New Commanders quarterback Sam Howell, whom Washington selected in the fifth round of this year’s draft, had a lot of supporters in the Seahawks organization, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (subscription required). Seattle, which of course traded franchise icon Russell Wilson to the Broncos earlier this offseason, was connected to collegiate QBs throughout the predraft process, but the team decided against drafting a signal-caller.
Part of the reason for that is the Seahawks’ opinion of Drew Lock and Geno Smith. Head coach Pete Carroll has consistently praised Lock since acquiring him in the Wilson deal, and Smith flashed when filling in for an injured Wilson for a few games in 2021. Plus, as Fowler adds, the team wanted to improve the overall depth of its roster since it had only three selections in the 2021 draft.
The ‘Hawks are particularly high on fourth-round cornerback Coby Bryant, whom they believe only fell to the middle rounds because of injury concerns, and second-round running back Kenneth Walker III, who will pair with Rashaad Penny to create a potentially formidable 1-2 punch in the offensive backfield. Plus, since a quarterback like Howell would almost certainly be behind Lock and Smith on the 2022 depth chart, Seattle felt its draft resources would be better-utilized on immediate contributors like Bryant and Walker instead of a QB3. If the team is still in need of a signal-caller next year, the 2023 draft offers more intriguing quarterback talent than the 2022 draft did.
That is not to say, of course, that another QB addition is off the table. Although Carroll said he does not believe the Seahawks will trade for a passer (like well-documented trade candidates Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo), injuries could always change that stance. And if Mayfield and/or Garoppolo should be released by their current clubs and become free agents, Seattle could be interested at that point.
The team is also rostering Jacob Eason and rookie UDFA Levi Lewis at the moment.
High on him and was still on the board in the 5th round? Yeah right….
My thought exactly!
Did you read the article?
couldn’t have had that much support if they just let him get drafted in the 5th
They passed on him five times.
It was a poorly chosen title for the article. That said I liked Howell, Washington was wise to grab him that late.
Agreed. I generally think flyers are worth taking on QBs past a certain point, especially since most fifth round picks won’t return much if anything. Might as well take a swing.
That kid was the projected #1 overall pick the year prior.
Not really. According to the article, they only has 3 draft picks. I’m not a Seahawks fan so I don’t know if that is true. If so…. They couldn’t have passed on him 5 times. They didn’t have that many picks.
They took Cross, Mafe, Walker, Lucas, and Bryant before Howell was off the board.
Maybe you should have looked then because they had 9 2 2nd rounders a third and fourth and really could have easily traded up in the 5th if they were that high on him. I am not a Seahawks fan either but the information is out there for anyone to find.
They only had 3 draft picks in the 2021 draft..why needed to load up on many positions.
Pete and John were “high” on Charlie Whitehurst too! I don’t think it means much!
Pete and John are probably high a lot.
If you are truly high on a QB, need a QB, and have opportunity to draft him, there is no reason to not get it done. QB is the most important position on the field and it is not even close. Fowler is just writing this to appease a contact in their front office.
I’m also not sure the Seahawks think they need a QB as much as the rest of the world, who has seen Drew Lock play before. They think Lock can play. They must not have access to any of his tape, but they didn’t draft a QB because they don’t think need one.
Newsflash for Rory Parks. The draft is over. That is all.
The nerve of these writers to post sports-related content on a sports website!!
Drew Brees to Seattle.
Drew Lock … interception machine.
Drew Lock … an interception machine.
This Seahawks team is going to be abysmal. They might tank their way to Bryce Young without even trying.