The Seahawks made the Wild Card last season after losing a tough battle against the 49ers for the division. They won their Wild Card matchup against the Eagles but fell in the Divisional round to the Packers.
The Seahawks beefed up the wide receiver position while making a blockbuster trade this offseason in an attempt to put them above the 49ers. Let’s look at their additions.
Key Additions: RB Carlos Hyde, WR Phillip Dorsett, TE Greg Olsen, TE Jordan Reed, OT Brandon Shell, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, C B.J. Finney, DE Bruce Irvin, DE Benson Mayowa, and S Jamal Adams
Key Departures: RB Marshawn Lynch, RB C.J. Prosise, OT George Fant, OT Germaine Ifedi, G D.J. Fluker, C Justin Britt, DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Ezekiel Ansah, and DT Quinton Jefferson
With a busy offseason for the Seahawks, let’s look at their starters for this season.
Offensive Starters:
- QB: Russell Wilson
- RB: Chris Carson
- WR: Tyler Lockett
- WR: D.K. Metcalf
- WR: Phillip Dorsett
- TE: Greg Olsen
- LT: Duane Brown
- LG: Mike Iupati
- C: Ethan Pocic
- RG: Damien Lewis
- RT: Brandon Shell
Defensive/Special Teams Starters:
- LDE: L.J. Collier
- DT: Jarran Reed
- DT: Poona Ford
- RDE: Benson Mayowa
- WLB: K.J. Wright
- MLB: Bobby Wagner
- SLB: Bruce Irvin
- CB: Shaquill Griffin
- CB: Tre Flowers
- FS: Quandre Diggs
- SS: Jamal Adams
- K: Jason Myers
- P: Michael Dickson
Strongest Position: Quarterback
Russell Wilson, in my opinion, is the second-best quarterback in the NFL and the league’s top dual-threat QB. He threw for over 4,100 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. He has a terrific arsenal with Lockett and Metcalf, but he can make plays on his feet and make multiple highlights plays each game. He was sacked a league-high 48 times last season and still put up terrific numbers and led the Seahawks to the Divisional Round. Wilson is an MVP candidate this season and is my pick to win the award this year.
Weakest Position: Offensive Line
Last season, the Seahawks gave up a league-high 48 sacks. In the offseason, they lost linemen George Fant, Germaine Ifedi, D.J. Fluker, and Justin Britt. They lost multiple pieces to the line and had to repair it for this season, and as a group, it is a huge question mark. Russell Wilson was able to still make plays despite being sacked at an average of three times per game. The line is still going to struggle this year, but the Seahawks need better performances to win in a very competitive division.
The Seahawks are my pick to win the NFC West. The addition of Jamal Adams is huge for them and is going to be a great piece for the defense. You saw what Tyrann Mathieu did for the Chiefs last season, and it could be the same thing for the Seahawks defense this year.
Despite the loss of Jadeveon Clowney, who is coming off the worst season in his career, the Seahawks will have a solid defense this year led by Adams and Bobby Wagner. Expect a lot from Russell Wilson as he has a plethora of weapons that will produce a lot for them this season. The Seahawks will be in the fight for a top seed in the playoffs.
