With the draft behind us, I wanted to look at John Schneider’s best decisions in the most recent Seattle Seahawks drafts. This comes to us at an especially interesting time because the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams had such weird drafts of their own.
Quite enough has been made of the historic 2022 draft, so let’s take it from there.
Things got so crazy at one point in 2023 that Daniel Jeremiah had Wilson going third overall, and the Seahawks landing Will Anderson Jr. at No. 5. Multiple subsequent mock drafts pegged Wilson to Seattle.
Anyway, three years later Wilson was traded for late-draft pocket change. The pick was instead Devon Witherspoon, who didn’t win Super Bowl MVP but was the most disruptive player on defense that day.
Trade: The #Saints are trading for former #Raiders first-round edge Tyree Wilson, per me and @MikeGarafolo. A new, high-ceiling edge in New Orleans. pic.twitter.com/7BP1CrJLlX
This is not a commentary on Byron Murphy, who has proven to be a phenomenal player at a position of little redundancy on the roster. But Jared verse was taken three picks later, also a phenomenal player. No, the real Schneidering happened in the fourth round, with a player many claimed was a run-blocking specialist at tight end.
That “specialist” now has 82 receptions and an impressive 10 TDs in his first two seasons. And he’s a plus run blocker. For comparison, Will Dissly had 76 receptions and 9 TD in his first four seasons with Seattle.
Barner caught the lone touchdown in the Super Bowl, wears hilarious things to parades, and got a little bit of Pro Bowl momentum of his own. He looks to be one of the best picks in the entire second half of 2024.
Sat at 18 to take similar talent but higher need in Grey Zabel
Used the Metcalf 2nd (52) and their original 3rd (82) to move up to 35 and take Emmanwori
On the other side of that season, Geno Smith fell off a Russell Wilson-sized cliff and Metcalf caught as many balls as he dropped before getting suspended for the end of the regular season. Nick Emmanwori became such an immediate force they started comparing prospects to “the next Emmanwori.”
Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is an early name to watch in Round 2 tonight. Several teams I’ve spoken with have compared his potential Year 1 impact to Seahawks rookie Nick Emmanwori: a Swiss Army knife with his athleticism, instincts and overall football IQ. pic.twitter.com/PrEMypIVxy
Clark was virtually unknown to the Seahawk fanbase prior to last weekend. Not a popular mock draft target in the slightest. But Mike Macdonald has virtually not missed on elevating everyone in the secondary (except Riq Woolen), and Clark has the attitude and makeup to really pop. Excited for one of the better battles for a starting spot on this roster.
It’s not a draft decision, but it’s impacted the draft strategy and has been a home run nonetheless.