Seahawks could be dangerous with this dream projected 2024 starting lineup

The Seattle Seahawks are a team in transition but hoping for a quick retool to get back to the postseason. Seattle finished 9-8 for the second season in a row in 2023, but unlike 2022, the team did not make the playoffs. Now Seattle has a new head coach and several new starters.

Ahead of the 2024 season, 12s should both be excited and fearful. A new coaching staff might get the best out of the team, especially defensively. All the new pieces are unknown - Mike Macdonald has never been a head coach, for instance - and could not be ready to lead the team to success.

The top of Seattle's roster is probably set at this point. Maybe the Seahawks bring in another free agent or two, but they would not be expected to be high-impact players. Still, the projected starters in 2024 appear to be a talented group.

Dream Seahawks starting lineup after 2024 NFL Draft

Projected Seahawks starting offense

• Quarterback: Geno Smith
• Running back: Kenneth Walker III
• Wide receiver: DK Metcalf
• Wide receiver: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
• Wide receiver: Tyler Lockett
• Tight end: Noah Fant
• Left tackle: Charles Cross
• Left guard: Laken Tomlinson
• Center: Olu Oluwatimi
• Right guard: Christian Haynes
• Right tackle: A healthy Abe Lucas

The last part of the above is a huge concern. Lucas is potentially a 10-year starter at RT for Seattle, but he also could be entering the final season of his career. He has had knee surgery twice and former head coach Pete Carroll called Lucas's issue "chronic." Meaning that the problem is never going to fully go away. At least, Seattle signed George Fant this offseason to be a quality backup to Lucas.

The offensive line is capable of being quite good now. Two months ago the Seahawks appeared set on sinking their season with poor O-line play, but Tomlinson might be a very good signing and Haynes should be an upgrade at right guard. Oluwatimi needs to prove he can be a full-time starter, though.

If the offensive line can be decent, the rest of the group might be spectacular, especially under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Smith is an accurate passer who throws a great deep pass, Fant could have an explosive season, and Metcalf might have the best year of his career.

Projected Seahawks starting defense

• Defensive end: Uchenna Nwosu
• Defensive tackle: Leonard Williams
• Defensive tackle: Byron Murphy II
• Defensive end: Boye Mafe
• Inside linebacker: Tyrel Dodson
• Inside linebacker: Jerome Baker
• Cornerback: Riq Woolen
• Cornerback: Tre Brown
• Slot corner: Devon Witherspoon
• Safety: Julian Love
• Safety: Rayshawn Jenkins

The biggest reason Seattle's defense should be much improved is new head coach Mike Macdonald who will also focus on calling the defensive plays. The above "starters" will change from play to play and situation to situation. Plus, Jarran Reed and Dre'Mont Jones are going to see close to the number of snaps as Williams and Murphy and sometimes all four will be in the field at once.

The off-ball linebackers are new and Seattle is taking a chance on Dodson, specifically, that he will excel in his first season as a presumed starter. He and Baker should be upgrades in coverage, but will either provide Bobby Wagner's leadership. Wagner signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency.

Woolen needs to be closer to how he was in 2022 or he could be replaced early in the season, especially if he is not playing the run very well again. Brown is likely the starter, though he will be in a battle with veteran Mike Jackson and rookies D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett for the job.

There is enough talent overall in this group for the unit to be much better than in the previous few seasons. Macdonald's scheme and clarity of message should make a big difference but the greater amount of speed should make the defense more effective.

Projected Seahawks specialists

• Kicker: Jason Myers
• Punter: Michael Dickson
• Long snapper: Chris Stoll
• Kicker returner: Dee Eskridge
• Punt returner: Dee Williams

The first three listed are all signed through at least 2025 and could be with Seattle for a few more years after that. The returners are the question marks of the group. Eskridge is likely only still on the roster because he flashed excellent potential to be a game-changing kick returner in 2023. Williams was signed as a UDFA but in college, he was a terrific punt returner and he could make the team as a cornerback who really only returns punts.

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