7 Seattle Seahawks players who can outperform their pay grade in 2024

Safety Julian Love

• 2024 cap hit: $6,500,000

Mike Macdonald has a way with safeties and turning them into superstars. He did that with Kyle Hamilton last year with the Baltimore Ravens and Love has the same kind of versatility that Hamilton has. This is not to say Love is as good as Hamilton, but he isn't far off either. In fact, Love was underused in the Seahawks scheme last year and former defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt chose Jamal Adams over Love to start to the detriment of the defense overall.

Still, Love found his way to making the Pro Bowl last year and that should be his floor this season. He has proven to be consistently good in coverage and can provide excellent support against the run, too. General manager John Schneider likes him enough to sign him to an extension prior to Love hitting free agency next offseason.

Love has the 17th-highest cap hit among safeties this season. He is obviously capable of being a top-ten safety if not even higher. He had four interceptions last season. That number could grow to seven this year.

Center Connor Williams

• 2024 cap hit: $3,280,000

Seattle has had a center problem since they traded Max Unger to the New Orleans Saints after the 2014 season. There have been players, such as Justin Britt, who have started for more than one season for the Seahawks, but none of them have been as good as Unger or as capable as Williams. Williams, who was signed to a low one-year deal since he is coming off a knee injury, could make the Pro Bowl this year.

In 2023, he was the second-highest-graded center in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. But that was not a one-year level of greatness. He also had a near-elite grade in 2022 as well.

Williams instantly improves the Seahawks' offensive line overall. He is an excellent communicator and should be a great veteran presence to whichever player is playing next to his right. He could miss Week 1 after working his way back from a knee injury, but he should be available for the majority of the season.

More Seahawks news and analysis: