3 Most Likely Seahawks Draft Targets With the 5th Overall Pick

3 Most Likely Seahawks Draft Targets With the 5th Overall Pick

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The Seattle Seahawks proved their doubters wrong in 2022 by posting a winning record (9-8) and securing the NFC's No. 7 seed in the NFL Playoffs. The team's Wild Card Round loss showed that the current roster is far from perfect, though, which is why having the fifth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft will come in handy.

The Seahawks acquired a top-five pick from the Denver Broncos last spring in a blockbuster deal that sent quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver. It gives the franchise an opportunity to select an elite prospect capable of making an immediate impact on the field. Here's a look at three of Seattle's most likely draft targets.

Seattle Seahawks 2023 NFL Draft

1. Jalen Carter, DL (Georgia)

There are a couple of scenarios in which Jalen Carter is still available when the Seahawks are on the clock. Those scenarios involve teams trading up to select quarterbacks or teams above Seattle simply passing Carter by. No matter what, he would be a perfect addition to head coach Pete Carroll's defensive line. The Seahawks gave up a whopping 151.9 rushing yards per game (No. 30 in NFL) this past season and generated the fifth-lowest pass rush win rate. Carter uses an impressive first step to get his blocker off balance and then uses his strength to push them backward. That is true whether it is a pass or run play. He tallied 93 tackles (18.5 for loss) to go along with 6.0 sacks across three college seasons.

2. Myles Murphy, EDGE (Clemson)

There are also scenarios in which both Carter and Will Anderson Jr. are off the board when the fifth overall pick rolls around, leaving Seattle with a tough decision to make. This draft class is packed with pass-rushing talent, so it would be surprising to see the Seahawks pass up a chance to upgrade their defensive line. Myles Murphy is a name to keep an eye on as he posted a ridiculous 116 tackles (36.0 for loss) and 18.5 sacks across three college seasons. He constantly got into the backfield using a powerful leg drive and lethal spin move. Murphy is also a weight room beast and has potential to grow even stronger at the professional level. His upside in Seattle would be sky-high.

3. Tyree Wilson, EDGE (Texas Tech)

If it's not clear by now, Seattle is in the perfect position to select a top-tier defensive lineman. It simply comes down to the front office's preference. Tyree Wilson came alive for the Red Raiders during his final two college seasons, racking up 99 tackles (27.5 for loss) and 14.0 sacks in 23 games. He is commended for his athleticism as he can get by offensive linemen with his lateral quickness and contain running backs with his straight-line speed. That is exactly the kind of player a Seahawks team that posted the eighth-worst rush defense DVOA rating should be looking to add.

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.