NFL Mock Draft: Seahawks Pick Leonard Williams Replacement?

Earlier projected to pick an offensive lineman in April's NFL Draft, the latest update predicts the Seattle Seahawks will instead select Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II.

With the NFL season over, let the "games" begin.

The Scouting Combine starts next week and the draft in Detroit is just two months away. Plenty of time for evaluation, second opinions and - yep - flip-flopping.

For the first time since 2009 the Seattle Seahawks have a new head coach - Mike Macdonald instead of Pete Carroll - and also, apparently, plenty of needs along both lines. NFL.com draft guru Daniel Jeremiah has published two mock drafts, and is already changing his projection for the Seahawks.

Coming off a disappointing 9-8 season and missing the playoffs, Seattle seems to have foundational pieces in place in quarterback Geno Smith, receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba, safety Julian Love and cornerback Devon Witherspoon. 

But they clearly help in the trenches. And, according to NFL.com, there clearly isn't a consensus on which direction Seattle will go with its No. 16 overall pick.

Jan. 21: Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu

Feb. 21: Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II

April 25: ???

A month ago, Jeremiah was convinced Seattle would pick an offensive player.

"The Seahawks continue to add young talent to their offensive line," he wrote in his 1.0 mock draft. "Fautanu would slide right in at guard in Seattle and can play tackle in a pinch."

In updated 2.0 released this week, Fautana slides down to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 20.

Now, Jeremiah leans toward Seattle taking a defensive player for new coordinator Aden Durde.

"Leonard Williams is a pending free agent, but even if the Seahawks work out a deal with him," he writes this week, "Murphy would be a nice complement on the interior defensive line."

Murphy played 39 games for the Longhorns over three years and in 2023 was voted second-team All-American and the Big 12 Conference's Defensive Lineman of the Year.

A month ago, NFL.com projected Murphy going No. 11 to the Minnesota Vikings.

Building The Seahawks Standard: Durde Details Vision For Defense

In both mock drafts Jeremiah predicts USC quarterback Caleb Williams going No. 1 to the Chicago Bears and North Carolina quarterback No. 2 to the Washington Commanders.

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