Huard: How the Seahawks’ needs match up with 2021 NFL Draft class
Apr 28, 2021, 9:41 AM
Offensive tackle and wide receiver are two positions the Seahawks could draft this week. (Getty)
(Getty)
We’re now just a day away from the 2021 NFL Draft and for the Seahawks, it’s a much different draft than usual.
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Not only will the Seahawks not be on the clock until Day 2 due to a lack of a first-round pick, but they enter the draft with only three picks in total.
But there’s still good news for Seattle.
The first is they enter the draft without too many glaring holes on the roster. The second is most of the 2020 roster, which won the NFC West last season, is back in the fold for 2021.
And thirdly, when it comes to the draft, this group of prospects fits in with what the Seahawks need on the roster. Former NFL quarterback Brock Huard, an NFL on FOX analyst, explained why that’s the case on the latest Brock and Salk Podcast for 710 ESPN Seattle.
Huard started off by explaining why two offseason moves that the Seahawks made were huge when it came to this year’s draft class.
“(They re-signed) Carlos Dunlap at edge rusher. This is not a great edge rushing class,” Huard said. “They make the addition of (veteran guard) Gabe Jackson on the interior (of the offensive line). Probably the weakest part of this draft and where it falls way off the cliff is center and guard. So two of the areas where you probably have the most concern in this draft of finding a starter (has been taken care of).”
So if the Seahawks took care of edge rush and the interior of the offensive line, what positions of need have quality depth in this group of prospects?
“Most pundits out there and most of the stuff I read and most of the guys I trust would tell you that of the top 150 players, receiver probably has the highest percentage grade-wise that are going to fall into that group, and I still think this team could be in the mix for a wide receiver,” Huard said. “Offensive tackle, you’ve got some good tackles. I think through the (first) three rounds, (that position’s depth) doesn’t fall off a cliff like it traditionally does.”
Typically, Huard said, there’s a steep drop off for offensive tackle quality after the first round. This year, though, he sees starting-caliber tackles that could be available in the third round. That’s especially key given the Seahawks’ situation at left tackle.
“There’s some offensive tackles and I think that’s a position in this scheme in particular with (35-year-old left tackle) Duane Brown going into the final year of his deal even further, I think the offensive tackle market (is a good one),” he said.
And on the other side of the ball, while the Seahawks have done a nice job adding to the edge on the defensive line, Seattle lost a key interior lineman in Jarran Reed as he was cut as a cap casualty.
“The defensive tackle market (is deep) as well,” Huard said. “… Yes, you make some moves and Al Woods comes in and you extend Poona Ford and (Bryan) Mone is (still under contract) but that is, to me, an area I would love to see a difference-maker.”
Listen to the latest Brock and Salk Podcast at this link or in the player below.
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