With the lack of D.J. Reed in free company, the Seattle Seahawks’ cornerback depth chart is wanting dangerously skinny for the second season working. Of Seattle’s many wants this NFL Draft, cornerback is taken into account excessive precedence together with offensive and defensive position. The likes of ‘Sauce’ Gardner, Trent McDuffie, and Derek Stingley Jr (who Seattle took a better have a look at in his Professional Day) have all been thought of potential Seahawks picks at #9, though Seattle hasn’t taken a nook within the first spherical since 2006 and hasn’t drafted any corners earlier than the third spherical since 2007.
Seattle’s present exterior cornerback depth consists of Sidney Jones, Tre Brown, Artie Burns, Nigel Warrior, John Reid, and Mike Jackson Sr. It’s protected to say that Jones, Brown, and Burns are top-3 on the hypothetical April depth chart. Jones has performed properly however has an harm historical past that drastically impacted his draft inventory, Brown confirmed promise as a rookie however is coming off a severe knee harm, and Burns had a severe knee harm simply two seasons in the past and is making an attempt to resurrect his profession after busting out of Pittsburgh.
Doesn’t encourage an entire lot of confidence, does it?
And but, I believe it’s very potential that the Seahawks don’t search for corners… or at the very least not early on this yr’s NFL Draft. It’s not solely by no means been their focus below Pete Carroll and John Schneider, however even with a extra dire CB scenario after Richard Sherman’s exit they’ve hardly ever invested within the place. Let’s check out the previous 5 offseasons post-Sherman — so we’re counting 2022 however pre-draft — and see the shortage of high-end motion at CB.
2018
—Didn’t draft a cornerback, however did take Tre Flowers and convert him from security to nook.
—Signed Dontae Johnson with the expectation that he’d compete for the CB2 spot, solely to lose out to Tre Flowers and get lower.
2019
—Drafted no exterior cornerbacks.
—Signed Jamar Taylor to compete at nickel nook, lower him in preseason, introduced him again after which lower him once more midseason.
2020
—Didn’t draft any defensive backs (security or nook) in any respect.
—Traded a fifth rounder for Quinton Dunbar, didn’t re-sign after finish of season.
2021
—Drafted Tre Brown within the 4th spherical.
—Signed Ahkello Witherspoon, traded him to Pittsburgh earlier than last roster cuts.
2022
—Signed Artie Burns and Justin Coleman, the latter of whom performs at nickel.
That’s just about it. You may add in guys like Linden Stephens and Gavin Heslop and Akeem King however they rarely performed first-team defensive snaps; they’re merely honorable mentions if nothing else.
Traditionally talking, the Seahawks have all the time banked on low-cost investments at exterior nook. Richard Sherman was was fifth spherical decide, Brandon Browner was an affordable signing after being a CFL standout, and subsequent Browner replacements Byron Maxwell and Jeremy Lane had been each sixth spherical alternatives. Deshawn Shead was a UDFA who was a security earlier than transferring to nook and changing the inept Cary Williams, the one “massive” free agent signing Seattle has had at that place in 12 years.
The one Seahawks nook aside from Sherman to get a multi-year contract extension since 2010 was Jeremy Lane, who signed a four-year deal in 2016 and was off the team by midseason 2017.
Seattle has had alternatives to take cornerbacks early in latest drafts and opted to not. Jaire Alexander was accessible at #18 in 2018, however the Seahawks traded down and took Rashaad Penny. The Packers drafted Alexander with Seattle’s decide and he’s two years faraway from an All-Professional season. In 2019, Washington’s personal Byron Murphy Jr was accessible however they drafted L.J. Collier.
Carroll has been dubbed the “cornerback whisperer” and he doubtless nonetheless sees himself that method. Turning low-cost expertise into minimal viable starters has been Seattle’s method of addressing cornerback for years and actually that is arguably the place they’ve had the least quantity of preliminary funding in when combining draft capital used, free agent signings, and wage cap commitments.
There’s little or no motive to imagine they’ll transfer away from that system, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Carroll had a way more optimistic view of the CB depth than the fanbase does. Granted, he’s extraordinarily optimistic about every little thing, however Jones was wholesome all season and Brown regarded like a succesful starter in his restricted enjoying time. Burns appeared to play properly for the Bears in 2021 and you already know the Seahawks love any alternative for a reclamation undertaking on a perceived draft bust. Add in Coleman and Amadi (and Blair?) within the slot and the funding at this place by the draft may very well be very minimal… once more. Take a flyer on 4th or fifth spherical guys, signal a UDFA right here and there and that could be it on Seattle’s entrance. Maybe within the eyes of the entrance workplace, a vastly improved cross rush might go a great distance in the direction of making the cornerback play higher — or at the very least take the stress off of them to cowl for such a very long time.
…Or perhaps I’m speaking out of my ass and the Seahawks will shock us all by altering their methods. That could be their greatest shot at turning into contenders once more.
