The Seahawks are coming off a disappointing season in 2023 as the holes in the roster were exposed. The Seahawks are looking to stay in contention with the 49ers and Rams in the tightly contested NFC West. Hitting on picks in this draft is going to be essential to achieving that goal especially since they don’t currently have a second-round pick.
Mike Macdonald has to make this draft count because the Seahawks have plenty of needs to address. Every level of the defense could use some help and they must do a better job at protecting Geno Smith if they want to get him a fair evaluation. If Macdonald doesn’t get the Seahawks roster more talent, they will miss the playoffs once again.
Best Fits for the Seahawks With the 16th Pick
Troy Fautanu | OT | Washington
This shouldn’t come as a shock as Troy Fautanu and his fit with Seattle has been discussed at length. Seattle needs offensive line help as both tackles seem to be injury prone and they don’t have anyone special on the interior either. In steps, Fautanu is an incredibly versatile player who can play anywhere on the offensive line and do it at a high level. Fautanu is a baller who could go even earlier on if teams fall in love with his style of play and versatility. He projects more as a guard but if need be would be able to step in on either tackle position if injuries pile up like last year.
Analysts have fallen in love with reuniting Fautanu and his college coordinator Ryan Grubb and staying home in Washington. Grubb is a fantastic coordinator and would possibly be able to replicate the success they had together just a year prior at Washington. Fautanu staying home and reconnecting with his college coordinator seems like a match made in heaven and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if it plays out this way.
Jared Verse | EDGE | Florida State
The Seahawks have needs on the defensive line as well they have serious problems when it comes to generating pressure on the quarterback. Jared Verse could step in and have an immediate impact on Seattle’s inconsistent at best defense. Verse has elite traits physically and mentally. He is touted as one of the smartest players in this draft playing with a high football IQ. His freaky athleticism makes him worth a first-round pick as he could develop into an elite defensive player.
He isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but that’s okay because he would need time to achieve his full potential. Verse is a hard worker and plays with a motor like no other. He won’t be taking snaps off and he’ll encourage his teammates to work harder and play better. While he’s not as perfect a fit overall as Fautanu, Verse could still fill in just as important of a need for Seattle.
Byron Murphy | DT | Texas
Drafting Murphy would be an amazing move for Seattle, showing their readiness to compete immediately. With a notably weak run defense and a long-standing absence of a premier interior pass rusher, more importantly, a player like Murphy could instantly transform their defensive line. His power and athleticism alongside his elite traits make him an intriguing prospect. As an elite run defender, Murphy has the potential to significantly alter Seattle’s draft strategy and overall defensive prowess under new head coach Mike Macdonald.
Murphy’s size is the main cause for concern when evaluating him as a prospect as he lacks prototypical size. His reliance on athleticism compensates for this size discrepancy. Mike Macdonald, as an elite defensive coordinator, will likely focus on the Seahawks’ most pressing defensive needs, namely interior pressure and run defense.
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