4 players Seahawks should select with 9th pick
Photo from: Spectacular Spat
Next month marks the NFL Draft and the Seattle Seahawks are in the mix to acquire a player in the first round.
During this move, the Seahawks traded their star quarterback Russell Wilson for multiple drafts picks and three players (Drew Lock, Shelby Harris, and Noah Fant). It was a sign that the Seahawks are moving forward in a new direction and strategically building for the future.
This was a move that the Seahawks needed to make because they only have these picks before the Broncos trade.
A second-round pick (41)
A third-round pick (72)
A fourth-round pick (107)
A fifth-round pick (151)
A seventh-round pick (227)
After acquiring the picks from the Broncos, the Seahawks received additional picks such as the first-round picks (ninth and 40th) and a fifth-round pick (152). The Seahawks need to focus on drafting in the top 10 because numerous prospects could address the major concerns they have from the quarterback position to defense.
The ninth pick is also significant because this is the first time since 2001 that they drafted in the top 10. The Seahawks drafted former wide receiver from the North Carolina State Wolfpack Koren Robinson who was with the Seahawks from 2001-04.
The 2022 NFL Draft has a lot of draft prospects the Seahawks should likely draft with the ninth pick. Here are potential players the Seahawks should draft.
Malik Willis
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The quarterback starter situation in Seattle is a question the team has to answer with Wilson now gone.
Willis could be an exceptional option as a replacement for Wilson with the ability to be a dual-threat quarterback. The offensive coordinator for the Seahawks Shane Waldron's offensive philosophy is to have a balanced offense, but be more aggressive with an attacking mindset.
Willis' capability to excel in bootleg plays and extend plays down the field is an aspect that could flourish in Waldron's system. He also can throw the ball deep with his arm strength which Willis showcased in the draft combine.
Although Willis should be an ideal player to be drafted by the Seahawks, there are other options the team should consider with using the ninth pick. The Seahawks could consider using the pick to draft the next best player on the board and get a quarterback in the second round.
Also, there is a chance that Willis does not pan out with the Seahawks by struggling on the NFL level or the process of developing him into a starter in the NFL takes longer than two seasons.
If the Seahawks consider drafting Willis, they will have a young quarterback that could fill a void in the Seahawks' need for a starting quarterback.
Kayvon Thibodeaux
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The 2022 NFL Draft has depth in the defensive end position with many talented prospects that could help a team in need of productivity in pass rushing.
The Seahawks are one of the NFL teams that need help with pass-rushing despite ranking a respected 11th in opponent's points per game (21.5) and rushing yards per game (122.0). These statics are not viewed as a situation, but being one of the worse defenses in creating pressure or sacks are aspects that the Seahawks have to address this offseason.
Drafting Thibodeaux with the ninth pick should help the Seahawks with their issues with pass rushing on the d-line.
Thibodeaux can use sudden speed to get past tight quarters in an offensive line and could disrupt plays with an upfield burst to become a decent defensive end in the NFL. He can create pressure or sacks that was showcased against the UCLA Bruins last year.
Although he could help with pass-rushing, there is a possibility that other NFL teams like the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, or Jacksonville Jaguars could draft him before the Seahawks could do it. There is also a possibility the Seahawks already signed a defensive end in free agency like Von Miller or Chandler Jones.
If the Seahawks consider drafting Thibodeaux with the ninth pick, he should be a player to replace an older Carlos Dunlap as the star defensive end.
Jermaine Johnson II
Photo from: Tomahawk Nation
When pass rushers like Aidan Hutchinson and Thibodeaux are unlikely available before the Seahawk's ninth pick, Johnson II would be an ideal choice with being labeled as an "ascending edge prospect."
Johnson II doesn't have the most hype like other d-line prospects coming into the draft but shows promise during college with only being a one-time starter for a year in the Florida State Seminoles. During his time with the Seminoles, he leads the ACC in sacks, has 70 total tackles in 12 games, and had other accomplishments with the team for one year.
As a prospect in the draft, Johnson II has flashes of consistent ability to defend the run with quick feet and his ability to get leverage against an offensive lineman. This is possible with Johnson II's long arms and frame standing at 6'5'', weight 254 lbs., and 34'' arm length.
Johnson II struggles with larger offensive lineman, inconsistence with using hands, and being stiff when rush countering the left tackle are cons that were displayed with his career with the Seminoles.
Despite these flaws, Johnson II has traits of an impressive prospect if he is with the right coaches and defensive schemes that strengthen his football abilities. The Seahawks' defensive scheme is usually a 4-3 which could benefit Johnson II's skillset.
The ability to combine strength, explosiveness, and athleticism makes Johnson II a player that has the potential to be a steal for the Seahawks with the ninth pick of the draft.
Derek Stingley Jr.
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The secondary for the Seahawks is another issue the team should fix with not having a quality starting defensive back.
In the 2021-22 NFL season, the Seahawks struggle with the pass (31st) and are in the top 30 with takeaways. This has been a problem with the Seahawks' defensive backs covering elite wide receivers one-on-one and against superb route running.
Stingley has been an option for the Seahawks to draft if Cincinnati defensive back Ahmed Gardner is unavailable because the 6-foot LSU prospect is the next best defensive back in the draft.
He was an exceptional player during the 2019 NCAA season with 38 solo tackles, six interceptions, 15 passes defended, and one forced fumble in 15 games.
Since then, Stingley has played fewer games (seven in 2020 and three in 2021) due to injuries. He had a foot injury from his final season with the Tigers which likely hampered Stingley's draft stock.
Stingley's biggest challenge is to get back into the player he was in the 2019 season, which Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has done with players like Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell, Deshawn Shead, Walter Thurmond, and DJ Reed. Carroll can develop the potential a defensive back had in college and have it translate at the NFL level.
The LSU defensive back could be an asset to the Seahawks in battling 50/50 balls against wide receivers and be a bump-and-run corner that is a type of defensive back the team could develop in their defensive system.
Drafting Stingley with the ninth pick is questionable with his history of injuries and bad pass coverages in his college career, but the potential of molding Stingley into a starting NFL corner is a matter Seahawks should consider not passing up.
Conclusion
The 2022 NFL Draft has prospects like Willis, Thibodeaux, Johnson II, and Stingley who have the potential to be the Seahawks' ninth pick. It would be a tough decision for the Seahawks to make because the organization has holes to address with Wilson and Bobby Wagner going while other players are currently in free agency.
The Seahawks are going to develop and grow the future of the team with the ninth pick and the rest of the eight picks they have in this year's draft. Whomever the Seahawks choose will hopefully help them on a new path with the era of Wilson and Wagner now in the past.
