31 March 2023 , 20:11
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The NFL Draft rumours are now heating up as the league gears towards the big day on April 27, and with free agency practically wrapped up after the majority of available players have signed their deals, it's now much clearer to see where certain teams have weaknesses, and are likely to target during the draft.
All the buzz around the NFL seems to point to four quarterbacks being drafted in the first five picks, with the Carolina Panthers already making their move to acquire the top pick.
Most analysts believe that the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks - both who have starting calibre quarterbacks in Kyler Murray and Geno Smith - will take a defensive player. The Seahawks extended Geno Smith's contract earlier this summer, which some surmised to mean that they would not opt to draft a quarterback.
However, Smith's extension has proven to be a front-loaded deal, with NFL insider Ian Rapoport reporting that Smith will make as much as $52m in his first season. The Seahawks therefore, could move on from Smith after this season, potentially moving on to a quarterback who they take with the fifth overall pick.
And over the past week, the Seahawks front office have been publicly flirting with the idea of drafting a quarterback, after visiting the pro day's of Anthony Richardson, Bryce Young, CJ Stroud and Will Levis. And not only do they spend time speaking with the quarterback's, but have posted pictures to their social media platforms.
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Some already believe the Seahawks could be playing mind games, hoping teams trade up with Arizona, leaving Alabama pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr free to fall down the draft order to them.
However, ProFootballNetwork's Tony Pauline has reported that the Seahawks could even trade into the top three to select their quarterback of choice.
Whatever the case, Smith will be their starter this season, after shocking the league with a Pro Bowl season after seven years of being a back-up.
The NFL Draft begins on April 27 and could spark a number of trades between teams, with Aaron Rodgers' future likely to be decided in the build-up to the event. It is believed that teams could be waiting until the draft to get picks used up before offering them to the Green Bay Packers.