This Seahawks mock draft seems to have little clue what Seattle actually needs

The Seattle Seahawks will have a lot of needs with their first pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The defensive line has to be addressed, possibly safety as well, the linebacker group has concerns, and the interior of the offensive line. Perhaps getting another edge rusher or three during the draft would help as well.

Seattle doesn't have a dire need at other spots, though. Wide receiver is covered for the next several years, as is running back, and probably quarterback. Another area that doesn't grade as the highest need for Seattle is offensive tackle.

Sure, right tackle Abraham Lucas might be a major injury concern moving forward but giving up on Lucas because he missed so much time in 2023 - his second season in the NFL - seems like a stretch. Left tackle Charles Cross also is beginning to come into his own and he is only entering his third season as well. If Lucas can stay healthy, the Seahawks are set at offensive tackle for the foreseeable future.

Seahawks do not need an offensive tackle in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft

I also want to make a point of saying I respect all the writers we have at FanSided. There are much more talented writers at the website than I (and maybe that is not saying that much), but I do need to point out that I think Wayne Gregoire made the completely wrong choice for the Seahawks in his recent 7-round Seattle mock draft. One line in particular in his write-up is the most concerning as Gregoire wrote, "The offensive line across the board needs upgrades..."

No, it does not. Center and right guard could use upgrades, but not the tackle spots, especially left tackle. Lucas was fine in his rookie year, and he had surgery to correct his knee issue so hopefully in 2024 he will get back to his 2022 level. Again, Lucas is only entering his third season. Cross graded as the 38th-best tackle in the league this season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Cross also missed some time early in the season which slowed his growth.

Gregoire has the Seahawks picking Alabama tackle JC Latham in the first round. In the part about Latham, there is no mention of Cross or Lucas. The article does point out that Latham is huge - 6'6" and 330 pounds - and likely to be good in the NFL, but general manager John Schneider is not going to pick an offensive tackle first unless there is some indication that Lucas is suddenly unable to play ever again. There has been no such indication.

I can see Seattle choosing offensive lineman Troy Fautanu in the first round, but not to play tackle. Fautanu can play either guard spot or center. Seattle will probably start Olu Oluwatimi in 2024 as Oluwatimi will be going into his second season. The Seahawks could lose left guard Damien Lewis to free agency and Fautanu could replace Lewis. But Seattle does not need an offensive tackle.

Gregoire does have Seattle getting defensive help later in the draft, though. That is good. Unlike the first-round choice, the rest of the draft does address some of the Seahawks' actual needs.

Read more from 12th Man Rising