Saturday, May 20, 2023

Seattle Seahawks Post-Draft 2023 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a post-draft roundup for the Seattle Seahawks in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 11

Most improved: Secondary

It was actually the strength of Seattle's defense last season, even with Jamal Adams suffering a torn quad tendon in Week 1. The Seahawks made it a lot stronger by adding safety Julian Love (two years, $12 million) in free agency, then drafting cornerback Devon Witherspoon with the No. 5 overall pick.

Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen give the Seahawks maybe the NFL's best young cornerback tandem. Love -- whom they view as an upgrade over Ryan Neal -- gives them the ability to play with three safeties and some insurance in case Adams isn't ready by Week 1. With Quandre Diggs coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, this looks like Seattle's best secondary since the LOB days.

NFL.com -- Rank: 12

Geno Smith is in one of those pockets of life where everything seems to break your way. The Russell Wilson trade spawned a starting opportunity, which led to a breakout season, a Pro Bowl selection, Comeback Player of the Year honors and a life-changing new contract. The hits kept coming in the first night of the draft; Seattle opted not to take one of the highly rated passers off the board with the fifth overall pick (opting for Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon), then added coveted Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the 20th pick. Geno will enter his second season as starter in Seattle with a wide receiver trio (DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Smith-Njigba) that has the potential to be as productive as any group in the league. The Geno-issance rolls on!

CBS Sports -- Rank: 15

In a weakened division, they have a chance to win it if San Francisco doesn't solve the quarterback position. Geno Smith has to play like he did last year.

USA Today -- Rank: 12

What appears to be another watershed draft might overshadow the significant defensive investment during free agency, including the return of MLB Bobby Wagner and additions of DE Dre'Mont Jones and DB Julian Love.

The Athletic -- Rank: 11

Draft takeaway: Jaxon Smith-Njigba joining Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf might give Seattle the most exciting trio of wide receivers in the league. And with 10 picks, including four in the first two rounds, the Seahawks neglected to draft a quarterback. They're not hedging any bets on Geno Smith.

Hype man: Did you see how well John Schneider and Pete Carroll nailed our draft class last year? This year's class could be half as good and still put us over the top in a down conference. Super Bowl, here we come.

Devon Downer: Sure, Devon Witherspoon is fun to watch and brings a nasty energy to the secondary, but did we really use the No. 5 overall pick on an undersized senior when that profile has no recent precedent for success near the top of the draft?

PFF -- Rank: 16

The Seahawks were favored to take a defensive lineman in the draft, so it was a bit of a surprise when they opted for cornerback Devon Witherspoon at fifth overall. However, when looking at their overall roster, they did need another cornerback to complement standout Tariq Woolen, and Witherspoon could be just that. In a division with wide receivers who excel after the catch, including Deebo Samuel, Cooper Kupp and Rondale Moore, Witherspoon's aggressive mentality should serve him and Seattle well.

PFT -- Rank: 12

They're deep at running back (Kenneth Walker/Zach Charbonnet), and there aren't many teams with a better three-man receiver corps than D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

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