When the calendar hit December this season, Seahawks fans realized that the dream of having a top-ten pick was not just real, but becoming an expectation. Thanks to the Denver Broncos and Russell Wilson being a massive disappointment, the Seahawks have an opportunity to add a blue-chip talent on a cheap salary at a draft pick slot they haven’t seen in over a decade. So naturally, we’re gonna mock up some drafts!
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be talking about potential mock drafts that could enhance, or completely reshape this roster. For drafting purposes, I used Pro Football Network’s rankings and mock simulator. Unlike PFF, PFN’s big board falls in line with the majority of the draft rankings you can find out there.
I recently was in St. Louis and I had the opportunity to visit the old NFL stadium where the Rams played before leaving for Los Angeles. While most younger fans think of Aaron Donald and Cooper Kupp when we talk about the Rams franchise, I think of the Greatest Show on Turf.
Seahawks Mock Draft: Greatest Show on Turf edition
For those that don’t know, the NFL passing revolution started in 1999 when head coach Dick Vermeil and offensive coordinator and mad scientist Mike Martz installed one of the most ruthless offenses the league had and has ever seen. With their Cinderella story MVP quarterback in Kurt Warner, MVP superstar running back Marshall Faulk, and a duo of Hall of Fame wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. The Rams averaged over 12 wins in a 4 out of 5-year period, where they finished first in total offense 3 straight seasons and a measly second in year 5.
The Rams had 3 straight MVPs, two conference championships, and a Super Bowl title. They likely would have won more trophies in two of those five seasons that were affected by major injuries to the quarterback, but it was nonetheless an incredible run.
As the draft discussions continue to build around the Seahawks needing to find major impact talent, and specifically at the defensive end, it made me wonder…what if the Seahawks went a different route? What if they built their own version of the Greatest Show on Turf?
Seahawks Round 1- TRADE
For this week’s mock draft, we’re going to cover the first three rounds, as there’s a lot going on.
Seahawks receive picks 12, 33, and Cleveland’s 2024 1st-round pick.
Texans receive picks 5 and 153.
Seahawks Round 1 Pick 12: Jordan Addison, WR, USC
After the Seahawks got a massive haul that brought them essentially a third 1st round pick, we had a goal in mind to build the most unstoppable offense we could draft. We start this vision by taking one of the two smoothest receivers coming out of college in Jordan Addison.
Addison, at 6ft 175lbs, is a complete receiver. In his sophomore season at Pittsburgh, Addison won the Biletnikoff award with an all-timer of a season. Addison had 100 receptions for nearly 1,600 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns in only 14 games.
This season, Addison transferred to USC and put together another special season, with 875 yards and 8 touchdowns in 11 games. Inside, outside, bubble screens, or jet sweeps, if Geno Smith feeds him the ball, explosive plays will quickly follow.
Seahawks Round 1 Pick 20: Jaxson Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
So this is where I’m gonna lose a few of you, but stay with me for a moment. For about a decade now, Seahawks fans have begged for a strong #3 WR. While the Addison pick gives Seattle an immediate top 5 slot receiver in the league, Smith-Njigba is a clear overkill in 2023, but maybe that’s what Seattle needs. 2023 could be an all-time wide receiver room, but it also makes it less stressful for Seattle to move on from Lockett’s big contract next season.
In 2021, Smith-Njigba was the second-best WR, behind Addison, catching 95 passes for 1606 yards and 9 touchdowns. He showed top 5 pick potential when he obliterated every possible receiving record in an epic Rose Bowl victory, but a hamstring injury shut down most of his final season in Columbus. If he’s healthy, Seattle would be drafting two receivers that have top-10 pick potential.
If the offensive line can be just average, I legitimately don’t know how opposing defenses can contain a passing offense with Geno Smith throwing to a receiving core of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Addison, and Smith-Njigba.
Seahawks Round 2 Pick 33: John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Now let me throw all you trench-hungry lovers a bone, as Seattle grabs the highest-rated center in this year’s draft class. We talked about how an average offensive line could lead to an incredible passing offense, but what if the offensive line got way better? That’s what Schmitz could do for Seattle.
In the Super Bowl on Sunday, you’re going to see the past and present greatness at center in future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce for the Eagles, as well as the future of the position with Creed Humphrey leading the way for Kansas City. Great centers are one of the most underrated positions in football and something Seattle hasn’t figured out since Max Unger was leading them to Super Bowls. With Schmitz, the Seahawks allow Geno more and Kenneth Walker III the opportunity to both put up MVP numbers.
Seahawks Round 2 Pick 37: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa
Now that it looks like we created a juggernaut on offense, let’s give the defense the defensive end with possibly the highest motor and the most physicality you’ll find in the draft with Van Ness. Van Ness is a 6-5 265lbs redshirt sophomore that averaged 6.5 sacks a season during his two years as a Hawkeye. Between his great run defense, and his ability to play multiple positions along the front seven, this is a solid player that helps Seattle’s defense Day 1, and they need more of those guys on that side of the ball.
Seahawks Round 2 Pick 52: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
There may not be a more fascinating prospect in this draft for me than Darnell Washington. This is a player that could be taking in the first round, or slipping into the 3rd round, he’s got that much of a variance.
Washington is a massive 6’7″ and 265lbs TE that up until this season, had spent more time as a blocker than a receiver. Before we talk about his development as a receiver, let’s be clear, Washington is without question the best blocking tight end to enter the draft since Rob Gronkowski. I’m not saying he’s the next Gronk, but Washington has that potential and showed it by dominating blocks during back-to-back national championship runs through the SEC.
While he only caught 28 passes on a loaded Bulldogs squad, he still finished with 454 yards and two scores. His over 16 yards per reception proves how tough he is to bring down when he makes the catch. He’s raw and we haven’t seen many TEs like this before, but in the right system, he could be perfect.
Imagine him in the RedZone for Geno or out on the edge blasting linebackers trying to chase down Walker. Washington is my number 1 ranked TE and would be a steal here at pick 52.
Seahawks Round 3 Pick 83: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
To finish out Day Two of the NFL draft for the Seahawks, we selected Mr. Reliable Jack Campbell to reunite with his Hawkeye brother Van Ness.
While there are other linebackers that may be more flashy or can get a bunch of sacks, it’ll be hard to find a more dependable middle linebacker in this class than Captain Jack. A consensus All-American, Campbell combined for 265 tackles in his final two seasons, while grading out as one of the best pass coverage linebackers in all of college football.
Campbell reads holes and finishes better than Cody Barton ever could and appears to be better in pass coverage than Brooks showed last year. With this pick, the middle linebacker spot should go to Campbell, with an eventually healthy Brooks sliding over.
Conclusion
Strong chance you hate this mock, and I get that. The Seahawks didn’t get a premier D-lineman or quarterback like all the mocks are projecting. But you have to admit, this draft class is fun as hell! Not one, but two potential number 1 wide receivers to pair with DK and Lockett, a dominating offensive trench boost with Schmitz and Washington, and two solid Day 1 starters in the front seven of the defense.
With some roster cuts, and today’s 3 picks, I believe there are multiple options where the Seahawks can improve at the defensive tackle spot (Deforest Buckner trade & restructure?), as well as look for a really good guard (Philly’s Isaace Seumalo?).
I may be called mad, but I believe there is some legitimate mad science here to prove that this draft class could lead the way to the Seahawks putting together an all-time offense, and potentially putting themselves on a similar path as those legendary Rams teams of old.