Seahawks Roster Reset: Breaking Down Offensive Depth Chart Post-Free Agency
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With the hustle and bustle of the opening weeks of free agency now slowed to a snail crawl, the Seattle Seahawks have turned their attention back towards the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft looking to continue infusing the roster with young talent.
In the aftermath of free agency, scheduled to make four picks in the first 52 selections and 10 picks total next month, where do Seattle's offensive position groups stand heading towards the draft and offseason program?
Here's a look at each group with players currently under contract for next season, 2023 salary camp investments, and what general manager John Schneider and the Seahawks front office may do next at the position:
Quarterback
Under Contract: Geno Smith, Drew Lock
2023 Salary Cap Investment: $14.1 million
What’s Next?: Retaining both of their quarterbacks from last season, the Seahawks stuck with status quo by handing Smith a much-deserved three-year extension after making his first Pro Bowl and eventually agreeing to terms with Lock on a one-year deal to remain his backup. With Smith back under center on a team-friendly contract, the franchise should be in good hands with a veteran signal caller who already has proven he can masterfully run coordinator Shane Waldron's scheme and still has some room to improve following a 30 touchdown season.
But as coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider told both players during negotiations, their respective returns will not deter the organization from drafting a quarterback next month, especially if the right prospect falls to them at No. 5 overall. Amid their selfie-taking pro day tour, Seattle's brain trust has paid close attention to each of the top four prospects at the position, including traveling to Gainesville, Florida to check out Anthony Richardson on Thursday. At this point, the perceived interest shouldn't be viewed as a smokescreen.
Running Back
Under Contract: Ken Walker III, DeeJay Dallas, Darwin Thompson
2023 Salary Cap Investment: $3.992 million
What's Next?: While the Seahawks should feel great about the dynamic Walker, who finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting last season, leading their backfield moving forward, the team suffered significant losses in free agency with Rashaad Penny and Travis Homer departing. Those defections have left the backfield stable fairly bare with Dallas and Thompson being the only other runners on the roster and the latter not playing in a game since 2020.
Given the injury issues Seattle has dealt with for multiple seasons running at the position, adding at least two more quality backs to the equation remains a critical need. If the team can open up some cap space through extensions or restructures, it's possible a cheap veteran or two could be signed down the road. But first, the team will seek a complementary weapon to pair with Walker through the draft with this year's class offering great depth and talent at the position, potentially picking one as early as day two with second or third round pick.
Receiver
Under Contract: DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Dee Eskridge, Dareke Young, Cade Johnson, Easop Winston, Connor Wedington
2023 Salary Cap Investment: $34.478 million
What's Next?: Atop the depth chart, the Seahawks continue to be in great hands literally and figuratively with Metcalf and Lockett each under contract through 2025. But as has been the case for several years running, following the departure of veteran Marquise Goodwin for Cleveland, the team once again finds itself without a clear No. 3 option to complement the two star wideouts.
As far as in-house options to fill that role, Seattle remains upbeat about Eskridge despite the fact injuries have cost him 14 games in his first two NFL seasons and he has failed to eclipse 20 catches so far in his career. Taking on a bigger role as his rookie year progressed, Young also could be a wild card to watch due to his impressive blend of size, speed, and positional versatility. Either way, with five picks in the first 85 selections, it would be surprising if the team doesn't invest in another receiver to compete for the third role in the early stages of the draft and could also pick one in the later rounds as well.
Tight End
Under Contract: Noah Fant, Will Dissly, Colby Parkinson, Tyler Mabry
2023 Salary Cap Investment: $17.217 million
What's Next?: At least in the short term, the Seahawks appear to be set at tight end with the entire talented, diverse ensemble of characters returning from 2022. The team picked up Fant's fifth-year option and he will be aiming to play his way into a long-term contract, while Dissly is expected to be fully recovered from a fractured bone outside of his knee and will be entering year two of a three-year extension signed last offseason. After posting career-highs in receptions and receiving yards in a breakout third season, Parkinson will also be back looking to take another step forward in the final year of his rookie contract.
Therein lies the issue for Seattle. Beyond 2023, Fant and Parkinson are not under contract, while Dissly will have only one year left on his deal with a significant cap hit. Looking towards the future, while investing an early pick may not be in the cards, the franchise may have interest in taking advantage of a deep draft class at the position as a potential successor to develop for 2024 and beyond.
Offensive Line
Under Contract: Charles Cross, Damien Lewis, Evan Brown, Phil Haynes, Abraham Lucas, Stone Forsythe, Jake Curhan, Joey Hunt, Greg Eiland, Jalen McKenzie
2023 Salary Cap Investment: $19.98 million
What's Next?: After using two high draft picks on Cross and Lucas to land day one starters at the tackle positions last April, the Seahawks shouldn't have to worry about addressing that position anytime soon unless they want to add another developmental prospect on late day three to compete against Forsythe and Curhan. In the interior, however, questions remain at guard and center both in the short and long-term.
At the guard spots, Damien Lewis will return for the final year of his rookie contract in a similar situation to Fant, trying to earn himself a second contract or increase his value on the open market for other teams. After releasing Gabe Jackson before the start of free agency, Haynes will be the favorite to start on the right side, though competition could be brought in through the draft. Brown played well in 14 starts at center for the Lions over the last two seasons and at minimum, he should be a quality bridge replacement for retired starter Austin Blythe on a one-year deal. If the team does draft a rookie at the pivot position, he could also compete against Haynes, creating some flexibility for the franchise in the trenches.
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