4 bold predictions on what the Seahawks will do The Seattle Seahawks are presently scheduled to select pick 16 in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Seattle has traded back into the first round several times since 2010 under general manager John Schneider (and previous head coach Pete Carroll, of course). This year could be another opportunity for Schneider to return and possibly pick up a second-round pick.
Seattle now has seven picks. The problem is that five of those appear on day three of the draft, which is not how a team wants their draft weighted. Schneider would most likely prefer to add a few more selections in rounds one through three.
Seattle may also remain with pick 16 and choose a quarterback. There is nothing shocking about a Seattle draft. That can be both frustrating and exhilarating for 12-year-olds.
Predictions for the Seahawks’ 2024 NFL draft
Seattle will trade outside of the first round.
The Seahawks should probably stick with pick 16 overall and select an interior offensive lineman or interior defensive lineman. However, Seattle must also acquire a second-round pick in some form. Perhaps the team needs to add another third-round pick as well. Seattle might arrange a trade with the Washington Commanders in which Washington moves up to pick 16, and Seattle receives both Washington’s second-round picks (36 and 40) as well as one of their third-round picks (78).
The move lets Seattle to save some money this offseason because the second-round picks won’t have as large contracts as the number 16 picks. More importantly, having four picks in the first three rounds provides Schneider more leeway in what he chooses to accomplish. Seattle presently has only one pick in the first and third rounds, thus each of those selections must be home runs for Seattle to have a successful draft.
The Seahawks will select Bo Nix in the second round.
Nix may not be available in the second round, but he appears to be headed in that direction. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, Nix is expected to be picked around pick 32, but he has been projected as low as 40. Based on his statements this summer about not being happy of Seattle’s record of only drafting two quarterbacks since 2010, John Schneider is likely to want to choose a quarterback in this round.
He could make a statement and clarify to everyone that he is obviously the alpha in Seattle by drafting a quarterback first. He could take Nix at 36, and Seattle would have another chance just four choices later to add players at higher spots of need. The Seahawks would also have two additional selections in the third round to possibly acquire future starters on the offensive and defensive lines.
Seattle selects two guards in the first four rounds.
Seattle might potentially go offense-heavy with its early picks rather than providing defensive support to new head coach Mike MacDonald’s unit. The reality is that the offensive line, in particular, needs to improve before the 2024 season, and this requirement surpasses the defense as a whole. As it stands, the Seahawks have players who can start and contribute defensively this season.
While Schneider has stated this summer that guards are overpaid and overdrafted, he is also mindful that Seattle’s offensive line needs to improve on the interior. Seattle added left guard Laken Tomlinson in free agency and still has center Olu Oluwatimi and right guard Anthony Bradford, but Tomlinson’s contract is only for one year. The center and right guards probably need to be updated. Schneider’s second-day alternatives may include Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe and Connecticut’s Christian Haynes.
Seattle faces T’Vondre Sweat in the fourth round.
Sweat was recently busted for DWI. He also seems to struggle with conditioning at times. These issues are expected to push the mammoth 6’4″ and 366-pound defensive tackle down the selection board. Clearly, there is a risk in picking Sweat, but the benefits will likely outweigh any concerns if Sweat is taken as late as the fourth round. He is powerful and big enough to compete immediately against NFL offensive lineman.
Mike Macdonald will already have a plan for improving the run defense, but Sweat will also help. He wouldn’t have to be a three-down player, especially in the early stages of his career. This means he might get reps on early downs, which will help him transition to the NFL and assist the club stop the run.
In the 2024 NFL draft.
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