Seahawks Draft 04
Now through the NFL draft on April 27, Pacific Northwest Sports will compile data from mock drafts across the internet. Our readers won’t have to search all over the web to find out who the Seattle Seahawks will select.
These compilation mocks run semi-monthly to take advantage of trends, prospect news, and team needs. Our sources may change from edition to edition, but they are reliable. We used 46 different mock drafts. Sources include ESPN, Pro Football Focus, CBS Sports, NFLcom, Walter Football, The Athletic, and more.
As a result of trading quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver last year, in 2023, the Seattle Seahawks pick twice in Rounds (1 and 2). Seattle is on the clock for pick 5 and return for pick 20. On Day 2, they make the 37th and 52nd overall selections.
Last year the Seattle Seahawks struck gold in the draft. They picked up bookend offensive tackles Charles Cross (1st round, 5th overall) and Abraham Lucas (3, 72). The team also picked up franchise running back Kenneth Walker (2, 41) and a shutdown cornerback Tariq Woolen (5, 153), among others.
Aside from the top 2 rounds, the Seattle Seahawks have 5 other picks:
Round 3 – 83rd overall.
Round 4 – 123rd.
Round 5 – 153rd and 156th.
Round 6 – 198th.
The team made great strides in 2022. For Seattle to reach the next level, General Manager John Schneider and Head Coach Pete Carroll need to choose wisely.
There are several areas where the Seattle Seahawks need help. Among the most critical positions that need reinforcing are:
For lack of a better term, Seattle’s offensive line is a work in progress. Last year Schneider picked up his tackles. This time around, a starting center and guard to replace inconsistent Gabe Jackson should be at the top of his list.
As of now, the Seattle Seahawks have no quarterbacks on the roster. Last year’s NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Geno Smith, and his backup Drew Lock are free agents.
It looks like they’ll bring back Smith, but there is no guarantee. Even if they re-sign him, this is a good crop of quarterbacks to take advantage of.
Jordyn Brooks played at a Pro Bowl level as Bobby Wagner‘s heir. Unfortunately, he tore a knee ligament in the Seattle Seahawks last regular season game.
First-year starter Cody Barton had a great season. But he can’t do it alone, and is also a free agent. Another inside linebacker is needed.
As the season drew to a close, Seattle’s defense gelled. Even so, the Seahawks still need to improve their run defense and pass rush. This draft class is loaded with impact players.
Rashaad Penny was in the midst of a great season when he went down with a gruesome injury in Game 5 at New Orleans. Second round pick Kenneth Walker stepped up to replace him, picking up 1,070 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns.
So the starting RB is set, but the Seattle Seahawks need a reliable backup. Penny is a free agent, and backups Deejay Dallas and Travis Homer haven’t proven to be reliable options.
D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are possibly the NFL’s best wide receiver duo. Still, it would be nice to have another legitimate threat to complement them.
Last year’s third wheel Marquise Goodwin is a free agent, and the Seahawks will be tight on cap space. It’s also safe to say that 2021 2nd round pick Dee Eskridge is a bust.
Let’s see who the mock drafts think the Seahawks will pick this year.
The Seattle Seahawks haven’t picked in the top five for quite some time. Most mock drafts (40 of 45) agree they will select a defensive lineman/edge rusher. Despite the many highly rated passers available, only 3 had Seattle going QB with this pick.
Leading the way among individual players is Texas Tech edge rusher, Tyree Wilson. He was the pick on 20 mocks. That’s more than double the amount of the runner-up, Myles Murphy, an edge rusher from Clemson who was the pick in 9.
Behind Murphy was Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter (6) and Alabama’s outstanding pass rusher Will Anderson (5).
Pre-combine, Anderson is the top-rated edge player. Over the last two seasons, he had an astounding 48 tackles for loss, including 27 sacks. It’s hard to imagine that he slips to fifth, but if there is an early run on quarterbacks, it could happen.
“As a pass rusher, Wilson is a dangerous edge defender, and gives offensive tackles a lot of problems. The biggest strength that Wilson has is his length. With his long arms and wingspan, Wilson is superb at keeping offensive tackles away from his body, and they have a hard time getting into his chest to lock him up. With that space, Wilson uses his speed to get upfield, and he has the strength to break free from blocks.”
Walter Football
The rest of the players that mock drafters think Seattle will pick (with the number of choices) are: Will Levis, QB (3), Kentucky; Brian Branch, S, Alabama (1); Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson (1); and Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon (1).
Opinions vary greatly when it comes to Seattle’s pick at number 20. They are split evenly between offense and defense, with 23 selections each. By position:
O’Cyrus Torrence is the top pick. The former Florida Gators guard was on 7 mocks. He narrowly edged out Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (6) and Torrence’s teammate, quarterback Anthony Richardson (5).
At 6’5” and 347 pounds, Torrance is a load for defensive linemen to handle. He excels at run blocking, which should make Pete Carroll happy. He’s also got a mean streak which he’ll need in the NFL.
Torrence is best as a player when he can use his mass and natural strength. In the run game, Torrence does a good job of getting a quick first step to generate movement along the line of scrimmage and create openings for ball carriers. Torrence is a high-motor offensive lineman that plays through the whistle and works to finish defenders.
In pass protection, Torrence does a good job of using his strength to stop defenders in their pass rush. Torrence does a good job of handling the bull rush and shows to have the lower-body strength to anchor down on defenders, stopping them from getting any penetration into the pocket.
The Draft Network
Here are the other players who appeared in mock drafts: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR – Ohio State (4); John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota (3); Luke Van Ness, DE, Iowa (3); Trenton Simpson, OLB (2), Clemson; Calijah Cancey, DT, Pittsburgh (2); and Brian Branch, DB, Alabama (2).
Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M; Byron Young, Edge, Tennessee; Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina; Cody Mauch, OT – North Dakota State; Jordan Addison, WR, USC; Kylee Wilson, CB, Georgia; Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame; Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia; Siaki Ika, NT, Baylor; and Tuli Tuipulotu, DE, USC all had 1 selection each.
We audited 13 mock drafts that went into the second round. As the Seattle Seahawks found out last year with Walker, there is gold in the 2nd round.
By the time it comes to pick 37 it gets harder to be accurate. Different mock drafters may have great sources, but every team evaluates talent differently.
In this spot, three players had 2 selections apiece. Linebacker Drew Sanders, Arkansas, center John-Michael Schmitz, and Bryan Breese would all be good selections here. But Schmitz is the best center in the draft class. He could anchor the Seattle Seahawks for a decade.
Seven players had one selection each: Clark Phillips, CB, Utah; Tyreque Stevenson, CB, Miami; Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia; Antonio Johnson, DB, Texas A&M; Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida; Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida; Luke Wypler, C – Ohio State; Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon; Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia.
Quarterback Hendon Hooker led the Tennessee to their best season in over 20 years. A potential Heisman candidate, his season ended in the Vols second to last game with a torn ACL in his knee.
Hooker still threw for 3,155 yards and 27 touchdowns with only 2 interceptions. He probably won’t be ready until midseason, however Hooker is an ideal developmental QB candidate for the Seattle Seahawks.
“(Hooker) possesses excellent athletic talent, has a strong arm, huge hands, and has the power to make all the requisite throws at the next level, he also is a decent runner who is always a threat on the move. However, Hooker is still a little raw as a player.”
NFL Draft Buzz
Louisiana State wide receiver Kayson Boutte was the choice in two mocks, and these players each received one selection: Schmitz; Sanders; Zacch Pickens, DT, South Carolina; Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina; Matthew Bergeron, OL, Syracuse: Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford; Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee; Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee; and A.T. Perry, WR, – Wake Forrest.
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