Kristjan Sokoli to Seattle Seahawks: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

The defensive side of the football didn't necessarily have to be a priority for the Seattle Seahawks in the 2015 NFL draft, considering just how good that unit has been in recent seasons.

In 2014, the Seattle defense ranked tops in the NFL, allowing a paltry 15.9 points per game.

However, the amount of talent on the Seattle defense didn't prevent the team from taking a flier on a guy like former Buffalo defensive tackle Kristjan Sokoli in the sixth round.

This is probably because Sokoli might not be a defender in Seattle.

The Albanian-born Sokoli is a big, big defensive tackle prospect with a freakish amount of athleticism for someone his size. At 6'5" and 300 pounds, he produced a 4.84-second 40-yard dash and nine-foot, 11-inch broad jump at Buffalo's pro day. These measurables are likely what caught the collective eyes of the Seahawks decision-makers.

Sokoli was not really a standout player at Buffalo, and he seemed miscast as a nose tackle. He was often handled by double-teams with ease, and he rarely appeared as powerful as his body might suggest him to be.

However, it seems as if Seattle's plan is to move Sokoli to offensive guard and see how his athletic traits translate. 

Offensive line coach Tom Cable did the same thing with former NC State defensive lineman J.R. Sweezy, who became Seattle's starting right guard.

According to a report by Daniel Rubens of seattlepi.com, this was Cable's plan for Sokoli all along.

Sokoli said the following of his predraft experience, per Rubens:

"

I was open to the opportunity; I didn’t want to close the door. As time passed, I went on an official pre-draft visit to the Seahawks as well, and getting to know (offensive line coach) Tom Cable through that, and also getting to know Tom Cable through a personal workout here in New Jersey, I really felt like it would be a great fit for me.

"

Moving Sokoli to guard may seem unconventional, but it makes the most sense for the Seahawks. The team took a chance on developmental defender Obum Gwacham a few spots before Sokoli and has a much greater need along the offensive line.

For as good as Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle running game have been in recent years, there hasn't been a tremendous amount of help in the run-blocking department.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Seahawks actually ranked just 21st in the league in run-blocking last season. Just imagine how dangerous this offense could be with a top-tier blocking unit up front.

Even with a position move, of course, Sokoli is probably a long shot to make the final roster. He is a sixth-round pick for the defending NFC champions—a team that obviously doesn't have a lot of roster holes.

If Sokoli can make a quick and successful transition to the other side of the ball, however, he will definitely have a chance to stick around and the Seahawks may wind up being an even better football team.