Seahawks' Draft Hauls Set to Yield 'True Contender' Results?
The Seattle Seahawks have now had back-to-back good draft hauls, and with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Devon Witherspoon, Derick Hall, and Zach Charbonnet joining Kenneth Walker and Tariq Woolen from a year ago, the team has amassed some talent.
After making it to the playoffs last year behind a Pro Bowl season from Geno Smith, Seattle is again poised to make some noise in the postseason.
Seattle's great drafting over the last two years means Pete Carroll's team could be ready to launch into the top tier of NFL teams, at least according to NFL analyst Bucky Brooks.
"Pete Carroll and John Schneider might have struck gold in back-to-back drafts," Books wrote for NFL.com. "Last year's loaded haul, headlined by 1,000-yard rusher Kenneth Walker III and Pro Bowler Tariq Woolen, helped Seattle make a surprising playoff appearance. And this past April's impressive collection of talent could further push the team to true contender status."
While the San Francisco 49ers having question marks at the quarterback position with Brock Purdy and the interesting situation involving Nick Bosa, some have the Seahawks winning the NFC West.
After last season's exploits in which they pushed the 49ers in the playoffs, many feel that the Seahawks have all the tools needed to replicate that.
Bobby Wagner, Dre'Mont Jones, and Devin Bush have been brought in to help solidify a defense that was ranked 25th for points allowed per game (23.6). The natural progression of Woolen and Hall, while adding in Witherspoon, has things projected to look better defensively.
On offense, the talent speaks for itself, as Geno Smith has weapons everywhere you look as Smith-Njibga, D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Walker, and Charbonnet made for a formidable-looking unit. While Seattle has a good roster on paper, now it is about showing it on the field.
Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams will be the Seahawks' first test, and with a young group of exciting talent plucked from the draft, it is no wonder Seattle has a positive vibe this season.
Will it amount to them being true contenders, as Brooks suggests? We are about to find out.
