ESPN ranks Seattle Seahawks roster near top-ten in the NFL in 2023
By Lee Vowell
It's the time of the offseason when it's fun to rank everything and grade all things. But at least the Seattle Seahawks are getting some love from a few sites. Well, maybe not the offensive line or head coach Pete Carroll, but some other parts of the team, at least.
ESPN recently ranked the strength of all 32 rosters and the Seahawks came in at 12th. Not bad considering last season Seattle was expected to be awful and then shocked many pundits by not only finishing with a winning record but even making the playoffs. But because of last year's relative success and another good draft class, Seattle is seen in a slightly better light.
The top team is the Kansas City Chiefs. I assume as long as they have Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, they will rank near the top of the league. Interestingly, two NFC West rivals of the Seahawks are at the bottom. The Los Angeles Rams are 31st and the Cardinals are last. ESPN says the Cardinals "don't appear to be trying to win in 2023" and the Rams' biggest weakness is the rest of the defense other than Aaron Donald.
Seahawks half a talented roster in 2023, says ESPN
But back to the Seahawks. The receiving unit is seen as the strong position group for Seattle, though ESPN says "Seattle's roster has several elite units." Well, that's nice to read, isn't it? But DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett got a new best friend in Jaxon Smith-Njigba and as long as everybody stays healthy, the unit should be top-tier.
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The weakest group isn't the interior of the defensive line, however. It is depth at edge rusher. I do see ESPN's point, though, and that is the depth behind Uchenna Nwosu is unproven. But this unit could also be spectacular if Derick Hall and Boye Mafe are as good as hoped.
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The X-factor for 2023 is Darrell Taylor. Taylor is a frustrating player in lots of ways. He's clearly capable of being disruptive as he had 9.5 sacks last year. But he's maddeningly inconsistent. If Taylor can be even somewhat consistent he can help transform the pass rush which makes it easier on the inside linebackers which makes it easier on the secondary which makes it easier for the Seahawks to win a lot of games. No pressure, Taylor!