2023 Seattle Seahawks Draft Blog: The Ultimate Guide

The 2023 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and the Seattle Seahawks are looking to add some much-needed talent to their roster. With the No. 5 overall pick, the Seahawks have a chance to land a potential franchise-changing player.

Needs and Targets

The Seahawks have a number of needs that they could address in the draft, including:

• Edge rusher
• Offensive tackle
• Wide receiver
• Cornerback
• Safety

Some of the top targets for the Seahawks in the draft include:

• Edge rusher: Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama), Jalen Carter (Georgia), Myles Murphy (Clemson)
• Offensive tackle: Peter Skoronoski (Northwestern), Broderick Jones (Georgia), Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State)
• Wide receiver: Quentin Johnston (TCU), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Ohio State), Jordan Addison (USC)
• Cornerback: Devon Witherspoon (Illinois), Christian Gonzalez (Colorado), Eli Ricks (LSU)
• Safety: Brian Branch (Alabama), Antonio Johnson (Texas A&M), Henry To'oTo'o (Tennessee)

Mock Drafts

Here is a look at a few mock drafts from around the web:

NFL.com

1. Seattle Seahawks: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
2. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
3. Arizona Cardinals: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
4. Indianapolis Colts: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
5. Carolina Panthers: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

CBS Sports

1. Seattle Seahawks: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
2. Houston Texans: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
3. Arizona Cardinals: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama
4. Indianapolis Colts: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
5. Carolina Panthers: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson

ESPN

1. Seattle Seahawks: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
2. Houston Texans: C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
3. Arizona Cardinals: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
4. Indianapolis Colts: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
5. Carolina Panthers: Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama

Analysis

The Seahawks have a lot of options with the No. 5 overall pick. They could trade down and acquire more picks, or they could stay put and select one of the top players available.

If the Seahawks stay put, they are likely to select an edge rusher or an offensive tackle. Both positions are major needs for the team, and there are several talented players available at both positions.

If the Seahawks trade down, they could potentially acquire multiple first-round picks. This would give them more flexibility to address their needs on both sides of the ball.

Conclusion

The 2023 NFL Draft is a big opportunity for the Seahawks to improve their roster. With the No. 5 overall pick, they have a chance to land a potential franchise-changing player.

The Seahawks have a number of needs that they could address in the draft, including edge rusher, offensive tackle, wide receiver, cornerback, and safety. There are several talented players available at all of these positions, so the Seahawks should be able to find some good value in the draft.

Three Humorous Draft Stories

1. The Time a Team Traded Up for a Kicker

In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens traded up in the second round to select kicker Justin Tucker. Tucker is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, but he is also one of the most expensive. The Ravens gave up a third-round pick to move up and select Tucker, and some people thought they had overpaid. However, Tucker has been worth every penny for the Ravens. He has made over 90% of his field goal attempts and has been a key part of the Ravens' success.

What we learn: Don't be afraid to take risks in the draft. If you believe in a player, go get him.

2. The Time a Team Drafted a Player Who Wasn't Even Eligible

In the 2013 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected wide receiver Justin Hunter in the second round. However, it turned out that Hunter was not eligible for the draft because he had not yet graduated from college. The Jaguars were forced to forfeit their second-round pick, and Hunter was not allowed to play in the NFL until the following year.

What we learn: Do your homework before you draft a player. Make sure that he is eligible for the draft and that he is a good fit for your team.

3. The Time a Team Drafted a Player Who Was Already Retired

In the 1979 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints selected running back George Rogers with the No. 1 overall pick. However, Rogers had already retired from football a few months earlier. The Saints were unaware of this, and they were forced to trade Rogers to the Washington Redskins for a first-round pick.

What we learn: Communication is important. Make sure that you are on the same page with your team before you make any big decisions.

Three Useful Tables

Table 1: Top Edge Rushers in the 2023 NFL Draft

Table 2: Top Offensive Tackles in the 2023 NFL Draft

Table 3: Top Wide Receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft

How to Step-by-Step Approach to the Draft

1. Identify your team's needs. What positions do you need to improve?
2. Do your research. Study the draft prospects and identify the players who can fill your team's needs.
3. Make a list of your top targets. Rank the players you are interested in in order of preference.
4. Attend the NFL Combine. This is a great opportunity to see the players in person and get a better idea of their athletic abilities.
5. Hold private workouts with players. This is a way to get a closer look at the players and see how they fit with your team.
6. Make your draft selections. On draft day, you will have to make some tough decisions. Stick to your plan and select the players who you think can best help your team.

Pros and Cons of Trading Up or Down

Trading Up

• Pros:
  • You can get a player who you really want.
  • You can move up to select a player who is projected to go higher in the draft.
• Cons:
  • You have to give up draft picks to move up.
  • The player you select may not live up to expectations.

Trading Down

• Pros:
  • You can acquire more draft picks.
  • You can move down to select a player who is projected to go lower in the draft.
• Cons:
  • You may not be able to get the player you want.
  • The player you select may not be as good as the players who were available when you had the higher pick.

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