2011 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick 57

Our annual 2011 NFL Mock Draft, with picks made by each of SB Nation’s NFL team bloggers, is in full swing. The latest pick in to the podium: the Seattle Seahawks, at No. 57 overall.

Dan Kelly of FieldGulls.com explains the choice, and our own Dan Kadar reacts to it, after the jump. Make sure you’re grading this pick for the Seahawks, and checking out Field Gulls for all of your Seahawks needs.

Dan Kelly explains: The Seahawks need a penetrating three-tech player on their defensive line. Coach Pete Carroll has stated that “the three technique player should be your premier interior pass rusher,” and Drake Nevis could come in and be that player for the Seahawks. In 2010, the Seahawks’ defensive three-tech position produced only one sack, and opposing quarterbacks had way too much time to sit in the pocket and pick apart the defense, something they’ll be looking to remedy in 2011.

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. His quickness, lateral agility, and hand strength will be put to good use, and he’ll be effective in putting pressure on the opposing QB.

He’ll add depth to a thin defensive line that was decimated by injuries in 2010, and depending on whether Brandon Mebane is re-signed and continues at the three-tech or not, Nevis could come in and start in Week 1. If Mebane returns, Nevis will be an excellent part of the rotation on the defensive line and will excel in Pete Carroll’s ‘always compete’ philosophy, where he’ll have to play full tilt to earn playing time.

Dan Kadar reacts: A good three-tech is arguably Seattle’s biggest immediate need. Bryant and Mebane are really good players who largely go unnoticed. So to be able to plug in a disruptive lineman like Nevis should make them even better. The only argument I can make is that Jurrell Casey would have fit as well, but Nevis might be a little better as a pass rusher. [Drake Nevis Scouting Report]