One of the most recognized names in the industry, Rob Rang is an NFL Draft analyst for FOX Sports. Rob has been covering the NFL Draft for more than 20 years, with work at FOX, Sports Illustrated, CBSSports.com, USA Today, Yahoo, NFL.com and NFLDraftScout.com, among others. He also works as a scout with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. Rang's opinions and evaluations are his own and do not reflect those of the Seahawks. Follow him on Twitter @RobRang.
With the exception of the Chicago Bears selecting Caleb Williams as the first of several quarterbacks among the top 10, there is otherwise plenty of disagreement across the virtual galaxy of mock drafts available today.
Except when it comes to the Seahawks – where virtually everyone is projecting Seattle to select an offensive lineman, often after trading back from their first pick, No. 16 overall.
I'm allowed neither of those options in this mock draft, however.
This mock draft is about approaching the talent and fits of the Class of 2024 from a purely defensive perspective, picking out the players who could pop in the new defense Mike Macdonald and Aden Durde are bringing to Seattle.
Round 1: No. 16 overall – Jer'Zhan "Johnny" Newton, DT, Illinois
Given their needs at the position and the fact that the 2024 class is loaded with offensive line, it bears repeating that I believe that is the most likely direction the Seahawks will go with their first pick. Should the Seahawks look elsewhere and remain at No. 16 overall, the playmaking Newton is one of the few defenders worthy of deviating from that plan.
Simply put, Newton is the most proven and polished interior defensive lineman in this class. The 6-foot-2, 304 pounder is a three-time all-conference selection and two-time All-American who capped his college career by being named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year, generating 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and four blocked kicks, which led the entire country.
The Seahawks know Newton as well as any team in the NFL – and not "just" because of the experience that Macdonald and others on his staff have in coaching against him in the Big Ten but the fact that he was, of course, a college teammate of Devon Witherspoon.
For all of Witherspoon's big plays a year ago, it was his unbridled enthusiasm and leadership that helped set him apart from some of the other talented defenders selected early in 2023 NFL draft. Newton plays with similar joy. He also plays a position of supreme value, projecting as a defensive end in the three-man front Seattle is expected to use as its base and a defensive tackle when the Seahawks use a four-man look.
Adding Newton to a line that already boasts Leonard Williams, Dre'Mont Jones and Jarran Reed, as well as more traditional nose guards Johnathan Hankins and Cameron Young may seem like overkill to some. I disagree. Macdonald's defense in Baltimore last season was dominant, in part, because of its frequent rotation of its talented big men. The addition of Newton would give the Seahawks a similarly formidable front. Not to put undue pressure on a rookie, but Newton's burst, power and use of hands are similar to the skill-set Justin Madabuike used to become a star in Baltimore this past season under Macdonald.
In my opinion, selecting Newton wouldn't just be about filling a concern on the roster, it would truly be a case of taking the best player available.
Round 3: No. 81 (from Saints through Broncos) – Jeremiah Trotter, Jr., ILB, Clemson
Signing free agents Jerome Baker and Tyrell Dodson may have filled the sizeable shoes left behind by Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks but with both 'backers signed to just one-year deals and little proven depth behind them, inside linebacker might just be the Seahawks' biggest need on the defensive side of the ball heading into the draft.
I see Baker and Dodson as quality NFL starters who may enjoy enough success in their first season in Seattle that they want to return for more. As such, I would not be surprised if the Seahawks opted against investing the No. 16 overall selection in Texas A&M's Edgerrin Cooper - the only linebacker I personally view as worthy of a first round pick this year – though I believe his speed and pass rushing ability would be outstanding additions to the Seattle defense.
Trotter (6-0, 228 pounds) offers a similar blend of range and rush skills, while boasting even greater instincts for the position. The son of a four-time Pro Bowler of the same name, Trotter signed with Clemon – a perennial playoff contender – and quickly emerged as a star, earning All-American honors each of the past two seasons in large part due to his ability to make big plays all over the field. He registered a staggering 28.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks over the past two seasons with four interceptions and three forced fumbles during that time, taking two of those picks back for touchdowns.
Round 4: No. 102 (from Commanders) – Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, S, Texas Tech
Part of the rationale for selecting a traditional defensive lineman in the first round is that the talent up front drops off considerably after the first few players. While I strongly considered Iowa's do-everything defensive back Cooper DeJean at No. 16 overall, quality depth at safety in this year's draft could allow the Seahawks to focus elsewhere first.
The Seahawks, you'll remember, already fortified safety via free agency, bringing in veterans Rayshawn Jenkins and K'Von Wallace to a group that boasts a returning Pro Bowler in Julian Love, among others. Of this trio, however, only Jenkins is signed past this upcoming season (his contract is up in 2025), which could make safety a surprisingly early priority for the Seahawks.
There are a number of talented "box" safeties in this class that I believe will appeal to the Seahawks. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb is very familiar with former Husky Dominique Hampton, of course, and knows former PAC-12 standouts Cole Bishop (Utah), Kitan Oladapo (Oregon State) and Jaden Hicks (Washington State) well also. Each would make sense as middle round picks for the Seahawks.
Taylor-Demerson is more of a traditional centerfielder type whose lack of prototypical size could push him further down the board than his talent warrants. The 5-foot-10 and 197 pounder possesses a combination of size, range, instincts and ball-skills reminiscent of a young Quandre Diggs, who the Detroit Lions originally drafted in the sixth round out of Texas back in 2015.
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Round 4: No. 118 – Dwight McGlothern, CB, Arkansas
Cornerback is not a pressing need for the Seahawks but that won't have Schneider and his scouts ignoring the position should a talented player fall to them – and that may very well be the case as this year's corner class is deep.
There is a lot to like about the slithery 6-foot-2, 185-pound McGlothern. He spent two years at LSU – intercepting the first pass of his college career and returning it for a touchdown - before transferring to Arkansas, where he emerged as a true ballhawk, turning 16 pass breakups into seven interceptions over the past two seasons, while also forcing three fumbles.
Round 6: No. 179 (from Commanders) – Fabien Lovett, Sr., DT, Florida State
As stated previously, I'm a big fan of Illinois' Newton and would applaud his selection by the Seahawks even though some might feel he isn't the best schematic fit. Regardless of whether or not Seattle drafts Newton or a similar penetrator early on, a traditional two-gapping defensive lineman like Lovett on Day Three would make a lot of sense.
At 6-foot-4 and 314 pounds with 35 ½" arms and 10 3/8" hands, Lovett is a big, powerful man. He began his college career at Mississippi State (playing alongside Cameron Young), registering 19 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack as a freshman. He wound up transferring to Florida State for the final three years of his career, however, playing in a similar rotation for the ACC champion Seminoles as the one I expect Macdonald to employ in Seattle. Lovett, who has a three-year old son, was voted a team captain in Tallahassee this past season, showing the maturity, power and nastiness needed to eat up blocks and free up teammates to rack up tackles.
Round 6: No. 192 – Tyrice Knight, ILB, Texas El-Paso
If reuniting former teammates is, in fact, a strategy the Seahawks look to employ in this draft, nabbing Knight (who played with 'Riq Woolen at UTEP) would make a lot of sense. Knight's statistics were darn near worthy of royalty while with the Miners, culminating in a 2023 campaign in which he collected an eye-popping 140 tackles, including 15.5 for loss and four sacks. While Knight's statistics scream early round pick, the tape shows a player prone to freelancing a bit, which is why such a productive player might still be available on Day Three.
The Seahawks have already shown interest in the 6-foot-1, 233 pounder, reportedly bringing him to Seattle for one of their 30 team visits. He might be the perfect project for Macdonald and his new staff.
Round 7: No. 235 – Andrew Chatfield, Jr., Edge, Oregon State
One could argue that if the Seahawks really were to invest all seven of their current draft picks on defenders that an edge rusher might be their first choice rather than their last but given the second-round selections in Darrell Taylor, Boye Mafe and Derick Hall, as well as the anticipated healthy return of Uchenna Nwuso, adding more juice off the edge is not required.
Nevertheless, one can never have too many pass rushers and Chatfield – who began his career at Florida – put together a breakout 2023 season in Corvalis. He was a Combine snub after registering 9.5 sacks, as well as two forced fumbles and two interceptions this past season. The stubby 6-foot-2, 250-pounder has some burst off the ball and complements it nicely with a terrific spin move that could make him a very effective designated pass rusher at the pro level.
NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang ranked his top edge rushers and defensive linemen for the 2024 NFL Draft.
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) watches the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State in Tempe, Ariz., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. UCLA won 50-36. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
FILE - UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu, left, pressures Arizona State quarterback Trenton Bourguet during the second half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 11, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. For the final time in its current arrangement, the Morris Trophy winners were honored Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 — the end to another small chapter of the Pac-12 legacy that crumbled under the weight of conference realignment. The honorees were Washington offensive tackle Troy Fautanu and UCLA's Latu.(AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)
Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, right, shakes a tackle by UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu, left, sacks Colorado quarterback Owen McCown in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu (15) sacks Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee (18), causing a fumble that was recovered by Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
FILE - Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) rushes the passer against Syracuse during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Syracuse, N.Y. Jared Verse was named to The Associated Press preseason All-America team, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Joshua Bessex, File)
Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) follows a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) follows Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Duke quarterback Riley Leonard (13) is tackled by Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse (5) after scrambling for yardage during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Wake Forest quarterback Mitch Griffis, right, is sacked by Florida State defensive lineman Jared Verse, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) sacks Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) and forces a fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) pursues Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates after stopping Georgia's offense during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) forces a fumble by Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) pressures Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov.11, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) pass rushes against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov.18, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) causes a fumble by Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter (11) celebrates his interception with Chop Robinson during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Kansas safety Kenny Logan Jr. (1) celebrates with defensive lineman Austin Booker (9) after intercepting a pass for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NCAA football game against BYU on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Kansas defensive lineman Austin Booker runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas defensive lineman Austin Booker runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Kansas defensive lineman Austin Booker runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas defensive lineman Austin Booker runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton rushes the quarterback during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (4) and linebacker Seth Coleman (49) celebrate after Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne was sacked during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Illinois linebacker Ezekiel Holmes (33) and defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (4) tackle Wyoming running back Titus Swen during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Northwestern quarterback Ben Bryant (2) is sacked by Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton, center left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Illinois defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton (4) during an NCAA football game on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II reacts after collecting a sack against TCU during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Washington during the first half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) closes in for a sack against Oklahoma quarterback Davis Beville (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in Dallas. Texas won 49-0. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy, II sacks Rice quarterback JT Daniels during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas State in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King (10) dives in for a touchdown while defended by Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) sacks Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
Clemson's Ruke Orhorhoro (33) is blocked by Georgia Tech's Weston Franklin (72) during the second half of an NCAA football game on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) sacks South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) for a safety in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (33) plays against Florida State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) applies pressure against East Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
UNLV quarterback Doug Brumfield (2) is sacked by Michigan defensive linemen Kris Jenkins (94) and Kenneth Grant (78) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins plays against UNLV in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) reacts to a tackle against Michigan State in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons looks to block Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) sacks Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Michelle Haas Hutchins)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) reacts after a tackle against Ohio State during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson (6) pursues Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz (12) at the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
South Carolina offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn, right, has his helmet knocked off by Missouri's Darius Robinson, center, as quarterback Jason Brown, left, passes during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won 31-28. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
