The Seattle Seahawks did a nice job in each of their last two drafts selecting defensive players who they can continue to build around going forward. Edge rusher Boye Mafe was where the Seahawks began to create a new defensive core, taking Mafe with the 40th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Seattle then took CB Coby Bryant in the fourth round. They later found a hidden gem in the fifth round, taking CB Riq Woolen with the 153rd pick who was defensive rookie of the year in 2022.
In 2023, the Seahawks draft started off with a bang as they selected defensive back Devon Witherspoon with the fifth overall pick. Witherspoon made the Pro Bowl and finished as a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year in his first season as a Seahawk.
Seattle also added edge rusher Derick Hall in the second round. Then chose defensive tackle Cameron Young in the fourth round and edge rusher Mike Morris in the fifth round. The Seahawks made one more defensive selection in the 2023 draft, taking Jerrick Reed in the sixth round.
Dream defensive draft targets that will immediately improve the Seattle Seahawks
Using early-round selections in 2022 and 2023 on defensive players, John Schneider showed he was not afraid to use big draft capital to rebuild the Seahawks' defense. Taking three defensive players in the first and second rounds in each of the last two drafts.
After hiring a defensive-minded coach in Mike Macdonald, Schneider is probably going to use the draft to continue to make the defense better. Here are five dream draft targets Schneider and the Seahawks could target in this year's draft:
Dream draft target No. 1 - Defensive lineman Byron Murphy II
The Seahawks have been needing to upgrade their defensive line for a long time. Particularly the interior of their D-line. Byron Murphy II is an interior defensive lineman from the University of Texas. He is projected to be a first-round pick in this year's draft. Should he be available at pick #16, the Seahawks could select him with their first pick. Murphy is a top prospect in this year's draft and should expect to draw lots of attention from scouts as the draft approaches.
At Texas, Murphy was a force for the Longhorns' defense, collecting eight sacks in his three career at Texas. Including five sacks in his final season at Texas, helping the Longhorns to a College Football Playoff appearance. Murphy's play in the run game was also impressive, as he had 15 tackles for loss in his college career, with 8.5 coming in his final season at Texas. This shows Murphy is capable of playing as an every-down lineman in the NFL.
In recent drafts, the Seahawks have worked to improve their defensive line, but have not used a first-round pick on a defensive lineman. The Seahawks have not selected a defensive lineman that early since taking DE LJ Collier with the 29th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The last time Seattle took a D-lineman with a top 16 draft pick was 2012 when they selected DE Bruce Irvin at 15th overall. Taking Byron Murphy II with their first draft choice would show the Seahawks are committed to improving their defensive line.
Dream draft target No. 2 - Defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton
Another defensive lineman the Seahawks could take with their first pick is Jer'Zhan Newton from the University of Illinois. The Seahawks used their first selection in the 2023 draft on a player from Illinois, corner Devon Witherspoon. They could again pick a player from the Fighting Illini in 2024. Newton is an intriguing prospect for Seattle to consider in the 2024 draft. Jer'Zhan Newton and Byron Murphy II have similar profiles to each other. This means if Murphy has already been selected, Newton could be a solid alternative.
Newton had a strong 2023 campaign, putting up impressive numbers for the Illini. He had 7.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in his final season at Illinois. Showing he can have an impact against both the run and the pass. Displaying a unique ability to affect the game and wreak havoc on opposing teams' offenses. Newton has really taken his game to another level in the past two seasons. He had just five sacks and five tackles for loss in his first two seasons at Illinois. In his next two seasons at Illinois, Newton had 13 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss, showing how much his game has improved.
Making the jump from college to the NFL is a big step for each draft pick to make. Newton's ability to continue to show improvement throughout his college career is significant. Selecting a player the Seahawks can develop into an NFL starter, with a track record of improving his game, is a unique trait that Newton possesses. Newton's ability to continue to work on his craft is going to help him become a successful NFL player. The Seahawks should consider Jer'Zhan Newton as they evaluate their first-round draft pick options.
Dream draft target No. 3 - Edge Rusher Jared Verse
The Seahawks could look to bolster their pass-rushing unit by adding Jared Verse. At Florida State, Verse was a sacking machine for the Seminoles. In just two seasons for the FSU, Verse had 18 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss. His ability to get after the quarterback helped the Seminoles to a (23-4) record between 2022 and 2023. Verse has always been known as a game wrecker and has proven to be a force on the defensive side of the ball.
For Seattle, the question of taking Verse with their first pick in this year's draft is do they have room for Verse on their roster? They already have Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, Derick Hall, Mike Morris, and Dre'Mont Jones who can play the edge rusher position. This means taking a defensive end with their first pick would have to be for the right player. The Seahawks should still consider Verse with their first selection because he can elevate their defensive end room.
Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril were incredible pass rushers for the Seahawks during the Legion of Boom years. The reason for their success was also in part due to the depth Seattle had on their defensive line. The Seahawks also had Chris Clemons and Red Bryant to go with Avril and Bennett. Creating an exceptionally strong unit that devoured opposing teams' quarterbacks. Which is why the Seahawks could decide to select Verse to round out their defensive end group.
Dream draft target No. 4 - Linebacker Junior Colson
Junior Colson is one of the best linebacker prospects in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. He was one of the leaders of an impressive Michigan defense that won the National Championship in 2023. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald coached Colson at Michigan when he was a freshman in 2021. Macdonald certainly has intel on the player and what he can bring to the Seahawks. Under Macdonald's tutelage, Colson made seven starts, was fourth on the team in tackles, and was a freshman All-American.
In his career at Michigan, Colson had 256 total tackles (8.5 for loss) and 2.5 sacks. Colson was an integral part of the Wolverines' success from 2021-2023 playing on three College Football Playoff teams and the National Championship team. The fact that Colson was able to start as a true freshman and find success early in his college career is remarkable. An important part of his backstory that will be appealing to the Seahawks.
With two linebackers set to become free agents this off-season, one of whom will be 34 years old before the start of next season, the Seahawks will want to look at linebackers in this draft. Colson would be an interesting linebacker prospect to pursue given his connection to Macdonald and how talented he is. Colson could be available on day two of the draft. If he is available in the third round, the Seahawks will have the opportunity to select him with one of their two third-round picks.
Dream draft target No. 5 - Safety Jaden Hicks
The Seahawks have a big decision to make with safety Jamal Adams as to whether to cut him. If Seattle lets Adams go, they are going to be in the market for a new safety to play alongside Julian Love and Quandre Diggs. Also, given the Seahawks' lack of depth in the back end of their secondary, they will need to address the position regardless of what they do with Adams. Jaden Hicks had a solid career at Washington State University and showed how versatile he is as a safety.
In three seasons at WSU, Hicks had 155 tackles (eight for loss), 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions. Showing he is more than just a good defensive back in pass coverage. Hicks also has a unique ability to come up in the run and is able to rush the quarterback. That versatility is a huge selling point for the Seahawks. Hopefully, Hicks will be available by the time the Seahawks selection comes up on day two of the draft. The Seahawks do not have a second-round pick on day two.
This means Hicks could be taken before Seattle's pick comes up. Hicks is expected to be a day-two draft pick. Where he will land is uncertain, and DBs from WSU have been underestimated before.
Two-time Super Bowl champion defensive back Jaylen Watson is a prime example of that having been selected in the seventh round in 2022. Hicks could be another unknown defensive star in the making to come out of WSU. The Seahawks likely will have more knowledge of Hicks than other NFL teams having watched him play in Pullman, Washington for three years. Hopefully, Hicks' anonymity and ties to the Pacific Northwest will lead him to Seattle.