Which Seahawks have raised their value the most since start of season?
Seaside Joe 1337: Seattle might have a few Pro Bowl players, award winners on offense
The Seattle Seahawks are good. Those high expectations became commonplace during the Russell Wilson era, but perhaps we were giving too much credit to the quarterback during that 10-year run. And I believe it’s fair to say that Pete Carroll was being undervalued without taking anything away from Wilson.
It was a strong pairing for a while. Now the Seahawks are no longer a pair; they’re a full ass team.
Seattle is 5-3 and with most of the NFC struggling even predictable rebounds for one or two teams like the Packers, Bucs, and Rams, shouldn’t prevent the Seahawks from being competitive for a good playoff spot over the rest of the season. Every week I do a “Stock Up, Stock Down” report after the game, but I’ve yet to really give a true evaluation of who is out-playing or under-performing contracts, draft status, and expectations.
For almost anyone associated with the Seahawks, starting with Pete Carroll, working down to Shane Waldron and Clint Hurtt, and most of the roster… Stocks are up. Way up.
I will focus on the offense this time and then the defense next time.
QB - Geno Smith
Up (2023 status: FA)
Nobody in the NFL has done more to raise their stock this year than Geno Smith. From being paid like a low-end backup to being the subject of MVP talk, all but guaranteeing himself Comeback Player of the Year, and standing on the precipice of a long-term contract extension.
My contract proposal for Geno Smith last week was pretty simple: Seattle essentially gives him the 2023 franchise tag now, avoids entering the offseason with uncertainty at quarterback, and in exchange they give Smith a little more security moving forward. The team could then negotiate a long-term deal next year or the year after, depending on circumstances based on how things go. Smith leads the NFL in completion percentage, is third in passer rating, has 13 touchdowns, three interceptions, and he’s been an adept runner of the football too.
I don’t feel like anyone’s evaluation of Smith was “wrong” however. He’s having an unprecedented type of season and career arc. He also put together impressive second half drives against the Giants in Week 8, answering some of those questions. Now, how does Geno Smith respond to being on top for once?
RB - Kenneth Walker III
Up (2023 status: needs depth)
We may need to do an “awards candidate” tally during this article. Geno Smith could be in line for at least two and he’s a shoo-in for the NFC Pro Bowl roster at the midway point. Walker is one of the leading candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Obviously we are not surprised that Walker is doing well, but he’s stacking SportsCenter clips at a rapid pace. Walker is 10th in yards per carry among running backs and 19th in rushing yards. He’s second in rushing yards in the last four weeks.
WR - Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf
Neutral (2023 status: signed)
Lockett is ninth in catches and 13th in yards. He and Metcalf both have two fumbles this season. I feel both are playing as well as expected, but the team needs a succession plan for Lockett. Metcalf is 22nd in yards. If he was a little more “spectacular” then Metcalf could probably be top-five in yards. It would be great if he had more of those highlight-reel grabs. So that’s somewhat disappointing. But I think both are about neutral to pre-season expectations.
Neither is probably an NFC Pro Bowl receiver at this point. Two of those spots go to Justin Jefferson and Cooper Kupp.
WR - Dee Eskridge
Down (2023 status: needs depth)
You could say that Marquise Goodwin’s stock is up since the start of the year and he almost had another touchdown in Week 8. In general, Seattle’s wide receiver depth is lacking, but the tight ends have made up for that in spades.
TE - Will Dissly
Up (2023 status: signed)
TE - Noah Fant, Colby Parkinson
Neutral (2023 status: signed)
I’m being conservative with “neutral” ratings because I feel Noah Fant still needs to take steps forward as a receiver and finishing off his runs. Parkinson leads all tight ends in DVOA, at least among those with under 15 targets. But Dissly’s contract was criticized for being an overpay and yet he’s been one of the most valuable tight ends in football this year. If you’re thinking NFC tight ends and the Pro Bowl, Dissly needs to compete with George Kittle, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Kyle Pitts, and Robert Tonyan, probably. I don’t know if he gets in, but he could with a few more targets.
OT - Charles Cross, Abe Lucas
Up (2023 status: good)
iOL - Austin Blythe, Phil Haynes, Gabe Jackson, Damien Lewis
Up (2023 status: FA)
The fact that Seattle started two rookie offensive tackles and they haven’t been benched or heavily criticized, that’s enough to know that their stocks are UP. I don’t know that either will get a rookie season Pro Bowl nod but you never know.
And because the Seahawks spent so little on the interior of the offensive line, I think that just survival and having a top-ranked passing offense to pair with a top-ranked rushing offense… they’re doing just fine.
Blythe and Haynes are unrestricted free agents next year, while Jackson is a potential cap casualty. That leaves Lewis, a potential extension candidate in 2023.
What needs could the Seahawks have on offense in 2023?
Seattle needs to finalize their situation at quarterback, as they have none signed past this season. Geno Smith could get the big contract, Drew Lock is a good candidate to be paid as a formidable backup, and the Seahawks could still draft someone to develop.
Next, Seattle must address running back depth, and their best option is to re-sign Rashaad Penny as a complement to Kenneth Walker III. Would Penny mind entering a season as the backup again? If he does mind that, then Seattle needs to add a running back again. Travis Homer will also be a free agent.
With tight ends, tackles, and left guard sewn up, the offensive line needs a center and another guard. That could fall to Blythe and Jackson or Blythe and Haynes. I’d still expect the Seahawks to draft interior offensive line depth, guys they believe will become future starters.
If the Seahawks re-sign their key outgoing players on offense, then I think that the most obvious draft need becomes wide receiver. Pick a standout player at that position and Seattle may not have a need at receiver in 2024.
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-How dare you suggest we draft another running back; everybody knows they're a wasted pick.
-I'd like to dump Fant and get another Dissly to bolster the run game.
-As Joe has said, WR has emerged as a need.
-What a luxury to go from we must draft a QB with our first pick to maybe a mid-round selection.
-The Bruce Irvin play where he took out Daniel and Barkley with one hit was incredible. I haven't seen that since Steve Emtman in the Rose Bowl. It should be an ESPN highlight staple. What a valuable pick up he's been already.
I think both our tackles, K9 and Woolen are locks to the all rookie team. There is maybe one rookie CB better than Woolen, and there are 2 spots.
Geno goes to the pro bowl, unless we make it to the Super Bowl, 5% chance according to Football Outsiders. Speaking of which, DVOA is bullish on Lockett, but he's not having the type of season that brings accolades