The 2023 NFL draft has concluded, and two hundred fifty-nine selections were made across all 32 teams. Seattle made ten selections and left some in the league confused after their picks. Nonetheless, the Seahawks appear to have improved immensely on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, Seattle gave Geno Smith more weapons. In the first round, the team chose Jaxon Smith-Njigba and in the second round Seattle got running back Zach Charbonnet. Both players should be immediate contributors.
Defensively, the Seahawks added a couple of defensive linemen and got a potentially high-end edge rusher. Of course, it goes without saying that Seattle chose cornerback Devon Witherspoon with pick number 5. Witherspoon should help form a shutdown duo along with second-year CB Tariq Woolen. But let's look at every draft pick Seattle had.
Seattle Seahawks get better in 2023 and beyond by taking another great draft class
1st round, 5th overall pick - Devon Witherspoon, Cornerback, Illinois
The selection of Witherspoon left a lot of draft “experts” stunned. It was widely believed the Seahawks would go defensive line in the first round, so passing on Jalen Carter for Devon Witherspoon surprised most of the NFL. However, it was rumored the Seahawks had an eye fixated on Witherspoon before the draft, and picking at five the Illinois corner confirms John Schneider’s belief was legitimate.
As a zero-star recruit out of high school, Witherspoon worked his way from junior college to the number 1 corner at Illinois. John Schneider and Pete Carroll admire anyone with a preconceived chip on their shoulder, and Witherspoon is the perfect fit. With the addition of Witherspoon through the draft, Seattle could have one of the top young secondaries in all of football.
Witherspoon is presumably Seattle’s second starting corner alongside Tariq Woolen. Suppose the development of Witherspoon is somewhat similar to the development of Woolen. In that case, the Seahawks will possibly have the best secondary in the NFL before most people realize it.
Devon Witherspoon is best used in press man-coverage, where he can get his hands on receivers. He also tightly contests catches downfield. Witherspoon is intuitive and fast to the football. He relies on his ability and trusts what he’s seen on game tape, but he does get beat to jump balls occasionally. He also is a solid tackler who is more than willing to hit someone at full speed. With his physicality and ball skills, it’s easy to see why Witherspoon is the perfect fit for the Seahawk's secondary, even if he doesn't fit the usual “big corner” label.
Seahawks 1st round, 20th overall pick - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide receiver, Ohio State
The selection of Smith-Njigba is my favorite value pick in this entire draft. Smith-Njigba was my highest-rated wide receiver in the draft, and the Seahawks echoed that sentiment by making him the first receiver off the board. Even though the Seahawks already have Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, the selection of Smith-Njigba shows that John Schneider believes he has the right quarterback on the roster and wants to surround him with playmakers.
This is an excellent sign for Geno, Smith-Njigba, and whoever may succeed Geno Smith. Ohio State is no stranger to producing NFL talent, especially in recent memory. (Michael Thomas, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave). The current OSU wide receiver coach, Brian Hartline, has stated that Smith-Njigba has been the best wide receiver in the program since his start in 2017. Both Garret Wilson and Chris Olave shared that opinion in an interview while at Ohio State, saying that Jaxon is the best receiver out of the three.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba owns the most prolific Rose Bowl performance by a wide receiver in college football history. Smith-Njigba had 346 yards and three touchdowns against a Utah secondary that looked helpless against him. Jaxon moves so fluently and decisively that whether it’s during the route or after the catch, Smith-Njigba frequently leaves defenders in an unadvantageous position. With Brian Hartline, Garrett Wilson, and Chris Olave all touting Smith-Njigba as the best wide receiver out of the program in years, Jaxon Smith-Njigba could easily take this good Seattle offense and make it extremely explosive.
Seahawks second-round picks
2nd round, 37th overall pick - Derick Hall, Defensive End, Auburn
Derick Hall was once again a somewhat surprising choice for the Seahawks, But another “under the radar” prospect with an extremely high upside. Hall is a perfect fit for the Seahawk's newly adopted 3-4 defense and shows traits of an all-around elite edge rusher. Though Hall has some flaws in his game, I believe Hall’s flaws are fixable at the professional level.
Although Derick Hall is only 6’3” and 255 pounds, he plays with much more strength than expected. He doesn't possess elite power, but he routinely sets the edge at a high level and rarely gets manhandled by bigger offensive linemen in pass-rush scenarios. Hall also shows slightly above-average bend and rip-through, but where Hall will excel at the NFL level is his exceptional burst and explosion. His first step flashed on tape, and you can regularly notice the lineman struggling to stay in front of him.
The Seattle Seahawks needed help in pass rush and in run defense. Hall is an already proven threat in pass-rush and has all the strength and athleticism to impact the run game as an edge rusher. With Hall being the final pick in the Russel Wilson trade, the Seahawks felt like Derick Hall was the perfect piece to add to Seattle's defensive mix. If he can reach his maximum potential in the Seahawk’s scheme, Derrick Hall could be the motor that starts Seattle’s pass rush.
2nd round, 52nd overall pick - Zach Charbonnet, Running back, UCLA
My favorite aspect of the draft is the prospects that fly under the radar, and many prospects need to be noticed due to a lack of opportunity or just the absence of production in a poor scheme fit. Zach Charbonnet may have been the most overshadowed running back in the 2023 NFL draft. John Schneider may share this sentiment as he seems increasingly excited as the draft gets later, and he was pretty happy to pick Zach Charbonnet.
Charbonnet exhibited a powerful and elusive running style and was a four-star recruit out of high school. He chose to attend Michigan University, where a crowded backfield overshadowed him while still showing flashes in a limited role. He was given a promising lead running back position. Last season at UCLA, Zach Charbonnet rushed for 1,350 yards and 14 touchdowns.
As I alluded to before, Cahrbonnet is a powerful and elusive runner. He possesses elite footwork and contact balance. Charbonnet also seems a willing and capable pass blocker, routinely laying big blocks on blitzing defenders.
Charbonnet exhibits reliable hands and a great catch radius out of the backfield, not to forget he also had only two career college fumbles. Where Zach needs to improve at the next level is his pad level and his decisiveness when picking a hole to run through. Charbonnet is a patient runner who allows his blocks to develop, but a higher sense of urgency at the next level would serve him well.
Seahawks fourth-round picks
4th round, 108th overall pick - Anthony Bradford, Guard, LSU
Recent history shows that the Seattle Seahawks value versatility among offensive linemen. Anthony Bradford proved to possess that versatility. Starting 13 career games at right guard is his best fit at the professional level, but at LSU, the 330-pound 6’4” behemoth shows he can also fill in at tackle when needed, starting five games at left tackle for the Tigers.
Exhibiting the kind of agility he has at his size is impressive, It’s increasingly impressive when you see the power Bradford plays with. Anthony Bradford frequently beats rushers to the punch, stalling them in pass protection and bulldozing defenders in the run game. With the recent departure of Gabe Jackson and Austin Blythe, Bradford also fills a need for Seattle, and even if he isn’t ready to start for the Seahawks, he will instantly add depth at guard and tackle.
Bradford does have aspects of his game to improve to be reliable at the NFL level. He often relies on his power too much, and if a pass rusher can avoid his first punch, Bradford is susceptible to quick rips across his face and allowing inside pressure. If Anthony Bradford can improve his fundamentals with NFL coaching, Bradford could quickly end up as Seattle’s new guard of the future.
4th round, 123rd overall pick - Cameron Young, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi State
Regarding team needs, Cameron Young may address the most prominent team need for the Seahawks in the entire draft. Requiring interior defensive lineman coming into the draft, Cameron Young is a perfect addition to an area of weakness for the team. Young fits the nose tackle archetype that the Seahawks were missing entering the draft.
Cameron Young has extraordinarily long arms for a defensive tackle, and at 6’3” and 305 pounds, he shows on game tape the ability to hold double teams well in run defense. In the pass rush aspect, Young leaves a lot to be desired but does possess elite strength for a defensive tackle. At the NFL level for the Seahawks, Cam Young projects as a potential day-one starter as an anchor-type nose tackle in the middle of the defensive line.
Seahawks fifth-round picks
5th round, 151st overall pick - Mike Morris, Defensive End, Michigan
Mike Morris fills a significant need for Seattle. He has elite size and strength, and if not for a below-average combine, Morris would have been a day two pick based on game tape and production. Seattle selected him late due to his poor 3-cone drill.
In my opinion, Mike Morris is the steal of the draft for Seattle and could make a day-one impact. The Seahawks needed help on the defensive line, and Morris is another prospect with the tools to impact the run game immediately. But to reach his full potential and be an every-down player, the Seahawks must develop his pass-rush repertoire.
5th round, 154th overall pick - Olusegun Oluwatimi, Center, Michigan
Olusegun Oluwatimi, or “Olu,” as he prefers to be referred to, is another excellent pick for filling team needs. Olu wasn’t near my top center prospects in this draft but may have one of the highest ceilings in the potential for the position. Olu has the best chance to succeed by landing blocks on the move and showing his ability to move at his size.
Although, He does need to improve on his blitz protection pickups, as he allowed eight sacks in his first two collegiate seasons. As a junior transfer at Michigan, he started all 13 games for the Wolverines and allowed zero sacks for the first time in his career. With Olu’s pass protection proving a fixable aspect of his game, he was integral to Michigan’s success in the run game.
Being quicker than most linemen, I anticipate Olu could even be used at guard in the NFL. Still, if OLU can prove reliable in blitz protection and communication, he could immediately impact the Seahawks’ run game with an open opportunity at center.
Seahawks sixth and seventh round choices
Seahawks 6th round, 198th overall pick - Jerrick Reed II, Safety, New Mexico
Jerrick Reed was a four-year starter at New Mexico University. As a prospect, Reed projects to transition into a hybrid safety/nickel corner to utilize his skills. At 5’10”, 195 pounds, Reed lacks elite length and above-average athleticism, but he is a willing hitter and reliable tackler.
Reed brings defensive backfield depth for the Seahawks and is likely to develop quickly under expert tutelage. Throughout his collegiate career, Reed exhibited a high football IQ and was very good at attacking the ball when within range. Jerrick Reed’s best chance to make the squad is impressing Pete Carroll and the Seahawks on special teams and waiting for an opportunity to make an impression as a defensive replacement.
Seahawks 7th round, 237th overall pick - Kenny Mcintosh, Running back, Georgia
The selection of Kenny Mcintosh makes me think the Seahawks had an idea of what they were missing in the backfield last season. Mcintosh isn’t an every down running backs. But he can be a reliable third-down or even a nice rotational back.
The Seahawks’ running backs the previous year failed to produce much in the passing game, and the lead back, Kenny Walker, proved to be a liability in pass protection. The selections of Zach Charbonnet and Kenny Mcintosh add depth to Seattle’s backfield, but it also adds a dimension the Seahawks desperately needed last season.
Mcintosh was always in a crowded running back room at Georgia. Once given the lead role in his final season, he proved to be a threat in the rushing game and a reliable pass catcher. He also excels in pass protection, especially for his frame.
When rushing, he gets stronger as the game goes on and is willing to allude to defenders and run them over. Although Mcintosh lacks a high level of understanding of setting up his blocks, if a hole isn’t clear early in the play, he lacks the patience to let the space develop. Even though he finds himself in a crowded running back room in Seattle, Mcintosh has an excellent chance to make the 53-man roster as an explosive and willing rotational piece.