Once the Seahawks decided what to do with their 2023 free agent class, their focus will turn to the draft. This franchise hit a home run in 2022 for the first time in 10 years and another strong class could put them into championship contention.
In a new two-round mock from Luke Easterling at Draft Wire, the Seahawks address their defensive needs with their first three picks. Here’s how the mock played out for Seattle.
Pick No. 4: Georgia DT Jalen Carter
If the season were to end today, the Seahawks would be picking at No. 4 overall thanks to the Russell Wilson trade. That would put them in position to land a blue-chip defensive prospect to help turn around their issues stopping the run and consistently getting to the quarterback.
Carter (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) would give Seattle’s defense the run-stopping plug in the middle of their line that they evidently need. In 32 games at Georgia he’s posted 16.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks.
Taking an interior lineman with a top-five pick is always going to raise a few eyebrows, but many analysts believe Carter is the best player in this class.
Pick No. 16: Florida State EDGE Jared Verse
A monster run stopper like Carter should definitely be on the list, but the Seahawks will also need to address their edge rotation early in the draft. Right now their own first-round pick would be in the middle of the pack at No. 16 overall, which is still in range to land a Week 1 impact defender.
Verse (6-foot-4, 247 pounds) has had a breakout year with Florida State after transferring from Albany. He has 7.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss in 11 games.
Pick No. 34: Utah CB Clark Phillips III
The Seahawks also got the Broncos’ second-round pick in the Wilson deal, setting them up to land a first-round type talent who may not get picked on Day 1 for silly draft reasons.
Cornerback might not be on Seattle’s list this year after landing two studs in 2022. However, Phillips (5-foot-10, 191 pounds) could be that special kind of player. He has nine interceptions, 20 pass breakups and four defensive touchdowns for Utah.
Pick: No. 49: North Carolina WR Josh Downs
After investing in their defense, the Seahawks could use more weapons for Geno Smith – specifically a legitimate WR3 option behind Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.
With their next pick, Easterling has Seattle taking North Carolina’s Josh Downs (5-foot-10, 180 pounds). Over the last two seasons, Downs has posted over 2,000 receiving yards and scored 19 touchdowns.
