On March 8, the Seattle Seahawks traded All-Pro Quarterback (QB) Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. In exchange, they received QB Drew Lock, Tight-End (TE) Noah Fant, Defensive Lineman (DL) Shelby Harris and a collection of five draft picks, including first-rounders in the 2022 and 2023 drafts. 

The first round pick in the 2022 draft conveyed as the ninth overall pick and became Offensive Tackle (OT) Charles Cross. Now, the Seahawks continue to reap the rewards of this trade, with the 2023 first round pick sent by Denver conveying as the fifth overall pick in the upcoming NFL 2023 draft. 

The last time the Seahawks had a pick in the first five selections of the draft, they chose Linebacker (LB) Aaron Curry with the fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft. Curry was out of the league four years later. 

“An edge rusher or a defensive tackle is what I think we need,” host of The Benchwarmers on 88.1 The ‘Burg Cash Brown said about the Seahawks draft necessities. “Our biggest weakness is definitely the defensive line.”

Both CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports have Seattle taking Clemson University DL Myles Murphy. Murphy is listed at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds and logged an 84.1 run-defense grade last season, which was second among edge rushers. 

“Myles Murphy was a productive player since day one at Clemson,” Mitch Kaiser of PFF.com wrote. “Murphy is a freak athlete with elite speed and strength at his size.” 

With Pro-Bowl QB Geno Smith due for a new contract this offseason, the Seahawks could look to draft a QB, despite still having Drew Lock. Top QB prospects Bryce Young of University of Alabama and CJ Stroud of Ohio State University both project to go top four in CBS Sports’ mock draft. 

“If we went with a quarterback, in the instance of Stroud somehow falling to five, I wouldn’t mind it,” Brown said. “But I think [Seahawks Head Coach] Pete Carroll would agree our biggest need is defensive tackle.”

According to USA Today, Pete Carroll wants Smith to return to the Seahawks under a new contract. 

“He better come back,” Carroll said. “Obviously, I want what’s best for him and hopefully we can have that conversation in exit meetings … He’s played phenomenal.”

According to NFL Network insider Michael Rapoport, Smith will be back with the team at the start of the 2023-24 campaign. 

“It’s obviously been a feel-good story in Seattle,” Rapoport said. “My understanding is that the team wants that to continue. I’m told Geno Smith will be back with Seattle in 2023.”

Seattle doesn’t have to stay put at the fifth overall pick however, Brown thinks a trade would be viable for the Seahawks. 

“I could definitely see us trading up now that we’re at five,” Brown said. “As we get closer we’ll probably hear some more buzz about it. I’d like to see the [NFL Draft] combine first.”

The NFL Draft Combine, where draft prospects showcase their talent to all 32 teams in the league, is set to commence on Feb. 28 and run through March 6 in Indianapolis, IN. 

The NFL Draft begins April 28 in Las Vegas, NV with coverage on NFL Network.