The Seahawks found another gem in the later rounds of the NFL Draft in 2022, selecting Tariq Woolen in the fifth round with the 153rd pick. General manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll have a knack for finding elite defensive backs in the mid-to-late rounds of the Draft. Woolen joined Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor, both of whom were taken in the fifth round of the NFL Draft in 2010 and 2011, to be selected to the Pro Bowl.
Not only did Woolen make the 2023 Pro Bowl, but he also had a team-high six interceptions in his first season as a cornerback for Seattle. The Seahawks are hoping Woolen could lead the beginning of a new LOB in Seattle and help them win a Super Bowl the same way the team did in 2014. Pete Carroll has been a huge part of the Seahawks’ success in coaching up defensive backs who have the raw athleticism to play but need more discipline to succeed in the NFL.
John Schneider, also, has done a fantastic job of finding defensive backs who are overlooked by other teams. Richard Sherman and Tariq Woolen, for example, were originally wide receivers in college who were converted to defensive backs. This meant they had little experience at the position.
Three CBs steals the Seahawks could find in the 2023 NFL draft
Knowing the coach he had, Schneider was able to overlook that lack of experience and take chances on their raw athleticism. Now Schneider and Carroll will be looking to find another great defensive back late in the 2023 NFL Draft. Here are three defensive back prospects the Seahawks could draft in the fifth round or later.
Seahawks sleeper pick No. 1: Quindell Johnson
Quindell Johnson, a four-year starter at Memphis, had 10 career INT, four forced fumbles, and 320 total tackles in college. He is projected to be selected in the fifth round of the 2023 draft. The Seahawks currently have the 153rd and 156th overall picks in the fifth round of the draft.
This means there is a chance Seattle could select Johnson with one of those two picks. What stands out about Johnson is his ability to create turnovers. There is no doubt he was a certified ball-hawk in college.
Two of his forced fumbles were in his senior year, where he also intercepted four passes. His tackling was impressive as well. He had 77 tackles last season, 52 of which were solos. One of the biggest problems for the Seahawks was their inability to tackle in space.
Johnson, with Carroll’s coaching, could be a strong fit for a coach who preaches tackling and taking the ball away. The big question for Johnson will be learning how to read the offense better. At times he can be too aggressive and get caught in the motions of the offense. This means if Seattle drafts him, Pete Carroll will need to teach him the discipline to maximize his athletic talents.
Seahawks sleeper pick No. 2: Chamarri Conner
Could Chamarri Conner be the next Kam Chancellor for the Seahawks? Conner, much like Chancellor was, is expected to be drafted in the fifth round or later. Connor also went to the same school as Chancellor, Virginia Tech.
He is good against the run and had 67 total tackles in 2022, 38 of which were solo tackles. Where Conner struggles is in the passing game where had just two pass defenses and no interceptions in 2022. Conner has shown flashes of success in the passing game, though, with four career interceptions and 19 pass defenses.
He would be another project for Pete Carroll to work on next season. Knowing Carroll’s past success with Kam Chancellor, there is a possibility he could shape Conner into a solid NFL safety. Conner, because of his success in the run game, would immediately be a nice backup for Jamal Adams if Adams gets hurt again in 2023.
Also, Quandre Diggs is continuing to age and the Seahawks need more depth at the position for the future. Diggs could also take Conner under his wing and show him what it takes to be a pro safety. Ultimately, whoever the Seahawks acquire this offseason in either the draft or free agency needs to be able to tackle and Chamarri Conner can do that. He provides Seattle with an intriguing option late in the draft.
Seahawks sleeper pick No. 3: Julius Brents
Julius Brents made big plays in the Big 12 Championship game against TCU. Coming up with a huge interception and forcing a fumble, he helped the Wildcats upset TCU for the conference title. Those ball skills are a significant feature for Brents, who had four interceptions in 2022 and six for his career.
He did not receive significant playing time at Iowa in his freshman and sophomore seasons, however. When he transferred to Kansas State in 2021, Brents became a full-time starter at cornerback. He shined at Kansas State racking up 94 total tackles, 69 solo tackles, and 6.5 tackles for loss.
Brents is a big corner with a wingspan of just under 83’ and 6’4″ in height. Like the rest of the defensive backs in this slide show, he lacks the discipline and experience necessary to be an NFL cornerback. However, his sheer athletic ability and size offer an intriguing prospect.
He is likely to be drafted later in the NFL draft around the fifth round or later, but some scouts think he could go sooner. The Seahawks are a team that needs more help at defensive back and more defenders who can play in the running game. Brents is another interesting possible selection for the Seahawks in the fifth round or later.