I have been thinking this same thing and would love for Schneider to zig when everyone thinks he should zag! Take a chance, swing big. Before he does this, though, I would hope he would improve the O-the line in free agency. Then, let Dart (my choice) sit for a year and learn Kubiak's system. How do we even know if they'll even have a chance at getting one of the '26 QBs, unless he stacks some picks and trades up. Maybe it's just me and my nature to just step out and try something new, but if this worked, it could go down as JS's all-time greatest achievement. If it doesn't work -- well, at least he tried.
No strong opinions on the QB's. If the Seahawks see the traits , the brain, the love of football, and the arm, then I'm ok with it......wherever they decide to pull the trigger. I don't think I'd enjoy having a Prime family member on the team (for obvious reasons) but hopefully Dad and Son would be professional and leave the theatrics in the past. Twitter fights (yes, I refuse to call it the new name) are petty and silly, and accomplish nothing. But we are in 2025 and kids will be kids I guess (yes, I'm talking to you Prime).
JS and Team will stack the board, and will take value where they see value. I wouldn't be surprised if they took a QB early, late, or not at all (statistically the most likely option).
If Shedeur Sanders falls to 18, he could be a good pick. I wouldn't draft Dart until round 2, at the earliest. I'm more likely to look at QB in round 3. After that the position falls off a cliff.
Simple answer - no. None of the three (and three is generous) 1st RD QBs have the JS style skill set. However if Dart slipped into Rd 2 down to 50, i think that's the first spot i could realistically imagine the 'Hawks going QB in this draft.
Rd 3 though is different. With Ewers still expecting to be around and much more of a JS styled QB (and still a good QB, you just need to get past the injury concerns), Howard, Leonard , Gabriel and even Milroe in this range are also worthwhile punts. Giving all of them 1-2 years to sit is ideal, carrying minimal weight of expecations. If the concern is "But what if they're good enough in 3 years to need an extention?" - give me that concner! I'd love to find a QB who in three years that genuinely makes us hopefull of a superbowl push. Like, you realise that's the entire point of drafting a QB?!
Going behind this group you're into "we don't actually believe this guy could do well, but hey, we didn't have many other options on our draft board". People will always talk about Brady and Purdy, niether was ever drafted to be team leaders, sometimes you just get the fluke and ride it as far as you can. Maybe Seth Henigan can lead a team to 3 superbowls as a 7th Rd pick, but it's not going to move the dial regarding making a realistic future plan at QB for the 'Hawks.
We cannot continue to kick the can down the road, even in a 'down' year at QB. At least, unlike 2022, everyone seems to realise this is a bad class. But at some point there has to be a real post-RW3 QB plan. PC treaded water with Geno (see Raiders rumors on a Stafford trade, PC was desparate to cling to playoff chances over actually building a Superbowl contender, and still is). With the progress made in Year 1 of MM we cannot continue to tread water hoping a mermaid will come along and sweep us off our feet. Wilson is gone, now matter how much we yell after him as he drifts away over the football horizon. It's time to tool and up and build a proper strong raft and ride into that Superbowl sunset (this metaphor was, as usual, a mess).
Great article. Now is the perfect time for allowing some alternative ideas to percolate. Hard not to be impressed by Jaxson Dart's highlights. I watched Georgia/Ole Miss this year. He almost got knocked out of the game very early, but gutted out an ankle injury and came back to put a big hurt on the Dawgs. Guy has some swagger, and c'mon, a killer name.
It’s interesting that you post this article as I was just thinking same. JS zigs when others zag. This QB in first, while on paper (ie see Ranking of QBs in people’s top 100) it could make sense. On the other hand, I’ve seen some mocks (yes but that time of year) and Hawks doing QB in first did not show up well. I’m going with drop/the big core of Hawks first round positions (edge, S and OT). But definitely is that zigging type year.
I won't be surprised if we pick a QB in round one or a later round, either. Shough (pronounced shuck) or the guy from Ohio State or the guy from Notre Dame are all candidates in my opinion. That would still allow us to draft a T/G and WR early.
In regards to ... something someone said somewhere ... sometimes one just "knows" that a prospect will succeed in the NFL regardless of where they are drafted. I knew JSN would succeed. I knew TJ Watt would succeed. I did not see those picks as having any risk involved. Right now, the only guy in college ball I could say that about is Geno's cousin, the freshman WR at Ohio State.
And another thing, it seems in retrospect, that we should have seen coming what happened to Caleb Williams, and J. Daniels was the better pick at #1 overall.
If I have this right, Kubiak's system puts QBs principally under center. Sanders has almost never worked from anything but shotgun, where as Dart has worked a fair bit under center. That's from memory (I really should take notes, perhaps), and so subject to the usual error ratios.
I'm old school enough to believe rookie QBs rarely should be asked to start, so however we're going to handle this I'd like the rookie not to be put in that position. Particularly when the whole team's learning a new offense, their third in as many years.
I can't imagine Cousins playing 17 games next year, for anybody. I don't think he is, at this point, the physical equal of Geno, and dollars aside don't see the benefit of renting him for a season. It didn't work with Rodgers and the Jets. If we go with Cousins and Howell, that's a really ugly form of tanking, imho. Howell will play too much and not well enough. It you told me we're getting Cousins cheap and drafting a QB in round 1, even if that means moving up a few positions...then I'd be considerably less likely to commence swearing at the walls.
Finally, just to drop this here, and it may or may not be news, I've caught wind of talk that another oft-injured, presumed-failed left tackle is considering a move to guard with a new team. (Randomly, I know a relative.) My sense is this move will involve both money and proximity to family, which presumably deals the 'Hawks out. But I do wonder if that's a profile worth drilling down a bit on as we try to find interior line solutions. The issue, as I understand it, is whether tackles can get their pads low enough. But they should have the requisite quickness and arm length to work inside in a zone blocking scheme, if I've learned to use those words correctly.
So…I started the Dart highlights tape and was immediately dismissive. Highlights against Furman…and Southern Georgia? Puhleeeeze.
But I kept watching and he was making the same plays against Oklahoma, Duke, South Carolina and Georgia.
In the beginning my thoughts were no way, no how, I’ll lose it if they draft this kid. But by the end I was rather impressed. I wouldn’t lose my $hit if he’s picked by the Hawks.
I’m all for picking up a QB this season as long as he sits for the year to learn and develop.
I don't think anyone has the traits JS would require to make them a first round QB pick in this group. Sanders would be a fun pick, however, and I wouldn't throw my phone against the wall if it happened.
But, I think the Seahawks should draft a QB for one of two reasons:
1) They see a QB with elite upside potential (the example of this would've been if Penix was still available at 16. I wonder if they would've taken a shot)
2) They see the QB as an upgrade to Howell and/or they do not believe that Howell has the potential to lead the team post Geno. In which case, they need to continue looking which may include a rookie QB even if they see him as a potential NFL starter and not necessarily elite.
I think Geno will be extended for 3-4 years. Which is in effect 2-3 more years guaranteed at QB. Therefore, there is not reason to panic and take someone out of need. They have plenty of time. If they do not see a difference in chances between Howell and the rookies, easy decision, just stick with Howell.
I still think if Richardson wears out his welcome in Indy, that would be an interesting shot for the Hawks. As JS allegedly liked him coming out of college. Or Zach WIlson, or any other younger QBs that had a rough start in the NFL.
Seahawks are in a great spot at QB with tons of options (obviously that would change if they can't get Geno signed for whatever reason). So, they should decide on Howell and keep looking.
FWIW, Randy Mueller says that Richardson is so raw that he may never develop into a starting QB. He’s convinced that Colts’ ownership forced the pick on both the coaching staff and the FO. (I believe that Mueller rated Richardson as Day 3 pick.) Admittedly I’m not a scout nor am I privy to any inside dope, but on the surface I’d rather take a flyer on Wilson than anyone available in the draft.
It’s funny looking back because there was a ton of Seahawks fans from a certain group of people that don’t like our QB1 that were convinced JS would pick AR at 5.
Now that AR could be available I have stopped hearing about it. Although that certain group of fans has already moved onto the next shiny thing.
I don’t know either about the chances of success, but I do know I like the strategy of spending low resources on high potential. If that means Wilson over AR then that’s great! Those are the shots I want to take. Especially since we are in a good spot with Geno assuming he is extended.
Thanks for the analysis Ken. On draft day a lot of people get hung up on potential value, on the idea that they “could have” wrung more value out of any given pick. But sometimes you just need to make the choice. I think we Seahawks fans are gunshy on that regard since many of our mid-to-late first round picks have been underwhelming, but I’m not opposed to a quarterback here if the organization thinks it’s their guy. One thing I think would be a problem is if they get too cute and there’s a run on quarterbacks before they get to it in round 3 or 4. They need to get a prospect at qb this year, even if they try again next year.
I saw Cam Ward at WASU. He's at best a 2nd round pick. Top 5 is ludicrous. But some QB needy team will over b draft him and waste a 1st round pick!
No zigging! No zagging! Eff what others are doing!
Pick the best player available, all thinga being similar, pick the best player available that also fills a need. The end.
Exactly this!
BPA while filling a need, done and done.
No need to get cute out there.
File under "I" for "it's so crazy, it just might work!"
Not to be confused with: we would've gotten away with it if it hadn't been for you meddling kids and that dog!
I have been thinking this same thing and would love for Schneider to zig when everyone thinks he should zag! Take a chance, swing big. Before he does this, though, I would hope he would improve the O-the line in free agency. Then, let Dart (my choice) sit for a year and learn Kubiak's system. How do we even know if they'll even have a chance at getting one of the '26 QBs, unless he stacks some picks and trades up. Maybe it's just me and my nature to just step out and try something new, but if this worked, it could go down as JS's all-time greatest achievement. If it doesn't work -- well, at least he tried.
No strong opinions on the QB's. If the Seahawks see the traits , the brain, the love of football, and the arm, then I'm ok with it......wherever they decide to pull the trigger. I don't think I'd enjoy having a Prime family member on the team (for obvious reasons) but hopefully Dad and Son would be professional and leave the theatrics in the past. Twitter fights (yes, I refuse to call it the new name) are petty and silly, and accomplish nothing. But we are in 2025 and kids will be kids I guess (yes, I'm talking to you Prime).
JS and Team will stack the board, and will take value where they see value. I wouldn't be surprised if they took a QB early, late, or not at all (statistically the most likely option).
If Shedeur Sanders falls to 18, he could be a good pick. I wouldn't draft Dart until round 2, at the earliest. I'm more likely to look at QB in round 3. After that the position falls off a cliff.
Simple answer - no. None of the three (and three is generous) 1st RD QBs have the JS style skill set. However if Dart slipped into Rd 2 down to 50, i think that's the first spot i could realistically imagine the 'Hawks going QB in this draft.
Rd 3 though is different. With Ewers still expecting to be around and much more of a JS styled QB (and still a good QB, you just need to get past the injury concerns), Howard, Leonard , Gabriel and even Milroe in this range are also worthwhile punts. Giving all of them 1-2 years to sit is ideal, carrying minimal weight of expecations. If the concern is "But what if they're good enough in 3 years to need an extention?" - give me that concner! I'd love to find a QB who in three years that genuinely makes us hopefull of a superbowl push. Like, you realise that's the entire point of drafting a QB?!
Going behind this group you're into "we don't actually believe this guy could do well, but hey, we didn't have many other options on our draft board". People will always talk about Brady and Purdy, niether was ever drafted to be team leaders, sometimes you just get the fluke and ride it as far as you can. Maybe Seth Henigan can lead a team to 3 superbowls as a 7th Rd pick, but it's not going to move the dial regarding making a realistic future plan at QB for the 'Hawks.
We cannot continue to kick the can down the road, even in a 'down' year at QB. At least, unlike 2022, everyone seems to realise this is a bad class. But at some point there has to be a real post-RW3 QB plan. PC treaded water with Geno (see Raiders rumors on a Stafford trade, PC was desparate to cling to playoff chances over actually building a Superbowl contender, and still is). With the progress made in Year 1 of MM we cannot continue to tread water hoping a mermaid will come along and sweep us off our feet. Wilson is gone, now matter how much we yell after him as he drifts away over the football horizon. It's time to tool and up and build a proper strong raft and ride into that Superbowl sunset (this metaphor was, as usual, a mess).
Great article. Now is the perfect time for allowing some alternative ideas to percolate. Hard not to be impressed by Jaxson Dart's highlights. I watched Georgia/Ole Miss this year. He almost got knocked out of the game very early, but gutted out an ankle injury and came back to put a big hurt on the Dawgs. Guy has some swagger, and c'mon, a killer name.
I keep coming back to the EJ Manuel draft class and the Kenny Pickett draft class, or even the Bryce Young draft class. Let’s take this last one:
Cam Ward = Bryce Young on draft boards?
Shedeur Sanders = CJ Stroud on draft boards?
Anyone = Richardson?
Anyone even = Levis?
Run for the hills my brothers. This isn’t the year. Or….
“You’ve gotta ask yourself one question. Do I feel lucky. Well do ya punk??”
It’s interesting that you post this article as I was just thinking same. JS zigs when others zag. This QB in first, while on paper (ie see Ranking of QBs in people’s top 100) it could make sense. On the other hand, I’ve seen some mocks (yes but that time of year) and Hawks doing QB in first did not show up well. I’m going with drop/the big core of Hawks first round positions (edge, S and OT). But definitely is that zigging type year.
I won't be surprised if we pick a QB in round one or a later round, either. Shough (pronounced shuck) or the guy from Ohio State or the guy from Notre Dame are all candidates in my opinion. That would still allow us to draft a T/G and WR early.
In regards to ... something someone said somewhere ... sometimes one just "knows" that a prospect will succeed in the NFL regardless of where they are drafted. I knew JSN would succeed. I knew TJ Watt would succeed. I did not see those picks as having any risk involved. Right now, the only guy in college ball I could say that about is Geno's cousin, the freshman WR at Ohio State.
And another thing, it seems in retrospect, that we should have seen coming what happened to Caleb Williams, and J. Daniels was the better pick at #1 overall.
If I have this right, Kubiak's system puts QBs principally under center. Sanders has almost never worked from anything but shotgun, where as Dart has worked a fair bit under center. That's from memory (I really should take notes, perhaps), and so subject to the usual error ratios.
I'm old school enough to believe rookie QBs rarely should be asked to start, so however we're going to handle this I'd like the rookie not to be put in that position. Particularly when the whole team's learning a new offense, their third in as many years.
I can't imagine Cousins playing 17 games next year, for anybody. I don't think he is, at this point, the physical equal of Geno, and dollars aside don't see the benefit of renting him for a season. It didn't work with Rodgers and the Jets. If we go with Cousins and Howell, that's a really ugly form of tanking, imho. Howell will play too much and not well enough. It you told me we're getting Cousins cheap and drafting a QB in round 1, even if that means moving up a few positions...then I'd be considerably less likely to commence swearing at the walls.
Finally, just to drop this here, and it may or may not be news, I've caught wind of talk that another oft-injured, presumed-failed left tackle is considering a move to guard with a new team. (Randomly, I know a relative.) My sense is this move will involve both money and proximity to family, which presumably deals the 'Hawks out. But I do wonder if that's a profile worth drilling down a bit on as we try to find interior line solutions. The issue, as I understand it, is whether tackles can get their pads low enough. But they should have the requisite quickness and arm length to work inside in a zone blocking scheme, if I've learned to use those words correctly.
And…then I watched the reel and Dart’s in shotgun the whole time. Sigh.
So…I started the Dart highlights tape and was immediately dismissive. Highlights against Furman…and Southern Georgia? Puhleeeeze.
But I kept watching and he was making the same plays against Oklahoma, Duke, South Carolina and Georgia.
In the beginning my thoughts were no way, no how, I’ll lose it if they draft this kid. But by the end I was rather impressed. I wouldn’t lose my $hit if he’s picked by the Hawks.
I’m all for picking up a QB this season as long as he sits for the year to learn and develop.
I don't think anyone has the traits JS would require to make them a first round QB pick in this group. Sanders would be a fun pick, however, and I wouldn't throw my phone against the wall if it happened.
I like the grading scale. Likelihood of heaving cellular device.......
No opinion on the talent of these QBs.
But, I think the Seahawks should draft a QB for one of two reasons:
1) They see a QB with elite upside potential (the example of this would've been if Penix was still available at 16. I wonder if they would've taken a shot)
2) They see the QB as an upgrade to Howell and/or they do not believe that Howell has the potential to lead the team post Geno. In which case, they need to continue looking which may include a rookie QB even if they see him as a potential NFL starter and not necessarily elite.
I think Geno will be extended for 3-4 years. Which is in effect 2-3 more years guaranteed at QB. Therefore, there is not reason to panic and take someone out of need. They have plenty of time. If they do not see a difference in chances between Howell and the rookies, easy decision, just stick with Howell.
I still think if Richardson wears out his welcome in Indy, that would be an interesting shot for the Hawks. As JS allegedly liked him coming out of college. Or Zach WIlson, or any other younger QBs that had a rough start in the NFL.
Seahawks are in a great spot at QB with tons of options (obviously that would change if they can't get Geno signed for whatever reason). So, they should decide on Howell and keep looking.
FWIW, Randy Mueller says that Richardson is so raw that he may never develop into a starting QB. He’s convinced that Colts’ ownership forced the pick on both the coaching staff and the FO. (I believe that Mueller rated Richardson as Day 3 pick.) Admittedly I’m not a scout nor am I privy to any inside dope, but on the surface I’d rather take a flyer on Wilson than anyone available in the draft.
I believe it. He may never make it.
It’s funny looking back because there was a ton of Seahawks fans from a certain group of people that don’t like our QB1 that were convinced JS would pick AR at 5.
Now that AR could be available I have stopped hearing about it. Although that certain group of fans has already moved onto the next shiny thing.
I don’t know either about the chances of success, but I do know I like the strategy of spending low resources on high potential. If that means Wilson over AR then that’s great! Those are the shots I want to take. Especially since we are in a good spot with Geno assuming he is extended.
Thanks for the analysis Ken. On draft day a lot of people get hung up on potential value, on the idea that they “could have” wrung more value out of any given pick. But sometimes you just need to make the choice. I think we Seahawks fans are gunshy on that regard since many of our mid-to-late first round picks have been underwhelming, but I’m not opposed to a quarterback here if the organization thinks it’s their guy. One thing I think would be a problem is if they get too cute and there’s a run on quarterbacks before they get to it in round 3 or 4. They need to get a prospect at qb this year, even if they try again next year.