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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 6: Seahawks select A.J. Dillon, RB Boston College

PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 30: AJ Dillon #2 of the Boston College Eagles reacts after rushing for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 30, 2019, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 30: AJ Dillon #2 of the Boston College Eagles reacts after rushing for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on November 30, 2019, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Now be honest: did you really think we weren’t going to take an RB in this mock draft? Come on, it is the Seahawks after all. But in this case, drafting a running back isn’t a bad idea. Both Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny are coming off serious injuries. Travis Homer looks like a solid 3rd down back and C.J. Prosise and Marshawn Lynch aren’t likely to be back with the club.

So selecting a workhorse, power back with their final pick isn’t a bad idea. Dillon is an absolute battering ram, standing at 6’0, 250 lbs. But he is solidly built and doesn’t carry around the sloppy body like Jerome Bettis back in the day.

As his size may suggest, Dillon is best when asked to run downhill in between the tackles. He runs with extreme effort on every play and carried the ball 845 times in 3 seasons at Boston College. Dillon did churn out 5.2 YPC in his time with BC, collecting 4300 yards 38 touchdowns.

There isn’t much wiggle to his game and he may not break 4.7 in the 40-yard dash, but he should be invaluable in short-yardage situations. Dillon is the type of running back most of the NFL is moving away from. He isn’t much of a threat in the passing game, though he is a solid pass blocker, and won’t outrun many linebackers, let alone safeties.

But he may just run through them instead. Dillon’s workload in college and lack of athleticism (relative to an NFL running back) will push him down into the 6th or 7th round, but his physical running style will appeal to a few teams, including Seattle.

He may remind some of a Brandon Jacobs type of runner, which may be his ceiling. His lack of breakaway speed and pass-catching abilities make him a great fit in 1990, but not so much in 2020.

But Dillon is strong, fearless, and a menace in short-yardage, a niche that could carry him to a nice NFL career.

Next. 5 free agents Seahawks should target. dark

Well, there you have it. The first of our Mock Draft Monday series. What did you think? How should the Seahawks approach this draft? One thing is for certain: the 2020 draft is set to be one of the most important drafts in John Schneider’s tenure as Seahawks GM. Let’s see how he does.

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