T.J. Green to the Seahawks? Don’t count on it.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Seahawks selecting Clemson DB T.J. Green with the 26th pick in the first round in his final pre-draft mock.

In so many ways, Clemson safety T.J. Green appears to be a fit for what the Seahawks do. He’s an athletic freak that, despite having limited experience at safety after converting from WR, many teams see as a big time prospect at cornerback.

And here’s why:

• Height: 6’2″
• Weight: 209 lbs
• Arm Length: 32″
• 40 time: 4.34
• Vertical jump: 35.5″
• Broad jump: 10’9″

We know the Seahawks like their players to be athletic, and those testing numbers jump off the page. We also know they like their corner backs tall and rangy. They clearly have interest in Green, because he was one of the team’s 30 official pre-draft visitors to the VMAC.

More from 12th Man Rising

• 4 prospects Seahawks could reach for at No. 20 in 2023 NFL Draft
• Seattle Seahawks Mock Draft: Post-first wave of free agency 
• Seahawks podcast: A review of the first week of free agency
• 4 experiments the Seattle Seahawks could cut short in 2023
• 3 pros and cons of Seattle Seahawks drafting Anthony Richardson

So…. a solid long-term, high-upside project worth taking in the middle rounds?

Not anymore. The buzz around Green the last few days is deafening:

So that would seem to put him out of the realm of being a Seahawk. Seattle appears loaded at cornerback, and is already facing some tough choices this year with a number of young, drafted players who may have bright futures ahead of them, namely Tye Smith and Tharold Simon. It’s going to be an uphill battle for both of those players just to make the roster this year.

Which is why it was so shocking to see draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. mock Green to the Seahawks at #26 this morning in his final pre-draft prediction (subscription required). 

Could it be that after all the speculation of the Seahawks dipping into the deep pool of talent on either the offensive and defensive lines tonight, they might actually draft a CB?

It’s possible, but unlikely.

First of all, for all of Kiper’s experience in covering the draft, he isn’t the most connected guy out there. He bases his picks on his big board, not so much what he’s hearing. Here’s what he has to say about the pick:

"He’s listed at safety, but this is a guy who could come in and be a press corner, and he certainly fits the model for the players they like in the secondary. The former wide receiver has decent ball skills."

That’s it? Seattle will use their first round pick on him simply because he “fits the model?”

Next: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?

IF GM John Schneider is able to trade down and accumulate extra picks, and IF Green slides down into the 2nd round, I could see the Seahawks taking him.

But with pick #26?!?! Even insofar as I typically take the “nothing will surprise me with the Seahawks” approach to the their philosophy regarding talent acquisition…..THAT would shock me.