After months of watching analysts, reporters, and pundits guess how the 2016 draft will play out, come 5 p.m. PT on Thursday, April 28 we'll finally get to see how NFL teams will operate for real, when the first round of the League's annual selection process starts to unfold in Chicago, Illinois.
But before we get there, it's worth taking one last look around the web at which players draft experts are projecting the Seahawks to take in round one, when the club is set to pick No. 26 overall.
As we've seen throughout the mock-draft process, offensive and defensive line has been a popular prediction for Seattle, and not much has changed in recent mocks as draft kickoff nears.
Sheil Kapadia, ESPN.com: OT Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M
Analysis: Ifedi is 6-foot-6, 324 pounds and has 36-inch arms. He began his college career at right guard before spending the past two seasons at right tackle. He has the measurables to play either right or left tackle in the NFL and could even start his career at guard. Ifedi's college tape was inconsistent, and he's far from a finished product, but the Seahawks put a strong emphasis on player development. Their plan is to start Garry Gilliam at left tackle this season, and they signed journeyman J'Marcus Webb to play right tackle. Ifedi can compete for a starting job right away, but this pick is made with the hope that Ifedi becomes a quality starting tackle the Seahawks can depend on down the road. Read More
Mel Kiper, ESPN.com: S T.J. Green, Clemson
Analysis: He's listed at safety, but this is a guy who could come in and be a press corner, and he certainly fits the model for the players they like in the secondary. The former wide receiver has decent ball skills.
Todd McShay, ESPN.com: OT Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M
Analysis: Russell Wilson was running for his life far too often last season (45 sacks, tied for third worst). And while Ifedi is really raw, he has the length (36-inch arms), quickness and balance to eventually develop into a quality right tackle.
Pat Kirwan, Movin' The Chains: RB Derrick Henry, Alabama
Analysis: He'll be a punishing runner at the next level, though NFL coaches might worry about the punishing workload he shouldered at Alabama: 602 career carries, including the nearly 400 in 2015.
Mike Mayock, NFL.com: DT A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
Analysis: Powerful dude, long arms. Remember, they lost Brandon Mebane in the middle of that defensive front. This kid will step in, help them stop the run, and he also is athletic enough to push the pocket.
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: OT Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M
Analysis: Seattle needs to invest in the OL and Ifedi has inside/outside versatility.
Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: OT Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M
Analysis: The Seahawks must address the offensive line to help Russell Wilson thrive.
Charles Davis, NFL.com: DT Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi
Analysis: Nkemdiche is uber-talented with question marks about off-field issues, but the Seahawks have not been shy about taking this type of player. Their environment is one in which players seem to thrive. Nkemdiche would be used all along the defensive front, exactly as Pete Carroll wants to do with his defensive linemen (such as Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril).
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: C Ryan Kelly, Alabama
Analysis: Kelly would be a big upgrade over the play of Patrick Lewis in 2015. Kelly has strength and surprising foot quickness. He's a good match for a team that faces so much interior power across from them.
Charley Casserly, NFL.com: LB Darron Lee, Ohio State
Analysis: He fits the run-and-chase style of the Seahawks defense.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: OT Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M
Analysis: Seattle's offensive line needs an overhaul. Ifedi can play guard or tackle for the Seahawks, using his outstanding length and power to lead the way in the running game.
Rob Rang, CBSSports.com: DT Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech
Analysis: It would appear that Seattle's top priority would live along the offensive line but GM John Schneider and his staff rarely follow conventional thinking on draft day. At 6-4, 323, Butler has the bulk and strength to handle playing all over the defensive line, including as a possible replacement for longtime starting nose tackle Brandon Mebane, who signed with San Diego in free agency. Perhaps because of the decal on his helmet Butler does not receive much fanfare but he's well respected in the scouting community, offering an exciting blend of size, strength, agility and upside.
Dane Brugler, CBSSports.com: OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana
Analysis: With Russell Okung signing with Denver, the Seahawks need fresh blood at offensive tackle. Spriggs has core strength issues, but his frame and athleticism will be extremely appealing for teams with needs on the offensive line.
Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State
Analysis: They have one tackle in Gary Gilliam who is expected to move to the left side. That would leave Decker to come in and play the right side.
Evan Silva, RotoWorld.com: DL Jonathan Bullard, Florida
Analysis: The Seahawks' biggest need on paper is very clearly offensive line, but they've trusted OL coach Tom Cable to maximize their up-front talent and dual-threat Russell Wilson to help hide their deficiencies. I do believe Seattle will address the O-Line -- possibly with multiple draft picks -- but not necessarily at No. 26. Bullard fits the Seahawks' profile as a plus athlete with multi-position versatility. Defensive line is also one of Seattle's biggest three needs.
Will Brinson, CBSSports.com: C Ryan Kelly, Alabama
Analysis: This feels like a good landing spot for a team coming back up into the first to take someone like Connor Cook. But the Seahawks would probably settle for filling an important role on the front of their offensive line.
Jared Dubin, CBSSports.com: OT Jason Spriggs, Indiana
Analysis: The Seahawks have been letting offensive linemen walk for years, so it's possible they just don't value the group as highly as the rest of the league, but you can't let gaping holes like this go unfilled.
Peter Schrager, FOXSports.com: C Ryan Kelly, Alabama
Analysis: Kelly's nasty. Nick Saban speaks as highly about the young man as any offensive line prospect in recent years. If you watch Seattle struggle with the Panthers in the playoffs, it's no secret that offensive line is an area of need. The unit wasn't the same without Max Unger. Here's a strong, smart addition.
Sporting News: DT Chris Jones, Mississippi State
Analysis: Seattle should consider offensive tackles and defensive linemen with this pick. They have needs at both positions, and the value should be right. Instead of potentially reaching on a left tackle (though Ohio State's Taylor Decker is underrated), Seattle could take Chris Jones, who is the type of top-end value the Seahawks covet in their early-round picks.
Dan Kadar, SB Nation: OT Taylor Decker, Ohio State
Analysis: Decker may not last this far on draft night, but if he does, the Seahawks could pick him up to be their new starting right tackle. Decker plays with a nasty demeanor that line coach Tom Cable would love.
Mike Tanier, Bleacher Report: OT Jack Conklin, Michigan State
Analysis: The Seahawks need to take the best available offensive lineman in the first round.
John Harris, Washington Post: DT Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
Analysis: This is no indication of the player that Rankins is and will become in the future. Rankins can absolutely play and the Seahawks have to be jumping for joy that he's still on the board. A wild card to watch at this spot is Ole Miss DE/DT Robert Nkemdiche. He's a unique guy whose personality would flourish in Seattle under head coach Pete Carroll, whereas it might be stifled elsewhere.
Jayson Jenks, Seattle Times: CB Mackensie Alexander, Clemson
Analysis: Yes, it's far more likely that the Seahawks draft an offensive lineman or a defensive tackle. It's also likely that Alexander will be gone by now, and the Seahawks have never drafted a corner higher than the fourth round. OK, so now that we have all of those disclaimers out of the way, Alexander is considered one of the best corners in the draft, and the Seahawks have been known to be unconventional this time of year.
Bob Condotta, Seattle Times: DT Kenny Clark, UCLA
Analysis: Offensive line is considered by many to be the Seahawks' most obvious need. But they also need defensive tackles and might find the best value by dipping into one of the deepest pools of talent at that position in decades. Clark would help fill a need as a replacement for the departed Brandon Mebane, a player to whom he has often been likened. Clark also can play the "three-technique" spot, where he could add depth behind Athyba Rubin. Clark also is just 20 years old. And, yes, let us acknowledge that it would be the second consecutive year the Seahawks used their first pick on a defensive lineman named Clark (they took Frank Clark in the second round in 2015).
Gregg Bell, Tacoma News Tribune: DT Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi
Analysis: Pete Carroll just knows he can get most out of another ultra-talented, yet-troubled project. Seattle needs DTs almost as much as O-linemen. Almost.
Since Pete Carroll and John Schneider's arrival, the Seahawks have drafted four players in the first round of the NFL draft, including Russell Okung, Earl Thomas, James Carpenter and Bruce Irvin.
Seattle's Earl Thomas, accompanied by teammate Richard Sherman, returns what he and the Seahawks defense thought was a fumble but upon replay was reversed to an incomplete pass.
