The Seattle Seahawks could join the 2024 NFL draft with the goal of finding their next franchise quarterback.
As part of a “blockbuster” trade proposal list compiled by Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler, the Seahawks would acquire the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft and a fourth-round draft pick (No. 111 overall) from the New York Jets in exchange for multiple draft picks, including the No. 16 pick, two 2024 third-round picks (No. 78 and No. 81 overall), and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
The idea is deemed a “blockbuster” because the Seahawks would be trading up to choose Michael Penix Jr., a University of Washington alum and Heisman runner-up.
“Landing in a city like Seattle is the type of atmosphere Michael Penix Jr. could thrive in quickly,” Fowler writes in an email. “After multiple years of watching Lamar Jackson shred defences as a playmaker, newly minted Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald (former Baltimore defensive coordinator) could prioritize Penix, one of the class’ premier vertical passers and intriguing playmakers.”
Why Michael Penix is a ‘Polarizing’ prospect entering the draft.
The 23-year-old Penix is one of the most well-known names in the draft. Aside from being the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy vote, he was a First-Team All-American and received the Maxwell Award for his outstanding 2023 season. Penix led the Huskies to a 13-0 regular season record, throwing 36 touchdowns and 4,903 passing yards to lead the country.
While there is little doubt that Penix is a prolific and gifted quarterback, it is unclear how good he will be in the pros. Penix’s injury history complicates matters further, as he had two ruptured ACLs while playing for the University of Indiana in 2018 and 2020.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports describes Penix as one of the most “polarizing” quarterback prospects in history. That’s because some experts expect Penix to be taken in the first round, while others believe he may go undrafted.
Trapasso’s pre-combine evaluation for Penix is comparable to his grade for Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis, who was projected as a first-round pick last year before being picked with the 33rd overall pick — the first in the second round — in the 2023 NFL draft.
“Based on what Penix showcased at Washington in 2022 and 2023, he absolutely is a draftable prospect,” Trapasso says in his article. “In fact, my current, pre-combine grade is very close to the grade I had on current Titans quarterback Will Levis a year ago. So he’s in the clear.”
Why Seahawks Are Likely to Draft the Next Franchise Quarterback
Geno Smith is now the Seahawks’ starting quarterback, but he will be 34 years old in 2024 and may have surpassed his maximum. After capturing Comeback Player of the Year honours with a breakout year in 2022 and leading the Seahawks to the playoffs, Smith produced average marks and dropping stats across the board, falling just short of leading Seattle back to the postseason.
Smith concluded the 2023 season with 20 touchdowns, 3,624 passing yards, a 64.7% completion rate, and a passer rating of 92.1. All of these numbers were down from the previous season.
Pulling off a “blockbuster” trade proposal to choose hometown product Penix in the first round would undoubtedly be a risk. However, all signs lead to the Seahawks selecting a quarterback prospect—whether it’s Penix or someone else—as the eventual successor to Smith at quarterback.
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