The 2022 NFL Draft begins on April 28, which means that The Game Haus will be debuting draft profiles for every team. Each NFL team will be evaluated heading into this year’s draft, as our staff recaps their last season, highlights their needs and pinpoints their potential 2022 NFL Draft targets. The Seattle Seahawks are the subject of today’s 2022 NFL Draft profile.
Summary
Last season, the Seahawks managed to go 7-10 in what was deemed by many to be the toughest division in the NFL. On top of that, quarterback Russell Wilson went down for three games (the first time he has missed any games in his NFL career), making the record even more impressive. Seattle finished fourth in the NFC West and missed the playoffs.
In the offseason, the Seahawks lost the last two holdovers from the “Legion of Boom” era in which they went to back-to-back Super Bowls. Wilson was traded to the Broncos, and Bobby Wagner was released and has not joined a new team yet. It seems as if Seattle is in a full rebuild, so here is a look at what they can do with their first four draft picks to speed it up.
2022 NFL Picks
Seattle will have four picks to use in the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.
First Round (one pick): No. 9
Second Round (one pick): No. 40, No. 41
Third Round (two picks): No. 72
Team needs
Quarterback- Losing Wilson is a huge blow to this team. They received Drew Lock in the trade, but he is likely not going to be their next franchise quarterback. Seattle needs a QB, but grabbing one in this draft may be a big reach.
Wide receiver- Tyler Lockett is still great, and is locked up until at least after the 2023 season. But D.K. Metcalf, who is a wide receiver with a bodybuilder’s frame and one of the best 50/50 ball guys in the league, may be on the move. If he does leave through one avenue or another, they will need another receiver.
Offensive line- Part of the reason Wilson left was the Seahawks’ inability to put a decent offensive line in front of him for pretty much his entire tenure there. They need to finally fix this glaring hole.
Defense- Seattle’s defense was atrocious last year. A far cry from the defense that gave them their identity during their Super Bowl runs. They need just about everything, especially linebackers, edge rushers and cornerbacks.
2022 Draft Targets
First Round:
Pick No. 9: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
“Sauce” Gardner is an absolute dream pick here. He will definitely go in the top 10, but the Seahawks’ ability to grab him will be totally dependent on the teams in front of them.
This athletic corner is a near can’t-miss prospect that had 28 total tackles, three interceptions, four defended passes and a forced fumble last year. He was the heart and soul of the Cincinnati Bearcats’ defense on their way to the first non-Power 5 College Football Playoff berth. He fills a need and would fit head coach Pete Carroll’s defensive scheme perfectly.
Second Round:
Pick No. 40: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Seattle could reunite Gardner and Ridder on the west coast if he is still available at pick number 40. The Seahawks need some new blood at quarterback, and Ridder’s skill set is pretty similar to Wilson’s. He can run, throw it deep and stay evasive.
His 30-8 touchdown to interception ratio was supremely impressive, especially while throwing for over 3,300 yards. He also rushed for 572 yards and five touchdowns. Ridder is not expected to be taken anywhere in the first round, which gives Seattle the opportunity to make their own value here. After all, Wilson was a third round selection and might be a Hall of Fame candidate.
Pick No. 41: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Jackson’s boosted his draft stock with a good 2021 season at University of Southern California. As an edge rusher, he totaled 28 tackles, five sacks and one forced fumble. These are far from the best stats in the 2022 NFL Draft, but a lot of the great edge rushers will be taken early.
At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he has the size to make a big difference when running through the tackles, but the quickness to get around them, also. He may need to prove he is a starter, but the Seahawks cannot turn down any kind of defensive possibilities this season.
Third Round
Pick No. 72: Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA
There is an argument to be made that Seattle needs to take an offensive lineman much earlier in this draft. But if they wait until the third round, there is great value to be had in drafting Sean Rhyan out of UCLA.
He is the perfect size for an NFL tackle at 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds. Rhyan is also relatively quick at his size and has the intangibles to develop in to a starting-level tackle quickly. With that being said, though, he may have to start right away for this team’s below-average line.
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