2019 NFL Mock Draft: Projected first round after college football season

Rumors of the Seahawks’ demise were greatly exaggerated coming into this season as they still managed 10 wins to get back into the postseason after a one-year absence. That doesn’t mean the team doesn’t still have issues, as was evident in their playoff loss to the Cowboys last week.

Seattle was far from their typical self on defense in 2018, and will be in search of upgrades this offseason, particularly in the secondary. The Seahawks finished the season 14th in defensive DVOA, and ranked 18th in pass defense – both numbers a far cry from the Legion of Boom days.

Richard Sherman departed last season, and it’s likely that Earl Thomas has played his last down for the Seahawks as well, furthering the need for help in the secondary.

Justin Coleman had a solid season at corner, but Shaquill Griffin struggled immensely on the other side. Griffin has potential, but the need for more talent at corner is obvious, and Byron Murphy could provide that.

Murphy was an All-American this season at Washington as he helped the Huskies to a PAC-12 Championship and a Rose Bowl berth. He managed four interceptions, and showed an instinctive knack for playing the ball in the air that will aid his early development on the next level.

The Seahawks would like if Deionte Thompson fell in their laps with this pick, but if he’s off the board it’s hard to see them pulling the trigger on any of the other safeties at this point in the draft. Adding some depth along the offensive line could also be a focus here, with a few talented and versatile linemen remaining on the board.