Seattle Seahawks Draft: What Great, Good, and Bad Look Like
Chip Clark
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This is how it looks if all the cards fall the Seattle Seahawks’ way. It is realistic; for example, Bijan Robinson isn’t falling into the third round for them to select at 70.
Round 1
The first four picks go to script. Will Anderson and three quarterbacks get selected. With only one of the top QBs left, Schneider will be fielding plenty of calls.
The goal is to land defensive tackle Jalen Carter. To do that, they can fall no lower than 8th. Las Vegas signed Jimmy Garoppolo as their new quarterback in the offseason but aren’t overly attached. He’s 32 with a long injury history, which is why the Raiders gave him a two-year deal.
It won’t be cheap for Vegas but they are ready to deal.
Seattle Seahawks trade 2023 picks 5, 83, and 154 overall, a conditional 2024 7th round pick, and tight end Colby Parkinson to Las Vegas for 2023 picks 7, 38 (2nd round), 70, and 100.
In effect, the teams swapped firsts and thirds. The Seahawks also got a second and supplemental third for a 5th, conditional future 7th, and Parkinson.
Detroit most likely isn’t picking Carter and even if they do, Tyree Robinson is available. Seattle takes Carter 7th overall.
With a destructive inside force in hand, it’s time to supplement him with an edge. It’s worth mentioning that none of the interior offensive linemen are worth a top-20 pick.
At number 20, the Seahawks take Carter’s Georgia Bulldogs teammate Nolan Smith or Myles Murphy from Clemson. With either man, they get quality on the edge
Round 2
Picking back-to-back at 37 and 38 plus another selection at 52 makes, Schneider can take a flier on quarterback Hendon Hooker. If he hadn’t been injured in Tennessee’s second to last game, Hooker would be a top-10 pick. Seattle has Geno Smith and Drew Lock, so their newest signal-caller can recover, rehabilitate and learn the system while he’s on injured reserve.
The Seattle Seahawks follow that up by selecting wide receiver Josh Downs from North Carolina. He may be small at 5’9”, 170 pounds, but Downs is fearless across the middle and has an array of moves that can break a defensive back’s ankles.
For their final Round 2 pick, it would be too much to hope that Minnesota center John-Michael Schmitz is still on the board. It’s possible but highly unlikely.
Instead, the Seattle Seahawks select Steve Avila. The big guard from TCU is as close to plug-and-play for the offensive line as Seattle will find. Additionally, he can play center.
Round 3
With pick 70, we hope center Joe Tippman is available; if so, he’s headed to the Emerald City. If not, with Avila’s ability to play center, Seattle takes guard Chandler Zavalla from North Carolina State.
For their final Day 2 pick, Seattle replaces Parkinson with Luke Schoomaker from Michigan.
Round 4
Most of the major needs are filled except one. With pick number 123, Seattle takes running back Kendre Miller from TCU.
Round 5
It’s time to get that linebacker. At 151, the Seahawks add Henry To’o To’o Alabama. He may not be spectacular, but To’o To’o is steady and gets the job done.
Rounds 6 and 7
To end the draft, Schneider gets defensive backs coach Karl Scott a few reinforcements. Stanford cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (197) and safety Gervarious Owens (237) are now Seattle Seahawks.
Some of the above picks might be stretches, but there are built-in contingencies.