their size. They are punishing and capable of setting the tone in the running game. They are finishers.

I’m not concerned that it reduces Christian Haynes and Sataoa Laumea to backup roles or competition. The line needs improving, pronto. Booker is an immediate starter and one of the best pure guards to enter the league in years. The Seahawks famously took Steve Hutchinson 17th overall in 2001. If Booker lasts to #18, which isn’t a given, they should run to the podium and make the pick. He ticks every box. Ratledge, meanwhile, had an injury plagued end to his Georgia career. I thought his play was middling at best when he did feature. However, there’s no doubting that the rest of his teammates looked up to him as the figurehead. He’s big and athletic and when he played at his best a couple of years ago he showed a ton of potential. Both guards play with an edge, they can move, they finish their blocks and could be the focal point of a new era in Seattle where the O-line, as in Philadelphia, sets the tone.

Darius Alexander meanwhile was one of the stars of the Senior Bowl. That has often been significant for the Seahawks under John Schneider. Alexander is nearly 6-4, 304lbs with 10 1/4 hands and 34 inch arms. Despite this, he plays with the quickness and burst of a player who is 30lbs lighter. He’s also tremendously physical, aggressive and powerful. Several times in Mobile he got teammates going with brilliant 1v1 reps or standout moments in scrimmage. He can immediately join the D-line rotation as an interior cog who can play DE in certain situations. You can line him up anywhere. Alexander has fantastic potential and will add further intimidation to the defensive front.

People might turn their noses up at a defensive lineman from Toledo. Don’t make that mistake. Alexander legitimately has an opportunity to be one of the steals of the class. See for yourself:

In the second clip, that’s a 304lbs defender rushing the edge against projected first round left tackle Josh Conerly Jr. Tell me the last time you saw a 304lbs man rush the edge like that? You’d think he was 270lbs. Also note, this is why I’ve been saying Grey Zabel has looked far better in scrimmages than 1v1’s. He does a really good job ID’ing the problem off the edge from left guard and providing late additional protection.

By the time the combine comes and goes, we might be talking about Alexander having a shot at the first round.

It was tempting to pair the Seahawks with a quarterback. Eventually, they are going to take a chance on someone. I’ve been saying for a long time that I just have a feeling that John Schneider likes the potential of Quinn Ewers. He has a great arm, his natural talent has been well known throughout the league ever since he received High School recruiting grades matching all-timers like Jadeveon Clowney. However, he simply hasn’t been able to stay healthy and consistent and for all the talent, he hasn’t shown clear evidence that he can start in the NFL.

I’m just not sure the answer is in this draft. The future of the position in Seattle likely isn’t here. Thus, they might be forced to consider extending Geno Smith to lower his cap-hit, or moving on and pursuing the younger Sam Darnold. The 2026 draft class is already being overhyped at quarterback but in Garrett Nussmeier and Drew Allar, there are two players you can imagine Schneider liking.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.