Seahawks 2024 7-round mock: A trade explosion in honor of John Schneider

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Kitan Oladolpo, Round 7, Pick 196, Safety

PFF ranks him at 172, while the consensus slots the 6'2" 216 lb redshirt senior at number 154 overall. Huskies fans are certainly familiar with the three-year starter at Oregon State. His multidimensional game saw him compile 13 tackles for a loss and 23 pass breakups in those three seasons. Oladolpo can produce virtually everywhere, with 711 snaps in the slot, 780 in the box, and 768 as the deep safety. Hmmm...seems we know a certain head coach who loves moving players all over the field to disguise coverages.

Ty'ron Hopper, Round 7, pick 203, Linebacker

The 6'2" 230 lb Mizzou Tiger would seem to be another steal, as he's ranked at number 160 overall on the big board. His 4.50 40 combine time was exceptional. However, despite his top-end speed and agility, he misses too many tackles to step into an immediate role. He'll have to prove himself on special teams first to jump into the rotation.

Marist Liufau, Round 7, Pick 214, Linebacker

While the consensus shows the 6'2" 234 lb senior out of Notre Dame at number 162, PFF likes him much more, ranking him as the 138th overall prospect. He played over 1,200 snaps in the past two seasons, racking up 37 stops and 37 pressures, including six sacks. While Hopper projects as a weakside backer, Liufau is a prototypical inside linebacker. He has extensive experience on special teams, which will aid his transition to the pro game.

Johnny Dixon, Round 7, Pick 235, Cornerback.

As you can see, we have now entered the dark and mysterious realm of the selections after number 224. Those 12s with mathy skills will realize that 7 times 32 doesn't exactly equal 235, and you're right. But due to the miracle of compensatory picks, the draft goes ever onward. At least to number 257 this year. After three seasons at South Carolina, the fifth-year senior transferred to Penn State. His lack of top-end speed (4.50 40) suggests he's destined for the slot where his skills in both man and zone coverage will serve best. It's notable that he had nine pressures and five sacks in 2023.

Xavier Thomas, Round 7, Pick 237, Edge

The 6'2" 244 lb redshirt senior shows by far the greatest disparity in projections of anyone in my draft. The consensus board rates the former Clemson Tiger at number 207, while NFL Draft Buzz ranks him at 141, and PFF sees him as the 83rd pick overall. If the Seahawks could land him anywhere after the fifth, they'd be ecstatic. He missed games in three seasons due to injury, doubtless the main cause for the variation in his projections. When healthy, he's scary, as he racked up 32 tackles for a loss and 15.5 sacks in 61 games, just 30 of those starts.

Tahj Washington, Round 7, Pick 238, Wide Receiver

Washington is another player who could initially make his mark in Seattle on special teams. Almost exclusively a slot receiver, the 5'10" 174 lb senior made 109 catches for 1,847 yards and 14 scores in the past two seasons. PFF shows him with a phenomenal contested catch rate of 66.7 percent. They also rank him far higher than other sites, at 129 as opposed to the consensus view as the 192nd prospect.

Kamal Hadden, Round 7, Pick 247, Cornerback

I've targeted the 6'1" 196 lb shutdown corner in several of my previous drafts. None of his measurables are impressive. From his 4.59 40 time to his shuttle and three-cone times, none are above the 18th percentile. On the face of it, that's atrocious. Then you look at what he does on the field, and you see a very different picture. Yes, he deserves two paragraphs.

The Tennessee Vols fifth-year senior allowed just 12 receptions on 33 targets for a staggeringly low 96 yards. He broke up 8 passes and picked off three, returning one for a touchdown. When was the last time you saw a passer rating allowed of 7? Yes, that's seven, not 37 or 57. 7.0. As they say, the best ability is availability, and Hadden only played in 16 games over the past two seasons as he battled injuries. If he can stay healthy, he could push his way into the starting lineup as soon as 2025.

That, dear 12s, wraps up my final mock draft for 2024. If I'm smart, I'll retire before I have to write a mock draft for 2025. Seattle is projected with 10 picks in 2025, accounting for the Leonard Williams trade, plus four compensatory picks. If I pick up where I left off here, the Hawks would have an additional 16 picks. Sorry, but I don't believe anyone has the stamina to plow through 26 draft picks.