There are several notable college players from the state of Washington who are available in this year's draft the Seahawks should be interested in. The Huskies have the most pro-ready players after coming off an amazing 2023 season in which they won the Sugar Bowl and went to the College Football National Championship. The Cougars also have a few interesting names the Seahawks might have an interest in selecting this year.
The Seahawks have taken local college kids before in the NFL draft. Most recently, they selected tackle Abe Lucas out of Washington State University back in the 2022 NFL Draft. Lucas had a great 2022 rookie season but unfortunately was bit by the injury bug in 2023. When healthy, Lucas is a solid tackle for the Seahawks and should play an important role on the offensive line for years to come.
Another player Seattle selected from a nearby college, was TE Will Dissly out of the University of Washington back in the 2018 draft. Dissly has played six seasons as a Seahawks tight end and he has played a significant role in the Seahawks' big packages. Not only has he been a factor in run blocking, but Dissly has also caught 13 TD receptions in his time with the Seahawks.
Which Seattle-area players might the Seahawks take in the 2024 NFL draft?
There are several needs the Seahawks could fill by selecting players from UW and WSU in this year's draft. Seattle is going to look for defensive players who can help fix the back end of their secondary. The Seahawks also need to add to their defensive line and could possibly add a young quarterback as well.
Both the Huskies and Cougars have players going to the draft that would fill those needs. Here are five college players from the state of Washington who the Seahawks could take in this year's draft:
UW Defensive End Bralen Trice
Bralen Trice has continued to rise up on draft boards thanks to a strong end to his 2023 season at UW. Trice had seven sacks in his last season for the Huskies and was one of their best pass rushers. The Seahawks have done a good job in recent drafts of addressing their inability to get after the quarterback. Trice would be an interesting player to pair with young edge rusher Boye Mafe, who is coming off a strong 2023 season in Seattle.
The Seahawks do have other needs and have edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu returning from injury in 2024. However, if they want to use a ton of draft capital on a pass rusher, they could decide to take Trice early in this year's draft. Trice is expected to go at either the end of the first round or the beginning of the second round in the 2024 draft as of right now. He certainly would be an impact player should the Seahawks decide to draft him.
Without a second-round pick, the Seahawks are going to need to find the best player they can at pick number 16 or trade back. Which means they would likely want to trade back if they were going to select Trice. That way they could acquire more picks and still select Trice who could fit a position they want to strengthen.
WSU Safety Jaden Hicks
Outside of Julian Love, the Seahawks could use younger reinforcements at the safety position. Quandre Diggs is 31 years old and might be a potential cut for the Seahawks this off-season. Jamal Adams is in a similar boat, having been unable to play a full season for the Seahawks since he arrived in 2020 via trade and given his lack of production at the position. WSU safety Jaden Hicks is a draft sleeper who could fill a pressing need for Seattle in this year's draft.
Hicks was a defensive standout for the Cougs, starting every game for them the past two seasons. He had two INTs in 2023 (one of which was a pick-six), six TFLs, four PD, 2.5 sacks, and 49 solo tackles. Currently, Hicks is a projected early fourth-round pick. The Seahawks right now have a fourth-round pick and two third-round choices. Which means they could select Hicks either on day two or day three of the draft.
What is interesting about Hicks is he can play all over the field on defense. He can be used to stop the run, but he also has a knack for finding the ball in pass coverage. The Seahawks in the past did draft another Cougar defensive back, Marcus Trufant, at the 2003 NFL draft. Trufant had a long 10-year career in Seattle. Could Jaden Hicks follow in Trufant's footsteps?
UW Quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Could Husky legend Michael Penix Jr. fall to the Seahawks at pick #16 in this year's NFL Draft? That is a good question considering Penix was runner-up to Heisman trophy winner Jaden Daniels and also had a phenomenal season at UW in 2023. The only questions about Penix coming into this draft are his injury history at Indiana where suffered two season-ending injuries. Along with Penix's age, as he will be 24 years old on May 8th of this year.
Outside of those concerns, Penix has an uncanny ability to throw the ball off of multiple platforms and angles. He sees the field better than any quarterback in this draft. Penix has a unique ability to throw the ball into tight windows with accuracy. Along with a quick release which prevents him from taking bad sacks. The only on-field concerns would be how he handles pressure and his tendency to miss-fire on occasion.
Michael Penix Jr. had an impressive 25-3 record as a quarterback at the University of Washington. His critics will say he benefited from playing in a good offensive system at UW, but Penix has always been a good quarterback dating back to his time at Indiana. Though he was roughed up in the Huskies National Championship loss to Michigan, he was incredibly successful and healthy for two seasons at UW. The Seahawks would gladly take Penix at number 16 overall if he is available there.
WSU Cornerback Chau Smith-Wade
Chau Smith-Wade is a solid cover corner who is exceptional in pass-pro defense. He had 17 total PD, three INTs, six TFLs, three forced fumbles, and 71 solo tackles in his time at WSU. Although he did not have a full season in 2023 due to a soft tissue injury, Smith-Wade was a crucial part of WSU's defense over the past four seasons. He is expected to play in this year's Senior Bowl, having accepted an invitation back in November.
The Seahawks can always use depth in their defensive backfield, as seen by the toe injury which cost second-year corner Coby Bryant significant playing time this year. Seattle has had late-round luck with defensive backs in the past. Last year, rookie Jerrick Reed II was magnificent in special teams, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors for his contributions. Reed was taken in the sixth round in last year's draft with the 198th pick in the draft.
Chau Smith-Wade will have an opportunity to showcase his skills at the Senior Bowl. The Seahawks could take a chance on him on day three of the draft if they are impressed by what Smith-Wade can do. Smith-Wade is likely to be taken in the sixth round or later, if he is not drafted, the Seahawks could also scoop him up as an undrafted free agent.
UW Defensive End Zion Tupuola-Fetui
Zion Tupuola-Fetui (aka ZTF) was the heart of the Washington Huskies defense in 2023. Choosing to return for the 2023 season, using his extra year of eligibility, ZTF was an effective pass rusher for the Huskies this past year. He had 3.5 sacks, five TFLs, and 15 solo tackles for the Huskies in 2023. Along with one crucial forced fumble before halftime against USC, which set up a Washington touchdown, in a close 52-42 Huskies win over the Trojans.
After returning for a sixth season at UW, ZTF has a long track record of success to offer the NFL. ZTF could have gone to the NFL last year but decided to come back to try and help the Huskies win a National Championship in 2023. Should the Seahawks take ZTF, he would be a nice passing down specialist who can put pressure on the quarterback. He could be a nice sleeper pick if the Seahawks want to add depth to their defensive line.
The Seahawks do have other needs they could address on day one of the NFL draft, but they could select ZTF on day two or three if they feel he is a fit for them. ZTF would bring lots of maturity for a rookie to any team who drafts given he will be 24 years old when the season starts. Knowing how much ZTF achieved at Washington, the future is bright for him wherever he goes.