QB Will Levis to Seahawks? Brock & Salk react to Kiper’s mock draft

It’s formally mock draft season, and one of many largest names within the enterprise has the Seahawks making a little bit of a shocking choice with the fifth decide in April’s NFL Draft.

Might Colts DT DeForest Buckner be a commerce match for the Seahawks?

The Seahawks have generally been linked to star defensive linemen with their high choice, however in Mel Kiper Jr.’s first mock draft of the offseason for ESPN, he has Seattle choosing Kentucky quarterback Will Levis.

Levis began his faculty profession at Penn State earlier than transferring to Kentucky in 2021. In two years because the Wildcats’ beginning quarterback, Levis accomplished 65.7% of his passes for five,232 yards and 43 touchdowns to 23 interceptions in 24 video games.

For added context, Kiper has the Chicago Bears taking Georgia defensive deal with Jalen Carter first general. The Houston Texans then choose Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud at No. 2, whereas Arizona takes Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson third. At decide 4, the Indianapolis Colts choose Alabama QB Bryce Younger. For the mock draft, go to this hyperlink (to see the complete ESPN article requires subscription).

The Seahawks at the moment don’t have a quarterback on the roster as Professional Bowler Geno Smith is a free agent, as is his backup, Drew Lock, who the group is reportedly very excessive on.

On Wednesday, Seattle Sports activities’ Brock and Salk delved into whether or not Kiper is on to one thing with Levis as a match for the Seahawks.

(Notice: Kiper shall be becoming a member of Brock and Salk subsequent week to debate the Seahawks and the NFL Draft.)

“Will Levis is 6-foot-3, 222 (kilos),” mentioned Brock Huard, who’s a former NFL quarterback and present FOX faculty soccer broadcaster. “Why are we speaking about Will Levis at 8 a.m. in Seattle in January? As a result of Mel Kiper’s first 1.0 mock (draft) comes out, and the acquainted names go one by means of 4, and sitting there at 5, it isn’t a D-lineman.”

It ought to be famous that Kiper doesn’t do trades in his mock drafts, so “he’s simply taking a look at pure expertise,” Huard mentioned. Kiper additionally acknowledges yearly that there shall be a number of trades that shake issues up within the first spherical.

“He’s speaking to GMs, he’s speaking to scouts … and it is a examine the packing containers (decide),” he mentioned. “Levis is… constructed like a brick home and may throw a ball 75 yards like (star Payments quarterback) Josh Allen.”

Whereas Levis definitely checks all of the packing containers relating to bodily instruments, Huard isn’t a giant fan.

“I have a look at 46 touchdowns and 25 picks (in his faculty profession). That’s simply what I have a look at,” he mentioned. “… Even in his dynamic yr (in 2021), the place he had an NFL (offensive coordinator in Liam Cohen), Sean McVay’s man … (Levis) started working in an NFL system and nonetheless threw 13 picks. I see quite a lot of Ryan Tannehill. I see quite a lot of Blaine Gabbert. I see quite a lot of Jake Locker. I see quite a lot of ‘OK, you examine the packing containers.’ However each time I sat and watched … I’m like, ‘Ah.’”

Levis “didn’t have nice assist” at Kentucky, Huard mentioned, which truly makes some scouts like him extra, Huard mentioned.

“I imply, it’s a heavy carry. And a number of the scouts love that and noticed him battered and hammered and enjoying injured this yr, and he was beat up all season,” he mentioned. “And when Mel comes on with us subsequent week, he’s gonna make all this case for him.”

Salk additionally isn’t precisely on board with Levis as a match for the Seahawks.

“From a Seattle perspective, you do know that there are 4 guys (Anderson, Stroud, Carter, Younger) which are thought of the cream of this crop. And you’ve got the decide after these 4 guys are anticipated to go,” he mentioned. “On this model of the world, Mel seems to be at it and says they go quarterback. By then, they could have signed Geno Smith, they could haven’t. I imply, there’s gonna be 1,000,000 issues which are going to have an effect on it. I gotta let you know, of all of the potential names there, I’m not proper now enthusiastic about Will Levis.”

That being mentioned, Salk mentioned there’s a “enormous asterisk” relating to the Seahawks and drafting a quarterback.

“Of all of the issues that I place confidence in on the planet, certainly one of them is (Seahawks basic supervisor) John Schneider’s means to judge and establish a quarterback,” he mentioned.

Schneider not solely recognized and drafted Russell Wilson in 2012 after which went with Smith in 2022, however he has additionally attended professional days for a number of the sport’s high passers earlier than they have been drafted, corresponding to Allen and Patrick Mahomes. Sometimes when Schneider goes to see a quarterback in individual, they wind up being a high NFL quarterback.

“However proper now, if you happen to ask me ought to the Seahawks draft Will Levis, my reply is a flat no,” Salk mentioned.

Added Huard, “Mine’s a tough move.”

If Anderson, Carter, Stroud and Younger are off the board when the Seahawks are on the clock at fifth general, Huard needs them to commerce down. If they will’t, right here’s what he feels they need to do:

“Then I’m going freak present D-lineman. I’m going with the freakiest-traits man that may run and hit …Yeah, I feel I’m taking (Texas Tech defensive finish Tyree Wilson) right now,” he mentioned.

You’ll be able to learn extra about Huard’s ideas on Wilson at this hyperlink.

Hearken to the complete dialog from Wednesday’s Brock and Salk within the participant beneath.

Analytics Knowledgeable: Seahawks’ Walker not a ‘stud,’ a shocking comp for Smith

Follow @TheBGustafson