Seahawks can look even smarter for bold moves if their forgotten weapon can prove himself in time
The Seattle Seahawks won their second-ever Super Bowl thanks in large part to a fantastic 2023 NFL Draft class. Zach Charbonnet can elevate the class to even further heights.
The Seattle Seahawks won their second-ever Super Bowl thanks in large part to a fantastic 2023 NFL Draft class.
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon, wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba, and defensive Derick Hall were the first three picks and have all become cornerstone players for the club after just three years.
These three are primarily why Pro Football Focus ranked Seattle’s 2023 class the third-best in the entire league.
Seahawks 2023 draft class graded high
PFF has high praise for what Seattle did in the draft three years ago.
- Offensive Grade: 83.5 (5th)
- Defensive Grade: 82.1 (3rd)
- Initial Draft Grade: A
The player picked right after this trio, however, can elevate the class to even greater heights.
Zach Charbonnet is the forgotten key in Seattle’s offense
The Seahawks watched Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker leave in free agency to join the Kansas City Chiefs. They drafted Jadarian Price in the first round of this year’s draft to compensate for the loss, but Zach Charbonnet has a chance to take over while he’s still around.
Charbonnet ran in 12 touchdowns last season and forced 46 missed tackles, per PFF, on 189 attempts. His usage and production has increased every year he’s been in the PNW. The issue is he’s coming off a torn ACL he suffered during the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
It’s unclear when Charbonnet can return at this point, despite signs of him doing light work at offseason workouts. If he can come back for most of the 2026 season to play out his contract year, it would be another feather in Seattle’s cap regarding the 2023 class.
Zach Charbonnet is the other highlight of this class. He has a torn ACL to overcome, but could return as RB1 in Seattle’s revamped backfield committee.
Daire Carragher
PFF NFL writer
Price was drafted in the first round for a reason. He’s the future of the backfield and a great insurance policy for Charbonnet this year. There’s also nothing stopping the Seahawks from giving their former second-round pick a chance to prove himself in a contract season assuming he returns fully healthy.
Letting Walker leave was tough. Charbonnet and Price becoming a dynamic duo in 2026 can make it all worth it, and establish that 2023 class as an all-timer.