Welcome to 32 teams in 32 days. To get us by means of the offseason, we’ll be getting a closer seem at each and every workforce in the league, in get of projected 2023 get totals. Up up coming: the Seahawks.
Nobody was a even bigger Cinderella past 12 months than the Seahawks.
Seattle, picked by many pundits to complete with a single of the league’s worst data, went 9–8 at the rear of a stunning Pro Bowl season from quarterback Geno Smith. While the Seahawks had been dealt with in the wild-card spherical by the 49ers, there’s purpose to consider Seattle has discovered its up coming rivalry window.
Final offseason was highlighted by the buying and selling of star quarterback Russell Wilson, but the true treasure was the draft. Seattle landed 1 big expertise following the subsequent in 2022, together with offensive tackles Abraham Lucas and Charles Cross, corner Tariq Woolen, and jogging again Kenneth Walker III.
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This spring it appears common manager John Schneider may have accomplished it once again. The Seahawks experienced two initially-round picks as a final result of the Wilson offer, and they utilised them on corner Devon Witherspoon and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, arguably the very best prospective clients at their respective positions.
Variable in a fruitful absolutely free-agency time period, which saw the additions of security Julian Love, defensive finish Dre’Mont Jones and linebacker Bobby Wagner, and Seattle is primed to make a genuine operate at San Francisco for the NFC West title.
Largest gamble this offseason: Offering Geno Smith a multiyear offer
By signing Smith to a three-12 months deal, Schneider gave himself the skill to indicator no cost agents, as the cap hit was scaled-down than a franchise tag would have been.
Nevertheless, Smith is now tied to Seattle for three many years and $75 million, such as $40 million assured. The offer isn’t one particular that could damage the franchise if Smith regresses to his former kind, but Seattle is however shelling out out cap hits of $31.2 and $33.7 million in 2024 and ’25, with dead funds totaling $26.1 million if he’s introduced.
Schneider is displaying his faith in Smith, who, at 33, has seemingly located himself. And if that’s the scenario, the Seahawks have a Professional Bowl quarterback on a low-cost offer. On the other hand, ought to Smith revert, Seattle is locked into meaningful revenue with no any younger selection driving him.
Toughest extend of the period: Weeks 12 to 15
The Seahawks could have the toughest 4-recreation stretch in soccer.
Seattle has an early bye in 7 days 5 and then will run as a result of a majority of the AFC North right before arriving at Thanksgiving, when it will square off with the 49ers at Lumen Field. The following Thursday, Seattle travels to face the Cowboys prior to a mini-bye and subsequent return engagement with San Francisco, this time at Levi’s Stadium. Ultimately, it’s a day with the NFC-champion Eagles at dwelling right before ending up with 3 winnable games.
Seattle could be deciding no matter whether it’s a wild-card group or a division winner inside of people four months.
Breakout participant to check out: DE Darrell Taylor
Handful of NFL lovers would be capable to explain to you which group Taylor performs for, but that really should change before long.
In two many years with the Seahawks, the 2020 2nd-spherical decide on from Tennessee has totaled 16 sacks, which includes 9.5 very last 12 months, inspite of enjoying fewer than 50% of the team’s defensive snaps in the two of his strategies.
With Jones, Taylor and Uchenna Nwosu to account for, the Seahawks really should have a wicked pass hurry, making it possible for equally to tee off with no consistently dealing with double groups. Look for Taylor to break by and have double-digit sacks, pushing for his 1st Professional Bowl berth.
Situation of energy: Receiver
It is tricky to argue that more than a handful of teams can compete with the Seahawks on the perimeter.
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Seattle is loaded with Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf on the exterior, who combined for 174 receptions, 2,081 yards and 15 touchdowns final yr. They’re now joined by Smith-Njigba, who starred for the Buckeyes in 2021 with 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine scores. On the other hand, he was minimal to only three video games previous time owing to a hamstring personal injury.
If Smith-Njigba stays nutritious and assimilates properly to the offense, Seattle will have an elite mixture of dynamism and size for any quarterback to concentrate on.
Place of weak spot: Interior offensive line
If there is one region of the roster that can derail hopes of a postseason push, it is the guard-middle-guard combination on the inside of.
Seattle did a excellent occupation to obtain Lucas and Cross at the deal with places, but issues abound pertaining to guards Damien Lewis and Phil Haynes, and middle Evan Brown. Schneider added competition and depth this offseason, drafting Anthony Bradford and Olu Oluwatimi together with signing undrafted no cost agent Kendall Randolph.
Among all all those bodies, Seattle have to discover a trio that can retain Smith from going through inside of force while opening operating lanes for Walker and rookie Zach Charbonnet.
X-element: The 2023 draft class stepping up
Right after viewing last year’s rookie crop make these kinds of an affect for Seattle, it’s hard not to marvel about what the Seahawks have this 12 months, led by the aforementioned Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon.
Seattle is poised to make a deep postseason operate in the extensive-open NFC, but only if the rookies can lead to a significant degree. Although Lockett and Metcalf are phenomenal, receiving a third weapon likely in Smith-Njigba would significantly raise the odds of Smith owning yet another wonderful time.
Defensively, Witherspoon has a possibility to be section of a unique tandem with Woolen. Element in the protection duo of Appreciate and Quandre Diggs, and the secondary could be a thing incredibly impactful.
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Sleeper/fantasy select: RB Zach Charbonnet
I fully be expecting the Seahawks to keep Walker atop their backfield depth chart, but Charbonnet could set a slight dent into his touches. The rookie was drafted in the next spherical, and even though that does not assure him a huge function, Charbonnet is gifted sufficient to have stand-by itself flex value. —Michael Fabiano, SI Fantasy
Best wager: Consider the above on Walker’s 950.5 rushing yards
I’m not out on Walker since I don’t imagine Pete Carroll is, either. Consider the in excess of on 950.5 hurrying yards. Walker would only need to common 56 yards for each sport to distinct this, and even with Charbonnet using some touches, that is pretty achievable for the proficient second-12 months back again. —Jennifer Piacenti, SI Betting
Final file: 12–5, next in NFC West
