Seahawks could secure a high-potential edge rusher to learn from a veteran, building their dominant defense for years to come.
Fresh off a Super Bowl winning run powered by a dominant defense, the Seattle Seahawks appear focused on keeping that identity intact for the long haul.
Head coach Mike Macdonald built one of the league’s most effective defensive units last season, but the offseason has brought inevitable changes. Boye Mafe left in free agency to sign a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, and the team could be looking for a "replacement" in the upcoming NFL Draft as a result.
In a recent mock by ESPN's Matt Miller, he thinks they should do that, and he has them taking Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk with the last pick of the first round of the draft.
"DeMarcus Lawrence was instrumental last season but is 34 years old and needs an heir apparent," Miller writes. "Faulk is a high-potential prospect at 6-foot-6 and 276 pounds with pro-level power and agility. At just 20 years old, there's room for him to grow and develop beyond what he did at Auburn, where he had only two sacks last season."
For Seattle, this type of selection would be about both the present and the future. Faulk has the raw ability to contribute in a rotational role early in his career, particularly in a system that values versatility and physicality up front. Amid some retirement rumors, Lawrence is at present still a key piece, but he could be on his way out due to his advancing age.
But before he does leave, the team could draft an edge rusher to learn under the 12-year veteran defensive lineman.
Faulk racked up 29 total tackles, a pair of sacks, and five tackles for loss in his junior season with the Tigers. He was also able to show his versatility by defending four passes and recovering a fumble.
If developed properly, Faulk could eventually step into a starting role and help anchor Seattle’s defense for years to come. In a league where sustained success often hinges on maintaining strength in the front seven, this kind of forward-thinking move could prove invaluable.
For a team with further championship aspirations, investing in upside while reinforcing a strength may be exactly the strategy needed to stay on top.