The last time the Seahawks held a top-10 pick in the NFL draft was 2010, the first year Pete Carroll and John Schneider were calling the shots. With their first pick in Seattle they selected Russell Okung, an offensive lineman from Oklahoma State who went on to become their franchise left tackle during their consecutive-Super Bowl appearance run.
This year they’re picking at No. 9 overall and they should be on the lookout for help at OT once again. At the moment last year’s starters Duane Brown (LT) and Brandon Shell (RT) are free agents and the longer the team goes without re-signing them the less likely it is to happen.
In a new two-round mock draft from Todd McShay at ESPN, the Seahawks use that first-round selection on Evan Neal from Alabama, filling at least one of those sizable holes up front.
“The rebuild is on in the Pacific Northwest, and the list of needs is long. The Seahawks seem ready to lean on Drew Lock at quarterback for a year, but that wouldn’t necessarily take them out of the mix for Liberty’s Malik Willis — though I think they will wait until 2023 to bring in the long-term fix. And the edge rush remains problematic following free agency, meaning Jermaine Johnson II would certainly be on GM John Schneider’s radar. But let’s not forget that Seattle has a void at left tackle (Duane Brown is still unsigned), and successful rebuilds often start there. Neal is tough to get around, dominant in the run game and able to play multiple positions.”
Like Patriots OT Trent Brown (who the Seahawks tried and failed to sign) Neal (6-foot-7, 337 pounds) has experience playing both tackle positions. He is the consensus top OT prospect in this class.
