49ers’ 2018 NFC West opponent preview: Seattle Seahawks
By Peter Panacy
Recapping the Seahawks’ 2018 Offseason
Key Losses: EDGE Michael Bennett, S Kam Chancellor, CB Richard Sherman, EDGE Cliff Avril, TE Jimmy Graham, WR Paul Richardson
Key Additions: WR Brandon Marshall, G D.J. Fluker
Best NFL Draft Picks: RB Rashaad Penny, LB Shaquem Griffin
The Seahawks didn’t exactly go through an offseason from hell in 2018, but it was close.
Just to consider all things, take a look at this:
That, plus a complete changing of coordinators under head coach Pete Carroll, and it looks as if Seattle is no longer concerned with trying to win now. Instead, the Seahawks are looking to the future.
On one hand, credit goes to general manager John Schneider for at least trying to recognize his aging, increasingly expensive roster wasn’t going to be a part of the team’s next championship run.
But all those roster moves are going to sting for a while.
Schneider used his first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in rather interesting fashion. Instead of addressing arguably the Seahawks’ biggest weakness, the offensive line, Schneider elected to grab running back Rashaad Penny out of San Diego State. And Scheider didn’t make a move to address the O-line until grabbing Ohio State offensive tackle Jamarco Jones in Round 5.
A questionable decision, particularly with Football Outsiders ranking Seattle’s O-line 25th in pass protection and 31st in run blocking last year.
This likely equates to two things — Penny will have a tough time running the ball his rookie season, and quarterback Russell Wilson will be under duress once again for 2018. And while Wilson’s elusiveness and ability to extend plays is at an elite level, it’s probably not going to be the best formula for success when considering all the other changes Seattle endured this offseason.