7-Round Seahawks Mock Draft: A New Legion Of Boom Is Born
By Hunter Haas
Round 1, No. 5 (via DEN): Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Seahawks will take a long, hard look at the top quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, and Will Levis have become mainstays in the top 10 discussions. That price will ultimately be too rich for a franchise that doesn’t HAVE to take a signal-caller at No. 5.
Instead of reaching or trading draft capital to move up, Seattle stays put and takes Tyree Wilson out of Texas Tech. Wilson is a dominating presence off the edge. He excels as a pass rusher (79.2) and a run defender (72.1), grading high in nearly every PFF defensive metric.
Wilson’s versatility to line up anywhere on the defensive line, and impressive length, will appeal to the Seattle brass. Sending Tyree Wilson, Boye Mafe, and Uchenna Nwosu at opposing quarterbacks will be a nightmare for offensive tackles. Wilson looks like a Seahawk if I ever saw one.
Round 1, No. 20: Brian Branch, DB, Alabama
Brian Branch is another prospect who embodies the Seattle way of doing things. At No. 20 overall in this mock draft, the versatile and rangy defensive back adds another wrinkle to an already stout secondary. With Branch in tow, he can line up in the slot or as a safety with a high upside at either spot.
As a pure safety, Branch can sit back in centerfield and read the plays as they develop. Impressively, Branch is even better suited in the box. The Crimson Tide standout is a thumper as a tackler. Branch regularly lights up opposing ball carriers and receivers, making his projection to the NFL a relatively easy one.
Jamal Adams will hopefully return to 100% in 2023. Quandre Diggs is settled into the other safety spot, but now that he is on the wrong side of 30, it is time for the Seahawks to add some insurance to the group. This move gives Pete Carroll a handful of above-average defensive backs at his disposal… with one more on the way soon.