It’s the week of the 2023 NFL draft. That means it’s peak season for speculation, smoke-screens and wild conjecture from all angles. When we’re this close to the draft fans should probably not take anything they hear too seriously. Nevertheless, it is interesting to read what is being talked about around the league going into the draft.
The latest buzz comes via Todd McShay at ESPN, who senses the Seahawks won’t leave Thursday night without picking a quarterback:
“I have a strong sense Seattle won’t leave Round 1 without a quarterback. The more I talk to execs, scouts, coaches and agents, the more I think the Seahawks could be targeting Stroud or even Florida’s Anthony Richardson at this spot, depending on who is there. Stroud is 21 years old and Richardson is 20, and the idea is either could sit behind Geno Smith in the short-term and develop into the answer for the long-term.”
Again, we shouldn’t take anything as gospel – but that approach would be the most sensible one going into Round 1. Richardson and Stroud should be at the top of this team’s draft board regardless of their positional needs.
McShay says if both Stroud and Richardson are gone then Seattle will target a defensive lineman – but contrary to almost everything else we’ve been reading of late, it will not be Georgia DT Jalen Carter.
“If both are gone, that means either Anderson or Wilson will be there, and I expect that’d be the direction Seattle goes. Multiple sources have told me Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter isn’t expected be the pick.”
Carter should still be considered the favorite at No. 5 overall given their needs and offseason activity. However, there is a rumor that Seattle’s experience with Malik McDowell has soured them on rolling the dice on Carter given his off-field issues.
McShay’s last note for Seattle is that if they don’t take a QB at No. 5, they may be targeting Tennesee’s Hendon Hooker at No. 20 overall. Hooker is ranked the fourth-best QB in this class behind Stroud, Richardson and Alabama’s Bryce Young, who’s expected to be the first overall pick for Carolina.
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