Trading for Sam Howell made it much less likely, but we can’t rule out the possibility that the Seahawks might pick a quarterback in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. General manager John Schneider has been on record many times lamenting the fact that he hasn’t drafted more QBs in his time, and has made it clear he would like to do so this year.
Head coach Mike Macdonald is open to the idea if the right prospect is available when they’re on the clock. Here’s what he told reporters about the prospect of drafting a quarterback at the league meetings last week, per Mike Dugar at the Athletic.
“If there’s a guy that’s sitting, facing us in whatever round, it’s just the responsible thing to do to try to make your team better… It’s hard to find young, great quarterbacks in the league. It’s tough. Sometimes you’ve got to take swings at the plate to hit them.”
Macdonald has it right. While the Seahawks have more pressing roster needs – especially on both sides of the line of scrimmage – the best possible use of draft capital remains adding a potential new franchise quarterback to succeed Geno Smith.
The most logical target is Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., who ran Ryan Grubb’s offense at a near-Heisman level the last two seasons. However, they will likely have to use their No. 16 overall pick to get him – and they won’t be on the clock again until No. 81.
Odds are Seattle will have to settle for one of the developmental QB prospects on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft. The good news there are a lot of intriguing QBs in this class – and there will probably still be some real talent left on the board in Rounds 4-5.
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