Which position should the Seahawks address first in the draft?
Apr 3, 2018, 3:22 PM | Updated: Apr 25, 2018, 9:39 pm
Seahawks' GM John Schneider will face an interesting challenge this year without a second- or third-round pick. (AP)
(AP)
The Seahawks will enter the 2018 NFL Draft with their highest first-round pick since 2012 (when they selected linebacker Bruce Irvin 15th overall). Whether or not they actually use the No. 18 pick, though, will be the biggest question on draft night.
Seahawks’ biggest questions heading into 2018 season
Seahawks general manager John Schneider has a history of trading back, and the fact that Seattle is currently without a second- or third-round pick adds more incentive to trade and collect additional picks.
Time for hypotheticals: If the Seahawks can’t find a suitable trade from 18, what position should they address first? Seattle Times Seahawks reporter Bob Condotta joined Mike Salk and Bob Stelton on 710 ESPN Seattle Tuesday morning to answer that question and break down some of Seattle’s biggest needs. Condotta also talked about which player could make the biggest sophomore year jump.
“I think it’s defensive line,” Condotta said, when asked what position group should be addressed first. “I know a lot of people say offense, but I think if you look at what they think, I think they think they’re offensive line, they sort of have a starting five right now after signing D.J. Fluker. The defensive line I think (they would address) because you need so much more depth and rotational guys, especially a pass rusher. And with Frank Clark going into his contract year, to me, that would be the spot. Either an end or a tackle, but maybe preferably an end and a really good pass rushing guy.”
As for which Seahawks player could make the biggest jump in his sophomore season?
“I mean the first guy that comes to mind is (defensive tackle) Naz Jones,” Condotta said. “Because you saw him start to do a lot last year, and then he had some injuries that really held him back. I think they’re really counting on him to have a really big year, and I think we saw enough from him to think he can really do that. Another guy I’ll throw out, and it’s another guy I think they’re really counting on to make the big jump, is (wide receiver) Amara Darboh. He didn’t really have injuries per se last year, I think he had a couple of little nagging things, but I think that was a guy they thought might do more. (He) was in a little bit of a position to maybe do a bit more last year, and I think this is the year for him if he’s going to do it.”
