Report: The Seahawks are allowed to draft Garrett Wilson

Seaside Joe 1137: But should they?

The Seattle Seahawks are allowed to draft Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson if they want to, according to a new report by me.

Go ahead, Seahawks. It’s fine.

But you should probably try to trade back first.

“Why the hell would the Seahawks draft a receiver early?”

6 things:

• You want the Seahawks to pass more? That requires at least three quality starting receivers

• DK Metcalf signed through 2022, Tyler Lockett will cost $24 million in 2024, when he’ll be 32

• It’s unlikely that the Seahawks will pay Lockett and Metcalf a combined $50 million+ in two years

• Dee Eskridge has not shown anything at NFL level yet, don’t want to end up with a “Denzel Mims” situation, holding out hope and passing up potential improvements

• There’s no receiver on the roster worth monitoring past Eskridge

• While the top-ranked WR is rarely the best WR, the odds of finding a special receiver get worse as the draft goes on; after the second round, it’s damn near impossible

There are few certainties in the 2022 NFL Draft. No consensus top prospect at quarterback, offensive tackle, cornerback, and some would argue that uncertainty remains at edge, safety, and Rob Staton even told us that Tyler Linderbaum is his third-ranked center.

But then at the wide receiver position, Wilson may be gaining a lead.

In Dane Brugler’s “The Beast” draft guide for 2022, he has Wilson as the top-ranked receiver in the class. That’s his same ranking by PFF, SI, CBS, PFN, and in NFL.com’s latest mock draft. Check out 30+ receivers on my comprehensive list here.

Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Danny Kelly’s comparison: “Odell Beckham Jr. on Red Bull”

“SUDDEN, BIG-PLAY RECEIVER with quick feet, route-running savvy, and a home run potential on any play; has the shiftiness and burst to make defenders miss.”

PFF @PFF

Garrett Wilson 🤯 WR1 on PFF’s Big Board

Mike Renner @PFF_Mike

Garrett Wilson instinctively going to knock the CBs hands away, hitting nothing because the CB was cooked off the line, and then immediately raising his hand is a thing of beauty

A respectful snippet rom Brugler’s Draft guide:

STRENGTHS: Elite body control and ball skills to make fluid midair adjustments ... explosive twitch in release package ... defenders better get their hands on him quickly, because he has the short-area explosion to create separation in tight spaces ... rare understanding of route leverage for his age ...

(NFL scout: “The OSU coaches say he carried himself with the demeanor and work ethic of a professional when he was a freshman.”) ... played primarily in the slot in 2020 and outside in 2021 ...

Brugler’s weaknesses for Wilson included dropped passes and a “lean-muscled frame”.

His comparison: CeeDee Lamb

Why the Seahawks?

Without trading a receiver away, Seattle has Lockett, Metcalf, Eskridge and Freddie Swain as its top four at the position.

If a receiver is traded or injured, then it could be Lockett, Eskridge, Swain, or Metcalf, Eskridge, Swain, or even Swain, Penny Hart, and a rookie if two players get hurt.

At this point, we have no way of knowing if Eskridge is going to be a long-term NFL player or not. Unfortunately, the NFL has seen a high number of second round receivers fail to produce and the list of success stories is shorter than the list of disappointments.

Put it this way: Paul Richardson was an above average return for Seattle on a second round receiver. Richardson was a fine player when healthy, but finished his Seattle career with 1,302 career yards and more than half of those came in 2017.

I’ve already stated my case why I think it’s okay for the Seahawks to draft a receiver. But seriously, if the greats are going to start costing $25 million per season then wouldn’t it make sense to try and get a great receiver on a rookie contract? Ja’Marr Chase is giving the Bengals a tremendous value, as is Justin Jefferson on the Vikings, A.J. Brown on the Titans, and Metcalf on the Seahawks but that value is about to run out.

The NFL is a league that has seen value in the quarterback position skyrocket and who benefits the most from that uptick in explosive passing plays? The receivers.

As I said about Jameson Williams, if Seattle were to pick Wilson he would be the best wide receiver prospect that the team has had since Joey Galloway. (I’m not sold that Koren Robinson was a better prospect, even if he went seventh.) Who could really be mad about the Seahawks picking a receiver in the first round, if fans want to see Seattle become a successful passing offense under Shane Waldron and whoever the next quarterback is?

That’s also going to come into play.

If the Seahawks are gearing up to draft a quarterback in 2023, or to trade for one, then they should present an attractive offense to fall into and that must include SPECIAL wide receivers. Lockett and Metcalf are special, but I’ve already told you why a) the time for the duo could run out soon and b) teams need at least three of those guys. Imagine picking Wilson or Chris Olave and then getting C.J. Stroud in 2023.

Imagine picking Jameson Williams or John Metchie, then drafting Bryce Young in 2023.

Jameson Williams or Garrett Wilson? Who would you prefer? Tell me in the comments!

Look at how much a history and chemistry helped supersonic the relationship between Joe Burrow and Chase for the Bengals in 2021. It makes sense why it would. So maybe drafting Wilson wouldn’t just be to help out Drew Lock and whoever competes with him this year.

Maybe it would be a precursor for an even better QB-WR relationship that already exists.