Seahawks GM breaks down additions, players set for bigger roles

The 2022 season is certainly going to be a departure from what Seahawks fans have gotten used to seeing over the past decade.

Heaps: Seahawks have quietly built a ‘very good’ D-line unit

The big headline is of course Russell Wilson’s trade to Denver, meaning Seattle will have a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2012. But that’s not the only position being shuffled on Seattle’s roster.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider joined Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob on Thursday, and among the many topics he discussed were the team’s additions in free agency and through the Wilson trade, as well as players he expects to see bigger roles next season.

“There’s a lot of guys here that people haven’t really been able to see,” Schneider said.

At the top of that list is a fourth-year linebacker who will finally get his chance to start with perennial All-Pro Bobby Wagner having been released by Seattle and moving on similarly to K.J. Wright, who the Hawks let walk in free agency last year.

“Throw Cody Barton in there right away,” Schneider said. “Here he is playing behind two incredibly talented players in K.J. (Wright) and Bobby (Wagner) for a long, long time.”

Schneider also pointed to Jordyn Brooks, who had a big second season in 2021, as someone who will be even more of a focus at linebacker next season, and mentioned tight end Colby Parkinson, wide receiver Dee Eskridge and Freddie Swain as players who could do more in 2022 than previously seen.

The Seahawks GM has been busy adding to his roster this offseason, though, and had a lot of insight to share about his newest players. Here’s a look at what he said about five additions.

Seahawks trade acquisitions from Denver

• Tight end Noah Fant: “Just an incredibly big and explosive player, an exciting guy to watch.”

• Defensive tackle Shelby Harris: “As a three-technique pass rusher, getting his hands up in the passing lanes, he’s always done a great job with that. We brought him here (for a visit) a couple years ago and probably should have signed him that day, but we let him get out the door and he went to Denver and has been doing a great job ever since.”

• Quarterback Drew Lock: “Here’s a guy that we had high regard for in college and finished his rookie season (in 2019) very strong. Has a ton of talent. And, you know, I love the fact that he can come into our culture and just (experience) the positive energy that (coach Pete Carroll) creates here. I told you guys this before, Pete has an innate ability to instill confidence in players. … Drew went through a fairly hard time there in Denver (from a) coaching and from a media standpoint. Hard place to play quarterback, right, when you got John Elway and Peyton Manning (in the team history).”

Signings in free agency

• Center/guard Austin Blythe: “Here’s a guy that’s been in the system, knows all the calls up front already. Really smart football player.” (Note: Blythe played for the Rams while current Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and offensive line coach Andy Dickerson were both on the Los Angeles staff.)

• Edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu: “A dang good outside pass rusher, tough guy and leader.”

Listen to the full interview with Schneider at this link or in the player below.

Seahawks GM Schneider addresses DK Metcalf and exploding WR market

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