There will be a ton of great prospects available when the Seahawks are on the clock at No. 16 overall in in Round 1 of the draft 10 days from now. While their position might put them out of reach for the top quarterbacks around the country and most of the elite defenders, they could still land difference-makers on either side of the line of scrimmage or take a chance on a second-tier QB.
However, the best use of that pick is in a move down in order to add more capital – especially the second-rounder they lost as part of the Leonard Williams trade. We know that Seattle is talking with at least three different teams about trade-down scenarios. As far as we know, the Chargers aren’t one of them, but in our latest seven-round mock draft they made us an offer we couldn’t refuse. Here’s how it went down.
Every move the Seahawks have made in the 2024 offseason
Pick No. 16: Trade down with Chargers
Several teams sent us offers for the 16th overall pick in the draft, but LA’s package was by far the best. In exchange for that first-rounder we got back pick Nos. 37, 69 and 105 overall. Additionally, we added second and third-round picks for the 2025 NFL draft. All together, we doubled up the value of that original No. 16 pick.
Pick No. 37: Georgia WR Ladd McConkey
When we are on the clock again both Michael Penix and Bo Nix were still on the board and in real life the Seahawks should take Penix in that scenario and not look back. For variety’s sake we decided to go in a different direction, gambling on Georgia wideout Ladd McConkey. In 39 games with the Bulldogs he put up 119 catches, 1,687 yards and 14 touchdowns. If McConkey lives up to his potential Seattle would be set up to dominate at this position for a long time to come.
Pick No. 69: NC State LB Payton Wilson
One of several long-term needs Seattle will have to address is inside linebacker, where their projected 2024 starters will both be playing on one-year deals. Payton Wilson is the best linebacker in this draft class and offers a supremely diverse skillset. Over the last two seasons he totaled 10.5 sacks, 30 tackles for a loss, four interceptions and nine pass breakups. Wilson would take over as the quarterback of Mike Macdonald’s defense next season.
Pick No. 81: Trade down with Cardinals
At this spot we decided to trade down again, sending pick Nos. 81 and 235 overall to the Cardinals in exchange for Nos. 90 and 138 overall.
Pick No. 90: Trade down with Eagles
Here we pulled off the trade down hat trick with frequent trade partner Philadelphia. At this spot we sent pick No. 90 overall plus a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for pick Nos. 120, 161, 171 overall in 2024.
Pick No. 102: Texas DT T'Vondre Sweat
A tantalyzing mix of size and athleticism, nevertheless T’Vondre Sweat looks to fill the how-far-will-his-stock-tank-before-the-draft role in 2024. Up until now he had been projected as a second-round pick, but the recent DWI combined with the previous off-field issues means he’s likely in for a plunge. It wouldn’t be the first or the second time that the Seahawks drafted a problematic defensive lineman, and in any case to land Sweat this late is a steal.
Pick No. 105: TCU CB Josh Newton
Cornerback shouldn’t be a huge need for the Seahawks this year, as they have arguably the strongest unit in the NFC at this position. If they were to add another quality starter in the draft they might have the best cornerback room in the league for years. TCU’s Josh Newton posted seven interceptions and 36 pass breakups in 59 total college games, including his time at Louisiana-Monroe.
Pick No. 118: Ohio State TE Cade Stover
Adding another pass-catching option at tight end should also be on Seattle’s to-do list. Here they take Ohio State’s Cade Stover, who’s one of the better prospects who fit that description in this class. Last season he posted 41 catches, 574 yards and five touchdowns.
Pick No. 120: Notre Dame RB Audric Estime
We’ve been ignoring running back in practically all of our mock drafts for a few reasons. For one thing, Seattle is already loaded at this spot, having spent second-round picks each of the last two years. However, running backs tend not to last long and we haven’t seen enough from Zach Charbonnet to hand the reins over in case Ken Walker has a serious injury. Adding Audric Estime to the picture gives more depth and a strong receiver out of the backfield. Estime scored 30 total touchdowns over the last two seasons at Notre Dame.
Pick No. 138: Arkansas C Beaux Limmer
Guard has rightfully gotten the most attention but truthfully the Seahawks should also be looking to draft a center and a tackle, as well. Here they check the first box by taking Beaux Limmer (6-foot-5, 307 pounds) out of Arkansas. Limmer earned strong overall grades from PFF each of the last three years and has put in time at all three interior positions.
Pick No. 161: Miami (FL) G Javion Cohen
With the next pick we addressed the guard issue, adding another option behind Laken Tomlinson and McClendon Curtis at left guard. Javion Cohen (6-foot-4, 305 pounds) put in over 2,300 total snaps at that spot during his time at Miami. For his work in 2023 he earned a good grade in pass protection (75.8) which should be Seattle’s priority when looking for linemen.
Pick No. 171: Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd
Taking T’Vondrew Sweat is a good start but the Seahawks need to double down on their interior propsects. Here they take Khristian Boyd out of UNI, who is one of the defenders who they met with at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Boyd (6-foot-4, 317 pounds) earned elite overall grades from PFF (89.0 and 88.5) the last two years. Eventually Boyd might compete for the right to replace Jarran Reed at the starting nose tackle spot.
Pick No. 179: Texas OT Christian Jones
Here we check the third box for offensive linemen by adding more depth at tackle. Christian Jones (6-foot-6, 321 pounds) has the requisite size to stay at tackle in the pros and has experience playing on both ends of the offensive line. Last season PFF gave him strong grades in both pass blocking (78.1) and run blocking (75.2).
Pick No. 192: Utah S Sione Vaki
Utah produces some of the best defensive backs in the sport, so with our last pick we took a flyer on safety Sione Vaki (6-foot-0, 208 pounds). To start he would project for a special teams only role, assuming no injuries for Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins or K’Von Wallace at the top of the depth chart. Vaki lined up all over for Utah’s defense and could be a valuable chess piece for Mike Macdonald once he’s ready to join the back end of his defense.
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