This is my final 2019 mock draft to send to the Huddle Report for scoring. Here’s a few quick thoughts before getting into it…

There’s absolutely no doubt what the Seahawks have to do in this draft. They need more picks (five isn’t enough) and they need defensive linemen. We can sit here and discuss receivers just in case Doug Baldwin calls it a day or the defensive backs who can play nickel and maybe push Delano Hill out of a warranted starting gig. The simple fact is — Seattle’s starting D-line, now minus Frank Clark, is inadequate.

Cassius Marsh, Nate Orchard and Jacob Martin are your edge rushers. They haven’t replaced Shamar Stephen or Dion Jordan. Now they need to replace Clark too. They can sign a few veterans after the draft, sure. But none are long-term solutions.

When this team was at it’s best they had the Legion of Boom and Russell Wilson. They also had Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril and Chris Clemons rushing the passer, ably supported by Bruce Irvin. Eventually Clark replaced Clemons.

Now what have they got?

This is a defensive line draft. If there was ever a year to load up on the D-line, this is it. Swapping out Clark for a cheap rookie and hoping Jacob Martin and Rasheem Green take a step forward isn’t enough to progress in 2019.

So while receiver and defensive back are both needs — they both pale into insignificance compared to the defensive line.

Pass rush, run defense, depth, quality.

This historic D-line class provides an opportunity to emulate the impact additions of Avril and Bennett in 2013.

And on that note — here’s my projection…

Final 2019 mock draft

#1 Arizona — Kyler Murray (QB, Oklahoma)

#2 San Francisco — Nick Bosa (DE, Ohio State)

#3 New York Jets — Ed Oliver (DT, Houston)

#4 Oakland — Quinnen Williams (DT, Alabama)

#5 Tampa Bay — Devin White (LB, LSU)

#6 New York Giants — Josh Allen (EDGE, Kentucky)

#7 Jacksonville — T.J. Hockenson (TE, Iowa)

#8 Atlanta (via DET) — Christian Wilkins (DT, Clemson)

#9 Buffalo — Jonah Williams (T, Alabama)

#10 Houston (via DEN) — Andre Dillard (T, Washington State)

#11 Cincinnati — Devin Bush (LB, Michigan)

#12 Green Bay — Jawaan Taylor (T, Florida)

#13 Miami — Dexter Lawrence (DT, Clemson)

#14 Detroit (via ATL) — Cody Ford (T, Oklahoma)

#15 Washington — Dwayne Haskins (QB, Ohio State)

#16 Carolina — Brian Burns (EDGE, Florida State)

#17 New York Giants — Daniel Jones (QB, Duke)

#18 Oakland (via MIN) — Clelin Ferrell (DE, Clemson)

#19 Tennessee — Noah Fant (TE, Iowa)

#20 Pittsburgh — Greedy Williams (CB, LSU)

#21 Seattle — Rashan Gary (DE, Michigan)

#22 Baltimore — Garrett Bradbury (C, NC State)

#23 Denver (via HOU) — Drew Lock (QB, Missouri)

#24 Minnesota (via OAK) — Chris Lindstrom (G, Boston College)

#25 Philadelphia — Jeffery Simmons (DT, Mississippi State)

#26 Indianapolis — Montez Sweat (EDGE, Mississippi State)

#27 Oakland (via DAL) — Byron Murphy (CB, Washington)

#28 LA Chargers — Rock Ya-Sin (CB, Temple)

#29 Denver (via SEA) — Irv Smith JR (TE, Alabama)

#30 Green Bay — Marquise Brown (WR, Oklahoma)

#31 LA Rams — Erik McCoy (C, Texas A&M)

#32 New England — Kaleb McGary (T, Washington)

The trades explained

Atlanta trades #14, #80 & #118 to Detroit for #8

The Falcons want to get an impact defensive lineman and sit behind too many teams with a similar need (Buffalo, Green Bay, Miami). With four and fifth round comp picks padding out their draft, they give up a third and fourth round pick to move up eight spots to get Christian Wilkins. The Lions are reportedly keen to trade down from #8.

Houston trades #23, #54 & #87 to Denver for #10 & #125

The Texans will never be able to function properly unless they can protect Deshaun Watson. An early run on offensive linemen is expected. Houston has two second round picks so they give up one here to trade up and select Andre Dillard to play left tackle. The Broncos also get Houston’s third rounder and the Texans receive Denver’s fourth rounder.

Oakland trades #24, #107 & a 2020 third rounder to Minnesota for #18

The Raiders are trying to change their culture and bring in leaders. I almost gave them Devin White at #4 to illustrate that. They also need a defensive end badly. Here they trade up to get an alpha who will set the tone for the rest of the defense. The Raiders go up and get Clelin Ferrell.

Denver trades #42, #87 & #183 to Seattle for #29

The Seahawks and Broncos have been trade partners in the past. Denver needs a tight end and they leapfrog Green Bay here to make sure they get one. Having traded down from #10 to #23 originally the Broncos have some stock to spend. In return the Seahawks collect another third round pick and a sixth round pick to fill out their board and take their total to seven.

Options for the Seahawks in round two

If they drop down from #29 to #41 it’s possible they’ll miss the run on receivers. It’s also likely at least one of Darnell Savage and Juan Thornhill will be off the board (keep an eye on San Francisco). If N’Keal Harry, Terry McLaurin, Parris Campbell, Savage or Thornhill are available they could all be options.

#41 would also be a range where you maybe consider outside corner with Lonnie Johnson, Sean Bunting and Justin Layne unlikely to be available after round two. If the Seahawks see a potential star among that group they could consider drafting a corner earlier than they ever have done before.

However, as discussed in the intro, one defensive line pick early isn’t enough for the Seahawks. They need to improve their pass rush and D-line depth. If they’re lucky enough to get Rashan Gary with their first pick they have their base-end. Now they need someone to replace Clark’s pass rushing ability.

If we look at pressure percentages, Jaylon Ferguson could be an option. I’m still sceptical Chase Winovich is a fit in Seattle but he too would also qualify. Tony Pauline has connected the Seahawks with second round interest in the ultra-raw Ben Banogu. Trysten Hill is an incredible athlete at defensive tackle and is expected to go in the top-60.

The Seahawks have a lot of options. If a player drops to #21 they now have the freedom to make a pick. If nobody drops — there’s a good chance they’ll trade down at that spot. They could trade down from both #21 and #29. The only unlikely scenario, in my opinion, is they use both #21 and #29. That would require a unique opportunity presenting itself — an opportunity I can’t really imagine. You could say Rashan Gary and Jeffery Simmons maybe. That might be too much of a health risk. Brock Huard said on 710 ESPN he didn’t think Simmons will be on Seattle’s board.

Seahawks seven round projection

R1 #21 Rashan Gary (DE, Michigan)

Incredible athlete, traits, #1 national recruit. Pete Carroll loves all of that.

R2 #41 Jaylon Ferguson (DE, Louisiana Tech)

A sack machine in college with one of the best pressure percentage scores.

R3 #87 Drew Sample (TE, Washington)

Compared to Zach Miller. Sample and Will Dissly are Seattle-style tight ends.

R3 #93 Marvell Tell (S, USC)

Try him at outside corner, nickel or safety. Tell has a fascinating physical profile.

R4 #125 Gary Jennings (WR, West Virginia)

If they don’t take a receiver early Jennings is an alternative.

R5 #160 Armon Watts (DT, Arkansas)

Tough, physical run-stopper with some pass-rush upside.

R6 #183 Derrek Thomas (CB, Baylor)

He looked like a Seahawks corner while running at the combine.

Final general draft thoughts

— I still think this will be one of the more unpredictable first rounds we’ve seen in a long time. With very few ‘legit’ first round picks and a puzzling quarterback class — a lot of different scenarios could play out. About 10-15 players are going to be drafted in round one with similar grades to the players being drafted in the second round. There’s always uncertainty and the unexpected but there could be far more this year.

— Adding to this is the complete mystery surrounding Rashan Gary, Montez Sweat and Jeffery Simmons. All three are highly talented but with very different health concerns. Where do they end up going?

— It’s also very important to think 12 months on. The next draft is expected to be particularly strong at wide receiver but weak on the offensive line. Teams will plan ahead. It could mean a large number of O-liners go in the first frame and the receivers are pushed into round two.

I’ll have some further thoughts before the draft tomorrow and will publish a tiered list of Seahawks targets for each section of the draft.

If you want to post your own mocks in the comments section feel free.

You can now support Seahawks Draft Blog via Patreon by clicking the tab below.

Become a Patron!