3 players the Seattle Seahawks (probably) regret not drafting in 2023
By Lee Vowell
The Seattle Seahawks look like they got two winners in the 2023 NFL draft. Maybe someone could argue that Zay Flowers instead of Jaxon Smith-Njigba would have been the better choice, but let's see how things play out over several years. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon has shown to be a brilliant pick already.
Of course, some 12s might have rather the team taken Jalen Carter instead of Witherspoon. They are two completely different players, however. Both Carter and Witherspoon are probably going to help their respective teams for many seasons to come and the Eagles and Seahawks, respectively, are lucky to have them.
Plus, had Seattle taken the players that follow instead of who they chose from the second round on, Carter would not have been needed. Maybe some players get much better than what they showed in their rookie years, but as things currently stand Seattle would have made better moves by taking the three players that follow.
Player No. 1
Tuli Tuipulotu - Defensive line/edge
Drafted by: Los Angeles Chargers (Second round, pick No. 54)
Prior to Tuipulotu being taken at pick 54, the Seahawks had already taken four players. In the second round, Seattle had chosen edge rusher Derick Hall at pick 37 and Zach Charbonnet at pick 52. Charbonnet could have probably been chosen in the third round, but Seattle ended up trading out of the third round anyway. Hall, though, was expected to come in and be very good against the run and work on developing his pass-rush skills.
The issue with this season was that Hall was atrocious in every facet. He played 307 snaps, but managed just 5 quarterback hits, 3 tackles for loss, zero sacks, and made little impact in any single game. Worse, Hall did not look as if he would be anywhere near ready to be a good player ever. He was lost and as if he had not played football recently.
Meanwhile, Tuipulotu played 852 snaps and had 51 total pressures including 4.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 8 tackles for loss. But Tuipulotu graded as the fourth-best edge rusher in the NFL against the run, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). The Seahawks were awful against the run, of course, and that helped Pete Carroll lose his job. Carroll might still be employed had the team taken Tuipulotu.