The Seattle Seahawks have quarterback Geno Smith under contract for just one more season, but in the latest PFSN 7-round mock draft by Jacob Infante, they may have found their heir apparent.
Could McCord Compete With Geno Smith?
At No. 137 overall in the fourth round, Infante’s mock draft has the Seahawks taking Syracuse and former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord.
In the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator, McCord’s scouting report reads, “Kyle McCord is a poised pocket passer with a quick release and excellent accuracy in the short-to-intermediate passing game. He shows strong pre-snap recognition and delivers throws with anticipation, consistently hitting receivers in stride.
“McCord’s mechanics are clean, and he flashes good ball placement, especially on timing routes. He’s comfy in the pocket and stays cool under pressure.
“Still, his limited mobility and habit of locking onto his first read can make him predictable against sharp defenses. With his polished mechanics and decision-making, McCord projects as a smart, efficient quarterback in a structured passing attack.”
With Smith in the last year of his deal and McCord coming in as a fourth-rounder, it’s tough to see him battling for the starting gig right out of the gate in Year 1.
That said, the Seahawks have a track record of giving later-round picks a legit shot. Look at Russell Wilson — a third-rounder at No. 75 overall who turned heads fast.
This past season, Smith led the Seahawks to a 10-7 record. He completed 70.4% of his passes for 21 touchdowns and 15 picks. Those 15 interceptions ranked second in the NFL, just behind Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield, who each tossed 16.
That output came with Ryan Grubb as offensive coordinator. But Grubb is one-and-done, and the team has tapped former New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak for the job.
It’s been two years since Smith’s monster 30-touchdown, 4,282-yard season in 2022, but his 10 wins this past year marked a career-high. He started all 17 games.
Making the Case for McCord
McCord logged two seasons as a starting quarterback in college football.
His first two years were spent riding the bench at Ohio State behind C.J. Stroud. Then, after Stroud bolted for the NFL, McCord took the reins for the Buckeyes in 2023.
That year, he completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just six picks. But his time there will always be tied to the interception he threw against Michigan, costing Ohio State a College Football Playoff spot.
After that season, he went to Syracuse, where he excelled statistically. He completed 66% of his passes for 4,779 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
McCord was tops in college football in passing yards and fifth in passing touchdowns, but like at Ohio State, one game sticks in fans’ minds.
Against Pitt, he hit just 54.7% of his passes for 321 yards, no scores, and five picks — including a couple of pick-sixes that stung.
Still, as PFSN’s Reese Decker put it:
“McCord is a polished, mature prospect with the juice to win games early in his NFL career if he lands in the right system with a sharp quarterback coach and a solid crew around him. He rolls with smooth efficiency and a cerebral edge — two traits teams drool over in a QB.
“He’s got a firm grip on coverages and defensive looks. He makes smart pre-snap reads, spots mismatches fast, and exploits them post-snap. His quick processing lets him rip through progressions clean while taking care of the rock.”
McCord’s getting his shot in the NFL and landing with the Seahawks sets him up to push for the starting job in 2026.