Seahawks 'Highly Likely' Draft Outcome at No. 5 Pick, Predicts Insider

Pinpointing the route the Seattle Seahawks will take with the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has proven to be a head-spinning task.

For what seems like an eternity, the Seattle Seahawks have been caught in the back-and-forth whirlwind regarding their projected draft intentions with the No. 5 pick.

The expected plan for Seattle? Selecting either a top defender or one of the four elite quarterback prospects. But despite there being only two likely choices, pinpointing which one the Seahawks will make has proven to be a head-spinning task.

Maybe until now ...

ESPN draft insider Matt Miller says that a source in Seattle tells him that there's some growing clarity about what the Seahawks' plans are with the No. 5 pick. Though anything can happen, Seattle is rumored to be "highly likely" to go with defense at its first selection.

This could potentially land Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. or Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter in Seattle. The SEC pair are widely considered to be the cream of the crop on defense in the draft.

"The Seahawks might be checking in on the quarterbacks, but a source in Seattle said to expect defensive line help over quarterback at No. 5 overall," Miller wrote. "That would seem to point to a belief that either Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) or Jalen Carter (Georgia) will be available, a situation that's highly likely at this point."

If trades cause the top of the draft order to go into a frenzy, two quarterbacks, Carter and Anderson Jr. could be off the board by the No. 5 pick. Though this appears unlikely as of now, the Seahawks apparently have a backup plan if defense truly is their priority at No. 5.

"But here's one more Seattle nugget that throws a wrench in that: I was told it loves cornerback Devon Witherspoon (Illinois) if the top pass-rushers are gone," Miller wrote.

Witherspoon being selected at No. 5 would be a slight reach based on where he's been projected in the first round. Additionally, the Seahawks continue to maintain the reputation of not using early picks on defensive backs.

But in a "rare opportunity" draft for a Seahawks team that might not see this kind of draft stock for a long time, some rare exceptions might have to made. At the end of the day, it's likely that general manager John Schneider and Co. are still having some heavy internal back-and-forth.

So with a decision at the top probably still yet to made, who are we to make any assumptions?

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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