The Seattle Seahawks are a difficult team for NFL Draft predictions. They haven’t picked inside the top 10 since 2010, and they’ve only picked inside the top 20 once since 2011. Therefore, there aren’t any trends to look back on. But now that Russell Wilson is in Denver, the Seahawks can focus on retooling their roster to build a competitor again soon.
Seattle Seahawks 2022 NFL Draft predictions
The Seahawks have no shortage of holes on their roster. The offensive line could use a total makeover. They need a linebacker to complement Jordyn Brooks, and they have some names at cornerback but no quality starters. Additionally, DK Metcalf could be on the move. How will Seattle proceed come April 28?
Quarterback feels like an obvious need, but it appears two could already be off the board before the ninth pick. It’s almost guaranteed that Malik Willis is already gone. The Seahawks would be better served trying to retool the roster and look at QB in the future.
Prediction 1: Trade Metcalf, draft the top receiver
If the Seahawks want a Metcalf-style replacement, they’d have an option in USC wide receiver Drake London. The ninth pick feels a bit high for all of these receivers, but with too many holes to appropriately fill on the offensive line, they could throw assets at receiver to try giving whoever plays quarterback some options.
London isn’t the same downfield threat as Metcalf. He’s a smooth operator, particularly for his size (6-foot-4, 219 pounds). He can separate in the intermediate and is one of the best contested-catch receivers statistically in recent college football history. However, his ilk doesn’t really exist at the NFL level. Nobody resembles his game, which could confuse decision-makers.
The Seahawks could also go more in the mold of the current NFL receiver. Garrett Wilson could be an option with the ninth pick if he is still there.
Prediction 2: Draft Duane Brown’s replacement
Duane Brown could still return to Seattle, but drafting his long-term replacement could be another option for Seattle. There’s a chance that either Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu slips to pick No. 9. If either does, it would be a gift for Seattle and the direction they should go in the draft. But Mississippi State tackle Charles Cross is no consolation prize, either.
The line has always been a sore spot for Seattle. There have been ebbs and flows in their ability over the years, but it’s never been a strength. With their run-first nature, building the trenches while they search for their future at QB would be wise for his future progress.
Prediction 3: Pick a defensive card, any defensive card
If the Seahawks want to go defense, they won’t be short of superb options with the ninth pick. This draft has more uncertainty at the top than any since 2018, according to mock draft data compiled by Benjamin Robinson’s Grinding the Mocks project.
Outside of Aidan Hutchinson, the draft feels random. With the rumors swirling about a skid, Kayvon Thibodeaux could fall into Seattle’s lap. There’s also a chance, and maybe a good one, that Ahmad Gardner sits there at No. 9. He’d be an ideal fit for the Seahawks.
We also cannot discount names like Jordan Davis, who could also be an option with the ninth pick if teams devalue the player because of his position.
Seattle Seahawks 2022 NFL Draft needs
The Seahawks probably don’t need to break the bank in Round 1 on a receiver, but it becomes a massive need if they do indeed trade Metcalf. Everywhere on the offensive line is a need. Luckily, this is a deep class on the interior specifically. While Darrell Taylor and Uchenna Nwosu are a good duo on the edge, there is no such thing as having too many pass rushers.