Daniel Jeremiah’s Final Mock Draft: What Will the Seahawks Do?
By 750 THE GAME STAFF
We’re less than 24 hours away from the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City, Mo.
Seahawks fans have been debating for weeks — nay, months — what the team should do with a pair of first-round picks including No. 5 overall.
Will it be the embattled defensive tackle from Georgia, Jalen Carter? Or will the franchise make the big swing at quarterback?
Daniel Jeremiah, lead NFL Network draft analyst, raised some eyebrows with his Seahawks selections in his final mock draft 4.0.
First, Jeremiah sets the board with his top four picks, which includes Carolina taking Bryce Young, the favorite to go No. 1 overall. Jeremiah says the Houston Texans will pick a quarterback after all at No. 2 by taking Ohio State’s CJ Stroud, despite Stroud’s stock falling in the last week.
Part of Houston’s QB selection for Jeremiah is grafted into the fact that DJ has them trading with Arizona to also pick at No. 3 overall. Houston has the 12th overall pick which could make this trade up to 3 plausible, and give Arizona a chance to load up on picks to help their roster, which they desperately need.
The Texans would take Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson, Jr. at third overall after the trade.
The Indianapolis Colts, also rumored to be a candidate to trade up for a quarterback of their choice, will take Kentucky’s Will Levis at No. 4, per Jeremiah.
That sets up the Seahawks at No. 5. Jalen Carter? Anthony Richardson? Jeremiah says, despite the off-field concerns, it makes too much sense on the field for the Seahawks to pass up on Carter’s talent, even though it’s not a certainty.
“Half of the league sources I talk to think Carter will be the pick here, while the other half has told me there’s no chance he’ll be Seattle’s selection at No. 5,” Jeremiah writes. “I don’t know what to believe, but he would be a great fit in Pete Carroll’s defense.”
Fans hoping for a quarterback will be left wanting after that selection, if it’s Carter.
But if Jeremiah’s spider-senses track, they won’t be disappointed for long.
Jeremiah says that Florida’s Anthony Richardson, the biggest boom-or-bust prospect of the draft, will slip and still be available when the Seahawks make their second first-round pick at No. 20. And if that’s the case, DJ says Seattle will pull the trigger on their QB of the future.
“I think Richardson could be in play at No. 5 for Seattle. He’d be a no-brainer pick for the Seahawks if he’s still available at No. 20. He can learn under Geno Smith before taking over as QB1.”
Seahawks fans would be over the moon if this happens. Daniel Jeremiah might go into the franchise Ring of Honor if he’s right.
The NFL Draft is Thursday night, starting at 5 p.m.
Listen to John Canzano on 750 The Game 3-6 p.m. for the latest news and picks from the draft, including Seattle’s No. 5 overall selection.
Where does Jeremiah have in-state products Christian Gonzalez and Luke Musgrave going? Read that here, and catch Jeremiah’s full final 4.0 Mock here.
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