2020 Seattle Seahawks mock draft: Who will team select with top pick?

Let the Seattle Seahawks draft simulation begin.

The 2020 NFL Draft is less than three weeks away, beginning April 23. The event, which was supposed to be a festive public affair in Las Vegas this year, will now be held virtually due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Seahawks approach draft day with seven selections: Nos. 27 (first round), 59 (second round), 64 (second round), 101 (third round), 133 (third round).144 (fourth round) and 214 (sixth round). Seattle is in much better shape than it was at this time last year, when it had just four draft picks.

SeattlePI mocked the Seahawks’ 2020 draft, with analysis of selections and multiple trades taking place, as would happen in real time during a live draft process.

Here’s the full mock draft:

(For a slideshow user experience of the draft simulation, check out the gallery above)

TRADE!

The Seahawks trade the No. 27 overall pick to the Green Bay Packers for the 30th pick and two mid-round selections: No. 136 overall (fourth round) and No. 175 overall (fifth round). The Packers wanted to move up in the draft, and the Seahawks oblige -- willingly.

Seattle hasn’t used its original top pick since 2011, when it selected guard James Carpenter 25th overall.

The Seahawks’ brass continues its annual trading-down tradition with the Packers, a team general manager John Schneider is closely tied to. Schneider worked in Green Bay’s front office from 2002 to 2009.

ROUND 1, NO. 30 OVERALL (from Green Bay): Alabama DL Raekwon Davis 

Measures: 6’6”, 311 pounds

2019 stats (12 games): 47 tackles (3 for loss), 0.5 sacks

With their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Seahawks select Alabama defensive tackle Raekwon Davis.

Davis, listed at 6 feet 6 and 311 pounds, possesses extraordinary size and intangibles for a defensive lineman. His build is similar to that of star DT DeForest Buckner, who the 49ers traded to the Colts in March.

Davis saw a dip in production the past two years after an 8.5-sack sophomore year, but he has as much upside as any defensive lineman in this draft.

“Rugged and powerful with elite physical traits, Davis has the ability to impose his will on opponents and dominate at the point of attack,” NFL.com’s Lance Zurlein wrote of Davis.

The former Alabama star, who usually lined up inside for the Crimson Tide, gives Seattle a formidable defensive tackle trio, adding to the recently re-signed Jarran Reed and Poona Ford. But Davis can also set the edge.

He should be a valuable part of the Seahawks’ 2020 D-line rotation, which could have one of Jadeveon Clowney or Everson Griffen, on top of the outside-free agent signees of Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa.

Seattle lost one of its most valuable defensive lineman in Quinton Jefferson this free agency. Davis should help fill that void.

ROUND 2, NO. 59 OVERALL: Georgia OT Isaiah Wilson

Measures: 6’6”, 350 pounds

2019 stats (11 games): 10 starts

The Seahawks select Georgia right tackle Isaiah Wilson with the 59th pick. Wilson is considered one of the better offensive tackles in the draft.

Seattle lost starting right tackle Germain Ifedi and top backup George Fant this free agency. They found a new right tackle in Brandon Shell, who played last season with the Jets. But Shell’s contract is structured in a way that he could just be a veteran stop-gap option. The 28 year old’s two-year, $9 million deal with Seattle includes no guaranteed money in the second year of the contract.

The Seahawks could have somewhat of a red-shirt year for Wilson in 2020, while grooming him to be their future starter at right tackle.

TRADE!

Again using their top picks to accumulate more draft capital, the Seahawks trade the No. 64 pick -- the selection received in the Frank Clark trade last spring -- to the New York Giants for No. 99 overall (third round) and No. 110 overall (fourth round).

ROUND 3, NO. 99 OVERALL (from NY Giants): Florida EDGE Jon Greenard

Measures: 6’3”, 263 pounds

2019 stats (11 games): 53 tackles (16 for loss), 10 sacks, 4 PBU, INT

The Seahawks select Jon Greenard with their third pick in the draft.

Greenard, who was a grad transfer at Florida after starting his college career at Louisville, had 10 sacks and 16 tackles for loss in 2019 for the Gators.

Even if the Seahawks do get one of Jadeveon Clowney or Everson Griffen (on top of the other veteran additions), drafting an edge rusher near the top of the draft figured to be a priority. Seattle expects its young pass rushers/defensive ends  -- L.J. Collier, Rasheem Green and Shaquem Griffin -- to take a step forward in 2020. But coach Pete Carroll has always seen competition as a critical component to eliciting that.

ROUND 3, NO. 101 OVERALL: Boston College RB A.J. Dillon

Measures: 6’0”, 247 pounds

2019 stats (12 games): 318 carries, 1,685 yards, 14 TD

The Seahawks address their running back uncertainty in the third round, selecting Boston college tailback A.J. Dillon No. 101 overall.

Chirs Carson, Seattle’s 1,000-yard rusher of the last two seasons, is in a contract year in 2020 and has had two of his three NFL seasons cut short by season-ending injuries. And running back Rashaad Penny, the Seahawks’ 2018 top pick, is a candidate to start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. His availability to begin 2020 is unclear.

In Dillon, the Seahawks get a bit of a security and camp competition for Travis Homer.

Dillon, listed at 6 feet and 247 pounds, is a hulking running back who’s an aggressive runner and welcomes contact -- all qualities Carroll loves in his tailbacks.

ROUND 4, NO. 110 OVERALL (from NY Giants): LSU C Llloyd Cushenberry

Measures: 6’3”, 312 pounds

2019 stats (15 games): Full-time starter at center

With pick No. 110, the selection acquired in the trade with the Giants, the Seahawks select center Lloyd Cushenberry out of LSU.

Seattle has uncertainty surrounding the center position entering 2020. Starter Justin Britt is considered a salary-cap casualty candidate. And while the team signed in free agency former Steelers offensive lineman B.J. Finney --  who can play center -- there is a need for some depth. Steady backup Joey Hunt has been retained as a restricted free agent, but he is undersized and at times has difficulty with bigger defensive tackles.

That’s where Cushenberry comes in. A first-team All-SEC selection in 2019, Cushenberry anchored LSU’s championship-winning offensive line last season.

ROUND 4, NO. 136 OVERALL (From Green Bay): Southern Miss WR Quez Watkins

Measures: 6’0”, 185 pounds

2019 stats (12 games): 64 catches, 1,178 yards, 6 TD

With the 136th pick, acquired in the trade with the Packers, the Seahawks select Southern Miss wide receiver Quez Watkins. Taking a gamble on a small-school player, Seattle finally taps into a deep wide-receiver draft class.

Watkins has blazing speed. His 4.35-second 40-yard dash was second among receivers at the NFL combine, and ranked third among all players. He’s another body to factor into a deep Seahawks’ wideout group, led by Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. On top of the addition of Phillip Dorsett via free agency, the drafting of Watkins shows Seattle is doubling down on getting quarterback Russell Wilson more deep-ball threats.

Watkins is a bit of a raw prospect and is unproven against NFL-caliber competition. The depth of Seattle’s receiving room should ease expectations, giving Watkins time to develop.

TRADE!

The Seahawks ship the No. 133 pick (fourth round) and their fifth rounder from the Green Bay trade (No. 175) to the Miami Dolphins for the 141st pick (fourth round) and 155th pick (sixth round).

ROUND 4, NO. 141 OVERALL (from Miami): San Diego State G/C Keith Ismael

Measures: 6’3”, 309 pounds 

2019 stats (13 games): Full-time starter at center

The Seahawks select San Diego State interior offensive lineman Keith Ismael with the No. 141 overall pick.

Ismael played center as a junior in 2019, but has experience playing all the interior offensive line spots. Where he might fit best is in the right guard competition, battling with the likes of Jamarco Jones and veteran free-agent acquisition Chance Warmack for snaps behind starter D.J. Fluker.

ROUND 4, NO. 144 OVERALL: Florida Atlantic TE Harrison Bryant

Measures: 6’5”, 243 pounds

2019 stats (13 games): 65 catches, 1,004 yards, 7 TD

The Seahawks take Florida Atlantic tight end Harrison Bryant with the No. 144 overall pick.

Seattle shored up its tight-end concerns this offseason by adding veteran Greg Olsen and re-signing Luke Willson. But between Olsen and Will Dissly, who suffered a torn Achilles last season, there’s enough of a health history to think contingency plans in case everything goes south.

Bryant is a talented pass-catching tight end who posted prolific numbers at FAU. But he’s an able blocker as well. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zurlein says Bryant is one of the most “talented, well-rounded tight ends in this draft,” comparing him to 49ers star George Kittle.

ROUND 5, NO. 155 OVERALL (from Miami): Iowa CB Michael Ojemudia

Measures: 6’1”, 200 pounds

2019 stats (12 games): 52 tackles, 3 INT, 9 PBU

With the 155th pick, received from the trade with Miami, the Seahawks select Iowa cornerback Michael Ojemudia.

Seattle got the boost at right cornerback it needed by trading for former Redskins standout Quinton Dunbar earlier this offseason. But even with the likelihood two-year starter Tre Flowers is moved to the bench, the Seahawks’ reserve depth at outside corner remains thin. Ojemudia is a physical corner who’s sticky around the line of scrimmage and has strong ball awareness skills.

With Ojemudia, the Seahawks continue their propensity for drafting cornerbacks in the fifth round. The team discovered Flowers and Legion of Boom legend Richard Sherman in the fifth round in previous years.

ROUND 5, NO. 175 OVERALL (from Green Bay): Arkansas ILB De’Jon Harris

Measures: 6’0”, 234 pounds

2019 stats (12 games): 101 tackles (6.5 for loss), 1 sacks, 2 PBU, 2 forced fumbles  

With the 175th pick, acquired in the early draft trade with the Packers, the Seahawks select Arkansas inside linebacker De’Jon Harris.

With Cody Barton potentially being Seattle’s starting strongside linebacker in 2020 -- or at the least, taking more snaps -- the Seahawks need a dependable backup behind All-Pro Bobby Wagner at MLB. That’s where Harris steps in.

ROUND 6, NO. 214 OVERALL: Ole Miss DT Josiah Coatney

Measures: 6’3”, 308 pounds

2019 stats (12 games): 46 tackles (3.5 for loss), two sacks 

With their final pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Seahawks select Ole Miss defensive tackle Josiah Coatney.

Coatney was a three-year starter at Ole Miss, playing major college football in the SEC. He brings defensive line depth for training camp.

Ben Arthur covers sports for SeattlePI. He can be reached by email at benjaminarthur@seattlepi.com. Follow him on twitter at @benyarthur.