Just months later after trading longtime quarterback Russell Wilson, the Seattle Seahawks entered one of the most important drafts in franchise history. In the trade with the Denver Broncos, the Seahawks acquired many picks, including the Broncos’ first and second-round picks this year. Despite the boatload of picks the Seahawks received, their 2022 first-rounder was traded to the Jets as a part of the Jamal Adams trade. Throughout the draft the Seahawks made a statement to fill positional needs, drafting two cornerbacks and two exterior linemen.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Draft Recaps.
Best Pick: Charles Cross (Round 1, Pick 9)
Since 2012, Wilson had been the most sacked quarterback in the NFL taking 427 sacks in his 10-year career as a Seahawk. In addition to the Seahawk’s already below-average offensive line, left tackle Duane Brown did not re-sign with the Seahawks, yet another gap in the offensive line. Cross was one of the most consistent tackles in a tough SEC conference last year, allowing a mere two sacks in his final year at Mississippi State. This ability to protect especially in the passing game made Cross a perfect pick for the Seahawks, he will play a large role in the offensive success this upcoming season.
Grade: A
For more on Cross, check out our scouting report on him.
Worst Pick: Kenneth Walker III (Round 2, Pick 41)
Even prior to the Walker pick, the Seahawks had a stacked running back room with guys like Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny. Which made this pick make even less sense was that the Seahawks spent a first-round pick on Penny in 2018, and he finally was healthy and produced last year. By all means, does this not mean Walker is a bad prospect. Walker produced a ton at Michigan State and tested extremely well at the combine running a 4.38 40-yard dash and earned a 9.4 out of 10 relative athletic score. The fact that running back is a replaceable position made this pick the worst of the Seahawks draft. The Seahawks could have used this high pick for greater positional needs such as cornerback.
Grade: C+
For more on Walker, check out our scouting report on him.
Sleeper Pick: Coby Bryant (Round 4, Pick 109)
The Seahawks secondary ranked 31st in receiving yards allowed, letting up a whopping 4,766 yards last year, Almost all of these yards were due to the Seahawks’ weak group of cornerbacks. Bryant was a stellar lockdown cornerback at Cincinnati. Bryant thrives in areas such as having great ball skills, being physical throughout receivers’ routes, and playing the position with extreme smarts, mastering his coverages. This full package that Bryant provides is perfect for the Seahawks who were very short on cornerbacks coming into the draft.
Grade: B+
For more on Bryant, check out our scouting report on him.
Summary
Through all seven rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Seahawks drafted extremely well, balancing both positional need and positional value. The Seahawks did a great job emphasizing their want to protect their new quarterback whoever that may be, drafting both Cross and Abraham Lucas. The only real downside of the draft was the Walker pick as the Seahawks chose to take a replaceable position very high. Almost as the draft went on the Seahawks draft got better, acquiring high-upside talents in late rounds such as Boye Mafe and Tariq Woolen. Throughout the Seahawks’ next few years, this draft class will provide key pieces to the Seahawks moving forward.
Grade: A-
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