4 positions on the Seahawks to see the biggest competition this off-season

As we head deeper into the Seahawks off-season programs, we’ll begin to see competition among positions start to take shape.

This year’s draft for the Seahawks was different from most because they were drafting more for starting players instead of adding depth. With the off-season OTA’s (organized team activities) already having begun, the coaching staff has been able to see how their rookies and free agent signings are fitting in.

Wide Receiver

Doug Baldwin has always been a big part of the Seahawks offense since he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2011. Nine seasons later, the Seahawks wide receiver room is going to look drastically different going into 2019. The Seahawks took it upon themselves to prepare for life without Baldwin by drafting three wide receivers in 2019 and even signing a few more as undrafted free agents.

Tyler Lockett is easily Russell Wilson’s new number one. With the amount of depth that the Seahawks are looking at at the position, a designated number two receiver isn’t necessary right now. Between D.K. Metcalf, Gary Jennings, David Moore, Jaron Brown and roster hopefuls John Ursua, Amara Darboh, Jazz Ferguson, and Keenan Reynolds, there’s going to be plenty of rotation at the position.

The main concern here would be that nearly everyone aside from Lockett are still unproven.

Defensive End

The edge position might be the biggest question mark on the Seahawks roster after they traded Frank Clark to the Chiefs just days before the 2019 draft. The starters will likely be newly signed Ezekiel Ansah (depending on his recovery from a shoulder injury) and rookie LJ Collier, with second-year DE, Rasheem Green, also expected to see significant time on the field.

Depending on who makes the final roster, Branden Jackson, Jacob Martin, Cassius Marsh and Nazair Jones (previously a DT) will rotate as situational players.

Safety

After Earl Thomas’ season-ending injury in week four of the 2018 season, Bradley McDougald and Tedric Thompson stepped up to fill in his role. They did well enough that I’m really not too worried about how the position will be handled in 2019. To compete against them, the Seahawks drafted Ugo Amadi out of Oregon in the fourth round of the draft.

Opposite of them, we can expect to see Delano Hill and rookie second-round pick, Marquise Blair. Blair’s hard-hitting style is similar to that of Kam Chancellor‘s.

Tight End

The tight end position isn’t too concerning for the Seahawks because they are more often used for blocking than catching passes. Right now, the Seahawks have six tight ends on their roster, which is more than they are going to keep come the start of the season. Most likely to make the final roster would be Ed Dickson, Will Dissly (returning from a season-ending patella injury), and either Jacob Hollister or Nick Vannett.