Seahawks Position Preview: Skill Positions
With a potential breakout at RB and awesome depth at WR, what could go wrong?
What do you do when NFL cut down day is on Tuesday but you just started previewing the Seahawks offense? You change plans and lump them all together. This is the equivalent of when my son makes a graveyard at 7-11. Just dumps all the tasty sodas together into one glorious concoction. So here you go: the Seahawks skill positions on offense in one beautiful post.
People love the skill positions players on the Seahawks and for good reason. There is an argument to be made that the Seahawks three top receivers are the best group in the NFL (apologies to the Rams, Dolphins and 49ers). With young, skilled running backs, the Hawks have the ability to keep the ball on the ground to move the sticks as well. And Geno Smith looks amazing in camp. So why did this group finish 12th in offensive DVOA last year?
Wide Receivers
Projected starters: DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jackson Smith-Njigba
Likely on the roster: Jake Bobo
Fighting for a spot: Laviska Shenault, Jr., Easop Winston Jr., Dareke Young, Cody White, Dee Eskridge
Only three wide receivers in the history of the NFL recorded 900 or more yards and at least five receiving touchdowns in each of their first five seasons. The list is Randy Moss, AJ Green and DK Metcalf. With that talent and production, Metcalf’s usage in Ryan Grubb’s offense might be the most fascinating thing to watch in the first few weeks of the season. At the same time, many Seahawks fans can’t wait for the potential Jaxon Smith-Njigba breakout second season. A precise route runner, Smith-Njigba might just lead the Seahawks in targets this season. Oh, and then there is Tyler Lockett, a former Pro Bowler with four different 1000+ yard seasons in his career.
Jake Bobo is a sure thing to make this roster and is a great fourth receiver. He is dependable and could easily catch 50 balls on someone else’s roster. After Bobo, the fight to make the roster gets interesting. Most Seahawks beat writers and bloggers have Shenault making the roster due to his value as a returner. I would be shocked if he isn’t there and actually like what they could do on jet sweeps and bubble screens with him. If the Hawks keep six receivers instead of five, the battle will come down to Winston and Young. Even though Eskridge popped with a great return on Saturday night, he is too injured and too inconsistent (not to mention some other troubles) to make this roster.
Running Backs
Projected starters: Kenneth Walker III
Likely on the roster: Zach Charbonnet
Fighting for a spot: Kenny McIntosh, George Holani
The fight for a spot comes down to McIntosh and Holani. I would guess that McIntosh has done enough in preseason (5.4 yards per carry and one explosive carry on Saturday) to make the roster and the Hawks will try to sneak Holani onto the practice squad. (Note: many now feel that both could make the squad because Holani could be claimed by another team). The hope is that McIntosh (or Holani) doesn’t see the field much. In fact, I am hoping we see only a little of Zach Charbonnet (7-8 carries per game) as that would mean Kenneth Walker III is healthy and running wild. Walker looks fantastic in practice and has a chance to break out as a top-five running back in the league.
Quarterback
Projected starters: Geno Smith
Likely on the roster: Sam Howell
Fighting for a spot: PJ Walker
In 2023, Geno Smith was ranked 14th in QBR. In 2022, Geno Smith was ranked 7th in QBR. Which Geno shows up in 2024? The hope is that Ryan Grubb finds more ways to unlock Smith’s talent and efficiency. However, Smith’s success may be less about Grubb and more about the offensive line. Last year, Geno was pressured on over 40% of his dropbacks, making everything less fun on offense. If Geno gets time, he is going to be a top 12 QB in the league.
Sam Howell is locked in as the backup quarterback after a solid preseason. In fact, he is probably one of the best backups in the NFL at this point. PJ Walker has not looked good and might not even make the practice squad.
Tight End
Projected starters: Noah Fant
Likely on the roster: Pharaoh Brown
Fighting for a spot: Brady Russell, AJ Barner, Jack Westover, Tyler Mabry
This is one of the toughest positions to project. Both Fant and Brown have been out with “minor” injuries that have me slightly concerned. Brown was on crutches in a recent video but said he was aiming for week one. Fant says he will be ready as well, but we haven’t seen either one in practice in weeks. Is it possible that either Brown or Fant goes on injured reserve? That would obviously change who gets kept.
Russell seems close to a lock due to his play on special teams and offense this preseason. Barner was a draft pick and came on late so I would give the last TE spot to him but Mabry is lingering. Husky fans love Jack Westover but I don’t think he is making the roster, even with an injury designation from Fant or Brown. I could see him on the practice squad for sure.
Past position previews:
Well. Same as mostly always, I learned a lot reading this. Thank you for putting it together. I liked how I learned both today stuff and older sports stuff. Ohyeah!
I am salivating thinking of our wide receivers in the Grubb offense. I will not be surprised when the passing attack takes off.