2017 NFL Draft: Seattle Seahawks Post-Free Agency 7-Round Mock Draft

With a number of positional needs that must still be addressed, the Seattle Seahawks have to find some impact players early during the 2017 NFL Draft.

The Seattle Seahawks may have finished 2016 at 10-5-1 with a commanding lead in the NFC West, but it was still a down year for the annual contenders. The defense noticeably regressed, and injuries on offense hindered the team's ability to consistently put points on the board.

If that's going to chance this upcoming season, the Seahawks need to win when the 2017 NFL Draft rolls around. They may only have seven picks to work with, but possessing five picks in the first three rounds will definitely help this team fill some of the holes that still linger after the first couple of waves of free agency.

Based on what we've seen in the past, though, I don't think Seattle will have too much trouble on draft day. The combo of general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll has been getting the job done for years, and don't see that changing in 2017. When draft day arrives, I'd expect this team to put together another exceptional class.

With that in mind, here's my latest seven-round mock draft for the Seahawks. Keep in mind that these aren't hard predictions of how their seven current picks will pan out—instead, they're projections based on Seattle's current needs and the current stock of the players mentioned.

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Garret Bolles

Offensive Tackle, Utah

During free agency, the Seahawks made some modest moves to upgrade the offensive line. While the additions of Luke Joeckel and Oday Aboushi were a decent start, no one will believe you if you say the offensive line isn't still Seattle's top priority during the 2017 NFL Draft.

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Hence, the selection of Garret Bolles in the first round. The options may be limited at No. 26 with a thin offensive line class, but I believe the Seahawks will be very happy with the drafting of the Utah alum.

Bolles was a one-year starter for the Utes, during which time he absolutely dominated Pac-12 edge defenders. While not an overpowering presence at left tackle, he shows tremendous athleticism and movement abilities for his size. Given more time in an NFL strength program, it's difficult to say just how dynamic of a talent he could be.

Is it a bit of a risky pick for the Seahawks? You could say so. However, if they truly are invested in protecting in Russell Wilson and giving Eddie Lacy room to run, Bolles seems like a risk worth taking. It's not like they can truly depend on Joeckel or George Fant to get the job done in 2017.

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Montravius Adams

Defensive Tackle, Auburn

Another big need for the Seahawks at this moment lies at defensive tackle. They've got some stout run stuffers up front in Jarran Reed and Ahtyba Rubin, but a larger pass-rushing presence along the interior would be ideal for this Seattle defense.

Adding a capable interior rusher would take pressure off edge defenders Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril and Frank Clark. It would also help the Seahawks get back to the point where they consistently fielded an outstanding defense. Let's not pretend the group didn't take a significant step backwards in 2016.

Montravius Adams seems like a viable option near the end of the second round. Much like Bolles, he's another excellent athlete for his size. Although he spent much of the 2016 campaign flying under the radar, Adams' film shows an exceptional talent with the physical tools to consistently collapse pockets in the NFL.

During his career at Auburn, Adams racked up 11 sacks while routinely making opposing passers uncomfortable. If he can continue to turn that athleticism into production and show a more consistent motor at the next level, he'd quickly assert himself as a key piece of the Seattle defensive front.

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Antonio Garcia

Offensive Tackle, Troy

Another pick, and another big man with tremendous athleticism. The rebuilding of the offensive line continues in the third round. Even with Bolles, Joeckel, Aboushi, Fant and Garry Gilliam at offensive tackle, adding more options on the ends of the front five would be ideal. Thankfully, there are a couple of intriguing prospects who could be available on Day 2.

Antonio Garcia is one of the guys on my list of high-upside offensive tackles. Hailing from a school not known for producing tons of NFL-caliber talent, the former Trojan has earned the NFL's interest with his impressive mix of athleticism and aggressiveness.

There are some concerns about his relatively slender frame and lack of elite size, which may never improve. However, he proved during his days at Troy that he's more than capable of making up for it with technique and tenacity. His ceiling may be a bit lower than some, but his floor isn't as low as you might except.

Given the Seahawks' needs along the offensive line, Garcia makes a ton of sense here. He's a prospect bursting with potential who just needs an opportunity to prove his worth. Playing under Tom Cable would be an ideal situation for the Troy product to blossom into an NFL starter.

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Brad Kaaya

Quarterback, Miami (FL)

I know what you're probably thinking—a quarterback in the third round? The Seahawks have Wilson, so why take another signal caller this early in the draft? Well there are a couple of reasons, including the fact that Seattle happens to have three third-round picks.

The more important reason, though, is that depth is scarce at quarterback for the Seahawks. Behind Wilson, the only other gunslinger on the roster is Trevone Boykin, a former undrafted free agent. As it so happens, Boykin also recently had a run in with the law that saw him arrested for marijuana possession and public intoxication (via FOX Dallas). Considering his history of off-field issues, it may be best for Seattle to find some potential alternatives behind Wilson.

So why not use one of those numerous Day 2 picks to find a more stable No. 2 quarterback? Brad Kaaya seems like a solid fit for the Seahawks, especially when you consider the arm talent that comes with him.

Kaaya's game will need some refinement at the next level, but everything is in place for him to develop into a quality NFL quarterback. Spending a few years learning from Wilson how to go with the flow and let the game come to him, the former Hurricane could be ready to take over at a moment's notice–or become a valuable trade chip.

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Ahkello Witherspoon

Cornerback, Colorado

It may not seem like it on the surface, but the Seahawks could use some extra talent at cornerback right now. Sure, Richard Sherman is still on the roster and there are a number of capable contributors, but injecting some potential into this positional group seems like the right move.

Even with Jeremy Lane and DeShawn Shead returning, the rest of the depth chart behind them consists of inexperienced, unreliable options. And then there's the fact that Shead is coming off a torn ACL that makes finding additional playmakers all the more necessary heading into 2017.

Enter Ahkello Witherspoon, who has the physical traits that Seattle loves in their cornerbacks. He offers great length at 6-3, yet brings exceptional speed to the table for that size. While he wasn't even necessarily the best Colorado cornerback this past season, it's easy to see why Witherspoon has garnered the attention of NFL scouts.

Given his knack for creating turnovers and tantalizing measurables, I'd guess he'll come off the board sooner rather than later. If that's the case, the Seahawks would be wise to scoop him up at the end of the third round and see what he can do at the next level.

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Josh Harvey-Clemons

Strong Safety, Louisville

We all know about the Seahawks' star safeties, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. What we also know is that both are coming off injury-plagued 2016 campaigns, with Thomas breaking his leg and Chancellor coming off surgery to both ankles. Put simply, more safety talent is needed right now.

The signing of Bradley McDougald helped. It gives Seattle a plus backup at both spots who can step in as a starter in a pinch. Behind him, though, there isn't much else to brag about. Dewey McDonald is the next best safety on the roster, but I wouldn't necessarily call him a reliable bet.

Drafting another capable contributor at safety seems like the right move, especially considering the starters' durability issues. Josh Harvey-Clemons fits the bill as a lengthy, aggressive defender with more upside than most sixth-round picks. The Louisville product is outstanding against the run, and offers the ability to serve in that unique safety/linebacker hybrid role.

When it comes down to it, this pick is all about potential. Harvey-Clemons is a former top recruit with the size/speed combo to be molded into a playmaker at safety in the form of Chancellor. That is, if he can stay healthy and keep himself out of trouble. If he does those things, though, the former Cardinal could be one of the steals of the draft.

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Brandon Bell

Outside Linebacker, Penn State

At this point in the offseason, linebacker isn't a huge need for the Seahawks. They've made some moves during free agency, including the additions of veterans Arthur Brown and Michael Wilhoite. However, they haven't exactly hit home runs with any of their signings.

With K.J. Wright getting up there in age and Cassius Marsh still a work in progress, the linebacker position is far from set. Brown is a shot in the dark, and Wilhoite stands a better chance of making an impact on special teams. That's why Seattle needs to target a late-round talent with the potential to surprise.

Brandon Bell can be said linebacker. The Penn State product will likely be available towards the end of the draft due to his extended history of injuries that essentially spanned his entire college career. When you look at the overall ability, though, it's easy to see why teams would be intrigued by the former Nittany Lion.

Bell has the athleticism and natural talent to be an impact linebacker. If he can stay healthy and take advantage of the physical gifts he's been given, I don't see why he couldn't earn himself a role in Seattle somewhere down the road.