Pre-Draft Projected Starters: 2023 Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks projected starters will be quite a bit different from last season. Seattle has let many of their defensive players go (Al Woods, Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson) and running backs (Travis Homer & Rashaad Penny). We saw in the 2022 NFL season that we had a heavily injured defensive roster, as well as a lack of playable RBs. Hopefully, cutting the veteran players proves worthwhile.

Offensive Backfield:

Quarterback – Geno Smith

Running back – Kenneth Walker III

Geno Smith scored a respectable three-year, $75,000,000 contract with the Seahawks this year. This was a great deal for Seattle – Geno is just above all the rookie QB contracts, and one other veteran QB – the easily injured Jimmy G.

The Hawks should focus on drafting RBs. Two running backs on the roster will not be enough.

Offensive Line:

Left Tackle – Charles Cross

Left Guard – Damien Lewis

Center – Evan Brown

Right Tackle – Abraham Lucas

Right Guard – Phil Haynes

The offensive line is full of new faces. Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas are starting their 2nd year in the league. Their career successes were impressive last year, and it will be great to see how they progress in 2023.

A one-year contract extension for Phil Haynes felt like a wise choice for Seattle. Haynes has all of the potential to be a great starter but is prone to injury. With the Hawks cutting Gabe Jackson, they better have their fingers and toes crossed that Haynes stays healthy.

Damien Lewis was rated the #12 guard by PFF last year. Lewis had career highs in 2022 and it’s only up from here.

Signing Evan Brown was wise – the former Detroit Lion has a dynamic skill set who does well at the center and guard positions. He will be an asset to the team.

Wide Receiver 1 – DK Metcalf

Wide Receiver 2 – Tyler Lockett

Tight End 1 – Noah Fant

Tight End 2 – Colby Parkinson

Don’t sleep on Tyler Lockett just because he’s a little gray in the hair, and he is a projected starter on my list. These whipper snappers have nothing on the dynamic duo that is Lockett and Metcalf.

Fant and Parkinson don’t knock my socks off with their performances. This could be another ideal place to draft new talent.

Defensive Front Seven:

Linebacker 1 – Bobby Wagner

Linebacker 2 – Nick Bellore

Edge Rusher 1 – Uchenna Nwosu

Edge Rusher 2 – Darrell Taylor

Defensive Lineman 1 –  Dre’Mont Jones

Defensive Lineman 2 – Jarran Reed

The defensive front seven are some of my favorites on the team. Bobby Wagner should never have left, and it only feels right to have him back. Nick Bellore is one of the oldest players on the team, a talented and comical guy (have you seen his YouTube videos?), who is a great veteran presence on the team. Nwosu is one of my personal favorite players, and I look forward to seeing him on the edge with Taylor.

Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed are both fiscally wise free agent signings that have proved their talent on teams before and will be a huge benefit to the Hawks’ defense this year.

Defensive Backfield:

Cornerback 1 – Tarique Woolen

Cornerback 2 – Mike Jackson

Cornerback 3 – Coby Bryant

Free Safety – Quandre Diggs

Strong Safety –  Jamal Adams

This section of the defense looks very similar to last year. This is a great thing. Tarique Woolen, in particular, had a tremendous rookie year. With the other defensive additions, this side of the ball will be a huge addition to the team.

For other NFL Teams’ projected Starters in 2023, check in here.