2013 NFL Mock Draft The Seattle Seahawks Select…

November 17, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Anthony Barr (11) forces a fumble by USC Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley (7) in the fourth quarter of the game at the Rose Bowl. UCLA won 38-28. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

The first FanSided 2013 NFL Mock Draft of the year has been released.

The guys at Fansided.com have released the first of their weekly mock drafts. Yes, it’s a little early to get too wrapped up in draft coverage, but I can’t help getting into it a little bit, even now. Lets face it, the draft is awesome, and I love covering it.

Before we get to the pick, notice that the Seahawks are picking 21st. That means that the author expects the Seahawks to be a playoff teams. That’s definitely not certain anymore, but that’s a topic for another article.

Here’s the pick:

"21. Seattle Seahawks – Anthony Barr|LB/UCLABarr’s not the top linebacker in the draft, as C.J. Mosley and Alec Ogletree will get looks as well, but Pete Carroll knows Barr from his USC days and Carroll likes going with guys he knows. Plus, Barr is a beast of a prospect and can chase people from sideline to sideline."

You can tell the author doesn’t follow the Seahawks very closely, or at all. Carroll has actually avoided USC guys for the most part. Remember the Taylor Mays craziness? If that’s the case, why would he show any loyalty to UCLA guys? I get that the Mike Williams signing caused this misconception, but seriously, it’s not true.

As for the pick, there’s very little to like about this selection. Thats not a slight on Barr. He’s a interesting LB prospect, but he’s not the LB the Seahawks need. The Seahawks need a weak side LB who can cover backs out of the backfield and help set the edge at the point of attack, and Barr isn’t that guy. Barr is a run stopping tackler, something the Seahawks already have.

I really don’t like the value of this pick either. I have Barr rated in the 2nd round. Somewhere around the late 60’s or early 70s. There’s a decent chance that Barr is around in the 2nd round when the Seahawks pick. Yes, I know, people said that about Bruce Irvin last year, but he’s a pass rusher. Pass Rushers go early. Run stoppers don’t. If anything they go later than their talent would indicate.

Plus, I just can’t believe the Seahawks will take a LB in the top half of the draft. Do they need a LeRoy Hill replacement? Sure, but that doesn’t mean the Seahawks will be desperate about it. This defensive scheme doesn’t highlight the LBs. KJ Wright was a 4th rounder. I expect whoever is drafted to replace Hill will likely be taken around the same spot.

The Seahawks simply have bigger needs; wide receiver (or 2), a dominant defensive tackle, and TE are all bigger needs, and more likely uses of a first round pick.