pic.twitter.com/hwqvueaGjm, 5-9, 196 pounds, redshirt senior, 22 years old, Jerrick Reed with the interception and touchdown! My take: The Seahawks didn't go into this draft thinking they'd wait until the fourth round to address their most glaring roster hole. With another strong class like that, who knows how far Seattle could go? His 1.3-percent pressure rate was tied for best in the Big Ten. 154). Devon Witherspoon during 2023 NFL Draft - Round 1. Taking a look at what the experts feel Seattle may do in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Seattle Seahawks went back to LSU for a guard once again, taking RG Anthony Bradford, who is 6 foot 4 and 332 pounds. Reed said he knows Wright and that their families are close. They all respected the heck out of him by the way he approached the game. Bradford is the sixth-ranked guard in Dane Bruglers draft guide. The question is whether he'll play primarily in the slot or if he'll also play out wide. With that in mind, Seattle could well have been the belle of the ball if a team was looking to move up for a non-quarterback (QB-needy teams lined up to talk to the Cardinals). This would be the perfect spot for the 6-4, 244-pound combine sensation who ran a 4.43-second 40 and wowed in other drills. Call (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelpline.ma.org (MA), Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Both rank in the top 10% of edge defenders since 2003, according to Next Gen Stats. If they don't go with Richardson, they likely would be all-in on the edge rushers, with Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech) and Myles Murphy (Clemson) still available. So this was a position they were expected to target at some point in the draft. Seattle had 45 sacks in 2022 (tied for seventh), but its 33.5% pass rush win rate and 28.9% pressure rate were both bottom-tier results. Spears and Walker could provide quite the dynamic one-two punch. With every defensive player in the draft available to them except for Will Anderson Jr. after quarterbacks went with three of the first four picks, the Seahawks are betting on the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and his impressive competitive streak. Time to get serious about the defensive line, and Seattle has a second first-rounder at No. Oh, and if you had your heart set on the quarterback of the Seahawks future coming in this draft, youre probably disappointed (and probably are for the second straight year). The Seahawks also have the 20th overall pick in the first round this year, along with two second round picks, one from the Broncos from the Wilson trade (37th overall) as well as their own (52nd overall). The 2023 NFL Draft could end up being the biggest in Seattle Seahawks history, though the jury will still be out on that for a while. I think he played 80-something percent of the time last year, so hes a tough-minded kid as well., The @Seahawks select the @UCLAFootball RB at No. A look at where the Seahawks stand at safety heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang's top-ranked prospects at that position. 123), 6-3, 304 pounds, redshirt senior, 22 years old. Witherspoon doesn't have the length of a prototypical Seahawks cornerback -- he's 5-foot-11 , 181 pounds and has arms that don't meet their usual preference of 32 inches -- another reason why he wasn't heavily linked to Seattle. Gonzalez is the better overall athlete, though many believe Witherspoon is the tougher and perhaps better overall football player. News and notes from Seahawks general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll's pre-draft press conference. 20: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Pick No. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. I think (quarterback) Geno (Smith) will sense that. The 2023 Seattle Seahawks draft includes two first-round picks, the first of which came via the Russell Wilson blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos last year. What do you think of the 10-man 2023 #Seahawks Draft class? Check out the best highlights that contributed to a stellar college career for Auburn's Derick Hall. He projects as a low-end NFL starter. He is an average burst runner and can be tracked down from behind, but while he wont hit many home runs, he will pile up the doubles (22.6 percent of his carries resulted in a 10-plus-yard gain in 2022). March couldn't have started on a higher note for the Seahawks, who earlier this week agreed to terms on a contract extension with quarterback Geno Smith. In fact, the executive director of the Senior Bowl, Jim Nagy, called McIntosh the best value pick of the draft. The Seattle Seahawks went with a defensive lineman with their second 4th-round pick in Mississippi State D-tackle Cameron Young. My take: As is usually the case in the sixth and seventh rounds, this pick is all about adding special teams and defensive depth as opposed to a front-line need. 5, the Seahawks went with the best player on their board as opposed to the one that filled the biggest need. This time, it was UCLAs Zach Charbonnet who Seattle grabbed with their second pick in Round 2 to become Walkers running mate. Their final two picks of the draft brought additional secondary depth in New Mexico safety Jerrick Reed II and a second rookie running back in Georgias Kenny McIntosh, rounding out the class at pick No. Seattle used its two fourth-round picks on the trenches, picking up LSU guard Anthony Bradford at No. The Seahawks showed the beauty of having two picks in the first round, because not only did they get who is considered the best cornerback in this draft class, but they followed up 15 picks later with the player believed to be the best wide receiver available this year in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. No wonder Charbonnet (6-0, 214) described himself as a physical, downhill, one-cut runner. Coverage of the latest news from around the NFL is available all year round from Pro Football Talk on Peacock and the NFL on NBC YouTube Channel. 20. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith signed a contract extension to stay in Seattle and then met with media at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on March 9, 2023. Tested well (9-2 BJ, 29.0 VJ, 29 reps) and blew teams away in Combine interviews. His 29 passes defensed over the last two seasons rank most in the FBS. pic.twitter.com/RfEN4QZ59l, Seattle Sports (@SeattleSports) April 29, 2023, Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois (No. Check out draft picks for other teams in the NFC West: You must be logged in to leave a comment. Here are all 10 selections that Seattle. 1 receiver with the 20th pick is nice value, but it means that a lot of work remains to be done on defense. He's listed at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, but said he's bulked up to 295 pounds since the combine in anticipation of playing D-line in the NFL, as opposed to outside linebacker. Seahawks trade third rounder to Broncos, pick up fourth and future third, 6-4, 332 pounds, redshirt junior, 24 years old. The Seattle Seahawks went big in size with their first of two fifth-round 2023 NFL Draft picks with Michigan edge Mike Morris. GM John Schneider has to get that unit right, and this could end up a steal. Redmond would be a defensive end in Seattle's scheme. That was second-most in FBS behind Texas Bijan Robinson, the No. Hes a guy that can play on the inside and in the slot right now. Length. 37, Seahawks players congratulate Kraken on historic upset of Avalanche. The 2023 NFL draft is coming to an end. He could be the perfect complement to DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in Seattle. And second, with help for their defensive front the biggest need going into the draft, when they finally selected someone who fit that bill, it was a player that still caught people by surprise. 20 overall. Taking Hall at No. As of Week 14, the Seahawks have the No. Kiper picks winners, reaches and value picks from Round 1: Which teams fared well? Seahawks final mock draft: Passing on QBs, 3 trades and 4 potential Week 1 starters. The third-day beef wasnt limited to just the offensive line. NFL Draft taking place in downtown Kansas City Day 1. He led the Bulldogs in rushing (829 yards) and also had 43 catches for 504 yards. Although he doesnt carry an ideal weight, he has functional length and competes much bigger than he looks both in coverage and run support. With the 2023 NFL Draft approaching, get an inside look at one of the key steps in the Seahawks' evaluation of this year's prospects. SEATTLE -- The 2023 NFL draft ended Saturday in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. My take: Witherspoon generated next to no buzz as a potential Seahawks pick at No. A look at where the Seahawks stand on the offensive line heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang's top-ranked prospects at that position. 123 Cameron Young, DT, Mississippi State, Round 5: No. Like JOK, Henley is a long, athletic linebacker that can make a difference in coverage, and plays with a high level of effort. The Seahawks need to get more production from other players. Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan (No. Key stats: Before a hamstring injury sidelined him for all but three games last year, Smith-Njigba was massively productive in 2021. He has the range and tracking skills to play over the top as a single-high safety. Witherspoon is legit, though. As I mentioned in January, Darrell Taylor, a 2020 second-round pick, is coming off a breakout 9.5-sack season, while Uchenna Nwosu also had 9.5 quarterback takedowns, but they're both entering the . That trend continued here with Bradford, whom they view as a guard. The Seattle Seahawks surprised the NFL world in 2022, and they are set up to build on that success in 2023. Metcalf for the long term in Zay Flowers. 151 (from PIT) Mike Morris, EDGE, Michigan, Round 5: No. Seattle lacked size and power at the front of their 3-4 defense in 2022, which is something Young may be able to help address. One thing we know for sure, though, is it was a quintessential Seahawks draft under general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll. Hell fit in. Michael-Shawn Dugars analysis: Instant-impact Illinois CB is the complete package. Although he played in a favorable offensive situation in Columbus (including alongside first-round receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave), Smith-Njigba is a crisp, controlled route runner with the hand strength to focus and snatch the football. He projects best as a committee back who specializes in catching the football, similar to his role in college. Hes 6-5 and 275 pounds with 33 1/2-inch arms. At No.5, Seattle have their highest pick since 2009. With that in mind, it's time to take a look at what some of the draft experts think the Seahawks might do with Picks No. https://seahawkswire.usatoday.com/lists/seattle-seahawks-every-pick-2023-nfl-draft/, Pick No. Smith-Njigba had 1,421 receiving yards from the slot in 2021, the second-most in FBS. He rushed for 27 touchdowns and just under 2,500 yards the last two seasons after transferring from Michigan to be closer to home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although he might not be ready from the get-go, he offers intriguing NFL potential that can be cultivated. 5 and No. If he gets into the right situation -- and isn't forced to play early -- he could be a star. Young is a heavy, upright mover, which will limit his ability to make plays on the football, but his forceful punch and balance through contact are NFL traits. While both players are major upgrades over what they had at those positions, neither fills holes as big as the ones they have up front on defense. 108 and Mississippi State defensive tackle Cameron Young at No. Kiper Jr.: Here's a team that could afford to take a developmental quarterback with elite upside. The Seahawks have to clean up their pass rush, and Wilson would be a great start there after he posted back-to-back seasons of seven sacks. . A look at where the Seahawks stand at cornerback heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang's top-ranked prospects at that position. Blount is coming off a knee injury and Reed -- who's a hair under 5-10 and 196 pounds -- also played slot corner in college. Seattles offense broke out in 2022 with a well-balanced skill position group and a pair of promising tackles, but adding a slot receiver was a clear opportunity to put the finishing touches on the passing game, and Smith-Njigba is too perfect a fit to pass up. Follow ourLive blog,team-by-team picks/needs,draft tradesandbest available players. He played on both sides of the field at Illinois, regularly matching with the opponent's top receiver. 25 in Dane Bruglers draft guide with a fifth-round grade. CBS Sports' pro comparison for Henley is Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, which should excite some people. Let us know your instant reaction in the comments below. It is the first time that Seattle has a top-five selection in the draft since taking LB Aaron Curry fourth overall in 2009, one year before Pete Carroll became head coach. There is plenty of stiffness to his game and questions about versatility, but his speed off the corner and the effort he plays with, getting everything his body has is legit. The first real surprise of the first round, as CB1 is off the board, a bit earlier than many anticipated. He's a former basketball player who lined up in several different positions for the Clemson Tigers, and knows how to high-point a ball in tight coverage. A look at where the Seahawks stand at linebacker heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang's top-ranked prospects at that position. A look at where the Seahawks stand at running back heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, as well as draft analyst Rob Rang's top-ranked prospects at that position. He allowed the second-lowest QBR (5.2) and second-fewest yards per attempt (3.3) in the FBS as the nearest defender in coverage last season. I would guess Henley can play outside linebacker or inside. Oluwatimi was OC7 in Dane Bruglers draft guide with a Round 5-6 grade. Full coverage of reported Seahawks undrafted free agent signings and camp tryout invitees. All rights reserved. He's a 6-foot-3, 323-pound athletic nose tackle that can stop the run, but also rush the passer from the inside. Incoming Draft Picks. 52. 5 on Thursday night. Michael-Shawn Dugars analysis: Another year, another RB in Round 2. So he should replace free agent departure Marquise Goodwin as Seattle's WR3 barring another injury, which means he'll play considerably even if he isn't technically a starter. Learn how your comment data is processed. "Thank god I got drafted," he said, fighting back tears. Among the things Zierlein says: Just watch these videos to get an idea of what he means: Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3, Cameron Young, DT, Mississippi State (No. Seattles selection of Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon at No. Rob Rang projects all eight of the Seahawks 2022 draft selections. 5 (from DEN) Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois, Round 1: No. In the first year of the post-Russell Wilson era, the Seattle Seahawks went 9-8 last season, finishing second in the NFC West and reaching the playoffs, losing at San Francisco in the Wild Card. Contact balance, toughness, hands, vision, and versatility, Schneider said. With the selection of cornerback Devon Witherspoon at No. And tougher. Just as important, the 2022 consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection was still fast enough to get around the outside for 7.5 sacks last year while adding 11 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and four QB hits. SEAHAWKS, SEAHAWKS LOGO, SPIRIT OF 12, WE ARE 12, BRING ON THE 12, LEGION OF BOOM, 12 and 12S are trademarks of the Seattle Seahawks. They may have a diamond in the rough with Olu Oluwatimi, who won both the Outland and Rimington trophies as the best interior lineman (offense or defense) and center in the nation, respectively. Get To Know Welcome To Seattle Sweepstakes | Enter To Win! Theres no arguing McIntoshs pedigree considering he played four years with Georgia, the reigning back-to-back national champions. But cornerback is a premier position and he's widely regarded as the best one in this draft, so it's a justifiable pick even if it isn't the expected one. The defensive line is something that the Seahawks will focus on later this month, and we aren't done yet either. Whatever grade you have on @UMichFootball OC Olu Oluwatimi its probably too low. (0:49). The Seattle Seahawks have two first round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft and a chance to build on a playoff appearance last season. The Hawks made their second addition to the secondary of the draft with their sixth-rounder in Jerrick Reed II, who showed a nose for the ball in his time with New Mexico. Breese has all of the tools necessary to become an interior disruptor at the next level. Key stats: Witherspoon had more career interceptions (five) than career passing touchdowns allowed (four), according to ESPN Stats & Information. Kiper Jr.: My projected trade between Carolina and Seattle gave the Seahawks some extra capital for moving down four spots, but this is their original pick after a surprise 9-8 season. He is well-built for his frame, but his stature will show versus larger-framed receivers. : Smith-Njigba said he's 100% healthy. He projects as an early NFL starter who is at his best in the slot. Downs is fast, equally quick and capable of creating after the catch. One of the fastest on-field players, regardless of position, at the Senior Bowl Hall ran a 4.55 at more than 250 pounds. Draft analyst Rob Rang's defense-only seven-round Seahawks mock draft. Cross started every game for Seattle at left tackle last season as the team enjoyed great success from their 2022 draft picks. Charbonnet reads the field and his blockers exceptionally well and consistently picks up positive yardage with his ability to absorb contact. 20: Perry: At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds with tremendous length, Wilson is a little more raw than Anderson. He can set a physical edge versus the run, but hints of stiffness leave him tardy to disengage and work off contact. He projects as an immediate NFL starter with scheme versatility. That'd be the ideal scenario for Richardson, a raw passer who completed just 53.8% of his throws last season but has incredible ability as a runner. pic.twitter.com/3CrcQnVcPk, Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 29, 2023. SEATTLE -- The 2023 NFL draft ended Saturday in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. I really like him, Carroll said Thursday night.
