Seattle Seahawks: 3 Biggest remaining needs after the 2020 NFL Draft
By Samuel Teets
Even after the 2020 NFL Draft, the Seattle Seahawks still need to fill several holes on their depth chart. Veteran free agents could be an option.
The Seattle Seahawks added eight new players through the 2020 NFL Draft along with several undrafted free agents. While Seattle’s top three selections should all earn starting snaps this coming season, the franchise’s 2019 draft class proved it’s not a guarantee for highly ranked rookies to see the field.
Instead, the Seahawks could battle depth and talent issues at three positions they drafted poorly at or neglected during the offseason so far. That is unless they choose to somehow address their biggest areas of need that are still glaring.
What are those needs? Let’s take a look at the three biggest after the 2020 draft.
3. Offensive Tackle
The Seahawks did not draft a tackle this year. The team did land LSU’s Damien Lewis, who could see starting time at guard as a rookie, but that doesn’t make up for the potential hole at right tackle. Duane Brown can lock down the left side and Jamarco Jones provides depth at that position. However, several rotational linemen will battle for Germain Ifedi‘s old position on the right side.
In free agency, Seattle signed Cedric Ogbuehi to a one-year deal and Brandon Shell to a two-year deal. Shell started 11 games at right tackle for the New York Jets this past season. Meanwhile, Ogbuehi worked as a rotational tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Seahawks even reached a one-year deal with Chad Wheeler, who started 14 games at right tackle for the New York Giants in 2018.
While the Seahawks accumulated several free agent right tackles, are any of them even as good as Ifedi? The former first-round pick received heavy criticism during his time with the Seahawks, but the team might’ve taken a step back with their recent signings.
Seattle must also begin planning for the future. Brown is 34 years old and is entering his age-35 season. The former All-Pro could always play into his late 30s like Jason Peters or Andrew Whitworth, but not every tackle takes that route. For instance, Joe Staley just retired following his age-35 season. Brown is under contract through the end of the 2021 league year.