A deep look at the best NFL Draft class ever by the Seahawks

Seahawks land their best draft class ever

We’re here, dear 12s. You’re still there, right, all three of you that made it this far? I do believe the payoff will be worth it. We’re hardly the only ones to say that the 2022 Seahawks draft class was a great one. Not the only ones, no, but we proclaimed it loudly, and often. Practically the moment the draft was over, I said the Hawks pulled off the biggest steals of the draft. I hang my head in shame, 12s. I undersold it.

Bookend tackles Charles Cross and Abe Lucas have both had a few growing pains with untimely penalties. They also look every inch a pair of Pro Bowl tackles for at least the next decade. Yes, we expected greatness from Cross – our own Matthew Holm certainly did – but I don’t think we expected it now. Matthew also saw Lucas as a future anchor for the Hawks. But both of these guys are playing with the savvy of 10-year veterans.

Sandwiched between their tackles, Seattle selected defensive end Boye Mafe and running back Ken Walker III. Both got off to slow starts, slotted behind starters Uchenna Nwosu and Rashaad Penny. Mafe has seen his snaps increase in every game, reaching 51 percent in Seattle’s dominant defensive performance in week 6 versus the Cardinals.

Mafe has speed to burn, and will only get better with each game. Speaking of speed, Walker flashed his with his first start, as he burned the same Cardinals for 97 yards and the Hawks lone touchdown. Pardon me while I remind the doubters exactly why Walker was a great pick in the second round.

Okay, that’s the first four picks, and every one of them looks like a winner. We haven’t even gotten to the real jewels of the Seahawks great draft heist of 2022. Of course, I’m talking about cornerbacks Coby Bryant and Tariq Woolen. Fifth-round pick Woolen may have started out faster, but Jim Thorpe Award winner Bryant has caught up quickly. Not as quickly as Tariq the Friq’s blinding 4.26 speed, but quick enough.

Woolen’s stats were crazy enough after four weeks, but he’s since doubled his interceptions to four and leads the league. As for Bryant, he wasted no time overcoming his miscue on a deep ball in week one. He may not have any picks, but he’s already forced four fumbles, which also happens to lead the league. He’s also thrown in a sack and two QB pressures. Of the 10 turnovers Seattle has forced, their rookie corners have eight.

The jury is still out on defensive end Tyreke Smith and wide receivers Bo Melton and Darekee  Young. Smith has been on injured reserve, while Melton is on the practice squad. Young has gotten into two games, splitting snaps between offense and special teams. They certainly haven’t had the same impact as their fellow rookies, but we’re only six weeks into their rookie seasons. It’s far too soon to write them off. Bear in mind we’re talking about a fifth and two seventh-round picks.

Yes, I know, I know, I already acknowledged we’ve only passed week six. But from what you’ve seen so far, do you have any doubt that the bookend tackles and twin corners will be Pro Bowlers for years to come? Mafe looks like the real deal, too. Way to get your mojo back, Pete and John. We’ll revisit this in, oh, fifteen years. I’m confident that this will prove to be the Seahawks best draft class ever. Perhaps even the best in league history.