The Seattle Seahawks set out on a new path in franchise history beginning with the 2022 NFL Draft.
The door was officially closed on the most successful era in team history when longtime signature quarterback Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in early March.
Now, for the first time since 2010, under the leadership of Pete Carroll and John Schneider, the Seahawks are in the process of constructing a new identity. Seattle is coming off its first losing season since 2011 but was able to replenish some significant draft stock in the Wilson package.
Having dealt away their original 2022 first-round pick in a trade for Jamal Adams the year before, the Seahawks recouped some capital in the No. 9 and No. 40 overall selections, in addition to their No. 41 pick in the second round.
Carroll and Schneider did not make any other moves of major significance other than the Wilson blockbuster, so their draft focus was to hit the marks with much success, as they did in the drafts of the early part of the previous decade.
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
Despite trading away Wilson, Seattle didn’t draft a quarterback and will be looking to Drew Lock or Geno Smith to lead this team moving forward. The eventual Week 1 starter will be protected by Charles Cross, a very solid pass-blocker at the tackle position. This pick was solid as the Seahawks have talked about wanting to become a more pass-heavy team.
Michigan State product Kenneth Walker III is a fantastic running back prospect, but the Seahawks just saw Rashaad Penny break out at the end of last season and Chris Carson is solid when he’s healthy. Talking about moving towards a pass-heavy system and then drafting a running back this early make much sense.
The Seahawks also have a glaring need at linebacker after Bobby Wagner joined the Rams. They didn’t address the middle linebacker spot, but did grab a few edge rushers, including Boye Mafe with the 40th overall pick. The defensive end position was also a need for Seattle, and this pick was a step in the right direction.
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Note: The Seahawks NFL Draft predictions below were published before the 2022 NFL Draft.
Pre-Draft Seahawks NFL Mock Draft Predictions 2022
- Round 1, Pick 9 (9th Overall): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
- Round 2, Pick 8 (40th Overall): Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
- Round 2, Pick 9 (41st Overall): Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
- Round 3, Pick 8 (72nd Overall): Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
More Possible Seahawks Draft Targets: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina; Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
Pre-Draft Seahawks Team Needs 2022
1. Quarterback
The Wilson trade has suddenly put the Seahawks in a situation they had not experienced in 10 years before when they drafted him in the third round. As a result, for the first time since 2012, Seattle is heading into an NFL Draft with a significant need at quarterback.
The Seahawks did receive Drew Lock in return from Denver, and he can certainly compete to be a starter and attempt to get back on a positive career track in Seattle. But it is also apparent that there is a strong chance he will face competition from another newcomer.
There has been no other push to acquire another veteran to vie with Lock for the role, so the Seahawks would certainly have an eye on Liberty’s Malik Willis if he is available. However, Willis could conceivably go as early as No. 2 (Detroit Lions) or No. 6 (Carolina Panthers).
Seattle can also potentially opt for passers such as Matt Corral of Ole Miss or Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, depending on the flow of the selections. Despite what is said publicly, Geno Smith is not likely to compete for the starting job, so it may indeed be Lock vs. a rookie.
2. Offensive Tackle
During Wilson’s time in Seattle, the offensive line was a consistent area of concern, but the left side was regularly held down well by ultra-sturdy tackle Duane Brown for a five-year period.
It looks like Brown will have to be replaced, and there may also be a hole to fill at right tackle, where Brandon Shell operated for the past two seasons. The Seahawks liked how undrafted free agent Jake Curhan performed in five starts last season, and second-year man Stone Forsythe is an interesting prospect.
But a formidable presence in at least one of the two spots seems to be necessary, especially after the team could not lure Trent Brown away from New England in free agency.
3. EDGE Rusher
During the Seahawks’ “Legion Of Boom" years, the secondary received a lot of deserved credit for the defense’s success. But the team also boasted a strong defensive front, with pass rushers such as Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett constantly harassing quarterbacks.
Carroll would like to get back to having that sort of fearsome element as a key element of the unit. Seattle can help elevate a defense that had 34 sacks last season by bringing in a potential difference-maker from the 2021 NFL Draft class.
The team aims to be more under new defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt, and the unit now includes the promising Darrell Taylor and new acquisition Uchenna Nwosu as building blocks.
There is a possibility the Seahawks could use their first-rounder on a prime edge rusher such as Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, or they could take the best available with one of their second-round selections. I would expect them to likely tab an edge rusher with one of their first three picks.
Seahawks May Also Consider Drafting: Cornerback, Linebacker, Running Back
