Reader’s Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks Are On The Clock

Key Arrivals:

Dec 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) looks to pass the ball against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Denver Broncos defeated the Oakland Raiders 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Terrelle Pryor (QB)

Jorgen Hus (C)

Stephen Schilling (G)

Taylor Price (WR)

Anthony McCray (TE)

Needs:

Offensive Line – The OLine gave up 44 sacks last season (tied for 20th in the league). Starting RT Breno Giacomini left via FA for the Jets leaving 3rd year player Michael Bowie as the “next man up“, but someone the Seahawks seem to be high on (pun intended). Seattle also opted to decline the 5th year option on former 1sr RD pick James Carpenter (G). He will play out his rookie deal and become a FA next season.

Defensive Line – The Seahawks resigned DE Michael Bennett to a multi-year deal but released Red Bryant and Chris Clemons. Unless Bennett and Chris Avril plan on playing every down (and not getting hurt) there is virtually nothing behind them as far a depth is concerned. Adding another quality DE and/or DL should be possible in the mid to later rounds.

Wide Receiver – One of the areas that Seattle lacked for most of the season was that of a WR who could really stretch the field. That issue was addressed when Percy Harvin made it back onto the field at the very end of the season; he was fast but didn’t make much of a splash in as a receiver. Harvin has a history of injuries and has only played an entire 16 game season once (2011) since joining the league in 2009. The Seahawks lack a big bodied WR who can be that go-to-guy in the red zone or go-up-and-get-it-guy anywhere else on the field.

Tight End – Zach Miller and Luke Willson are good sized players (both over 6’5″) but don’t scare anybody as offensive weapons. They are serviceable but not a threat in the passing game at all. Seattle could use a pass catching TE to run the seam and draw Linebackers, the Nickel Corner or Strong Safety away from the line of scrimmage.

Corner Back – “Starting” Nickel CB Walter Thurmond left via FA to the Giants and backup Brandon Browner left as well (Patriots); Seattle just gave a mega deal to FS Earl Thomas (4 years $40.1M) and will need to make some major decisions in the near future about Kam Chancellor, Byron Maxwell and Richard Sherman. Chancellor may or may not have had surgery recently on his hip and Sherman and Maxwell will either need to be resigned or will become UFA at the end of next season. Sherman is looking for some respect in regards to a new contract but there is only so much money to go around within the salary cap. Seattle could look to the strong crop of secondary players in the draft in efforts to find the potential successor to Maxwell or Sherman.

This will be an interesting draft for the Seahawks; it will be the first time Pete Carroll and company have had less than 9 draft picks (they have 6; rd1-32, rd2-64, rd4-132, rd5-146, rd5- 172 and rd6-208) and they have some important holes to fill. Carroll and Schneider like to zig when the rest of the league zags so don’t be surprised if they select a Linebacker or someone completely off the radar of most teams. Who do you think the Seahawks will/should draft?

Make sure to check out who has already been selected in the Bear Goggles On Reader’s Mock Draft so far and please vote down below!