Seahawks 2020 offseason plan: How it should go

How to approach the draft

So it doesn’t make a lot of sense for us to try and run through a whole mock draft. But now that free agency has started, we can at least start to make finalize a draft board. Remember, we will be looking to add help on both sides of the ball. Let’s get started.

Round 1: The Seahawks hold the 27th overall pick. This draft isn’t conducive to find an edge rusher at 27 and the offensive tackles available at this point are probably a reach. Wide receiver could be a way to go, but with this class so deep at the position, waiting until the second or third round if preferable.

Ideally, we would be able to trade down to an early second to mid-second-round pick, as well as another mid-round pick. For example, according to the draft value chart, Seattle could trade pick 27 to the Bucs for picks 45 and 76.

Trading for a young player at a position of need is also a possibility, though somebody on a team-friendly deal would almost certainly be required. If we do pick at 27, names like Zack Baun, A.J. Epenesa, Ross Blacklock, and Austin Jackson could make sense.

Round 2: Seattle has 2 second-round picks, three if I can successfully find a trade partner. But late in the second round is a good opportunity to find the wide receiver, running back, and/or interior lineman we need.

Running backs like Jonathan Taylor, Zack Moss, and even A.J. Dillion all start to make some sense here. Brandon Aiyuk, Jalen Reagor, Denzel Mims, and Bryan Edwards are a few names I like at wide receiver. Cesar Ruiz from Michigan should be able to start at the center from day one and could help us replace Justin Britt.

Round 3: This might be a good place to snag a second-tier edge rusher or possibly some corner depth. There are a handful of corners who fit the mold Seattle likes. Center and running back could be in play, depending on how the draft unfolds before the late third.

Round 4: We have two picks in the fourth round. This is where I like to start taking some risk on guys with questionable medicals like Trey Adams from Washington. He tested terribly and his history of injuries may knock him off team boards entirely, but he is a good football player when healthy. This could be a decent area to add some DT help as well.

Round 5: I am of the belief that you should add a quarterback to your roster every season. Seattle has only drafted one since Russell Wilson and currently has no backup on the roster. I like Anthony Gordon from WSU and he just may be available in the early 5th round. James Morgan and Steven Montez are two other names I like but may not be there at this point.

Round 6: Take the freakiest athlete available. Or the most solid contributor you can get your hands on.

After signing all the rookies, we should have about $13 million in cap space to spend in an emergency or to play in the third wave of free agency. But we want to have a little left in the coffers, should another Jadeveon Clowney or Quandre Diggs like trade fall in my lap.

That is my plan for this off-season. It isn’t the flashiest plan and is focused much more on the quantity than quality. There were a few fun ideas I left on the cutting room floor, including a trade for Vikings WR Steffon Diggs, or trade for Calais Campbell from Jacksonville.

But adding 4 quality defensive linemen who will help improve the defense in the passing game and the run game and allows me to enter the draft with two of the biggest areas of need completely taken care of. I can let the board fall to me instead of constantly chasing defensive lineman and reaching for players I don’t love.

It isn’t the most fun off-season plan you’ll see. But I think the team improved and depending on how the draft winds up going, I think we can win the NFC West and head for Russell Wilson’s third Superbowl.