If the Seahawks’ VMAC visits are any indicator – and they often are – it looks like John Schneider may indeed continue his excellent run of drafting.

We just pointed out this week that he has been pretty bad when drafting below 20 – too often reaching for guys. Schneider has explained his draft method as “picking for our team, not the league.” In other words, their big board is not the same as other teams’ or the consensus board of draft analysts.

Well, it sure looks like the Seahawks’ board matches consensus in this draft. With pass rushers Cashius Howell and Malachi Lawrence reportedly visiting, the Hawks have now reportedly hosted eight of the 13 players ranked 32-44 on the consensus board (via Mock Draft Database).

Seven of those players are edge rushers or cornerbacks, which aligns with what most of us think they need most (in addition to running back).

Here’s a look at the list (rankings from MDD) and then scouting reports from Daniel Jeremiah and Dane Brugler (via The Beast) for each one, with our own comments added.

Top VMAC visits

• 32: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
• 34: ER Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
• 35: CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
• 38: ER Zion Young, Missouri
• 39: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
• 41: ER Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
• 42: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
• 44: ER R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma

Other VMAC visits

• 57: S A.J. Haulcy, LSU
• 67: CB Treydan Stukes, Arizona
• 71: RB Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas
• 90: S Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
• 95: ER Keyron Crawford, Auburn
• 99: RB Jonah Coleman, Washington (local)
• 110: CB Daylen Everette, Georgia
• 254: CB Andre Fuller, Toledo
• UDFA: RB Chip Trayanum, Toledo
• UDFA: RB Coleman Bennett, Kennesaw State
• UDFA: ER Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico

DT Kayden McDonald

• DJ rank: 33
• DB rank: 32

DJ’s take: “McDonald (6-2, 326) will provide value on run downs, but he needs to develop a better plan of attack as a pass rusher.” 

DB’s take: “McDonald will require time to develop a pass-rush identity, but his dominant run-game qualities will make him immediately useful from different interior alignments. He projects as an early-down rookie, with a role that should continue to expand.”

Our take: We always like the idea of a big nose tackle who can clog the running lanes, but edge rusher and corner seem to be the focus for the Hawks.

ER Cashius Howell

• DJ rank: 28
• DB rank: 39

DJ’s take: “Howell (6-2, 253) is an undersized edge rusher with outstanding twitch (1.58 10-yard split), tenacity and production. … He can win early with speed, rush with power or use his instincts to counter when OTs overset outside. … He lacks prototypical measurements, but a smart team will set that aside and add an energetic force off the edge.”

DB’s take: “Howell needs to expand the consistency of his impact beyond winning as a high-side rusher, but his athletic twitch, play speed and violent demeanor make for the type of package you bet on at the position. At worst, he should be a designated pass rusher, with the ceiling of a versatile NFL starter (like Haason Reddick) who can be moved around the front.”

Our take: If the Hawks are looking for quick wins in the pass rush, Lawrence or Howell is the guy.

CB Colton Hood

• DJ rank: 25
• DB rank: 30

DJ’s take: “Hood (6-0, 193) has average size but excellent play speed (4.44 40) and toughness. … Hood is a complete player and should be a very solid starter immediately at the next level.”

DB’s take: “Hood embraces press-man challenges and is the type of balanced, scrappy athlete who can attach himself to receivers and make things difficult for the offense. He has the talent and wiring to be an early NFL starter.”

Our take: If corner is the pick, Johnson might fit the Hawks better because of his zone abilities. Hood also might be gone already, making it an easier decision.

ER Zion Young

• DJ rank: 45
• DB rank: 37

DJ’s take: “Young (6-5, 262) is a big, powerful rusher with excellent length (33-inch arms) and competitiveness. … Young isn’t the most dynamic athlete (31-inch vertical), but he’s a physical presence on the edge and has three-down value.”

DB’s take: “Young doesn’t have the pass-rush quickness or diversity that will scare NFL offensive tackles, but he sets a firm edge in the run game and uses his NFL-caliber measurables and heavy hands to open pathways to the pocket. He has the floor of a quality backup and the ceiling of a starting base end for a physical NFL front.”

Our take: If the Hawks are looking more for a run defender, Young would be the pick. But Mike Macdonald likes (and needs) speed. We would put him behind Lawrence, Howell, Johnson and Hood on the wish list.

CB Brandon Cisse

• DJ rank: 43
• DB rank: 45

DJ’s take: “Cisse (5-11, 189) is a fast, twitchy cover corner. … He plays with vision, which allows him to use his elite speed (4.41) to close space and make plays on the ball. … I’d like to see him play with more aggression against the run.”

DB’s take: “Cisse is an unrefined, promising cover athlete with the twitched-up movements and speed to become an NFL starter. However, his pro ceiling will be determined by the development of his route recognition and ball skills. He offers inside-outside versatility with special teams (gunner) upside.”

Our take: We probably would put Cisse at the bottom of this seven-man finalist list.

ER Malachi Lawrence

• DJ rank: 46
• DB rank: 36

DJ’s take: “Lawrence (6-4, 253) has ideal size, length and twitch (40-inch vertical) for his position. … Lawrence is a dynamic talent with the upside to emerge as one of the better pass rushers in the draft class.”

DB’s take: “Lawrence is a linear mover and lacks ideal bend, but he offers skill as a pass rusher, stack-shed toughness versus the run and the demeanor that will help him carve out a starting role at the next level. Despite being an older player (23 in July), he still has upside.”

Our take: Lawrence seems to be better vs. the run than Howell, which might make him the top pass rusher on Seattle’s board.

CB Chris Johnson

• DJ rank: 40
• DB rank: 24

DJ’s take: “Johnson (6-0, 193) has excellent height, bulk and movement skills (4.4 40) for his position. … He’s at his best in off coverage, where he shows excellent eyes/instincts to trigger on throws in front of him. He’s natural in finding and playing the ball. Johnson is extremely tough and aggressive to fill versus the run. He’s a dependable tackler in space and he flashes burst/closing ability as a blitzer.”  

DB’s take: “Johnson offers a combination of instinctive eyes and athletic movement skills that allow him to consistently make plays on the football. He should compete for a starting role on Day 1, while also making an impact on special teams.”

Our take: Johnson seems like the obvious No. 1 corner for Macdonald if that is the position Seattle goes with first.

ER R Mason Thomas

• DJ rank: 49
• DB rank: 44

DJ’s take: “Thomas (6-2, 241) is an instinctive and physical edge defender. He lacks ideal height/length/bulk for the position, but he is a difference-maker. … He plays with maniacal energy and effort. … Overall, Thomas doesn’t fit the prototype, but I believe he’ll be a valuable NFL starter.” 

DB’s take: “Thomas is an undersized edge defender who combines first-step quickness (1.63 10-yard split) with violent play strength and closing burst and never quits working to the football. His ability to vary his rush tempo leads to disruption and will help him find a meaningful role in the NFL.”

Our take: If the Hawks trade down into the middle of the second round, thereby eschewing some of the other guys on their list, they might find Thomas to be their best bet.