Todd McShay: Seahawks need DE with No. 32 pick in draft
Jan 3, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Kony Ealy (47) during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2014 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Missouri won 41-31. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2014 NFL Draft just a few days away, experts are scrambling to put the finishing touches on their mock drafts.
While some recent mocks have made sense, especially for the Seahawks, others have seemed a little more questionable.
ESPN’s Todd McShay updated his mock draft on Monday and said that the Seahawks should select defensive end Kony Ealy out of Missouri. In the mock before this one, McShay said the Seahawks should take defensive end Stephon Tuitt from Notre Dame.
Why such a strong focus on the defensive end position?
Many believe Seattle needs another defensive end, even though they already have Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril as their projected starters on the outside.
The thought is that the Seahawks need a third defensive end to help with the pass rush if Bennett or Avril move inside to stop the rushing attack. That job belonged to Chris Clemons last season, but he has since signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
So then again, maybe it does make more sense to pick up a DE in the draft. Just maybe not so early.
Seattle’s biggest draft need still seems to be on the offensive line.
The O-line was by far Seattle’s biggest weakness last season and it has deteriorated further since the offseason began.
Breno Giacomini and Paul McQuistan have moved on and signed with other teams and the Seahawks recently announced that they declined their 2015-option on James Carpenter.
Russell Wilson was forced to scramble far more than he should have last year and that could potentially be helped if Seattle drafts a guard or tackle in the first round.
A defensive end could be taken later in the draft, along with a wide receiver and perhaps a safety or corner to help rotate in the secondary. But at the end of the day, Seattle should be focusing on strengthening a poor offensive line with their first pick in the draft.
The 2014 NFL Draft begins this Thursday with the first round starting at 5 p.m. PT.
The second and third rounds will be on Friday starting at 4 p.m. PT and rounds 4-7 will be held on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. PT.