Seahawks land SEC steal at No. 16 in latest mock draft

The Seahawks are one of the biggest mysteries heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. Some "experts" believe they could go quarterback while others believe they need to add to their defense, which allowed the third most total yards per game (371.4) in 2023.

However, ESPN's Field Yates has Seattle doing neither in his latest mock draft and instead landing one of the biggest steals of the draft.

With pick No. 16 in the first round, Yates has the Seahawks selecting Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

"It doesn't sit right with me that Bowers (a top-10 prospect) would have to wait until No. 16 to hear his name called, but man do I love this pick for Seattle," Yates writes. "Bowers is a remarkable pass-catcher who chews up yards after the catch and has vacuum-like hands to snare any throw in his vicinity."

Adding Bowers to QB Geno Smith's arsenal of weapons, which already includes wide receivers DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, wouldn't be a necessity but a luxury.

The Georgia product, who has posted 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns from 2021-23, would only make Seattle's offense even more dangerous in 2024.

Depending on how free agency plays out, the Seahawks could become thin at the position too. Tight ends Noah Fant and Colby Parkinson are both set to become free agents while Will Dissly carries a $10.07M cap hit next season that will need to be addressed. 

The addition of Bowers, who ranks as Pro Football Focus' best tight end and No. 6 overall prospect on its big board, would give Seattle the ability to move on from all of them if need be.

The Seahawks strengthening their defense does need to be a priority this offseason and it will likely be with new defensive-minded head coach Mike Macdonald in charge. But it's difficult to pass up on Bowers' value at pick No. 16 if he's somehow still available.