The Seahawks are set to begin the next phase of their offseason program today, as offseason team activities (OTAs) begin. Practices will take place on May 22, May 24-45, May 30, June 1-2, followed by mandatory minicamp from June 6-8, then one more around of OTAs from June 12-14.
Here are seven storylines we’ll be following.
1
Drew Lock vs. Holton Ahlers
Last year at this time we were being sold on a “competition” between Geno Smith and Drew Lock for the right to replace Russell Wilson as this team’s starting quarterback. In hindsight, Lock never really had a chance to beat out Geno for the job. Now he’ll have to battle for the backup spot with an undrafted rookie, Holton Ahlers out of ECU.
For what it’s worth, head coach Pete Carroll has commended Ahlers for his intangibles, but it will take a lot more than that to compete with Lock’s arm talent. Most likely Ahlers is heading for a spot on the practice squad and Lock will be backing up Smith again, but never say never.
2
Who will take Travis Homer's former role?
One of the most-interesting position battles over the summer will be about finding who to take over Travis Homer’s former role as the third-down running back. Seattle has two solid rookie candidates in UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet and Georgia’s Kenny McIntosh. Veteran DeeJay Dallas might also be in the mix, as well. The competition will likely come down to the combination of two elements: who can pass protect the best and who’s the best option to invigorate the Seahawks’ putrid screen game.
3
Bubble watch: WR Dee Eskridge
Perhaps no player on the 90-man roster is under more pressure to improve this offseason than third-year wide receiver Dee Eskridge. He has missed 14 games in his first two seasons and has looked out of sync in the rare times he’s been on the field. Now Eskridge has to contend with a superb bunch of undrafted rookie wide receivers coming in, as well as second-year athletic freak Dareke Young. Eskridge has to show something these next few weeks or he’ll be in danger of falling into the roster bubble during the preseason.
4
The center competition
The most-critical position battle by far is at center, where veteran Evan Brown is competing with Michigan rookie Olu Oluwatimi. Second-stint center Joey Hunt is also a distant third option. Brown has the experience edge but Oluwatimi already has both head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordiantor Shane Waldron raving about his abilities. It’s early, but our money is on Oluwatimi.
5
The nose tackle battle
Defensively the biggest battle will take place at nose tackle, where the Seahawks have an Al Woods-sized hole to fill in the middle of their defensive line. With Bryan Mone (ACL) out, there’s only one veteran competing for this spot: former Chargers lineman Forrest Merrill. The rest of the candidates are all rookies, led by fourth-round draft pick Cameron Young, as well as undrafted free agents Jonah Tavai, Robert Cooper and the latest addition, LaTrell Bumphus.
6
Devin Bush's second act?
Bobby Wagner’s return will take most of the attention at linebacker. However, the Seahawks desperately need someone else to step up at this position while Jordyn Brooks is recovering from an ACL tear of his own. The best hope may be former first-round pick Devin Bush. While he had trouble in Pittsburgh, Bush is still only 24 years old and has speed to spare. If Bush can be coached up to play with more discipline, he might turn out to be a valuable piece. His (potential) second act begins now.
7
Another Angry Little Elf
If there’s one under-the-radar player who we are most excited to see, it’s sixth-round draft pick Jerrick Reed II, a safety out of New Mexico. Carroll has a brilliant eye for talent at this position and we have a feeling they’ve found another Day 3 DB gem in Reed, who’s listed as 5-foot-10, 196 pounds. Despite his size, he’s already earned a physical reputation and the rare “Angry Little Elf” nickname from GM John Schneider.
