For one of the first years in a while, I am a big fan of the Seahawks’ draft picks. Led by Coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider, I believe they’re on the right track.
After cutting Wilson and Wagner loose, they are allotted more cap space to mix and move pieces. These offseason moves, in turn, allow the team to draft the way they would like. Here are the Seahawks rookies going into the 2022-2023 season.
1st Pick #9 Overall – OT Charles Cross – Mississippi State
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Pete Carroll wants to get back to running the football. Cross comes from a team that loved passing the ball, but Cross is one of the best pass protectors from this year’s draft class.
He is a very experienced pass protector, is very durable, has a strong latch and grip strength, and has the quick feet and athleticism you need for vertical sets.
Although he doesn’t have the most experience with run-blocking, Charles Cross is going to help the team at left tackle. He will protect and open up gaps for the offense to get into the end-zone.
2nd Pick #40 Overall – DE Boye Mafe – Minnesota
This is one of the most athletic and explosive Defensive linemen from this year’s draft. His explosiveness off the edge is scary for opposing offenses.
Seattle has needed pressure against opposing offenses, so Mafe is bound to play a prominent role on defense. Added pressure from the D-line is going to help ease some stress on Seattle’s secondary.
3rd Pick #41 Overall – RB Kenneth Walker III – Michigan State
Versatile, explosive, agile, quick, and powerful are a few words to explain Seattle’s new running back. When Walker gets downfield and changes gears, he’s hard to catch.
Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny are veteran running backs who know the flow of the game. But walker has the explosiveness that the team needs to give the offense some juice.
4th Pick #72 – OT Abraham Lucas – Washington State
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Additional attention on helping out the passing game with this pick. Lucas is a very highly experienced pass protector. Combining Cross and Lucas at the tackle positions will allow the team to develop them into very effective blockers on the front lines.
Lucas has good length, solid feet, and quickness out of his stance. One thing he needs to improve on is his strength and hand placement. Once he establishes himself, he can open up lanes for their fresh running backs and make an impact.
5th Pick #109 – CB Coby Bryant – Cincinnatti
Standing at 6’2″, Bryant is a versatile cornerback who can play zone and man defense very well. His reads are phenomenal and he has excellent awareness of the field.
Bryant has great ball skills and has a solid chance at picking the ball off as an outside corner. He will be competing for the CB2 or CB3 spot, but he has plenty of upside potential.
Final Thoughts
Other picks Seattle made in the 2022 NFL draft include CB Tariq Woolen, DE Tyreke Smith, WR Bo Melton, and WR Dareke Young.
The Seahawks drafted well in 2022. They needed to beef up their offensive line, add a key element to the defensive line, and add explosiveness at running back and cornerback.
Competition is heating up in Seattle for the starting jobs and many of these rookies have a bright future ahead.
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