The NFL Draft has become its own industry in recent years, attracting massive interest from a community hungry for all the drama and excitement of football, minus the disappointment that 31 teams face by the end of each season. In other words, the NFL Draft instills some measure of hope for every team and its fandom, as each franchise aims to improve across three exciting days.
Part of that excitement stems from who announces each draft pick … and how. And with the Seattle Seahawks coming off a surprisingly strong 2022 campaign, all eyes will be on the person announcing their critically important first-round pick.
Seahawks Special Guests Announce Round 1 Pick
When the Seahawks unloaded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos last March, they received a haul of draft picks to help them rebuild from the ashes of the previous decade’s dynasty.
The two first-round and two second-round selections that Denver handed over were expected to come fairly late in each round. After all, the Broncos had one of the AFC’s best backfields, a formidable receiving corps, and an ascending defense. Wilson would help them become a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Instead, Denver finished tied for the league’s fifth-worst record, while Seattle regrouped and somehow reached the postseason.
More: FREE Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
As a result, the Seahawks’ brilliant trade (in hindsight) of Wilson had the added bonus of delivering the No. 5 and No. 37 overall picks in this year’s draft. For context, last year marked the first time since 2012 — the year they selected Wilson — that they had a top-26 pick.
The last time they enjoyed two top-20 picks was in 2010 when they secured franchise-elevating offensive tackle Russell Okung and seven-time Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas.
Needless to say, Seattle is in the driver’s seat heading into 2023. They possess enough firepower to compete for another Wild Card spot — or perhaps even the NFC West title if San Francisco falters — as well as some of the best draft capital in the league. Not bad for a seemingly decimated club that entered last season with the third-worst Super Bowl odds.
While I was sleeping soundly in my bed last night, PFN colleague Dalton Miller was writing a 9,000-word three-round mock draft — reportedly on an empty stomach. In this manifesto, which I believe is being optioned by Simon & Schuster, Dalton predicts Seattle will land EDGE Will Anderson Jr. at No. 5 and DT Mazi Smith at No. 20.
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For a franchise that applied sub-middling pressure to opposing QBs last year while yielding the second-most passing yards, there’s plenty of logic here. A sharply improved defensive front could elevate this franchise significantly. And with two second-round picks looming, they could realistically make the leap from “competitive” to “Super Bowl contender.”
So whether you’re a fan of the NFL, football in general, and/or the Seahawks in particular, the opening night of this draft might be remembered as the night this franchise put the finishing touches on one of the fastest dynasty rebuilds in ages.
And witnessing this event from up close will be the special announcers for pick No. 20: six high school student-athletes from North Kansas City, Leavenworth, Lee’s Summit West, Park Hill, Center, and Bishop Miege high schools. They’ll join NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on stage for this once-in-a-lifetime moment.