RENTON, Wash. — NFL draft week has arrived, and the Seahawks are just a few days away from being on the clock with the No. 16 overall selection.
After an offseason full of change -- the Mike Macdonald and John Schneider era is underway after Pete Carroll's departure -- the Seahawks could go a number of different ways with the team's first pick Thursday night.
Here are which players draft experts across the web foresee the Seahawks selecting in the first round, along with their rationale.
ESPN: Troy Fautanu, Washington, OL (No. 20 overall)
What they said: This is a great outcome for the Seahawks, who trade down four spots and still get one of their targets. Fautanu projects as a tackle, but he could also play guard -- and that's where Seattle needs help right now. He'd join Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas to form an exciting young nucleus up front. Coming from the nearby University of Washington, Fautanu is an agile and aggressive blocker. His awareness, physical hands and active feet help him stay in position.
Pro Football Focus: Dallas Turner, Alabama, LB
What they said: Turner posted a top-10 pass-rush win rate among edge defenders in 2023, and he brings top-end measurables. He should be a solid piece alongside Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu.
CBS Sports: Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State, OL
What they said: Right guard Laken Tomlinson is on a one-year deal and right tackle Abe Lucas only appeared in six games in 2023. When Lucas is healthy, he has been really good -- and a solid bookend to former first-rounder Charles Cross -- and Fuaga can kick inside early in his NFL career and be dominant before moving back to tackle, if needed.
Yahoo Sports: Graham Barton, Duke, OL
What they said: Barton on the Seahawks is a fit that I’ve liked more and more as silly season has gone along. Barton can hold up at offensive tackle, but won’t have to with Charles Cross and a hopefully healthy Abe Lucas. Instead, Barton can shore up the interior of the offensive line and any spot where he’s most needed, plus insurance if one of the offensive tackles goes down with another injury.