Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft: Seahawks Roll the Dice at No. 5

The Bleacher Nation NFL 2023 Mock Draft will be a running mock draft that spans between now and round one of the NFL Draft. Each of the 31 picks (Miami forfeited their first-round pick due to tampering) will get a dedicated post. Here’s how it’ll work:

The Seahawks are on the clock in the Bleacher Nation NFL Mock Draft …

The Pick Is In

DT Jalen Carter — Georgia

The Fit

For the longest time I was convinced that the Seahawks would roll the dice in this draft with one of the Russell Wilson picks. I still am. It will be on a different player since I have Anthony Richardson going to the Colts at No. 4 in this mock draft.

With Richardson off the board, I have the Seahawks taking a chance on defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

Seattle spent money on defense this offseason, inking Dre’Mont Jones to a big contract, giving them Jones and Jarran Reed on the defensive line. Carter would be the perfect addition to Seattle’s line if he can live up to his potential.

Scouting Report

We saw two former Bulldogs (Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt) become the first two defensive tackles off the board in 2022. Georgia again has the best DT in the draft, and his talent level is so high that a GM will roll the dice on him despite a turbulent pre-draft process.

Carter posted a 92.3 PFF grade in 2022, ranking No. 1 among power five defensive linemen. Carter is explosive and versatile, and PFF called him the best DT prospect they’ve graded since Quinnen Williams and maybe even the best since they began grading college prospects in 2014. That’s pretty high praise.

Carter’s hands have incredible power, allowing him to manhandle any offensive lineman in front of him. Despite not seeing it in the pre-draft process, the tape shows amazing footwork. His versatility could have the Seahawks or any team that takes him lining him at the three-technique or anywhere on the interior defensive line.

Final Thoughts: The bottom line here is this: if not for the pre-draft process and the Bears-Panthers trade, Carter would have been in the conversation to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Seattle has two first-rounders this year, and taking a swing on a generational talent at No. 5 makes plenty of sense.

Bleacher Nation’s 2023 NFL Mock Draft

1. Carolina Panthers (via CHI) — QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
2. Houston Texans — QB Bryce Young, Alabama
3. Arizona Cardinals — EDGE Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
4. Indianapolis Colts — QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
5. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) — DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
6. Detroit Lions (via LAR)
7. Las Vegas Raiders
8. Atlanta Falcons
9. Chicago Bears (via CAR)
10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO)
11. Tennessee Titans
12. Houston Texans (via CLE)
13. New York Jets
14. New England Patriots
15. Green Bay Packers
16. Washington Commanders
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
18. Detroit Lions
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Seattle Seahawks
21. Los Angeles Chargers
22. Baltimore Ravens
23. Minnesota Vikings
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
25. New York Giants
26. Dallas Cowboys
27. Buffalo Bills
28. Cincinnati Bengals
29. New Orleans Saints (via SF)
30. Philadelphia Eagles
31. Kansas City Chiefs