Seahawks first round pick: Best pass rushers they could take
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks have some major decisions to make this offseason. Several decisions will be made for the NFL draft, though. Seattle must have a great draft for future success, including guys who can get to the quarterback.
The Seahawks will be a team in transition this offseason. But let’s not forget that Seattle also has enough current talent to get back to the playoffs. Current being the operative word. There is no guarantee that defensive linemen Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril will return in 2018. Plus, Frank Clark is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Pete Carroll loves pass rushers. Seattle needs young players who can do just that. And they need those type of players from the 2018 draft. Here are the four the Seahawks have the best chance to take with the 18th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26th.
(Note: 12s all know there is no way the Seahawks pick at 18. Seattle always trades down in the first round or completely out of it altogether. Plus, Seattle needs picks in the second and third round so expect a change.)
Marcus Davenport, Defensive end, University of Texas-San Antonio
Davenport impressed during Senior Bowl week. He has the size that Carroll likes at 6’7″ and 256 pounds. In 2017, Davenport had 8.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss.
The problem for Seattle, though, is he did so well among his bigger-school peers during Senior Bowl week that his prospects may have risen so high he will be gone before Seattle can grab him.
Davenport’s stock also will increase because Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant have chosen to return to school instead of enter the draft.
Arden Key, Defensive end, LSU
Key is immensely talented, but has had off-field issues. After the Malik McDowell fiasco last draft, the Seahawks could stay away from Key if he’s available at 18. Key, though, could still be worth the risk.
Even though he had an injury-riddled season this year, he dominated against Alabama. And as a junior in 2016, he had 12 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. He’s 6’5″ and 260 pounds. Plus, he could run a sub-4.7 40 in runs before the draft.
Still, those off the field issues, whatever they are because they have never been made clear, might make Seattle nervous.
Sam Hubbard, Defensive end, Ohio State
Hubbard needs to work on showing up every play of every game and playing all out. But he fits perfectly into the 4-3 (or 4-2-5) scheme that Seattle runs. He is also 6’5″ and almost 270 pounds, just the way Carroll likes his defensive ends.
Seattle would probably rather take him in the second round, but again, the Seahawks have no second round picks currently.
Harold Landry, Defensive end/Outside linebacker, Boston College
Landry got ran over at times. For instance, he got pushed around by Notre Dame in 2017 in a game the Fighting Irish had seven touchdown runs. But what he can do is use his speed to chase quarterbacks. He has sub-4.7 40 speed.
He also lacks good size as he is 6’3″ and 250 pounds. Seattle might take a chance on him, but only if the others above fall off the board.
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Notice I left off Bradley Chubb of North Carolina State. Chubb is the best defensive end of this year’s class, but he will easily be gone before Seattle has a chance to take him.