This time of the year, we get a lot of opinions about what a team’s needs are based on
Glancing down their current roster.
Looking for position groups without enough players (or starters) last year.
Listing those gaps.
I don’t think this is how good teams look at their rosters. Specifically, we’ve heard that John looks up to 3 years out. It’s hard for me to look 3 years out as I don’t have their plans, but I think it’s relatively easy to look 2 years out.
For this exercise, I’m mostly just going through position groups and listing who’s under contract in 2027 (or beyond). I will add some editorializing if I think there is a player who is very likely to be cut/retire before then.
Note - the Seahawks currently have 33 players under contract in 2027.
Offense:
Offense (17 under contract):
QB: Sam Darnold, Jalen Milroe
RB:
FB: Robbie Ouzts, Brady Russel
WR: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, Cooper Kupp, Tory Horton
TE: AJ Barner, Elija Arroyo, Nick Kallerup
OT: Charles Cross, Abe Lucas
OG: Grey Zabel, Christian Haynes, Bryce Cabeldue, Mason Richman
C:
Defense (14 under contract):
DL: Byron Murphy, Rylie Mills, Jarran Reed
RE: Demarcus Lawrence, Connor O’Toole, Jared Ivey
LB: Earnest Jones, Drake Thomas, Tyrice Knight
CB: Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, Nehemiah Pritchett
S: Julian Love
J(oker): Nick Emmanwori
Special Teams (2 under contract):
P: Michael Dicksosn
K:
LS: Chris Stoll
Here’s my takes on this list:
No needs at all: QB, FB, TE, OG, LB, P, LS, J.
Starters are (mostly) set: OT, WR, CB.
Urgent needs with extension candidates: C (Sundell), DL (Leo), K (Myers), S (Okada?).
Urgent Needs: RB, RE.
RE is only in decent shape if you think O’Toole AND Ivey are starting caliber RE. Otherwise, they could draft a RE at #32 and #64 and it still might not be enough.
RB is a wasteland unless they extend or tender at least 2 players. They almost have to use 2 (or 3?) of their dozen picks in 2027 on RB.
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I posted this because I think there are some narratives right now that are wrong.
CB is frequently cited as an urgent need, but it’s really not any more urgent than about half a dozen other position groups. They have 2 starters locked up and depending on how Pritchett is progressing in practice they may actually be 3 deep.
S is barren unless Okada works out well enough for an extension. This is a sneaky urgent need this draft.
DL isn’t barren but it’s also sneaky urgent. So much planning here depends on Reed’s and Big Cat’s longevity. If both retire at the end of 2027, then this is the 3rd most urgent position (behind RE and RB) and arguably more important to focus on than RB. If both play another 3 years, then they may have a good group of starters set and only really need rotational pieces.
C is complicated. They don’t have a roster space for a 3rd right now. I think the best plan is extend Sundell (this offseason?), let Olu walk, and then draft a backup center in 2027. There is talk that Richman could play center. So another possibility is trade Olu move Richman to C and don’t draft anyone for 2 years.
K is not complicated. They basically just have to decide how long they want to roll with Myers.
OT is OK in 2026 because of Josh Jones, but at some point they need a cheap swing tackle on a rookie deal.
WR really comes down to Horton. I don’t think Kupp is back in 2027 and I think Shaheed could really end up a 2 year player and not a 3 year one. If Horton emerges and can stay healthy, then they are really only looking for depth and you can get those guys on day 3 or UDFA. If Horton’s never right, then this is a major area of need. They can probably wait until 2027 draft to address it, but it would be a day 1/2 type need by then.
As for the “no need” positions. Those really just come down to what the team knows that we don’t. If Ouzts injury is career threatening, then FB actually is a need. Milroe’s progression drives need discussions at QB. Ditto for all the OG depth.