In the latest HawksZone Rundown live show, hosts Bryce Coutts and Ryan MacMillan analyzed the Seattle Seahawks’ offseason moves and engaged in a couple of mock drafts simulations! They discussed key signings, including Sam Darnold’s $100.5 million deal, which they saw as a bold QB reset with youth and upside. They also examined Cooper Kupp’s $45 million contract, praising his return but expressing concerns over his injury history and fit with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. DeMarcus Lawrence’s $42 million deal was met with mixed opinions due to his age and recent injury.
The hosts then critiqued Ben Solak’s ESPN article, which ranked the Seahawks 31st in free agency moves. Bryce and Ryan disagreed with this assessment, defending Darnold’s potential and Seattle’s defensive re-signings, despite concerns over the offensive line. They felt the 31st ranking was too harsh for a team retooling with purpose.
We decided two is better than one and ended up doing two different mock drafts: one with a quarterback and one without a quarterback. Did we go for the trenches early or shake things up? In the first mock, we went with defense by adding Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams.
Bryce on picking Mykel Williams at No. 18: “I love his game and I think he’s potentially a little bit underrated right now because he had a bad combine. He didn’t have the greatest season—he had some injuries this past season—if he had come out last year, I’m pretty sure he would’ve been a top 10 pick.
Ryan on picking Mykel: “You want to keep bringing in those edge players. I think this identity is going to become Mike Macdonald and his defense. There’s no question that if a player like that is here, there is some serious thought about going to the podium.”
What about the offensive line? That gets addressed in the second round.
Bryce on Donovan Jackson: “I love Donovan Jackson. He can move inside, he’s a left guard who bounced outside last year for Ohio State when Josh Simmons got injured and did a phenomenal job.
“There’s three guys here that I really like: Donovan Jackson, [Marcus] Mbow, and [Jonah Savaiinaea]. And Savaiinaea has publicly come out and said he wants to play guard at the next level. Those three guys I think you can get in this range, and you’re immediately adding a guy that can potentially be a starting guard on day one. You bring in Donovan Jackson, he’s probably going to be one of your starting guards.”
Meanwhile, fans have been buzzing about the idea of Grey Zabel in a Seahawks uniform from North Dakota State if he was available at 18. In our second mock he was, but did we stick with the crowd or surprise everyone with a curveball?
Here are both mocks. Which one do you like better and why?
Mock Draft No. 1 - Quarterback taken
Round 1, No. 18 - Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia
Round 2, No. 50 - Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State
Round 2, No. 52 - Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
Round 3, No. 82 - Jonah Savaiinaea, OL, Arizona
Round 3, No. 92 - Harold Fannin, TE, Bowling Green
Round 4, No. 137 - Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
Round 5, No. 172 - Cody Lindenburg, LB, Minnesota
Round 5, No. 175 - Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Bryce on picking Ewers: “I think John’s going to go Quinn Ewers because of the Mike McCarthy connection. ... Schneider is all about connections.”
Round 7, No. 223: Ty Robinson, DL, Nebraska
Round 7, No. 234: Jo’quavioius Marks, RB, USC
Mock Draft No. 2 - No QB taken
Round 1, No. 18 - Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
Round 2, No. 50 - Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
Round 2, No. 52 - Jack Bech, WR, TCU
Round 3, No. 82 - Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA
Round 3, No. 92 - Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
Round 4, No. 137 - Jordan Phillips, DL, Maryland
Round 5, No. 172 - Smael Mondon Jr, LB, Georgia
Round 5, No. 175 - Luke Kandra, OL, Cincinnati
Round 7, No. 223: Ricky White, WR, UNLV
Round 7, No. 234: Jack Nelson, OL, Wisconsin
For a full breakdown of every pick and thought process, tune into the show below to see how it all played out and what we think John Schneider might do if faced with these tough choices.
Show Topics (timestamps included)
Free Agency Contract Breakdown: Discussing the details of the contracts for Sam Darnold, Demarcus Lawrence and Cooper Kupp and what it all means for the Seahawks moving forward.
Ben Solak’s Ranking of Seahawks Free Agency - the guys break down Ben’s rankings
Mock Draft 1 (33:30): We kick off mock draft number 1 where we stick and pick with every pick the Seahawks have.
Mock Draft 2: (1:04:39): Mock Draft 2 where trades are available.
Follow HawksZone Rundown hosts on Twitter (X)!
Bryce Coutts: @brycecoutts_HZR
Ryan MacMillan: @RMac1090