The 2023 NFL draft is fast approaching. The Seattle Seahawks have high-end picks, and how they use them to add talent to a roster that is getting ever-younger but ever-better could make or break the team for the next few years. Since general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll came to Seattle in 2010, the team has not had the draft capital opportunities that they have this year.
Seattle, of course, could do a number of things in the first round. They could trade back and that would surprise no one. Heck, they could even trade up from pick 20 and grab a player they love but think will be gone by that selection. Or, maybe most surprisingly of all, do nothing and stay at the picks they have. The draft is Schneider and Carroll's oyster and their chance to turn the team into a contender as soon as 2023.
But they can't make wrong choices at either of the current first-round picks. Even a bad choice in round two could be detrimental to what Seattle wants to do moving forward. A home run class like the 2022 one, though? 12s will be very happy. But here are some players the Seahawks should avoid.
Seahawks should avoid drafting receiver Jalin Hyatt
For the record, I like Hyatt and think he could be a good pro in the right system. I don't think that system is with Seattle, though. Hyatt needs to be with an offense that throws the ball more. My concern is that Hyatt is a system receiver the same way his quarterback in college, Hendon Hooker, is a system QB.
Tennessee Volunteer coach Josh Heupel is such a near-genius college coach that players will thrive in his system the way they might not elsewhere. Heupel's system spreads a defense out and this allows receivers to see more open field and more one-on-one coverage. In that system Hyatt's best skills, his great speed, can be used to peak performance.
But Hyatt needs to gain about 20 pounds to be able to hold up to NFL-type punishment. His speed is good but his route tree needs to be better to be successful in the NFL. If he adds weight, will that affect his speed? Hyatt reminds me of Marquise Goodwin. Goodwin is a good player, but not one you would draft in the first or second round.
Seahawks should avoid drafting defensive tackle Jalen Carter
Like Hyatt, I think Carter could possibly be a good professional. He has great raw skill and with the right leadership in the locker room and among the coaching staff, Carter could be very productive. The Seahawks have strong leadership in the locker room, that's true. But the main reason I think Seattle should pass on Carter is that the only chance to take him would be a pick 5 and I think Seattle needs to take other players instead.
Carter is extremely unlikely to be around at pick 20, and this is when Seattle has its second first-round pick. Instead of Carter, I would take Will Anderson, Jr., Tyree Wilson, and even Devon Witherspoon at pick 5. Anderson and Wilson should both be forces at edge rusher. Anderson is more of a linebacker while Wilson is more of an end so it would depend on what Schneider and Carroll see as the bigger need.
Witherspoon is a tenacious corner who while not as big as Richard Sherman, brings the same kind of intensity and will to destroy the other team. He has great coverage skills and hits like a linebacker. If Seattle wants to build from the back to front of the defense, Witherspoon makes sense.
Sure, Carter has a bunch of red flags, and that is another reason to pass on him. But my main reason is simply because Seattle has other needs to address. The Seahawks signed Dre'Mont Jones and Jarran Reed this offseason so the need along the interior of the defensive line isn't as great. Plus, if Seattle thinks it can get Calijah Kancey at pick 20, it's just anothe reason to pass on Carter.
Seahawks should avoid drafting quarterback Will Levis
I can see why a lot of people like Will Levis. Seeing him throw is like eye-candy to quarterback watchers. His arm talent is without question as he has a quick release and can throw it 60 yards with ease. But there have been a lot of quarterbacks who have an excellent ability to throw a ball but never made good NFL quarterbacks.
Remember Ryan Leaf? Of course, you do. Or maybe any other number of quarterbacks who were drafted high in the draft but never panned out. Heck, Zach Wilson appears to be doing that with the Jets currently.
Levis may not have had the best receivers at the University of Kentucky, I understand that. But if you want to watch game film that scares you, watch Levis against the University of Tennessee last season. He threw 3 interceptions and could have had 6. The issue wasn't his receivers. It was almost like Levis didn't see the field well at all and made atrocious decisions.
The Seahawks have good young talent at multiple positions. The defense should be better in 2023 and beyond, especially if they draft high-end defensive talent in the 2023 draft. But a quarterback who turns the ball over a bunch can hurt the best of teams and this is what I think Levis does.