Off-Season Primer - Seattle Seahawks

2023 Record- (9-8)

In 2023, the Seahawks matched their record from the previous season but failed to make the playoffs. They finished in a three-way tie for the final wild card position with Green Bay and New Orleans but lost the tie-breaker to Green Bay. Despite a 6-3 start, they suffered several key injuries to Geno Smith, D.K. Metcalf, Kenneth Walker III, and Devon Witherspoon. Seattle only went 3-8 against teams with a winning record which caused them to narrowly miss the playoffs. 

Seattle struggled on defense finishing 30th overall. The run defense surrendered 138.4 yards per game on the ground, which was 31st in the league. And at the completion of the season, Head Coach Pete Carroll agreed to transition from his duties to an advisory role after 14 seasons at the helm. 

Draft Picks

Round 1 - (16)

Round 3- (78)

Round 3- (81)

Round 4- (117)

Round 5- (151)

Round 6- (191)

Round 7- (235)

Free Agents

Projected Cap Space - Approximately $44MM

LB- Bobby Wagner

LB- Jordyn Brooks

DT- Leonard Williams

QB- Drew Lock

TE- Noah Fant

C- Evan Brown

G- Phil Haynes

G- Damien Lewis

RB-DeeJay Dallas

TE- Colby Parkinson

OT- Jake Curhan

OT- Jason Peters

Edge- Frank Clark

Edge- Darrell Taylor

DL- Mario Edwards, Jr.

LB- Devin Bush

LB- Jon Rhattigan

CB- Artie Burns

CB- Mike Jackson

Seattle is set to lose a lot of production from a defense who struggled in 2023. Linebackers Jordyn Brooks and Bobby Wagner were their two best run stoppers and they will need to do what is ever necessary to bring at least one of those two back. Defensive tackle Leonard Williams was brought over at the trade deadline for a 2nd and a 5th round pick and was their best performer on the defensive line down the stretch, though he is entering his age-30 season.

On offense they are set to lose their whole interior offensive line. Last year the Seahawks did use draft picks on center Olu Oluwatimi and guard Anthony Bradford. But Seattle will need to try and find some veteran depth in free agency in case the youngsters don’t pan out. 

Seattle will try and re-sign either tight end Noah Fant or Colby Parkinson but if they fail in this respect, they will need to go after one in free agency or make it a priority in the draft.

Biggest Needs 

OL

TE

Edge

LB

Seattle has an obvious hole in the middle of their offensive line to fill when they head into the draft. With their starting center and both starting guards heading into the open market, look for Seattle to be one of the first teams to go after an interior lineman in the draft. 

The Seahawks had one of the NFL’s worst defenses in 2023 and their lack of ability to pressure the quarterback was at the heart of all of their problems. At pick #16 in the first round, If a player like Jared Verse were to slip, Seattle may jump at the chance to add some pass rushing skill to their lineup.