Seattle Seahawks Mock Draft: Updated Day 2 Predictions
The first round of the 2015 NFL draft is now in the books, which means it's time for the Seattle Seahawks and the rest of the NFL universe to start looking ahead to Round 2 and beyond.
For the Seahawks, the passing of Round 1 only mattered because it affects the pool of available players. This is because Seattle sent its first-round pick (No. 31 overall) to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for tight end Jimmy Graham.
General manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll know their roster doesn't have a lot of holes (the team has appeared in two consecutive Super Bowls), so parting with the pick was likely an easy decision. The team still has 11 selections remaining.
One hole that does exist, however, is at center. The Seahawks parted with two-time Pro Bowler Max Unger as part of the Graham trade. Seattle could also use help at wide receiver and along both the offensive and defensive lines.
Six receivers were selected in Round 1, but only one true center prospect, Florida State's Cameron Erving, is off the board. There are still a number of talented wideouts on the board, so the Seahawks can find a starter there on Day 2.
With all of this in mind, let's take a look at what the remaining rounds of the 2015 NFL draft might look like for the Seahawks.
Round 2 (31st Overall)
1 of 6Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
Seattle can grab an immediate starter late in the second round with Kansas State product Tyler Lockett. The 5'10", 182-pound receiver has high-end speed (4.40-second 40-yard dash at the combine) and enough agility and vision to break plays deep.
Bleacher Report lead draft analyst Matt Miller wrote the following of Lockett: "A deep threat with big speed and acceleration, Tyler Lockett has the skills to be a better pro than college player. A legacy player whose dad (Kevin) played in the NFL, he's a twitchy player at the line of scrimmage and is able to beat a jam with a sidestep or head fake."
Lockett can pair with Graham to give the Seahawks a true deep-passing attack. This will, in turn, complement both the hard running of Marshawn Lynch and quarterback Russell Wilson's ability to extend plays.
With 11 picks left to spend, however, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Seahawks move up in Round 2 for any of the remaining prospects.
Round 3 (95th Overall)
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B.J. Finney, C, Kansas State
The Cleveland Browns grabbed Cameron Erving in the first round, which most likely takes one team out of the market for a center prospect. If only one or two more come off the board before the end of Round 3, the Seahawks may still land a starter.
Kansas State's B.J. Finney has the size (6'4", 318 lbs) to serve in a run-based offense. He doesn't have a ton of upside, but he's a low-ceiling, high-floor guy who has the potential to emerge as a rookie starter.
"What you see is what you get," an anonymous NFC offensive line coach said of Finney, per NFL.com. "Plays hard and is reliable. I don't know if he's great at any one thing, but he's solid at most of them."
Round 4 (112th, 130th and 134th Overall)
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No. 112: Antwan Goodley, WR, Baylor
Former Baylor receiver Antwan Goodley is a prospect who could earn some early playing time in the Seahawks offense. At 5'10" and 209 pounds, he possesses the build and attitude of a running back. This physicality should mesh well with Seattle's toughness.
Goodley has solid straight-line speed (4.44-second 40 at the combine), though he does lack consistency in his route running.
No. 130: Markus Golden, DE, Missouri
The Seahawks had their pass-rushing depth tested in the Super Bowl when Cliff Avril exited the game with a concussion.
This fact may prompt Seattle to target developmental pass-rushers in the middle rounds of the draft.
Missouri product Markus Golden has the physical tools to develop into a legitimate pro. However, the 6'2", 260-pound defender will likely take some time to be more than a backup in Seattle's defense.
No. 134: Frank Clark, DE, Michigan
Michigan product Frank Clark is another developmental edge-rusher who could contribute early on a rotational basis. He finished second on the Wolverines in 2014 with 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
Doubling up on pass-rushers in Round 4 should allow Seattle to find at least one legitimate backup.
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Round 5 (167th and 170th Overall)
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No. 167: JaCorey Shepherd, CB, Kansas
Kansas cornerback JaCorey Shepherd is a defensive back who can provide depth and eventually develop into a role player on the Seattle defense.
Like Richard Sherman before him, Shepherd is a converted wide receiver. Also like Sherman, Shepherd's time on that side of the football has translated into above-average ball skills—15 passes defended and three interceptions in 2014.
"He gets sloppy with his feet and technique, but I think he can play," an unnamed NFC scout told NFL.com. "You don't make that many plays on the ball because of luck. You make that many plays because you have a great feel for it."
His ability to see the field and force turnovers should keep him on Seattle's roster.
No. 170: Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Former Oklahoma offensive tackle Daryl Williams isn't the greatest athlete, but he has the strength and the aggressiveness to fit on Seattle's offensive line.
Williams has the size (6'5", 327 lbs) of a legitimate NFL tackle, and his ability to make plays as a run-blocker should keep him on the roster as a backup.
Round 6 (181st, 209th and 214th Overall)
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No. 181: Titus Davis, WR, Central Michigan
Former Central Michigan receiver Titus Davis is another big (6'1", 196 lbs), physical receiver who would fit Seattle's offensive identity.
Davis doesn't have elite speed (4.51-second 40 at the combine), but he makes up for this fact with superior route running. He produced 980 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2014.
No. 209: Ben Heeney, Linebacker, Kansas
Former Kansas linebacker Ben Heeney is an aggressive inside linebacker who knows how to diagnose plays and exploit weaknesses in opposing offenses. However, he is an undersized product at just 6'0" and 231 pounds.
Heeney was a productive player in 2014, racking up 127 total tackles and 12 tackles for a loss.
No. 214: Mike Hull, Linebacker, Penn State
Former Penn State linebacker Mike Hull projects as another depth player worthy of a sixth-round selection.
Hull doesn't possess top-end speed (4.68-second 40), but he does have good lateral movement (6.99-second three-cone drill at the combine) and incredible strength (31 reps of 225 pounds) for the position.
Hull has good football instincts, but he doesn't bring much to the table as a pass-rusher.
Round 7 (248th Overall)
6 of 6
Robert Myers, OG, Tennessee State
Adding depth to the offensive line is never a bad idea, so going after a guy like former Tennessee State guard Robert Myers makes sense in the final round of the draft.
The 6'5", 326-pound Myers has the NFL size, but he lacks top-level athleticism for the position.
Myers does have sound technique, which may be enough to help him stick as a depth player.
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