Top 10 needs for the Seahawks heading into the 2019 offseason
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks should be in good shape for another playoff run in 2019. But with some fixes, Seattle could go deeper in the playoffs than this season.
Pete Carroll has led the Seahawks to a sustained run of success. Seattle has missed the playoffs only twice under Carroll. The team exceeded expectations in 2018 and could be better in 2019, even if odds makers do not think so.
To be better next year, though, Seattle needs to improve in certain areas. With a few fixes, Seattle could even be a Super Bowl contender. Here are Seattle’s top ten needs for the 2019 offseason.
10. Get another tight end
Seattle lost promising rookie Will Dissly in week four of the season. Dissly looked to be ready for a really nice season as he proved he could block, catch and run. He caught and ran with unexpected success. But one can’t be sure how Dissly’s leg injury will affect him moving forward.
Nick Vannett just doesn’t seem ready to become a really productive member of the offense. And Ed Dickson would cost Seattle $4.4 million in 2019. Dickson is probably gone.
This means Seattle needs a proven tight end to come in and help block and catch a few passes but also play for cheap. Dissly and Vannett might be a decent duo next year but they need help too.
9. Get a third running back
Seattle will definitely have Rashaad Penny and Chris Carson back, but Mike Davis is a free agent and will probably sign elsewhere for more money than Seattle will give him. Davis was an important part of Seattle’s rushing attack this season and will need to be replaced by someone who can get fill-in carries and chew clock.
Penny will probably get a lot more carries in 2019 so the Seahawks don’t have to find a replacement for Davis’s entire production but Seattle must get a third back in the rotation that isn’t simply there to warm the bench.