Updated 2023 NFL draft order after Week 17: Where Seahawks choose
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks know they will have a high draft pick in the 2023 NFL draft (thank you, Broncos!) but where is Seattle slotted after Week 17? With just one game to go, Seattle will know a lot more after Week 18. But from what we learned from the games in Week 17 is this: Seattle should be able to grab a very high-level player in the first five choices on the draft.
One oddity with the draft order versus playoff hopes is that the draft order is based on strength of schedule while playoff hopes can be based on head-to-head matchups. For instance, even though the Broncos beat the Cardinals a few weeks ago and currently both teams are 4-12, the Broncos have the higher pick over Arizona right now because Denver has the weaker strength of schedule. Basically, Denver defeating Arizona this season is meaningless when it comes to draft order.
This is good for the Seahawks because if Denver and Arizona finish with the same record, Seattle will end up with the higher choice. The issue is that Arizona finishes with the 49ers and San Francisco is trying to cement the number 2 seed in the NFC and have a chance to earn the number 1 seed, too. Basically, the 49ers will want to win in Week 18 and San Francisco is a lot better than Arizona.
Seahawks could have the number 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft
Denver plays the Los Angeles Chargers and the Chargers don’t truly have a lot of earn with a victory or much to lose with a loss. Los Angeles is at worst the 6th seed in the AFC playoffs and at best the number 5 seed. Therefore, the Chargers might choose to take out a bunch of their starters by the second half.
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As things currently stand, the Seahawks would have the number 3 pick in the 2023 NFL draft. But that could fall as low as number 5 or finish as high as number 2 (but the Bears, who are currently number 2, beating the Vikings in Week 18 seems far-fetched). Best case, Denver loses to the Chargers and the Bears win. The second-best case is Denver loses and the Seahawks wind up with the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.