Seahawks NFL draft eve: What will Seattle do with their picks

So 12s all know that the Seahawks have some basic needs. Unlike in years’ past, Seattle has to get a good pass rusher and, possibly, cornerback in the 2018 NFL Draft. But will Seattle really do? No one really knows.

Several mock draft by national pundits have the Seahawks choosing a cornerback in the NFL draft. However, Mike Maycock of the NFL Network think Seattle will take a defensive end with their first pick. We won’t really know until the first round of the NFL draft what in Seattle will do. But we know what they should do.

I will just say that I hope Maycock is correct. Seattle needs a pass rusher not only for 2018, but for years beyond. The Seahawks will clearly have a decision to make with Frank Clark after this season. But if Clark produces at a level Seattle expects him to, Seattle should re-sign him.

But a team with only one real good pass rusher is probably not a really good team. Every team needs two, at least. Enter Marcus Davenport of the University of Texas at San Antonio. I have thought for some time this is who Seattle should choose if they stay at pick number 18. Davenport has all the attributes to be a productive defensive end for several years.

And while it is true that Seattle does need a player to go opposite emerging cornerback Shaquill Griffin, the team did sign former San Francisco 49er Dontae Johnson. Johnson isn’t Richard Sherman, but he is experienced and could fit well in the Seahawks’ scheme.

Seattle could also re-sign Byron Maxwell still. This would lessen the need for drafting a corner with the team’s first pick overall too.

All this said, there is little chance Seahawks general manager John Schneider stays put at pick 18. Most likely, the team will trade that pick for more picks. But if nothing changes, the Seahawks need the following:

First round, pick 18: Davenport, defensive end, USTA

Fourth round, pick 120: A cornerback, although if by some miracle Shaquem Griffin, Shaquill’s brother, is available, Seattle should jump at the chance to grab him.

Fifth rounds picks: Seahawks need more offensive line help, but also definitely need a tight end who can catch the ball.

Seventh round picks: A running back and a wide receiver. Bother would be long-shots to make the team, but Chris Carson was a seventh-round pick in 2017 and he should start this year.

Related Story: Speaking of Earl Thomas, should Seahawks trade him?

Of course, as I said all of this will change. Earl Thomas could be traded for earlier picks. Or even more surprising things. What would be most shocking, though, is if Seattle made no moves at all. Or if a pass rusher wasn’t their first choice.