The Seattle Seahawks look prime to be a playoff contender once again this upcoming fall. The team is loaded on offense with one of the best wide receiver trios in the NFL and also features a great young running back tandem that is paired with a young talented offensive line. Those skill positions are led by Geno Smith, the Seahawks quarterback who is coming off of a career season.
Even after all the loaded talent that is featured on offense, the Seahawks’ defense was mediocre at best in 2022 and remains a question mark heading into 2023. While the team added more young talent to the roster through the draft, there still are some holes on the team that could be solved through a possible trade.
3. Danielle Hunter Vikings, EDGE
Vikings LB Danielle Hunter (99)- Matt Krohn USA TODAY Sports
The Seahawks’ defense was not very good in 2022, as it ranked 25th in the NFL for points allowed per game. Acquiring an elite pass rusher in Danielle Hunter would help take a lot of pressure off the young secondary the team is building. The Seahawks did bring in two defensive linemen, Jarran Reed and Dre’Mont Jones, this off-season, but Hunter is on another level compared to those two.
Hunter is in the middle of a contract dispute with Minnesota currently and Minnesota is likely to trade him sooner rather than later. It is a tough situation in a trade for Hunter as he has a 13 million dollar cap hit on his contract. For Minnesota to trade him, they would likely need to take on a huge portion of that in a deal. Regardless, Hunter will cost some mid-round draft capital and/or a young edge rusher in return. Hunter has been elite in the sack department, registering 71 sacks in 102 career games, something that has been missing for the Seahawks.
2. Grover Stewart Colts, Defensive Tackle
Colts DT Grover Stewart (90)- Bobby Ellis/Getty Images
The inside defensive line is easily the weakest part of the entire Seattle roster. The Seahawks did not address this position in the early rounds of the draft, but bringing in Grover Stewart would be a huge help in improving the position.
Stewart is a free agent in 2024 and forms one of the best one-two punches on the interior defensive line with DeForest Buckner in Indianapolis. Stewart is a run stuffer, which would help solve many of the Seahawk’s woes. Stewart had 38 stops last season, tied for seventh with Dexter Lawrence, among other defensive tackles.
Stewart would cover a huge need and would be a lot cheaper than most other great defensive tackles, costing likely only late-round draft capital.
1. Quinnen Williams Jets, Defensive Tackle
Jets DT Quinnen Williams (95) – Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
We can dream, right? Quinnen Williams is one of the best defensive tackles in the entire league and is only 25 years old. Williams is in a contract dispute with the Jets right now, and it is possible if the two do not come to an agreement, the Jets may look to deal him.
Williams is an absolute nightmare for offensive linemen as Williams produced 12 sacks last season, which was tied for the third-most sacks at his position. PFF also graded him out as their fourth-highest defensive tackle in the entire NFL at 90.1. https://pff.com/news/nfl-final-2022-interior-defender-rankings?referrer=shared-from-app
Williams would immediately make Seattle’s weakest position one of their bests. Williams would cost a hefty price to become a member of the Seahawks, likely a first-round pick and another mid-round pick in addition. Not to mention, Seattle would need to be ready to pay him a top-dollar extension immediately after acquiring him, costing around 25 million a year.
Would giving up top-end draft capital and paying top-end dollar to grab Williams be worth it? It absolutely would be. Seahawks fans would love him…
Pull The Trigger
The Seahawks have a legit shot to make a run at winning their division this season. Any three of these players being acquired by the Seahawks would solve some type of weak point of their defense. Ultimately, to compete against the 49ers, an elite rushing attack in their division, defensive tackle should easily be the highest priority of what position to acquire. Regardless, the Seahawks remain in an amazing spot headed into training camp and the state of the franchise is looking up .
