Huard: 5 DL prospects Seahawks could draft to try to replace Frank Clark

Frank Clark is gone, but just two days later the Seahawks have two first-round draft picks and a plethora of defensive linemen to choose from as they attempt to rebuild their pass rush.

Clayton: How will Hawks rebuild pass rush after Frank Clark trade?

So who are the likely targets that would be available when Seattle is set to pick late in the first round?

Brock Huard of 710 ESPN Seattle got to the bottom of that on Brock and Salk. Here’s five defensive linemen he put the spotlight on that could be wearing a Seahawks uniform as a rookie in 2019.

1. Rashan Gary, Michigan

Like Clark, Gary is coming to the NFL after starring as a Michigan Wolverine. But the comparisons don’t stop there.

“Rashan Gary is a freak show,” Huard said, using a term that was also used to describe Clark coming out of college. “At 6-4, 277 pounds, he’s even bigger than Frank Clark and he ran the 40 two-tenths faster than Clark with almost the exact same vertical at 38 inches. I mean, this is Pete Carroll’s guy, right? A five-star recruit, just a physical, explosive freak show.

“He would fit beautifully in this scheme.”

The concern: “He shut it down last year. Midseason had a shoulder injury, didn’t fight through it, wanted to get himself ready. Well it’s turned out this last week that all these teams know he has a labrum issue, so is he going to be available for 2019? Uber-talented guy, but a few red flags.”

Full Rashan Gary prospect report

2. Chase Winovich, Michigan

“This is my guy. This is my new hot prospect,” Huard said of Winovich, Gary’s teammate with the Wolverines.

While Winovich is smaller than Clark at 6-3 and 256 pounds, his 4.59 40-yard dash helps out immensely.

“His productivity and his motor, there’s no question,” Huard said.

With long, flowing hair out of his helmet, Winovich has a passing resemblance to All-Pro Clay Matthews. But Huard said he plays like Matthews, too.

“We all know what Clay’s been as a pass-rusher for the past 10 years. Boy, there are a lot of comparisons size and speed-wise,” Huard said.

The concern: A poor vertical jump. “Maybe that vertical is a little scary and shows you he doesn’t have quite the explosion and pop that you want.”

Full Chase Winovich prospect report

3. L.J. Collier and Ben Banogu, TCU

Coming out of a pro-style system, Collier and Banogu would be prepared for what the Seahawks would throw at them.

While Collier is “physical” and physically-gifted, Banogu is the one who really stands out.

“How about these numbers: 6-3, 250, 34-inch arms. He ran 4.62 40,” a clearly impressed Huard said. “What did he vertical? 40 inches. What did he broad jump? A combine record 134. Bench-pressed 225 pounds 23 times.”

Full L.J. Collier prospect report | Full Ben Banogu prospect report

5. Zach Allen, Boston College

Huard’s co-host Mike Salk is never excited about a prospect from Boston College due to bias, but according to Huard, “Zach Allen’s gonna be a pro somewhere.”

Huard didn’t seem too confident the 6-4, 280-pound Allen would end up with the Seahawks, though.

“While a very productive player, he’s gonna be a five-technique in a 3-4 defense somewhere else.”

Full Zach Allen prospect report

For the entire breakdown of each player, listen to the segment embedded in this post or download a podcast version at this link. And for four more defensive linemen the Seahawks could draft, listen to this podcast from Thursday’s edition of Brock and Salk. The draft profiles begin around the 26-minute mark.

Schedule for 710 ESPN Seattle and 710Sports.com NFL Draft coverage

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