Seahawks NFL Mock Draft Analysis: Best and Worst Round 1 Fits According to Needs

Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Xavier Su’a-Filo

Best Fits

UCLA OT/OG Xavier Su’a-Filo – It’s very back and forth on whether or not he will make it to 32 based on some of the other team needs around the league, but if there’s one offensive lineman I hope makes it this far that shouldn’t it’s Su’a-Filo. There are only a couple teams that truly need an offensive guard more than anything else above Seattle’s pick, but I tend to think the play-makers available will prompt these teams to try and splash rather than plug an OL need. If that’s the case he’ll be available. Su’a-Filo fills major needs for Seattle at multiple positions along the line as he could play either side and start at either guard or tackle. The losses of Paul McQuistan and Breno Giacomini can both be filled with this pick, but the additions of guards Stephen Schilling and Greg Van Wroten in free agency are great backup plans if this kid isn’t available or the Hawks decide to go a different route.

Notre Dame OT/OG Zach Martin – Not sure how Martin made it out of the top 20 in this guy’s picks as he is that type of a value, but for all the same reasons Su’a-Filo works as one of my favorites, Martin fills the need and more.

Oregon State WR Brandin Cooks – I have said in no uncertain terms that I would be ecstatic with Cooks at 32. The thought of DeSean Jackson being available this past week (and it is more about the thought than the actual move to get him) has made me love this idea even more. Cooks is Jackson 2.0 with flat out ridiculous 4.33 speed, unbelievably reliable hands, makes all the tough catches and can return punts. Cooks also has a complete season of college experience as both a No. 1 and No. 2 receiver and even with his size deficiency produced ridiculous numbers (to the tune of back-to-back 1,100-plus yard seasons). Dream pick but he’s been flying up the charts and doesn’t figure to be around when the Hawks pick. If he is, the thought of defenses having to gameplan for a Cooks/Harvin combo is just too much to pass up.

Virginia T Morgan Moses – Moses is a huge kid at 6’6, 314 lbs and is my personal vote for “most likely scenario”. There’s not much to say here except on tape he looks to be a major upgrade from Giacomini and would likely start on opening day at right tackle. He’s not your prototypical first round pick (in fact because he played at LT his senior season he projects on NFL.com as a 4th or 5th rounder), but what’s more important is that he really doesn’t have any injury history and he would anchor the right side quite nicely under the teaching of Tom Cable. The Seahawks are one of the few that absolutely need the right tackle more than the left, which is why this works as a non-reach. On the other hand, Moses is one that absolutely could make it to the Seahawks in round two at 64. The only problem is that if he doesn’t, you’ve missed out on one of the only perfect fits you will find at RT. In some mocks he is seen as a high-20’s pick.

FSU WR Kelvin Benjamin – Let’s see, 6’5, 240 lbs added on the outside of this Seahawks offense that lacks both size and down-field ability… Yes please. Benjamin is really raw, but he has incredible catch radius, his potential is off the charts and he is undeniably No. 1 receiver material. I can’t imagine what Russell Wilson could do in this offense with a beast of this magnitude on the outside.

USC WR Marqise Lee – I simply don’t see Lee being available this late, but if he is he has to be up there as one of the steals of the draft at 32. I’m of the personal opinion that he looks smaller on tape than he actually is, which is why the “average-size” label gets thrown on him so much in a negative sort of tone. In the open field though, he is simply electric and would present similar challenges as Cooks in a combo with Harvin. Can you imagine the headlines for another USC player heading to play with Carroll?

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