Seattle Seahawks 2022 Mock Draft 6.0: Building the bridge to success

Round 1, Pick 9 (via DEN)

This pick may come as a surprise to many as the Seattle Seahawks haven’t drafted a cornerback in the first round since 2006. Meaning, Pete Carroll and John Schneider have never once drafted one in the top 32. But–in my opinion at least–it wouldn’t make sense to pass up on a talent like Derek Stingley Jr.

Seattle has had it struggles in the backend over the last half of this decade and are missing a true number 1 cornerback. Shaquill Griffin ended up moving on elsewhere for more money just as D.J. Reed did this offseason. With more questions than answers on the offensive side of the ball, Pete needs to focus on what he does best: defense.

Stingley was an All-American in 2019 and made first-team SEC in both 2019 and 2020. Not to mention the fact that he fits the mold at the position in which Seattle had much success years ago. He is 6-feet tall, about 190 pounds and has blazing speed. At this pro day earlier in the week, he posted a 4.37 40-time that had social media buzzing. Although he didn’t play much in 2021 due to injury, he will enter the league battled-tested as he went up against Ja’Marr Chase every day in practice.

While many of you are reading this and rolling your eyes (probably), be honest with yourself. The Seahawks haven’t prioritized taking offensive linemen high in the draft. Coupled with the fact that this remains a deep draft class at the tackle and guard position, I think Stingley becomes the best overall selection for this team. He can serve as a true number 1 cornerback in an effort to restore a once dominating defense.