Seahawks Draft Picks: Roles, Expectations

Assessing roles using Pete Carroll's quotes about the 10-player rookie class

If we were to try and assess the immediate roles and snap counts of the 2022 Seattle Seahawks draft class a year ago, the first few would have been easy to guess and mostly correct. Charles Cross would be a Week 1 starter at left tackle; Boye Mafe would get into the rotation on the edge; Ken Walker III would automatically be the number one complement to Rashaad Penny and the heir apparent should Penny get injured, which is what happened.

Then it got tricky and less predictable.

Many fans were elated to get Abraham Lucas in the third round, but to become a Week 1 starter at right tackle—forming the first rookie tackle duo in decades—was actually a surprise, though now it feels like “Yeah, well, what else would have happened? Abe is awesome!”

Much more shocking, of course, is that a fifth round receiver-turned-cornerback expected to be one of the “most raw and undeveloped” players in the entire draft, not only turned out to be better than fourth rounder Coby Bryant. He was better than 98% of veteran NFL cornerbacks were last season.

So is it fair to try and assess the roles, playing time, and value of Seattle’s 2023 draft class, only a few days after it was completed?

It’s a mile more fair than draft GRADES, in my opinion. And yes, it is something we can try to project, especially since I’m using quotes and analysis of the prospects from Pete Carroll and John Schneider, as well as fitting players into roles that are clearly carved out but open for business. The Seahawks made 10 draft picks and welcome 10 new rookies—not counting undrafted free agents, but I have a hunch that at least one of those signings will turn into a steal this year—and I think Seaside Joe can do a fairly good job of assessing their roles and projected start dates to make an impact.

This is a bonus post—one of MILLIONS to come—so if you’re not already, join Regular Joes for the best bargain in Seahawksverse to find out when and where you can find these Seahawks rookies next season.