Seattle Seahawks: Grading the 2023 Draft Class
Ed Stein
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Second Round
37th, Derick Hall, outside linebacker
52nd, Zach Charbonnet, running back
Going into Day 2, I wasn’t thrilled with the Seahawks because they ignored some glaring needs. The 2nd round was a chance to rectify that and get some much-needed help in the trenches. Instead, they picked two players at the same positions as they did in 2022.
Anyone who reads my Pac-12 Power Rankings during the season knows I’m a fan of Charbonnet. With Kenneth Walker in hand, the Seattle Seahawks could have waited until the 3rd or 4th round to pick up a running back.
Seattle passed on the best center in the draft class, John Michael Schmitz (NY Giants, 57), guard O’Cyrus Torrence (Buffalo, 59), intriguing quarterback prospect Hendon Hooker (Detroit, 68), and one of the top three inside linebackers, Drew Sanders (Denver 67).
The next running back drafted was Kendre Miller, who went to New Orleans at 71. If they were sold on Charbonnet, Schneider could have traded down 8-12 spots and still picked him up.
Back to Hall at 37, this pick was a mistake. Nobody had him rated anywhere near as high as he went.
Looking at some of the trench players that went after him, I have to ask why. Schmitz, center Joe Tippmann, and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton would have filled holes with quality talent.
In addition, at next three other OLB/Edge players drafted BJ Ojulari, Isaiah Foskey, and Keion White were better than him.
Do the Seattle Seahawks think they made a mistake last year with Boye Mafe? What about Darrell Taylor? It’s hard to see any upgrade at the position with Hall.
Grade C+: Probably should be lower, but Charbonnet, once healed, is a difference maker.
Third Round
Traded