Is the Answer to the Seahawks Cornerback Position Already in Seattle?

The Seattle Seahawks have made several moves to address needs for 2017. For one, Seattle has signed 6,738 free agent linebackers. (While that is not true, it certainly feels like it.) One issue the Seahawks need to fix, though, is who the corner opposite Richard Sherman will be. To make things more interesting, there are two players currently in Seattle who might fit great with the Seahawks.

The University of Washington has produced some excellent defensive players over the last few years. Corner Marcus Peters and linebacker Shaq Thompson will be NFL stars for years. Huskies coach Chris Petersen knows how to coach corners and safeties. He has done so successfully over several years, including his time at Boise State.

This draft will include three former Huskies that play in the secondary. All three players could be drafted within the first two rounds. Two of them could easily end up as Seahawks. One might be the long-term answer to the position opposite Sherman.

One could ask themselves what is the bigger need in Seattle: offensive line or secondary? This question might seem silly. Recently the secondary – the Legion of Boom, mind you – was a strength of the team. There was no question that opposing teams did not like to throw the ball against Seattle. Still, opposing coaches are not giddy with the prospects of facing Sherman and company.

But the secondary does not have the depth and talent it once had. The offensive line was young enough in 2016 it might improve. When Earl Thomas left with injury last season, the defense was not the same. Steven Terrell was not an adequate replacement. Seattle signed Bradley McDougald this offseason to help address that problem. However, DeShawn Shead was lost for months due to a knee injury he sustained in the final game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The corner issue can be fixed in the draft and long-term. While Huskies safety Budda Baker is an excellent talent, he does not appear ready to step into a starting role in Seattle. Former-Huskies corners Kevin King and Sidney Jones could play soon after taking a bus downtown from Montlake to CenturyLink. Both fit the model of what Seattle seems to want in a corner.

King is bigger than Jones. King is 6’3” and 200 pounds. He is also faster. The problem with King is that he is not yet a great tackler. His tendency is to strip the ball than make a clean, technically solid tackle. He can hit and hit hard, but that is not his normal behavior. King also is a bit slow to react to cuts by smaller receivers.

Jones is tall enough at six feet and ran a 4.48 in the 40 at the combine. He has excellent cover skills and tackles well. Jones is less likely to be available to the Seahawks at the 26th pick.

Neither Jones or King may start at the beginning of the season if drafted by Seattle. The Seahawks may not want to expose rookies so early. If Jones or King is chosen by Seattle, though, they would be expected to start by mid-way through 2017. Plus, either would most likely be a long-term starter in Seattle. Probably long after Shead is gone. Probably even long after Sherman is gone.