eDraft's last team mock draft took a look at the NFC Champion' San Francisco 49ers. Coincidentally enough, it was published the day they earned that title.
Today's article will take a look at another up-and-coming team out of the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks, who were a field goal away from taking on their division rival in the NFC Championship Game last Sunday. Seattle has built a strong coaching staff and front office. These two things led to a couple great drafts in a row.
The 2012 NFL draft saw Seattle acquire a plethora of talent in the annual April event. Bruce Irvin, Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner and Robert Turbin, to name a few. The year before Seattle added the likes of Richard Sherman and K.J. Wright on the defensive side of the ball.
Needless to say, general manager John Schneider has done one hell of a job building a team that will be in contention for the Super Bowl for the foreseeable future.
Let's take a look at our initial Seattle Seahawks mock of the 2013 NFL draft season.
1. Barkevious Mingo, Defensive End, Louisiana State
Seattle possesses one of best young defenses in the entire NFL. Check that, it has one of the best overall defenses in the league. With a myriad of young talent across the board on this side of the ball, some may question this selection. Chris Clemons tore up his ACL against the Washington Redskins in the playoffs and will turn 32 during the 2013 season. The Seahawks are going to want to find a running mate for Bruce Irvin at defensive end. Mingo fits their 4-3 scheme to a T. He has the speed and athletic ability to be a dominant force opposite Irvin. Now it is all about putting it together.
2. Arthur Brown, Linebacker, Kansas State
Brown will most definitely find himself skyrocketing up the draft boards as April approaches. Brown's speed seems to come across a great deal on tape, mostly going sideline to sideline. He has tremendous field awareness and can draw out plays from between the hashes to the outside. While he might be a bit too small to play WILL in a 4-3 scheme, Seattle has Alan Branch and Brandon Mebane to make up for it. Brown will be able to fill the one hole remaining in Seattle's front seven after the selection of Mingo in the first round.
3. Jamar Taylor, Cornerback, Boise State
Am I the only one that views Taylor as a really solid prospect? He seems to possess the technique and ability to stick with receivers on the outside. I like how he plays at the line, consistently throwing these receivers off their routes early. There will be questions about the ability of his game to translate to the NFL, but I don't see that as an issue a (5'11", 196). Seattle could use some depth with Marcus Trufant getting a bit long in the tooth and unable to really stay healthy and Walter Thurmond's inability to stay on the field.
4. Jordan Reed, Tight End, Florida
Zach Miller came up big late in the 2012 season and seems to be a positive influence for Wilson in the passing game and between the hashes. Meanwhile, Anthony McCoy showed some flashes after completely bombing out for his former USC coach prior to 2012. With that in mind, Seattle is in position to go best player available on the offensive side of the ball here. Reed has starter-caliber tight end in the NFL.
5. Marquess Wilson, Wide Receiver, Washington State
Sidney Rice and Golden Tate really stepped up in the passing game in 2012, combining for nearly 100 receptions and over 1,400 yards. Meanwhile, Doug Baldwin took a step back from a surprising rookie season. Seattle will need to find more depth and talent at this position. Wilson is one of those high upside players that Pete Carroll and John Schneider look for in the mid rounds.
5. Larry Warford, Guard, Kentucky
J.R. Sweezy can definitely be Seattle's long-term solution right guard. The 2012 seventh-round pick has shown promise in limited playing time (two starts) and seems to be a steal that late in the draft. This doesn't mean that Seattle doesn't need a possible alternative or depth along the interior of its offensive line. Warford, despite limitations, provides that.
6. Abry Jones, Defensive Tackle, Georgia
After Mebane and Branch, Seattle doesn't have a whole heck of a lot at defensive tackle. Sure, it selected Jaye Howard in the 2012 draft, but the Florida prospect didn't do a whole lot as a rookie. Jones is one of those guys with a solid upside, but questions about consistency. Pretty much what you get in the sixth round.
7. D.J. Harper, Running Back, Boise State
Good teams are going to see draft picks not make the 53-man roster. In fact, that is something they can rely on. Even if Harper doesn't make the team over a solid special teams contributor like Leon Washington, he can provide training camp competition and be hidden on the practice squad. I like his upside here late in the final round.