The season is approaching. The editorial staff of DNA of Sports invites you to take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Seattle Seahawks 2023. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
Promised for a transition season (not to say complete reconstruction) after the departure of their two legends on each side of the ball (Russell Wilson in attack and Bobby Wagner in defense), Seattle was THE surprise of the 2022 season.
Led by a Geno Smith returned from beyond the grave, Seattle even had the luxury of being leader of the NFC West until week 12, before running out of steam and ending the season chugging along (5 losses in the last 8 games). Still, the residents of Lumen Field have won a place in the playoffs as unexpected as they are deserved. A precious experience for the young guard of the eternal Pete Carroll.
2023 marks a turning point for Seattle: are the Seahawks on their way to the heights of the NFC again, or was last season just a happy combination of circumstances (failure of the Rams and Cardinals, favorable schedule) ?
Last season: 9 wins – 8 losses, second in NFC West, loss in wild cards
Movements in the off-season
Notable arrivals: Dre’Mont Jones (DT), Jarran Reed (DT), Evan Brown (G/C), Devin Bush (LB), Bobby Wagner (LB), Mario Edwards (DE), Julian Love (DB)
Re-signings: Geno Smith (QB), Drew Lock (QB), Phil Haynes (G), Nick Bellore (FB/LB), Myles Adams (DT), Jon Rattigan (LB), Michael Jackson (CB), Cody Thompson (WR), Artie Burns (DB)
Draft: Devon Witherspoon (CB), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR), Darick Hall (LB), Zach Charbonnet (RB), Anthony Bradford (G), Cameron Young (DT), Mike Morris (DE), Olusegun Oluwatimi (C) ), Jerrick Reed II (S), Kenny McIntosh (RB)
Notable losses: Rashaad Penny (RB), Travis Homer (RB), Cody Barton (LB), LJ Collier (DT), Johnathan Abram (S), Marquise Goodwin (WR), Ryan Neal (S), Quinton Jefferson (DT) , Tanner Muse (LB), Poona Ford (DT), Al Woods (DT)
Head on defense! In 2022, the Seahawks had the annoying habit of hosting open houses every weekend. With 150 yards conceded on the ground per game, Seattle was sadly ranked 30th in the NFL’s defense against the run. John Schneider (General Manager) and Pete Carroll (Head Coach) did not skimp on resources during free agency to transform the blue and green sieve into a respectable wall.
First of all, the return of former members of the house, familiar with Pete Carroll’s system: Jarran Reed on the first curtain but above all the legend Bobby Wagner on the position of linebacker. Then new blood with the imposing Dre’Mont Jones (6.5 sacks in 13 games in 2022) to cement the defensive line, or even players with more of a betting look such as Mario Edwards or a Devin Bush who does not never again became the tackle machine of his rookie season at the Steelers (109 tackles in 2019).
With 4 choices in the first two rounds of the draft (acquired via the transfer of Russell Wilson in 2022), Seattle then targeted the skills positionsespecially in the first round with the very talented Devon Witherspoon as cornerback and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as receiver.
Arrivals, but also many departures. It was not good to be thirty during these last months in Seattle: Marquise Goodwin (32 years old), Quinton Jefferson (30 years old) or Al Woods (36 years old) packed their bags. Just like other holders such as Rashaad Penny, Cody Barton or Ryan Neal.
The strong points)
In 2022, Seattle was lucky to have two number 1 receivers. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett exceeded 1000 yards on reception (1048 yards and 6 touchdowns for the first, 1033 yards and 9 touchdowns for the second). By selecting Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the draft’s top receiver, with the 20th pick, Seattle adds a terrifying string to its bow and is already causing headaches for opposing defensive coordinators. It is also a wise choice for the future, since Tyler Lockett (31) will not be eternal.
On the ground, the love story between Seattle and running backs has found new life. After two seasons 2020 and 2021 under the aegis of the runners’ committees, often imposed by injuries more than by tactical choice, the Seahawks have finally found a runner exceeding 1000 yards in the person of Kenneth Walker III (1050 yards, 9 touchdowns and runner-up for Offensive Rookie of the Year behind Garrett Wilson of the Jets). As usual, Pete Carroll nevertheless spent a second round pick on Zach Charbonnet, just to provide a more substantial alternative to Deejay Dallas.
On the other side of the field, cornerback Tariq Woolen is Pete Carroll’s “Richard Sherman-esque” find. Pro-Bowler from his rookie season despite his draft in the fifth round, third in the vote for Defensive Rookie of the Year (behind the untouchable Sauce Gardner and Aidan Hutchinson), here he is paired with rookie Devon Witherspoon, selected at the very top of the draft 2023 (5th choice) and promised to the summits. Paired with high-performing safety guards Julian Love and Quandre Diggs (not to mention question mark Jamal Adams), the Seahawks defensive backfield looks good.
Finally, the special teams of Seattle are not to be omitted. Kicker Jason Myers was selected for the Pro-Bowl: very reliable, in 2022 he compiled statistics of 34/37 at Field Goals (91.9% success) and 41/42 on extra-points (97.6% success) . Punter Michael Dickson had the second-best total net yards per punt in the league (44.3 net yards per punt).
The weak spots)
So Geno Smith has material to throw at. But will he have time?
If the offensive line is no longer of the abyssal level known during the reign of Russell Wilson, it still authorized 46 sacks in 2022, the 9th highest total in the league. The two starting tackles (Charles Cross on the left, Abraham Lucas on the right) are only in their second year. The center of the line (Damien Lewis – Evan Brown – Phil Haynes), barely more experienced is not shiny either. This is the whole line that must progress to avoid throwing Geno Smith to the Nick Bosa (49ers) and Aaron Donald (Rams) of the division.
In defense, he lacks a real pass rusher. This priority wasn’t really addressed during free agency or drafting. The Seahawks’ best sacker last year (9.5 sacks), Uchenna Nwosu and Darrell Taylor are not league benchmarks.
While efforts have been made to improve the run defense, the advanced age of Bobby Wagner and the (in)abilities of Jordyn Brooks in back-curtain coverage may continue to raise fears for the worst in pass defense in the intermediate areas. This playing area is very popular with division opponents (Cooper Kupp at the Rams, Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel at the 49ers or Rondale Moore in Arizona).
X factor: The pass rush
If the defense against the ground game seems to have been considered, the same cannot be said for the pass rush on the Seattle side. Despite the lack of a star edge rusher, the Seahawks are not ridiculous in the exercise: 45 sacks in 2022 is the 7th best total (tied) in the league. Pete Carroll and John Schneider may be happy with their squad.
Yet when you consider another metric, pressure rate (% of dropbacks where the opposing quarterback was pressured by a defender, touched, or sacked), Seattle ranks only 19th in the league. It is therefore difficult to know the value of the team on this exercise.
If the pass rush is so important in 2023, it is partly because it is an expected weakness among division opponents. The Rams and Cardinals were mediocre on quarterback protection (3rd and 9th most sacked team respectively). The 49ers lost right tackle Mike McGlinchey to a weak Colton McKivitz. So there is a definite opportunity for teams taking on the NFC West.
Player to watch: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR)
With defenses necessarily focused on the Seahawks’ other two star receivers (Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf), Jaxon Smith-Njigba has a golden opportunity to learn the ropes against more moderate opposition.
Skipping part of the 2022 college season so as not to jeopardize his move to the pros, JSN is ready to smash everything on the Seattle side.
Compared to CeeDee Lamb in the pre-draft profile, the ex-Buckeye from Ohio State had rolled over opposing defenses in 2021: 1,606 yards and 9 touchdowns in 13 games.
With his reliable hands and separation ability, he has what it takes to become Geno Smith’s darling.
2023 Seattle Seahawks Schedule
Rams, @Lions, Panthers, @Giants, BYE, @Bengals, Cardinals, Browns, @Ravens, Commanders, @Rams, 49ers, @Cowboys, @49ers, Eagles, @Titans, Steelers, @Cardinals
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
After a surprising 2022 season, the Seahawks continued the post-Russell Wilson rebuild in fine fashion during the offseason, whether through the Free Agency or through the draft. The workforce is not yet homogeneous but some units (receivers, defensive backs) could be among the best in the NFL. For the others, there is no doubt that the inexhaustible Pete Carroll (soon to be 72 years old) will be able to raise their level.
The NFC West Division isn’t as terrifying as it once was, and the NFC conference as a whole is very open about playoff access.
Nevertheless, Seattle will have to show that the second part of the 2022 season was not indicative of their true level. Seattle’s affordable calendar start should see that quickly.
