Seattle Seahawks Not Bluffing When It Comes To Interest In QB Anthony Richardson

The Seattle Seahawks won’t be bluffing in spite of everything relating to their curiosity in Anthony Richardson.

With the Seahawks sitting fairly enter the 2023 NFL Draft with two first-round draft picks — at No. 5 and No. 20 — Seattle has the chance to pick arguably the largest enigma of the draft. Whereas the Seahawks are coming off a playoff berth and not too long ago locked up quarterback Geno Smith to a different contract, Seattle might choose to draft its subsequent franchise quarterback in Richardson.

The Seahawks have been scouting a lot of quarterbacks on the NFL Mix, together with different projected high picks Bryce Younger, C.J. Stroud and Will Levis. Nevertheless, neither of these quarterbacks could also be accessible when Seattle makes their choice at No. 5. Alternatively, Richardson probably shall be.

“He was actually spectacular,” common supervisor John Schneider stated Thursday on his weekly radio present on Seattle Sports activities 710. “Nice athlete, nice younger man. He has a ton of bodily expertise, no query about it. … He did an ideal job. He had enjoyable, he was free and he had fun together with his teammates.”

The curiosity between either side is a mutual one, with Richardson singling out his go to with the Seahawks as one which stands out.

“[Carroll] had this huge smile on his face,” Richardson stated, through ESPN’s Stephen Holder. “We shook palms, and one thing about it was simply
simply
completely different. You solely see these guys on TV. And now I am of their presence and so they’re proper there speaking to me. They usually’re fascinated by me. That makes you are feeling good.”

One might argue the Seahawks can be higher off utilizing their first draft decide on an edge rusher corresponding to Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson or College of Georgia defensive deal with Jalen Carter. One among Seattle’s largest weaknesses final season was their line of defense, rating within the backside seven of each run protection class, together with thirtieth in dashing yards allowed. When one considers that Seattle already contains a Professional Bowl QB in Smith and the truth that they’re coming off of a playoff look, widespread sense would lead one to imagine the Seahawks ought to fortify their weak spots.

Nevertheless, Seattle is in a novel place. For one, there isn’t any assure Smith will replicate the success that he had final season, when he unexpectedly emerged as a viable beginning quarterback for the primary time in his 10-year profession. Whereas the Seahawks did re-sign Smith to a three-year, $75 million deal, it is extra of a dummy contract than the rest. Seattle might stroll away from Smith through the 2024 offseason with a $17.4 million useless cap hit or the 2025 offseason with simply an $8.7 million useless cap hit.

Each side obtain safety within the deal, with the Seahawks presumably renting Smith for only one yr — assuming he falters — and the veteran quarterback receiving over $26 million in assured cash upon signing.

That is why the concept of the Seahawks drafting Smith’s doable successor and their long-term reply at quarterback within the 20-year-old Richardson is among the largest matters coming into the draft.

As a result of Richardson is so younger — and uncooked, contemplating he solely began one yr with the College of Florida — the Seahawks might moderately sit Richardson for a yr or two behind Smith earlier than turning in direction of the athletic quarterback.

For these questioning, it is no snokescreen — the Seahawks are genuinely fascinated by drafting Richardson, based on Corbin Okay. Smith of Sports activities Illustrated.

“Whether or not or not Seattle really drafts a quarterback stays to be seen, however at this stage, the perceived curiosity does not appear like easy posturing or a typical pre-draft smokescreen,” says Smith. “The franchise seems to be most infatuated by one prospect particularly.”

Smith particulars not solely how infatuated Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll are with Richardson, however how distinctive his bodily items are.

“All through the pre-draft course of, the Seahawks have been most linked to Richardson, who oozes with the kind of uncommon bodily instruments that Carroll and Schneider covet,” stated Smith. “On the NFL mix, he weighed in at 244 kilos and proceeded to run the 40-yard sprint
sprint
in a blazing 4.43 seconds whereas setting a brand new occasion report for quarterbacks with a 40 1/2-inch vertical.”

Richardson — who was beforehand anticipated to be chosen within the mid-to-late first spherical — has made such a powerful impression through the Mix that some predict the athletically gifted quarterback to be chosen throughout the first few picks. The truth is, CBS Sports activities’ Chris Trapasso tasks Richardson to be drafted with the highest general decide by the Carolina Panthers. 5 out of six CBS Sports activities writers have Richardson projected to be chosen throughout the high 5, with Pete Prisco anticipating the Seahawks to choose Richardson.

With the NFC showing to be weaker than its been in years, Seattle may need a legit shot at contending coming into the 2023 season. Buying a pass-rushing piece or dominant inside deal with may very well be the ultimate step in direction of making that occur.

Nevertheless, the Seahawks might select to choose a generational expertise at quarterback who might very effectively lead the franchise for the subsequent 15 years.

It is no smokescreen — Richardson might very effectively be carrying a Seahawks uniform when his identify known as on the 2023 NFL Draft.