The Seattle Seahawks have a major opportunity ahead of them in the form of the 2023 NFL Draft. The moves they make over the course of those three days could set them up to be perennial contenders for the next decade. 

No pressure, right? 

It's going to be must-see TV when it comes to watching what the Seahawks do in the draft. There are so many possibilities when it comes to potential prospects thanks to their four picks in the first 52 selections. It doesn't stop there, either: General manager John Schneider and co. could even package those picks to move up inside the top-5 in order to get a coveted player, if they want.

In The Athletic's latest mock draft, there's a top-10 team that moves up inside the top-5, but unfortunately, it's not the Seahawks. 

It's the team right behind them in the Detroit Lions. But what really stings, here, is the Lions don't trade up to draft Jalen Carter (they could really use a good 3-tech), they instead select former Alabama pass rusher, Will Anderson.

Anderson would be the perfect pick for the Seahawks. Seattle has a solid pass rushing duo in Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor, but Taylor still has to show that he can produce at a consistent level. Clint Hurtt's defense also needs a viable third option in the pass rush rotation. Boye Mafe proved to be good in run defense last year, but he still has a way to go in terms of getting after the quarterback. 

Anderson would likely even push Taylor for playing time, which is never a bad thing. But what ties all of this together in a big knot of crappiness is the fact the Seahawks would have to play against Anderson at some point in 2023 – the Lions are on the 'Hawks list of 2023 opponents. 

The Seahawks do rebound nicely, however, by selecting Tyree Wilson at No. 5 overall and Calijah Kancey at No. 20. Wilson isn't as polished as Anderson and he's still recovering from a November foot injury, but he has crazy length and he has good hands on top of good overall athleticism. There is plenty to work with and the Seahawks' new pass rush specialist, BT Jordan, should be able to get a lot out of Wilson in his first year. He can easily become a star if everything plays out like it should.

Kancey is a wildcard, but is totally worth it. Remember the last time everyone questioned an undersized, yet super quick/athletic and powerful interior defensive lineman coming out of Pittsburgh? Yea, me too.

Look, no one is saying Kancey is the second coming of Aaron Donald, but it's hard not to excited at the idea of him playing with Dre'Mont Jones and Jarran Reed on the defensive line. That is a very quick, versatile, and active front that will be set up to penetrate into the backfield and also provide decent run defense. At worst, Kancey will be an OK player.

Nick Baumgadtner, the author of the mock draft, then has the Seahawks taking former TCU guard Steve Avila, former Vols receiver Cedric Tillman, and former Badgers linebacker Nate Herbig with their next three picks (37, 52, and 83, respectively).

All three are very solid picks that address needs with very good players. Avila would immediately provide competition along the interior of the offensive line and would likely be the front-runner for one of the starting guard positions. Tillman gives the Seahawks another big, tough X receiver that can win contested catches down the field, and Herbig can help hold down the fort while the team awaits the return of Pro Bowl linebacker Jordyn Brooks.

This mock draft got off to a very rough start for the Seahawks, but, it also shows how they are almost bulletproof heading into the draft. If anything initially goes against anything they want to do, then Schneider and co. have plenty of resources to manipulate/make up as much ground as they deem necessary. 

The Seahawks are in a great position and they will be tough to beat in 2023 if they play their draft cards right. 

You can check out Baumgardner's full three-round mock draft, here.