For the final 30 days leading up to the start of Seattle Seahawks training camp, we will be counting down the 30 most important players on the roster heading into the 2019 season.
Versatility has long been a big key for Pete Carroll and the Seahawks, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. The 2019 NFL draft was a great example of how a team can add depth at nearly every spot on the football field by drafting players who offer the versatility to handle multiple positions at the professional level.
Perhaps the best example of that from this year’s draft was former Oregon safety Ugo Amadi. Amadi is primarily a free safety, although he has experience playing strong safety, outside cornerback, nickelback and on the special teams. Heck, coach Carroll may even give him a shot at returning kicks this season.
Amadi’s versatility should make him an important piece of the Seahawks defense next season, in addition to what will certainly be a critical role as a core special-teamer.
While coach Carroll indicated that Amadi will start out at safety, he actually played quite a bit at the nickel spot during rookie minicamp and OTA’s, which could point to Amadi replacing Justin Coleman at that spot next season.
“He’s a very well-versed football player and had no problem,” Carroll commented after the final day of rookie minicamp. “He played nickel and safety. Played a lot of nickel in the camp, which was good. More than I thought he would. And he was very comfortable there.”
Amadi’s versatility gives coach Carroll and defensive coordinator Ken Norton a lot of options heading into a critical 2019 season. The team is in the process of rebuilding their defense after the Legion of Boom’s departure.
While there’s no doubt Amadi will be a part of that future, where exactly he ends up remains to be seen.
