SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
UPDATED: APRIL 26, 2023 AT 1:24 PM
A video board shows a Seahawks selection during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
We’re just one day from the start of the 2023 NFL Draft, and it’s an important one for the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks come equipped with top-notch draft capital as they have two picks in each of the first two rounds, including the No. 5 overall pick, the highest pick of the Pete Carroll-John Schneider era that began in 2010.
What Seattle will do with this No. 5 is something we’ve been talking about at Seattle Sports for months.
When the draft knocked on the door, the voices of Seattle Sports came together to say what they think will happen — and should — happen to the Seattle Seahawks early in the first round. Here’s what they all had to say.
My husband from day one and for over two years has been Alabama Edge player Will Anderson.
Seattle Seahawks Draft Profile: Why Bama’s Will Anderson is the best defenseman of the draft
It’s such a shame that the Chargers gave the Broncos the season finale because the odds of Anderson being ranked third was far greater than the odds he’ll be available ranked 5th.
However, pick #2 for me would be to trade down a pick or three and take high-risk defensive tackle Jalen Carter from Georgia. Although there are legitimate red flags and warning signs, he is the most disruptive center back in this draft and many previous drafts.
Finally, maximizing picks 20-60 will be a big priority for teams in this draft, and if the Hawks end up in that sweet spot with a four or five, I wouldn’t be at all surprised. Before there was “Trader” Jerry Dipoto in the Mariners, there was and still is “Trader” John Schneider.
“Okay, I’ve changed my mind about a thousand times over the past few months, and even more over the past few weeks. I’ve considered trading for Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson, been tempted by the enticing talent of Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter and considered a future with Texas Tech end Tyree Wilson. And to be honest, any of those scenarios would still be a big win for the Seahawks on draft day.
“But they should call up the player with the highest advantage in the most valuable position. And that player is clearly Richardson, the quarterback from Florida.”
Note: This is an excerpt from a column that ran on Tuesday. Read the whole column at this link.
The Seahawks need to find a long-term answer at quarterback, but I can’t overlook the needs of the defense at No. 5. They were 30th in rushing yards (as if I need to remind you) and haven’t been a top-10 goal defense since 2017.
At the NFC West, we’ve seen Nick Bosa and the 49ers, Aaron Donald and the Rams… Maybe it’s about time Seattle found its difference maker. I still suspect it’s Jalen Carter here.
Seahawks Draft: What to know about Jalen Carter’s time in Georgia
For later… Do I have to order a pizza at 2am on Sunday morning? No, but I want it. And that’s how I feel about Bijan Robinson at 20. I doubt he’s there, but CAN YOU IMAGINE!
Rost: Given the obvious need on the D-line, why is QB speculation so high for the Seattle Seahawks?
With the fifth pick, the Seattle Seahawks should take the best defensive player available. My guess is that QBs will be taken early and that Will Anderson will go to the Cardinals. If the cardinals are lured by some trade offers, it could shake my prediction. Anyone who goes up to the third pick MUST take a QB and push Anderson a little further down the draft than expected.
Anderson could fall and the Seahawks could be forced into a difficult decision. Who is the best defender NOW? Anderson or Jalen Carter? Now it’s about necessity. Do the Hawks need an elite edge rusher? Or a D tackle to fill in the void left by Al Woods? I go with the latter. It’s all about the interior. Keep those linebackers clean and stop the run.
So, with the fifth pick in the NFL draft, the Seahawks pick…Jalen Carter.
But I wouldn’t be mad if they took a QB.
I have a feeling the Seahawks think there are only a few top 5 picks. My guess is Will Anderson, CJ Stroud and Bryce Young. I’m not sure if Tyree Wilson, Jalen Carter and Will Levis are the top 5 picks.
So the Seahawks reportedly tried to trade with Philly just over a year ago. But maybe it paved the way for a trade this April. The Seahawks trade their No. 5 for Philadelphia for their No. 10 and No. 30 (and possibly No. 62, the penultimate second-round pick).
To complete the guess, the Seahawks pick a pair of Clemson pass rushers at number 10 – Myles Murphy – and 30 – Bryan Bresee – with Philly’s first-round picks. Add another back corner at #20 (Joey Porter Jr. of Penn State or Devon Witherspoon of Illinois).
If the Seahawks are able to carve out the Eagles’ #62 pick, it will be one of my favorite players in the draft — Tyjae Spears, running back from Tulane. (Look at him!)
We’ve been speaking to Seahawks General Manager John Schneider for the John Schneider Show on Wyman & Bob for the past nine weeks and I honestly don’t have a better sense of who John is going to pick than I did nine weeks ago . He didn’t give anything away.
The only thing he’s revealed in the past?: “You can’t have enough pass rushers.” That fits the bill.
Let’s face it, the Seahawks need defense. They’ve bled for yards over the past two years, finishing 26th in 2022 (362 yards per game) and 28th in 2021 (379 yards per game).
You can see the effect that drafting Boye Mafe, Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen has helped their passing yards rankings over the past year. They rose from second-worst pass length in 2020 and 2021 to 13th against the pass in 2022.
So, the projected draft after trading with the Eagles:
• No. 10 (PHI): DE Myles Murphy – Clemson
• No. 20 (SEA): CB Joey Porter – Penn State or CB Devon Witherspoon – Illinois
• No. 30 (PHI): DT Bryan Bresee – Clemson
• No. 62 (PHI): RB Tyjae Spears – Tulane
I’ve debated this over and over and tried to convince myself that they’re going to go with someone other than Jalen Carter, but I just don’t see it.
If Carter is in 5th place, even with the baggage he brings, he’s still considered one of the top two players in the entire draft.
With the need for the Seahawks on the defensive line, I just don’t see them bypassing someone who is considered to have that kind of talent.
I may be the risk taker, thrill seeker, and adventurous lunatic in real life; but I’m not a player.
Every morning on Brock & Salk, I listen to Seattle Sports’ NFL pundits, scouts, analysts, coaches, broadcasters, former (and current) players, fans and listeners from across the country share their own thoughts and analysis on the Hawks should take for number 5 and why this player is exactly what the team needs.
Yet here I sit – the anti-gambler – still utterly and utterly perplexed, crippled by analysis paralysis. Think of Russell Crowe’s character John Nash in A Beautiful Mind, who solves complex math problems, but does exactly the opposite.
But if John Schneider called and asked me to make a choice (please don’t), I would tell him this: Will Anderson.
Why? Many positive aspects and an absence of disqualifications.
A three-year-old starter under Nick Saban in Alabama with a full trophy case proving his mettle? Check over. A lack of question marks over his love of the game and no off-field drama? Check over. Probably the best nickname in football (“The Terminator”)? Check over. Someone making life hell for NFC West QBs? Check over.
I’m not a gambler, but Will Anderson seems to be my best shot at hitting the jackpot. Final answer.
I want the Seahawks to pick Anthony Richardson on pick five.
I know defense is a big need, but I think Will Anderson Jr. will have made it through this selection and he’s my number one defense choice. There are too many questions when it comes to Jalen Carter’s commitment, and there’s concern for Tyree Wilson, who never did the workout teased on his medical clearance.
Why not pick the insanely athletic quarterback that needs some development? Richardson needs some work, but the Seahawks have proven quite successful at developing quarterbacks and emphasizing their strengths (despite what Russell Wilson may have thought). Seattle signed Geno Smith to a short-term contract and will need another quarterback for years to come.
Richardson has a rare combination of height, speed and arm strength that’s hard to pass up and he would be in a great position to learn from Smith.
No.5: Georgia DT Jalen Carter
A game-changing defensive tackle is a must if you want to build a defense capable of fighting for championships — just look at the last two Super Bowl winners.
Championship windows are fickle and can be so small in the NFL. You need to capitalize when you have the opportunity. If you draw at No. 5, it’s usually because you have a bad team and can take the risk of giving a young quarterback a few years to develop.
That’s not the case with the Seahawks, a team that needs to bolster a defense that can support a star-packed offense.
#20: Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence
The Seahawks need to upgrade the inside of their offensive line, and the 6-foot-5, 346-pound guard feels like a perfect fit.
The possibility of two rookie tackles making immediate — and significant — contributions last year should be an encouraging blueprint for how this team can build one of the strongest offensive lines in the league.
Seattle Seahawks Draft: Why Florida OG O’Cyrus Torrence Wyman caught the eye
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