Seahawks should make these moves next to make 2021 better

What should the Seattle Seahawks next free agency move be, and how does that impact their 2021 NFL draft strategy. Which positions should they target?

In my recent piece on the Seahawks needs in free agency, I had the needs as

• Linebacker
• Guard
• Center
• Slot Receiver
• Tight End
• Cornerback
• Defensive End

Having addressed guard, tight end and cornerback in recent days, that leaves linebacker, center, slot receiver and defensive end as the outstanding needs.

Seahawks making moves

But with the additions of Gerald Everett and Akhello Witherspoon from free agency and Gabe Jackson in a trade with the Raiders costing in the area of $20 dollars, this leaves precious little, if any, salary cap space for the Seahawks to work with.

I am sure some further players will leave Seattle or contract re-structures will be made to create enough space to make one more move and to sign the ever-diminishing draft class. The Seahawks now have only three picks having sent their fifth round pick to Vegas in the Jackson trade.

But the draft is where the Seahawks are likely to look to fulfill their other needs.

The slot receiver is a niche need, I would say there are only four or five in the draft at that position. The best two of which, Marques Stevenson out of Houston and Elijah Moore from Ole Miss will go before round 4, so you would have to take one in round 2 if you want one.

If you want a center in the second round you are likely to be taking the second one of the board, you will be taking the sixth LB, the ninth DE or the best slot receiver. In round 4, you can take the sixth center, the sixteenth LB, the sixteenth DE or third slot receiver. In round 6 you can take the tenth center, the twenty-sixth LB, the twenty-first DE or the fifth slot receiver.

I can still see the Seahawks making a move for a center in free agency, Austin Reiter, Matt Skura and David Andrews are still looking for jobs at the time of writing and their potential landing spots are dwindling. Andrews would be my pick of these three if they can find the cap space to get it done.

That being the case, the Seahawks should take a slot receiver with their second-round pick as it is the shallowest of the positions they need from the draft. Of the two mentioned previously Elijah Moore would be a reach and is a third-round pick for me, but Marques Stevenson out of Houston is the pick to make.

Stevenson is going to be one of the fastest receivers in the NFL, with sub 4.4 speed and is really good in the slot. With Metcalf and Lockett out wide, he could add a devastating piece to the Seahawks receiving armory. As a bonus, he is great on special teams too, so Lockett can hand him the kick returning duties too.

With the fourth round pick, go for one of the best physical specimens in the draft. Janarius Robinson out of Florida State has established himself as a great defender against the run as a Seminole, but has the physical capabilities to become a great pass rusher too. Again he adds on special teams with his tremendous wingspan making him adept at blocking kicks.

That leaves the Seahawks taking an LB in round 6 and I will stick with my original selection, which is Errol Thompson from Mississippi State, who should be a really good fit for the Seahawks scheme.

Running back went by the wayside from the original mock draft as the Seahawks have lost a pick and may even re-sign Chris Carson, thus negating the need. Stevenson, Robinson and Thompson would all add from day one for the Seahawks. Go for your center in free agency and up the efforts to re-sign Carson at RB.