Brock Huard’s first-round mock draft: Seahawks get CB Kevin King

710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock Huard put on his GM hat and projected the first round of the NFL Draft, taking a look at how each pick would impact the Seahawks. He also projects the four picks Seattle has between the second and third rounds.

1. Cleveland Browns: DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M

Big picture: Browns left tackle Joe Thomas will make Garrett, the most physically gifted talent and pass rusher in this draft, even better over the course of the offseason.

Seahawks impact: The good news for the Seahawks is they won’t be seeing Garrett anytime soon.

2. San Francisco 49ers: DT Solomon Thomas, Stanford

Big picture: First-time general manager John Lynch will try desperately to trade down with this draft pick, but with no premium left tackle or quarterback worthy of moving up for, Lynch will decide between a couple of very special safeties or a defensive lineman that will make his group up front better instantly. He goes with Thomas and hopes for a Warren Sapp-like return on investment.

Seahawks impact: There may be debate about what is the best division in the NFL, but there is no debate that the NFC West is home to the best defensive lines in the league. The Seahawks will get no breathers through league play on the line of scrimmage, and while Thomas is not the Rams’ Aaron Donald, he will join Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner on a defensive line that’s loaded with top-end draft picks.

3. Chicago Bears: S Jamal Adams, LSU

Big picture: A once-in-a-generation safety edges out defensive lineman Jonathan Allen of Alabama as coach John Fox gets a weapon that can play safety, nickel and an in-the-box linebacker in nickel fronts if need be.

Seahawks impact: Without a viable option at quarterback, the Bears are still chasing Green Bay and Detroit in the NFC North, and while I expect Adams to have an Eric Berry-like impact, his force won’t be felt in Seattle anytime soon.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama

Big picture: Good luck blocking Calais Campbell and Allen consistently, and much like the dominant duo that Jacksonville had years ago with John Henderson and Marcus Stroud, new Jaguars executive VP of football operations Tom Coughlin will build his team from the defensive line back.

Seahawks impact: Add in another beast of a defensive lineman for the Seahawks to deal with, this one on the road in Jacksonville with Seattle’s only 10 a.m. kickoff of the season. If the Seahawks want to get back to their mauling and intimidating ways, this late-season test up front will be a good one.

5. Tennessee Titans: CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

Big picture: The first cornerback of many to come off the board in Round 1 goes to a Titans team that’s on the verge of breaking out. Paired with the free-agent addition of Logan Ryan, the Titans get much bigger, faster and stronger on the back end of what was at times a vulnerable secondary in 2016.

Seahawks impact: Tennessee gets to address one of its biggest needs by getting the cornerback the team most coveted after the first four picks were on defensive lineman and safeties. Any thought of the Titans being a possible trade partner with Seattle for Richard Sherman because they have two first-round picks is immediately quelled.

6. New York Jets: S Malik Hooker, Ohio State

Big picture: The Jets are hitting the reset button and starting over, and much like the Titans landing the cornerback they needed, New York gets a safety that some have compared to Ed Reed.

Seahawks impact: Other than losing out on two safeties the Seahawks knew they would never be in play for, this won’t have much impact on Seattle.

7. New Orleans Saints (trade with Los Angeles Chargers): CB Marlon Humphrey, Alabama

Big picture: The new team in Los Angeles has pressing needs up front but is unwilling to take anything this draft offers on the offensive line this high. Meanwhile, the Saints at No. 11 want their guy at cornerback, and they come up four spots to get the Alabama stud with NFL pedigree. The Saints are in win-now mode as they try to play enough defense around future-hall-of-fame quarterback Drew Brees.

Seahawks impact: The run may begin here at cornerback, a position of need for Seattle.

9. Carolina Panthers: DL Derek Barnett, Tennessee

Big picture: The Panthers, a beat-up defensive line and team in general last season, try to regain some of the knock-back and versatility that made them nightmares to deal with in 2015, and in so doing they also protect linebackers Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly, who need to get back to form in the middle.

Seahawks impact: Similar to the Jaguars, Carolina will be a challenging force at the point of attack with the size, explosion and power that Barnett adds. But the Seahawks and Panthers won’t play each other in the 2017 regular season for a change.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: DT Malik McDowell, Michigan State

Big picture: The Bengals were at their best under Marvin Lewis when their front four was disruptive. McDowell has the kind of physical goods to land in the top 10 but the kind of motor to frustrate coaches. He feels and looks like a Bengal.

Seahawks impact: Little to no impact as McDowell may be especially gifted, but his fit and desire to play feel like a far cry from Pete Carroll’s “Always Compete” mantra.

10. Buffalo Bills: CB Gareon Conley, Ohio State

Big picture: This pick is very much in doubt as the next 48 hours are critical with Conley being accused of a heinous act of violence against a woman. 

Seahawks impact: The third cornerback off the board after a run on the defensive line spells an inevitable run on corners that Seattle may be interested in.

11. Chargers (from Saints): S Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

Big picture: While many will pan this as the biggest reach of the night, Chargers GM Tom Telesco needs to make a splash in a new market. He will sell Peppers as part safety, part nickelback, part linebacker and part special teams star, and while some think this may reduce his value, the Chargers will love the infusion of talent in their secondary.

Seahawks impact: A diluted urine sample at the scouting combine couldn’t cause Peppers to tumble down the draft board far enough for the Seahawks to have a shot at him. Mike Salk is apoplectic about the pick.

12. Cleveland Browns: CB Deshaun Watson, Clemson

Big picture: Coach Hue Jackson gets his next Andy Dalton, a proven winner who makes the people around him better and one who instills confidence in the building.

Seahawks impact: Very little impact on the Seahawks other than the most prolific quarterback in this draft staying out of the NFC.

13. Arizona Cardinals: DB Tre’Davious White, LSU

Big picture: The Cardinals dip back into DB-U and hope this former LSU Tiger finds the success in Arizona that Patrick Peterson and the Honey Badger have before him. White’s versatility should help a secondary that needs his all-around game.

Seahawks impact: White becomes the fourth cornerback off the board and goes to a division rival that has as big of a need at the position as the Seahawks do. Intriguingly, other cornerback-needy teams still follow in the draft order. Would any of them be willing to blow away the Seahawks with an offer for Sherman?

14. Denver Broncos (trade with Philadelphia Eagles): OT Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin

Big picture: The Eagles trade down and get Denver’s No. 20 pick while GM John Elway fills a gaping hole at left tackle with a player that reminds him of Broncos great Gary Zimmerman.

Seahawks impact: The Seahawks, in this scenario, are unwilling to make the deal that Denver is for a player with a one-year resume and a hip issue that was concerning for his long-term durability.

15. Indianapolis Colts: LB Haason Reddick, Temple

Big picture: The Colts were desperately hoping Ramczyk would be available but quickly shift gears to the speedy Reddick, who will play even faster indoors in Indy. The Colts need his speed and the pass-rushing potential as well.

Seahawks impact: Negligible. The Colts turn to defense despite huge needs on their offensive line, so possibilities are still on the board for the Seahawks at guard and tackle. Seattle hosts Indianapolis in Week 4.

16. Baltimore Ravens: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan

Big picture: The most prolific receiver in college football history will look to benefit a healthy Joe Flacco and a coach John Harbaugh, whose seat is getting warm in Baltimore.

Seahawks impact: The Seahawks love Davis’ workmanlike nature, and if he were still on the board at No. 26 he would have been one of the rare, intriguing offensive skill-position players available.

17. Washington Redskins: RB Leonard Fournette, LSU

Big picture: Owner Dan Snyder gets a star. The Redskins can’t pass up his one-cut power.

Seahawks impact: Washington adds more balance to an offense under coach Jay Gruden and quarterback Kirk Cousins that’s streaky good and has enough weaponry to cause any defense problems. The Seahawks will see that offense in Week 9, and the good news is that the game is in Seattle.

18. Tennessee Titans: TE O.J.  Howard, Alabama

Big picture: The Titans will have the highest first-day grade after getting the best cornerback in the draft and a play-making tight end for quarterback Marcus Mariota that will fit seamlessly within their play-action passing game. If Mariota stays healthy, the Titans win the South this time around.

Seahawks impact: Seattle is at Tennessee in Week 3.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: RB Dalvin Cook, Florida State

Big picture: Quarterback Jameis Winston is reunited with his college teammate at FSU, and coach Dirk Koetter gets exactly what he likes in a running back: a home-run threat who doesn’t have to come off the field on third down. 

Seahawks impact: The Seahawks have stocked up at running back with Eddie Lacy in free agency after drafting three running backs last year. Much like the Titans in the AFC, the Bucs are on the rise and if they find another starter or two in this draft, the NFC South will be full of Battle Royales in 2017. This pick also keeps a cornerback and plenty of offensive-line possibilities in play for Seattle.

20. Eagles (from Broncos): RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

Big picture: McCaffrey can be the next Brian Westbrook in Philly and an ideal fit for scheme and age on offense.

Seahawks impact: As with Corey Davis, it would have been intriguing if McCaffrey was still on the board at 26, but he wouldn’t be the fit in Seattle that he would be with the Eagles.

21. Detroit Lions: DE Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

Big picture: Mel Kiper Jr. and others will call this a reach, but McKinley can run like a safety and will make Ziggy Ansah even better at the other defensive-end spot. If healthy, that’s a dynamic one-two punch off the edge indoors in Detroit.

Seahawks impact: The run on corners has officially halted and the availability of offensive linemen still exists for Seattle. McKinley felt like the kind of top-end talent and risk the Seahawks may have entertained at 26.

22. Miami Dolphins: OG Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky

Big picture: The Dolphins needed help on the interior of their offensive line, and they get it in the form of a very powerful and athletic player. It’s not a South Beach sexy pick, but it’s the kind of move that Dallas made in building its offensive line into a strength. With Laremy Tunsil improving at left tackle and Lamp added to the mix, Miami gives quarterback Ryan Tannehill a fighting chance.

Seahawks impact: The Seahawks have more guards than they do tackles, and while Lamp would have added competition, an edge offensive lineman is more of a need.

23. New York Giants: OT Cam Robinson, Alabama

Big picture: Big is right. Real big. A player that many penciled into the top five of this draft in the preseason saw his stock drop in 2017 with game tape that was simply too inconsistent to be considered a franchise left tackle.

Seahawks impact: Two offensive linemen go back-to-back and leave the cupboard nearly empty of anyone who can come in and challenge for a starting spot in Seattle, or at the very least, someone like Lamp and Robinson with a resume chalk-full of quality years of starting experience.

24. Oakland Raiders: LB Reuben Foster, Alabama

Big picture: Reuben, meet Ken Norton Jr. Don’t mess with him and don’t think the nonsense you’ve pulled the last few months will fly on a team that’s a legit Super Bowl contender, especially with your speed added to the mix.

Seahawks impact: Very little, once again, as an AFC team simply gets stronger. This would be an interesting spot to see if the talks between GMs Reggie Mackenzie and John Schneider have been about more than simply Marshawn Lynch … like maybe an All-Pro cornerback that could be looking for a reset elsewhere. A trade here could net the Seahawks a few different cornerback options.

25. Houston Texans: QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech

Big picture: The Texas kid gets to stay home and coach Bill O’Brien gets a bazooka of an arm to craft his offense around. Mahomes’ play-making will also energize a team that’s been beat down by its recent deficiencies at quarterback.

Seahawks impact: The thought that someone may come back into the end of the first round and trade up for Mahomes dissipates, but plenty of cornerback options remain for Seattle.

26. Seattle Seahawks: CB Kevin King, Washington

Big picture: This feels like a trade-down situation for the Seahawks, and while there’s speculation that a deal may be in the works with Atlanta, I expect Schneider to do all he can to add more second- or third-round picks. Many cornerback options are still on the board.

27. Kansas City Chiefs: DL Taco Charlton, Michigan

28. Dallas Cowboys: Obi Melifonwu, UConn

29. Green Bay Packers: CB Adoree Jackson, USC

30. Pittsburgh Steelers: TE David Njoku, Miami

31. Atlanta Falcons: OG Dan Feeney, Indiana

32. New Orleans Saints: WR John Ross, Washington

Brock’s projections for the Seahawks’ picks in Rounds 2 and 3:

Round 2, No. 58: DE DeMarcus Walker, FSU

Round 3, No. 90: OG Isaac Asiata, Utah

Round 3, No. 102: CB Jourdan Lewis, Michigan

Round 3, No. 106: OLB Vince Biegel, Wisconsin

Follow @BrockHuard