Top players from the 2023 CFP championship for the Seattle Seahawks

Seahawks CFP Championship targets: Numbers 7 and 6

No. 7- Nolan Smith, LB/Edge UGA

One of the more intriguing prospects in this draft, Nolan Smith will not be on the field after suffering a torn pectoral midway through the season. When healthy, Nolan Smith was a dominant outside linebacker that totaled over 50 tackles and 4.5 sacks in Georgia’s championship season last year.

While his stats don’t necessarily pop, his measurables and explosiveness make him a desirable prospect for a 3-4 team, like the Seahawks are determined to be. He’s a bit lighter than Darrell Taylor, but with Taylor entering the final year of his contract, Smith could be a potential upgrade found in the second round of the draft Under the right scheme and development, Smith can be a 10+ sack OLB.

No. 6- Sedrick Van Pran, C UGA

The 2023 NFL draft is full of interior offensive line talent, and potentially the deepest position in this draft is the center position. On Monday nights we’ll see one best in the country in Georgia’s Derrick Van Pran.

Van Pran has been Stetson Bennett’s protector the past two seasons, helping pave the way to one national title and an opportunity for a second against TCU. Being the quarterback of the offensive line, Van Pran has overseen a top 9 offense in 2021, and a top 8 offense in 2022.

Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz looks like the top center in the draft, and he’ll likely go in the first round. With the way Van Pran dominated in the Peach Bowl, another great outing in the championship could see him sneak into the first round as well. It’s no mystery that the center position is a critical weak spot for Seattle, and Van Pran could make that a strength for the Seahawks in the draft.