The 2022 NFL Draft is two weeks away, and thanks to one of the most significant trades in franchise history, the Seahawks have a lot of draft capital they can use to improve the roster, including the No. 9 overall pick as well as two picks early in the second round.
The Seahawks very well could move back as they so often have done with first-round picks under John Schneider and Pete Carroll, but if they do pick at No. 9, it will be their highest pick since they selected Russell Okung with the No. 6 pick in 2010, Schneider and Carroll's first draft together.
With that in mind, it's time to take a look at what some of the draft experts think the Seahawks might do with that No. 9 pick:
Condotta: "The thought here is that Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux — a popular player to mock to Seattle of late — won't fall to nine. If he does, that would be a no-brainer. My thought is also that Seattle wouldn't take a quarterback this high, nor likely a cornerback. Unless one of the top couple edge rushers really falls to this spot, my guess is Seattle uses this pick to fill one of its biggest long-term needs — left tackle — just as it did with the first pick made in the Pete Carroll/John Schneider era when the Seahawks took Russell Okung at No. 6 in 2010, the last time Seattle has picked this high. Cross, who won't turn 22 until November, was as good of a pass protector as there was in college football last year, allowing just 16 pressures on 719 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. And while Cross may need some time to become a dominant run blocker, potential franchise left tackles are hard to find. Seattle has to add to this position with just three tackles currently under contract — Jake Curhan, Stone Forsythe and Greg Eiland."
Condotta's mock is a seven-rounder. Check out the rest of his picks here.
Kelly: "If the Seahawks have any shot of rebuilding their once-great defense into something resembling the Legion of Boom, they will need more playmaking talent up front. Johnson fits the bill as a long, powerful defensive end with a three-down skill set. He pairs perfectly with Darrell Taylor to give Seattle a solid pass-rush duo."
Kiper: "This is another team that ends up with an ideal scenario. Veteran left tackle Duane Brown is still unsigned, so Neal could start from Day 1. It just makes too much sense. I'm not a huge believer that Drew Lock will be Seattle's quarterback answer for the long term, but Neal could be a stalwart on the left side for years to come."
Kiper's two-round mock also has the Seahawks taking Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder with the 40th overall pick, and Georgia LB Quay Walker with pick No. 41.
Zierlein: "Seattle has needs at cornerback, tackle and quarterback. After his strong pro day, Stingley is likely to carry the highest grade of the remaining talent at those positions.
Wilson: "We've been upfront about Willis: we have a second-round grade on him based on his body of work in college, but that doesn't mean teams looking for a quarterback won't take one a round or so before they should. Willis had a great week at the Senior Bowl and he then interviewed well in Indy. He's built like Russell Wilson but obviously in much rawer form. It appears Drew Lock is the starter (for now) in Seattle, which means Willis can learn by watching. He has the physical tools to be the best passer in this class, all he needs is experience."
Wilson's mock is a three-rounder, and he also has the Seahawks selecting Minnesota tackle Daniel Faalele with Pick No. 40, Penn State edge Arnold Ebiketie with Pick No. 41, and Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emmerson with Pick No. 72.
Reid: "With plenty of draft capital over the next two years following the Russell Wilson trade, the Seahawks have an opportunity to reshape the roster on both sides of the ball. Gardner fits well into the defensive scheme and has the traits of the prototype they have coveted in previous years. With the potential to be a lockdown corner, he could land in a situation in which he will be relied upon early."
Reid's mock is a seven-rounder; you can find all the picks here.
