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Seahawks Mock Draft Monday 3.0: Pre-combine edition

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 Jabari Zuniga, EDGE Florida

ORLANDO, FL – AUGUST 24: Jabari Zuniga #92 of the Florida Gators in action against the Miami Hurricanes in the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on August 24, 2019, in Orlando, Florida.(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – AUGUST 24: Jabari Zuniga #92 of the Florida Gators in action against the Miami Hurricanes in the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on August 24, 2019, in Orlando, Florida.(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

So we finally address the biggest need of the off-season: edge pass-rusher. I’m not a big fan of this draft class and actually think most of the Seahawks heavy lifting in this need will be done in free agency. But late in the third round, there isn’t a much better option than Jabari Zuniga.

Zuniga has the length you love as an edge player and is a workout warrior with a great physique. He is quick off the snap, has plus athleticism, and an explosive factor that jumps off the tape. You may not want Zuniga to play much on early-down, as he lacks some power in his base that shows up in run defense.

He may remind some Seahawks fans of Bruce Irvin. He is a freakish athlete who will win reps on that fact alone but needs to learn how to play with structure and develop counter-moves when he can’t win off the snap.

But adding Zuniga as a third-down pass-rusher could work well for the rookie, with L.J. Collier, Rasheem Green, and Branden Jackson able to hold the point in the run game. A high-ankle sprain cost him time in 2019 and he never got back to 100%, leaving his statistical output lacking.

But in 2018 he posted 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 12 games. And even in limited time in 2019, he posted 14 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. Zuniga checks a lot of boxes for Pete Carroll and John Schneider and would be a great pick this late in the third round.

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