The Seahawks are in a prime position selecting number five overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. There is a good chance John Schneider and Pete Carroll have been prepping contingency plans for what do in any given scenario when the Seahawks pick at five. With Seattle having their first pick in the top five of the NFL Draft for the first time since 2009, Schneider needs to get this right.
There are tons of draft speculators debating what the Seahawks will do with their first pick, taking a quarterback or selecting a defensive lineman appears to be the likeliest outcome. However, knowing Pete Carroll and John Schneider expect the unexpected. Four teams pick before the Seahawks do, which complicates the Seahawks' draft board as it usually does for every draft.
3 different ways the Seahawks could use the number 5 overall in the 2023 NFL draft
The stakes are much higher this year though because of where the Seahawks are picking. Decisions made by the teams in front of Seattle could impact what Schneider wants to do at five. Just depends on how many teams take a quarterback and if any decide to trade up ahead of the Seahawks to take one.
The Colts and Panthers are likely to each take a quarterback; barring a massive unforeseen surprise, given they both have big needs at the quarterback position. As you will see, what the Texans and Cardinals decide to do at picks two and three could have a big impact on Seattle’s first pick. Here are three draft scenarios for the Seahawks at pick number five.
Seahawks scenario 1
In this scenario, the Panthers select QB Bryce Young with the first overall pick. Followed by the Raiders taking QB CJ Stroud after a trade with the Texans at two. The Cardinals will pick DE Will Anderson with the third pick. The Colts are going to select QB Anthony Richardson at four.
With this being the first scenario, the Seahawks are thrust immediately into a difficult decision. Take defensive tackle Jalen Carter who has lots of on-field upside and off-the-field question marks, the next best pass rusher Tyree Wilson, or the best cornerback in the draft in Devon Witherspoon. Seattle could also choose to trade back from this pick to acquire lots of middle-round draft capital to fill out the rest of the roster if they're unsure who to select.
The tricky part about this scenario is Will Anderson and Anthony Richardson are off the board. These two are probably the best choices for the Seahawks if they were available at five, but in this case, they are not. Most experts would say in this scenario the Seahawks will take Jalen Carter here.
For me I would take Devon Witherspoon. Why? Witherspoon is a tremendous fit for the Seahawks who need a punishing run stopper and without question he can deliver the boom. Not only does Witherspoon make big hits and tackles in space, but he also is a great pass defender as well.
Seattle rarely takes DBs in the first round, the last time they did it was in 2010 when they selected Earl Thomas 14th overall. They were tempted to take Sauce Gardner in 2022 but did not get the chance to select him. Agree or Disagree with my pick? Who would you select at five in this scenario?
Seahawks scenario 2
This time the Panthers will take QB Bryce Young first overall same as before. However, the Texans cannot find a trade partner and decide to select DE Will Anderson second overall. Then the Cardinals will take DT Jalen Carter at three. The Colts follow by taking QB CJ Stroud at fourth overall.
This is a solid opportunity in my opinion for the Seahawks to take the best QB prospect left in Anthony Richardson at five. He is the best player available on the board at this spot in the draft and teams rarely have this opportunity to take a QB as talented as Richardson. Yes, there are other needs for the Seahawks to fill, but remember the same thing was said about Seattle when they drafted Russell Wilson in 2012. Richardson would be a first-round pick not a third-round pick, however, the parallels are similar.
The decision comes down to John Schneider who is a fine evaluator when the decision comes to picking QBs. He almost selected Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen in previous drafts and he will not pick a QB here unless he is certain he loves the pick. Could the Seahawks select a QB later? Yes, they could take a QB later, but whoever the later QB selection is will not be as sure a bet as Richardson in the first round.
There are plenty of defensive lineman in this draft, as well as defensive backs, to sure up the defense in the late first round or middle rounds of the draft. If you do not like the idea of taking a QB in the first round that is fine. What would you do in this draft scenario then?
Seahawks scenario 3
The all QB top-four is an interesting possibility. This would mean the Panthers take Bryce Young first. Followed by the Lions taking CJ Stroud second after a trade with Houston. Then the Raiders trade up to select Anthony Richardson third. Leaving the Colts stuck with taking Will Levis to round out the top four.
This is optimal for the Seahawks who desire to upgrade their defense as they can take the best defensive player available in the draft which is DE Will Anderson. Anderson gives Seattle everything they need in a defensive lineman. He provides the Seahawks with an exceptional pass-rushing ability and is the bona fide run-stopper they are missing on the defensive side of the ball.
Is this a realistic possibility or pipe dream? Well, QBs are highly sought after in the NFL and this class has been highly touted. There are also several teams in need of a QB who could be willing to trade up into the top four to select a QB, with Vegas and Detroit making the most sense as far as teams looking to trade up. The Texans could also select a QB and not trade their pick.
Four QBs going with each of the first four picks would be unprecedented. This would be a defensive draft jackpot for the Seahawks who are looking to bolster their defense. Would anyone being willing to select someone other than Will Anderson at five if he’s available or are you good with taking him here?