Why The Seattle Seahawks Should Draft Quarterback In First Round Of 2022 NFL Draft

As the Seattle Seahawks prepare for the 2022 NFL draft, the biggest topic surrounding the team is which quarterback they will either draft or acquire as their next franchise quarterback.

The Seahawks currently hold the No. 9 overall draft pick, which means they’re in good position to select one of the draft’s top quarterbacks. The only team ahead of Seattle in the NFL draft that needs a quarterback is the Carolina Panthers at No. 6.

While the Seahawks are in a good position to select the best — or at the very worst, the second-best quarterback prospect in the draft — one idea they need to rule out is acquiring Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The 27-year-old quarterback is looking for a new home and the Seahawks have been ruled as the favorite by default, considering they’re the only franchise without a true starting quarterback.

While that may be true, the Seahawks are better off moving forward without Mayfield.

Is Mayfield a solid quarterback when healthy? Sure. He proved that during the 2020 season when he led a historically inept Browns franchise to their first playoff win in 26 years. According to Pro Football Focus, Mayfield posted an 81.6 offensive grade in 2020, ranking 14th among all starting quarterbacks.

But he’s also a quarterback with extreme limitations and a limited ceiling. Mayfield is still an undersized passer and doesn’t excel in any particular category. He doesn’t excel athletically like a Lamar Jackson and his arm isn’t as strong or accurate as a Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes.

There’s a reason Mayfield has never garnered a Pro Bowl or All-Pro selection during his first four seasons in the league. He’s never even ranked in the top 10 of any single major passing category in a single season such as touchdowns, passing yards, completions or passer rating.

That’s despite the fact that he played with Pro Bowl wideouts such as Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry for three consecutive seasons.

Acquiring Mayfield accomplishes one thing — it prevents the Seahawks from potentially finishing with the worst record in the NFL in 2022.

While that’s fine and dandy, it doesn’t make Seattle anywhere close to a playoff team. The Seahawks still play in the second-toughest division in football — the NFC West — and they’re still lacking in key areas such as offensive tackle, cornerback and defensive end.

These are all areas that the Seahawks will have to address during the draft, whether it’s with the No. 9 pick or their two second-round picks (40th and 41st picks). In other words, the Seahawks aren’t one average quarterback away from contending — they’re a number of players away from even having a chance at a playoff spot.

Yes, it’s true the Seahawks have a 70-year-old head coach in Pete Carroll leading the way. It’s also true Seattle probably wants to keep their young star receiver DK Metcalf happy as they pursue a contract extension with him.

But acquiring a one-year rental at the expense of a high-capital draft pick for a potential mediocre six or seven-win season is completely pointless.

Whether it’s drafting a high-ceiling, high-risk prospect such as Malik Willis or a quarterback in a somewhat similar mold to Russell Wilson in Matt Corral with his ability to throw on the run, the Seahawks are better off selecting their franchise quarterback in the 2022 NFL draft.

It’s a real simple strategy for Seattle heading into the 2022 season — draft a quarterback, head into the season with Geno Smith and/or Drew Lock as your veteran insurance policy and develop said rookie quarterback.

No need to postpone that development by bringing in Mayfield or any other veteran quarterback. Whether it’s Willis, Corral or any of the other prospects selected by Seattle, if they’re not ready, you go into the season with Smith or Lock as the starter.

It should only be a matter of weeks into the regular season before your first-year quarterback is able to pick up the system and the speed of the NFL.

If the Seahawks hope to contend in the near future — especially considering Carroll’s age — their best bet is to select that franchise quarterback in the draft.

Acquiring Mayfield literally serves zero purpose for the short-term and long-term viability of the Seahawks franchise.