2022 NFL DRAFT DEEP DIVE: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

By Chase Petersen

The NFL Draft is over, and we cannot head into the three-month abyss that is the offseason without looking at what all 262 selections mean for each franchise. Whilst too early to judge just how successful a draft class each team’s was, we can look at how rookies fit within schemes, where they stand on depth charts, and who we can expect to make an impact in 2022. We continue our team by team series with the Seattle Seahawks:

Draft Haul

RNDPICKPROSPECTPOSSCHOOL
19Charles CrossOTMississippi State
240Boye MafeEDGEMinnnesota
241Kenneth WalkerRBMichigan State
372Abraham LucasOTWashington State
4109Coby BryantCBCincinnati
5153Tariq WoolenCBUTSA
5158Tyreke SmithEDGEOhio State
7229Bo MeltonWRRutgers
7233Dareke YoungWRLenoir Rhyne

Day One

Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The ninth overall pick that the Seahawks acquired for Russell Wilson was used in a great way. Charles Cross was some analysts’ OT1 in the class, and the Hawks got him as OT3. This team could never put a decent OL in front of Russell Wilson, so it seems they don’t want to make the same mistake again with whoever their next franchise QB of the future is. In Cross they get a LT with more experience in pass protection than any other tackle coming out. He should be able to step in and help prop up Drew Lock or Geno Smith instantly.

Day Two

Credit: Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Day two of the draft saw Seattle again attempt to plug some holes at value positions. The picks of Mafe and Lucas I love, because you can never be too athletic on the edges of your offense and defense. Lucas was some people’s favorite mid round tackle, and has the tools to start at RT sooner rather than later.

As for the Mafe pick, they haven’t had a dominant edge rusher since the Legion of Boom defense with Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. Mafe has some more developing to do, but he has all the tools to become a very effective pass rusher in the future.

Now, not all their picks in the 2-3rd rounds were amazing. I like Kenny Walker as a prospect, but Seattle already had 2 RBs that are starting caliber, especially if the OL picks hit. Instead of Walker they could have selected Andrew Booth, David Ojabo, or perhaps tried to load up the weapons with George Pickens or Skyy Moore. But, overall a pretty good first two days of the draft, in my opinion.

Day Three

Day three saw the Seahawks throwing picks into different position groups hoping to find some that stick. Tariq Woolen is maybe the best overall athlete in the class, and his speed and length will play perfectly in the Carroll press-cover 3 system:

“Tariq Woolen might have jumped up everyone’s draft boards after showcasing his elite athleticism at the combine, but for those enjoying the rise of the UTSA football program this last year, the respect for his talent is probably overdue. Woolen has very little experience playing cornerback, and you can see it throughout his tape - where the instincts, angles and technique are all rough around the edges. But the simple truth is that it didn’t really matter for the Roadrunners, because Woolen had the speed to get himself out of trouble. That margin for error will shrink in the NFL and there’s no doubting Woolen will have to endure a steep learning curve at the next level. Any team drafting him will have to have reasonable early expectations, but the ceiling for Woolen is through the roof.”
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Coby Bryant is a pick I am less enthused about, but he still is a very heady player that can fit in and be a role player for many years to come in their back end. Tyreke Smith is a guy that some looked to be a high pick breakout player in the past. That never happened of course, so seattle took a shot on him with their seventh selection. Bo Melton is interesting, because he has a lot of speed, but also possesses some route running and separation ability.

One To Watch: Abraham Lucas

Lucas possesses the perfect size and athleticism to translate to the NFL seamlessly. I had seen him creeping into first round conversations throughout the process, so to get him at 72nd overall is likely considered a steal by some:

Both tackles selected by the Seahawks have tons of reps in pass protection, having both come from Mike Leach style offenses. If Lucas and Cross end up hitting, we’re going to look back on this class and think the Hawks absolutely knocked it out of the park.

UDFA Tracker

Credit: FanSided
Joey BlountSVirginia
Bubba BoldenSMiami
Cade BrewerTETexas
Shamarious GilmoreIOLGeorgia State
Matt GotelIDLWest Florida
Jake HerslowWRHouston
Levi JonesLBNC State
Levi LewisQBLouisiana
John MitchellTEFAU
Scott NelsonSWisconsin
Josh OnujioguLBFramingham State
Demetris RobertsonWRAuburn
Josh Valentine-TurnerCBFIU
Deontai WilliamsSNebraska
Kaleb ElebyQBWestern Michigan

Conclusion

Overall I believe the Seattle Seahawks had a great draft. They used a strategy that I like a lot, in that they double dipped at positions of value. They walk away from this class with two OT, two CBs, two WRs and two EDGE players, just giving them more chances of increasing their hit rate.

The Hawks also really only attacked positions of value, other than the Kenny Walker selection. It was unusual for me to say I liked a Pete Carroll/John Schneider draft, because they are generally very weird, but this year they – and their staff – hit it out of the park.

CHASE PETERSEN

NFL DRaft ANALYST

From just outside Kansas City Missouri, Chase has been obsessed with the NFL Draft for as long as he can remember. An avid Minnesota Vikings and Texas Longhorns fan, connect with Chase on Twitter @SportsTalkCenter