If you were to give me the Seattle Seahawks' three most significant needs immediately after the 2024 season, they'd probably include guard, center, tight end, and maybe even defensive back. Now, fast-forward a few months to April. Would you say they addressed those needs yet?
Probably not. One may argue they created even more holes in the roster this offseason. I would agree. Seattle and John Schneider decided to cut ties with players such as quarterback Geno Smith, wide receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, and notable defensive players Dre'mont Jones, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Tre Brown.
So, what are Seattle's current biggest needs on its roster? Seattle unsurprisingly failed to address these needs in the first wave of free agency and must address them either in the draft, in the latter part of free agency, or even via trade. These are the three biggest needs for the Seattle Seahawks.
Three offseason needs the Seattle Seahawks still need to address
Interior offensive line
Rinse and repeat: The Seahawks have a bad offensive line. They refuse to address this in free agency and undervalue interior offensive linemen. This has been a story for over a decade now, and it's a need that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
There is no excuse for trotting out guard Anthony Bradford, who's good for a handful of blown assignments and a personal foul here or there each week. I can excuse a young guard, such as Christian Haynes or Sataoa Laumea, who has yet to have a fair chance, but there is still a massive need for guards on this roster.
Seattle is in a good place to take one of the better guards in the draft, whether in the first round or on Day 2.
Failing to address this need, in my opinion, is a fireable offense. There is no excuse not to bring in at least one rookie to compete for a starting job, preferably one of the better prospects in the first two rounds. It is still a serious need, whether general manager John Schneider wants to admit it or not.
Tight end
When Seattle lost both TEs Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson a year ago, tight end production suffered a serious blow. TE Noah Fant is a talented tight end, but he doesn't seem like a great fit for Seattle. 2024 rookie AJ Barner looked very promising to close the season last year, but Seattle really should look to add some insurance.
Again, the draft in less than two weeks is a great place to start. It's a relatively strong tight end class, and again, there's no excuse not to bring in a rookie to compete. Further, Klint Kubiak's offense always features at least two tight ends, capable of blocking and catching, on most snaps.
Fant should not be Seattle's long-term option, and even with how good Barner looked at the end of last season, Seattle still needs to add at least one more.
Defensive back
On paper, Seattle looks to have a strong secondary. One of the best one-two punches at cornerback in the league, Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon will likely continue to apply sticky coverage in 2025. Plus, safety Julian Love has been playing some of the best football in his career here in Seattle, and young converted safety Coby Bryant showed flashes of serious ball hawk potential in 2024.
But it's still a need heading into the 2025 season. Because Seattle loves Witherspoon in the nickel position, understandably, Seattle still needs another boundary corner opposite Woolen. Last season, we thought that would be Tre Brown, but after a shaky season full of injuries and blown assignments, Brown was not re-signed this offseason.
Seattle should certainly still be in the market for another boundary cornerback.
At safety, after Rayshawn Jenkins was released last month, Coby Bryant appears to be slated as the starting free safety next to Julian Love. However, Bryant may be better suited to serve as a dime safety in a more limited role. Bryant played decently in his opportunities in 2024, but Seattle should still be looking to upgrade that position.
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