Rost: 3 potential needs for Seahawks besides the O-line

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider has been candid about draft regrets. He’s never attached names, but has implied that some of his biggest mistakes were the result of valuing an immediate need over a clear talent.

Analyst: How ‘wild card’ Seahawks could surprise with 1st-round pick

This article is about need – not necessarily what the Hawks will or should do with the No. 18 overall pick. So, keep that context in mind. If the single best talent available for the Seahawks at No. 18 is a defensive tackle who should’ve gone several picks earlier, then God speed! Take the pick. It would, presumably, fall more in line with Schneider’s philosophy, even if it leaves a massive hole elsewhere.

This is about those roster holes. And one interesting thing I’ve noticed about the Seahawks’ roster is that the vast majority of fans are in agreement about the single biggest need (interior offensive line), but ask five people about the second-biggest need and you’ll get five different answers. Let’s explore a few of those:

Pass catcher

Even with the potential loss of Tyler Lockett, I didn’t have this one as my top answer, but my co-host Michael Bumpus did (receivers always campaigning for more receivers).

“Process of elimination,” Bumpus said. “If we look at the D-line, I think they’re good in that department. Looking at the linebackers, you need to sign Ernest Jones and you’ve got Tyrice Knight. A little thin after that. I feel so good about the secondary. Running back room, if K-9 is healthy, I’m solid. Quarterback and receiver are the two positions I’m looking at.

“The talent pool isn’t top-heavy when it comes to receivers this year,” Bumpus said. “It’s a little spread out toward the middle and the bottom. You can find yourself a solid receiver. I’m not saying with No. 18, but maybe that second or third pick.”

Seattle has a decision to make about two key players here. Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf combine for a $60-plus million cap hit in 2025. Would they extend an older Lockett? Pay Metcalf upward of $30 million per year? Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s breakout season was a boon for the offense, but does he see that production without another top receiver in play as a threat? This room becomes shallow quickly.

Quarterback

Kind of a fun one. The Seahawks are likely to extend Geno Smith, but Schneider has only drafted two quarterbacks in his entire tenure (Russell Wilson and Alex McGough) and the idea of taking another swing with a mid-to-late-round pick and adding to that group is tempting.

Linebacker

Seattle’s greatest need entering last season remains an area of focus this year. The Seahawks found their primary answer with trade-deadline acquisition Ernest Jones IV and still need to extend him (they’re expected to).

Second-year pro Tyrice Knight took over a starting role, but as Bumpus noted, there’s little on the roster behind Knight. Top prospects like South Carolina’s Demetrius Knight Jr. or Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell will be off the board if the Seahawks use a Day 3 pick, but it’s worth noting that at least one Pro Football Focus mock draft has Seattle selecting a top LB prospect, Georgia’s Jalon Walker, at No. 18 overall.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• Where Seattle Seahawks stand after NFL’s reported salary cap increase
• Huard: How Seattle Seahawks are already emphasizing the run game
• Could loaded WR market affect Seattle Seahawks’ plans for DK Metcalf?
• Is there any chance Lockett remains on Seattle Seahawks in 2025?
• Two ways Kubiak’s Seahawks offense could resemble high-scoring Lions

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