Perfect Picks: Seattle Seahawks
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Draft Network Mock machine and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
The simmering discontent of QB Russell Wilson will be on everybody’s mind in Seattle. The hope will be that a resolution can be found. If that’s the case Pete Carroll and John Schneider must convince Wilson they are realistic contenders. Their draft picks could play a large in that.
Round 2 - Pick 56 - Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
Russell Wilson was sacked 47 times in 2020 and it is taking its toll. Wilson has already gone public this offseason about his dissatisfaction with the situation and the front office needs to take action. An ageing Duane Brown can’t go on forever so drafting a young replacement has to be a priority.
Dillon Radunz was an extremely able left tackle for the North Dakota State Bison. He protected Trey Lance’s blindside in excellent fashion. The biggest concern will be his lack of bulk. Radunz might not tip the scales over 300lbs and that could be a red line for some teams. If that leaves him still on the board for the ‘Hawks, it gives them an athletic lineman who can develop behind Brown for a season.
Mid Round Gem - Pick 129 - Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina
North Carolina had a high-powered offense last year. Two top tier running backs and an excellent deep threat in Dyami Brown. Doing the hard yards from the slot was Dazz Newsome. Newsome has shifty feet and a knack for finding the soft spots in zone coverage. His speed allows him to separate with ease and also makes him a weapon on kick returns.
He fits the profile as the type of receiver this offense is crying out for. While DK Metcalf has solidified his status as one of the top outside receivers in the NFL, they need a short range target to give Wilson a quick option when the offensive line breaks down. Newsome has similar traits to Tyler Lockett but should bring an extra dimension and some electricity to Seattle.
Mid Round Gem - Pick 168 - Tommy Kraemer, iOL, Notre Dame
Here we are again. The Seahawks have limited draft ammo but they have to prioritise protecting their quarterback. They double dip here by selecting Tommy Kraemer, the guard out of Notre Dame. Ethan Pocic and Mike Iupati are both free agents and improvement is needed on the interior of the offensive line.
Kraemer was a regular fixture in a strong Notre Dame offensive line. He is a physical presence and is the type of a mid-round guard that offers the potential to become a decent starter at the next level. Well drilled by the Fighting Irish coaching staff, Kraemer is often seen driving his opponent to the floor, an edge that would be welcome for the Seahawks.
Late Round Sleeper - Pick 209 - Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas
It seems like Seattle has been trying to find pieces to fit their cornerback jigsaw for too long. A team that brought you the Legion of Boom have failed to hit those highs in recent years. Shaquill Griffin has been underwhelming and that should mean the ‘Hawks are comfortable with letting him walk. That will mean that adding another cornerback becomes an offseason need.
Central Arkansas’ Robert Rochell fits the old ‘LOB’ stereotype. At 6’0 and 32 ⅜” long arms, Rochell is an impressive athlete. He got plenty of early scrutiny with Central Arkansas one of the first teams in the country to start their season. Having not played against the very best in college football he found the Senior Bowl a big step up. He will be a developmental prospect but his athletic traits will find him a home.
Draft In Full:
56. Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State (OT)
129. Dazz Newsome, North Carolina (WR)
168. Tommy Kraemer, Notre Dame (iOL)
209. Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas (CB)
