2017 NFL Mock Draft: Seattle Seahawks select Marlon Humphrey

With the 26th pick in the 2017 CSC Community NFL Mock Draft, the Seattle Seahawks take...

Marlon Humphrey, Cornerback, Alabama (6-foot, 197-pounds)

When it comes to the cornerback position, this offseason has been quite an adventure for the Seattle Seahawks. Talks of a trade for perennial malcontent All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman have been swirling around the team, while the depth behind Sherman is virtually non-existent. DeShawn Shead, who was the number two corner for the Seahawks in 2016, is coming off a serious knee injury and signed a one-year “prove-you-still-have-it” type of deal with the team. Jeremy Lane had a subpar season last year, and the rest of the Hawks’ cornerback roster includes the likes of veteran Perrish Cox and former Saints draft bust Stanley Jean-Baptiste. Yeah, not exactly awe-inspiring.

Luckily for Seattle, the 2017 NFL draft is one of the deepest in years at the cornerback position and with the 26th pick, Marlon Humphrey offers both a tremendous fit for the type of defensive system Seattle likes to run, but also great value.

Humphrey, the son of former Bama running back Bobby Humphrey, enters the draft as a redshirt sophomore. That means that he played only two full seasons in Tuscaloosa (2015-2016). However, Humphrey’s talent was evident enough for head coach Nick Saban to quickly make him a starter despite his apparent lack of experience.

A big, physical cornerback, Humphrey recorded 70 tackles in his two seasons at Alabama, 61 of which were solo. He had five interceptions and in 29 games, allowed only five touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him as the fourth-ranked cornerback in this draft class and here’s how they describe the former Crimson Tide defensive back: “He has the size and length to play press coverage…” and “Humphrey’s best work often comes in zone coverage…”

These two attributes alone make Marlon Humphrey a perfect fit for the “Cover 3” style of defense that the Seahawks like to play. Humphrey’s biggest weakness has often been cited as a susceptibility to give up long passes other the top. Playing with a center fielder like Earl Thomas would certainly give the rookie enough confidence to play press coverage with the added trust of having a ball-hawk like Thomas behind him.

Whether they end up trading away Richard Sherman or not, the Seattle Seahawks desperately need quality depth at the cornerback position. Marlon Humphrey would be a young, plug-and-play type of asset that Seattle would be wise to add to the still fearsome but aging Legion of Boom.

Community Mock Draft Results

1. Cleveland Browns - Myles Garrett, DE, TAMU
2. San Francisco 49ers - Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State
3. Chicago Bears - Jamal Adams, S, LSU
4. Jacksonville Jaguars - O.J. Howard, TE, Alabama
5. Tennessee Titans - Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State
6. New York Jets - Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
7. Los Angeles Chargers - Solomon Thomas, DE, Stanford
8. Carolina Panthers - Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
9. Cincinnati Bengals - Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama
10. Buffalo Bills - Tre’Davious White, CB, LSU
11. New Orleans Saints - Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
12. Cleveland Browns - Mitch Trubisky, QB, UNC
13. Arizona Cardinals - Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech
14. Philadelphia Eagles (via Minnesota) - Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
15. Indianapolis Colts - Ryan Ramcyzk, OT, Wisconsin
16. Baltimore Ravens - Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
17. Washington Redskins - Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama
18. Tennessee Titans (via LA Rams) - John Ross, WR, Washington
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
20. Denver Broncos - David Njoku, TE, Miami
21. Detroit Lions - Mike Williams, WR, Clemson
22. Miami Dolphins - Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
23. New York Giants - Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
24. Oakland Raiders - Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
25. Houston Texans, Kevin King, CB, Washington
26. Seattle Seahawks - Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

The Kansas City Chiefs are on the clock!