The Seattle Seahawks have found themselves among many headlines surrounding the 2022 NFL Draft. Of course, the primary one is will they trade Russell Wilson? Last offseason, there was some speculation that Wilson wanted out of Seattle – although, it was never confirmed. Given the struggles of their current season, many are already assuming that the star quarterback will be playing elsewhere next year.
If that were to be the case, then the Seattle Seahawks will enter the 2022 NFL Draft with a lot of ammunition as whoever trades for Wilson is going to have to pay up. Also, we aren’t even sure if it will be the Pete Carroll and John Schneider regime that is making the picks.
There is a lot of uncertainly looming large over the Seattle Seahawks organization. Regardless, we do know that the team will be looking to address some of its issues through the draft.
With free agency beginning in March, the Seattle Seahawks may look to spend some money before the draft to acquire talent at much-needed positions. Nevertheless, you can expect them to look at the following positions during the draft.
Seattle Seahawks mock draft: Seattle goes offense early
Target Positions: OL, DL, HB, DB
Offensive Line: This is the projected #1 need for Seattle. Russell Wilson has been pressured way too much over the years and it will be critically important to keep our star quarterback happy.
Defensive Line: In the Legion of Boom days, the defensive line was disruptive. As of late, they haven’t been able to consistently generate pressure on the quarterback.
Half Back: With Chris Carson’s future up in the air, Seattle should look to draft a HB that can provide depth or someone who can eventually emerge as the starting running back.
Defensive Back: Although I expect Seattle to address this through free agency, adding depth certainly can’t hurt. As we have seen, 4th round draft pick Tre Brown is going to have an impact on this defense in the future.
With 6 total picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, here is my first mock draft of how it will unfold for the Seattle Seahawks.
Round 2, Pick 39
Pick: OT Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Heading into the offseason, the Seattle Seahawks number one priority should be adding reassurances to the offensive line. As a general rule when assessing drafts, players picked in rounds 1-3 are typically expected to be starters while players drafted 4-7 have a chance of making the roster and then eventually earning their playing time as the season progresses.
Last year, the Seahawks only had three picks in the NFL Draft, one of them being in the second round. They used it on WR D’Wayne Eskridge out of Western Michigan, who actually just scored his first career touchdown in Week 13 against the 49ers. But, I think many 12s wanted Seattle to address the offensive line and select C Creed Humphrey out of Oklahoma. Instead, they passed up on him and he is now graded as the best C in all of football, according to PFF.
Entering Week 14, Russell Wilson is tied at 9th along with Matt Ryan (26 sacks) for most sacked quarterbacks…and that is with Wilson missing three and a half games due to a finger issue. That is why with their first pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, I have them selecting OT Darian Kinnard out of Kentucky. Our current RT Brandon Shell, is on a contract year and has been dealing with a lingering shoulder issue that has resulted in poor pass protection.
At 6-foot-5, 345 pounds, Kinnard is a very good run blocker who has improved upon his pass protection in the 2021 season. On 213 pass-blocking attempts, he has only allowed 4 pressures. Someone that size opposite Duane Brown sure should keep a smile on Wilson’s face.
Round 3, Pick 70
Pick: DE Jermaine Johnson, Florida State
Thus far in 2021, the Seattle Seahawks pass rush has been disappointing. Entering the season, I believe many were excited about this particular unit just because of how strong they finished the 2020 season. But, the lower blitz rate has put more pressure on our edge defenders to win in the one-and-ones and that’s just not happening. Right now, our leading sack guy is Darrell Taylor (5). Outside of him, the numbers are pretty bad.
The promising news about the defensive front is that Darrell Taylor is in his second year — even though it’s his first year of playing — and they have some pieces off the bench that they like to mix in. That has been evident as we have seen Carlos Dunlaps’ playing time decrease throughout the season. The mixture of Rasheem Green and Alton Robinson along with Darrell Taylor gives Seattle added depth, but they don’t seem to have a home run hitter.
The odds of landing that home run hitter in the third round are low. However, I do see the Seattle Seahawks drafting another edge rusher to add to that rotation. DE Jermaine Johnson out of Florida State is someone who possesses good size and length. He is listed at 6-foot-5, 262 pounds. In the 2021 season, he finished with 12 sacks and 70 total tackles.
He is known for his speed along with a good first step that allows him to beat the offensive tackles. Combine that with his quick hands and he will fit right into this Seattle rotation. He and Taylor on the outside would be a nice duo as they both have pretty solid speed for their position.
Round 4, Pick 106 (via NYJ)
Pick: CB Coby Bryant, Cincinnati
The Seattle Seahawks have two picks in the fourth round. They own the New York Jets fourth-rounder courtesy of the Jamal Adams trade. At this point in the draft, we may see Seattle try to trade down and acquire more picks, but we will treat it as if they don’t. Last year in the fourth round, the Seahawks selected CB Tre Brown out of Oklahoma. Who, in just a couple of games played, showed he has big-time playmaking ability.
With the first of their two picks in the fourth round, I see Seattle taking another cornerback who would fit in really well with their scheme: Cody Bryant out of Cincinnati. Standing in at 6-feet-1, 198 pounds, Bryant is known for zone coverage defense. He has very good hands for a defensive back, knows how to use his size and is unique in the sense that he understands the route tree very well. Most importantly, his dog mentality will allow him to fit into this Seattle culture perfectly.
Pick 107: HB Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama
I would not be surprised at all if the Seahawks were to take Kenneth Walker III out of Michigan State in the second round. But, with offensive line being a bigger need, I see them going in that direction. Plus, they can expend one of their later picks on a running back that fits their scheme. As we have seen this year along with years past, as we get into November and December, Seattle’s backfield is always slim. Once again this season, Chris Carson is hurt and Rashaad Penny just can’t seem to stay healthy.
Although Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas are young prospects, Seattle should look for another running back that can give them viable production throughout the entire season. Brain Robinson Jr. out of Alabama is a physical runner that refuses to go down. Very similar to the mentality that Pete Carroll fell in love with Chris Carson. He also is known for solid pass protection, specifically against blitzing linebackers. I see Robinson Jr. as a real solid fit in this Seattle backfield.
Round 5, Pick 148
Pick: OG Dohnovan West, Arizona State
In writing this article, we are under the assumption that Russell Wilson is still the Seattle Seahawks quarterback. With that said, fixing the offensive line should be the main focus of this draft. With already selecting Kinnard in the second round, I have the Seahawks adding more reassurance in the fifth round. Offensive linemen Dohnovan West out of Arizona State.
Throughout his career at ASU, West has shown he is versatile enough to play multiple positions. He has played tackle, guard and center. That unique ability is something that may catch the eye of Seattle as that was one of the primary reasons they drafted Ethan Pocic out of LSU a couple of years back. With some aging guys like Duane Brown and Gabe Jackson currently on the line, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to draft someone like West who can be groomed by these veterans.
Round 7, Pick 222: S Jalen Pitre, Baylor
The Seattle Seahawks do not own a 6th round pick as they traded it earlier in the year to the Jacksonville Jaguars for CB Sidney Jones. I know many will be surprised to see that I don’t have the Seahawks selecting a quarterback. With their final pick in the draft, I see them selecting S Jalen Pitre out of Baylor.
Given the injury history of both Jamal Adams and Marquise Blair, Seattle can use depth at this position. Granted, 7th round picks are merely just flyers. But, you truly never know what can blossom out of this. Pitre has pretty good height and size for his position. His hard hitting ability along his solid man coverage skills may even allow Seattle to try him out as a nickel back in certain packages. If he were to be their 7th round pick, he has a high ceiling given the expectations that come along with being the last pick.
Seattle Seahawks 2022 NFL Mock Draft Results
Here is a quick recap of the first edition of my Seahawks Mock Draft.