NFL Draft 32 for 32 - Seattle Seahawks

April 16, 2019

Brandon Murchison's 2019 NFL Draft team previews moves on to the Seattle Seahawks. Can this team find some reliable weapons for Russell Wilson, or will they continue to rely heavily on the running game? What impact will the rookies have on this team from a fantasy standpoint?

Given the talent on the roster, the Seattle Seahawks actually overachieved in 2018. Something has to be said for this coaching staff for what they got from the likes of Chris Carson and the group of receivers. Some of the praise should, of course, be shifted to Russell Wilson. Although the passing yardage wasn't there, Wilson finished 2018 with his highest amount of TDs scored in his career (35). The increase in passing scores may have had something to do with the fact that he was held without a rushing score for the first time. Wilson accomplished all this with one of the least impressive groups of receivers in the league. No receiver in this group exceeded 1,000 yards through the air. Tyler Lockett (965 yards) fell just short but made up for that with 10 TD catches. While injured Doug Baldwin and two other receivers (David Moore and Jaron Brown) all tied with five TD grabs on the year. Wilson will remain one of the top QBs selected in drafts in 2019, but the receivers are another question. Lockett is likely to come off the board first, but potentially over-drafted based on last year's numbers. Baldwin is the best option of the group, but injuries have made him a shell of himself.

Once the team moved up in last year's draft to select Rashaad Penny, the assumption was that he would hit the ground running and put together a solid season. Well someone forgot to tell Chris Carson that. Carson, instead, went out and put together a great season (1,151 yards and nine TDs) and returned RB2 value. Penny seemed to struggle for most of the season until late when he admitted to playing a little out of shape early on. When it comes to 2019, this backfield is likely doomed for the dreaded "hot hand" approach. The ADP on these two backs has them virtually neck and neck (Penny at RB30 and Carson at RB34). Penny is the more versatile of the two and the one I would want to own in fantasy.

Heading into the draft, the Seahawks are limited with draft capital at only four picks. The focus of the team will be mostly on the defensive side of the ball. With needs on the line and in the secondary both. But with rumors swirling on Doub Baldwin's playing future, don't be surprised to see this team take a receiver.

Top Three Projected Selections

First Round- Amani Oruwariye, CB Penn State (21st overall)
Third Round- J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR Stanford (84th)
Fourth Round- Lukas Denis, S Boston College (124th)

Remaining Picks
Fifth Round- 159th

Needs Analysis

Going after a need with their first pick, the Seahawks take Amani Oruwariye. He is an effective corner that prefers to play press coverage. He does well to hold the line of scrimmage but if he gets beat, his lack of closing speed could become a problem. He does not shy away from the ball as he is one of the better catch disruptors in the class. He also likes to step up and assume run stopping duties, something that a lot of corners are not willing to do. Oruwariye is a solid pick that can come in and be effective right away as a starter or rotational player in the secondary.

The selection of Arcega-Whiteside is one that is intriguing. I have had him slotted into this pick for a while now and with the Baldwin rumors out there, it makes more sense. He is a big, strong target that could fit in well on the outside for the Seahawks, giving Wilson an easy target in the short area. He has quickness off the line but not enough long-range speed to get away from NFL corners. Where he can really help this offense is when they get closer to the red zone. Arcega-Whiteside can be unstoppable as a red zone threat, especially with a QB the caliber of Wilson. With a potential starting role on this offense, he has some late-round appeal in standard scoring leagues in 2019. As a dynasty asset, Arcega-Whiteside may be a player whose stock could rise closer to the draft. But as of now, he is a solid second round pick.

Lukas Denis has the movement and ball skills necessary to start at safety at the next level. His size is not ideal for the position, which could relegate him as a situational player. But the aforementioned skills will give him every opportunity to earn a job for this defense. The two picks added to this Seahawks defense will be good, but not good enough to make them the no-brainer weekly start that they once were in fantasy. They are roster-worthy, sure, but a team I would use in streaming situations.

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