2014 NFL Mock Draft: Seahawks focus on defensive line with first round pick
Oct 19, 2013; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt (7) during the game against the Southern California Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeated USC 14-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Seahawks could use an upgrade on the offensive line and might do well to pick up a receiver or two in the draft as well, but what would happen if Seattle decided to use their first round pick to improve their defense?
Seattle’s defense is still the NFL’s best, but the team needs to address the possibility of players leaving the team for more money, like defensive end Michael Bennett.
Would Seattle be smart to pick up a defender with their first pick?
Here is 12th Man Rising’s fourth 2014 NFL Mock Draft:
1. Houston Texans
TEDDY BRIDGEWATER
QB, Louisville
2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)
JAKE MATTHEWS
OT, Texas A&M
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
JADEVEON CLOWNEY
DE, South Carolina
4. Cleveland Browns
BLAKE BORTLES
QB, UCF
5. Oakland Raiders
JOHNNY MANZIEL
QB, Texas A&M
6. Atlanta Falcons
KHALIL MACK
OLB, Buffalo
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
KONY EALY
DE, Missouri
8. Minnesota Vikings
RA’SHEDE HAGEMAN
DT, Minnesota
9. Buffalo Bills
ANTHONY BARR
OLB, UCLA
10. Detroit Lions
SAMMY WATKINS
WR, Clemson
11. Tennessee Titans
RYAN SHAZIER
OLB, Ohio State
12. New York Giants
DARQUEZE DENNARD
CB, Michigan State
13. St. Louis Rams
KYLE VAN NOY
OLB, BYU
14. Chicago Bears
LOUIS NIX III
DT, Notre Dame
15. Pittsburgh Steelers
GREG ROBINSON
OT, Auburn
16. Baltimore Ravens
AARON DONALD
DT, Pittsburgh
17. Dallas Cowboys
MIKE EVANS
WR, Texas A&M
18. New York Jets
HA’SEAN CLINTON-DIX
S, Alabama
19. Miami Dolphins
TAYLOR LEWAN
OT, Michigan
20. Arizona Cardinals
DEREK CARR
QB, Fresno State
21. Green Bay Packers
JACE AMARO
TE, Texas Tech
22. Philadelphia Eagles
C.J. MOSLEY
ILB, Alabama
23. Kansas City Chiefs
ERIC EBRON
TE, North Carolina
24. Cincinnati Bengals
DEE FORD
OLB, Auburn
25. San Diego Chargers
ZACK MARTIN
OT, Notre Dame
26. Cleveland Browns (from Indianapolis)
KELVIN BENJAMIN
WR, Florida State
27. New Orleans Saints
JUSTIN GILBERT
CB, Oklahoma State
28. Carolina Panthers
ANTONIO RICHARDSON
OT, Tennessee
29. New England Patriots
TIMMY JERNIGAN
DT, Florida State
30. San Francisco 49ers
ODELL BECKHAM JR.
WR, LSU
31. Denver Broncos
TRENT MURPHY
DE, Stanford
32. Seattle Seahawks
STEPHON TUITT
DE, Notre Dame
More than likely, the Seahawks will focus on the offense with their first round pick. But let’s assume Bennett leaves the team and a hole is created at the defensive end position.
Assuming Tuitt is still available, there is no one better to fill the void.
Physically gifted and athletic for his size, Tuitt stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 315 pounds. His long arms help him shed blocks from offensive lineman and wrap up ball-handlers before they can get back to the line.
According to his draft profile, Tuitt recorded 20.5 sacks in 28 career starts at Notre Dame.
Here are some of Tuitt’s highlights from his sophomore season: