How the Colts’ Draft Decision in 2023 Changed the Seahawks’ Future-for the Better
The 2023 NFL Draft could’ve rewritten the futures of two franchises. One pick.
That’s all it took. The Indianapolis Colts went with quarterback Anthony Richardson at No.
- One slot later, the Seattle Seahawks landed Devon Witherspoon, a cornerback who’s quickly become one of the league’s most dynamic young defenders.
Looking back now, it’s clear: the Colts may have unintentionally done Seattle a massive favor.
A Draft-Day Sliding Doors Moment
Let’s rewind to the setup. The Colts earned their top-five pick the hard way-by bottoming out in 2022.
The Seahawks, on the other hand, were playing with house money. Their pick came courtesy of the Denver Broncos, who imploded after acquiring Russell Wilson from Seattle.
That deal, once questioned, has aged like fine wine for the Seahawks.
At No. 4, Indy took Richardson, a quarterback with jaw-dropping athleticism but a raw skillset.
Seattle was on the clock next. And according to then-head coach Pete Carroll, who had full control of the roster at the time, the Seahawks were seriously intrigued by Richardson.
They weren’t just scouting him from afar-they flew cross-country to Florida to see him up close, to get a sense of how he carried himself amid the pre-draft hype.
Carroll didn’t hold back in his praise. On The Pete Carroll Show with Brock and Salk on Seattle Sports 710 AM, he said Richardson might’ve been the best athlete ever drafted at the quarterback position.
The Seahawks were clearly doing their homework. Had Richardson still been on the board, there’s a very real chance Seattle would’ve taken the plunge-possibly setting up a redshirt year behind Geno Smith.
But the Colts made that decision for them. And that changed everything.
The Quarterback That Wasn’t
It’s not that Richardson lacked tools-he had plenty. But so far, the results haven’t matched the promise. Injuries have limited his availability, and when he has played, the inconsistencies have been hard to ignore: erratic accuracy, questionable decision-making, and a tendency to take hits that his frame just hasn’t absorbed well.
Seattle dodged a bullet. And it’s not just hindsight talking.
If the Seahawks had used their top-five pick on Richardson, the return they got from the Russell Wilson trade-those precious draft picks and young talent-would’ve looked a lot less impactful. A miss at quarterback in the top five can set a franchise back years.
Instead, they landed a cornerstone on defense.
Devon Witherspoon: The Right Pick at the Right Time
Witherspoon didn’t just step into the NFL-he stormed in. From the jump, he brought energy, physicality, and playmaking ability to Seattle’s secondary.
He’s already a two-time Pro Bowler, and he plays with the kind of edge that defines elite defenses. Whether he’s locking down receivers in man coverage or flying downhill to blow up screens, Witherspoon is everywhere.
There’s a swagger to his game, but it’s backed up by production. He’s not just a highlight reel-he’s a tone-setter. And he’s exactly the kind of player Seattle needed to re-establish its defensive identity.
What Could’ve Been for Indy
It’s not just the Seahawks who were impacted by that draft-day decision. Witherspoon could’ve easily ended up in Indy, and given his trajectory, he might’ve changed the course of their defense. Instead, the Colts are now trying to patch that hole by trading for Sauce Gardner-an elite cornerback, no doubt, but one who came at the cost of two future first-round picks.
Had they drafted Witherspoon, they might not have needed to make that move at all.
A Full-Circle Moment Awaits in Week 15
Now, the story comes full circle. The Seahawks and Colts are set to face off in Week 15.
And Richardson, if healthy, may get a front-row seat to watch the player who could’ve been his teammate. Meanwhile, Witherspoon will have a chance to show Indy exactly what they passed up.
It’s one of those fascinating “what if” scenarios that only the NFL draft can deliver. But for the Seahawks, there’s no need to wonder.
They got their guy. And so far, Devon Witherspoon is proving they got it exactly right.