The 2013 NFL draft hasn't necessarily yielded the Seattle Seahawks many impact players this season. They traded two picks away, including a first rounder, to acquire Percy Harvin. The electric playmaker is set to make his Seahawks debut within the next week or two. Outside of that, Seattle has a couple talented players remaining on the roster from that draft and sent Chris Harper packing prior to the start of the regular season.
This comes on the heels of multiple drafts that saw general manager John Schneider pull off great pick after great pick. Due to the Harvin trade, 2013 might be an exception to the rule.
As one of the most talented teams in the NFL, Seattle doesn't really have a ton of needs. This will enable it to pick through the rounds it is selecting in to find the best possible value. Here is eDraft's initial 2014 mock draft for one of the top teams in the NFC.
First Round: Cyril Richardson, Offensive Tackle, Baylor
It goes without saying that Seattle needs to find upgrades along the offensive line. Even at 100 percent, this unit leaves a lot to be desired. When healthy, Russell Okung is one of the better pass-protecting left tackles in the entire NFL. The issue with the former first-round pick is that he's now missed 18 games in less than four seasons in Seattle. The other side of the line is even more troublesome. James Carpenter has never lived up to his first-round billing and is better suited for the inside. Breno Giacomini is nowhere near the long-term answer at right tackle.
As it relates to Richardson, he is a strong pass-protecting tackle who won't struggle against the bull rush and is surprisingly agile for someone that stands 6'5" and 340 pounds. He can stand to play at a more consistent pad level, but does project as a left tackle. Seattle could slot Richardson in at right tackle and utilize him as a safety valve along the left side should Okung's injury issues continue.
Second Round: Gabe Jackson, Guard, Mississippi State
Doubling down on the offensive line isn't a knee-jerk reaction to injury concerns in Seattle. While J.R. Sweezy represents tremendous upside at guard and Carpenter could potentially find himself as a solid interior lineman, Jackson offers too much value and need in the second round. He's considered one of the top-two guards in the 2014 NFL draft, right up there with David Yankey of the Stanford Cardinal. In addition, Jackson has the potential to be a day-one starter and can play both sides of the line. It's the idea that contending teams do not settle for mediocrity at certain positions. As Seattle's only weakness on either side of the ball, why shouldn't it focus a great deal on the offensive line?
Fourth Round: Cody Hoffman, Wide Receiver, BYU
It's pretty obvious that Sidney Rice's days are numbered in Seattle. Prior to tearing up his ACL in Week 8, the veteran had just 15 receptions in seven-plus games.
In addition, he is set to earn nearly $30 million over the next three seasons with just $7.2 million in dead money. It's a rather easy out for the Seahawks.
Even with Percy Harvin set to return and actually see his first playing time in Seattle, it just makes sense for general manager John Schneider and company to focus on getting a wide receiver at some point next May.
A wide receiver group that includes Hoffman, Harvin, Jermaine Kearse and Golden Tate sounds mighty promising to me.
At 6'4" and 215 pounds, Hoffman has the size that Seattle covets at wide receiver. He does a tremenous job utilizing that frame to go over the top of defenders and possesses a solid set of hands. Hoffman's runs precise intermediate routes, but is never going to be a down-field threat. That fits perfectly into what Seattle needs with Harvin already in the mix for the future. In reality, Hoffman could be what Seattle thought it was getting in Chris Harper last April.
Fifth Round (via Oak): Donte Rumph, Defensive Tackle, Kentucky
At 6'3" and 323 pounds, Rumph has nearly the same build (take a couple inches) as veteran Seahawks' defensive lineman Red Bryant, who is going to turn 30 prior to the start of the 2014 NFL draft. As with every team that has an eye on the future and a strong front office, the Seahawks are always looking for potential replacements up and down their roster. Not too quick off the snap, Rumph relies more on lower-body strength and a strong impact at the point of contact. He's more of an inside defender in a base defense, but can line up on the outside in Seattle's hybrid set of defensive line formations. Inconsistent effort and taking plays off have been two red flags as it relates to his game. That's obviously something Pete Carroll and Co. can work on.
Fifth Round: Jonathan Brown, Linebacker, Illinois
Man, the Seahawks know how to draft and develop linebackers. From K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner to Bruce Irvin and an extremely underrated Malcolm Smith this is their money position outside of the secondary.
Brown fits exactly what Carroll and Co. like when scouting collegiate prospects. At just 6'1" and 235, Brown might not be built like a strong NFL linbebacker.
He is, however, a great athlete and a sure tackler. He can blitz with the best of them and does a tremendous job getting into the offensive backfield.
This was evidenced by the near 20 tackles for loss he tallied as a sophomore. The senior has continued to get better with play recognition and actually does a solid job when tasked with dropping back into coverage. While I have a much higher grade on Brown, this is where he is slated to go around various media outlets. He would be a coup for Seattle.
Sixth Round: Sean Parker, Safety, Washington
Even with Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas as starting safeties, Seattle needs to find some type of depth behind them. If one were to go down to injury, the possibility of throwing either Chris Maragos or Jeron Johnson out there wouldn't inspire much confidence, though I do like what the latter could bring to the table. Parker, a local product, has a stong build for someone that stands just 5'10" and can lay the wood with the best of them. He has strong instincts against the run and is able to get into the offensive backfield with a solid first-level speed. Where Parker may struggle covering down the field and tackling in space, he's an impact player between the hashes and in the box. He reminds me of a young Donte Whitner.
Seventh Round: Colt Lyerla, Tight End, Oregon
Why not? Seattle has the ability to draft value later in the draft. It also has the capability to take a risk here and there. While it remains to be seen what is going to happen with Lyerla, who is no longer a member of the Oregon Ducks after another off-field incident, he is likely going to get an opportunity should he keep his nose clean off the field and avoid jail time for possession of cocaine. Prior to these off-field incidents, Lyerla was considered a first-round pick. He has the talent, size and athleticism to be a dominationg tight end. It's all about getting her personal life straight.