The NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks are up to make their pick in the SB Nation Arizona NFL mock draft. Even with their playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints, there are many needs that the Seahawks have. They need help on the offensive and defensive lines, but they also have a need at quarterback. For this reason the Seahawks select:
Jake Locker, QB, Washington
The scouts for Seattle have had the last four years to look at Locker in Washington and they like what they see. The team knows that Matt Hasselbeck is not getting younger. In fact, he may not even return for the 2011 season because he is set to become a free agent. Yes, they have Charlie Whitehurst, in whom they invested a third round draft pick, but Locker has the physical tools and the intangibles to become a great NFL QB.
We may all remember that just one year ago Locker would likely have been the number one pick in the draft. For Seattle to have the opportunity to add him to their team is not quite "a gift from heaven" (to borrow Dennis Green's words), but it is certainly fortunate.
For tomorrow, the Baltimore Ravens are on the clock.
Check out the mock draft on the Arizona Cardinals team blog Revenge of the Birds to see who both the community and the writers are projecting.
2011 SBN AZ Mock Draft recap:
1- Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn (Jess Root)
2- Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M (Cory Williams)
3- Buffalo Bills: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (Scott Howard)
4- Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green, WR, Georgia (JR)
5- Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU (CW)
6- Cleveland Browns: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (SH)
7- San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina (JR)
8- Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn (CW)
9- Dallas Cowboys: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama (SH)
10- Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama (JR)
11- Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska (CW)
12- Minnesota Vikings: Tyron Smith, OT, USC (SH)
13- Detroit Lions: Cameron Jordan, DE, California (JR)
14- St. Louis Rams: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue (CW)
15- Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama (SH)
16- Jacksonville Jaguars: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado (JR)
17- New England Patriots: J.J. Watts, DE, Wisconsin (CW)
18- San Diego Chargers: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado (JR)
19- New York Giants: Mike Pouncey, C, Florida (JR)
20- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College (CW)
21- Kansas City Chiefs: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor (SH)
22- Indianapolis Colts: Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois (JR)
23- Philadelphia Eagles: Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri (CW)
24- New Orleans Saints: Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple (JR)
25- Seattle Seahawks: Jake Locker, QB, Washington (JR)