ESPN gives Seattle Seahawks a modest ranking among best NFL rosters

It’s NFL roster rankings time at ESPN, and as all the time it’s Mike Clay main the cost when assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each workforce. This yr he’s joined by Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder.

As anticipated, the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are on the high of the desk, whereas the New York Jets are 4th. The Denver Bronocs and New York Giants are on the backside, whereas the Seattle Seahawks are caught within the center. They couldn’t get any extra within the center, in truth.

From past the ESPN+ paywall, right here’s a take a look at why the Seahawks had been ranked sixteenth:

Greatest power: Broad receiver. Seattle’s roster has a number of standout models, however wideout will get the nod right here over the defensive position. DK Metcalf (tenth in receiving yards and fifth in TD receptions over the previous 4 seasons) and Tyler Lockett (eleventh in receiving yards and sixth in TD receptions over the previous six seasons) kind a terrific one-two punch. We additionally determine to see extra of Jaxon Smith-Njigba this season after the 2023 first-rounder posted a 63-628-4 receiving line. That’s an elite trio, and Jake Bobo and Laviska Shenault Jr. present stable depth. — Clay

Greatest weak spot: Offensive line. Seattle continues to throw darts at its line, but it surely has but to repay. 4 of the workforce’s 5 projected starters (LG Laken Tomlinson, C Nick Harris, RG Anthony Bradford and RT Abraham Lucas) posted poor PFF grades in 2023, and LT Charles Cross has but to dwell as much as his first-round pedigree. The Seahawks spent three draft picks on the road throughout April’s draft, however just one was earlier than the sixth spherical (third-rounder Christian Haynes). It’s laborious to think about this group enhancing a lot on final season’s below-average finishes in go block and run block win fee. — Clay

The article additionally tasks Mike Jackson as a beginning cornerback over Tre Brown, which might be a job reversal from the earlier season when Brown beat Jackson for the job. All different projected starters appear logical, though I’m unsure I’d be a fan of Seattle’s second draft decide not being a starter on what’s supposedly one of many worst offensive traces within the NFL.

Aaron Schatz highlighted Derick Corridor as a “non-starter to know” if just for the expectation that he’ll want to enhance in his second season. Seth Walder named Jaxon Smith-Njigba as his “X-Issue” for 2024, citing the seemingly want for him to make a serious second-year leap given Tyler Lockett’s age and “indicators of decline final yr.”

That is truly a drop from final season, when the Seahawks ranked twelfth, and Seattle was described as having “no overwhelmingly poor models.” Broad receiver was the largest power then and stays the case now.

So, fairly actually, ESPN believes the Seahawks have a “mid” roster. I imagine Seattle has a powerful receiver and working again group, above-average quarterback play, however the offensive line is such an enormous query mark that it makes or breaks the season. On protection, I’m a believer within the inside defensive position, rather less so at edge rusher, not sure concerning the lack of linebacker depth, and assured within the cornerback play. Security is one other space the place I’m not completely assured.

I’m not up in arms over this rating, which aside from the Jets, places them alongside the Jacksonville Jaguars atop the record of non-playoff groups from 2023. Doesn’t appear that outrageous to me to counsel Seattle’s roster (a minimum of on paper) shouldn’t be as robust as a bunch of groups that really certified for the playoffs. Perhaps you are feeling otherwise, wherein case we now have a ballot!