Seattle Seahawks 'core' ranked in top half of NFL in a recent ESPN ranking
The surprise Seattle Seahawks come in at a top-half ranking among other NFL teams in a recent ESPN ‘core’ rankings.
Though an NFL team can have 53 players on a roster, often, winning games comes down to the team's core group of players.
A "core," defined by ESPN, amounts to a team's five most impactful players. And recently, ESPN put together a ranking of all 32 NFL teams' "core," where the Seattle Seahawks were ranked 14th in the league.
Directly ahead of the Seahawks were the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars. Behind Seattle were the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints.
The players in the Seahawks' core are QB Geno Smith, WR DK Metcalf, WR Tyler Lockett, CB Tariq Woolen, and OT Charles Cross.
The rationale for the Seahawks' sliding into the top half of the league in ESPN's rankings came down to the age of Seattle's core. Many believe that though the Seahawks' roster lacks direct star recognition, the young players will undoubtedly take a step forward in 2023.
"When Russell Wilson left Seattle, he struggled," Seth Walder of ESPN Analytics wrote. "When Smith stepped into the starting role in Seattle, he thrived. There were other factors, but I have to wonder if Metcalf and Lockett's role in their quarterbacks' success has been underrated. Plus, an A-plus draft in 2022 led by Woolen and Cross (but also including offensive tackle Abraham Lucas and running back Kenneth Walker III) means Seattle is well-stocked with young talent."
The Seahawks currently sit in the golden zone among NFL teams. The team overachieved last season, and through the draft, the organization added difference-makers at critical positions.
Few expect Seattle to outright contend for a Super Bowl. And the Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll probably wouldn't want it any other way. When there is no pressure to succeed, the Seahawks have often shocked the league.
The Seahawks have talent. They have one of the best receiving groups in the NFL. One of the better secondaries in the league. Two young tackles that have shown they had NFL. A quarterback who consistently connected deep down the field. And a coach who knows how to adapt to get the most out of his signal caller.
In more ways than one, this situation was similar to the Seahawks of 2012-14. They were a group that did everything together. They were playing on their first or second contracts without needing to push for those extra years no team wants to give. And they were a team that was pushing to be respected on the field rather than rewarded for their efforts off it.
So maybe, just maybe, Seattle's core can outperform the current ESPN core rankings.
Feature image via Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports.
