The Seattle Seahawks had a solid 8-year streak where the first round of the draft just didn't seem to work out. In four of those years, the team didn't even have a top-32 selection. The hype, growth, and skill typically seen out of players in the first round of the draft didn't translate when taken by Seattle. I believe that truly started to change in 2020.
Although the team continued to be successful in the later rounds over those years, the first-round success got back on track when the team selected Jordyn Brooks out of Texas Tech with the 27th pick in the draft. Once seen as Bobby Wagner's replacement, Brooks has found himself a large role in Seattle's defense while pairing up with Wagner to form a dynamic tackling partnership.
Another year without a selection followed that, but 2022 proved to be successful as well. John Schneider and Pete Carroll found their cornerstone left tackle with the Broncos' No. 9 selection. Charles Cross was instantly starting by week one and didn't miss a single game the entire season.
Five players the Seattle Seahawks could take with their first choice in 2024 NFL Draft
And with a small sample size for the two 2023 first-rounders, it's already looking like the hot streak is still going. Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have both been very productive in their rookie season. The Seahawks are beginning to build an elite young core that may only be a couple of pieces away from being something special.
The 2024 first-round mock drafts and draft boards that I've seen have shown a lot of depth and intriguing prospects. While currently sitting at 6-6, the Seahawks are expected to have their selection range from 12 to 23. Here are five potential prospects that Seattle should target for this upcoming draft.
No. 1 - Seahawks should take edge rusher Dallas Turner, Alabama
The Alabama product Dallas Turner will likely not be available by the time Seattle is on the clock, but if he falls down to them for some reason, he should be a top priority. Turner will be just 21 years old on draft day, but he brings one of the most unique pass-rushing skillsets in the class. Long, athletic, quick, all good edge-rushing qualities.
That's what Turner provides. The Seahawks have done well at constructing a productive front. To become one of the top defenses in the league, however, you can never have too many guys on your roster that can get to the quarterback.
No. 2 - Quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., Washington
It's very likely that the Seahawks end up finding their quarterback of the future during the offseason. The incoming draft class is filled with promising signal-callers and one of the most intriguing ones plays just 15 minutes from Lumen Field. Local Seattle fans would be thrilled to see Penix in blue and green threads.
He has taken the University of Washington to new heights since joining the program in 2022. The undefeated Huskies finished the regular season as the No. 2 ranked team in the country, and Penix is a huge reason why. He's about as accurate as they come, and seems to always find the open man. At 23 years old, he is one of the more experienced players in the class too, and could easily become a Day-1 starter.
No. 3 - Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Speaking of potential quarterback prospects, J.J. McCarthy fits that bill perfectly. He's only going to be 21 on draft day and is more of a work in progress. Like Penix, McCarthy has led his school to an undefeated regular season and has Michigan perfectly set up for a deep playoff run.
McCarthy only has two full seasons as the starting quarterback for the Wolverines after playing minimally in his true freshman season. He has the right height, stature, and make-up to be an elite NFL quarterback. Letting him learn the scheme for a season or two could be extremely beneficial to his development and could help Seattle find its' next franchise guy.
No. 4 - Safety Kamren Kinchens, Miami
Now back to the defensive side of things where the Seahawks currently give up the 10th most yards per game in the NFL. There hasn't necessarily been a glaring weakness, but there haven't been a ton of positives either. The secondary has been getting younger over the past couple of seasons. Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon have started the youth movement in that unit and the safety corps may be heading in that direction soon.
Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs haven't been as elite as they once were, and with them both approaching or passing 30, it makes sense to start looking toward the future. Kinchens is a ballhawk with 11 interceptions since 2022. His size indicates him as a typical free safety, and could quickly provide a spark for Seattle's struggling defense.
No. 5 - Edge rusher Bralen Trice, Washington
Another Husky to end things out and it's not just to make the local fans happy. If you look at what all elite defenses have, there is one thing that really sticks out. How much pressure can you put on the opposing quarterback? Look at San Francisco or Baltimore. Seattle is very close to being at a similar level as some of the league's most feared units.
The Seahawks are tied for 8th in the NFL with 36 sacks this season and adding even more talent through the draft could be dangerous. Trice sets edges well, stops the run, and still finds ways to attack the quarterback. Adding him to an already menacing defensive front could freshen up his legs and keep opposing teams on their toes.