Seattle Seahawks draft.
Seattle Seahawks General Manager John Schnieder and Head Coach Pete Carroll will be busy at the 2022 draft trying to rebuild the franchise after moving on from some of their long-time stars. The team currently owns the 9th overall pick in the first round, which they picked up along with number 40 from Denver in the Russell Wilson trade.
Add those selections to their other picks 41, 72, 108, 152, 153, and 227, and Seattle is on the clock eight times in the next three days.
ESPN has Mel Kiper and Todd McShay hashing out their versions of the draft. Pacific Northwest Sports pitted two of our writers, Clint Prasky and Ed Stein, against each other to get the best Seahawks mock draft.
We bring you a Cliff’s Notes version for our final dueling mock drafts. It’s a cut-to-the-chase guide to who the Seattle Seahawks will draft and why.
There are several areas where the Seattle Seahawks need help. Among the most critical positions that need reinforcing. At the top of the list are the offensive line, cornerback, linebacker, quarterback, and edge rusher.
As with previous dueling mock drafts, Ed and Clint use the Pro Football Network Draft Simulator. Today’s mocks cover all seven rounds; there are no trades. Also, Clint’s picks will be in blue, and Ed’s are in green.
Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU, 6’0″ 190-pounds
The Seahawks had a large contingent in Baton Rouge for the LSU Pro Day. Derek Stingley Jr. was a consensus number one recruit in the 2017 recruiting class. Then he went out and made big plays as a true freshman while winning a National Title with Joe Burrow and crew.
Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State, 6’5″ 307-pounds
This is a great draft for offensive tackles. Three of them stand out above the rest, which comes down to preference. Charles Cross will likely be the last of the top three left, but any of them will do. That doesn’t mean he won’t be any less effective.
An efficient blocker, Cross uses his core, legs, and upper body to control his man in the run and force him outside in the pass. For a guy without much starting experience, Cross’ handwork is exceptional. Whether it’s chopping away a pass rusher’s hands or delivering sharp thrusts to their upper body, he does an exceptional job.
Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa, 6’2″ 296-pounds
Widely regarded as the best center in the draft, Tyler Lindbaum won the Rimmington Award given to the top center in
college, in addition to being the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. The Seattle Seahawks need his presence on the interior line.
Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington, 5’11.5″ 195-pounds
The question isn’t should the Seattle Seahawks draft Kyler Gordon in the second round; it’s will he still be there at pick 40. I think he will. Gordon has the natural skills and speed to be a top cornerback in the NFL. It will be up to the Seahawks coaching staff to put the finishing touches on his game so he can reach his potential.
Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA, 6’4″ 205-pounds
Those who have been following me through these mocks know I have been on this kid from day one. Tariq Woolen is fast, clocking in at 4.26 40-time. He’s big and has long arms. The converted wide receiver makes plays and will only get better under Coach Pete.
Quay Walker, LB, Georgia, 6’4″ 240-pounds
A steady tackler, Quay Walker, is very agile for his size. At times, it looks like he swallows up running backs in his big frame when making tackles at the line. But it’s in the pass game where Walker does his best work. His speed allows him to cover running backs and tight ends effectively from side to side.
Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M, 6’0″ 217-pounds
An elusive back, Isaiah Spiller can change gears in a hurry. He runs with patience and is a capable pass blocker. Spiller can also swing out and catch a few passes. He should fit in nicely this year with Rashaad Penny and take over next year.
Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State, 6’6″ 315-pounds
Abraham Lucas has a steady all-around game. He did a great job at WSU protecting the passer, especially in offensive systems that didn’t use a tight end to help double edge rushers. He’s strong and aggressive enough to make defensive linemen cautious but knows himself well enough to play within his own abilities.
Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky, 6’5″ 322-pounds
Darian Kinnard was the 2021 SEC Offensive Lineman of the Year. That alone should tell you what kind of player he is. He
also made First Team All American in 2021. Fun side fact his Aunt is a first cousin to Dolly Parton.
Cam Jurgens, C, Nebraska, 6’3″ 303-pounds
If Linderbaum is the best center in this draft, Cam Jurgens is the clear-cut number two. His abilities will limit him position-wise, but that’s okay for the Seahawks because they need someone who not only excels as a center but can also make line calls.
Three offensive linemen in four rounds? You bet. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback of the future is coming in next year’s draft. Having a dependable O-line in place will speed his development.
Cade Mays, G, Tennessee, 6’5″ 311-pounds
The Swiss Army knife of this draft for offensive linemen Cade Mays had snaps at every spot on the line for the
Tennessee Volunteers. Mays was a second-team All-SEC performer in 2021. With the Seattle Seahawks, he should be the main backup interior lineman and could fill in at tackle if needed short term.
Marcus Jones, CB, Houston, 5’8″ 175-pounds
Just like Clint has supported Tariq Woolen, Marcus Jones has been my guy all along. This small player packs a big punch and can be a factor in all three phases of the game. He is very short for his position, but every other measurable is on par with the top guys.
As a cornerback, Jones can cover man, play zone, and come up to stop the run. Additionally, he is the best returner to come out of college in years.
Obinna Eze, OT, TCU, 6’6.5″ 321-pounds
Obinna Eze moved to the states from Nigeria. He didn’t play American football until his junior year of high school and went on to be a three-year starter at TCU. A bit of a project at first due to his relative newness to the game, Eze has the size and physical tools to become a very good starter in the future.
Zachary Carter, DL, Florida, 6’4″ 282-pounds
Zachary Carter is a versatile defender who the Seahawks could line up at any spot on the line. He is adept at causing havoc with a strong push from the middle. But he also can be used as a situational player in a five-technique. To reach peak effectiveness, he’ll need to hit the weights and bulk up a bit.
Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama, 6’0″ 182-pounds
In the crowded cornerback room at Alabama, Josh Jobe had to wait his turn. When he did get his shot in 2020, Jobe responded with a team-leading 11-pass break-up for a National Champion Crimson Tide. He played through a turf toe injury in 2021 and still managed to play in 12 games and snag two picks along with 4 more pass breakups.
Ty Chandler, RB, North Carolina, 5’11” 204-pounds
It took a move from Tenessee to North Carolina for Ty Chandler to break out. In his only season at Chapel Hill, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Seattle Seahawks hope lightning can strike twice, and Chandler makes the same impact as former seventh round running back Chris Carson.
That’s how we see the Seattle Seahawks 2022 draft going. How about you? Let us know in the comments section below.