I believe this is going to be the way I start my articles from here on out. A little personal touch. Today, we are discussing the 2022 NFL Draft and what the Seattle Seahawks best case scenario is at number nine. One of my favorite times of the NFL calendar year. I have always loved the draft, dating back to my elementary and high school days. I can remember when I first fell in love with it and would have to request for my mom to buy me an NFL Draft magazine. She would eventually cave, after I bugged her a few times, ensuring that I was going to read it. I would then transition to paper, a pen, and my magazine. I would bring it everywhere with me, but mostly on the bus to occupy my free time all the way up until the draft. I would make my own mock drafts and edit them on a daily basis. Finally, draft day would be upon us and I would be glued to the TV with my pen and paper. When regular season Sundays came around, I was the annoying guy you never wanted to sit next to. Every time someone made a play, I could tell you where they went to college, what year they were drafted, what round they were drafted in. Some would call it useless information; others would try and test me and were fascinated by it. Fast forward to the present day and I feel like I am right back in my element writing notes in draft magazines, and watching film breakdowns. I truly feel like a kid again for that reason, I am having way too much fun.
Let’s get into it.
In my opinion, these are the most likely scenarios for the Seattle Seahawks going into the draft. I will do my best to break down how I see the draft playing out. With specific prospects that fit the ‘Hawks scheme & direction. Most likely scenarios:
Scenario #1: Trade Down
Scenario #2: Non-QB Selection
Scenario #3: QB Selection
Scenario #1: Best case scenario, in my opinion, is trading the #9 pick and moving down while being able to stockpile picks going into the future. This draft is loaded with blue-chip prospects at marquee positions of need for the Seahawks. They do not have to take one at #9 if someone is desperate to move up and select someone they are in love with. With eight selections in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Seahawks are primed for some maneuvering and John Schneider has shown to be more than willing to make his moves for guys that he covets. I have never wanted Schneider to move down more than I do this draft class. With a trade down being my favorite option because of the additional draft picks going into the 2023 draft, I do like several players in the trade down scenario.
1. Tyler Linderbaum – Center – Iowa
The center from Iowa has been the top interior lineman in college football for the last two seasons. The Seahawks have not had stability at the center position since Max Unger was traded for Jimmy Graham. After missing out on the best center prospect last year and electing to select a WR3, the Seahawks could trade down and do the boring pick with Linderbaum. An immediate plug-and-play type of player on that offensive line.
2. Trevor Penning – Tackle – Northern Iowa
Just a mean, nasty offensive lineman. Exactly what you want when you are looking for a franchise tackle in the first round. The ability to finish blocks in the run game is awesome. Big frame.
3. Kairr Elam – Corner – Florida
Long corners that can be physical at the line of scrimmage and reliable in man coverag are hard to come by. Elam is that. It feels like the Seahawks have been looking for answers at the corner position since Shaquill Griffin departure last offseason.
Scenario #2: The non-QB selection at number nine will come down to the ability to find a trade partner to move down. Although with the 18 picks over the next two drafts, they may feel it is enough draft capital to make selections at their slots. The Seahawks are entering the draft with major needs and adding any sort of talent at number nine will be exciting. I have seen so many mock drafts, from people I know to some that I pay more attention to. Some are still debating the number one selection; it is truly unpredictable this year and I am beyond excited for the chaos that is about to commence. That being said, these are my favorite prospects for the Seahawks at number nine:
1. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner – CB – Cincinnati
“Sauce” Gardner is the sure-fire CB1 of this class, this dude hasn’t given up a touchdown in his entire college career. Do you know how hard that is to do? He walks the walk and talks the talk, kind of like someone else the Seahawks used to have on an island. Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Sauce Gardner – now you’re talking about the old ‘Legion of Boom” days. Incredibly talented, if available, would be an electric pick for this new era of Seahawks football.
2. Ikem Ekwonu – OT – North Carolina State
One of the most violent blockers I have ever watched on film. Explodes off the ball in the run. Is in the discussion for the number one selection, he may not make it past the Panthers or Giants. Again, I have to say: “Wow” – because he really is a special talent. Don’t get me wrong he isn’t perfect, he is still a raw prospect as many say, but if he does not work at tackle he can slide right into the guard position. It is a long shot that he is available at number nine. In the event he is, I am not even taking 30 seconds on the clock. He is the real deal.
3. Evan Neal – OT – Alabama
From the moment he stepped onto campus as a freshman, he has been a starter for the Crimson Tide. Neal has played both inside and outside, and shown that he can withstand the pressures of being put on island. He is a top 10 selection in this draft and is exactly what you are looking for in a prototypical left tackle.
4. Charles Cross – OT – Mississippi State
One of the most patient pass-blockers in this class. Has a ton of pass protection snaps while playing in the Mike Leach air-raid offense. The big fella moves very fluently in the run game. He is still only 20 years old and will only get better over time. He has been connected to the Seahawks in multiple mock drafts. A zone run scheme left tackle with a ton of upside potential. Feels like a match made in heaven. The more comfortable and snaps that he gets in the NFL, he will just continue to grow. The Seahawks need a franchise bookend.
5. Trevon Walker – OLB – Georgia
The last and final spot in my top five is a difficult choice, but the University of Georgia Swiss-Army knife is one of the best defensive weapons in this draft. Very disruptive. Long and athletic. Plays the run well. Has lined up inside and outside. Stand-up. Hand in the dirt. Dropped in coverage. He does it all. The Seahawks may very well get the opportunity to pair Walker and Darrell Taylor on the edges as this defense transitions to a primary 3-4.
Scenario #3: Multiple quarterbacks being drafted inside the top-10 is becoming a reality each day that we get closer to the draft. We have seen them at the combine, seen them at their Pro-Days and the crazy ones are watching YouTube breakdowns every day. With each one of us now being forced to pick our respective favorites. The most difficult position to be in the NFL: is “the Franchise QB.” Expectations are so high on these guys that it comes down to the best fit. My blog, my rankings, these are my “best fit QB at #9” for the Seattle Seahawks:
1. Malik Willis -QB – Liberty
2. Matt Corral – QB – Ole Miss
If John Schneider and Pete Carroll fell in love with a quarterback in the draft, I hope it is one of these two. They both appear to be franchise guys for at least the next 5 years, as most rookies selected in the first round are given at least their rookie contracts to put it all together, well, you would hope. Both of these guys have the traits to be “Franchise Guys” in today’s NFL. Unique in their own ways, but similar in many. Dare I say both Willis and Corral possess the ability to make the Seahawks offense exciting to watch again?
In the end, I just want them to be smart with the selection. I don’t want to see them over-thinking it and draft someone that none of us know. This is not the class to be doing that. There are some absolute monsters in this draft, and because everyone got that extra year of eligibility, we are seeing a bigger class in terms of the number of players in the draft. Diamonds in the rough will be found, in all rounds and I really believe this is a draft we are going to look back on and have several memorable names drafted on days two and three. There are a handful of teams in the “win-now” phase and the Seahawks just are not one of those teams, unfortunately. The Seahawks had 10 winning seasons before this year, the first losing season since Bobby and Russ were drafted. Its new beginnings. The short-term struggle for long-term gain. This is the time to be excited for. The next foundation of youth will flood the Seahawks roster over the next two off-seasons.
Reload, not rebuild. Go Hawks!!
MR Sports Corner 