While there have been suggestions that the Seattle Seahawks could use their pick at five in the 2023 NFL Draft to take a quarterback, a new report claims the team could actually be angling to trade out of their first pick in this month’s event.
The Seattle Seahawks enter April’s NFL draft in a better position than most teams. They were one of the biggest surprises in the 2022 seasons as the squad that was expected to finish near the bottom of the NFC West actually competed for the division title late in the season before eventually securing a playoff spot.
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While their contemporaries from this year’s postseason will be making selections in the back half of each round in the NFL Draft, the Seahawks actually own two picks in the top 20. Along with their own pick at 20, the organization also owns the Broncos’ pick at five after acquiring the draft asset in last spring’s blockbuster trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver.
The Seattle Seahawks could use that valuable pick at five in a variety of ways, however, rumors have suggested they could use the selection to take their quarterback of the future. Over the last week, recent rumblings from around the league have suggested, Florida QB Anthony Richardson has fans inside the organization. However, a new report claims the team could actually be feigning interest in the Gators star.
Seattle Seahawks record (2022): 9-8, second place in NFC West
On a Sunday edition of “Sportscenter,” ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler spoke on the Seahawks’ links to Richardson and how it could all be a part of a greater scheme to move out of the pick.
“You look at Seattle at No. 5, they’re considered a pivot point. There’s a little bit of buzz about Seattle and Richardson. Now, the scouts I talked to sort of believe it, but they also wonder if Seattle’s trying to trade back out of that spot. Drum up some interest for Richardson to have a quarterback-needy team step up and try to get him.
“You look at the Raiders at No. 7. I’ve talked to a few teams that are watching the Raiders there. They believe that with Jimmy Garoppolo as sort of a bridge quarterback for at least a year, they’re in the perfect spot to get their future passer for a guy like Richardson, who is probably the most talented quarterback in this draft.”
– Jeremy Fowler [h/t Heavy.com]
The Las Vegas Raiders have been linked to Richardson in recent days as they do their homework on the top QB prospects in this year’s class.
The Seattle Seahawks are in a similar position as the Raiders, in that they have a strong veteran QB as their starter — Geno Smith — that is not expected to be a long-term answer at the position.