Seattle, WA
How Panthers’ trade up to No. 1 spot in NFL Draft impacts the Seahawks
An enormous commerce occurred on Friday that drastically modifications the upcoming NFL Draft, and it’s a deal that might have a huge impact on the Seahawks’ draft.
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The Carolina Panthers traded with the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 choose on this yr’s draft. With the intention to try this, the Panthers despatched Chicago the No. 9 choose on this yr’s draft, a second-round choose this yr, a 2024 first-round choose, a 2025 second-round choose and extensive receiver D.J. Moore.
The Panthers have been in quarterback purgatory for the previous few years, and this deal assures they’ll be capable to take whichever QB prospect they like probably the most, whereas the Bears didn’t want a quarterback this yr as they’ve 2021 first-rounder Justin Fields returning. There are 4 quarterback prospects seen as first-round picks, and all 4 are prone to go within the first seven to 10 picks this yr.
With this commerce, there at the moment are three groups within the high 4 that can presumably be drafting a quarterback: Carolina, Houston (No. 2 general) and Indianapolis (No. 4).
So how does this affect the Seahawks, who maintain the No. 5 general choose in subsequent month’s draft?
The potential unhealthy: QB market
When it comes to the quarterback market, it makes issues difficult and harder for Seattle.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and basic supervisor John Schneider have each publicly stated they’re open to the concept of drafting a QB at No. 5 regardless of having simply re-signed Geno Smith, with Carroll telling reporters on the NFL Scouting Mix that the staff is “linked” to this class’ quarterback prospects.
As famous earlier, there are 4 quarterbacks seen as early-first-round picks. These 4 are Bryce Younger (Alabama), C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), Anthony Richardson (Florida) and Will Levis (Kentucky).
With Carolina, Houston and Indianapolis all in entrance of the Seahawks and needing a quarterback, there figures to be no less than three QBs off the board by the point Seattle is on the clock at No. 5 general. There’s an opportunity one of many 4 high QBs remains to be obtainable at choose No. 5, but it surely might not be the one Seattle needs, in the event that they do certainly need to take a quarterback.
Moreover, this commerce places an emphasis on Arizona at No. 3 general.
Do the Cardinals stick at three and take the highest defender on their board? Or do they commerce down with a QB-needy staff comparable to Las Vegas (No. 7 choose) or Atlanta (No. 8)?
If Arizona does certainly commerce down, that’s probably with a staff needing a quarterback. That will imply the Seahawks might not have an opportunity to draft one among these high quarterbacks until they’re keen to make a blockbuster commerce with a division rival.
So for these (like myself) who would like to see Richardson land in Seattle to study underneath Smith for a yr or two, Friday’s commerce made that chance much less probably and harder to tug off.
The potential good: Defenders
Extra quarterbacks off the board early means extra high defenders obtainable at choose No. 5.
The Seahawks don’t want to draft a quarterback fifth general, particularly after re-signing Smith. However they do want to repair a protection that ranked close to the underside of the NFL in yards, speeding yards and factors allowed in 2022.
All through the draft course of, there have been two defenders who stood out among the many relaxation: Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and Georgia defensive deal with Jalen Carter, each All-American picks. Moreover, Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson has risen up draft boards over the previous few months, too, and has been generally linked to the Seahawks in varied mock drafts this offseason.
With Carolina selecting first and Houston and Indianapolis additionally selecting within the high 4, Seattle at No. 5 is nearly sure to have no less than two of these three defenders on the board.
And if the Seahawks do certainly need a defender, Arizona at No. 3 remains to be a staff to observe for.
If the Cardinals persist with their excessive draft choose, they’ll have their selection of the highest non-quarterbacks on this yr’s draft class, which many analysts imagine is Anderson. If Anderson is Seattle’s high goal, that will be lower than preferrred, however Carter (off-field issues are definitely a priority) and Wilson are nice defensive prospects in their very own proper.
However as famous earlier, there are different groups within the draft that might draft a quarterback which aren’t within the high 5, like Vegas, Atlanta and probably even Tennessee (11), Washington (15) or Tampa Bay (19).
And relying what occurs with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, that might definitely shake up the draft QB market, too. Jackson is on the non-exclusive franchise tag, that means he can negotiate with groups and if he agrees to a deal and Baltimore doesn’t match the contract demand, Jackson can go away the staff and the Ravens would obtain two first-round picks from Jackson’s new staff.
With different groups probably needing/wanting a quarterback, Arizona is reportedly open for business when it comes to buying and selling that choose. If the Playing cards do make a deal for that No. 3 choice, that might assist the Seahawks in a significant means if they need their choose of defenders as that will presumably imply picks one via 4 are all sign callers.
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