What can the Seahawks do in the draft to maximize Wilson’s talent?
Apr 18, 2020, 10:56 AM | Updated: 10:57 am
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A common phrase you will see on “Seahawks Twitter” is “Let Russ Cook,” referring to Seattle’s star quarterback Russell Wilson.
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While many have different definitions as far as what that exactly entails, the general sentiment is the same: Allow Russell Wilson to take over games during all four quarters rather than seemingly waiting until the second half to let him start being the focal point of the offense. The hope is that this would help prevent the Seahawks’ offense from starting slow like they so often do.
With the draft next week and the Seahawks owning seven picks (expect that number to increase), what could Seattle do to show fans that they are trying to truly maximize Wilson’s potential?
Jake Heaps of 710 ESPN Seattle’s Tom, Jake and Stacy said, first and foremost, it makes a lot of sense to give Wilson more pieces on offense as he’s shown the last few years that he’s playing at his best. Since 2017, Wilson has 100 touchdown passes, the most in the league. In second is Tom Brady with 85.
“What that means to me is Russell Wilson is in the prime of his career,” Heaps said. “He’s playing some of his best football right now and this is an opportunity to continue to surround one of the best quarterbacks, one of the best players in the NFL with premier talent and I think they have the opportunity to do that.”
What kind of premier talent should we expect to see called next week then?
“So don’t be surprised, Seahawks fans, if you see the Seahawks draft a receiver and a running back in the first four picks,” Heaps said. “If two of those first four (picks) are a running back and receiver, I think there’s a tremendous amount of opportunity (because) one, there’s a need at running back.”
Starter Chris Carson is coming off two straight 1,000-yard campaigns, but he also is recovering from a hip fracture and is entering the final year of his contract. His backup, Rashaad Penny, was finally starting to look like a first-round pick during Week 12 and Week 13, but he tore his ACL in Week 14 and could potentially miss the start of 2020.
“It will be interesting to see what will happen, but they have to start planning for the future,” Heaps said.
As far as receivers go, the Seahawks have a potent duo at the top of their depth chart in Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, but after that it’s a little less certain.
Seattle still has David Moore, who flashed at times in 2018 but didn’t do much in 2019. They also return 2019 rookie John Ursua who was inactive for most of the season and had just one catch. The Seahawks signed Phillip Dorsett, a former first-round pick by the Colts who also spent time with the Patriots.
But this receiver class is extremely deep, with anywhere from four to seven expected to be drafted in the first round and a ton more in the second and third rounds. The Seahawks have four picks in the first 101, including two in the second round (59 and 64), so they could get a very talented receiver late in the second round just like last draft, when Seattle snagged Metcalf with the final pick of the second round.
Adding a talented rookie to a receiver room with proven players like Lockett and Metcalf and players with high potential like Dorsett, Moore and Ursua would be very impressive.
“I think that would be a tremendous group and that would show Seahawks fans that they’re doing everything they can to give Russ as many weapons as possible,” Heaps said.
Listen to the full discussion at this link or in the player below.
Follow 710 ESPN Seattle’s Jake Heaps on Twitter.
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