The Seattle Seahawks plan to build off their successful 2022 season through the draft and free agency. Momentum is building and both players and coaches can feel it in the air at the facility. Knowing what needs to be addressed for this team, Seattle can attack their needs in a couple of different ways.
Holding 10 total picks in the draft, four in the first two rounds, the Seahawks can certainly draft a bundle of immediate starters. But, with one of those picks being in the top 5, they can move off it to acquire more picks. It certainly all depends on how the board falls. The chess game begins now.
We are still a couple of months away from the draft, but it is never too early to identify potential trade targets. With a big need on the defensive line, the Seahawks are going to have to use patience in this draft process. Two of the top five prospects are defensive players in Jalen Carter and Will Anderson Jr. The question that remains is, will one of them fall? Teams are often stir-crazy for the quarterback position at the top of the draft.
3 potential Seattle Seahawks Day One trades
However, two of the teams picking in the top 4 are assumed to have their franchise quarterbacks. Justin Fields in Chicago and Kyler Murray in Arizona. This puts Seattle in a tricky position as many are assuming both Carter and Anderson will get drafted to those teams. Now, it is certainly plausible that one of those teams, or potentially both of those teams, look to trade down and acquire more picks.
What makes Seattle so unique in this situation is that they currently do not have their franchise quarterback on their roster. With Geno Smith about to enter free agency, the Seahawks may let him walk and draft a quarterback. But, I am going to assume that Geno Smith did enough to be back in Seattle as the starter for 2023.
Meaning, they are going to be joining the Bears and Cardinals in looking for a trade partner. Here are three potential Day One trades that can benefit the Seattle Seahawks.
Trade number 1: Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers
Of all potential deals, one with the Carolina Panthers makes the most sense for the Seattle Seahawks. For Carolina, they have an impatient owner who has been in search of their next franchise quarterback. With a new head coach incoming, they will have an opportunity to start fresh and select whichever one is remaining out of Bryce Young, Will Levis, and C.J. Stroud.
For Seattle, they get to acquire a future first, move four spots down to number 9 and still have their own 1st founder later. More importantly, they would most likely be able to select the guy they would have wanted at 5. Many believe there is a falloff at the defensive line position after Jalen Carter and Will Anderson. Also, will the 2024 first pick from Carolina help Seattle select their franchise QB in Caleb Williams or Drake Maye?
Here are a couple of prospects Seattle could target with pick number 9.
I would guess Tyree Wilson would be the primary target for Seattle if both Carter and Anderson were off the board. He is a lengthy, athletic prospect that was one of the best edge rushers in the Big 12. With his size and speed, he is a high-ceiling prospect.
Similar to Tyree Wilson, Myles Murphy is a lengthy edge rusher who can be polished into a dominant pass rusher. His most impressive attribute is his consistency. If were to show out at the combine, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go in the top 6.
Another Clemson Tiger, Bryan Bresse can fill a major void in the interior of the defensive line for the Seahawks. He has elite power and uses his leverage well in pursuit. Most importantly, he fits the newly adapted 3-4 scheme.
Trade number 2: Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders
This deal would benefit Seattle more than the Carolina one as both the 1st and 3rd they’d be receiving would be higher. For Las Vegas, they have made it clear they are moving off QB Derek Carr. It is possible they can find a trade suitor who will move draft capital for him. That would allow the Raiders to explore a trade in the draft to move up and select their franchise QB. Las Vegas has also been connected to Tom Brady, but there is no saying that Tom returns to play football next year.
For Seattle, their game plan would be very similar to that of the one laid out in the Carolina trade. Now, only moving down 2 spots to seven, their top targets would most likely remain the same in Tyree Wilson, Myles Murphy, and Bryan Bresse. They could potentially draft a tackle or safety, but I think that would be too much of a reach at 7. Especially, given they seemed to have found their tackles in Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas.
But, with the 70th pick, let’s take a look at who they can target.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Garrett Williams climb up the board as the draft gets closer. But, he certainly fills a need for Seattle and if he is there at 70, it’s a no-brainer. He has good feet work, sound eye discipline, and most importantly, he is physical at the line of scrimmage.
With Jordyn Brooks suffering a torn ACL and Cody Barton being an unrestricted free agent, it would be wise for Seattle to select an LB. Daiyan Henley out of Washington State has really solid football instincts. He is a missile in the open field and has good coverage skills for a linebacker.
Rashee Rice at pick 70 would be considered a steal. A high-ceiling player who fits a need for Seattle. Learning under Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, he can improve upon his already impressive route-running ability. He also plays with great intensity after the catch, embracing contact.
Trade number 3: Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders
This perhaps is the least enticing deal for Seattle. I don’t know if it would make sense for them to drop down 11 spots unless Washington was to add more compensation and throw in their 2nd round pick as well. That would give Seattle 2 1sts and 3 2nds. Truthfully, Washington desperately needs a QB and if they fall in love with any of these prospects, they will pay the price.
For Seattle, they would then have picks 16 and 20. It essentially eliminates them from getting one of the better pass rushers/interior defensive linemen. But, it also gives them the flexibility to maybe make another trade. If they decided to stay put at 16 and 20, they would still be able to draft two caliber starters. They would still be able to target the defensive line along with other positions. The options will be there.
Here are some prospects they could potentially target.
If they decided to solidify their secondary, Christian Gonzalez is the obvious pick. At 6’2″, 201 pounds, he has Seattle Seahawks written all over him. He is physically imposing at the line of the scrimmage, has great ball skills, and would go great opposite of Tariq Woolen.
The best LB in the draft, Trenton Simpson has tremendous up-side. Being compared to Micah Parson is the ultimate compliment. Simpson is a swift army knife and presents a unique versatility that can allow him to help this Seattle defense out in multiple ways.
Lukas Van Ness is an athletic edge rusher that can be moved around on the defensive line. He certainly fills a huge void for Seattle. His explosiveness helps him in his pash rush. Also, has the ability to overpower offensive linemen in the run game.