12th Man Rising
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Mock Draft Monday: Seahawks go defense early

By Colby Patnode

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A video board displays an image as the Seattle Seahawks take the #29 overall pick during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: A video board displays an image as the Seattle Seahawks take the #29 overall pick during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Round 3: Seahawks select Anfernee Jennings, EDGE Alabama

FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 9: Tommy Stevens #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs is sacked by Anfernee Jennings #33 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Davis Wade Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 38-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 9: Tommy Stevens #7 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs is sacked by Anfernee Jennings #33 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Davis Wade Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 38-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

This is the first of the Seahawks projected picks, which we expect to be awarded for the loss of Earl Thomas, and in a draft that didn’t have a ton of tackles or tight ends that were good value, we double-dip into the edge class.

If Gross-Matos is a work in progress, Anfernee Jennings is a polished prospect who should at least be a rotational pass rusher who can also stand up and play some Sam linebacker. At 6 ft, 2-inches and 250 lbs, Jennings is a physical specimen who doesn’t appear to have an ounce of body fat.

But more importantly, Jennings is a football player who does all the little things right. He has tight hips and doesn’t accelerate like Gross-Matos, but he has an explosive punch, a handful of pass-rush counter moves, and is fundamentally sound in all aspects of the game.

Jennings was well-coached at Alabama (duh) and can set the edge in the run game. His length will jump off the charts for many people. Jennings doesn’t have the lateral quickness or burst to play linebacker in a 4-3, so he will need to be a solid edge to provide good value.

Jennings red flags include a major knee injury in 2018 and a tendency to jump off-sides, likely thanks to the lack of burst off the snap. If Gross-Matos is the Cliff Avril of this draft class, Jennings could be the Michael Bennett like complement to the DL room.

One more thing that bodes well for Jennings is his reputation on the field. Jennings scores off the charts on football IQ and is considered a leader around the Crimson Tide program, an impressive feat in a program full of alpha males.

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