Seattle Seahawks' 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

Heading into the 2015 playoffs, the Seattle Seahawks once again looked like Super Bowl contenders.

But deficiencies along the offensive and defensive lines finally caught up to the Seahawks in a divisional-round loss against the Carolina Panthers, and Seattle didn't get a chance at the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in three years.

Now, with the NFL draft upon us, the Seahawks have a chance to plug critical holes with a draft class deep in offensive line and pass-rushing talent.

Seattle holds nine total picks in the 2016 NFL draft, including two in the third round and two in the seventh. The complete list of Seahawks draft picks looks like this:

Round 1: No. 26

Round 2: No. 56

Round 3: Nos. 91 and 97

Round 4: No. 124

Round 5: No. 171

Round 6: No. 215

Round 7: Nos. 225 and 227

Seattle will go after at least two offensive line prospects in this draft, and it should do it sooner rather than later. Not only are the Seahawks shoring up the team's worst position group from a season ago, but they're also replacing left tackle Russell Okung and guard J.R. Sweezy, who both left in free agency.

Outside linebacker is also a main concern after the departure of pass-rusher Bruce Irvin to the Oakland Raiders, another free-agent loss for Seattle. The team would also be wise to take a defensive lineman, and a running back to insure second-year pro Thomas Rawls wouldn't hurt, either.

There are quite a few needs for the Seahawks heading into the draft later this month, no doubt. But if general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll play their cards right, the Seahawks can bring in a considerable haul of impact talent.

With that, let us begin. 

Top-100 Big Board

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

The following list is an outsider's attempt at recreating the Seahawks' big board—100 players who potentially fit the team's schemes and philosophies.

You'll notice there are players on the list who have little chance of being drafted by Seattle, such as offensive tackle prospect Laremy Tunsil and defensive back Jalen Ramsey. While it is indeed doubtful the Seahawks take either of these guys, it would be naive to think they haven't done their due scouting diligence on every player in this draft. 

You'll also notice many offensive line prospects come early in the list. That's because the Seahawks' biggest needs come along the front five. Defensive linemen and outside linebackers come later in the list, mostly because those position groups offer deep talent pools that will extend into the later rounds.

Here we go.

Seattle Seahawks Big Board
Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Laremy Tunsil	OT	Ole Miss
2	Jalen Ramsey	DB	Florida State University
3	Joey Bosa	DE	Ohio State University
4	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
5	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame
6	DeForest Buckner	DE	Oregon
7	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
8	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State University
9	Cody Whitehair	OG	Kansas State University
10	Ezekiel Elliot	RB	Ohio State University
11	Darron Lee	OLB	Ohio State University
12	Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Florida
13	Reggie Ragland	ILB	Alabama
14	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor
15	Myles Jack	OLB	UCLA
16	Jason Spriggs	OT	Indiana
17	Leonard Floyd	OLB	Georgia
18	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
19	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma State University
20	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
21	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA
22	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State University
23	Vernon Butler	DT	Louisiana Tech
24	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
25	Ryan Kelly	C	Alabama
26	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
27	Jonathan Bullard	DE	Florida
28	Robert Nkemdiche	DT	Ole Miss
29	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
30	Jaylon Smith	OLB	Notre Dame
31	Vonn Bell	SS	Ohio State University
32	Kamalei Correa	OLB	Boise State University
33	Joshua Perry	OLB	Ohio State University
34	Kendall Fuller	CB	Virginia Tech
35	Scooby Wright III	ILB	Arizona State University
36	Austin Johnson	DT	Penn State
37	Vadal Alexander	OG	LSU
38	Jeremy Cash	SS	Duke
39	Hunter Henry	TE	Arkansas
40	Kentrell Brothers	ILB	Missouri
41	Shon Coleman	OT	Auburn
42	Devontae Booker	RB	Utah
43	Germain Ifedi	OT	Texas A&M
44	Shilique Calhoun	DE	Missouri
45	Sterling Shepard	WR	Oklahoma
46	Artie Burns	CB	Miami
47	Su'a Cravens	OLB/DB	University of Southern California
48	Adolphus Washington	DT	Ohio State University
49	Joshua Garnett	OG	Stanford
50	Connor Cook	QB	Michigan State University
51	Keanu Neal	FS	Florida
52	Le'Raven Clark	OT	Texas Tech
53	Nick Martin	C	Notre Dame
54	Kenneth Dixon	RB	Louisiana Tech
55	Pharoh Cooper	WR	South Carolina
56	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State University
57	Austin Hooper	TE	Stanford
58	Karl Joseph	SS	West Virginia
59	Christian Westerman	OG	Arizona State University
60	Carl Nassib	DE	Penn State
61	Xavien Howard	CB	Baylor
62	Braxton Miller	WR	Ohio State University
63	Chris Jones	DT	Mississippi State
64	Jerald Hawkins	OT	Louisiana State University
65	CJ Prosise	RB	Notre Dame
66	Charles Tapper	DE	Oklahoma
67	Landon Turner	OG	University of North Carolina
68	Deion Jones	OLB	Louisiana State University
69	Jordan Howard	RB	Indiana
70	Rashard Higgins	WR	Colorado State University
71	Sebastian Tretola	OG	Arkansas
72	Will Redmond	CB	Mississippi State
73	Jerrell Adams	TE	South Carolina
74	Shawn Oakman	DE	Baylor
75	Dominique Alexander	ILB	Oklahoma
76	Javon Hargrave	DT	South Carolina State University
77	Kyler Fackrell	OLB	Utah State
78	John Theus	OT	Georgia
79	Kenny Lawler	WR	California
80	TJ Green	FS	Clemson
81	Nick Vannett	TE	Ohio State University
82	Leonte Carroo	WR	Rutgers
83	Jalen Mills	FS	Louisiana State University
84	Kenyan Drake	RB	Alabama
85	Tyler Matakevich	ILB	Temple
86	Zack Sanchez	CB	Oklahoma
87	Kyle Murphy	OT	Stanford
88	Cyrus Jones	CB	Alabama
89	Connor McGovern	OG	Missouri
90	Jordan Payton	WR	UCLA
91	Kolby Listenbee	WR	Texas Christian Univesrity
92	Jordan Jenkins	OLB	Georgia
93	Bronson Kaufusi	DE	Brigham Young University
94	Joe Schobert	OLB	Wisconsin
95	Tyler Higbee	TE	Western Kentucky
96	Yannick Ngakoue	DE	Maryland
97	Miles Killebrew	SS	Southern Utah
98	Fahn Cooper	OT	Ole Miss
99	Maurice Canady	CB	Virginia
100	Aaron Burbridge	WR	Michigan State

Round 1

Round 1, Pick 26: Cody Whitehair, Offensive Guard, Kansas State University

Don't let the position title of guard fool you—Cody Whitehair can play all along the offensive line and do it well. Just look at the above highlight reel of Whitehair playing at left tackle against Oklahoma last season for all the proof you need.

Whitehair is confident when stepping into pass protection and athletic enough to rebound from an early deficit against speed rushers. At 6'4" and 301 pounds, he has the size to play effectively at tackle and guard at both ends of the offensive line, which he did in college.

His versatility is key here. When you think of Coach Carroll's Seahawks, you see versatility on both sides of the ball, and Whitehair is a natural fit on a Seahawks offensive line that is more than just one tackle or guard away from being an elite unit.

Both of Whitehair's draft profiles on NFL.com and CBS Sports mention his strong work ethic and leader mentality. Grabbing him at 26 overall would give the Seahawks offensive line a cornerstone player for years to come. 

Round 2

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Kamalei Correa of Boise State University is listed as a defensive end but should translate to an outside linebacker in the NFL.

Round 2, Pick 56: Kamalei Correa, Boise State University

As noted in the beginning of this article, replacing pass-rusher Bruce Irvin is of utmost importance to the Seahawks. To do this, the team should look to college football's Mountain West Conference.

Kamalei Correa is a quick-twitch athlete who has a knack for getting to the quarterback. In his last two seasons as a Boise State Bronco, Correa racked up 19 sacks and forced five fumbles.

His size and athleticism (6'3", 243 lbs) seemingly make him another versatile weapon who would fit perfectly into Seattle's scheme. Correa spent a lot of his time rushing the passer from the defensive line, but he's no stranger to lining up as an outside backer and is willing and able to drop into coverage from time to time.  

Carson Palmer leads the Arizona Cardinals passing attack, and the Los Angeles Rams look to be selecting their quarterback of the future with the No. 1 overall pick. The Seahawks must generate a pass rush from their front seven, and Correa can do just that from either defensive end or linebacker. 

Round 3

Round 3, Pick 91: Shon Coleman, Offensive Tackle, Auburn

The Seahawks grab their second offensive lineman in the third round, finding a reliable tackle prospect in Shon Coleman. According to his NFL.com draft profile, Coleman started every game the past two seasons at left tackle, earning second-team All-SEC honors from coaches. 

In the highlight video above, you can see Coleman's body control in the first play of the tape. Coleman faces an edge-rusher who is quite speedy but never disengages from his block and allows the quarterback to get the pass off. 

The Seahawks love to power-run the football, and Coleman has the physical tools and nature to be a force in the running game. At 6'5", 307 pounds, he is ready to grade roads in the NFL.

It is worth noting that Coleman battled and beat a form of leukemia he was originally diagnosed with in 2010, according to his draft profile. Some scouts may see that as a turn-off, but considering how Coleman has bounced back, he's worth a third-round flier.

With Coleman joining first-round selection Cody Whitehair, Seattle's offensive line looks much better by the end of the draft's second day.

Round 3, Pick 97: Austin Johnson, Defensive Tackle, Penn State

In a continuous effort to get tougher in the trenches, the Seahawks select a powerful interior defender in Austin Johnson, who was a tackling machine in 2015. Johnson recorded 78 tackles (15 went for losses) and six sacks last season. That high number of tackles assures you that Johnson is always aware of a ball-carrier's position.

He is able to hold his ground in the middle of a defensive front, even against double-teams. Johnson is tenacious at the point of attack, and his 6'4", 314-pound frame allows him to push blockers far back into the pocket. 

Seattle runs an aggressive defense, and Johnson fits the mold. And with running backs such as the Rams' Todd Gurley in its division, what's not to love about an active interior lineman known for wrapping up ball-carriers?  

Round 4

Round 4, Pick 124: Kenyan Drake, Running Back, Alabama

The Seahawks find great value in the fourth round by taking Kenyan Drake, an excellent athlete with a well-rounded skill set that includes special teams return ability (see the above highlight of his 95-yard kickoff return in the College Football Playoff National Championship). 

Pairing Drake with Thomas Rawls would combine for a heck of a one-two punch for the Seahawks' running game. Drake averaged six yards per carry in college, and although he has some drop issues, he still averaged 12.5 yards per reception during his collegiate career. Alabama even lined him up as a slot receiver at times.   

Unlike the team's draft strategy up to this point, the selection of Drake is less based on need and more about the best available player. And while Rawls looks to be an outstanding running back for Seattle, adding some depth to the offensive backfield can't hurt.

Drake infuses the offense with more young and explosive talent, adding to the likes of Rawls and wide receiver Tyler Lockett. If nothing else, the addition of Drake would give quarterback Russell Wilson another weapon to play with.  

Round 5

Round 5, Pick 171: Sean Davis, Cornerback, Maryland

At 6'1", 201 pounds, Sean Davis has the ideal size to play defensive back in the NFL, whether that be at safety or cornerback.

By watching his tape above, you can see that Davis' biggest strength lies in his tackling ability. He tracks down the ball-carrier from either the safety or corner position and wraps up with nice finishing tackles. 

Adding Davis would be a good depth move for the Seahawks, as the team's secondary struggled mightily with injuries (and disappointment) a season ago. Davis logged three interceptions his senior season, and his experience at both safety and corner guarantees that a degree of versatility will be present in his game at the next level.

Seattle finds the next member of the Legion of Boom in the hard-hitting Davis.

Round 6

Round 6, Pick 215: Connor McGovern, Offensive Tackle, Missouri

At Missouri, Connor McGovern saw playing time at both tackle positions and at guard. This would be another versatile pickup for the Seahawks.

But versatility isn't the strong point of McGovern's game—his strength is. According to his NFL.com draft profile, McGovern broke a school record in the weight room by squatting six reps of 690 pounds. He also didn't miss any games after an offseason attempt at bench-pressing 515 pounds resulted in McGovern tearing a pectoral muscle.

In the highlight reel above, McGovern shows a good understanding of the left tackle position, stepping into blocks and using his strength to keep pass-rushers in check. McGovern's strength, paired with his 6'4", 304-pound frame, makes him an intriguing guard prospect for the Seahawks, who like to run between the tackles.  

McGovern has the size, athleticism and game temperament to become a favorite of offensive line coach Tom Cable quickly. This would be an excellent value pick in the sixth round for Seattle. 

Round 7

Round 7, Pick 225: Joe Schobert, Wisconsin

Joe Schobert played a pass-rushing role at Wisconsin as an outside linebacker, but at the next level, he is better suited as a coverage backer in Seattle's hybrid 3-4 defense. 

Watching him on tape against Alabama, it's obvious that Schobert is willing to rush the passer but is easily knocked out of his lane by offensive linemen. He does show good burst and tenacity, however, getting into the backfield to make a play multiple times. Motor and tenacity are valuable traits that can't be measured.

One of Schobert's greatest strengths lies in his special teams coverage ability, which adds to his overall value. At 6'1", 244 pounds, Schobert isn't likely going to blow anybody up at the point of attack, but his rather lean frame lends itself well to making plays in coverage. The Seahawks could use a prospect such as Schobert to develop into a rotational outside linebacker, making him worth spending a seventh-round pick on. 

Round 7, Pick 247: Temarrick Hemingway, Tight End, South Carolina State

When Jimmy Graham went down with an injury last season, the lack of a legitimate No. 2 tight end hurt the Seahawks on offense. Luke Willson and Cooper Helfet were essentially non-factors in the passing game down the stretch, which is where Temarrick Hemingway comes in.

Hemingway shows good speed, especially in seam routes where he quickly finds openings in zone coverage. He doesn't have a ton of burst when coming out of his cuts, but Hemingway uses his body in a way that creates separation at the beginning of routes.

Hemingway's body of routes rarely sees him go downfield, but the Seahawks offense heavily uses short, effective routes anyway, making him a good fit and at a great value in the seventh round.

After addressing the offensive line and defensive front seven earlier in the draft, it would be wise for Seattle to take a developmental tight end prospect, such as Hemingway, to groom into a solid No. 2 behind Jimmy Graham.

Agree? Disagree? Let your voice be heard in the comments section below or tweet to Ethan @ebai_today.