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For reference, here is the complete list of the Seahawks' current draft picks for 2022:
- Round 1: No. 9 (from DEN)
- Round 2: No. 40 (from DEN)
- Round 2: No. 41
- Round 3: No. 72
- Round 4: No. 109 (from NYJ)
- Round 5: No. 145 (from DET through DEN)
- Round 6: No. 153
- Round 7: No. 229
Keeping those draft slots in mind, here is an overview of Seattle's offensive position groups:
Quarterback
- Drew Lock
- Jacob Eason
- Geno Smith
Thoughts on Depth Chart
This group carries big question marks. The QB spot will drive much of the offseason conversation around the Seahawks, as many pundits anticipate will exhaust their options before establishing a starter for 2022. Lock has thus far had an unimpressive NFL career, and the same goes for Geno Smith. Eason remains an unknown at the professional level, and does nothing to allay concerns. Carroll has said that Smith has a leg up to take the QB1 spot, but this is far from a certainty. Assuming no other QBs are acquired, whoever wins the camp battle between these three will be the starter. For what it is worth, I think Lock has the most potential of the group, and could benefit from the change of scenery after the offensive carousel he dealt with in Denver.
Draft Outlook
Personally, I think the team will look to add at least one more arm to the competition. The Browns should be desperate to be rid of Baker Mayfield's salary, and may be willing to get him off their books for a bag of peanuts before the season starts. As for the draft, I absolutely do not want to see the #9 pick used on a rookie QB. If one that the team likes falls to round 2, it could be worth taking a swing with #40 or #41. Outside of that, expect a developmental prospect to be selected round 5 or later.
Running Back
- Rashaad Penny
- Deejay Dallas
- Travis Homer
- Chris Carson
Thoughts on Depth Chart
The group has talent, but should look to get deeper. Penny has been signed to a 1 year contract, and will be looking to build off an incredibly productive back half of 2021 as the presumed RB1. Dallas and Homer have shown themselves to be serviceable backups, but do not tilt the field. Carson finished the season on IR, and his NFL future is in question following a neck surgery that ended his 2021 season after 4 games.
Draft Outlook
I believe the team should add another member to the RB room given that both Carson and Penny carry significant health concerns. The available free agents at this time are not particularly compelling, but there are attractive options in the draft who can provide a hedge against injury to the starter. I expect the team to start eyeing a RB selection following round 2.
Fullback
- Nick Bellore
Thoughts on Depth Chart
"Between Two Bellores" lives on, and should remain uncontested as the starter at this position.
Draft Outlook
This position has rarely featured in Seattle's offense the last few seasons, and I do not expect that to change. Fullback is the least of the offense's concerns, and should be a non-priority when it comes to player acquisition.
Wide Receiver
- Tyler Lockett
- D.K. Metcalf
- Dee Eskridge
- Freddie Swain
- Penny Hart
Thoughts on Depth Chart
A position of true strength for Seattle. Lockett and Metcalf are a great WR duo, and give any QB potent weapons to throw to. Metcalf will be on the final year of his contract in 2022, and I hope the team is working to extend him. This will be easier said than done considering the precedent set by the massive contracts given to Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill, but plenty of future cap room is available now that Russell Wilson's salary is off the books. There are concerns that the compensation may not match his production in the Seahawks scheme, but Metcalf is one of the only star-level players left on the team. Dee Eskridge will seek to secure the WR3 spot with a healthy season and make good on his 1st round selection last year. Swain remains a fine WR4 who can make plays on occasion, and Penny Hart catches a pass or two each game.
Draft Outlook
The team has great talent at WR1 and WR2, but WR3 remains rather uncertain given it relies on the development of Eskridge. The WRs tested very well at the combine, and I think the team would be doing itself a disservice to not tap into the talent pool. They may look for a WR as early as round 2, but I'd prefer they wait until round 3 in a deep draft class. However, this could change depending on the status of Metcalf's extension.
Tight End
- Will Dissly
- Noah Fant
- Colby Parkinson
Thoughts on Depth Chart
Seattle looks solid here. I did not expect Will Dissly to get the extension he did, but the Seahawks clearly value his skillset. There is cause for excitement around the acquisition of Noah Fant from Denver, as he is an elite athlete at the position (4.50 40-yard dash, 39.5" vertical, 6.81 3-cone). If Waldron can effectively integrate Fant into the passing offense, Seattle could have a matchup nightmare on their hands. In picking up Fant's 5th year option (The first time the team has ever done so), the Hawks have asserted that they see his potential. Parkinson is likely to stay at the bottom of the depth chart, but could be plugged in for red zone packages due to his size.
Draft Outlook
The team has made a strong commitment to the talent they already have at this position, which precludes any splash free agent acquisition. There is decent depth in the draft at TE, but I think the moves made to retain Dissly and Fant also quash any chance of an early selection. If the Hawks do select a TE, expect it to happen in the late rounds.
Offensive Tackle
- Greg Eiland
- Stone Forsythe
- Jake Curhan
Thoughts on Depth Chart
Pete called this position group "a spot of real concern", and I am inclined to agree. Both Duane Brown (LT) and Brandon Shell (RT) could depart in free agency, and I don't think the Seahawks intend to start inexperienced players at both OT spots. Protecting the edge is crucial to keeping an offense running on schedule, and the current players on the roster do not inspire confidence in making that happen.
Draft Outlook
Negotiations with Duane Brown and Shell have seemingly stalled, and nothing is likely to happen before the draft. Given the lack of updates on this front, neither player is a sure bet to return to the team. I expect the Hawks to be very active in bolstering this group. In free agency, Morgan Moses and Eric Fisher are attractive options for them to look at. As for the draft, there is good depth at OT in this class, and a real chance that the team could select one with their first pick. If so, we can only hope they don't reach on a prospect due to perceived need.
Offensive Guard
- Left Guard
- Damien Lewis
- Phil Haynes
- Right Guard
- Gabe Jackson
- Pier-Olivier Lestage
Thoughts on Depth Chart
This position group looks okay in terms of depth, but that could stand to improve. Lewis saw a drop-off in performance in his sophomore season, but this can be attributed to the move to LG before the year began. Gabe Jackson gives the team decent performance at RG, and looks to keep his starting spot. Phil Haynes has had brief flashes potential, and gives the team flexibility as someone who can swing between both spots as a backup. Lestage is an unknown at the NFL level, and is simple a depth piece at this time.
Draft Outlook
This group should not be a priority like OT, but I think the team should begin weighing their options in the round 2-3 range. Gabe Jackson is adequate, but I did not agree with forcing Damien Lewis to move to LG to accommodate him given how well Lewis played at RG in his rookie season. Selecting a talented guard this year would give the team some freedom to release Jackson if they find that they can't justify his cap hit for the next two seasons. Additionally, it could allow them to switch Lewis back to his original spot on the right side. There is decent depth in the draft to make this move happen.
Center
- Austin Blythe
- Kyle Fuller
- Dakoda Shepley
Thoughts on Depth Chart
This position has a presumed starter without much depth behind him. Blythe showed himself to be a solid player with the Rams, but has dealt with recent injury issues. Some may point to him losing the starting job to Creed Humphrey in Kansas City as a negative, but I believe that is due to Humphrey's talent rather than Blythe's ineffectiveness. Fuller has had several opportunities, but failed to establish himself as more than a backup. Shepley has only had snaps on special teams since coming into the league, and should only be viewed as an emergency option at the #3 center spot.
Draft Outlook
Like with offensive guard, the team should be ready to consider pulling the trigger after round 1. Blythe only signed a 1 year contract this offseason, and could easily be out the door following the end of the season. Fuller and Shepley have not proven themselves to be starter material, and it would benefit the team to add to the competition. There is attractive talent at center in the draft, and rounds 2-3 could be the sweet spot to acquire it.
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