Coach: Pete Carroll
Offensive Coordinator: Shane Waldron
Defensive Coordinator: Clint Hurtt
Offensive scheme: Waldron was a former assistant with Sean McVay in Los Angeles, and runs a similar style of offense, which is similar to the Mike Shanahan style that McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and the LaFleurs run – heavy pre-snap motion, misdirection, and cross routes designed to confuse the defense and open up space for receivers. In the run game, the team runs an outside zone concept, which is an outside run attack (to TE outside shoulder) in which the offensive line blocks in space between the defensive line and the runner and sideline.
Defensive scheme: For nearly two decades, Pete Carroll’s Cover 3 defense has spawned numerous copycats throughout the league, with many of Carroll’s former defensive coordinators taking the Seattle defense to teams across the league. The Seattle defense is predicated on three deep defenders, generally a free safety and the two outside corners, zone defense in the middle with a slot/nickel corner, a dedicated strong safety, and the inside linebackers, and a four man rush, which can be four down linemen, or an stand-up edge rusher. The short/intermediate defenders need to be able/willing tacklers and able to defend in space.
The Seahawks, as of April 22nd, own eight picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, which include a first, second, and fifth round picks, as part of the haul in the Russell Wilson trade to Denver. The pick in the first replaces their pick, which now sits with the Jets after the Jamal Adams trade
Seahawks Draft Picks:
| Round | Overall Pick | Value (JJ) | Value (RH) | Notes |
| 1 | 9 | 1350 | 387 | From Denver (Russell Wilson trade) |
| 2 | 40 | 500 | 149 | From Denver (Russell Wilson trade) |
| 2 | 41 | 490 | 146 | |
| 3 | 72 | 230 | 67 | |
| 4 | 109 | 76 | 32 | From Jets (Jamal Adams trade) |
| 5 | 152 | 29 | 12 | From Denver (Russell Wilson trade) |
| 5 | 153 | 28.6 | 12 | |
| 7 | 229 | 1 | 3 |
Total Draft Points:
Jimmy Johnson model: 2704.6
Rich Hill model: 808
About Draft point models
The first model for assigning a point value to draft picks was designed by Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson during his time with the Dallas Cowboys. The valuations are designed to be used as a benchmark when determining the value of draft picks being traded between teams. The values are not hard coded and teams may have different valuations based on need or organizational philosophy. The Rich Hill model was derived, at least in part, due to a differing philosophy of pick value by Patriots coach Bill Belichick. As you may see in the chart above, the revised model puts an added emphasis on early picks and smooths out the value later on in the draft.
What will the Seahawks do at the draft?
The Russell Wilson trade was the most apparent signal that the Seahawks are headed for a rebuild. With the ninth pick, there has been very little mention of a quarterback, which could mean that this position is being punted to the 2023 draft, or they are going to take a run at getting Baker Mayfield. Either way, the Seahawks now have a number of holes to fill in their lineup with the exodus of talent in the past few seasons.
Roster Analysis
The headliner of the offseason for the Seahawks was the departure of QB Russell Wilson via trade to the Denver Broncos, but another significant move took place this offseason as Bobby Wagner also left the team, as he signed with the defending champion Rams. With the two leaders of the respective units gone, a rebuild looms for the first time in over a decade in Seattle. Other key departures: TE Gerald Everett to the Chargers, CB DJ Reed to the Jets, and essentially all of the offensive line. LT Duane Brown is in discussions with the team for a return to the team, but has not signed to this point. DT Shelby Harris, TE Noah Fant, and QB Drew Lock were part of the return in the Wilson trade, while EDGE Uchenna Nwosu and nickel CBs Justin Coleman and Artie Burns were signed by the club.
Depth Charts
Quarterback
Starter: Drew Lock
Reserves: Geno Smith, Jacob Eason
Expected Draft Action: Depth. The Seahawks have not made any aggressive overtures about selecting a quarterback in the first round, which may be true or a smokescreen but, given how Carroll-era Seahawks love “competition”, they may opt to go with a pick later in the draft. The other option for them would be to trade for an established QB like Baker Mayfield.
Potential fits: Malik Willis, Liberty; Matt Corral, Ole Miss; Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati; Sam Howell, UNC; Carson Strong, Nevada; Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
Running Back
Starters: Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny
Reserves: DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer, Josh Johnson, Darwin Thompson
Expected Draft Action: None. Carson is an underrated RB when healthy, but unfortunately, he does miss a lot of time, including the last 13 games of 2021; Penny was signed on a one-year, $5.75 million “prove it” deal, after a sensational last five weeks of the season; Travis Homer is a good third down/change of pace back, while DeeJay Dallas has the potential to be a lead back in the future. There’s plenty of options here, meaning the team is unlikely to use draft capital on a new back.
Wide Receiver
Starters: X Tyler Lockett, Z DK Metcalf, Slot Freddie Swain
Reserves: X Aaron Fuller; Z Cade Johnson; Slot D’Wayne Eskridge, Penny Hart, Matt Cole, Cody Thompson
Expected Draft Action: Depth. The Seahawks are in decent shape at the skill positions, especially at WR with Lockett and Metcalf. Their issue is who is throwing them the ball. The Seahawks could use some depth though, especially outside of the slot.
Potential fit: X Danny Gray, SMU; Kevin Austin, Notre Dame; Tyquan Thornton, Baylor
Z: -Makai Polk, Mississippi State; Alec Pierce, Cincinnati; Erik Ezukanma, Texas A&M
Tight End
Starters: Noah Fant, Will Dissly
Reserves: Colby Parkinson, Tyler Mabry
Expected Draft Action: None. The Seahawks received Noah Fant in the Wilson trade to go along with incumbent Will Dissly. Fant is a productive receiver, hauling in 60+ passes each of the past two seasons for right around 670 yards per season. He has the athleticism to be a move (F) TE while also having the ability to play in-line (Y) and be a factor in the run blocking/pass protection side of the position. He hasn’t progressed quite how the Broncos would’ve liked, but he will still be 24 when the season starts and there is opportunity for him to be a significant part of the plans on offense for the Seahawks this season.
Offensive Line
Starters: LT Stone Forsythe, LG Damien Lewis, C Austin Blythe, RG Gabe Jackson, RT Jake Curhan
Reserves: T Greg Eiland, G Phil Haynes, Pier-Olivier Lestage, C Kyle Fuller, Dakoda Shepley
Expected Draft Action: Starters, up to 4. This offensive line looks unfinished. Forsythe is a sixth rounder for 2021 who has 14 career snaps under his belt on offense. Curhan played 40% of the team’s snaps as an rookie UDFA and predictably struggled. Kyle Fuller got the first taste of starting in his career and really struggled – the Seahawks brought in Austin Blythe, a starter with the Rams before backing up at KC last year, to take over as the starting centre. Gabe Jackson is the established player on this line, but he needs help, a lot of it. The Seahawks are in a position to take two starting tackles in this draft (or beg Duane Brown to come back to take one of those spots). In this piece, I’m predicting a new LT and RT in the draft.
Potential Fits: LT Evan Neal, Alabama; LT/RT Ickey Ekwonu, NC State; LT Charles Cross, Ole Miss; LT Abraham Lucas, Washington
RT Tyler Smith, Tulsa; Max Mitchell, Louisiana; Rasheed Walker, Michigan State; G/T Jamaree Salyer, Georgia; G/T Spencer Buford, UTSA; Vederian Lowe, Illinois
Defensive Line
Starters: DE Shelby Harris, 3T Quinton Jefferson, NT Poona Ford
Reserves: DE LJ Collier, Alex Tchangam; 3T Al Woods, Jarrod Hewitt, Myles Adams; NT Bryan Mone, Niles Scott
Expected Draft Action: Depth. The two-deep on the defensive line is credible with the additions of Shelby Harris and Quinton Jefferson. They’ll expect more of out Collier this season but a 3-4 end with pass rushing capabilities may be sought after in the later rounds.
Potential Fits:
DT:
Pass Rushers
Starter: Uchenna Nwosu
Reserves: Darrell Taylor, Alton Robinson
Expected Draft Action: Depth. While Taylor has shown promise and Nwosu is a good pass rusher, the team will likely look to add depth in the draft. A pick on Day 2 makes a lot of sense here.
Potential Fits: Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma; Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State; DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky; Dominique Robinson, Miami (Ohio); Christopher Allen, Alabama; Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati; Tyree Johnson, Texas A&M
Linebackers
Starters: WLB Jordyn Brooks, MLB Cody Barton
Reserves: WLB Jon Rhattigan, Ben Burr-Kirven, Lakiem Williams; MLB Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Tanner Muse, Aaron Donkor
Expected Draft Action: MLB. Cody Barton will likely get the unenviable task of having to replace a franchise institution in Bobby Wagner, but there may also be an opportunity to draft a replacement here.
Potential fit: MLB Channing Tindall, Alabama; Nakobe Dean, Georgia; Damone Clark, LSU (will miss 2022 after spinal fusion surgery); Troy Andersen, Montana STate; Aaron Hansford, Texas A&M
Cornerbacks
Starters: Artie Burns, Sidney Jones, Justin Coleman
Reserves: Tre Brown, John Reid, Ugo Amadi, Mike Jackson
Expected Draft Action: Depth. This unit is a shell of its former self. However, when Sidney Jones plays, he is capable, but last year was his first as a starter, and the first in which he didn’t miss significant time. Artie Burns was terrible in Pittsburgh as a starter but played a lot better in Chicago as a nickel corner. He’ll likely be expected to go back outside in Seattle, as the Seahawks brought Justin Coleman back to the team. Both players are on very team-friendly deals. The team should look at an option as a outside corner proficient in cover 3 at the very least as cover for the oft-injured Jones and Burns, who himself is two years removed from a torn ACL.
Potential fits: Kaiir Elam, Florida; Andrew Booth, Clemson; Kyler Gordon, Washington; Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska; Alontae Taylor, Tennessee; Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State
Safeties
Starters: FS Quandre Diggs, SS Jamal Adams
Reserves: FS Marquise Blair, SS Ryan Neal, Nigel Warrior
Expected Draft Action: None. They could go for a project at free safety as an eventual replacement for Diggs, who is on the wrong side of 30. The segmented roles of the safeties in the Seattle Cover 3 defense work well for each player’s strengths – Adams is poor in coverage but great near the line of scrimmage, while Diggs is an effective free safety playing in centre field. The team has significant needs at other positions and the expectation is that they’ll fill those other needs before they go after a safety. Someone like Taylor-Britt could be drafted to fill the immediate need at corner while potentially learning the FS spot to eventually step in for Diggs when the need arises.