It’s onerous to overstate simply how effectively this offseason is establishing for the Seattle Seahawks, who personal the No. 5 choose in April’s NFL draft.
On Saturday, they watched a deep and proficient quarterback class placed on a present on the NFL Scouting Mix — with Anthony Richardson busting by means of with an elite exercise.
Two days later, the Seahawks locked down Geno Smith to a three-contract extension that NFL Media reviews is value $105 million if the 2022 NFL Comeback Participant of the 12 months sees it to completion.
That safety at crucial place in professional sports activities permits the Seahawks to draft the man they suppose would be the greatest quarterback in 5 years, not 5 months. And given Richardson is each essentially the most gifted and the rawest of this yr’s class, the stage is about for the Seahawks to safe each their current and their future.
Seahawks Ought to Draft Anthony Richardson After Geno Smith Deal
First, the fast backstory:
None of this may have been doable if Pete Carroll and John Schneider didn’t resolve to commerce Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos this time final yr.
The Seahawks landed a jackpot in return, together with the Broncos’ first-rounder in 2022 — which ended up being the No. 5 total choose largely as a result of Wilson was dreadful in his first season in Denver.
The Wilson commerce additionally cleared the best way for Smith to compete for and win the beginning job. He turned that chance into generational wealth, finishing 70% of his passes for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in a contract yr.
MORE: Geno Smith Wins NFL Comeback Participant of the 12 months
The Seahawks had been decided to maintain Smith in Seattle and hammered out a brand new contract the day earlier than the franchise tag deadline.
However as Carroll and Schneider stated on the NFL Scouting Mix final week, retaining Smith doesn’t preclude the Seahawks from utilizing their top-five choose on one other quarterback.
“They don’t develop on bushes,” Schneider stated. “It’s most likely the toughest place to amass expertise that everybody feels very assured in.”
Carroll added, “It’s the place we’re in. We’re completely linked to the quarterbacks which are popping out. This can be a actually large alternative for us. It’s a uncommon alternative. We’ve been drafting within the low 20s for such a very long time you simply don’t get the prospect at these guys. We’re deeply concerned with all that.”
The Case for Anthony Richardson
The Seahawks’ place of energy at quarterback permits them to draft a mission, however one who, if he ever places all of it collectively, might be essentially the most dynamic participant we’ve ever seen on the place.
Richardson is constructed like Cam Newton (6-4, 244), jumps like LeBron James (he set Mix data for a quarterback within the vertical and broad jumps), throws like Thor, and runs like Robert Griffin III (he posted a 4.43-second 40).
He additionally must discover ways to play the quarterback place. In 22 video games on the College of Florida, he accomplished 54.7% of his passes and threw simply 24 touchdowns with 15 interceptions.
MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Quarterback Class
Richardson’s ceiling is the moon, however his flooring is the Earth’s core. He can be a real projection choose — which is likely to be one thing that scares away the Texans and Colts, who personal the second and fourth choices, respectively.
These groups want quarterbacks now.
The Seahawks don’t.
And by enjoying the lengthy sport, they may find yourself with a generational expertise.
