Seattle Seahawks 2023 Mock Draft: Trusting Jalen Carter…but with some insurance 

Seahawks taking the appropriate chance on Jalen Carter?

With today’s mock draft, we’re going to believe that John Schneider and Pete Carroll have a great meeting with Carter, and get positive clarity on not just his physical ability, but between his ears as well. We’re going to do a mock draft where we are selecting Jalen Carter, but we’re going to look to trade back a couple of picks. I still believe that Carter will be available a few picks after number 5, and if I’m taking the Jalen Carter risk, I want a top 70 pick as well for a little protection. 

TRADE: Seahawks trade pick #5 to Raiders for pick 7, 70 and a 2024 3rd round pick

Round 1 Pick 7: Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

I really like this trade for Seattle and for Las Vegas. It's an overpay according to the Rich Hill Trade Value chart, but that’s to be expected when you trade up for a potential franchise quarterback. Vegas has Jimmy Garoppolo for this season, but by selecting Will Levis, they are in the Alex Smith/Pat Mahomes path of QB development. There’s no doubting Levis’ talent, but he needs time to develop in Josh McDaniels’ scheme. 

For Seattle, they’re taking the home run swing. If they’re right about Carter, then they will have a defensive tackle duo of Carter and Dre’ Jones, arguably the most talented duo at the position in the league. Whether they stay in the 3-4, go 4-3, or run with multiple alignments, Carter can potentially be a destroyer of offensive game plans in any front. Seattle also adds a second 3rd round pick in both 2023 and 2024, a year that may have 12-15 draftable QBs.