It was an eventful week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Early in the week, odd statements by Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald left questions about Geno Smith’s future, before it was reported that Smith will, in fact, be in Seattle in 2024. The question about the future of the quarterback position in Seattle will not go away.
As part of the 45 visits permitted to each team, the Seahawks have met with numerous quarterbacks, including Drake Maye and Jalen Daniels, who both presume to be long gone by pick number 16. While these rumors will continue to persist, probably all the way through the draft, I think it's important to look at what we saw at the Combine, and how, or who can help Geno Smith.
The past two years have been moments of average to above-average QB play, mixed in with a handful of games where it doesn't feel like a Super Bowl appearance is out of the question. There are many factors that have led to both the struggles and successes with Geno in his two years.
These five offensive draft picks could make the Seahawks Seahawks great
The defense is abysmal, for one. The amount of close games Geno Smith's been in has been ridiculous, plus he has had some pretty horrific in-game management from the offensive staff.
With a new regime at the helm, this year is likely Smith's last chance to show that he can be a championship-caliber quarterback. With that being said, here are the five draft targets that could help build something super in Seattle with Geno Smith.
OT/OG Troy Fautanu, Washington
One of the most popular names on the latest mock drafts has been the anchor of the Washington Huskies offensive line the past two years, Troy Fautanu. The senior left tackle was arguably one of the best tackles in the country and while he could conceivably play on Sundays at the tackle position, it's at guard where Fautanu could be special.
At the combine, Fautanu showed up and showed out. The 6’4” and 317 lbs senior ran a 5.01 40-yard dash and a 1.71 10-yard split. His overall combine production and athleticism score ranked third in the draft for offensive tackles. You take an athlete like that and add the absolute mauling tenacity that Fautanu brings, and you create arguably the best guard prospect I've seen since Quentin Nelson went #6 overall to the Colts in 2018.
Geno is at his best when he's able to step up in the pocket. Go back and watch his dominant performances against New Orleans, Dallas, and both Detroit games, when he could step up in the pocket, he looked like an MVP-caliber player. Fautanu allows that and a potential explosion in the team's run game.
Taking a guard in the middle of the first round is not always considered the best value for such a precious draft pick, but we're legitimately talking about a Steve Hutchinson-level player added to this offense. It would fit a major need while bringing in a hometown guy. This is a home run pick for a new regime without selecting a more prominent position.
TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
If the Seahawks were to go in a different direction than Fautanu at number 16, I'd expect two things must have happened. First, the Seahawks likely received a fantastic trade offer that allows them to move back a couple of picks while bringing back a 2nd round pick they lost in the Leonard Williams trade. A trade with, say, Tampa Bay for picks 26 and 57 is a realistic deal that if I'm Seattle, I'm agreeing to.
If Schneider and company don't move back in the draft, then they likely had a player they did not expect to still be there at number 16. This could be an edge rusher like Dallas Turner or, potentially, a quarterback, but what if it was one of the best tight ends to ever come out of college, Georgia’s Brock Bowers?
The 6’3” and 243 lbs junior had one of the best careers in college football history. With a 32-2 record in Athens, including two CFP titles, few will experience the success that Bowers had as a freshman and sophomore.
Statistically, Brock Bowers made the most of his few opportunities on stacked rosters and yet still managed to stick out more than anyone. Getting about 5 touches a game as a TE who was occasionally given some running plays, Bowers managed nearly 70 yards a game and scored a whopping 31 touchdowns in 40 games. When you consider that Bowers is a TE, these are staggering numbers. In an NFL season, this would translate to 82 ½ receptions, over 1,100 yards, and 13 touchdowns. That's a Canton profile if I've ever seen one.
His run blocking is good, not great, but he could unlock so much for this Seahawks offense, whether it be over the middle, moving the chains, or creating difficult choices for defenses that are in the red zone and have to choose between him and DK Metcalf.
Is it a need, maybe not the most pressing, but a potential blue-chip TE can help all over the field and I'd have a hard time passing on him. He likely won't make it to pick number 16, but injuries that forced him to only play 10 games in 2023 and miss the combine, could scare just enough people away that this dream addition for Geno could be a reality.
OG Zak Zinter, Michigan
If the Seahawks were to go a different route than the offensive line in the first round, there are still plenty of opportunities to improve their offensive line in the draft. Guys like Graham Barton, Cooper Beebe, and Christian Haynes could be impact starters, but there's another guy who is flying under the radar, Michigan’s Zak Zinter.
Entering the Big Game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Zinter was the anchor to the second-best O-line in the country, much like Troy Fautanu with the Huskies. Unfortunately for Zinter, he suffered a gruesome injury in the game, as Zinter broke his tibia and fibula, missing the rest of the Wolverines' championship run.
The injuries are less concerning than an ACL tear, as Zinter should be able to play this season, but it appears to be strongly affecting his draft stock. Graded as my top traditional guard in this year's draft, and if healthy, he'd likely be a top 50 pick. This offers an opportunity for the Seahawks to get a second-round value player in the third or fourth round.
When healthy, Zinter is your classic mean run-blocking monster that is slightly above average in pass-blocking out of Ann Arbor. Every year under Jim Harbaugh, a mountain of men keep coming to the NFL and producing. Considering the strong Michigan connection that Seattle now has with Macdonald and special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh, it's hard not to see a couple of Wolverines finding their way onto the Seahawks. If he medically clears, Zinter could be a massive addition without reaching non-premier positions.
WR, Washington Ja'Lynn Polk
Even with Seattle committing to Geno Smith for 2024, I still think there's a more than 50 percent chance they draft a QB at some point. Assuming this, it's hard not to look to the local product in Michael Penix Jr. as a logical target. Assuming they drafted Penix, Ja’Lynn Polk seems like a seamless addition to Ryan Grubb’s UW-to-NFL offense, but that doesn't mean Geno can't thrive with a guy like Polk.
Viewed as the number three WR heading into 2023 for UW, Polk stepped up as Jalen McMillan missed time with injuries. The 6’1” and 203 lbs transfer from Texas Tech to UW exploded this season, catching 69 passes for 1,159 yards and 10 total touchdowns.
With a 40-time of 4.52 and a strong showing in the drills, Polk looks like one of the ten best WR prospects in what is a historic class for the position. This massive wave of talent just may push Polk into the third round, even though he's a second-round player.
He showed he was a primetime performer in the Sugar Bowl, gaining 122 yards and a touchdown while constantly cooking the Longhorns secondary. In the National Championship, he had multiple opportunities where he beat his guys (NFL-caliber DBs on Michigan’s roster) but defensive pressure and missed throws by Penix cost him another big night. Given the opportunity, Polk can deliver in the NFL.
Championship teams find the best players available at the spots where they're most valuable. This philosophy has helped Seattle and Baltimore be consistently good for years, and a guy like Polk continues that trend. He's a natural fit outside or in the slot and creates a talented trio of young wideouts if Tyler Lockett is not here much longer.
WR Johnny Wilson, Florida State
The last prospect that I think could help create an unstoppable offense for Smith and the Seahawks is one of my personal favorites, Florida State’s Johnny Wilson.
The 6’6 ⅜” and 231 lbs wide receiver became the combine record holder for height at the position, as well for wingspan (84.5 in). This physical freak continued to dazzle, running a 4.52 40-yard dash at his size. But there are legitimate questions about his ability to develop into a proper route runner and have the time to develop into the playmaker NFL teams are expecting from such a deep class. That's why I think Wilson should be drafted and converted into a tight end.
After an impressive junior season in which he caught 43 passes for 900 yards and 5 scores, his senior season left a bit to be desired, although the star transfer addition of Keon Coleman took plenty of opportunities away from him. Nevertheless, Wilson caught 41 passes for 617 yards in 10 games and was one of the best run-blocking WRs in college.
When you watch him play, it's clear to see a path that could be a prime Darren Waller. The size and speed, with a desire to block. Wilson could become a key part of the Seahawks' offense, as he applies his strengths to a new position.
The Seahawks clearly have a need for TEs right now, and I can't imagine how a team would defend having two massive humans like Wilson and DK Metcalf running down the field. That's too much size and speed for a team to handle and should open the door for other players to run freely.
I don't expect all five of these guys to end up on the Seahawks next year. If Seattle could add at least two of them, this offense would soar past anything they had under Shane Waldron. Geno Smith will have his chance to truly prove how elite he can be.