2023 NFL draft: The top 50 remaining prospects going into Day 3

After a promising start, the Seahawks didn’t do much to meet their needs on the second day of the 2023 NFL draft.

After a promising start, the Seahawks didn’t do much to meet their needs on the second day of the 2023 NFL draft. Once again they picked a running back too early – taking UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet at No. 52 overall. While Charbonnet is an awesome prospect, we would have liked it much better as a third or fourth-round pick. Seattle’s other Day 2 pick, Auburn EDGE Derick Hall was a bit of a reach and won’t help against the run.

Fortunately, they still have six more picks to go through. Here are the 50 best remaining players going into Day 3 of the draft, per ESPN.

Devon Witherspoon Seahawks jersey: How to buy No. 5 draft pick’s jersey

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With the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks selected Devon Witherspoon.

Witherspoon, a cornerback out of Illinois, will look to help the Seahawks improve on last season’s 9-8 record.

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The NFL is expected to release the 2023-24 schedule in May, but we know that Seahawks fans can look forward to the first matchup of the season, whoever the foe is. It will be the first outing for the next era of Seahawk football.

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Seahawks 2023 NFL draft primer: Picks, needs, rankings and latest buzz

Here are links with all the information you need about the Seahawks and this draft class.

The Seattle Seahawks are heading into the 2023 NFL draft tonight with a treasure chest of draft capital and a chance to re-establish themselves as a true championship contender.

Here are links with all the information you need about the Seahawks and this draft class.

Start time, TV info:

2023 NFL draft: When and where to watch all seven rounds

Seahawks 2023 draft picks:

Round 1: No. 5 overall
Round 1: No. 20 overall
Round 2: No. 37 overall
Round 2: No. 52 overall
Round 3: No. 83 overall
Round 4: No. 123 overall
Round 5: No. 151 overall
Round 5: No. 154 overall
Round 6: No. 198 overall
Round 7: No. 237 overall

Full seven-round draft order:

Full 2023 NFL draft order – all 259 picks

Seahawks roster needs:

Seven positions Seattle should be targeting in the 2023 NFL draft

The top 75 prospects:

The consensus big board top 75 overall prospects

Biggest questions for Seattle:

10 questions for the Seahawks front office going into the draft

Options for each pick:

Ranking 5 potential options for each of Seattle’s 10 picks

Latest draft buzz:

Pete Carroll would be fired up over 2 QBs at No. 5

Seahawks won’t leave Round 1 without a QB

Seattle comfortable going BPA with No. 20 pick

Malik McDowell may have soured Seahawks on Jalen Carter

Recent mock drafts:

Network wide: Early run on QBs

The small but mighty edition

Seahawks’ change in draft philosophy was out of necessity and by design

Pete Carroll and John Schneider knew they had to change their draft philosophy in 2022, and they explained it at the scouting combine.

INDIANAPOLIS — In their first five years with the Seattle Seahawks, general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll could do very little wrong. They took a team almost completely bereft of talent and, with outstanding drafts and free-agent signings, gave the franchise its first Super Bowl win, very nearly another, and created one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history.

Then, things started to go south.

In the years after Seattle’s agonizing loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX, the two men who could do virtually nothing wrong struggled to have their moves gain any positive traction. Impulsive trades (Jimmy Graham, Jamal Adams), drafts that produced precious little in terms of team-defining talent, and coaching choices that fell short of maximizing personnel had the Schneider’s and Carroll’s former Legion of Boom looking far more like a Legion of Whom.

Wholesale changes were on the horizon. The 2022 release of linebacker Bobby Wagner, and the trade of Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos looked at the time like more moves made by a staff that may not have been qualified to make them. Generally speaking, the people responsible for the need to blow a roster up and start over are not put in charge of those all-go rebuilds.

But Schneider and Carroll had built up enough equity to hold onto their positions, and it was likely that if the 2022 offseason and draft looked a lot like the last few, the faces of the Seahawks from a coaching and personnel perspective would be very different when the 2023 league year began.

Fortunately for Schneider and Carroll, and to their credit, they’ve been on the good foot ever since. The Wilson trade turned into an abject disaster for the Broncos, and a historic windfall for the Seahawks, who have the fifth, 20th, 35th, and 53rd picks in the upcoming draft. Moreover, after the 2022 draft the Seahawks put together, the fact that Schneider and Carroll are in charge of this particular process shouldn’t be cause for anxiety among Seahawks fans.

Because the 2022 draft not only saw several immediate starters, but immediate impact starters at positions that don’t generally see rookies excelling. The 2022 Seahawks became the first team since the 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars to start two rookie offensive tackles in Charles Cross and Abe Lucas from Week 1 on. Fifth-round cornerback Tariq Woolen might have grabbed the Defensive Rookie of the Year award were it not for the excellent exploits of Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner of the New York Jets. Gardner was selected fourth overall, Woolen had to wait until the 153rd pick to hear his name called. Cornerback Coby Bryant, Gardner’s college teammate at Cincinnati, provided value in the slot and outside, and Minnesota edge-rusher Boye Mafe started to become a real asset as the season went along.

Five potential long-term starters for a team that had struggled to produce five legit starters in their previous five drafts? Not a bad turnaround for a group desperately in need of such a thing.

If this seems to speak to a change in philosophy and methodology, both Carroll and Schneider confirmed that during their Tuesday media sessions at the scouting combine.

“We really wanted to get guys who could handle it,” Carroll told me when I asked him about why it worked so well this time around. “Because we knew they would have a chance to play. It was really important to us. Their character, and their confidence in themselves, the ways they came across with that… we were picking them for those spots hoping it would work out, and it did. Perfect group of guys in the makeup and the mentality that they brought to us. 

“We’re always trying to get more accurate is what we’re doing, and we really find that the character and makeup part of it was crucial, and we continue to look at that.

Schneider got even more specific about the makeup and character parts of the equation, pointing to the recent mistakes the team (and he) had made in this regard.

“Yeah… I think I talked about it before – the lessons you learn along the way,” he said, when I asked if 2022 felt like 2010 through 2012 all over again. “I’m Catholic, so I beat myself up a little bit. The mistakes I’ve made, and why. Comparing players, and purely drafting for need. Some of the background information we had on players from a confidence standpoint or a swagger standpoint weren’t necessarily able to compete with the Richard Shermans and the Kam Chancellors and the Bobby Wagners and the K.J.s [Wright]. Earl Thomas, you know what I mean? We knew we had to do a little better job in that regard [like] in 2010, ’11, ’12, picking players and building this thing. Not to sound weird or anything, but we were a damn good football team for a number of years. I heard [former NFL quarterback] Brady Quinn talking the other day where we had like 23 guys not make our team that went and played for other teams.”

As it had been early on, the focus was more on undervalued assets, as opposed to overvalued projects.

“Every year, you’re trying to balance team need, and just drafting the bast player all the way through. We knew we were going to have a hard time re-signing [left tackle] Duane [Brown}, so to be able to get a left tackle was a big deal for us. We knew we wanted to add a pass-rusher in Boye [Mafe] – acquire him and identify him, and having those two young guys [Cross and Abe Lucas] was obviously a big deal. The corners with Tariq [Woolen]; you guys haven’t seen  [Ohio State edge-rusher] Tyreke [Smith] yet, but when he practiced, he looked outstanding. He’s has some physical things going on to get right. But it was really about here we go, y’know – we’re going to be playing with… if we say we’re going to be a developmental organization, let’s do that.”

The difference, as both men said, was the focus on both now and the future. The Seahawks knew they had to stop getting cute with their personnel moves, thinking that they still had what they had built before. Now, it was about building it again, and as Carroll concluded, the architecture seems to be on point.

“Really, it was just what happened,” he said. “We didn’t create it – I’d like to say that John had it all figured out. Go draft these guys and they’ll play right away. We didn’t think of it that way, but we knew that the opportunities were there, and we could hopefully fit the guys into the spaces that were there. Its not always that easy, and it wasn’t easy,  but it certainly did happen this time around. It gave those guys a great opportunity to make enormous advances. That might have been kind of the one in the period of however long we’ve been here where an opportunity arises like that. Where we get the guys and they play right in the spots. But we’re certainly going to bank on it now.”

The Seahawks with a rock-solid plan? That could spell just as much trouble for the rest of the league as it did a decade ago.

Seahawks 2022 NFL draft class ranked third-most impactful

The Seattle Seahawks 2022 NFL draft class has been ranked the third-most impactful overall by CBS Sports heading into the 2022 season.

Well, surprise, SURPRISE! The Seattle Seahawks 2022 NFL draft class has been ranked the third-most impactful overall by CBS Sports heading into the 2022 season.

Chris Trapasso took a close look at all 32 teams and put together his list of rookie classes he believes will have the most impact this year. As far as Seattle’s class, he had the following to say . . .

“(Charles) Cross is the instant starter at left tackle, and he’s a smooth-operating pass protector. (Ken) Walker was tied with Isaiah Spiller as my RB1 in this class, and (Coby) Bryant was one of the longest, most experienced outside corners in the class.”

“Then there’s the two edge rushers — I’m glad they addressed that spot, a blatant weak-link on defense,” Trapasso continues. “(Boye) Mafe is older but got better each season as a pass rusher and has serious juice bending the edge. (Tyreke) Smith was one of the most productive, refined edges in the entire class — yes, you read that right — over the past two seasons at Ohio State. He had no business being available in Round 5.”

Only the Chiefs’ and Giants’ draft classed ranked higher than the Seahawks’.

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Seahawks 2022 draft class ranked No. 6 by NFL.com

Not everyone agrees, though.

The Seahawks have mostly gotten high grades from the national media for their picks in the 2022 NFL draft. There have been exceptions – mostly from analysts who believe they made a mistake by not using one of their selections on a quarterback prospect. For example, Chad Reuter at NFL.com gave Seattle a C+ grade.

Not everyone agrees, though. A couple of different writers from the league’s official website liked what they saw from the Seahawks and matched our assessment by giving them an A- overall grade. They ranked Seattle’s draft class No. 6 out of 32. Here’s what Gennaro Filice and Dan Parr had to say about the haul this year.

“No, the Seahawks did not draft a quarterback. Yes, they still earned a lofty draft grade. How? Well, let’s take an honest look at where this franchise stands right now… And in this process, there’s no need to prematurely draft a quarterback just to draft a quarterback. Does anyone seriously believe Seattle’s poised to compete in 2022, playing in a division with the reigning Super Bowl champions and two other double-digit-win playoff teams? No. Just draft good players. And that’s exactly what the Seahawks did, filling numerous high-need areas along the way.”

We liked the strategy of doubling down at premium positions – especially since Seattle had a desperate need at some of them. The decision to pass on the 2022 quarterbacks is a risky one, for sure. By forgoing this group the Seahawks may have made the right decision – but it also forces them into a corner for next year.

Unless Geno Smith or Drew Lock suddenly become a top-10 quarterback this season, chances are this team will need to use an early pick on a QB prospect next year. If they get that choice wrong it could put them into a downward spiral. Teams that find themselves in need of a new franchise quarterback can spend decades looking for them – the Bears and the Browns are two recent examples of just how long that can continue.

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Seahawks: 4 questions about their 2022 NFL draft class

While we’re happy with the results, we still have some questions regarding just how good this group can be.

The Seattle Seahawks have mostly gotten strong grades for their nine selections in the 2022 NFL draft. Several of their picks are considered high-value choices for where they were taken compared to where they were expected to be drafted.

While we’re happy with the results, we still have some questions regarding just how good this group can be. Here are four that will need answering over the next few years.

2022 NFL draft order: Complete list of picks for Rounds 4-7

Here is the current order of picks heading into Day 3.

The Seattle Seahawks still have four more selections going into the final phase of the 2022 NFL draft.

Here is the current order of picks heading into Day 3.

106. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
107. Houston Texans
108. Cleveland Browns
109. Seattle Seahawks*
110. Baltimore Ravens
111. New York Jets
112. New York Giants
113. Washington Commanders
114. New York Giants
115. Denver Broncos
116. Denver Broncos
117. New York Jets
118. Cleveland Browns
119. Baltimore Ravens
120. Washinton Commanders
121. New England Patriots
122. Minnesota Vikings
123. Los Angeles Chargers
124. Cleveland Browns
125. Miami Dolphins
126. Las Vegas Raiders
127. New England Patriots
128. Baltimore Ravens
129. Dallas Cowboys
130. Baltimore Ravens
131. Tennessee Titans
132. Green Bay Packers
133. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
134. San Francisco 49ers
135. Kansas City Chiefs
136. Cincinnati Bengals
137. New England Patriots
138. Pittsburgh Steelers
139. Baltimore Ravens
140. Green Bay Packers
141. Baltimore Ravens
142. Los Angeles Rams
143. Tennessee Titans
144. Carolina Panthers
145. Seattle Seahawks*
146. New York Giants
147. New York Giants
148. Chicago Bears
149. Carolina Panthers
150. Chicago Bears
151. Atlanta Falcons
152. Denver Broncos
153. Seattle Seahawks*
154. Philadelphia Eagles
155. Dallas Cowboys
156. Minnesota Vikings
157. Jacksonville Jaguars
158. Kansas City Chiefs
159. Indianapolis Colts
160. Los Angeles Chargers
161. New Orleans Saints
162. Denver Broncos
163. Tennessee Titans
164. Las Vegas Raiders
165. Las Vegas Raiders
166. Houston Texans
167. Dallas Cowboys
168. Buffalo Bills
169. Las Vegas Raiders
170. Houston Texans
171. Green Bay Packers
172. San Francisco 49ers
173. New York Giants
174. Cincinnati Bengals
175. Los Angeles Rams
176. Dallas Cowboys
177. Detroit Lions
178. Dallas Cowboys
179. Denver Broncos
180. Buffalo Bills
181. Detroit Lions
182. New York Giants
183. New England Patriots
184. Minnesota Vikings
185. Buffalo Bills
186. Chicago Bears
187. San Francisco 49ers
188. Jacksonville Jaguars
189. Washington Commanders
190. Atlanta Falcons
191. Minnesota Vikings
192. Indianapolis Colts
193. Dallas Cowboys
194. New Orleans Saints
195. Los Angeles Chargers
196. Baltimore Ravens
197. Jacksonville Jaguars
198. Jacksonville Jaguars
199. Carolina Panthers
200. New England Patriots
201. Arizona Cardinals
202. Cleveland Browns
203. Buffalo Bills
204. Tennessee Titans
205. Houston Texans
206. Denver Broncos
207. Houston Texans
208. Pittsburgh Steelers
209. Buffalo Bills
210. New England Patriots
211. Los Angeles Rams
212. Los Angeles Rams
213. Atlanta Falcons
214. Los Angeles Chargers
215. Arizona Cardinals
216. Indianapolis Colts
217. Detroit Lions
218. Los Angeles Rams
219. Tennessee Titans
220. San Francisco 49ers
221. San Francisco 49ers
222. Jacksonville Jaguars
223. Cleveland Browns
224. Miami Dolphins
225. Pittsburgh Steelers
226. Cincinnati Bengals
227. Las Vegas Raiders
228. Green Bay Packers
229. Seattle Seahawks*
230. Washington Commanders
231. Buffalo Bills
232. Denver Broncos
233. Kansas City Chiefs
234. Denver Broncos
235. Jacksonville Jaguars
236. Los Angeles Chargers
237. Philadelphia Eagles
238. Los Angeles Rams
239. Indianapolis Colts
240. Washington Commanders
241. Pittsburgh Steelers
242. Carolina Panthers
243. Kansas City Chiefs
244. Arizona Cardinals
245. New England Patriots
246. Cleveland Browns
247. Miami Dolphins
248. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
249. Green Bay Packers
250. Minnesota Vikings
251. Kansas City Chiefs
252. Cincinnati Bengals
253. Los Angeles Rams
254. Los Angeles Chargers
255. Los Angeles Chargers
256. Arizona Cardinals
257. Arizona Cardinals
258. Green Bay Packers
259. Kansas City Chiefs
260. Los Angeles Chargers
261. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
262. San Francisco 49ers

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Seahawks: Ranking 6 ideas for the first round of the 2022 NFL draft

Let’s go through some of our best (and worst) ideas for the Seahawks in regards to what they should do in the first round.

The 2022 NFL draft begins in just a few days.

Let’s go through some of our best (and worst) ideas for the Seahawks in regards to what they should do in the first round.

Seahawks: Which positions should they pick in each round of the 2022 NFL draft?

Here are a few ideas for which positions they should target in each round of the 2022 NFL draft.

The Seattle Seahawks currently hold eight picks in the 2022 NFL draft. A couple of them were acquired from the Denver Broncos as part of the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade. If they are going to bounce back from the loss of Wilson, the one thing the organization needs to do most of all is do a better job of maximizing value in the draft. This front office had some all-time great draft classes in 2010, 2011 and 2012. However, since then the results have mostly been disappointing.

One way the Seahawks can add extra value is to trade down for more picks – a strategy general manager John Schneider has employed in the past. Another way to help would be prioritizing the positions that are most-important for the modern game. Unfortunately, this facet of the draft has been an unqualified-failure for Schneider and Pete Carroll. The team has wasted several early-round draft picks on running backs and off-ball linebackers, to say nothing of trading away multiple first-rounders in grotesque mega-deals for tight ends and strong safeties.

This is simply not a good use of draft capital in the modern era of football.

Let’s see if we can map out a better way to use this team’s new-found draft resources. Here are a few ideas for which positions they should target in each round of the 2022 NFL draft.

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