Seahawks made 2 of top 5 picks in 2023 NFL draft, 4 of top 100

While virtually everything we have heard about Seattle’s draft class has been good, it’s important to keep perspective. Yes, on paper this is another very strong draft. However, on paper at this time last year the Seahawks were supposed to be one of the worst teams in the league.

We are pretty certain that both Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon will be solid starters at the very least. That said, no prospect is a guarantee to work out at this level – even those taken in Round 1.

Then again, even if only those two work out that’s still an excellent draft. Most teams consider themselves lucky to get two quality starters each year. The Seahawks got at least four last time – but fans can’t expect that to be the bar every draft.

Now that all the cautious nonsense is out of the way, we are low-key thrilled about this draft and the UDFA class. If they’re collectively as good as most analysts believe, Seattle should very soon be back in the NFC contender conversation.

Our one regret in this cycle is that they didn’t pick up a top quarterback prospect, but we can’t blame them as the board just didn’t fall their way – and they were right not to reach for a Hendon Hooker or Will Levis. Once Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson were all off the board it made more sense to pick a blue-chip defensive piece. Even with all the baggage we would have preferred Jalen Carter, but that takes exactly nothing away from Witherspoon and his potential.

If there’s one thing we still feel they need to address, it’s their edge rush rotation. Adding Morris and Derick Hall helps in theory. However, neither are proven and the same can be said about every other outside linebacker on the depth chart except Uchenna Nwosu.

The x-factor in the bunch is former Michigan center Olusegun Oluwatimi. The Seahawks could hit on every other pick in this class but if they don’t get a significant upgrade in interior pass protection they will likely run into the same brick wall they did last season – that being the 49ers defensive line. If Oluwatimi looks like a better pass blocker than veteran Evan Brown then head coach Pete Carroll shouldn’t hesitate to start him Week 1 – even if it’s a tough job for a rookie. He won’t learn what he needs to from the sidelines and the more experience he gets early on the better. If Oluwatimi hits the ground running, the sky could be the limit for Geno Smith this year.