Seahawks 1st-Round Mock: How Seattle can win Day 1 of the NFL Draft

Round 1, Seahawks Pick 20

At pick 20, I have the Seahawks staying put and boosting their defensive line. Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa is a versatile, athletic edge rusher who can make an impact on a defensive line that lacked playmaking ability in 2022. At 6-feet-5-inches tall, 272 pounds, Van Ness presents a similar physique to that of Tyree Wilson.

His ability to both line up inside and out will blend well with Darrell Taylor and Uchenna Nwosu. His greatest strength is his bull-rushing ability, being able to bully offensive linemen with mere force and power. Playing in the Big Ten, Van Ness went up against two projected first-round tackles: T Paris Johnson, Ohio State, and T Peter Skoronski, Northwestern. On tape, he put some good moves on display, overpowering both tackles at times.

The critique of Van Ness is his reliance on the bull rush. But, he fits the mold of a Seahawk, and let's be honest, it is very rare for an edge rusher to enter the NFL fully equipped to be dominant in year one. In this case, what matters is the blend of potential and coaching. After the free agent acquisitions, Seattle is in a position to add depth to a revamped defensive line.