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John Schneider and Pete Carroll have attempted only one in-house mock draft in 13 years together. When recalling that experience during a pre-draft news conference Wednesday at the team’s headquarters, Seattle’s longtime general manager didn’t say which year they tried it, only that they figured it could be beneficial as they were assembling their draft board.
GO DEEPERSeahawks 2023 NFL Draft big board: 47 prospects to consider, including 2 quarterbacks“It was awful,” Schneider said.
“Disaster,” Carroll added.
Carroll wouldn’t detail why the experience was awful. Schneider wouldn’t either. “We have a very funny story on that,” Schneider said, “and I’ll tell you sometime.”
Here’s hoping this final attempt at a 2023 Seahawks mock draft is a more enjoyable experience.
🚨🚨 NEW #SeahawksMan2Man podcast 🚨🚨
The homie @NFL_DougFarrar joins us for some draft talk! On deck:
• How SEA becomes a contender
• A CB at 5? Why Doug luvs Witherspoon for SEA
• Myles Murphy & Bryan Bresee
• other CB fits, RB sleepers & more https://t.co/c2tATJPhWB pic.twitter.com/AbC4oyqJH6— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) April 19, 2023
Round 1, No. 11 (from TEN*): Nolan Smith, edge, Georgia
*Projected trade: Seattle sends Nos. 5 and 198 (sixth round) to Tennessee for Nos. 11, 72 (third round) and a 2024 first-round pick
In this scenario, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is the first player off the board, and the next three picks are Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. (Houston), Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson and Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. Tennessee sees the board fall that way and jumps at the opportunity to find a replacement for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, giving up a third-round pick and a future first-round pick in the process.
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Prior to trading back, Seattle would have its pick between Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, Kentucky quarterback Will Levis and Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. For the sake of this exercise, Seattle is too gun shy about selecting Carter and signing him to a projected $34 million contract (with a $21 million signing bonus) because of his off-field concerns. The team passes on Levis because he’s not a great fit.
As for Stroud, passing on a potential successor to Geno Smith would be a tough call, but the decision comes down to maximizing what the team feels is its championship window. Using the No. 5 pick on a quarterback after investing in Smith doesn’t accomplish that goal.
Follow all of The Athletic’s 2023 NFL Draft coverage.
So, the Seahawks move back six spots in exchange for a third-round pick — giving them six of the top 83 selections — and a future first, which could be used in a few ways. If Tennessee struggles the same way Denver did after the Russell Wilson deal, that pick could be used on a 2024 quarterback prospect. Or Seattle could use that additional first-rounder down the road as a trade piece to add a proven, premiere player.
There’s also financial motivation for trading back: Over the Cap estimates the No. 11 pick will sign a four-year, $20.8 million deal with a $12.1 million signing bonus.
The pick here is Smith, a talented edge prospect with elite athletic traits and a skill set that directly translates to Seattle’s defensive scheme. He had seven tackles for loss and three sacks in eight games in 2022 before sustaining a season-ending pectoral injury, but his film shows a twitchy, explosive athlete who can set the edge and fly to the quarterback.
4.44u@GeorgiaFootball DL Nolan Smith is out of this world.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/L8ICkVQEkT— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2023
Round 1, No. 25 (from NYG*): O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
*Projected trade: Seattle sends No. 20 to the Giants for Nos. 25 and 89 (third round)
This is where Schneider’s history of trading back is instructive. In 2018, he traded back from 18 to 27 before taking running back Rashaad Penny. In 2019, he traded back from 21 to 30 before trading back out of the round entirely. Some teams tend to have prospects drafted in the 20-40 range graded similarly, prompting general managers to trade back late in the first round and acquire more bites at the apple.
Schneider follows that pattern here, swapping with the Giants, who feel motivated to get ahead of a potential run on receivers with the Chargers (No. 21) and Ravens (No. 22) scheduled to pick after Seattle. Adding another third-round pick gives Seattle five Day 2 selections.
Torrence, an All-American at Florida, is the second-ranked guard in The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s NFL Draft Guide. The top prospect on Brugler’s list is Northwestern tackle Peter Skoronski, who might play guard at the next level. Torrence is a plug-and-play guard because of his strength in the run game and ability to stand strong in the pocket against interior pass rushers in one-on-one situations.
Seattle needs to invest in the position because left guard Damien Lewis is entering the final year of his rookie deal and right guard Phil Haynes is on a one-year contract. Torrence can compete for either starting spot right away, and he might have a higher ceiling than both players.
Round 2, No. 37: Joe Tippman, C, Wisconsin
Tippman is the No. 1 center in Brugler’s guide and the No. 43 prospect. He’s listed at 6-6 and 313 pounds with 32 3/4-inch arms, and although he couldn’t work out at the combine, Tippman is considered a plus athlete for the position. At Wisconsin, he was a reliable pass protector, an excellent run blocker and the quarterback of the offensive line.
Tippman is a potential starter in the NFL and, if drafted by Seattle, would be able to compete with Evan Brown for the job as a rookie. Brown has more experience and could easily win the job, but having a young player waiting in the wings on a team-friendly rookie contract is also what Seattle needs. The only other center on the roster is Joey Hunt, who is on a futures deal.
Round 2, No. 43 (from NYJ*): Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan
Projected trade: Seattle sends Nos. 52, 123 (fourth round), No. 151 (fifth) to the Jets in exchange for No. 43.
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On Wednesday, Carroll and Schneider were asked about the state of their defensive line room. Carroll’s response: “We’ve got some work to do.”
The second round of this draft has good value at defensive tackle, and right now, Seattle has only three healthy ones on the roster: Dre’Mont Jones, Jarran Reed and Myles Adams (Bryan Mone has a torn ACL). The position group needs starting-caliber talent and depth. That motivates Seattle to trade up and get its guy. Smith could be a Week 1 starter at nose tackle.
How freaky is Michigan DT Mazi Smith?
This is the Wolverines' reactive plyo stairs test.
Smith did it in 2.82 seconds. Aiden Hutchinson (who is 60lbs lighter) did it in 2.57.@BruceFeldmanCFB's Freaks List: https://t.co/EDCa2DoBIP
🎥 @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/AiTXQDIbsh
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) August 10, 2022
He didn’t produce as a pass rusher in college, generating just a half-sack last season, but that’s life as a nose tackle. What Seattle needs from the 6-foot-3, 323-pounder is an anchor in the middle on early downs. Smith is an elite athlete with solid play strength. He fulfills a serious need for Seattle, which is lacking size at the position.
Round 3, No. 72 (from TEN): Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
As is the case with some of the other inside linebackers in this class, Williams is on the smaller side at 6-1 and 228 pounds. But he plays much bigger and isn’t shy about coming downhill and making plays in the run game. His speed is a real asset. Williams ran 4.49 at the scouting combine and flashed some coverage ability at the Senior Bowl.
GO DEEPERSeahawks' pre-draft RB outlook: They should take a starting-caliber back, but when?He had 131 tackles (8.5 for loss) and five sacks last season. He’d battle with Devin Bush Jr. for playing time, and even if he’s not ready to start as a rookie, Williams should be a valuable special teams player while he grows into an every-down linebacker.
Round 3, No. 83: Tyjae Spears, RB, Tulane
Seattle has a legitimate need at running back and probably won’t be patient enough to wait until Day 3 to try to find a capable starter to pair with Ken Walker III. Spears, a Senior Bowl standout, is that type of talent.
Last season, Spears had 1,581 yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He’s hard to tackle in space and can do a little of everything required of the position: run between the tackles, make defenders miss, catch passes and protect the quarterback. He’s small yet explosive and would form a quality one-two punch with Walker. Spears could also be a long-term option as a third-down back considering DeeJay Dallas is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
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Round 3, No. 89 (from NYG): Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
Seattle needs to draft someone to compete with Dee Eskridge and Dareke Young as the WR3. Mingo is the No. 12 receiver in Brugler’s draft guide and appears to be rising during the pre-draft process — for good reason. He’s got ideal size (6-2, 220 pounds), speed (4.46) and athleticism for the position. His numbers don’t jump off the page — 51 catches, 861 yards, five touchdowns — but the traits are attractive. Mingo is a deep threat, he uses his frame to shield off defenders and knows how to create big plays in space with the ball in his hands.
Round 5, No. 154: Karl Brooks, DT, Bowling Green
Brooks had a productive senior season at Bowling Green, tallying 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks while mostly playing on the edge. At 6-3 and 296 pounds, he’s not going to get many looks at the edge in the NFL, but Seattle could use him inside as a rotational defensive tackle. With strong hands and good feet, Brooks should be able to stick around as a three-technique at the next level. Because of how bare the cupboard is entering the draft, Seattle would be wise to double up at this position.
Round 7, No. 237: D’Shawn Jamison, CB, Texas
Jamison was an outside cornerback in college, but at 5-9 and 184 pounds with 30 1/2-inch arms, he’s more likely to be a nickel at the next level. He had nine passes defensed and a pair of interceptions last season and displayed decent ball skills.
As a seventh-round pick, Jamison would be a longshot to stick around, even though Seattle doesn’t have depth at nickel. However, he could have value on special teams. Jamison averaged 8.4 yards per punt return on 44 attempts with one touchdown and averaged 26.6 yards per kick return with two touchdowns.
(Photo of Nolan Smith: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)
