Three position groups where the Seahawks have zero needs in 2024 NFL draft
By Lee Vowell
The 2024 NFL draft should be a fun watch for 12s because for the first time since 2010, someone else - general manager John Schneider - can make final roster decisions other than former head coach Pete Carroll. Sure, Schneider was involved with previous drafts, but if Carroll really wanted a player, the Seattle Seahawks were going to take that player.
This might mean Seattle approaches the draft slightly differently this year. Maybe Seattle even trades up in order to take a player Schneider truly wants. That is unlikely, of course, but it is more of a possibility than in previous seasons.
The team does have some needs that must be addressed. The offensive line is full of holes. The Seahawks need another tight end, plus perhaps a defensive lineman, a linebacker, and a safety. The team has just seven picks. But these are three position groups Seattle shouldn't worry about.
Three position groups the Seattle Seahawks should avoid taking a player in the 2024 NFL draft
Running back
The Seahawks have gone against a recent NFL of not taking running backs high in the 2024 NFL draft by taking one back in each of the last two second rounds. In 2022, Seattle took Kenneth Walker III and in 2023, the team selected Zach Charbonnet. Seattle also took Kenny McIntosh in the seventh round last year. Like most teams, though, Seattle normally dresses only three running backs on game days so, theoretically, Seattle should hope Walker, Charbonnet, and McIntosh stay healthy and that would be the RB room on game days.
Seattle also has Bryant Koback on the current bloated roster but he likely could fall to the practice squad and be elevated as needed.
But surely, John Schneider will not decide to take another running back at any point in the draft. The team has other needs. Plus, seven picks only go so far.
Wide receiver
Seattle probably has too many receivers right now. The top three are set with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett, and DK Metcalf. That is as good of a trio as any in the league. But Seattle also has solid depth with Jake Bobo. The tight ends, especially Noah Fant, should also be more involved in the passing game in 2024 which limits even further a need for a receiver in the draft.
Schneider and Mike Macdonald will have greater decisions on who to release than who to add. Dee Eskridge was given a tender to return, and he might turn out to be a good kick returner even if he does not do much in terms of catching passes. Dareke Young is good on special teams but might not ever be a productive receiver. The team signed Laviska Shenault as well this offseason and he could be the second kick returner. Adding a receiver in the draft would just seem like a waste.
Quarterback
Schneider might really want to add a quarterback in the 2024 draft after he has said this offseason that he is "not proud of" the team only taking two quarterbacks since 2010. To be fair, one of those quarterbacks was Russell Wilson which eliminated the need to choose a quarterback. But after the team traded for Sam Howell, there is simply no real reason to take a quarterback in 2024 either.
Geno Smith is going to be the starter and there is no logical reason to release him before the season because that would cost the team $13.3 million in cap room. Releasing Smith with a post-June 1 designation would only save Seattle $600,000 but there is no reason to do that either. Both Smith and Howell are signed through 2025. This year it is best to just ride with those quarterbacks and worry about taking a quarterback in the 2025 draft.