Bumpus: The Seahawks have 3 clear needs to address in the NFL Draft

After starting the season red hot and emerging as one of the NFL’s best surprises this year, the Seahawks have hit a rough patch of late, dropping four of their last five games including a 21-13 loss at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers.

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While the Seahawks are certainly not out of contention for a playoff spot, many fans are looking ahead to the 2023 NFL Draft. That’s also in part to the Seahawks owning the Denver Broncos’ first two picks, the first of which is currently the third overall pick.

So when the April draft comes around, what do the Seahawks need to address? Former NFL receiver Michael Bumpus says the Seahawks have three clear needs.

“I think is evident more now than ever if you’re not talking about defensive line, you’re absolutely crazy,” he said during Friday’s Bump and Stacy on Seattle Sports 710 AM. “If you’re not talking about interior offensive line, you’re absolutely crazy. And depth at the linebacker spot. I mean you got Jordyn Brooks and Cody Barton and after that (Tanner) Muse came in (against the 49ers) and Muse did OK.”

Those three position groups have also been a focus of late because of the run game on both sides of the ball. During Seattle’s recent struggles, the Hawks have been unable to run the ball on offense or stop the run on defense, putting the trenches and linebackers in focus.

“I look at those three positions and I go alright, if you can show up those positions there’s enough elsewhere to where you can add in other fashions, maybe pick up a free agent or (make a) trade or whatnot,” Bumpus said of Seattle’s roster. ” … But I look at the O-line, the-D line, the linebacker spot – just get some depth right there – but you need a starter on the O-line and the D-line, though.”

The QB dilemma

Quarterback Geno Smith hasn’t played as well of late as he did earlier in the season, but he’s still been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this year and he’s only on a one-year deal.

As they’ll likely hold one of the first three to five picks in April’s draft, the Seahawks will have an interesting decision to make when it comes to the quarterback spot, as Stacy Rost pointed out on Friday.

“What do you make of people who say ‘Hey, I really really love what Geno’s doing, but what if you never ever get a shot at No. 2 overall again?'” she asked Bumpus.

“I understand it,” he repiled. “If the Seahawks look at a quarterback, if (offensive coordinator Shane Waldron) looks at a quarterback and says (to head coach Pete Carroll),  ‘I need this guy. This guy will open up the game, he will allow me to do some things that I can’t do with Geno.’ I can’t imagine Shane Waldron calling a different game than what he has with Geno. I feel like he trusts Geno and everything is in the playbook. I don’t think they’re holding anything back.

“So that’s why I look at the quarterbacks I go alright, is there someone who’s going to change the way that you call a game? If you have a guy that will change the way you call the game, then I understand it. But I think you look at this team and you need some pieces elsewhere. You’ve got a quarterback who can hold it down for a few years, but everything else needs to make sense.”

Listen to the second hour of Friday’s Bump and Stacy at this link or in the player below.

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