Seahawks fans are likely in for a rough year. Like it or not, this team took a huge hit by trading Russell Wilson and until they find another franchise quarterback it’s unlikely they’ll return to the playoffs.
Nate Davis at USA TODAY has predicted each NFL team’s record for this coming season. For Seattle, he’s projecting a 5-12 record and another fourth-place finish in the NFC West.
“Seattle Seahawks (5-12): Expect recommittal to highly competitive practices, staunch defense and a relentless run game as Pete Carroll and Co. reboot following the exits of Wilson and defensive captain Bobby Wagner. Seattle went 7-9 the year before that dynamic duo arrived in 2012, however RB Marshawn Lynch was already in the Pacific Northwest along with a rising Legion of Boom. Little evidence Carroll has that kind young bedrock in place now.”
We are a little higher on this group, but not by much. Our best guess is this team will finish around 6-11, or 7-10 at best.
If the Seahawks are going to prove these analysts wrong, they will need major contributions from six key players. Unfortunately, five of them are rookies and the other was just ranked the 34th-best player at his position.
1. QB Drew Lock
No matter what else this team does, they’ll need one of their quarterbacks to explode. If it happens most likely it will be Lock, who has the physical tools he needs to succeed but hasn’t been able to put it all together as of yet. Bills star Josh Allen has set the standard for light-year development at this position, going from a bottom-five starter to an MVP candidate seemingly overnight before the 2020 season began. No other QB in league history has made such a leap, so the odds aren’t great for Lock to make a similar jump.
2. LT Charles Cross
No matter who starts at quarterback, Seattle will need its new-look offensive line to come together very quickly. A lot will depend on No. 9 overall draft pick Charles Cross, who is replacing Duane Brown at left tackle. Cross has promise but it is exceedingly rare for rookie tackles to come in and ball out right away.
3. RT Abe Lucas
The same dynamic applies to the Seahawks at right tackle, where third-round pick Abe Lucas is competing with Jake Curhan and Stone Forsythe to start. Given their other options, it’s less important that Lucas hits the ground running compared to Cross. However, he’s still their best chance to field a high-quality starter at this spot in 2022.
4. CB Coby Bryant
Cornerback is another critical position for the modern game and it’s been a question mark at best for this franchise ever since superstar Richard Sherman forced his way out four years ago. Bryant has the ball skills and the football IQ to be an exceptional corner some day, but he’s playing a position that might have the toughest learning curve in the sport. Odds are it will take time for him to adjust to the skill of NFL receivers.
5. CB Tariq Woolen
The same goes for Seattle’s other rookie boundary cornerback. Woolen is an absolutely freakish athletic specimen, which might eventually make him a star in this league. However, at this point in his development his technique is very raw and we’d be surprised if he winds up starting at LCB over the team’s other more proven options.
6. OLB Boye Mafe
Last but not least, the Seahawks desperately need one of their young outside linebackers not named Uchenna Nwosu to step up and become an impact player in 2022. Darrell Taylor or Alton Robinson are entering their third year in the NFL and probably have a better chance of being that guy. That said, Mafe is a superior athlete with a higher ceiling. If he can start delivering on his potential as a rookie it would answer what may be the biggest question for this defense.
