The 2019 NFL Draft begins on April 25 and it’s been quite the off-season leading up to it. The Seattle Seahawks have generated substantial buzz so far in the off-season over wild rumors regarding their quarterback, Russell Wilson. But with the draft coming up, it’s easy to look past all the media-pegged drama and start preparing to welcome future Seahawks to Seattle. Following the NFL combine, college pro days, and the ongoing top-30 visits, it’s important to look at the Seahawks pre-NFL draft notes.
Seahawks Pre-NFL Draft Notes
Free Agency Thoughts
The Seahawks off-season philosophy usually consists of spending late and lightly on veterans while building for the future through the draft. So far, they have found a replacement for J.R. Sweezy on the offensive line and are solidifying key rotational players on the defensive line.
Seattle’s defense has taken significant blows in the past few seasons following player departures and injury-related retirements. But at the same time, they’ve been able to keep the heart of the defense, Bobby Wagner, at home. After ensuring that K.J. Wright and Mychal Kendricks (depending on how his insider trading hearing goes) stay in Seattle for at least another season, Pete Carroll is excited about the linebacker trio’s potential in 2019.
Free Agency Losses:
- S Earl Thomas
- S/LB Maurice Alexander
- G J.R. Sweezy
- QB Brett Hundley
- CB Justin Coleman
- DT Shamar Stephen
- RB Mike Davis
Free Agency Signings
- CB Neiko Thrope (re-signed)
- LB Mychael Kendricks (re-signed)
- LB K.J. Wright (re-signed)
- G D.J. Fluker (re-signed)
- G Mike Iupati
- K Jason Myers
- DE Cassius Marsh
- DE Nate Orchard
Draft Needs/Rumored Connections
The Seahawks biggest positional concerns rely mostly on their defense with the absence of Earl Thomas and them still trying to figure out how to replace Richard Sherman. The Seahawks biggest loss in free agency was obviously Thomas, leaving a large hole in their secondary. If Pete Carroll and John Schneider were truly worried about it, they would have targeted a bridge safety in free agency to mentor younger players. Even so, the safety position seems to be Seattle’s most glaring issue at this point, which they need to address in the draft.
So far, in regards to their secondary, Seattle has been linked to safeties Nasir Adderley and Juan Thornhill, and cornerback Lonnie Johnson. Many even hope that Seattle will take a chance on University of Washington players like corner Byron Murphy and safety Taylor Rapp to keep them close to home.
For once, the Seahawks offensive line doesn’t seem to be their primary concern. But that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t look at offensive lineman in the draft that could add rotational depth or potentially succeed aging veterans like Fluker and Iupati.
It also wouldn’t hurt the Seahawks to find a wide receiver later in the draft considering Doug Baldwin‘s questionable status for 2019 and beyond.
Names in Connection With the Seahawks:
- S Nasir Adderley
- QB Jake Browning
- OT Andre Dillard
- DE Jalen Jelks
- CB Lonnie Johnson
- WR N’Keal Harry
- WR Parris Campbell
- LB Justin Hollins
- TE Jace Sternberger
- EDGE L.J. Collier
- DE Rashan Gary
- S Juan Thornhill
Final Notes
When it comes to the Seattle Seahawks, draft speculation is basically just a waste of time. More often than not, they trade down multiple times, only selecting a player in the first round if they are truly enamored with them. With a few weeks left between now and the 2019 NFL Draft, the Seahawks have done their homework on a number of prospects so far through the NFL combine, college pro days, and the team’s ongoing top-30 visits.
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