John Schneider, Seattle Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up for the 2022 NFL Draft. There are still a few “holes” on the roster that management must address. At this point, it is unlikely that Seattle will sign any of the remaining NFL free agents until after the draft. So let’s look at the Seahawks’ current roster to get an idea of where John Schneider and Pete Carroll might go in the draft.
L.J. Collier, Shelby Harris, Alton Robinson, Darrell Taylor, Poona Ford, Quinton Jefferson, Al Woods, Bryan Mone, Niles Scott, Myles Adams, Jarrod Hewitt, Alex Tchangam
Analysis: This group lacks a premier pass rusher. However, Taylor does show some great promise. The Seattle Seahawks use a Day 2 draft pick on this position.
Tanner Muse, Uchenna Nwosu, Jordyn Brooks, Cody Barton, Ben Burr-Kirven, Aaron Donkor, Lakiem Williams, Jon Rhattigan, Joel Iyiegbuniwe
Analysis: Who replaces the legend that is Bobby Wagner? Barton got his chance at the end of the year and likely gets the first crack at it in training camp. He’ll be flanked by Brooks and Nwosu. Can Nwosu build off his 2021 success? Seattle uses a Day 2 or Day 3 pick here.
Artie Burns, Justin Coleman, Ugo Amadi, Sidney Jones IV, John Reid, Tre Brown, Michael Jackson
Analysis: Yikes! Is there another Seattle Seahawks position group that offers up so much volatility? Jones and Brown’s season outlook can be anywhere from Pro-Bowl to a rotational player. Burns was once a top young corner and is now ]on his third team, trying to reclaim some past glory.
If Seattle doesn’t go OL with their first pick, then this position will be where they go at number nine. They will take a corner in this draft; it’s just a matter of when.
Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Marquise Blair, Ugo Amadi, Nigel Warrior, Ryan Neal
Analysis: This position group offers two top-tier level playmakers. However, the depth behind them isn’t terrible. Blair, Neal, and Amadi are solid backups. With Diggs approaching 30 years old, Seattle could look to draft his replacement. However, this isn’t the time to do it.
Dakoda Shepley, Kyle Fuller, Stone Forsythe, Jake Curhan, Greg Eiland, Gabe Jackson, Damien Lewis, Austin Blythe, Phil Haynes, Pier-Olivier Lestage
Analysis: This position group has seen some actual resources invested. There is still more work that needs to be done. The Seattle Seahawks will use pick number nine on their left tackle of the future. A right tackle and/or center later in the draft could hurt either.
Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, D’Wayne Eskridge, Freddie Swain, Penny Hart, Cody Thompson, Matt Cole, Aaron Fuller, Cade Johnson
Analysis: Arguably the most top-heavy position group on the roster, although running back does have a claim. The difference is after Lockett and Metcalf, there is a big falloff.
Swain flashes some ability that makes you believe he can play at the NFL level. Eskridge still needs more NFL polish. However, he can be a scary gadget player in the interim.
Will Dissly, Noah Fant, Colby Parkinson, Tyler Mabry
Analysis: Maybe the Seattle Seahawks’ most interesting position group. Fant is clearly the most athletic and best receiver of the bunch. Dissly is a good blocker with adequate receiving chops. Parkinson has shown some flashes of potential. Expect Fant to be the Seattle Seahawks’ third-leading receiver this season.
Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer, Darwin Thompson, Josh Johnson
Analysis: This position group is extremely top-heavy and stressful. Carson and Penny are two beast running backs when healthy. How long they can remain healthy is the question.
Dallas and Homer are a nice change of pace backs but nothing special and should not be on the field for more than 10 plays combined. The team will use a day three draft pick on this position.
Geno Smith, Drew Lock, Jacob Eason
Analysis: This group most definitely needs an upgrade, at least on paper. Don’t expect this year’s quarterback draft class to fill that void. Get your popcorn ready for the Lock v Geno battle.
Michael Dickson, Tyler Ott, Jason Myers
Analysis: It’s debatable if the Seattle Seahawks choose to go with a rookie kicker over the veteran. Regardless, Myers is still one of the best kickers in the league. On the other hand, Myers counts $5M against the cap.
From this exercise, what can 12s see?
The Seattle Seahawks need to address their cornerback and left tackle positions of the future with their first and second draft picks. It doesn’t matter which they select first; both positions are of need. There may be one exception.,
If a premier edge rusher like Kayvon Thibodeaux falls to them at nine. Then Seattle could change their plans. This year’s draft doesn’t offer up a ton of elite talent, but it will produce many quality players that sign at least their third NFL contract.
Also, there will be plenty of roster turnover between now and Week 1. Some of the position groups will shrink, and others will grow. The Seattle Seahawks may even retain an undrafted free agent or sign an impact player that gets cut by another team. For example, Tyrann Mathieu is currently without a team.
Would Seattle sign him to play a hybrid safety/corner/linebacker position? Maybe the Seahawks roll out a three safety lineup with Diggs and Mathieu on the backend and Adams up on the line. Wishful thinking, but there are still some veteran free agents who can contribute as NFL starters.
What do you make of the current Seattle Seahawks roster? Let us know in the comments section below.