With the scouting combine less than two weeks away, mock draft season is about to be in full swing.

Over at Rotoworld, Josh Norris has the Seattle Seahawks taking Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins with the 26th pick in the first round:

"Don’t get me started on Rankins. He is a top 10 talent in this draft. He is a true upfield disruptor who is smooth, quick and versatile with his hands to win the balance advantage. I’ll go as far to say that Rankins could be this year’s Kawann Short. The Seahawks love disruption, and Rankins would offer it."

Rankins (6-foot-2, 304 pounds) had 26.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. According to NFL.com's write-up, Rankins is versatile and would play defensive tackle in the Seahawks' scheme.

In Seattle's base defense, Brandon Mebane and Ahtyba Rubin played inside last season, but both players are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents. In the Seahawks' sub packages, Michael Bennett moved inside.

As we saw in the playoffs, interior pass rush can add a whole different element to a defense, and Rankins had 14 sacks the past two seasons.

If the Seahawks are going to take a defensive tackle in the first round, my thought is that player has to have a high ceiling as a pass-rusher. Obviously, stopping the run and making plays in the backfield is important, but why spend a high pick for a player who's going to be on the sidelines on third downs?

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. did not have Rankins going in the first round in his most recent mock draft. Todd McShay is on the other end of the spectrum. He has Rankins going 10th overall to the New York Giants.