ESPN has ranked the Seattle Seahawks’ 2023 rookie class as the NFL’s 7th-best, a year after ranking their 2022 class as the league’s best. While six teams were ranked higher, the Seahawks’ back-to-back top-10 drafts are still impressive. The rankings, which utilize Sports Info Solutions’ Points metric, are only available behind the ESPN+ paywall, but we’ll share the relevant details with our fellow Field Gulls.
ESPN adjusted their rankings based on the importance of certain positions and performance in tracking metrics and DVOA rankings. This same process was used by ESPN last year to rank the Seahawks’ class as No. 1. After a full season of evaluation, the Houston Texans were named the top draft class due to the impressive performances of their top picks, QB C.J. Stroud and Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Will Anderson Jr. Third-round pick WR Tank Dell also had a standout season. The Los Angeles Rams, who didn’t have a first-round pick, came in second thanks to the record-breaking performance of 5th-round pick WR Puka Nacua and the contributions of EDGE Byron Young and DT Kobie Turner. The Green Bay Packers ranked third with a quantity-over-quality approach, while the Detroit Lions came in fourth with standout performances from several rookies including Brian Branch, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jack Campbell.
Although it may be difficult to argue that the Seahawks should have finished in the top four, placing them at number five could be seen as a valid point. The Seahawks had an impressive draft class, with ESPN ranking them seventh overall. Their two first-round picks, cornerback Devon Witherspoon and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, were their most valuable rookies in 2023. Witherspoon was the second-best defensive rookie in Total Points, while Smith-Njigba had a solid season with 63 catches for 628 yards and four touchdowns. Other notable rookies included second-round running back Zach Charbonnet and undrafted wide receiver Jake Bobo. While there were some disappointments, such as second-round edge rusher Derick Hall, overall the Seahawks had another strong rookie class. This was a step down from their top-ranked position in the previous year, but still impressive nonetheless.
