Monday, January 16, 2023

Seattle Seahawks 2023 NFL Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft, we will update our Seattle Seahawks Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Seattle Seahawks from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Seahawks:

CBS Sports - Stackpole (1/13)

5. Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

The Seahawks need to beef up their defensive front, and the best defensive prospect available at this point is Myles Murphy. His size (6-foot-5, 275 pounds) and athleticism will make him a disruptor wherever he lines up.

20. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

Geno Smith deserves to be re-signed as the Seahawks starting quarterback for 2023. But after that? Who knows. So, the Seahawks use the second of their first-round picks to select Anthony Richardson, the super athletic yet very raw product out of Florida. He'll need to sit for at least a year, but if he can develop some consistency as a passer, his physical ability will make him a difficult dual-threat to defend.

San Diego Union Tribune - Brown (1/12)

5. Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson

The Seahawks run defense has been a glaring weakness and will need to be addressed if they plan on challenging the 49ers in the NFC West — defensive tackle Poona Ford will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. Bresee was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2020 recruiting class. He showed flashes of dominance as a true freshman in 2020, but only played 152 snaps in 2021 before tearing his ACL. It appears he regained his explosiveness and remains one of the most versatile defensive lineman in this class.

20. Siaki Ika, IDL, Baylor

The Seahawks double-down on their defensive line. Any team struggling to stop the run will be in on the 6-foot-4, 358 pound Ika. Of course, he plugs up the middle of the field, but he's also athletic enough to pressure the quarterback.

NBC Sports Chicago - Morgan (1/12)

5. Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

Murphy is an exciting player whose burst and power to speed transitions are mesmerizing qualities to watch. Extremely aggressive at the point of attack, Murphy utilizes his brute strength to overpower opponents. His ability to rush the passer is equaled by his effectiveness and tenacity against the run.

20. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

In a rebuilding season, the Seahawks making it to the playoffs was an unexpected accomplishment. In addition, the resurgent play of Geno Smith as a starting signal caller might redirect Seattle's team-building decisions. Richardson struggled some in 2022 as well and was doubted by many to be first round material, but finished strong by season's end. It's possible the Seahawks see a little of Smith's perseverance in Richardson's tenacious playing style.

Yahoo! Sports - McDonald (1/11)

5. Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

The Seahawks can bolster their defensive line with the pick they got from the Russell Wilson trade. Murphy gives their defensive line another high-upside, young player to develop alongside players like Tariq Woolen and Jordyn Brooks.

20. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

Tyler Lockett won't play forever and the Seahawks could use a talented third receiver to make their offense really pop. Smith-Njigba didn't play much this season for Ohio State due to a hamstring injury, but he's still regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the upcoming draft.

Walter Football (1/11)

5. Jalen Carter, IDL, Georgia

The Seahawks need to do a better job of getting to the quarterback and also stopping the run, especially after that disaster against Josh Jacobs and the Raiders, and subsequently, D'Onta Foreman and the Panthers.

Jalen Carter has shown flashes of huge upside.

20. Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame

The Seahawks need to continue to add to their defensive line. As of this writing, they have the 10th-worst pressure rate in the NFL.

Isaiah Foskey had a huge 11-sack campaign. He possesses great potential.

CBS Sports - Trapasso (1/11)

5. Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson

The Seahawks have to add more athleticism and beef to the interior of their defensive line. Bresee is a specimen who can wreak havoc at any position up front.

20. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State

The Seahawks get a high-energy, bendy outside rusher who knows how to use his hands to beat blockers.

USA Today - MMS (1/10)

5. Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

Pete Carroll and Co. emerge from the Russell Wilson trade as a playoff outfit equipped with a top-five pick and an apparent answer at quarterback, so long as the team opts to bring back Geno Smith. And though last year's class set a high bar for early contributors, Seattle is well positioned to fortify its defensive front. Murphy should be stout against the run from Day 1 with significant room for growth as a pass rusher, especially if the 6-5, 275-pounder can better translate his abundant athleticism into a finishing touch.

20. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

If the Seahawks bring back Geno Smith at quarterback, the veteran would stand to benefit greatly from the addition of another pass catcher to an offense that has tilted heavily toward DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. While Mayer won't have anyone confusing him for Kyle Pitts or Travis Kelce given his athletic limitations, the 6-4, 265-pounder is one of the most sure-handed and reliable tight end prospects in years.

Bleacher Report (1/9)

5. Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

The Russell Wilson deal may go down as the worst in NFL history—or the best, if you're the Seattle Seahawks.

Thanks to the franchise dumping its all-time leading passer, the Seahawks miraculously got better with Geno Smith under center yet will benefit from a top-five draft pick from the Denver Broncos.

This particular selection comes down to how the Seahawks feel internally about Smith. The longtime backup-turned-starter hasn't performed as well during the second half of the season, and he's a pending free agent. But he's proved himself more than capable of leading the squad. Maybe a franchise tag will come into play for next season. Or, general manager John Schneider could consider a quarterback in this slot.

Right now, Smith's return, coupled with the addition of an elite defensive talent, seems to be the Seahawks' most likely plan of action. Clemson's Myles Murphy presents the physical skill set and potential worthy of a top-five selection.

"The Seahawks head into the playoffs with 35-year-old Bruce Irvin starting at one of their edge spots and could use someone else who can play multiple positions along their defensive line, as Murphy can," Holder said. "At 275 pounds, Murphy is athletic enough to drop into coverage. The first-team All-ACC defensive end also has the size and strength to hold up as a run defender in the trenches. He'd also be an excellent complementary pass-rusher to Uchenna Nwosu."

Head coach Pete Carroll loves to pound the ball and play stout defense. This pick will signify the organization's back-to-basics approach.

20. Siaki Ika, IDL, Baylor

After selecting Clemson's Myles Murphy with the fifth overall draft pick thanks to the Russell Wilson trade, the Seahawks double down on their defensive front.

Baylor's Siaki Ika will provide a massive presence along Seattle's defensive interior. The team needs the addition too, since Poona Ford is on the verge of entering free agency.

Ika, Murphy, Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor would provide frightening potential for the Seahawks' defensive line rotation.

"Good luck trying to handle the Seahawks' front after this draft, " Holder said. "With Murphy already headed to the Emerald City and Nwosu under contract through next season, Ika's inclusion gives Seattle added interior push to pair with a secondary that features up-and-comers Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant.

"The Baylor product is a physical force and hard to move against the run while also being a pretty good athlete for his size. If Ika can keep his weight down to around 340 pounds, he has excellent quickness that he can use as a pass-rusher.

"Of those five players already mentioned, Nwosu is the oldest at 26."

Such a massive infusion of talent in this year's first round should help Seattle make a significant leap in 2023 after finishing in the bottom 10 in total defense. The group may never replicate the Legion of Boom, but all the pieces will be in place for Pete Carroll's unit to once again be counted among the better ones in the league.

The 33rd Team (1/9)

5. Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

Seattle had an outstanding draft haul in 2022 (landing running back Kenneth Walker, cornerback Tariq Woolen and bookend offensive tackles among others). They look to continue that this year by adding the 6-foot-6, 275-pound Wilson, a versatile edge rusher who put up a combined 14 sacks and 27.5 tackles for a loss during the past two seasons.

20. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

Simpson can help fill in for the injured Jordyn Brooks next season, and he can play along side him when Brooks returns to good health.

PFF - Renner (1/9)

5. Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

Murphy is the most impressive athlete in this defensive line class. What he can do physically at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds is comparable to last year's No. 1 pick, Travon Walker. The Seahawks have been desperate for an impact edge rusher for years now, and Murphy can be that player in time.

20. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

Ringo is a Pete Carroll cornerback if I've ever seen one. He's an enormous 6-foot-2, 210-pounder who should run in the low 4.3s. Stick him at the line of scrimmage and let him beat up opposing receivers all day across from Tariq Woolen. For his college career, Ringo allowed a catch on only 47.8% of targets into his coverage.

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

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