The Seahawks roster holes ESPN analyst is overlooking
The Seahawks surprised many last season by reaching the playoffs in their first year without Russell Wilson. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick was among those who predicted their shock 2022 success, and he is backing Seattle to impress again in 2023. Speaking to The Rich Eisen Show, Riddick picked Seattle as the sleeper team nobody is […]
The Seahawks surprised many last season by reaching the playoffs in their first year without Russell Wilson. ESPN analyst Louis Riddick was among those who predicted their shock 2022 success, and he is backing Seattle to impress again in 2023.
Speaking to The Rich Eisen Show, Riddick picked Seattle as the sleeper team nobody is talking about.
Praising general manager John Schneider for his efforts in revamping the roster, Riddick pointed to the Seahawks’ young offensive line, their extremely impressive and versatile wide receiver group and their secondary as reasons why they can win the NFC West and “surprise everyone in the NFC”.
Riddick is right to lavish praise on the receivers. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba, arguably the premier receiver in this year’s draft, joining D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, quarterback Geno Smith has a stable of pass-catching weapons as good as any in the NFL.
Similarly, the secondary now looks tremendously strong after the selection of Devon Witherspoon with the fifth overall pick acquired in the Russell Wilson trade.
Witherspoon is set to start across from Tariq Woolen – who as Riddick pointed out was a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate last season – and has one of the better safeties in the league for company in the defensive backfield in Quandre Diggs.
Yet there are weaknesses that threaten to derail their hopes of usurping the 49ers as NFC West champions.
The holes that could prevent Seattle from contending
While Riddick identified the offensive line, specifically its ascending young tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, as a strength, there are reasons for concern in the trenches.
On the interior of the line, both center and right guard are positions of uncertainty. Veteran Evan Brown is set to compete with rookie Olu Oluwatimi for the center spot. Rookie fourth-round pick Anthony Bradford will challenge Phil Haynes at right guard.
Having two potential problem areas is far from ideal for an O-Line that ranked 26th in Football Outsiders Adjusted Sack Rate last season. If the Seahawks cannot find the right solutions, it will be difficult for them to prevail against a Niners team that has strengthened the defensive side of the trenches this offseason.
Seattle’s defensive line is also improved following the signing of Dre’Mont Jones, but their edge rush options still appear lacking. The Seahawks selected Derick Hall in the second round, but Uchenna Nwosu remains their most formidable pass rusher on the edge.
Riddick labeled linebacker a strength for the Seahawks. That is a questionable assessment.
Seattle brought back Bobby Wagner after his sojourn in Los Angeles. The eight-time Pro Bowler’s pedigree is undoubted, but at 33 he is clearly past his prime.
His running mate at linebacker, Jordyn Brooks, has no timetable to return from an ACL injury. When he was on the field, Brooks did not excel in coverage, allowing a passer rating of 122.6 that was the third-worst among all linebackers last year.
In short, there figures to be plenty of scope for opponents to exploit Seattle over the middle of the field.
The Seahawks, assuming Smith maintains his Comeback Player of the Year performance from last year, are strong at three premium positions – quarterback, receiver and defensive back – and they have two ascending players at offensive tackle.
That is a recipe for a lot of winning football, but their problem areas are ones that make them vulnerable to a team like the 49ers that is strong in the trenches and does an excellent job of exploiting linebackers with motion and play-action.
Riddick’s assessment of Seattle’s strengths is largely accurate, but it’s too early to crown them as definite contenders to challenge the NFC’s elite.
ESPN analyst names Seahawks as the NFC’s sleeper team ahead of 2023
The Seattle Seahawks aren’t exactly a secret heading into the 2023 NFL season.
Featured Image Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
