Seahawks NFL Draft Pick Predictions & Odds | 2022 Draft Team Needs & Futures Bets
@scotteTheKingThe Seattle Seahawks will set out on a new path in franchise history in 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 now have 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 they will be focused on hitting 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, via DEN)
- Round 2, Pick 8 (40th Overall, via DEN)
- Round 2, Pick 9 (41st Overall)
- Round 3, Pick 8 (72nd Overall)
- Round 4, Pick 4 (109th Overall, via NYJ)
- Round 5, Pick 9 (152nd Overall, via DEN)
- Round 5, Pick 10 (153rd Overall)
- Round 7, Pick 9 (229th Overall)
Many times in past drafts, Carroll and Schneider have actively traded back, so that is an approach we always have to keep an eye on. But having a pick inside the Top 10 puts them in obvious prime territory, and a pair of earlier second-rounders is favorable territory, so they may be willing to stick with the original selections here.
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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
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
For more 2022 NFL Draft coverage, check out our complete NFL Mock Draft and Top 150 Prospect Rankings.
Seahawks NFL Draft Bets 2022
Seahawks to Select Charles Cross at No. 9 (Odds TBD)
If somehow Willis is available with Seattle’s first-rounder, that would be the ideal selection. But after his strong combine and pro day, it may be surprising to see him slip to that point. We will be banking on a strong chance the Seahawks could go for Charles Cross when the wagers become available.
Seattle can possibly afford to wait until its second or third pick to take a quarterback target after nabbing Cross, who is widely regarded as one of the elite offensive tackles in the draft. Pro Football Focus noted that he only allowed 16 pressures on 719 pass-blocking snaps in his final season at Mississippi State.
A possible Cross pairing with one of the top QBs would help flesh out an offense that already has two outstanding wide receivers and Rashaad Penny looking to build on a great finish to the 2021 campaign.
The Seahawks can get their pass rusher with one of the top three selections, and it would make sense to take a cornerback after losing D.J. Reed. Carroll is known for getting the most out of that position as a coach and should be willing to wait a bit on a target.
