7 Seattle Seahawks players who can outperform their pay grade in 2024
By Lee Vowell
Quarterback Geno Smith
- 2024 cap hit: $26,400,000
Smith has the 11th-highest cap hit among quarterbacks in the NFL, though there is a good chance under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb that Smith has the best season of his career. Grubb's offense is designed to hit open receivers deep and Smith throws one of the best deep balls in the league. 12s saw a glimpse of that in Smith's one drive in the preseason.
In 2022, Smith was seventh in the league in Total QBR. Last year, he fell to 15th but that is still top half of the league. Plus, he had to do a bit more last year because Seattle's defense was so bad, and former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron forgot how to run the ball.
Smith led the league in game-winning drives last season and led the NFL in completion percentage in 2022. He is a good quarterback and better than some of the quarterbacks with higher cap hits, such as Daniel Jones. Smith's contract is a steal currently for Seattle and might be even more of one in the 2024 season if Smith is fantastic.
Edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu
- 2024 cap hit: $7,813,333
Nwosu might miss a couple of games to begin the season, but if he can stay healthy upon his return, he is the Seahawks most versatile and best edge rusher. He excels against the run and his pressure numbers in 2022, his last full season, more than doubled every other Seahawks defender.
Nwosu's cap number is 28th among edge rushers in the league, but Nwosu is clearly better than the 28th-best player at his position. There is also a likelihood that in head coach Mike Macdonald's system - which helps a versatile player achieve a high level of success - Nwosu exceeds his career-high in sacks (which is 9.5 in 2022) and tackles for loss (12, also in 2022).
Nwosu could be in for his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024. He just needs to return soon from a knee injury he suffered in the preseason and then stay healthy for the remainder of the season.