Seattle Seahawks need to address EDGE to find sustainable success
A recent Pro Football Focus article detailed why the Seahawks must address the glaring hole in the roster.
After the free agency run the Seattle Seahawks enjoyed and the praise they have earned because of those successes, it would be easy for the franchise to rest on their laurels.
But, if Seattle wants to not only build on the 2022 NFL season's surprise success but come back better, the franchise still has roster concerns it must address. Odds are plugging those holes will be done through the NFL Draft later in April.
One position the Seahawks have been looking at is safety, scheduling top-30 visits with three high-potential probable draft selections. Another position Seattle's coach Pete Carroll expressed an interest in is quarterback, which Seattle may use its No. 5 selection to sure up.
In a recent Pro Football Focus article, however, they suggested Seattle needs to plug its edge play if the Seahawks aim to be better in 2023.
The folks at PFF also suggested the Seahawks address holes at cornerback and wide receiver.
Here is exactly what they said regarding Seattle's primary roster concerns:
"We knew the Seahawks were going to be aggressive in trying to upgrade their defensive line from Pete Carroll’s post-season press conference. And they did that in free agency by adding Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed. But they still need a dominant edge presence, a position we expect them to target with their No. 5 pick. The next three positions on the list are lesser needs, but they are all areas where Seattle could use an injection of talent. They have plenty of potential to attack those holes with their extra first-round pick and their two second-round picks."
If Seattle turns to the draft to sure up its edge position, the can't-miss prospect is Alabama's Will Anderson Jr.
At 6-foot-3 and 257 pounds, Anderson possesses a burst that can define his career as a pro. During his college career, Anderson was a member of the SEC All-Freshman Team. He started all 13 games for the national champion Crimson Tide. And then during his sophomore season, he showcased why he earned the nickname the "Terminator." Claiming All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-SEC honors, Anderson finished fifth in the Heisman voting and led FBS with tackles for loss with 34.5.
2022 was his most complete season as a college player. He won the Nagurski Trophy, and he was an All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year again. He took home the Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, and the Lott IMPACT Trophy, as well (51 tackles, a team-high 17 for loss with 10 sacks, and one interception in 13 starts).
If he is available for Seattle at pick No. 5, the selection is a no-duh endeavor. But, that isn't a guarantee.
Seattle may head in a completely different direction as well. There are still a number of free agents available at the edge that could join the franchise and make a legitimate difference.
Some names currently in the free-agent pool are Jadeveon Clowney, Frank Clark, and Yannick Ngakoue.
If the Seahawks manage to sure up its only real problem position on the defense, the sky is not the limit — only the beginning.
