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| There is plenty of defensive talent to choose from |
The Seahawks defense had no intimidation factor last season, allowing offenses to impose their will against them. This draft, they should be focused on restoring that edge by adding speed and physicality to the unit. Fortunately, it's a deep class to be in the market for talented defenders to accomplish just that. In particular, I'd like to see Seattle come away with at least one player from the vaunted Georgia defense. The potential prospects are listed by position group below, with some prominent players highlighted:
Defensive Tackle
- Jordan Davis - Georgia
- Davis blew up the NFL combine with a ridiculous workout. There aren't any other 348 lb defensive tackles that run a 4.78 40-yard dash. Top that off with a 32" vertical and 10'3" broad jump, and you have an very explosive athlete that can still improve his technique. Davis was outstanding as a space eater for Georgia, steadily taking on double times and clogging inside run lanes. He doesn't show great quickness, which could cap his pass rush ceiling, but this also wasn't his role on the Bulldogs. As far as run stopping goes, it doesn't really get better than Davis.
- Devonte Wyatt - Georgia
- Travis Jones - Connecticut
- Phidarian Mathis
- DeMarvin Leal - Texas A&M
- Matthew Butler - Tennessee
- Logan Hall - Houston
Defensive End / EDGE
- Jermaine Johnson - Florida State
- A big riser over the course of draft season. Johnson had a highly productive final season in college. He then followed that up with an outstanding Senior Bowl performance, and tested very well at the combine and his Pro Day. An explosive athlete with length and power, Johnson anchors very well as a run defender. As a pass rusher, he has consistently effective moves in his arsenal, and shows the flexibility to run a tight arc to the QB. The exciting aspect of Johnson is that he still has room to develop as a pass rusher, and I would hope the Seahawks view him as too good to pass up if he's still on the board at #9. He has a motor and attitude about him that can energize a defense.
- Kayvon Thibodeaux - Oregon
- Boye Mafe - Minnesota
- Michael Clemons - Texas A&M
- Sam Williams - Ole Miss
- Drake Jackson - USC
- Myjai Sanders - Cincinatti
- Cameron Thomas - San Diego State
- Arnold Ebiketie - Penn State
- George Karlaftis - Purdue
- Nik Bonitto - Oklahoma
Linebacker
- Channing Tindall - Georgia
- Tindall plays like he's shot out of a cannon. Phenomenal closing burst once he gets a bead on the ball, and he doesn't hesitate to blow up blockers in the run game either. He wasn't often tasked with coverage responsibilities, but his elite athletic profile suggests he could do well dropping into zones. A high upside player that already makes great use of his physical tools, Tindall would add instant gas and fire to the defense.
- Devin Lloyd - Utah
- Lloyd only had modest testing numbers at the Combine, but played a tick faster than that on the field. A do-it-all player for the Utes, he was disruptive in every phase (111 tackles, 22 TFLs, 7 sacks, 4 INTs), and wreaked havoc on offenses. He's a versatile linebacker that projects to fit in any scheme, and could be a valuable chess piece to move around a formation. Lloyd is a heart-and-soul type player with a knack for making big plays.
- On an unrelated note, he cites Kam Chancellor as an inspiration to him, which is a plus in my book.
- Troy Andersen - Montana State
- Quay Walker - Georgia
- Leo Chenal - Wisconsin
- Chad Muma - Wyoming
- Damone Clark - LSU
- Darrian Beavers - Cincinatti
Cornerback
- Derek Stingley Jr. - LSU
- If not for nagging injuries the past 2 seasons, we'd likely be looking at the #1 corner in the draft. Stingley had an unreal freshman season (6 INTs, 15 PDs) with some touting him as a generational talent. Coaching staff turnover and some health problems (Including a Lisfranc foot injury that required surgery this offseason) contributed to uneven performance the last 2 years, causing some to question his durability. On the other hand, a clean bill of health would mean a team getting a high floor, high ceiling prospect. Stingley moves about the field with ease, showing fluid hips and quick feet to match receiver breaks. He also has impressive deep speed to stay in phase, and ball skills to punish bad throws. If the foot issues are behind him, Stingley would be an electric addition to the secondary.
- Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner - Cincinatti
- Jalyn Armour-Davis - Alabama
- Cam Taylor-Britt - Nebraska
- Trent McDuffie - Washington
- Andrew Booth - Clemson
- Tariq Woolen - UTSA
- Alontae Taylor - Tennessee
- Montaric Brown - Arkansas
- Coby Bryant - Cincinatti
Safety
- Lewis Cine - Georgia
- Cine is a highly athletic and rangy free safety. Standing at 6'2", his height belies his speed and quickness. He has excellent read/react ability, and closes fast on the ball before lowering the boom on running backs and receivers. His 2 career interceptions don't scream ball hawk, but he did have 9 PDs in his final season. Cine puts himself in good positions to make plays on the ball, and can galvanize a defense with his hitting ability.
- Percy Butler - Louisiana
- Nick Cross - Maryland
- Kerby Joseph - Illinois
- Smoke Monday - Auburn
- Tycen Anderson - Toledo
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