Leading up to the NFL Draft, SIS will be publishing team previews for those with Top 10 picks in the draft. Each preview will look at the players who most make sense for that team at that selection based on stats and scouting factors and will include quotes from that player’s scouting report.
You can find more than 300 scouting reports and much more team analysis at our NFL Draft website.
The State of the Seahawks:
While the Seahawks final 2022 record of 9-8 and a first-round playoff exit may seem mediocre, they showed the football world they were a much better team than anyone expected prior to last season. After trading away franchise quarterback Russell Wilson last year, many projected the Seahawks to be a shoo-in for the #1 overall selection in the 2023 Draft.
Despite the rumblings of last offseason, the Seahawks made the 12th Man proud by finding success through trusting in the vision of long-time GM and HC tandem of John Schneider and Pete Carroll and a surprising upgrade in QB play in previous journeyman Geno Smith. The Seahawks now find themselves in the top five of this month’s draft and in a better situation than most predicted, but are not without shortcomings (or holes, you pick) that can be addressed with this prime selection at No. 5 overall.
# 5 Overall
There are almost no flaws in Carter’s on-field play and with an increased effort and professionalism combined with his ability to force teams to change gameplans, he can put himself in the NFL DPOY discussion every year.
Carter is one of the premier talents in this draft class. He would step in and immediately provide support to a Seahawks defensive unit that gave up the third-most rush yards per game in the NFL last season while also providing much coveted pass rush production from the inside.
Will Anderson Jr. – EDGE – Alabama
Anderson has impressed from his first game at Alabama to his last as a deadly pass rusher and strong run defender, and he has everything it takes to be a top-end EDGE at the next level.
Anderson has been anticipated as a high profile draft prospect since he was an 18-year-old true freshman at Alabama and has grown into an elite prospect. If he is available, it will be very tough for Schneider and Co. to pass him up.
Anthony Richardson – QB – Florida
Richardson is the full package talent wise with the dual-threat ability and arm strength coveted at the next level, but he will need to refine his mechanics and simplify his decision-making to be a more consistent player.
Although the Seahawks found consistent quarterback play last season and extended Geno Smith, the franchise has a potential out after this season. This could provide a perfect time frame to allow the Seahawks to further evaluate Smith while allowing Richardson to grow and develop his otherworldly traits and serve as a contingency plan early in his career.
Christian Gonzalez – CB – Oregon
Gonzalez is a versatile corner with the reactive athleticism, speed, and ball skills to make a huge impact in the NFL, but he may struggle with bigger targets at times.
Gonzalez is a long and uber-athletic cornerback prospect with a knack for making a play on the ball. He stays in the Pacific Northwest here and joins Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant, and a top tier safety duo to form a versatile and opportunistic defensive backfield.
To learn more about the Seahawks and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.
