Seattle Seahawks

2017 NFL Draft: Seattle Seahawks' Early Seven-Round Mock

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Seattle Seahawks may be 4-1 right now, but putting together a seven-round mock of their 2017 NFL Draft plans shouldn’t be considered premature.

Call it early if you’d like, but I think it’s a great time to take a look at what the Seattle Seahawks could do during the 2017 NFL Draft. You better believe the team’s scouting department is busy preparing for draft day, so why shouldn’t you be?

The Seahawks currently have six picks to work with, having traded away/forfeited a couple of mid-round selections before getting a late-round pick back. While they’ll only have three picks in the first five rounds, that should provide the team with more than enough firepower to put together another excellent draft class.

So what will they do with those six picks when next April rolls around? No one can be sure, but that’s what my seven-round mock draft is attempting to provide clarity on.

Remember that this isn’t a true prediction of what could happen during the 2017 NFL Draft. Instead, it’s an early glimpse at the Seahawks’ needs and the current stock of the players involved. I’m expecting Seattle to earn a pick somewhere in the mid- to late-20s, so keep that in mind.

So, here it is—my seven-round mock draft for the Seahawks.

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Round 1: Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

I would have preferred to go with an offensive lineman here, but I don’t think any worthy of a first-round pick will be on the board. So instead, the Seahawks add to their long list of capable pass rushers with one of college football’s most intriguing defensive linemen.

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Derek Barnett has seen a significant rise in his stock over the last few weeks. He’s been terrorizing opposing quarterbacks, making big plays and showing good versatility with his ability to drop into coverage.

The Seahawks have plenty of talent at defensive end, but always enjoy investing in one of the NFL’s most important positions. Especially with Michael Bennett routinely hurt and Cliff Avril getting up there in age, it wouldn’t hurt to add another capable pass rusher to the mix.

To top it off, Barnett brings plenty of power to the mix. Seattle added their space eater in Jarran Reed this offseason, but could use an interior rusher for passing downs. With some added strength, Barnett could definitely excel in that role.

Depending on where the Seahawks fall in the final order, Barnett may not be available. However, if he is, you better believe Pete Carroll and John Schneider will be licking their chops over the Tennessee edge rusher.

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Round 2: Adam Bisnowaty, OT, Pitt

Is there any way around the Seahawks addressing the offensive line early and often during the 2017 NFL Draft? If it wasn’t for a lack of options in the late first round, I would have already added to the front five in this mock draft.

Instead, they wind up with a promising young tackle in Adam Bisnowaty on Day 2.

The Pitt standout has quietly earned a spot among the top tackle prospects eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft. Although some think he will bump down to guard at the next level, the tape tells the story of a blocker capable of protecting the blindside in the NFL.

Right now, the Seahawks are settling on Bradley Sowell as their starting left tackle. While they could obviously do worse (like Garry Gilliam), an upgrade is absolutely needed moving forward. Bisnowaty would not only be an upgrade, but he’d give Seattle a left tackle capable of keeping Russell Wilson relatively clean.

Bisnowaty is a tough, smart player who wins with great technique and angles. If he can get stronger and continue to build on his mechanics, the potential is there for him to develop into Seattle’s left tackle of the future.

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Round 3: Zach Banner, OT, USC

Even with Bisnowaty now in the mix, the Seahawks should not be done making upgrades to the front five. Left tackle has been addressed, which now leaves a gaping hole on the right side. I mean, starting Gilliam should simply not be an option after this season.

Enter Zach Banner, an elite physical specimen who could easily step in and supplant Gilliam as the starting right tackle.

Haven’t heard the name or are unsure about his merits? Well you wouldn’t have to look much further than his status as a former five-star recruit who boasts a 6-8, 360-pound frame and way more athleticism than a man of that size should have.

I will admit that his pass protection needs some work, but he’s an absolute mauler in the ground game. His intriguing mix of strength and athleticism would make him a talent worth developing on the right side. It would also mean big things for the Seahawks’ stable of young running backs.

It’s obviously not going to get better overnight with so many unpolished players on the offensive line. However, the combo of Bisnowaty, Banner and Germain Ifedi would make the future a little brighter in Seattle.

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Round 6: Calvin Munson, OLB, San Diego State

At least on the defensive side, the Seahawks have always done a great job of turning late-round projects into capable contributors. That’s exactly what I think could happen if Seattle landed a player like Calvin Munson in the late rounds.

You probably haven’t heard of him, but Munson is a name worth keeping an eye on. The San Diego State star has been a reliable, productive piece of the Aztecs defense during his college career, and has continued to excel in 2016. Not only is he racking up tackles at an impressive rate, but he’s also shined as a blitzer.

Munson is one of those overachievers who may never be anything more than a solid backup. However, he’s the type of hard worker you want in your locker room, and he’s got the motor to be a special teams sensation.

Seattle doesn’t necessarily need an injection of youth at linebacker, but K.J. Wright is getting up there in age and Michael Morgan is a free agent in 2017. The addition of Munson would at least give the Seahawks some extra depth at linebacker.

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Round 7 (via Panthers): Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado

It’s the Seahawks, so they have to add a cornerback, right? Okay not necessarily, but it seems like a common practice for Schneider and Co. It only makes sense to assume they’ll stick to the status quo during the 2017 NFL Draft.

So why not spend their extra seventh-round pick on a high-upside prospect like Ahkello Witherspoon?

The Colorado product offers the size Seattle covets at 6-3, 190 pounds, and is more than capable of making big plays in coverage. He’s done a great job of shutting down some of the Pac-12’s best receivers this season, keeping his opponents in check with his instinctive play and length.

Since Schneider took over as GM, the Seahawks have done an excellent job of keeping their list of cornerback prospects stocked. Witherspoon has significant upside and NFL scouts will love his size. That’s why he seems like an interesting late-round option for Seattle to continue the trend of stockpiling young cornerbacks with length.

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Round 7: George Kittle, TE, Iowa

By some accounts, George Kittle is one of the best tight ends in college football. However, with his injury history and lack of overall production, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him slide into the later rounds. That’s where a team like Seattle could capitalize and scoop up Kittle on Day 3.

Realistically, Kittle would be an excellent addition for the Seahawks—especially in the seventh round. The current Hawkeye has done little more than shine during his college career, showing plus receiving skills and a knack for one-handed catches.

The more important part, though, is his ability to block. He was one of the best blocking tight ends of 2015, and has kept his momentum rolling so far in 2016. Especially with Luke Willson hurt and headed for free agency next offseason, Kittle would be a solid replacement.

The Seahawks could also lose Brandon Williams in 2017, which would leave them with only Jimmy Graham and Nick Vannett at tight end. Adding Kittle to the equation would at least give them a reliable backup option with some blocking abilities.

It may not seem like a sexy pick, but Kittle would be a steal in the seventh round.

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