ESPN source reveals what Seahawks are planning to do with top-5 pick
The Seattle Seahawks are in an extremely enviable position heading into the NFL Draft, but it's also a position that comes with a lot of pressure. That's because the Seahawks can set themselves up to win a lot of games for a long time if their 2023 draft is similar to that of last year's […]
The Seattle Seahawks are in an extremely enviable position heading into the NFL Draft, but it's also a position that comes with a lot of pressure.
That's because the Seahawks can set themselves up to win a lot of games for a long time if their 2023 draft is similar to that of last year's draft. The key with this year, however, is they are in much better shape to do so than last year. If they don't have a successful draft, then they've squandered a golden opportunity that won't take away from the genius of trading Russell Wilson, but it will certainly represent an anti-climatic ending to what was a situation filled with amazing potential.
Fortunately, the team doesn't have to stress over picking a quarterback. They have one, for 2023 at least, in Geno Smith. But, Smith's contract, his age, and his inconsistent play over the course of his career are keeping the Seahawks in the conversation of taking a quarterback at No. 5 overall.
The Seahawks also met with several quarterbacks, including the top ones in Anthony Richardson, Bryce Young, Will Levis, and C.J. Stroud. It's Richardson, in fact, that's been tied closest to the team and is the most popular option if John Schneider and Pete Carroll decide to take a quarterback.
But, according to ESPN draft expert Matt Miller's Seahawks source, the team plans to forgo taking a quarterback in favor of defensive line help at No. 5.
The Seahawks might be checking in on the quarterbacks, but a source in Seattle said to expect defensive line help over quarterback at No. 5 overall. That would seem to point to a belief that either Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) or Jalen Carter (Georgia) will be available, a situation that's highly likely at this point. But here's one more Seattle nugget that throws a wrench in that: I was told it loves cornerback Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) if the top pass-rushers are gone. – ESPN's Matt Miller
The Seahawks need to go defensive line over quarterback
This is a good decision by the Seahawks if things pan out to where Jalen Carter or Will Anderson -or just one of them- are available at No. 5.
Taking a player like Richardson makes sense. He's a developmental prospect who can sit and learn under Smith while he learns the NFL game and improves his own deficiencies. There's also the slim possibility of Will Levis at No. 5, but Richardson would make more sense in that instance.
But, taking a defensive linemen for a front seven that needs a lot of help makes even more sense and both Carter and Anderson -even Witherspoon- are safer picks than Richardson. Richardson's ceiling is what puts his name in this conversation, but his floor is what puts him behind Carter and Anderson, in this sense.
It's a better process and it's one that should set the Seahawks up for success over the next few years. And who knows, maybe they can luck out and find another franchise quarterback in the later rounds, which would only add even more icing on the cake.
You can check out ESPN's full column, here.
