Do The Seahawks Pick A Quarterback Early? 

For the first time in a decade, there is real uncertainty about the starting quarterback job heading into the draft. In 2012, the Seahawks had signed Matt Flynn and were returning 2011 starter Tarvaris Jackson, then they selected Wilson in the third round, leading to a three-man competition Wilson would eventually win on his way to becoming the best quarterback in franchise history.

And while drafting another franchise icon is far from a guarantee no matter how early in the draft they select a quarterback, their current situation at that position does suggest they’ll add to the group. As Carroll has noted this offseason, he likes the idea of another open competition in camp, much like what transpired in 2012.

“I’m going to look at this thing very much like we did years ago and structure it so everybody gets a great shot at it as best we can,” Carroll said. “That’s what competition is all about. I’ve got to give them the opportunity by presenting it.”

The Seahawks currently have on their roster Drew Lock, a former second-round pick who was part of the Wilson trade, as well as Jacob Eason, who Seattle claimed off waivers last season. Carroll has said on multiple occasions that the hope is to re-sign Geno Smith, who spent the past three seasons as Wilson’s backup, starting three games last year, but even if that happens, the plan is to keep adding to that group, very possibly in this year’s draft.

“We are totally in that mentality that the fourth guy may be important to us,” Carroll said. “We’re definitely still in the quarterback business.”

But even if one is assuming that the Seahawks draft a quarterback, there is still the rather big question of when. Will there be a quarterback available at No. 9 who the Seahawks see as being worthy of such a big investment? What about early in the second round when the Seahawks have back-to-back picks at 40 and 41? Or is there a late-round diamond in the rough the Seahawks think could develop into a future starter?

The presence of Lock, who started 21 games for the Broncos, and potentially the return of Smith means the Seahawks won’t feel like they absolutely have to come out of the early rounds of the draft with a quarterback, but this year more than ever, addressing that position in the first few rounds could make sense.