The Seattle Seahawks are in rebuilding mode. With the team trading quarterback Russell Wilson and releasing linebacker Bobby Wagner, Seattle is ready for an overhaul of changes. They start their change through the 2022 NFL Draft. General manager John Schneider has had more misses than misses when it comes to the Draft’s first round. This is also considering that the Seahawks rarely have a first-round pick with four in the last nine years. The Seahawks have a big decision to make with the ninth overall pick they have received from the Denver Broncos in the Wilson trade. They have recently shown they may wait for the 2023 NFL Draft for an elite quarterback. Seattle needs to add more elite talent at other positions than a decent rookie quarterback when the draft starts. Here are five non-quarterbacks prospects the Seahawks to look into in the 2022 NFL Draft.
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Five Non-QB Seattle Seahawks Draft Options They Should Take
OT Charles Cross (Mississippi State)
Before the start of last season, The Seahawks with a huge concern for their offensive line, highlighted by Russell Wilson. They enter this off-season with the offensive line being of four major position concerns. Their best offensive tackle in Duane Brown is now a free agent. The Seahawks need to find a reliable, elite tackle that can become a leader. This past season, they gave up 46 sacks, which is the eighth highest in the league. This 2022 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented offensive linemen, and Seattle needs to take advantage of it. They can start by selecting the third-best offensive tackle in this draft in Charles Cross, who ranks 13th in the entire draft by Bleacher Report. Cross is a big and highly athletic tackle with solid strength and consistency, especially in pass protection. Cross could easily become a captain for the Seahawks within a few years.
CB Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU)
The secondary remains one of the biggest areas of concern for the Seahawks’ defense. Their inability to remain consistent in man coverage is why Seattle is the second-to-worst team in the league in passing defense. Getting a true number one cornerback would help a defense that gives 265.5 passing yards per game. There is potential that LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. could be available when the Seahawks pick at nine in the 2022 NFL Draft. Stingley has the speed, tracking ability, solid movement to stay on his receiver, and press-man contact to be a top-tier corner in the NFL. His vision and timing make him a tough man coverage corner to beat. He played against some of the more efficient quarterbacks in the SEC and College Football, including Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa.
EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
There are always high-valued prospects that drop due to several position groups being drafted high. Oregon’s dynamic and explosive edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux could be there for Seattle to make. The Seahawks are currently without their top two sack leaders from this past season in Carlos Dunlap and Rasheem Green. Seattle needed an elite pass rusher at some point after the past season as they allowed accumulated 34 sacks, tied for ninth fewest in the league. After releasing Wagner, the Seahawks could use as much help as possible with their rush defense. Thibodeaux is a defender that can create an efficient pass rush from the edge or in-between the tackles. He will add a lot of versatility to the defense and their ability to blitz if the Seahawks draft him.
WR Drake London (USC)
This pick varies if Seattle decides to trade one of their last stars in wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. If Seattle continues their complete rebuild, they could get an immediate replacement in Drake London. Despite having Metcalf, Russell Wilson, and wide receiver Tyler Lockett on the team, the Seahawks ranked 23rd in the league in passing yards per game (201.9) this past season. Much of this underwhelming performance was due to the inefficient offensive line, but they lack more help at receiver. London is a big-bodied receiver with great speed, reliable hands, and can contend for the catch. He is one of the best all-around receivers as he can win against defensive backs in several different ways. Seattle could be looking into a number one outside receiver if they trade Metcalf for more picks and contract relief.
EDGE Jermaine Johnson (Florida State)
If most of these prospects are taken by the time Seattle picks at nine, they could make the selection for one of the biggest risers in the Draft. The Draft stock for Jermaine Johnson has been rising ever since he was dominant in the 2022 Senior Bowl. The former Bulldog and Seminole is not so much of a reach for Seattle. Walter Football rates him as the 13th best prospect in the Draft and Seattle needs a pass rusher. Johnson is a true edge rusher who can play at the strong side of the defense. Johnson is a solid run-stopper as his ability to shed off blocks and win matchups is huge for this defense. He is a safe but talented option if they can’t get a more elite prospect instead of trading back.
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