The Seattle Seahawks do have some certainties heading into the 2025 season. The team can be sure its defensive line will be one of its strengths. The same goes for its special teams group, including kicker Jason Myers and punter Michael Dickson. Head coach Mike Macdonald is going to have a good defense, too.
But there are questions, too. General manager John Schneider chose (presumably) left guard Grey Zabel in the first round, and the rookie should improve the O-line, but center and right guard remain a question mark. The offensive line is still Seattle's biggest worry until Zabel proves he can be good.
Or is it? Not according to Logan Ulrich of NFL Trade Rumors. Instead, Seattle's biggest remaining need this offseason is at cornerback. Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen might be fine, but a perceived drop-off is precipitous after that duo.
NFL analyst has the wrong view of the Seahawks' biggest remaining need
Ulrich specifically calls out Josh Jobe. He was re-signed in free agency by the Seahawks after having a decent 2024 in limited snaps. He had a quarterback rating allowed of 82.8, gave up just one touchdown pass, and he also intercepted one. Jobe was also good in run support.
But Ulrich might not be correct when he writes, "Yet it's clear (the Seahawks) view (Jobe) as ideally more of a depth player and have been actively searching for alternatives. The latest report indicates veteran cornerback Shaquill Griffin is on their radar as a signing."
Jobe started games in 2024 and did well. Macdonald and Schneider probably see him as a viable starter until he proves he won't be. Perhaps Jobe has found a great fit in Macdonald's scheme, which will help him be good as long as he plays in Seattle.
The part about Griffin is misleading. Seattle met with the free agent in early April, weeks ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, and spoke with him again after the draft. The fact that he wasn't immediately signed showed that Seattle felt no urgency in finding a player to replace Jobe as a potential starter.
The team also did not draft a cornerback. If Schneider felt corner was such a grave need, he would have taken a player at that position in the first three rounds. He didn't, nor did he aggressively pursue Griffin (or any other free agent cornerback). Plus, Mike Macdonald knows how to get his defensive backs to be great, and Jobe might be the latest rock he turns into a diamond.
Jobe has not shown he can be a starter over a long period, so there should be some concern that he will be. However, Macdonald also likes to play with three safeties, so that means we could see Witherspoon more outside the corner in 2025, opposite Woolen. This might be a reason the Seahawks aren't going hard after a veteran corner, but the position is not a weak link on the team.
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