Seattle Seahawks 2023 Mock Draft: Addressing defensive needs
By Jake Luppino
Round 2, Seahawks Pick 34 (via DEN)
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Oregon. 820. CB. ChristianGonzalez. 32. player
Mike Jackson Sr. has had a nice season, but he is not the answer at CB2. Christian Gonzalez is the prototypical Seattle Seahawks corner. At 6-2, 201 pounds, he’s lengthy, physical, and has great instincts. Christian Gonzalez opposite Tariq Woolen with Tre Brown and Coby Bryant battling it out for the slot would develop into one of the better secondaries in the NFL. In the Legion of Boom era, Seattle had lengthy physical corners that could get handsy at the line of scrimmage, but also make play balls on the ball.
Christian Gonzalez finds someway to stand out each week. ++ instincts here. https://t.co/M5xR5DjDuS
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) November 26, 2022
The tape on Gonzalez shows his ball skills. His press-bail technique will transition well into this Seattle defensive scheme. What impresses me most about him, however, is his tackling ability. There is a reason he is one of the top DBs in this draft. One could argue he is the most athletic CB in this class.
Round 2, Pick 46
Pick Analysis. C. Ohio State. LukeWypler. Scouting Report. 39. player. 812
Ohio State is known to produce NFL-ready centers. Nick Mangold, Billy Price, and Corey Lindsay just to name a few. Hopefully, Luke Wypler will join those list of names and have a nice NFL career. The Seahawks are in need of center and Wypler can fill that role. He is predominantly known for his athleticism, which is an important attribute for a center. He is good in the run game as he gets uphill quickly and can move off one blocker to another. At 6-3, 300 pounds, Wypler can come in and fill an immediate hole for this Seahawks’ offensive line.
Round 3, Pick 78
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. LB. 878. Iowa. JackCampbell. 74. player
The All-American, Captain Jack Campbell is an impressive prospect. He is a tackling machine, tallying 100+ tackles in his last 2 seasons with the Hawkeyes. On tape, his instincts jump out. He uses his senses well and gains leverage on most offensive linemen when attacking gaps. His eye discipline allows him to play solid coverage, which will transition well into the NFL. Campbell was announced as the recipient of the 2022 Dick Butkus award, acknowledging him as the best LB in the nation. He and Jordyn Brooks as the middle linebackers in this new 3-4 scheme would be a sight to see.