Seahawks 7-round mock draft: Seattle goes defense early

Seahawks Round 5, pick 151

Even if the Seahawks re-sign Rashaad Penny and Chris Carson returns healthy enough to play after having neck surgery this season, Seattle needs to find another running back who can take over if and when Penny and Carson get hurt again. Every season in the last four, Carson or Penny has been injured at some point and sometimes at the same time.

DeeJay Dallas flashed a bit late in 2021 and seemed to move piles when he couldn’t do that in 2020. But there is no proof that Dallas can be an every down back. Cook still might not be Week 1 ready but he is long-term better than anyone other than Penny or Carson.

Cook is fast and explosive. In his three years with Georgia, he never averaged less than 6.1 yards a carry in any season. In 2021, Cook averaged 6.4 yards a rush and had 728 yards but added 274 yards receiving. He scored 11 total touchdowns. And against a good Alabama defense in the NCAA championship game, Cook ran for 77 yards on just 6 carries. In the semi-final game against Michigan, Cook had 99 receiving on just 3 catches.

Cook needs to add muscle and weight but at 5’11” he can do that. He has the frame to add 20 pounds and still maintain his explosiveness. He can already outrun linebackers even at the NFL level but with added muscle, he can overrun them as well.