Could Seahawks go defense with first two picks?

Despite glaring needs on their offensive line, look for the Seahawks to continue adding to their league-leading defense early in this week’s NFL draft.

We’ve heard it for months, ever since the Seahawks were bounced out of the playoffs by the Carolina Panthers:

The offensive line needs a major overhaul.

The only thing holding them back from another Super Bowl is that offensive line.

That offensive line really is literally offensive!

Much of the off season focus has been on what the Seahawks did, or didn’t do, to address the position in free agency. Now, with the draft upon us, many are still hoping that the team will expend much of it’s early draft capital on any center, guard or tackle who can come in and contribute to the group’s improvement.

Well, don’t be surprised if you have to wait until Saturday to see the Hawks take an O-lineman. Here’s why:

Everything being equal, Pete Carroll and John Schneider value defense above all else.
The strength of the top of this draft class is universally considered to be the group of defensive linemen, particularly tackles.
The Seahawks never feel like they have enough of them, given how much they love to rotate and divide snaps.
The pass rush needs to improve.
The type of offensive linemen line coach Tom Cable and his staff prefer look to be available at a better value in the middle rounds.

More from 12th Man Rising

Seeing Seattle take a defensive player in the first round wouldn’t come as a shock, many (if not most) mock drafts are projecting just that. Usually, however, that’s followed by multiple picks being dedicated to the offensive line. What I’m suggesting is that we could see them use their first AND second round picks on defense, in particular if they trade down.

Here’s one possible scenario I envision, using the draft simulator at first-pick.com:

John Schneider agrees to trade the 26th pick to Cleveland, who’s looking to move back up into the end of the first round to take one of the QB’s still available. In exchange the Seahawks receive picks #32 (1st pick of the 2nd round) and #99 (1st pick of the 4th round). The deal makes sense for a couple reasons; it matches up almost perfectly on the NFL Trade Value Chart, and the Browns get another first round pick while also keeping the 2nd pick in the 4th round, right behind the Seahawks. Then…..

With the 32nd pick, Seattle selects Clemson DE Kevin Dodd, a VMAC visitor who racked up 12.5 sacks for the Tigers last year. I had him going to Seattle in my final full first round mock draft Monday.
With their 2nd round pick, #56 overall, Schneider goes with Mississippi State defensive tackle Chris Jones, another visitor to the VMAC. Jones is a 6’6″ 310 lb monster with 34.5″ arms. His motor has been questioned but his talent has not. He offers the type of inside/outside versatility the Hawks love.

Adding a pair like Dodd and Jones ensure the Seahawks gain two young, high-ceiling players on their defensive line, complementing veterans Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, while joining Frank Clark as the nucleus of a group that could keep that unit young and dominant for years to come.

Then, the Hawks would end up with a cluster of picks in the late 3rd/early 4th round with which to attack that offensive line. They would possess picks 90, 97, 99 and 124, with guys like Connor McGovern, Joe Haeg and Joe Dahl (all linemen Seattle is reportedly high on) all projected to go right around that area.

Next: Do the Seahawks need to draft a TE?

This is just one example, but it does point out how much sense it makes for the Hawks to manipulate the draft, and in the process gain a bunch of new, young, talented players in two huge areas of need.

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