In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Seahawks enjoyed the final returns from the 2022 trade of Russell Wilson. In the first two rounds, Seattle had four picks, and two of them were early in each round after Denver finished 5-12 last season.
General manager John Schneider and team executive vice president/head coach Pete Carroll chose to prioritize the best available players over immediate needs early on. Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon and Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba were top-rated players at their respective positions.
The Seahawks added to another position of strength when they drafted UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet in the second round. Yet Schneider and Carroll did land a needed edge rusher in the second round, Auburn’s Derick Hall, while nabbing some defensive and offensive line pieces thereafter.
Seahawks NFL Draft Picks 2023
- Round 1, Pick 5 Overall (From DEN): Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
- Round 1, Pick 20 Overall: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
- Round 2, Pick 37 Overall (From DEN): Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
- Round 2, Pick 52 Overall: Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA
- Round 4, Pick 108 Overall (From DEN): Anthony Bradford, G, LSU
- Round 4, Pick 123 Overall: Cameron Young, DT, Mississippi State
- Round 5, Pick 151 Overall (From PIT): Mike Morris, DE, Michigan
- Round 5, Pick 154 Overall: Olu Oluwatimi, C, Michigan
- Round 6, Pick 198 Overall; Jerrick Reed II, S, New Mexico
- Round 7, Pick 237 Overall: Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia
Seahawks NFL Futures Odds
Now that the NFL Draft is complete, get ready for the 2023-24 NFL season with the latest Seahawks odds and futures betting markets.
Seahawks Draft Grade 2023
Seahawks NFL Draft Grade: B+
Our Frank Ammirante gave the Seahawks a B+ for landing two top first-round talents in Witherspoon and Smith-Njigba. But he did not agree with the Charbonnet pick, as Seattle had other primary needs to address in the second round.
Click to see our full report card of 2023 NFL Draft Grades.
Note: The following information was written prior to the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks Draft Team Needs 2023
1. Edge Rusher
The Seahawks ranked 29th in Pro Football Focus’ pass-rush grade last season and one of the top edge defenders on the board may be a target with the No. 5 pick. Expect Seattle to address this area with one of its earlier selections, if not right away with their first of two first-rounders.
Last season, Uchenna Nwosu was a fine free-agent addition, as Next Gen Stats ranked him as a top-five edge rusher for 2022. But the Seahawks need to add another edge rusher who can also help defend the run effectively, and Seattle will likely want to add a standout performer to its current group of outside linebackers/edge defenders.
2. Defensive Tackle
The additions of Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed were good moves in free agency, but the team has moved on from Shelby Harris and Al Woods, an annually formidable presence against the run. Bryan Mone is still on the mend from a significant knee injury.
As the draft approaches, there appears to be a glaring need at nose tackle. Seattle could choose to reunite with Harris or Woods or retain Poona Ford.
Still, the interior of the defensive line will have to be an area of prime focus, as the Seahawks ranked 30th against the run last season.
Carroll and Schneider have already spent much of the offseason with their eyes on fortifying the defense, and they will look to complete most of the remaining work in the draft.
3. Inside Linebacker
Jordyn Brooks is still recovering from a torn ACL, so the Seahawks acquired former Steeler Devin Bush. And much to the delight of the 12s, they also brought back future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner.
Brooks was a top tackler before his injury, and there is hope that Bush can recapture his best form with a change of scenery. Wagner still played at a very high level with the Rams last season, but he is apparently on the back end of his career.
All three of those linebackers are headed for free agency after the 2023 season, though, and Seattle will have to strongly consider another inside linebacker addition for the short and long term. A rookie would certainly benefit from playing with Wagner early in his career.
Seahawks May Also Consider Drafting: Center, Wide Receiver, Tight End
Seahawks NFL Draft Round 1 Mock 2023
Round 1, Pick 5 Overall: Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
As of April 6, our own Anthony Cervino is predicting the Seahawks will pick this lengthy potential game-wrecker after three QBs and Will Anderson are taken. Read our full NFL Mock Draft.
Seahawks NFL Draft Pick History
Seahawks NFL Draft Picks 2022
- Round 1, Pick 9 (9th Overall): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
- Round 2, Pick 8 (40th Overall): Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
- Round 2, Pick 9 (41st Overall): Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
- Round 3, Pick 8 (72nd Overall): Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
- Round 4, Pick 4 (109th Overall): Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
- Round 5, Pick 10 (153rd Overall): Tariq Woolen, CB, Texas-San Antonio
- Round 5, Pick 15 (158th Overall): Tyreke Smith, EDGE, Ohio State
- Round 7, Pick 8 (229th Overall): Bo Melton, WR, Rutgers
- Round 7, Pick 12 (233rd Overall): Dareke Young, WR, Lenoir Rhyne
