Seattle Seahawks Day 1 2014 NFL Draft Primer

The first day of the 2014 NFL draft is finally here. The Houston Texans will kick things off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday night with the first overall pick. As the Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks wont be on the clock until the 32nd pick, which will come hours after the draft officially begins.

Every year, the draft is full of surprises. Some players are taken much earlier than expected, while others have to wait for what seems like forever before their name is called. The drama is real, and the stakes are high. 

This primer was put together to help Seahawks fans get ready for Round 1 of the draft. What positions do the Seahawks need to address in the draft? Which available players fit their scheme? Who do the draft experts think the Seahawks will select? What other rumors are out there about the Seahawks and their draft plan?

Those are just some of the questions that will be answered in the following slides. 

Offseason Additions and Departures

Evan Vucci/Associated Press

Departures

This offseason, the Seahawks suffered the fate of most reigning Super Bowl champions, as they lost a lot of depth off of their roster in free agency. The main departures included starting defensive ends Chris Clemons and Red Bryant along with the team's leading receiver from last season, Golden Tate.

Furthermore, Seattle's patchwork offensive line developed some new holes with the departure of right tackle Breno Giacomini and guard/tackle Paul McQuistan. Both players played a significant role in the team's Super Bowl run a year ago, and they must be replaced before the 2014 season begins. 

They also lost key depth players on the defensive side of the ball. Cornerbacks Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond are gone as is defensive tackle Clinton McDonald. 

Additions 

The Seahawks didn't add any significant names to their roster in free agency, but their roster depth should be greatly improved by a few players who will be returning from injury this season.

The team will actually get back two defensive tackles this year. Jesse Williams, a 2013 draft pick, and Greg Scruggs, a 2012 draft pick, both missed the team's 2013 Super Bowl run with injuries. Both, however, could end up playing large roles on the defensive line this year. 

Cornerback Tharold Simon was drafted last year with the idea that he'd eventually replace the now-departed Brandon Browner. Simon spent the entirety of last season on either the Physically Unable to Preform (PUP) list or the injured reserve (IR), but he is expected to be ready for the start of training camp in 2014.

Similarly, linebacker Korey Toomer also spent the entire 2013 season on the PUP and IR. The speedy linebacker could very well end up providing the missing special teams contributions and linebacker depth the Seahawks need.

Team Needs

Defensive End

Seattle lost both starting defensive ends in free agency this offseason. The team still has Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril on the roster, but Avril is entering a contract year, and the team likely won't be able to fit him under the salary cap a year from now. Additional depth is definitely needed here, and the team should focus on drafting someone who is capable of developing into a starting LEO defensive end. 

Offensive Line

Starting right tackle Breno Giacomini and guard/tackle Paul McQuistan have both moved on to new teams. The Seahawks also announced that they have declined the fifth-year option on guard James Carpenter, meaning he is scheduled to become a free agent at season's end. There are now plenty of holes to be filled along the offensive line, so the Seahawks are expected to draft an offensive lineman early in the draft this year. 

Wide Receiver

Seattle had depth problems at receiver even before Golden Tate left to join the Detroit Lions. Getting Sidney Rice back healthy and under contract again helps the situation slightly, but the team still clearly needs additional bodies to catch passes from quarterback Russell Wilson. 

Cornerback

Brandon Browner is now a New England Patriot. Walter Thurmond is now a New York Giant. Their replacements are already on the team, but there is suddenly a serious lack of depth at a position that was once the deepest on the roster. Adding another mid- to late-round defensive back would make a lot of sense once again this year. 

Potential Top Targets

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

1. Cody Latimer, WR, Indiana

Seattle brought in the 6'3" receiver for a private workout a few weeks ago, which is why Latimer is in the conversation for the Seahawks at the end of the first round. He's got the size (6'2", 215 lbs), quickness and soft hands that the Seahawks need to balance their passing attack around fellow receivers Doug Baldwin and Percy Harvin. 

2. Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA

The Seahawks have been searching for a reliable left guard since Pete Carroll took over control of the team. Su'a-Filo has the potential to step in and be a major upgrade by Week 1, and he would finally give the Seahawks some stability on the interior of their offensive line. 

3. Jordan Matthews, WR, Vanderbilt

Matthews is another productive 6'3" receiver that Seattle could consider. He has a slightly lower developmental ceiling than Latimer, but he is more polished, which will allow him to step in and be productive early on in 2014. 

4. Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State

The Seahawks need a long-term answer at the LEO defensive end spot, and Lawrence would be just that. He has the combination of speed and explosiveness that is necessary to play the position well, and he would be a nice replacement for Chris Clemons. 

5. Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia

Drafting Moses would provide a replacement for Breno Giacomini at right tackle, and he would allow Michael Bowie to move inside to guard, where he had more success last season. Moses could also turn into a franchise left tackle down the line, giving the team a cheaper and possibly more durable alternative to Russell Okung. 

6. Joel Bitonio, OT/OG, Nevada

A Jack-of-all-trades offensive linemen, Bitonio can play almost anywhere along the offensive line. Drafting him would provide tremendous flexibility for the Seahawks as they try and figure out who their best five offensive linemen are and fit them together into a cohesive group. 

7. Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State

The Seahawks raised some eyebrows when they brought in the hard-hitting strong safety from Washington State for a workout.

Now it has been leaked that Kam Chancellor recently had hip surgery and may miss some time this season, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport:

"

A new need for #Seahawks? Safety Kam Chancellor had hip surgery this offseason, will hope to be ready this preseason. But nothing is certain

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 6, 2014

"

Bucannon is the closest thing to Chancellor in this year's draft, which might explain Seattle's interest in him. 

What Are the Experts Saying?

Gail Burton/Associated Press

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN.com: Stephon Tuitt, DT, Notre Dame

Tuitt is an interesting choice, though he is not likely to be a popular one. He doesn't have a good first step, which means he isn't likely to be successful in a one-gap scheme. Seattle lost a similar player in Red Bryant this offseason, but using a first-round selection on Tuitt would be a major reach. 

Rob Rang, CBS Sports: Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State

At the time of writing, Rang noted: 

"

After riding a dominant defense to the championship in team history, few expect the Seahawks to select a defender here. With opponents doling out millions to sap Seattle's depth on both sides of the line of scrimmage, however, Pete Carroll and John Schneider have plenty of holes to fill. They may try to trade out of this pick to acquire more selections but could see the 6-3, 251 pound Lawrence as an ideal LEO defensive end to groom behind Cliff Avril, who is entering the final year of his contract.

"

This is a great fit for Seattle, especially if they trade back into the early second round before picking. Lawrence would provide the edge rusher that the team needs, and he represents a long-term answer for replacing the vacancy created with the departure of Chris Clemons. 

Will Brinson, CBS Sports: Xavier Su'a-Filo, OG, UCLA

Brinson states:

"

Seattle has done a good job turning J.R. Sweezy into a guard but James Carpenter and John Moffitt haven't worked out. That doesn't mean they can't try to find another interior lineman in the first round.

"

Su'a-Filo is considered by many to be the best guard in this year's draft class (assuming that Notre Dame's Zack Martin is drafted as a tackle), and he would add a huge dose of stability to Seattle's revolving door of an offensive line. If he is still on the board at pick No. 32, the Seahawks will have a tough time passing him up. 

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia

Brooks says:

"

The Seahawks rolled to the world title despite playing with a patchwork offensive line. Moses addresses the void at right tackle and is a perfect fit in the 'Hawks' zone-based blocking scheme.

"

This is a surprising pick here by Brooks, but that is only because many experts think that Moses will go much higher than pick No. 32. Moses has the potential to be a franchise left tackle. Drafting him here could fill the team's short-term need at right tackle, while he could also prove to be a long-term replacement for Russell Okung. 

Latest Rumors, Reports & Analysis

Cathleen Allison/Associated Press

Will the Seahawks take a guard early?

Greg Bedard of MMQB thinks the Seahawks could take a guard at the end of the first round. His suggestion is Joel Bitonio from Nevada. "The Seahawks were brutal at points last season on the offensive line," Bedard says. "Bitonio’s versatility all over the line gives Seattle the option of playing the best five." 

Seattle certainly has a weakness along the interior of their offensive line, and line coach Tom Cable has had success in developing late-round selections into competent NFL players. 

If not a guard, what about an offensive tackle?

"

Per @TonyPauline: "Sources told me they expect an offensive-tackle-heavy draft from the Seattle Seahawks next month."

— Chris Cluff (@CHawksExaminer) April 8, 2014"

It would certainly make sense for the Seahawks to select someone who can start at right tackle now that Breno Giacomini is gone. Doing so would also mean that Michael Bowie would be available to fill the hole that is currently at the left guard position.  

Could the Seahawks take corner in Round 1? 

In his mock draft from earlier this week, NFL.com's Mike Mayock links the Seahawks to one of this year's top cornerbacks. "Jean-Baptiste is a former wide receiver like Richard Sherman, but has the size of Brandon Browner," says Mayock. "He fits what Seattle does as a long corner and has significant upside."

Mayock is typically well-connected, so when he suggests that a specific player might go to a specific team, there is usually reason to pay attention. The Seahawks did lose two corners in free agency who played significant minutes in 2013, but neither would be a starter this year if they were still with the team. Byron Maxwell is entering the final year of his contract, so perhaps this suggestion is looking ahead to the 2015 season. 

Are Seahawks in the market for another running back?

"

Terrance West visited 49ers, Bills, Falcons, Titans, Vikings Seahawks; worked out for Falcons; private meetings with Cardinals, Dolphins

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) May 7, 2014"

Seattle's inclusion on that list is likely to turn some heads. The Seahawks surprised everyone by drafting two running backs in 2013 despite having both Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin on the roster. It is odd that they'd be working out other backs in the lead-up to the draft this year. If the Seahawks do take another back this year, it could signal that big changes are in store for Seattle's backfield. 

Seven-Round Seahawks Mock Draft

Otto Kitsinger/Associated Press

Round 1, Pick No. 32: Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Boise State

Seattle lost both starters at the defensive end position from the 2013 Super Bowl-winning team, and they need to find some pass-rushing help to fill the void. Demarcus Lawrence could provide just that. He is a natural pass-rusher with great speed and burst to get to the quarterback, and he is ideally suited to be a LEO defensive end in Seattle's system. 

Round 2, Pick No. 64: Gabe Jackson, OG, Mississippi State

With the departures of Giacomini and McQuistan from the offensive line, along with the announcement that the Seahawks have declined the fifth-year option on guard James Carpenter's contract, the Seahawks clearly need some help along the offensive line. 

Jackson appears to offer an instant upgrade for Seattle. He's a powerful run-blocker with the quick feet needed to excel in pass protection. He struggles when asked to block in space, but that isn't something he'll be asked to do in Seattle's zone-blocking scheme.

Round 4, Pick No. 132: Devin Street, WR, Pittsburgh

This is probably a longer wait to address the receiver position than most teams are comfortable with. For a team that throws the ball as rarely as the Seahawks do, however, the position isn't likely to be a high priority.

At 6'3" and with good short-area quickness, Street fits the prototype that the Seahawks have been looking for. While he lacks pure straight-line speed, he makes up for it with soft hands and a large catch radius. 

Round 5, Pick No. 146 (via Oakland): Howard Jones, LB, Shepard

Howard Jones is more of an athlete than a football player at this point, but his explosive combination of size (6'2", 235 lbs) and speed is something that will interest the Seahawks. The team's depth at linebacker will provide Jones with time to learn his position before being called upon to play meaningful defensive snaps, though his athleticism should allow him to make an instant impact on special teams.

Round 5, Pick No. 172: Shaquille Richardson, CB, Arizona

The Seahawks lost two cornerbacks in free agency and need to re-stock their depth at the position. Richardson is a physical defender that has the length the Seahawks prefer at cornerback. Richardson is a bit of a developmental project, but he flashes enough talent to suggest that he has a bright NFL future. 

Bleacher Report's Ian Wharton points out that Richardson's "excellent size and length allows him to match up against any receiver. His arm length is above average as well, helping defense passes even when he’s not in ideal positioning."

Round 6, Pick No. 208: Seantrel Henderson, OT, Miami

Rang describes Miami's Seantrel Henderson as having "a similarly jaw-dropping combination of size and power as San Diego Chargers 2013 first round pick D.J. Fluker." Henderson has all the physical traits of a guy that would usually go in the first round, but his injury history and off-field troubles will have taken him completely off of many teams' draft boards.

The Seahawks during the Pete Carroll era have been willing to look past these types of issues, so it makes sense for Seattle to take a chance on Henderson here. Henderson's technique against speed rushers is still a work in progress, but his power in the running game is undeniable.