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Amidst arguably the most stunning season in Seattle Seahawks history, and the wildest NFL playoffs in recent history, we still have one last college football game to play.
On Monday night, we will see one of the most unlikely national championship games ever, as the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes return to home, literally and figuratively, to their place as a blue blood in the sport, while the No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers look to finish off the most dominant Cinderella season ever.
While many would assume the Seahawks are all in on Sunday and beating the Los Angeles Rams to get to Super Bowl 60, make no mistake, they’re still thinking about the NFL Draft and I’d be surprised if there’s not some scouts at the Orange Bowl tomorrow night. As these two do battle for the most shocking national title ever, let’s take a look at some of the best realistic prospects for the Seahawks in this upcoming draft.
Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami – Mesidor is a guy we talked about a few weeks ago, when the Canes upset the defending champs Ohio State. That game, and this run by Miami, has been about the trenches and how dominant the Canes have been, specifically with Rueben Bain and Mesidor.
Akheem reminds me of a slightly higher floor version of when Seattle drafted Boye Mafe. Mesidor is a good rotational pass rusher, but his age (25) will crush his draft stock. For a team in win now mode, Mesidor in round three or four may be worth it as a likely one contract guy.
Carter Smith, OL, Indiana – The best lineman prospect who will realistically be in Seattle’s range, Smith has been utterly dominant this year. The reigning Big Ten offensive lineman of the year, Smith has allowed zero sacks and given up pressures on less than 2% of all drop backs this season.
All the draft experts say that Carter is not strong enough in the run game, so he’ll have to kick in to guard at the next level. For a team that really only has some questions about their guard spot with Anthony Bradford, drafting Smith on day two and letting him compete with Bradford seems like a logical choice this spring.
Keionte Scott, DB, Miami- Scott has been one of the last dominant nickel corners this year, when healthy. One of the biggest stars of the CFP, Scott had 10 tackles and two sacks in their road upset over Texas A&M in round one.
Against the Buckeyes, Scott’s 72 yard pick-six completely tilted the game and paved the way to a return trip home.
Another older guy (24), I think he’s an interesting addition, especially if this defense loses both Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen to free agency.
Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami – Another great and older player in the Hurricane’s secondary, Thomas has been a star filler this year. 40 plus tackles, 3.5 sacks, 5 interceptions and two forced fumbles, the transfer from Middle Tennessee State has all the tools to be a star, and Macdonald could be the guy to get him there.
Louis Moore, S, Indiana- The safety group really is an underrated part of this class, and the All-American is part of this group. Another 25-year-old, if Seattle is comfortable with age, I think Moore is an immediate replacement with plug and play abilities for the Seahawks, if Bryant leaves in free agency.
Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana – Kenneth Walker just had the biggest game of his career. If he keeps it up, the Seahawks will win the Super Bowl, but it will also likely mean K9 is gonna get a massive contract offer and head elsewhere.
If that happens, especially with Zach Charbonnet now facing a long absence due to an ACL tear, running back becomes a major need. I think that Kaelon Black could be a good pass as a Day 3 prospect. Black, who shares the backfield with Roman Hemby, is an explosive change of pace back, and I think he’d compliment Charbonnet well.
Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana- I think Seattle should look to add to the wide receiver room. Cooper Kupp’s age, Tory Horton’s health, and Jake Bobo’s production all leave room for a Day two addition and there’s definitely types of wide receiver this team needs.
Sarratt, the top receiver for Mendoza, is the classic chain moving, red zone, big target. He’s not a burner or separate type of guy, but Sarratt is better than you at contested catches, and could feel an underrated need where Sam needs a bigger guy to just throw it up to.
Sarratt’s positive floor reminds me of 2005 Seattle Joe Jurevicius, and his realistic ceiling could be what the late Vincent Jackson was in San Diego.
Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana – The guy with the catch of the year, to protect the perfect season, Cooper screams of a guy that will actually be better in the NFL.
His tape screams of a wide receiver that typically excels in the Shanahan, McVay scheme. Cooper has a good body, plus speed, but is a great route runner and brings physicality with his run after the catch. Get this guy running intermediate crossing routes and he could look similar to Brandon Ayuik, but without the hype and headaches.
There’s a lot of great players in this game, and they come from some tough coaches. I think Seahawk fans should be hyped if we hear one of these names called this spring at the draft.
