2011 NFL Draft: Seattle Seahawks Draft Projection Roundup

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NFL Mock Draft 2011: Projecting Friday's Second Round For Seattle Seahawks

The first round of the 2011 NFL Draft is in the books and the attention turns to Friday's second and third rounds. While it may be nearly-impossible to project both rounds, we can get a better idea of what may happen in round two by checking a few of the more detailed 2011 NFL mock drafts around. If you wondered about how accurate mock drafts are, Thursday's first round, which destroyed nearly every projection made ahead of the draft, should be a fair indication. Nevertheless, we'll look ahead at the second round to see what we can glean.

As a frame of reference for Seattle's first round pick, Todd McShay had James Carpenter at No. 33 in his mock draft, released before Thursday's first round. While Carpenter seemed like a stretch at the time, he may not have been as big a reach as originally thought.

In the second round, McShay has the Seahawks drafting a wide receiver: Randall Cobb of Kentucky. While it's an interesting pick, the Seahawks still have more pressing needs to fill, including the defensive line and the quarterback position. One has to wonder if Seattle will address those first before looking for sleepers or value picks in the later rounds.

Over at SB Nation, Brian Galliford expects Ryan Mallett to be around when the Seahawks step to the podium, and the chance to grab a quarterback may be too much for Pete Carroll. While Mallett is a risk, spending a second round pick on him gives the Seahawks good value and the chance to build to the future right away.

Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas. Mallett is not a perfect fit for Darrell Bevell's offensive system, granted, but there's so much need here that Mallett may be too difficult to pass up.

If Mallett is around -- and that's a big if -- he may be a possibility, though Seattle had shown no interest in him ahead of the draft. It all means we're flying blind again, and if Thursday's first round is any indication, we should expect the unexpected.

We’ll be covering the latest news and rumors throughout the entire process in our 2011 NFL Draft StoryStream. Stay with us for more on the draft as it becomes available. Check out our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream for even more predictions and projections.

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NFL Mock Draft 2011: Andy Dalton Somehow Connected To Seattle Seahawks Again

In the past few days, one player has seen his draft stock rise significantly, much to the surprise of many. Andy Dalton, quarterback of the TCU Horned Frogs, has gone from afterthought to sudden first-round pick, and the Seattle Seahawks may just be the ones to snatch him up. We’ve seen Mel Kiper peg Dalton as the Seattle’s pick at No. 25 in his 2011 NFL mock draft, and now others are following suit. And it should be a scary projection for Seattle fans.

Edit: I completely forgot Don Banks pegged Dalton as the Seahawks pick in his mock draft a month ago. To be fair, and in the interest of accuracy, it should be pointed out Banks was the first to connect Seattle and Dalton.

The latest to jump on the Andy Dalton to Seattle bandwagon is SB Nation. In the final 2011 NFL mock draft, Brian Galliford has the Seahawks taking Dalton, but adds the team may prefer a different quarterback. Whether one is available remains to be seen.

NFL writers insist Dalton will be a first-round pick, much to the dismay of draftniks everywhere. Seattle needs a quarterback, but may prefer someone else.

For the life of me, I can’t figure this pick out. Dalton is spectacularly mediocre when it comes to measurables and even the prototypical skills you look for in an NFL quarterback. Yes, all he did was win at TCU, but nothing about him jumps off the page. He is just “meh,” or completely average, on the surface.

Taking Dalton in the second round would be just fine, and should be where he slots into the mix this year. But in the first round? It’s a reach, and feels like a product of the run on quality quarterbacks more than anything else. First round picks should be special and, if done right, can net a team a star for years to come. With Dalton, all I see is average, and have a hard time justifying spending the No. 25 pick on him

For more on the draft, stay with our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream. Be sure to head over to our 2011 NFL Draft StoryStream for the latest news and rumors on draft day. Head over to Field Gulls, SB Nation’s Seahawks blog, for even more draft analysis.

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2011 NFL Mock Draft: Todd McShay Has Danny Watkins Heading To Seattle

Will it be an offensive lineman, defensive lineman or quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. It’s been the question of the day as the draft approaches, but we still don’t have a clear idea of what the Seahawks may do. If Mel Kiper is to be believed, the answer is quarterback, and the Seahawks will take Andy Dalton at No. 25. But if Todd McShay, Kiper’s ESPN counterpart, is correct, the Seahawks will take talent up-front, bolstering the offensive line with a guard.

McShay’s final 2011 NFL mock draft provides plenty of fun fodder, but deviates quite a bit from the norm. Only two quarterbacks are in McShay’s first round, and Jake Locker is the second round, heading to Arizona with the 38th pick in the draft. And when it comes to the Seahawks, McShay likes Danny Watkins, an offensive guard from Baylor.

Watkins is the best available player at a position of need. He is a tough, nasty player with good strength who is NFL-ready.

We do know the Seahawks need interior line depth. But is it the biggest position of need? I’d argue it’s third on the list, behind defensive line and quarterback. Either way, Watkins is a talented prospect and could provide immediate depth in the trenches for Seattle. It’s a safe pick, in some ways, and allows the Seahawks to side-step the risks associated with every top-flight quarterback in this draft.

For more on the draft, stay with our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream. Be sure to head over to our 2011 NFL Draft StoryStream for the latest news and rumors on draft day. Head over to Field Gulls, SB Nation’s Seahawks blog, for even more draft analysis.

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Pete Carroll's 2011 NFL Draft Clues Leave Fans Scratching Their Heads

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2011 NFL Mock Draft: Marvin Austin Linked To Seattle Seahawks Again

When looking at the 2011 NFL draft class, the sheer amount of talented defensive linemen jumps off the paper immediately. It’s the year of the big man and the Seattle Seahawks are in search of immediate help on the line, whether it be at the defensive tackle or defensive end spot. Despite the clear need at quarterback, Seattle may go “safe” with its first round pick, taking a lineman in an effort to boost a defense that was, to put it nicely, soft.

I hadn’t seen Marvin Austin connected to the Seahawks until Sports Illustrated’s Peter King floated the idea in his 2011 NFL mock draft last week. Now, Austin to Seattle seems to be picking up a bit of momentum, and another mock draft jumped on-board. This time around, it’s Walter Football’s 2011 NFL mock draft.

Brandon Mebane is a free agent, so the Seahawks need to find someone to fill those shoes if Mebane defects for another team.

Marvin Austin missed the 2010 campaign, but has enjoyed a terrific draft season. There’s a good chance he’ll go in the first round.

There are still quite a few questions surrounding Mebane, who was offered an original-round tender and became a restricted free agent prior to the NFL lockout. Mebane could return, but is expected to receive plenty of interest on the market, whenever the offseason actually begins. With defensive line depth a concern, it wouldn’t be a surprise for the Seahawks to look at the defensive tackle or defensive end spot, especially with the wealth of defensive talent in the 2011 draft class.

For more on the draft, stay with our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream. Be sure to head over to SB Nation’s 2011 NFL Draft hub for the latest news, including mock drafts, rumors and projections. Head over to Field Gulls, SB Nation’s Seahawks blog, for even more draft analysis.

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2011 NFL Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks Blog Draft Picks

In an effort to crowd-source, the SB Nation NFL bloggers got together and conducted an extensive 2011 NFL mock draft. The 32 bloggers took turns picking the first two rounds for their team, giving us a nice change of pace from the traditional mock drafts. The projections are still rolling in, but you can find them all in the NFL mock draft StoryStream over at SB Nation.

In the first round, Field Gulls’ Danny Kelly selected Ryan Mallett with the No. 25 pick.

Ultimately the upside of Ryan Mallett is too much to pass up. The character concerns are there but widely unsubstantiated, and Mallett is a good fit for the direction the Seahawks want to go in. Most scouts rate his arm in the top 10 range, but Mallett will fall due to off-field and character concerns. The Seahawks’ front office has shown a willingness to take a chance on these types of issues, and will see Mallett at No. 25 as a good value

There’s no questioning Mallet’s arm, but looking at the rest of his game raises red flags. He’s a statue in the pocket with little in the way of mobility, which isn’t huge for a quarterback, but could also pose a problem. While his arm strength is phenomenal, his accuracy and decision-making leaves something to be desired, and Mallett had a tendency to make bone-headed decisions at times.

Those bone-headed decisions carried over to his personal life, raising red flags about his character, as well. Mallet has been unable to shake questions about his maturity and reports of drug use throughout the process, though he did reportedly answer candidly during team interviews. He’s a high-risk, but his arm strength may be too tantalizing to pass.

In the second round, Kelly selected LSU defensive tackle Drake Nevis with the 57th pick.

Nevis was one of the most disruptive defensive tackles in the SEC in 2010, leading LSU with 56 tackles, 13 for a loss, six sacks, three forced fumbles, four QB hurries, and an interception in 13 games. He’s extremely strong – he squats 535 and benches 475 – and combined with his quick initial burst and ability to disengage blocks, he’ll make an immediate impact for the Hawks. With Colin Cole or Brandon Mebane playing next to him at one-tech and Red Bryant returning to the five-tech DE position, he’ll draw a lot of one-on-one matchups.

In this case, I think Kelly nailed it. Nevis fills an immediate need and has the production to make him an intriguing prospect. He could slot-in right away and appears to be NFL-ready in a physical sense. It’s a good value pick and with the loaded crop of defensive linemen in the draft class, there should be solid players around in when the Seahawks step to the podium for a second time.

For more on the draft, stay with our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream. Be sure to head over to SB Nation’s 2011 NFL Draft hub for the latest news, including mock drafts, rumors and projections. Head over to Field Gulls, SB Nation’s Seahawks blog, for even more draft analysis.

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2011 NFL Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks Select Jimmy Smith In Rob Rang's Projections

Picking at the end of the first round puts the Seattle Seahawks in a bit of a pickle. While the NFL playoff run was nice, Seattle cost itself a top-10 draft pick in the process, though most fans were happy with the experience — myself included. But now, the Seahawks are stuck between a rock and a hard place without a can’t miss prospect in sight at No. 25. Do the Seahawks trade down or roll the dice and take the best player available at a position of need? We turn to the latest 2011 NFL mock draft for answers.

CBS Sports’ Rob Rang is plugged-in, knows the NFL landscape and knows Seattle well. So when Rang has a hunch or makes a projection, it pays to take notice. On Monday, Rang turned his attention to Jimmy Smith in his 2011 NFL mock draft, and pegged the Colorado cornerback as the Seahawks’ pick.

The Seahawks gave up 31 touchdown passes last season, tied for third-worst in the NFL. Veteran Marcus Trufant is due $5.8 million for 2011 and has struggled with injury and consistency the past two seasons. Seattle’s other starter, Kelly Jennings, is a free agent and at 5-11, 180, isn’t an ideal fit in the Seahawks’ press scheme. Smith, on the other hand, at 6-2, 211, is an ideal fit.

We’ve seen Smith before and his athletic ability is off the chart. Smith is the third-best cornerback in the draft — behind Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara — but character questions have dogged him throughout the process. In terms of raw skills, he’s among the best, but may slide to the end of the first round because of those off the field issues. As we’ve heard before, Pete Carroll has no problem taking on a risky player and has confidence in his ability to mold young men.

Would the Seahawks take Jimmy Smith or try to trade out of the first round, dangling the pick out as bait? We’ll find out more on Thursday as the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft gets underway.

For more on the draft, stay with our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream. Be sure to head over to SB Nation’s 2011 NFL Draft hub for the latest news, including mock drafts, rumors and projections.

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2011 NFL Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks Make A Trade In Latest Projections

If the rumors are to be believed, the Seattle Seahawks are trying to get out of the first round and have been actively shopping the No. 25 pick in this week’s NFL Draft. At No. 25, the Seahawks are in a bit of a jam, not high enough to get an impact player and without many appealing first-round candidates left. If the Seahawks are able to trade down, it’s likely they will.

In the latest from SB Nation, the Seahawks make a trade, heading out of the first round and into the early second round. The Seahawks would receive two picks from the Philadelphia Eagles, according to the SB Nation mock draft: No. 35 overall (from CIN via PHI), No. 85 overall (third round).

Here’s where it gets interesting. Brian Galliford has the Eagles drafting Jimmy Smith, who’s also been a rumored target of the Seahawks. Would Seattle pass up the chance at Smith to trade into the second round?

Philadelphia Eagles (f/SEA): Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado. Again, Philly likes to move up and down the board, and word is the Seahawks would like to move out of the first round. Here, they’d get an early second-round pick (originally Cincinnati’s) and an extra third, while Philly, through their two trades, would move up 19 spots in the third round and still get their guy in Jimmy Smith.

The reasoning is sound, as is the rest of the 20111 NFL mock draft. Check it out and get educated as the 2011 NFL Draft approaches. While everything is subject to change in the next three days, it provides a good overview of the draft and which players may end up where on Thursday.

For more on the draft, stay with our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream. Be sure to head over to SB Nation’s 2011 NFL Draft hub for the latest news, including mock drafts, rumors and projections.

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2011 NFL Draft: Seattle Seahawks Formulate Draft Strategy

The 2011 NFL Draft is make or break for teams, even more than it has been in the past. With the NFL lockout in full-swing, and with no end in sight, teams are forced to move forward with the inability to sign free agents, make trades or proceed with the typical NFL offseason. This year, more than ever, draft strategy is crucial, especially for the Seattle Seahawks, who face uncertainties at some of their biggest positions of need.

The Seahawks have a clear need at quarterback, with Matt Hasselbeck stuck in a holding pattern and Charlie Whitehurst as the only viable option on the roster. While there are quarterbacks that should be available in the 2011 NFL Draft, it’s unclear which would fit Seattle’s mold and who will be available by the No. 25 pick. Field Gulls sat down with Dave Razzano to gather his thoughts on the Seahawks strategy, including what the team may do with that first round pick and whether a quarterback is a viable option.

Would grab Locker in a minute but they will have to trade up. He never gets out of top 20 picks. Would not touch Ryan Mallett. Someone will become enamored with his rocket arm. Immobile guys who are "shady " like he is would not interest me in any round.
[snip]
Anyway, Kaepernick is another QB I feel will be very successful. Everyone is targeting for round two. He will go either late one or early two.

But quarterback isn’t the only need the Seahawks have to address in the 2011 NFL Draft. In addition to the uncertainty under center, the Seahawks need help on both the offensive and defensive line. Razzano has his eyes on a sleeper at defensive tackle, and Pete Carroll’s ties to USC may play a role.

As for DT’s, it will be interesting to see if Pete Carroll has big interest in a player I feel is being completely overlooked early, DT Jurrell Casey of USC. Looks like a Casey Hampton (Steelers) clone. Short and compact, very strong and explosive, high effort.

Razzano also had a sleeper name on the offensive side of the ball, though he admits the Seahawks offensive line is in much better shape than the defensive line. If Seattle does go with an offensive lineman in the first round, it could be an athletic big-man from Indiana.

If they decide to go with an OT in the first round a name to remember is James Brewer of Indiana. This former basketball player is a bit off the radar but, believe me, scouts and OL coaches know all about this guy.

Check out Razzano’s full interview over at Field Gulls for a look at the draft process and a few names to keep an eye on. With the draft approaching, the Seahawks are putting the finishing touches on their board and preparing for a hectic few days. If you’re looking for a head-start, be sure to head over to Field Gulls, where Danny Kelly has been meticulous in his draft work.

For more on the draft, stay with our 2011 NFL Draft StoryStream in the days leading up to next Thursday’s first round coverage.

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2011 NFL Mock Draft: Leonard Hankerson A Second Round Projection For Seattle Seahawks

As the 2011 NFL Draft draws closer, we're beginning to look away from the first round and deeper into the draft. At this point in the process, we know most every potential first round pick and have a good idea where they may end up. But the task becomes more difficult looking past the first round as the prospects become lesser-known and under-the-radar guys suddenly rise to prominence. Though it's fun to take a look at various 2011 NFL mock drafts that encompass all seven rounds, it may not be particularly helpful.

While the spotlight has been on the first round, the Seahawks could still find plenty of value in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. One such value pick would help bolster Seattle's oft-maligned receiver corp: Leonard Hankerson of the Miami Hurricanes. Hankerson could make an immediate impact, and join Golden Tate in what's becoming a youthful bunch of receivers. SB Nation projected Hankerson to Seattle in the second round in its latest 2011 NFL mock draft.

57. Seattle Seahawks: Leonard Hankerson, WR, Miami (FL). No matter who is at QB next year, teaming Hankerson with Mike Williams and Golden Tate is a huge upgrade.

Unlike Tate and Deon Butler, Hankerson is a big target more in the mold of Mike Williams. In that regard, he may be a bit of a redundant pick, but the talent is there. Is receiver a huge area of need for the Seahawks, though? For my money, Seattle has areas of glaring need that should be addressed in the draft before the receiver spot, including defensive line, offensive line and even the secondary.

For the latest on the draft, check out the rest of our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream.

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2011 NFL Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks Select Jake Locker In Chad Reuter's Mock

CBS Sports Rob Rang has Jake Locker firmly in the top-10 in his latest 2011 NFL mock draft, but his counterpart, Chad Reuter, isn’t quite as bullish on Locker. While he does have the Washington quarterback in the first round, Reuter sees Locker as a late-round pick, heading to a familiar spot for fans in Seattle. Yes, Reuter is sticking with his projection of Jake Locker to the Seahawks as it fills an immediate need at the quarterback position.

Of note, Reuter sees a different quarterback situation for the Seahawks, who are faced with uncertainty as the labor dispute continues and the lockout prevents the team from participating in a normal NFL offseason. With Matt Hasselbeck’s status hanging in the balance, it’s looking more likely his time in Seattle may be coming to a close, and Charlie Whitehurst would be the stop-gap between quarterbacks. Reuter laid out his plan while justifying the pick.

The Seahawks start Charlie Whitehurst in 2011, allowing Locker to work on his comfort and accuracy from the pocket.

If this is the case, Seattle could be in for a world of hurt this coming season, whenever it may get started. Without Hasselbeck, there is no proven stop-gap plan, and Locker, or any quarterback picked in the draft, would be thrust into action early. While Whitehurst has shown the ability to make plays at times, I’m not alone in being deathly afraid of handing him the full-time starting duties.

For more on the draft, check out the rest of our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream. For more on the Seahawks quarterback situation and the Whitehurst problem, head over to Field Gulls.

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Peter King's Mock Draft Has Seattle Seahawks Selecting Marvin Austin

Peter King released his 2011 NFL mock draft on Tuesday and it may make more logical sense than many I’ve seen this year, at least when it comes to the Seattle Seahawks. We’ve seen almost every name under the sun projected to be the No. 25 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, from Jake Locker and Ryan Mallett to Mike Pouncey. But King came up with an intriguing name for Seattle, and one that would fill an immediate need for the Seahawks.

The pick, according to King, is North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin. King says the Seahawks should pick Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt, but will pick Austin. However, King adds the Seahawks are trying to get out of the first round and are dangling the pick as trade-bait in the days leading up to the draft.

No team wants to trade down more than Seattle, which has seven big holes to fill, including two at guard and one at tackle, and that’s before we even get to quarterback. The Seahawks will probably lose Matt Hasselbeck to free agency, but I don’t see them taking a passer in the first two rounds unless they trade down. They’re willing to go with Charlie Whitehurst and a vet in ’11, while Austin, a penetrating DT, fortifies another need position.

King appears to be almost dead-on here as his words have gained traction recently. We’ve been hearing the Seahawks are looking to dump the pick and do damage in the middle rounds, though nobody has taken a bite so far. We’ve also seen Austin’s name floated for the first time in a few different reputable mock drafts, leading credence to King’s assertion the Seahawks will pick him.

You can find King’s full mock draft here or in the latest edition of Sports Illustrated. For more on the draft, check out the rest of our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream.

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2011 NFL Mock Draft: Nate Solder A Projected Pick For Seattle Seahawks

For the Seattle Seahawks, the offensive line has been in focus ahead of the 2011 NFL Draft. It starts up-front for the Seahawks offense, even with question marks about the running game and quarterback position. What good are the skill position players if the offensive line is unable to provide protection? With that angle in mind, plenty of 2011 NFL mock drafts have been looking at the big boys in the middle when it comes to the No. 25 pick in the draft.

The latest 2011 NFL mock draft from SB Nation follows the trend of projecting an offensive lineman to the Seahawks in the first round. The name floated by Brian Galliford is a familiar one, and could make an immediate impact for Seattle. The pick is Nate Solder, an offensive tackle from Colorado. Solder could slide in at right tackle, giving the Seahawks two young, talented tackles to build an offensive line around.

Solder is raw, but has tremendous upside and projects as an excellent bookend to Russell Okung.

The quarterbacks in the 2011 NFL Draft class all come with questions, so picking an offensive lineman may been seen as a safe pick. But Solder has the potential to be a game-changer for the Seahawks offensive line. With Okung looking like a solid contributor both now and in the future, the Seahawks need a bookend on the other side of the line. Sean Locklear has been much maligned in these parts, and it may be time for a youthful change.

If nothing else, Solder is a name to keep an eye on as the draft approaches. With just over a week to go, we’re nearing crunch time, and projections are starting to zero-in on the picks. Stay with our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream for the latest as the draft draws closer.

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2011 NFL Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks Select Muhammad Wilkerson In One Projection

While it's been impossible to find a consensus on a specific name the Seattle Seahawks will take when the 2011 NFL Draft rolls around, we have seen emerging trends. Quarterbacks, offensive linemen, cornerbacks and defensive linemen have been the theme in nearly every 2011 NFL mock draft when it comes to the Seattle Seahawks. The needs are there and well-known, but the names to plug in those holes are a different story.

A new name emerged over at Mocking the Draft this weekend as Chris Steuber put together his 2011 NFL mock draft. Steuber knows his prospects in many ways, and has a scouting background to boot. But for the Seahawks, he went a bit off the radar, pegging Temple defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson as the pick.

It's an interesting pick and one I've yet to see for the Seahawks. Wilkerson has been steadily rising ahead of the draft, and was all the way up at No. 18 in Mel Kiper's mock draft. At 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, Wilkerson has the size to eat space on the interior and could compliment Brandon Mebane well. Despite his massive girth, Wilkerson showed off his athleticism, running a sub-5.0 40-yard-dash at the NFL Combine.

In the end, it's another name to add to the pile. The 2011 NFL Draft is stocked with athletic, space-eating defensive lineman and it's a near-certainty one will be available at No. 25. It's so stocked, however, the Seahawks may find value waiting until the second round.

For more on the draft, check out the rest of our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream. For more on the Seahawks, head on over to SB Nation's Field Gulls.

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2011 NFL Mock Draft: Ryan Mallett The Seahawks Pick In Blog Draft

SB Nation has been running a full 2011 NFL mock draft, but doing so in a unique way over the past few weeks. Instead of one person throwing picks together, the SB Nation NFL blog writers are playing a giant game of crowd sourcing, with each team's blogger making picks along the way. What better way to draft than having writers and fans who follow their respective teams extensively?

It's led to some interesting picks along the way, but has been a fun idea to see put into practice. When it came time for the Seattle Seahawks to pick, Field Gulls editor Danny Kelly stepped up to the plate and chose a familiar face to those who have been following various mock drafts. Ryan Mallett is the pick as Kelly spurned Jake Locker and went with the potential and upside the Arkansas quarterback posses.

Ultimately the upside of Ryan Mallett is too much to pass up. The character concerns are there but widely unsubstantiated, and Mallett is a good fit for the direction the Seahawks want to go in. Most scouts rate his arm in the top 10 range, but Mallett will fall due to off-field and character concerns. The Seahawks' front office has shown a willingness to take a chance on these types of issues, and will see Mallett at No. 25 as a good value

The full write-up and a rebuttal from Dan Kadar can be found over at Mocking the Draft.

We've seen Mallett connected to Seattle quite a bit from the beginning of the process, but concerns about his character and accuracy have persisted throughout. While it's true the Seahawks need a quarterback, and perhaps sooner rather than later, finding one in the 2011 NFL Draft class is a task in itself. Outside of the top-two quarterback -- Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert -- the class is filled with question marks and risks. It's a minefield and the Seahawks would be wise to be wary of choosing a quarterback.

For more on the Seahawks and the draft, head over to SB Nation's Field Gulls. For more on the draft, stay with our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream.

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2011 NFL Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks Draft Projection Roundup

We've been playing around with the various 2011 NFL mock drafts floating around, scouring projections that seem to number in the billions at this point. Everywhere you look, there's a different opinion about what the Seattle Seahawks may do when the 2011 NFL Draft rolls around in just under two weeks. But with the draft fast approaching, it's time to start narrowing the potential picks down to get a better idea of what Pete Carroll, John Schneider and the rest of the Seattle front office may do.

As a baseline, the various picks from January until now can be found in our original 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream. While browsing the updates, you'll see the picks resemble a dartboard more than anything else. We've seen Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Mike Pouncey, Jimmy Smith and various other highly-touted prospects connected to the Seahawks, but if anything, it's made the picture even more murky.

But with less than two weeks to go until the draft, the picture should, in theory, get clearer. We know the Seahawks needs -- quarterback, cornerback, offensive line and defensive line -- and know who they've been keeping an eye on, whether it be in private workouts or at pro days. And when combined with the knowledge of reputable sources who do their own mock drafts, we may just be able to figure out what the Seahawks will do with the 25th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

To begin, here are a few references. At Field Gulls, you can find a quick roundup of what the Seahawks may do with their first round pick. Mocking the Draft also has its updated 2011 NFL mock draft. SB Nation has its 2011 NFL mock draft, and will have another on Monday. If you're interested in Jake Locker, we're also keeping an eye on where he may go in this StoryStream.

Stay with our 2011 NFL mock draft StoryStream as we track the Seahawks projections ahead of next week's draft. For more on the Seahawks, head over to SB Nation's Field Gulls.