Seattle Seahawks 2022 Mock Draft: Seattle goes offense early
By Jake Luppino
Round 2, Pick 39
Pick: OT Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Heading into the offseason, the Seattle Seahawks number one priority should be adding reassurances to the offensive line. As a general rule when assessing drafts, players picked in rounds 1-3 are typically expected to be starters while players drafted 4-7 have a chance of making the roster and then eventually earning their playing time as the season progresses.
Last year, the Seahawks only had three picks in the NFL Draft, one of them being in the second round. They used it on WR D’Wayne Eskridge out of Western Michigan, who actually just scored his first career touchdown in Week 13 against the 49ers. But, I think many 12s wanted Seattle to address the offensive line and select C Creed Humphrey out of Oklahoma. Instead, they passed up on him and he is now graded as the best C in all of football, according to PFF.
Entering Week 14, Russell Wilson is tied at 9th along with Matt Ryan (26 sacks) for most sacked quarterbacks…and that is with Wilson missing three and a half games due to a finger issue. That is why with their first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, I have them selecting OT Darian Kinnard out of Kentucky. Our current RT Brandon Shell, is on a contract year and has been dealing with a lingering shoulder issue that has resulted in poor pass protection.
At 6-foot-5, 345 pounds, Kinnard is a very good run blocker who has improved upon his pass protection in the 2021 season. On 213 pass-blocking attempts, he has only allowed 4 pressures. Someone that size opposite Duane Brown sure should keep a smile on Wilson’s face.