The 2023 NFL Draft was an important time for the Seattle Seahawks as it was the best chance yet to improve a playoff-caliber roster. Among the biggest concerns as the Seahawks entered the off-season was on the interior defensive line. It still needed a boost after a busy free agency timeline. This draft, like last year’s stellar draft, was focused on grabbing the best overall player at a big position rather than filling the biggest position needs. After another solid draft by the Seahawks, most, if not all, of their top-five picks will likely play immediately.
Seattle Seahawks Picks By Round:
- First Round (5th overall): Devon Whitherspoon, CB
- First Round (20th overall): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
- Second Round (37th overall): Derick Hall, DE
- Second Round (52nd overall): Zach Charbonnet, RB
- Fourth Round (108th overall): Anthony Bradford, G
- Fourth Round (123rd overall): Cameron Young, DT
- Fifth Round (151st overall): Mike Morris, DE
- Fifth Round (154th overall): Olusegun Oluwatimi, C
- Sixth Round (198th overall): Jerrick Reed, S
- Seventh Round (237th overall): Kenny McIntosh, RB
Grade: 9/10
Seattle Seahawks 2023 NFL Draft Review: Filling the Roster with the Best Players Possible
The Seattle Seahawks had two goals in this 2023 NFL Draft: to draft depth and to draft the best players available at a position considered a top-five need. This was the mindset of last year’s 2022 NFL Draft, as the Seahawks drafted four full-time starters and key reliable role players to become the biggest surprise in the NFL this past season. The Seahawks will not surprise anyone this 2023 season, however, as their potential is known.
Like any other team in the league, the Seahawks must reload and replenish their talent. Seattle made many cuts on their roster that would need to be replaced by young elite players through the Draft. This draft was the perfect opportunity for the Seahawks to get high-level talent that could potentially make immediate contributions. While the biggest position needs were not fully met until the third day of the draft, the overall picks from general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll were good.
The Best Player(s): Devon Witherspoon & Jaxon Smith-Njigba
This category gets two players because of the special circumstance. The Seahawks had the fifth overall pick because of the trade to send quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. Seattle got the better end of the deal twice as they got rid of a locker room distraction and what ended up being a top-five draft pick. Sure, the Seahawks could have used that pick on Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter, but too many off-field concerns about Carter were giant red flags. Instead, the Seahawks got one of the top defensive players in the draft and took care of their other man-coverage cornerback needs in Devon Witherspoon. Carroll compared Witherspoon with the physical capabilities of Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu.
With the 20th pick, the possibilities were endless for the Seahawks. They could have gotten a valuable interior offensive lineman in a reach, a reliable tight end or a wide receiver, a position not picked at that moment in the draft. The Seahawks ended up being the first team in the draft to take a receiver off the boards with Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The decision was made to not only give the receiver corps some depth, but also give quarterback Geno Smith a reliable number-three option. Outside of D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Marquise Goodwin (now with the Cleveland Browns), the Seahawks didn’t have a reliable receiver throughout the season. The Seahawks had only one season in the last four years where they had a #3 receiver account for over 400 receiving yards. Smith-Njigba makes an elite trio of receivers in just one draft pick.
The Player Most Likely to Turn Heads: Anthony Bradford
The Seahawks got a big boost in the running game last season due to the instant impact of Kenneth Walker III. Seattle finished the season ranked 18th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (120.1) as the interior offensive line struggled. The Seahawks have a reliable temporary starter at center, but Phil Haynes is back at right guard. Haynes had an overall grade of 57.1 by Pro Football Focus last season. Bradford could be an immediate role player for the Seahawks’ interior offensive line. He is a monster in the interior due to his size and power as a blocker. He can contend for the starting right guard for the Seahawks if he comes into camp athletic but remains physical.
The Head Scratcher(s): Zach Charbonnet and Trading Pick 83
In the late second round, the Seahawks had a chance to continue improving the defensive line after selecting edge rusher Derick Hall. Players available at 52nd overall were Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter or Minnesota center/guard John Michael Schmitz. Instead, the Seahawks added their second young running back to their roster with the addition of Zach Charbonnet. He adds power to the Seahawks’ backfield, complementing Walker’s speed and athleticism. Adding depth and a number-two back was crucial. However, doing so this early in the draft with several talented backs available in later rounds was a head-scratcher.
The most concerning move for the Seahawks was in the third round when they traded the 83rd overall pick to the Broncos. In return, the Seahawks received the 108th overall pick and the Broncos’ third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Players available at #83 were Washington State inside linebacker Daiyan Henley, Clemson inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, Georgia tight end Darnell Washington and Baylor nose tackle Siaki Ika.
The Rest:
As mentioned, the Seahawks got a speedy pass rusher early in the second round in Auburn’s Derick Hall. He brings a different complexion to Seattle’s pass rush, with Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe being more power rushers. Cameron Young has a chance to make a lasting impression in the interior of the defensive line, a position group that needed the most upgrades. The Seahawks got potential future starters from Michigan with strongside defensive end Mike Morris and center Olusegun Oluwatimi. With depth and injuries becoming a concern in the safety group, adding a young, talented player like Jerrick Reed could pay dividends down the road. With the last pick, the Seahawks got more depth and talent needed at running back with another playmaker in Kenny McIntosh.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
