2011 NFL Draft: Predicting the Seattle Seahawks

The NFL Draft is where each team has the opportunity make themselves into a contender. After a surprising season last year, we are once again back at the draft. With the NFL Draft only hours away, here is how I see the Seahawks going with their seven draft picks. Last year the Seahawks drafted an offensive lineman with their first pick, will they do the same in 2011?

Let's see...

Round 1 Pick 25

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 18: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies looks on during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers on September 18, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Ideal Pick: Jake Locker, QB, Washington

While Locker will probably be long gone by this point, he would undoubtedly be the preferred pick for Seattle.

Probable Pick: Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas

Now for the realistic pick. The Seahawks need a quarterback, whether that be Matt Hasselback or not, and Mallett is a solid choice.

Fall Back: Aaron Williams, CB, Texas

Another position of need is cornerback. Worse case scenario if Mallett and Locker are both gone, the Seahawks fill another void by drafting Williams.

Round 2 Pick 57

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Defensive tackle Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the Wildcats 29-27. (Pho

Ideal Pick: Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State

Another pick that has almost no chance. But if Paea falls on draft day, Seattle can’t let him get past their 2^nd round pick.

Probable Pick: Marcus Cannon, OT, TCU

The 6' 6", 350-pound tackle out of TCU is a solid choice for Seattle in their second pick. He fills a major issue for the team, and is a reliable pick.

Fall Back: Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida

Well, if the above tackle is gone, there’s no shame in taking a different one. Gilbert is a legitimate back-up pick.

Round 4 Pick 98 (from New England

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Defensive tackle Brandon Bair #88 of the Oregon Ducks watches the action from the sidelines in the third quarter of the game against the New Mexico Lobos at Autzen Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the g

Ideal Pick: Brandon Bair, DT/DE, Oregon

If Seattle gets lucky, Bair will fall down the draft board to the 4^th round and wind up with the Seahawks. This senior out of Oregon is a stud.

Probable Pick: Kelvin Sheppard, ILB, LSU

Sheppard is the likely direction Seattle will go for their 4^th round pick. Sheppard is a force at inside linebacker, and would be a good back up in the NFL.

Fall Back: Kristopher O’Dowd, OT, USC

But, if worse comes to worse, the Seahawks can keep working on their offensive line by drafting O’Dowd out of USC.

Round 5 Pick 153

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - JANUARY 07: Wide receiver Jeff Maehl of the Oregon Ducks talks with the media during Media Day for the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn on January 7, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christi

Ideal Pick: Jeff Maehl, WR, Oregon

While the wide receiver position is not a major concern for the Seahawks, Maehl is a top-tier talent.  He’s a possession receiver with surprising speed.

Probable Pick: Chykie Brown, CB, Texas

However, cornerback is an issue for the Seahawks. Chykie Brown can battle with Walter Thurmond and the other young corners for a starting spot.

Fall Back: Austin Pettis, CB, Boise State

As is pretty common in this list, the fallback is just another player at the same position. Pettis is very underrated and can work his way into a starting role faster than you would think.

Round 5 Pick 155 (From Baltimore)

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Greg McElroy #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide smiles after winning the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Ideal Pick: Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama

Quarterback is an obvious area of need for Seattle, and if McElroy is available, then he can be a solid backup. The guy knows how to win.

Probable Pick: Ian Williams, DT, Notre Dame

A load in defensive-line, Williams could be the plug inside that the Seahawks have been looking for.

Fall Back: Cortez Allen, CB, Citadel

If the other choices are gone, then Seattle can settle on this speedy corner out of the Citadel.

Round 6 Pick 168 (from Detroit)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Cortez Allen #1 of the Citadel goes up for a pass during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Ideal Pick: Cortez Allen, CB, Citadel

Well, assuming that the Seahawks didn’t have to settle on him in the 5^th round, they can hope to get him in the 6^th round.

Probable Pick: Bryant Browning, OG, Ohio State

From “The” Ohio State University, this giant has been a solid lineman for the Buckeyes and now takes his talent to the National Football League.

Fall Back: Darrin Walls, CB, Notre Dame

He’s projected to either go in the 6^th or 7^th round, but Seattle would be happy to get him.

Round 7 Pick 217

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PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 02: Andrew Abbott #26 of the UCLA Bruins jumps onto the shoulders of teammate David Carter #85 after Carter's sack of Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel during the fourth quarter at the Rose Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Pasadena

Ideal Pick: David Carter, DT, UCLA

Projected to go in the 6^th round by most draft experts, but if Carter is still available the Seahawks should not let him slip by.

Probable Pick: Julian Vandervelde, OG, Iowa

Guard is another area for improvement for the Seahawks. Vandervelde is versatile enough to play a multitude of different offensive line positions.

Fall Back: TJ Yates, QB, North Carolina

I feel like a broken record, but Seattle needs a quarterback. If Yates is still available, then there is no shame in the Seahawks taking him with their last pick.