BREAKING NEWS: Washington & Michigan Prospects The Seahawks Could Target In 2024 NFL Draft

Renowned NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang, a prominent figure in the industry, lends his expertise to FOX Sports. With over two decades of experience covering the NFL Draft, his contributions have graced various platforms such as FOX, Sports Illustrated, CBSSports.com, USA Today, Yahoo, NFL.com, and NFLDraftScout.com. Additionally, he serves as a scout for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. Rang’s insights are distinctly his own and are not representative of the Seahawks organization. For updates, follow him on Twitter @RobRang.

The Seattle Seahawks possess a notable advantage in the 2024 NFL Draft, thanks to their intimate knowledge of players from the top collegiate teams of the previous season. Head coach Mike Macdonald, having previously served as the defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan in 2022, brings valuable insights. Joining him in Seattle are two more former Wolverines: special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh and outside linebackers coach Chris Partridge, who held similar roles for the reigning national champions. Furthermore, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and offensive line coach Scott Huff, renowned for their contributions to the University of Washington’s PAC-12 championship and thrilling playoff campaign, add to the Seahawks’ coaching arsenal.

Michigan boasts an unprecedented 18 players invited to this year’s NFL Combine, setting a new record, while Washington sent a school-record 13 players.

The Seahawks have a history of leveraging familiarity with draft prospects to their advantage, exemplified by the successful reunion of head coach Pete Carroll and linebacker Malcolm Smith from their USC days in the 2011 draft, resulting in Smith’s pivotal role in Seattle’s Super Bowl XLVIII triumph.

Given the abundance of talent from Michigan and Washington at the Combine, selecting or signing prospects for the Seahawks presents a challenging task. Nonetheless, here are Rang’s top picks from these collegiate powerhouses for the Seahawks in the 2024 draft:

Michael Penix, Jr., Washington

Acquiring Sam Howell in a trade may suggest that the Seahawks won’t prioritize selecting another young quarterback with a high draft pick, yet Penix’s abilities and suitability for Grubb’s offensive system are unquestionable.

It’s tempting to exaggerate Penix’s accomplishments over the last couple of seasons at UW. During this time, the Huskies achieved a remarkable 25-3 record with Penix recording 67 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He established himself as one of college football’s most accurate quarterbacks, particularly excelling in making difficult throws, including deep passes and sideline routes, within a demanding offensive scheme.

Similar to Geno Smith, Penix possesses exceptional passing skills. He can deliver precise throws into tight spaces and across the field, varying the velocity as needed. Additionally, like Smith, while Penix displays athleticism, he truly shines when delivering passes rhythmically from within the pocket.

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

If the Seahawks are open to drafting a quarterback at the 16th overall pick, McCarthy could be a suitable choice given his compatibility with the offensive style employed by Macdonald, which he honed while facing Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.

While McCarthy may not possess the same level of athleticism as Jackson, he is a proficient dual-threat player with strong accuracy, particularly on short and intermediate passes along the seam. Scouts hold McCarthy in higher regard than some media and fans, who point to his limited production within Michigan’s run-oriented system. Nevertheless, McCarthy’s attributes, both on and off the field, translate effectively to the professional level.

Junior Colson, ILB, Michigan

In terms of both familiarity and physical presence, Colson stands out as my preferred linebacker among the prospects for the Seahawks in this class. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 238 pounds, Colson serves as a formidable force in the center, showcasing remarkable agility and speed enabling him to cover ground from one sideline to the other.

While Colson may not boast the eye-catching statistics of some of his counterparts in this year’s linebacker lineup, it’s important to note that he operated within a team surrounded by exceptional talent, many of whom are now playing in the NFL. Despite receiving “only” second-team All-Big Ten honors, his contributions to the Wolverines’ outstanding defense were acknowledged by the voters of the LOTT Impact Trophy, who named him this year’s recipient. Notably, the previous two recipients, Will Anderson, Jr. (2022), and Aidan Hutchinson (2021), swiftly made their mark as impactful defenders for the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions, respectively.

Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington

Now that the obligatory selection of quarterbacks is out of the way, the Seahawks are primarily focused on addressing the left guard position, which is currently their biggest concern on offense. Fautanu is highly regarded by some teams as the top prospect in the entire 2024 NFL Draft for this position.

Although Fautanu excelled as a left tackle for the Huskies, many believe his optimal fit in the NFL lies at left guard, given his imposing stature of 6-foot-4, 317 pounds. Many pundits see him as a future Pro Bowl contender in this role.

In a draft year where three offensive linemen from the PAC-12 are anticipated to be selected in the first round, Fautanu stood out by being voted the Morris Trophy winner by his conference peers, signifying him as the best blocker in the league. Considering the Seahawks’ pick at No. 16 overall, selecting Fautanu would align well with their needs.

Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

The addition of Leonard Williams bolstered Seattle’s defensive line, but the team remains open to further investment in that position. Jenkins, whose father shares the same name and had a successful career with the Carolina Panthers, displays glimpses of his father’s athleticism and power in his own playing style. While Jenkins is still developing, he surprises opponents with his initial speed, and his combination of long arms (measuring 34 inches) and strength (with 29 bench press reps) provides a solid foundation. Despite recording only 4.5 sacks during his time at Michigan, Jenkins had a standout 2022 season (54 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and two sacks) under Macdonald’s defensive play calling, although his numbers dipped in 2023.

Jaylen Harrell, Edge, Michigan

Another potential NFL prospect hailing from Ann Arbor is Harrell, standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 250 pounds. He rose to prominence as a starter under Macdonald in 2022 and showed steady improvement in the recent season. He recorded 31 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Harrell possesses impressive upfield burst and lateral agility, enabling him to evade pass blockers effectively. With his long arms and large hands, he’s adept at bringing down ball carriers who seem out of his reach. However, he still needs to enhance his strength at the point of attack. This aspect might make him available for Seattle in the mid-rounds, presenting an opportunity for them to nurture him as an ideal developmental edge rusher.

Bralen Trice, Edge, Washington

Last season, Trice, the standout defensive lineman for the Huskies, recorded comparable statistics (49 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks) and shares a similar physique (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) with Harrell mentioned earlier. However, despite these similarities, Trice possesses a distinct build and playing style. While he played at a heavier weight of around 270 pounds for the Huskies, excelling in stout run defense and making strategic defensive plays, he decided to shed weight for the Combine drills. Nevertheless, Trice’s game relies more on his strength and relentless determination rather than sheer athleticism.

Jack Westover, TE, Washington

Re-signing Noah Fant and bringing in experienced veteran Pharoah Brown means that the Seahawks no longer have a pressing need at tight end. However, every team could benefit from a versatile player like Westover, who possesses excellent hands and creates mismatches effortlessly.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 240 pounds, Westover has a more compact build compared to Fant (6-4, 249) and Brown (6-5, 246). His style leans towards being an H-back rather than a pure downfield threat like Fant or a traditional blocking tight end like Brown. Despite this, Westover showcased his ability to make impactful plays for the Huskies, finishing third on the team last season with 46 receptions, including a career-best four touchdown catches. He’s one of my top Day 3 prospects, regardless of position.