The four most pressing needs for the Seahawks following 2024 free agency
The Seahawks filled at least some of their roster gaps while keeping star defensive end Leonard Williams and tight end Noah Fant in free agency. But before this team is prepared to play, there is still a lot of work to be done. For starters, ESPN’s Mike Clay now ranks their offensive line as the worst in the league on paper. This summer, there are a number of things that need to be addressed, improving that unit being one of them.
After the free agency period, let’s examine Seattle’s top four roster needs.
General Manager John Schneider reportedly suggested that guards can be overpaid and overdrafted. That doesn’t alter the fact that it is currently the team’s biggest need, though.
The position of left guard, where Damien Lewis has gone on to a massive four-year deal with the Panthers, is the most vacant. The Seahawks made the correct decision in declining that offer, but they also lack an apparent successor at this position because no player on the roster has any professional experience in this role. There is a lot of conjecture that Seattle may select Troy Fautanu, an offensive lineman with the Huskies, at pick No. 16 in the draft as a result. While playing at Washington, Fautanu would initially start at left guard but might eventually switch to left tackle.
The Seahawks need to find a replacement for right guard Phil Haynes, who was permitted to walk in free agency in 2023. They may choose to re-sign him, but more likely they will allow Tremayne Anchrum, a recent free agent signing, and Anthony Bradford fight for this slot. However, we would feel much better if they used a draft pick on someone like Zak Zinter of Michigan. He has been in this role for three years.
tense conclusion
Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson both left for Los Angeles, so even though Seattle retained Noah Fant and added Pharaoh Brown, they are still without a tight end in their lineup. Since Brown’s primary position is blocking, their goal should be to add a pass-catcher to the depth chart. The problem is that there won’t be many tight ends available this year, so they could have to settle with one of the few remaining veterans.
At this point, the Seahawks have a potent 1-2 punch in Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe. But since the 49ers are their main rival, they have to raise the standard higher than most teams. In run defense, Darrell Taylor has been a disaster behind them, while Derick Hall had a somewhat uneven rookie campaign. During the draft, selecting a young, talented edge rusher on the second day should be a consideration.
Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker were signed by Seattle, hence Jordyn Brooks and Bobby Wagner have been essentially replaced. Devin Bush also left in free agency, so they still have another inside linebacker to fill. Junior Colson, who spent a season at Michigan working under head coach Mike Macdonald, is the most well-liked prospect in this class.
Jamal Adams, a safety, was waived by the Seahawks on March 5 and is still a free agent. It ended one of the worst transactions in NFL history involving a non-quarterback.
But have the Seahawks left the door open enough for Adams to return?
During his weekly radio show on Seattle Sports 710, general manager of the Seahawks John Schneider was questioned about “keeping tabs” on both Adams and safety Quandre Diggs, who is still a free agent. In place of Adams and Diggs, the Seahawks have added experienced safety K’Von Wallace and Rayshawn Jenkins to their roster, along with returnee Julian Love.
However, Adams was a capable linebacker.
Schneider responded, “Yes, that’s what we were thinking when we acquired him—he was a WILL [weakside] linebacker.”
