The Seahawks look to have a set of offensive and defensive players help them improve as career years are in store for breakout candidates.
For the past decade, the Seattle Seahawks have been one of the league’s most elite teams, accumulating the third most regular season wins since 2013, with 103 wins.
In the NFL, for teams to remain elite, they surround their stars with players that they hope will provide consistent production. Moreover, elite teams must be able to have players who possess untapped potential.
With a list of players on the brink of a breakout 2023 season, the Seahawks are looking to continue their run of dominance in the league.
Last season, the Seahawks ranked in the Top 10 in both total points scored and points per game with 407 points on an average of 23.9 points, but offensive inconsistencies presented themselves.
The tandem of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett carried the weight of Seattle’s aerial attack. While the duo combined for 2,081 receiving yards in 2022, the Seahawks’ receiving core ultimately left a lot to be desired.
A prime candidate that I expect to help take some of the load off of Seattle’s top two receivers is tight end Noah Fant.
Fant was acquired by the Seahawks last year via trade and recorded a career low in yards and targets. The 25-year-old plays in rotation with other tight ends on the roster, but his 6’4” frame, natural ball skills and above-average speed points Fant towards a breakout season, in which he can rank Top five in all major receiving categories for tight ends.
Another offensive player that I believe is due for a productive season is receiver Dee Eskridge. Eskridge, since the start of his NFL career as Seattle’s second-round pick back in 2021, has been rated as a bust.
In 20 games, Eskridge has notched just 17 receptions for 122 yards and one touchdown. The inability to remain healthy tagged with no major production has led Eskridge to this final opportunity to prove his second-round worth.
Despite a disappointing beginning to his career, the third-year wideout received high praise from Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith at the OTA’s press conference.
“I really see the growth in (Eskridge’s) mindset and his mentality. He wants it … He’s working his butt off. He’s super explosive out here on the field … If we can get him where I think he’ll be, I think it will help us out a lot,” Smith said.
Shifting to the defense, the Seahawks have a lot of talent spread across the field, but injuries continue to persist.
Devin Bush, an extremely talented linebacker, has battled an ACL injury that continues to set back his career.
Bush is a former Top 10 pick who was highly rated coming out of Michigan. His sideline-to-sideline speed and instincts allow him to be a suitable starter in this league again.
Bush has shown yearly growth since his injury and looks to be a major factor as he is playing on a one-year “prove it” deal. Playing alongside Bobby Wagner will also take pressure off of Bush, allowing him to play to his abilities. I expect Bush to tally triple-digit tackles paired with disruptive play in the secondary and in the offensive backfield.
My defensive dark horse candidate is cornerback Tre Brown. Brown is yet another player who has worked his way back from injury. With just 11 career games played in two seasons, Brown looks to be a consistent contributor next season.
“I showed that I belong in this league and I can be one of the best corners in this league … and those plays that I made were just a small little sample of what I can do,” Brown said.
The confidence is undeniable; however, the emergence of Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant, Mike Jackson and the addition of Devon Witherspoon seems to have put Brown under the radar. I wouldn’t look at Brown as a stat-sheet stuffer, but more as a lockdown corner whom I see climbing in the depth chart.
The Seahawks are in a favorable situation as their roster continues to improve, but the contributions for next season made by these four players are what will put them over the hump.
Contact Eric Hayrapetian at Eric.hayrapetian@gmail.com
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