SEATTLE — Now that the Super Bowl has come and gone, the NFL offseason is underway. The biggest part of the offseason for many teams is the NFL draft, which will be held in Detroit in late April.
The Seahawks are right in the middle of the pack in the draft order, holding the No. 16 overall selection after just missing out on the playoffs in the 2023 season.
Here are some of the prospects being linked to the Seahawks in NFL mock drafts across the internet. Remember that the Seahawks have only one first-round selection in 2024, unlike the last two drafts when the team had two picks courtesy of the Denver Broncos and the Russell Wilson trade.
No. 16 pick: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
What they wrote: Seattle has needs along the offensive interior and might be in position to trade back. But Mike Macdonald could get his regime started with an athletic, explosive three-down edge like Verse, who likely would’ve been a first-rounder last year had he declared. Though pressure packages are a big part of Macdonald’s system, so are twitchy edge defenders who can rush, cover and stop the run.
No. 16 pick: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
What they wrote: It doesn't sit right with me that Bowers (a top-10 prospect) would have to wait until No. 16 to hear his name called, but man do I love this pick for Seattle. The Seahawks have a pair of free agents at tight end in Noah Fant and Colby Parkinson, while Will Dissly carries a $10.1 million cap charge in 2024 that might need to be addressed. Bowers is a remarkable pass-catcher who chews up yards after the catch and has vacuum-like hands to snare any throw in his vicinity. Yes, defense needs to be a massive priority for Seattle all offseason, but Bowers would crush in this offense.
No. 16 pick: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
What they wrote: The Seattle Seahawks recently hired former Washington Huskies offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to serve in the same capacity for them. They could now pursue Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. if they view the Heisman Trophy finalist as Geno Smith's potential successor.
However, Penix isn't a solid first-round talent. Collegiate teammate Troy Fautanu should be, as he's B/R's highest-graded interior offensive line prospect.
Fautanu primarily played left tackle for the Huskies. His build and skill set project inside, though.
"The Seahawks already solidified their tackle spots through the draft," Thorn said, "but they still need to boost the talent of their interior trio. Fautanu does have some experience at guard, so kicking inside from his primary home at left tackle shouldn't be too difficult of a transition.
"The Morris Trophy winner as the Pac-12 Conference's best offensive lineman has tackle length and athletic ability inside a guard's body, with matching play strength. He should be able to make a similar level of impact as Brandon Scherff once did when he made a similar transition in Washington years ago."
With Damien Lewis set to enter free agency, Fautanu could slide seamlessly into left guard to secure the interior.
No. 16 pick: Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington
What they wrote: The Seahawks have their young offensive tackles of the future, and in 2024 they could look to invest in the interior offensive line. Fautanu is a strong run-blocker with guard-tackle flexibility.
No. 16 pick: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
What they wrote: New coach Mike Macdonald comes from the Ravens, where he molded defensive tackle Justin Madubuike into an All-Pro-caliber player. Now Macdonald can get another standout 3-technique in Seattle. Murphy was asked to play over the tackle in Texas' 3-3-5 scheme, but his power and burst allowed him to routinely make an impact as a pass-rusher. The 6-foot-1 308-pounder had five sacks in 2023 while rarely being put into true gaps as a pass-rusher. Murphy's ceiling is incredibly high, and he'd be awesome in Macdonald's defense.
