2020 NFL Draft: 32-pick Round 1 mock with 49ers selecting twice

So much of what the Seattle Seahawks end up doing at the back end of Round 1 is contingent on whether or not they’re able to re-sign veteran pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney this offseason.

There haven’t been a lot of links between the two parties since free agency started, but Clowney remains a free agent as of this writing. So it’s entirely possible he elects to stay put, which would help lessen Seattle’s need to reinforce its pass rush.

Even if Clowney returns, though, the Seahawks could stand to reinforce in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

One of the up-and-coming pass-rushing prospects in this year’s NFL Draft is Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos. While not quite as safe as A.J. Epenesa, one could easily recognize Gross-Matos has a far higher ceiling. Gross-Matos needs to add some functional strength to his frame.

But for a team that was entirely insufficient in sack production last year, expect Seattle to put a high priority in finding some much-needed pass-rushing help.