2023 Seahawks seven-round NFL mock draft: Seattle makes splash in first round

The Seattle Seahawks surprised the NFL world in 2022, and they are set up to build on that success in 2023. Thanks to the Russell Wilson trade, the Seahawks have some extra ammo to use in the 2023 NFL Draft, and they should be excited considering how they fared in last year’s draft. 

John Schneider worked some magic, finding an immediate Pro Bowler in cornerback Tariq Woolen, two starting tackles in Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas and a talented running back in Kenneth Walker III. The whole draft class from top to bottom was probably the best in the NFL last year. With another strong class like that, who knows how far Seattle could go? 

Thanks to Pro Football Network’s seven-round mock draft machine, we were able to run through a full 2023 NFL Draft acting as Seattle’s front office. Let’s see how we fared. 

• Round 1, Pick 5 (from DEN)
• Round 1, Pick 20
• Round 2, Pick 37 (from DEN)
• Round 2, Pick 52
• Round 3, Pick 83
• Round 4, Pick 123
• Round 5, Pick 151 (from PIT)
• Round 5, Pick 154
• Round 6, Pick 198
• Round 7, Pick 237

Team needs: DL, OL, EDGE, WR, LB, TE

Round 1 (No. 5 overall): EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech

• Prospect ranking (overall): 6 
• Position rank: 2

Wilson is an absolute monster off the edge, and Seattle could definitely use a potentially elite pass rusher. The Texas Tech product recorded the most pressures in the Big 12 last year with 50 despite missing three games. He had the highest pressure rate in the conference as well (20.7%). The defensive line is something that the Seahawks will focus on later this month, and we aren’t done yet either. 

Round 1 (No. 20 overall): OL Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

• Prospect ranking (overall): 11 
• Position rank: 1

I was shocked to see Skoronski still available at No. 20 overall. That probably won’t happen later this month, but I wasn’t going to pass on him in this simulation either. Skoronski played left tackle at Northwestern, but many believe he will move inside to guard at the next level. He allowed just one sack and six pressures in 457 pass-blocking snaps last season. His 1.3-percent pressure rate was tied for best in the Big Ten.

Round 2 (No. 37 overall): DT Mazi Smith, Michigan

• Prospect ranking (overall): 51 
• Position rank: 6

Don’t let the prospect rankings fool you, a couple of our CBS Sports NFL Draft experts believe Mazi Smith could be a first-round pick. He’s a 6-foot-3, 323-pound athletic nose tackle that can stop the run, but also rush the…