3 offseason mistakes that could cost Seahawks a playoff spot in 2023
By Lee Vowell
The Seattle Seahawks appear on the upswing heading into 2023. But did 2022 fool us a bit? Did the team so far exceed expectations last year that it is skewing how we should view the 2023 team?
Seattle made massive changes at some position groups. The defensive line has been nearly 100 percent rebuilt. On paper, the group should be better, but then football games aren't played on paper. Plus, the defensive line still seems to have a hole in it (more on that in a minute).
The offensive line still needs to resolve some potential problems as well. And did Seattle choose some players too early in the 2023 NFL draft. What follows are three potential mistakes Seattle made this offseason.
Seahawks could have waited on a running back in the 2023 NFL draft
Seattle drafting Zach Charbonnet, who I like a lot as a person and a player, might turn out to be a good move long-term, but the Seahawks simply had other needs at pick 52 over in the 2023 draft. No offense to rookie guard Anthony Bradford, and I hope he does well for Seattle if and when he gets a chance to start, but Seattle needed a more proven prospect in the draft. Seattle could have chosen Florida mauler O'Cyrus Torrence at pick 52 but he instead went at pick 59 to the Buffalo Bills.
Seattle could also chosen another Florida product, defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, Sr., who is big enough and athletic enough to play nose guard. The Seahawks still have a question mark there, which is a bit of a shame as the rest of the defensive line appears to have been upgraded with free agent signees Jarran Reed and Dre'Mont Jones. Maybe Seattle wants to go more with a 2-4-5 base because they don't seem overly concerned with the important spot in the middle of the D-line.
The other issue is that while Charbonnet might be good, so might seventh-round pick Kenny McIntosh. McIntosh should have gone higher in the draft and has a versatile game. He is a legitimate three-down running back as he can run between the tackles and catch passes out of the backfield. Seattle could have chosen McIntosh late in the draft, signed a relatively inexpensive veteran RB in free agency, and then chosen a player at a greater position of need in the second round.