By Jared Stanger

I figured while things are in a freeze that I’d fire up the ol’ laptop and put together a new mock draft. So now, not only do we have data from the Combine, we also have the knowledge that there will, most likely, be a LACK of data on many players that couldn’t test at the Combine nor their school’s pro day. This will cause guys with under the radar athleticism to hold steady (maybe drop), while teams bump up the players that they know more definitely how athletic they are. So a Zack Baun is now most likely picked before a Josh Uche simply because of fewer unknowns on Baun.

The other thing we now know is the exact draft board for all 255 picks, including comp picks. Seattle landed at 8 picks (as I’ve been saying for months). With as many holes as the roster currently has; I just don’t see them standing pat with 8 picks. I think they look to get up to 10.

I now have a little bit better idea the make-up of the 1st round; and with some degree of sadness I now relent to the idea that Seattle will once again trade off their 1st round pick. I feel fairly confident Seattle will still have roughly seven players they still really like when they hit the clock at #27. Logic dictates you trade back with that kind of number. Conservatively, you move back to #34. But conservative trade-backs won’t give you as big of a return.

So my theoretical perfect trade back is moving from #27 all the way down to #44 in a trade with the Colts that also nets you their #75 in the 3rd and #211 in the 6th. This single trade puts Seattle at 10 picks, and re-centers the draft board into the 40-80 range where the Hawks would pick at #44, #59, #64, and #75. I think this is the epicenter of this draft’s value.

This mock is NOT a “what I think they will do” draft in terms of players. I think Seattle will draft a DT and a RB higher than I am willing to. I think Seattle is not very interested in drafting an OT, which I don’t agree with, but one could speculate they like Jamarco Jones at RT. I don’t trust his durability.

#44 – DB Jeremy Chinn

Jeremy Chinn is simply one of my “must-have” players in this draft. It was easier when he was a 4th round player, but his Combine numbers have clearly catapulted him to top 50 status. I’m not sure he even lasts until #44, but we’ll see.

Chinn gives you the single most athletic player at this year’s combine, with comparables to Derwin James and Minkah Fitzpatrick. That also brings with it some position flexability. He’s built like a strong safety, has the speed and range to play free safety, and I think you could coach up his technique to play corner.

This play I only saw recently, and it blows me away.

#59- OLB Josh Uche

Uche is the other guy I have to have. But, unlike with Chinn, Uche’s lack of Combine and pro day testing will (hopefully) drop his stock. The other thing running against Uche is his size: 6’1″/245lbs. An undersized quote-unquote speed-rusher with no confirmed 40 time?? That might be a guy that drops.

But the subplots on Uche are 1) for a 6’1″ frame, he has a 6’8″ wingspan. 2) for a “speed-rusher” he has unexpected power. 3) he’s smarter than almost every DE I’ve studied this year. It’s kind of like Russell Wilson…fell because he was short and only a running QB, but the reality was he had long arms, big hands, and in fact WAS a pocket passer. And he was smarter than every QB that came out that year. It’s fine to acknowledge the talking points, but it’s better to know if there aren’t mitigating circumstances that cancel out the spoken negatives.

#64 – OT Matt Peart

As I wrote earlier, I’m drafting a RT this year. But it doesn’t seem like Seattle is thinking of doing so. They’re trusting that Jamarco is a thing the same way they trusted that Tedric was a thing. I don’t trust their self-scouting. Or maybe they’ll pay a RT in free agency. I’d be okay with that.

Peart is one of two RT that I see lasting this far that I can also see some upside left in. The other is Isaiah Wilson. In some ways I could see Wilson being more of a Solari pick. But I think Peart fits better. It’s a bit counter-intuitive because Peart is built like a LT and Wilson is built like a rock-biter, but Peart is the better run-blocker, and therefore the better fit for Seattle.

#75 – DT Davon Hamilton

Again, signs are pointing toward Seattle seeking a pass-rushing 3tech early, but I think Hamilton has better passrush from the 1-tech than most of the 3’s. As a team that struggled to passrush but also fell off in terms of their run-defense; I like the fit of Hamilton’s versatile skillset. It reminds me somewhat of the year Kawann Short came out.

#101 – OL Jonah Jackson

Jackson is another guy where the athleticism isn’t as good as the tape. Tough to predict which he gets drafted off, and how high. At this spot, I’m trusting he gets pushed down a round due to his lack of athleticism.

I love Jonah’s tape at guard, but I’m also intrigued by the idea that he has college experience at center.

#133 – WR Isaiah Hodgins

There are so many thoughts and options regarding a WR in this draft. I love Van Jefferson as a possession guy with special teams ability. I love Chase Claypool in the redzone, potentially a TE, and on special teams. I love Antonio Gandy Golden as the right side redline target on day three.

I’m taking Hodgins here because he’ll be underdrafted due to his 40 time, but his route-running is comparable to Jefferson, his redzone is close to Claypool, and his redline is not too far below Golden. In summation: a nice combination of skillsets at a great value range for a team that only needs a WR3.

#144 – RB AJ Dillon

I know Seattle is gonna draft a RB this year. I think they’ll do it in the 2nd round. But I just don’t want to. Dillon is the RB consolation prize. He’s huge. He’s athletic. He was really productive in college. He might be Seattle’s attempt to get a Leveon Bell on day 3.

#162 – DT Khalil Davis

The Davis twins out of Nebraska are still pretty under the radar even though they both ran sub 4.9 second forties at 300+ lbs. Khalil was the more athletic (4.79s) and the more productive passrusher last year posting 8.0 sacks and 11.0 TFL. So if Seattle REALLY wants a 3tech, why not get the most athletic one at the best value??

#211 – CB Madre Harper

I’m a huge fan of Reggie Robinson, but the buzz on him after his top 5 CB Combine performance has put too much heat on him. So move it to the next guy. Harper is a 6’1″/196lb corner originally recruited to Oklahoma State, played his last two years at SIU, that tested pro day at Northwestern where he posted a 4.41s forty, 40″ vert, 11’02” broad, 4.10 shuttle, 6.70 cone.

He’s an aggressive player with solid tackling, 2 INT, 14 pass defenses last year. With both Shaq and Tre returning as starters, Seattle can take a flyer on an athletic guy with enough agility to play the nickel, and the size to play outside, and just groom him for a year or two.

#214 – WR/RB Joe Reed

This is a highly speculative pick. I’m guessing Seattle drafts two WR, including one that needs to be able to return on special teams. I’m projecting that Reed could also make a transition to more of a full-time RB role and be a sort of new Prosise. It’s a very specific profile and Reed ticks off so many of the boxes.

He’s 6’1″/224lbs, ran a 4.47s forty with good jumps, led the country in kickoff returns with over 33 per, and Virginia used him periodically in and out of the backfield.

Recap:

#44 – DB Jeremy Chinn
#59 – OLB Josh Uche
#64 – OT Matt Peart
#75 – DT Davon Hamilton
#101 – OL Jonah Jackson
#133 – WR Isaiah Hodgins
#144 – RB AJ Dillon
#162 – DT Khalil Davis
#211 – CB Madre Harper
#214 – UT Joe Reed

5 offense, 5 defense. Heavy on defense early. 5 total line of scrimmage players.