4 experiments the Seattle Seahawks could cut short in 2023
By Lee Vowell
The Seattle Seahawks are likely mostly finished with free agency. Maybe Bobby Wagner returns at linebacker or maybe Seattle signs a wide receiver, but the splashiest of the deals are likely done. Now Seattle can turn its attention to the 2023 NFL draft where Seattle has 9 picks.
The Seahawks should be expected to be better in 2023 because of adding talent in the draft, having a successful free agency period, and having their rookies from 2022 have a year of experience. But some things from 2022 still need to be fixed.
Like every NFL team, Seattle tries out different things to see if they will work. Some of the moves are cost-effective moves while others are giving coaches or players a chance to prove themselves that maybe they hadn’t gotten before. Here are four experiments for Seattle that need to go well in 2023.
Experiment No. 1: Michael Jackson – Seahawks cornerback
Michael Jackson is an odd player. He will get beat a few times and then make a play on a deep pass you had no expectation of him knocking down. He doesn’t have a long history in the NFL so he was a bit of an unknown when he ended up getting a lot of snaps for the Seahawks in 2022. His raw statistics from last season are a bit all over the place, too.
Jackson had 12 passes defended, an interception, 75 tackles, and two fumble recoveries. Those aren’t bad. Also not bad is Jackson’s 75.1 quarterback rating allowed when targeted and his 7.4 percent missed tackle rate. But Jackson was also really inconsistent. His two fumble recoveries came in Week 1. Three of his passes defended came in one game, Week 8 versus the New York Giants.
Jackson isn’t a bad player. He is worthy of keeping on the roster as a backup cornerback. But a team trying to rebuild its defense and get back to being a defense that is really good needs to find a better cornerback opposite Tariq Woolen than Jackson. Jackson doesn’t instill fear in opposing quarterbacks and for Seattle’s defense to be great once again, quarterbacks need to be afraid to throw the ball. Seattle should draft a cornerback fairly high in the 2023 draft.