This is the mock draft I’ll be sending to the Huddle Report for scoring:

#1 Cleveland — Myles Garrett (EDGE, Texas A&M)

#2 San Francisco — Solomon Thomas (DE, Stanford)

#3 Chicago — Jamal Adams (S, LSU)

#4 Jacksonville — Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU)

#5 Tennessee — O.J. Howard (TE, Alabama)

#6 New York Jets — Marshon Lattimore (CB, Ohio State)

#7 LA Chargers — Malik Hooker (S, Ohio State)

#8 Carolina — Christian McCaffrey (RB, Stanford)

#9 Cincinnati — Jonathan Allen (DE, Alabama)

#10 Buffalo — Haason Reddick (LB, Temple)

#11 New Orleans — Marlon Humphrey (CB, Alabama)

#12 Cleveland — Mitchell Trubisky (QB, North Carolina)

#13 Arizona — Jarrad Davis (LB, Florida)

#14 Philadelphia (via Min) — Adoree’ Jackson (CB, USC)

#15 Indianapolis — Charles Harris (EDGE, Missouri)

#16 Baltimore — Cam Robinson (T, Alabama)

#17 Washington — Derek Barnett (EDGE, Tennessee)

#18 Tennessee — Reuben Foster (LB, Alabama)

#19 Tampa Bay — Taco Charlton (EDGE, Michigan)

#20 Denver — Ryan Ramcyzk (T, Wisconsin)

#21 Detroit — Obi Melifonwu (S, Connecticut)

#22 Miami — Forrest Lamp (G, Western Kentucky)

#23 New York Giants — David Njoku (TE, Miami)

#24 Oakland — Kevin King (CB, Washington)

#25 Houston — Patrick Mahomes (QB, Texas Tech)

#26 Seattle — Garett Bolles (T, Utah)

#27 Kansas City — Deshaun Watson (QB, Clemson)

#28 Dallas — Jabrill Peppers (S, Michigan)

#29 Green Bay — Tre’Davious White (CB, LSU)

#30 Pittsburgh — Mike Williams (WR, Clemson)

#31 Atlanta — Takk McKinley (EDGE, UCLA)

#32 New Orleans — T.J. Watt (EDGE, Wisconsin)

Why no Gareon Conley?

— The recent reports about Conley are troubling and there’s no obvious way of clarifying the situation before Thursday. Conley has now opted not to attend the draft.

Thoughts on the Seahawks

Yesterday I listed the following players as possible targets (in no particular order):

Adoree’ Jackson (CB, USC)

T.J. Watt (LB/EDGE, Wisconsin)

Takk McKinley (EDGE, UCLA)

Obi Melifonwu (S, Connecticut)

Chidobe Awuzie (CB, Colorado)

Kevin King (CB, Washington)

Garett Bolles (T, Utah)

In the mock above, only Watt, Awuzie, McKinley and Bolles were available at #26.

Jackson is one of the most underrated players in the class, King will likely get a boost if Conley falls (the same could happen to Awuzie) and Melifonwu could surprise a few people due to his unique physical skill set and versatility.

I went with Bolles for a few reasons. One was Tony Pauline’s report yesterday. Another was Bolles’ incredible backstory and the ‘Seahawky’ nature of his character. It’s unusual to be able to land an offensive lineman as athletic and talented as Bolles in the late first round so this could be a unique opportunity. He scored a 3.00 in TEF. The Seahawks have also consistently shown a willingness to spend first round picks on the O-line.

The big reason I made the choice, however, is down to the fact it suddenly seems possible. We spent many weeks during the college season talking about Bolles. He was one of the first prospects we touted as a possible Seahawk. I remember killing time before Monday Night Football against Buffalo writing this piece about why he’s such a terrific prospect.

On November 4th in one of my early mock drafts I had him going to Seattle in round one.

And throughout all of this, there was always that feeling he wouldn’t be available. That he’d rise into top-20 contention and be out of reach. For a long time that seemed to be what was going to happen.

Tony Pauline’s report and his comments during our recent interview suddenly brought Bolles into range again. And while it’s very tempting to concoct a situation that has Seattle drafting Kevin King, Adoree’ Jackson or Obi Melifonwu in round one — and that could be what happens in the end — I feel compelled to stick with the name that had us all talking in the early stages of this process.

Garett Bolles is the player I’m pairing with the Seahawks in round one.

Why not a pass rusher or cornerback?

A lot of the better options are off the board. Tony told us on Monday he’s hearing there’ll be a run on EDGE rushers in the late teens. Takk McKinley is a legitimate option but he might have to start the season on the PUP list.

At cornerback, unless you’re willing to be the team to roll the dice on Conley’s situation or take someone like Quincy Wilson — a lot of the really attractive options were off the board.

Furthermore, there is some relative depth at EDGE and cornerback. They should be able to fill those needs with the four picks they have on day two. Once the top offensive tackles are off the board — that’s your lot.

What would it mean for rounds 2-3?

If they trade down from #26 and acquire another pick, such as a fourth rounder, they could repeat what they did last year and trade up in round two.

If Quincy Wilson lingers into the 40’s — keep an eye on him. His short area quickness, safety size at cornerback and confident personality could be a good fit in Seattle. We also know they met with Tim Williams and Malik McDowell, so pass rush could be an option here too.

If they stay at #58 is Jourdan Lewis an option? Or Fabian Moreau?

Zay Jones has been touted as a target so it’s possible they’d also consider someone like JuJu Smith-Schuster or Chris Godwin. If they go O-line with their first pick though, the odds would be stacked against back-to-back offensive picks.

There could be some wildcards too such as Marcus Maye or Justin Evans.

As for the third round, this might be an opportunity to bring in some safety depth (is it too early for Shalom Luani?). Vince Biegel ran a quick enough short shuttle at his pro-day to be intriguing. Would they bring in the other big-name Utah O-liner Isaac Asiata? Maybe.

Mike Mayock ranked Teez Tabor and Ahkello Witherspoon at #83 and #84 respectively in his top-100 rankings. Would the Seahawks go up and get one of them?

The forgotten man of the draft class, Demarcus Walker, could also be someone they look at. Defensive tackles like Carlos Watkins and Larry Ogunjobi could also be targeted.

Podcasts

There are two podcasts to check out today. I joined the Seahawkers Podcast for a pre-draft hit. The piece begins at 19:35. Click here to listen.

Kenny and I also recorded our final 3000 NFL Mock Draft podcast before the draft last night. You can listen along here:

So what about tomorrow? I’ll be publishing a new first round ‘big board’ and a seven-round Seahawks mock. I’ll be doing live pick-by-pick analysis on the blog and we’ll have an open thread. As soon as the Seahawks make their pick (or don’t if they trade down) Kenny and I will be doing an instant reaction podcast. If you have any other requests, let me know.

I’d also like to thank the community for another great draft season. I’m constantly amazed by the civility in the comments section. It’s so unlike the internet for a bunch of people to get along, disagree from time to time but not go over the top. I’ve been doing this blog since 2008 and it’s become a big part of my life. And while I’m looking forward to re-introducing myself to my wife, three-year-old son and three-month-old daughter in the coming weeks — rest assured I’m already looking forward to doing it all again from August. That’s all because of the great community here.

Thank you for everything.