With the dust settling ahead of the ’24 draft, John Schneider faces three primary choices. This year’s NFL Draft marks the Seattle Seahawks’ first with Mike Macdonald as head coach.
There’s been significant discussion about the dynamic between Schneider and Pete Carroll. Schneider’s assertion that Carroll wasn’t excessively vetoing picks throughout the draft appears more accurate. Nonetheless, the coach’s input holds considerable weight, and Macdonald’s preferences may become evident with the team’s Round 1 selection.
Recent mock drafts suggest a likelihood of five quarterbacks taken before Seattle’s 16th pick, along with runs on tackles and wide receivers. This leaves the Seahawks with intriguing options in the middle of the first round, particularly considering the deep pool of offensive tackles and talents like Brock Bowers influencing early selections.
Given the abundance of talent available, Schneider might find himself with players typically considered top-10 prospects. This opens up the possibility of selecting the second or third defensive player of the year at pick 16, a scenario that’s atypical but advantageous for the team.
Alternatively, considering the depth of this draft class, Seattle could opt to trade back, acquiring additional picks in the process. While this might limit their choices at offensive line, it could provide opportunities to bolster the defensive line with numerous options available in the 20s.
Given Coach Macdonald’s track record of maximizing talent from various draft ranges, he may advocate for spreading investments across multiple strong prospects rather than banking solely on one elite player.
This approach might rule out certain prospects like Fautanu and Verse but could still position the team well for offensive or defensive line selections. Additionally, targeting linebacker or secondary help in the second or early third round could be strategic.
While this option isn’t my preferred choice, surprises are commonplace on draft day. The possibility remains that Denver Broncos’ unconventional moves might influence the Seahawks’ decisions.
It’s notable that Nix’s stock has plummeted, with Penix Jr. now consistently ranked ahead of him. This suggests a shift from earlier projections of all six quarterbacks being taken before Seattle’s pick.
Ultimately, the decision whether to pursue a quarterback is complex. While it seems unlikely that Seattle will select Nix, the potential availability of Penix poses an interesting scenario that could provide insight into the strategies of Schneider and Macdonald.