Seahawks traded away DK Metcalf and Geno Smith as they reimagine their offense
There might not have been a more head scratching offseason across the NFL than that of the Seattle Seahawks.
On the surface it makes sense to swap a quarterback into his late 30’s for a younger, more physicality talented model. DK Metcalf isn’t a flavor of receiver that works for every team. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was Seattle’s primary pass catching option last year, which is why they sent the veteran to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meanwhile the defense is growing more talented and multiple under second-year head coach Mike MacDonald. If the defense can take a step forward while the offense rebuilds on the fly, the Seahawks could be a surprisingly tough out in the NFC West arms race.
I appreciate the aggressiveness Seattle brought into the offseason; however, as the dust settles on all their moves, it’s tough to truly say if they are better overall in both the short and longer terms.
Key extensions:
Ernest Jones, MLB
Jarran Reed, DT
Free agent signings:
Sam Darnold, QB
Cooper Kupp, WR
DeMarcus Lawrence, EDGE
Drew Lock, QB
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR
Josh Jones, OL
Losses:
Geno Smith, QB (traded to Las Vegas Raiders)
DK Metcalf, WR (traded to Pittsburgh Steelers)
Tyler Lockett, WR (released, signed with Tennessee Titans)
Sam Howell, QB (traded to Minnesota Vikings)
Dre’Mont Jones, DT
Artie Burns, CB
Tre Brown, CB
Stone Forsythe, OT
2025 draft class:
Grey Zabel, iOL – Round 1
Nick Emmanwori, DB – Round 2
Elijah Arroyo, TE – Round 2
Jalen Milroe, QB – Round 3
Rylie Mills, DT – Round 5
Tory Horton, WR – Round 5
Robbie Ouzts, FB – Round 5
Bryce Cabeldue, OG – Round 6
Damien Martinez, RB – Round 7
Mason Richman, OL – Round 7
Ricky White, WR – Round 7
The Seahawks had ample mid-round draft capital after trading away Smith, Metcalf, and Howell. Selecting a guard in the first round doesn’t seem like a Seattle move; however, they must stabilize the pocket in order to get the most out of the Darnold signing.
Elijah Arroyo was on the clock when the Rams instead took TE Terrance Ferguson at 46th overall. This ties together these two players’ careers, and it will be interesting to see who makes a bigger impact.
Milroe and Horton are low-risk, high-reward picks. Milroe could give Seattle an off ramp from Darnold. Horton is talented but has battled injuries in recent seasons. There is playing time up for grabs if he get up to speed quickly.
Players over 30:
Cooper Kupp, WR – 31
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR – 31
Eric Saubert, TE – 31
DeMarcus Lawrence, EDGE – 33
Johnathan Hankins, DT – 33
Leonard Williams, DT – 30
Jarran Reed, DT – 32
Seattle has a concentration of older players at receiver and along the defensive line. Receiver makes sense, as these appear to be veteran band-aids as the team retools in replacement of Metcalf and Lockett.
The defensive line is probably a different story. The Seahawks have swung and missed at EDGE rusher for a while, which is why they were forced to turn to the free agent market and pick up a player whose best days are behind him in Lawrence. Same with defensive tackle, where Seattle hasn’t been able to draft and develop young talent here outside of Byron Murphy.
Final thoughts:
At this point the Seahawks are comfortably the fourth team in the NFC West pecking order, at least in my view.
What part of this team should scare the opposition?
The pass catchers are adequate but not threatening. Darnold is talent, though he was always going to be surrounded by a worse ecosystem outside of Minnesota. There are still plenty of questions along the offensive line.
The defense is getting better but is still lacking premier talent in places. Uchenna Nwosu, Lawrence, and Derick Hall easily comprise the worst EDGE group in the division. Seattle has a hole at outside corner because 2023 early first round pick Devon Witherspoon seems best-suited to play in side. Even if you think Riq Woolen can regain his footing, the Seahawks still need another starter on the perimeter.
What in the world is this Seahawks team? You don’t sign Sam Darnold unless you think you can turn it around on the fly. This roster just seems uninspired across the board and they are seem well behind the Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, and San Francisco 49ers.
