Seahawks Mock Draft: Seattle Bolsters Trenches with Back-to-Back Picks

NFL.com's latest mock draft has the Seattle Seahawks addressing two big needs in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft.

It doesn't matter if you're the Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, or the Philadelphia Eagles ... if you're bad in the trenches, you're not going to get to where you want to be.

So, for the Seahawks to get back to the postseason next year, it would be wise for the team to do a true evaluation of their front-line units and address any needs they identify. 

That's exactly what NFL.com projects Seattle to do in the first round of this year's draft, starting with the selection of Texas Tech Red Raiders edge defender Tyree Wilson with pick No. 5.

"Seattle is hoping to build a fearsome front," the site says. "And it starts with the pass rush. Wilson is a long-limbed, athletic edge rusher, which is exactly what GM John Schneider covets."

Wilson's wingspan and production identify as positive traits, along with an impressive inside move to win against offensive linemen early.

But Seattle wasn't done fixing the trenches in this mock, adding Minnesota Golden Gophers center John Michael Schmitz with the 20th pick in the first round. 

"Schmitz is a polished center with the strength and athleticism to play in any run scheme," the site says. "He'll make the Seahawks' run game better and add to what's shaping up to be a talented, young O-line."

Adding the best center in this year's class would make players like Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas happy. 

Wilson is a common name projected to join Seattle in the NFL Draft this year, but what the team does with that second pick is where most divert from each other. 

So far, we've seen options as we saw here, but we've also seen the idea the Seahawks double down on edge with Iowa State's Will McDonald IV, or go for an offensive weapon like Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

All solid options, and evidence that Seattle has a valuable chance to add critical talent this offseason.

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