Solid Starter
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State – Round 2 
The Seahawks have used a running back rotation for years, in part because former first-round pick Rashaad Penny and former seventh-round pick Chris Carson haven’t been able to stay healthy. Late in 2021, Penny finally started to live up his draft billing after being a disappointment for the majority of four seasons, and Seattle decided to bring Penny back in free agency. However, Penny only signed a 1-year contract and then Seattle drafted Walker in the second round, so the intention is clear that Walker is viewed as the starter of the future.
There is a lot to like about Walker for the next level as he is a physical violent runner who really imposes his will on defenses. The 5-foot-9, 210-pounder is a hard-charging back with a strong build and will flat out run over tacklers. Assisted by his excellent contact balance and strength, Walker is hard to get on the ground, and he will charge through tackle attempts to pick up a lot of extra yardage. To go along with the power to push through defenders, Walker has natural knee bend and body lean, leading to him running behind his pads with good leverage to keep himself on his feet. While Walker is a dangerous North-South runner, he does not have a ton of elusiveness and won’t be a back who jukes NFL defenders with ease.
In the passing game, Walker has more ability than was seen in a lot of college, but he did not see much work as a receiver. His hands and route-running look to be average, but he has the upside to get better. Like all college backs, Walker also will need work for blitz protection in the NFL.
Walker should replace Penny and Carson before long as the feature back in Seattle. With his skill set, it would be surprising if Walker does not become a solid starter behind a revamped Seahawks offensive line.
2021: D’Wayne Eskridge, WR
2020: Darrell Taylor, DE
2019: L.J. Collier, DE
2018: Rashaad Penny, RB
2017: Ethan Pocic, C
2016: Germain Ifedi, OT
2015: Mark Glowinski, G
2014: Cassius Marsh, DE
2013: Chris Harper, WR
Most Likely To Bust
Boye Mafe, DE, Minnesota – Round 2 
Aside from Frank Clark, the Seahawks have not had a great track record in terms of drafting and developing defensive line talent in recent years. L.J. Collier is on his way to bust status, and other defensive end/edge rushers have disappointed as well. Mafe has a skill set, but he has some rawness that requires refining, and Seattle has struggled in that regard recently.
The Seahawks need some young edge rushers to emerge, but they did add two proven veterans in Shelby Harris and Uchenna Nwosu this offseason. Both of them will help the defensive front, and Mafe will get every opportunity to succeed. However, he needs to polish his pass-rushing moves and undergo more technical development. With the Seattle staff not developing Collier outside of being a run stuffer, I could see them having problems bringing Mafe along.
2021: None
2020: Damien Lewis, G
2019: Marquise Blair, S
2018: Will Dissly, TE
2017: Shaquill Griffin, CB
2016: Jarran Reed, DT
2015: Frank Clark, DE
2014: Justin Britt, OT
2013: Jesse Williams, DT
Potential Boom Pick
Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State – Round 1 
There were a lot of teams that were really high on Cross, and the Seahawks were lucky that he made it to their first-round pick. Seattle has had problems with its offensive line for years, and veteran left tackle Duane Brown is a free agent who is nearing the end of his career. Cross is a perfect replacement, and he has the potential to be a rock-solid franchise left tackle. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder is an excellent athlete with upside.
Cross really excels in pass protection, where he shows a special skill set to play on the blind side in the NFL. He has quick feet and the length to shut off the corner from speed rushers. With his smooth athleticism alongside his speed, Cross is adept at playing the typewriter with his feet to cut off the edge. He also will use his quickness and agility to ride defenders around the pocket and open up the left side as an option for quarterbacks to slide laterally. Cross is able to adjust to inside moves, and with his quick reaction skills, he moves to cut off inside lanes. There is no doubt that Cross is very good at mirroring speed rushers coming off the edge. He has more issues with physical defensive ends, but he does have the size in his base to anchor.
As a run blocker, Cross gets the better of defenders by beating them to their spots. He fires off the ball and uses his quickness to get to his landmarks to set up rushing lanes. Cross’ speed and athleticism make him excellent at bolting to the second level, and he has the skills in space to hit blocks on defenders once he is there. Cross possesses the size and mass to tie up defenders by turning and manipulating, but he is not an overpowering road grader of a run blocker. He blocks hard through the whistle, and looks to finish defenders with violence, but he could stand to add more strength.
Cross is a more natural left tackle and better pass protector than Evan Neal and Ikem Ekwonu, the two offensive tackles who went ahead of him in the 2022 NFL Draft. With his pass protection skills, Cross is a great fit for the passing-driven NFL, and he could become a Pro Bowler early in his career. Cross has real boom-pick potential for Seattle.
2021: None
2020: Jordyn Brooks, LB
2019: D.K. Metcalf, WR
2018: Rasheem Green, DE
2017: Malik McDowell, DT
2016: C.J. Prosise, RB
2015: Tyler Lockett, WR
2014: Paul Richardson, WR
2013: Christine Michael, RB
Future Depth Player
Coby Bryant, OT, Cincinnati – Round 4 
The Seahawks brought back Sidney Jones, but they were in need of more cornerback talent. They were able to come away with two good values on the third day of the draft with Bryant and UTSA’s Tariq Woolen. Bryant may not have the speed and fluidity to become an NFL starter, but he is a gritty corner who could be a valuable backup and special teams contributor. At 6-foot-1, 193 pounds, Bryant has the size to be a press corner in the Seahawks’ style of defense. Seattle has a number of veterans for Bryant to beat out, and he may be able to do that, but at least he should be a good backup in the NFL.
2021: Stone Forsythe, OT
2020: Colby Parkinson, TE
2019: Gary Jennings, WR
2018: Shaquem Griffin, LB
2017: Nazair Jones, DT
2016: Nick Vannett, TE
2015: Tye Smith, CB
2014: Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB
2013: Tharold Simon, CB
Walt’s 2022 NFL Draft Grades:
9. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State – A- Grade
I would’ve preferred Jermaine Johnson, but Charles Cross is an excellent pick as well. The Seahawks have needed to spend a premium pick on an offensive line for quite some time, and they’ve finally done so. It’s funny that it finally happens when Russell Wilson is gone, but Seattle needs better blocking without Wilson’s mobility.
40. Boye Mafe, DE, Minnesota – B Grade
Teams were torn on Boye Mafe. Some believed he would go in the first round, while others thought he was a vanilla day-two left end. It looks like Mafe fell somewhere in between. I imagine he’ll help the Seahawks’ horrible pass rush, which sorely needed to be upgraded.
41. Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State – B+ Grade
I’m torn on this pick. I love Kenneth Walker, as his balance and run-after-contract ability is off the charts. He’s my top running back. However, the Seahawks could’ve addressed their huge hole at quarterback and failed to do so with their two selections. They could have taken another running back later on Day 2. Still, I don’t hate this pick because Walker was one of my favorite players in this range.
72. Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State – B Grade
Wow, still no quarterback? This Drew Lock versus Geno Smith camp battle is going to be lit. The Seahawks will at least be able to protect for Lock or Smith with Charles Cross and now Abraham Lucas. The Washington State product is very athletic and fits what the Seahawks look for in blocking prospects. I like the fit, but come on, this had to be Malik Willis.
109. Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati – B Grade
Coby Bryant is a solid prospect I had in the fourth round for most of my mock draft updates, so I like this range for him. He also fills a need the Seahawks had at cornerback. I just wonder why Seattle hasn’t addressed quarterback yet. The team has no chance with Geno Smith or Drew Lock.
153. Tariq Woolen, CB, Texas-San Antonio – A+ Grade
This is a classic fifth-round cornerback pick by the Seahawks. Tariq Woolen is tall and athletic like other corners Seattle has drafted. Woolen would’ve been taken much earlier if it weren’t for health worries, but this is incredible value that fills a need. I love this selection.
158. Tyreke Smith, DE, Ohio State – B+ Grade
The Seahawks entered the draft desperately needing to upgrade their horrible pass rush. Tyreke Smith, joining Boye Mafe, should help make that happen. Smith was someone I expected to be drafted in this range, so I like this pick.
229. Bo Melton, WR, Rutgers – A Grade
Bo Melton is an explosive receiver. Just watch some videos of him. He should have been drafted earlier than this. He’ll fill a need if/when the Seahawks trade one of their top two receivers.
233. Dareke Young, WR, Lenoir-Rhyne – B Grade
I’m not sure why the Seahawks needed another receiver, but Dareke Young’s range makes sense to me in the seventh round. I slotted him to the Seahawks at No. 229, so I can’t grade this pick poorly!
2022 NFL Draft Team Grade: B. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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