Seattle Seahawks 2022 Mock Draft 3.0: Post-Russell Wilson trade
By Jake Luppino
Making a splash before the draft
When I put my GM hat on and pretend I am in the position to make decisions for a football team I ask myself the following question: What do we have vs. what do we need?
The foundation on which that question is based upon is what do we need in order to win the Super Bowl? For the Seahawks, the answer is pretty obvious: a quarterback. Yes, they will still have other holes in certain positions, but what team is perfect? Each team has its strengths just like they have their weaknesses. Seattle has experienced that themselves for the last five years. The dynamic player that Russell Wilson was enabled him to mask some of Seattle’s other problems.
Thus, they need to find themselves another dynamic playmaker. That’s where Deshaun Watson comes in. I believe when all the smoke clears for Watson and his legal issues, the Seahawks will acquire the former Clemson Tiger.
Many will pushback on this as Watson’s character has seriously been scrutinized with all the sexual misconduct allegations he is facing. All I’m asking is that you hear me out.
Like Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson has a no-trade clause. Meaning, he holds all the leverage in trade negotiations. The Houston Texans can only send him where he wants to go. Just like Wilson only wanted to go to Denver, Watson may very well only want to go to Seattle. The Seahawks knowing this can simply just flip the assets they acquired from Denver and give Houston much-needed picks as they are in a clear rebuild.
With a 71-year old head coach, I find it hard to believe the Seahawks want a rookie quarterback under center. In the end, Russell Wilson will have served as a chess piece. If this were to happen, the Seahawks would have traded Russell Wilson for Deshaun Watson, Noah Fant, Shelby Harris and Drew Lock while still keeping all of their 2022 draft picks. Fant and Harris fill voids at TE and DL and allow Seattle to use their draft picks on other positions of need.