NFC West: Quick-take 2020 projection for 49ers, their rivals
By Peter Panacy
Seattle Seahawks
Notable Additions: DT Jarran Reed, OT Brandon Shell
Notable Subtractions: OT George Fant
Round 1 NFL Draft Picks: No. 27 Overall
The Seahawks were half a yard away from clinching the NFC West last year, except 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw had other plans in Week 17.
Regardless, the Seahawks are still in limbo for a number of potential transactions, which could drastically affect the team’s makeup this season. EDGE Jadeveon Clowney remains unsigned, and safety Tedric Thompson has reportedly asked permission to seek a trade.
Clowney’s potential loss is the thing to monitor first, however, yet Seattle hopes the interior presence of defensive tackle Jarran Reed would help alleviate that to a large extent. If anything, the Seahawks’ moves to bolster the areas within the trenches might be smart in such a tough division.
While the Seahawks also boast just their own first-round NFL Draft pick, they do have two selections in Round 2 (Nos. 59 and 64 overall) plus a compensatory pick in Round 3.
Still, this team remains all about quarterback Russell Wilson. If he and second-year wide receiver D.K. Metcalf further their chemistry, the 49ers won’t have any fewer problems defending their arch-rival NFC West foes this season.
Seattle is still a team capable of seizing the division from San Francisco’s grasp.