The Seattle Seahawks are nowhere near a rebuild -- and probably never will be as long as Russell Wilson is on the team -- but it's evident they need to fill some holes on the roster. Offensive linemen Russell Okung and J.R. Sweezy left in free agency, making that a need for Seattle. The team also has some issues on the defensive line, where veteran Brandon Mebane signed elsewhere.
2016 NFL mock draft: Seattle Seahawks snag Jonathan Bullard
Adding talent to the defensive line is a necessity for Seattle, and it just so happens to be the strength of this year’s draft.
Those are arguably Seattle’s top two needs. Danny Kelly of Field Gulls is here to fill one of them.
26. Seahawks: Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida
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Kelly: There were a few really interesting defensive linemen on the board here with Chris Jones, Vernon Butler and Jonathan Bullard all still alive, but the versatile Bullard fits so well into Pete Carroll's scheme that he's too good to pass up. On base downs, Carroll and defensive coordinator Kris Richard are getting a tenacious and energetic run defender -- a guy that can change direction on a dime and always seems to find himself in the backfield -- and they're also getting a guy whose best football is ahead of him.
In Seattle's scheme, he'd be a candidate to move inside on nickel downs and play next to Michael Bennett, and with Frank Clark cutting weight, presumably to play outside, Seattle needs another interior pass rusher for passing downs. Bullard checks all the boxes -- he's long, athletic, plays with a lot of effort and still has a ton of upside as a pass rusher.
Analysis: There is an inherent risk whenever a pick by the Seahawks is criticized -- even when it’s someone making the pick for Seattle. Every time you criticize a Seahawks pick, a small third-round quarterback turns into an All-Pro or a kick return specialist looks like a future star receiver. The big critique with this pick is choosing Bullard over Sheldon Rankins from Louisville. Although Rankins isn’t quite as athletic as Bullard, he can swiftly move around to disrupt the pocket and stuff the run. Both Bullard and Rankins are good fits in Seattle, but my grade on Rankins is much higher.
Dan’s Top 5 players remaining
- 15. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
- 17. Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
- 20. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
- 24. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
- 25. Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
Seahawks picks
- 1-26: Jonathan Bullard, DT, Florida
- 2-56: (coming April 20)
We'll be back at 3 p.m. ET with pick No. 27 and the Green Bay Packers' pick coming from Acme Packing Co.
Complete draft results:
1. Tennessee Titans - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss (Link)
2. Cleveland Browns - Jared Goff, QB, Cal (Link)
3. San Diego Chargers - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State (Link)
4. Dallas Cowboys - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State (Link)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA (Link)
6. Baltimore Ravens - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State (Link)
7. San Francisco 49ers - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon (Link)
8. Philadelphia Eagles - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (Link)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky (Link)
10. New York Giants - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame (Link)
11. Chicago Bears - Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (Link)
12. New Orleans Saints - A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama (Link)
13. Miami Dolphins - Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State (Link)
14. Oakland Raiders - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State (Link)
15. Los Angeles Rams - Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (Link)
16. Detroit Lions - Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State (Link)
17. Atlanta Falcons - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson (Link)
18. Indianapolis Colts - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama (Link)
19. Buffalo Bills - Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama (Link)
20. New York Jets - Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State (Link)
21. Washington - Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor (Link)
22. Houston Texans - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor (Link)
23. Minnesota Vikings - Josh Doctson, WR, TCU (Link)
24. Cincinnati Bengals - Laquon Treadell, WR, Ole Miss (Link)
25. Pittsburgh Steelers - William Jackson, CB, Houston
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