The Seattle Seahawks, as of this writing, have acquired nine new players heading into the 2020 season.
With more additions to come, during both free agency and the draft, it’s hard to know exactly what impact all the newcomers will have on this year’s squad.
However – we can take some guesses based on their history, Seattle’s typical use of players, and various other factors.
The following is a ranking of Seattle’s nine new players, with analysis on their potential impact on the team in 2020.
This list is not to be taken as an order of talent, but rather the best fit for the team, based on the current roster construction and expected use.
No. 9: Guard Chance Warmack
Even though Warmack is ranked last, the signing was a solid low-risk, medium-reward gamble for John Schneider and company.
Warmack was a first round pick by the Titans in 2013 after dominating at Alabama, but never really found his footing in the NFL.
He spent four years in Tennessee and two in Philadelphia before sitting out all of 2019 while recovering from an injury.
Warmack will be camp depth at the crowded guard positions, but if he can regain some of what made him such a tantalizing prospect, the 28-year-old could bully his way into a roster spot in 2020.
No. 8: Tackle Cedric Ogbuehi
Ogbuehi is similar to Warmack, a former first round pick who has been a backup the past few seasons, and who the Seahawks are hoping to see some improvement from during training camp.
Ogbuehi plays tackle and is expected to compete with fellow newcomer Brandon Shell and possibly Jamarco Jones to replace Germain Ifedi at right tackle. Shell likely has the upper hand, although Ogbuehi could settle into the role vacated by George Fant as the team’s sixth lineman/tight end – having played that role in the NFL in previous years.
Ogbuehi is also good depth at left tackle for 35-year-old Duane Brown, and is a solid signing to help replace Fant and Ifedi on the offensive line.
No. 7: Center/Guard B.J. Finney
Finney rounds out the backup offensive linemen signings, and he gets the nod here thanks to his versatility, having played both guard spots and center in the NFL.
He does not have an inside track on a starting job at the moment, although he will likely compete for all three spots. The recent addition of Mike Iupati likely means Finney is targeting either the center position if Justin Britt gets cut, or right guard if they let go of D.J. Fluker.
Regardless, Finney is a near lock to be a versatile backup at worst, and should be a big piece of this team for the next two years.
His $4 million per year is a bit steep for a backup, however, so don’t be surprised to see him work his way into a starting role.
No. 6: Defensive End Benson Mayowa
The first of Seattle’s two reunions on the defensive line, Mayowa played in two games with the Seahawks back in the 2013 season.
He’s bounced around the league quite a bit since then, playing for three different teams and recording 20 career sacks – seven of them coming last year with the Raiders.
Seven sacks is nearly double what Seattle’s team leader, Rasheem Green (4) had last year, so it’s pretty obvious this is a big addition for the Seahawks.
Mayowa is likely a replacement for Quinton Jefferson at right defensive end, and adding him into the mix is a plus for this team’s depleted pass rush, especially if they get Jadeveon Clowney back.
No. 5: Receiver Phillip Dorsett
Most expected the Seahawks to address their No. 3 receiver role in one of two ways: the NFL draft, which boasts one of the strongest receiver groups in recent memory, or by re-signing Josh Gordon – assuming he gets reinstated following last season’s suspension.
However, Seattle opted to sign another former Patriots receiver instead, coming to terms with Phillip Dorsett on a one-year deal.
Dorsett brings blazing speed to Seattle’s already fast receiving corps, having run a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash a few years ago.
Russell Wilson is elite at throwing accurate deep passes, and adding Dorsett to a group featuring Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf will really stretch opposing defenses, especially with Wilson’s ability to escape pressure.
No. 4: Tight End Greg Olsen
Seattle’s first free agent signing of the season, the veteran Olsen will be a nice presence to add to Will Dissly, Jacob Hollister and Luke Willson in the tight end room.
Although Olsen’s best days are behind him, the veteran is nice insurance in case Dissly, who has suffered season-ending injuries in his first two NFL campaigns, is not healthy at any point in 2020.
If he is, the 1-2 punch of Dissly and Olsen will be fantastic for quarterback Russell Wilson, and the depth of Hollister and Willson behind them makes this one of the deepest tight end rooms in the entire league.
No. 3: Tackle Brandon Shell
The presumed replacement for Germain Ifedi at right tackle, Shell was signed to a two-year, $9 million dollar contract early in free agency.
Shell is by no means a Pro Bowl caliber right tackle, but he will be an improvement over Ifedi, with similar blocking traits and about half the penalties.
However, he won’t just be handed the job – no one ever is in Pete Carroll’s culture of competition. The recent signing of Mike Iupati could push Jamarco Jones back out to tackle, and he represents strong competition for Shell at that spot.
No. 2: Defensive End Bruce Irvin
Seattle’s biggest need heading into the offseason was off the edge, and while Jadeveon Clowney remains unsigned the team did find a replacement for Ezekiel Ansah at the LEO position in former Seahawk Bruce Irvin.
Irvin immediately becomes Seattle’s most prolific pass rusher, and paired with Clowney (or Everson Griffen, if they go another direction) he should once again challenge for eight or more sacks in the Emerald City.
The 32-year-old isn’t the long-term answer, and if Seattle expects him to work in place of a Clowney or Griffen type player they will be disappointed, but he’s a nice situational pass rusher and familiar face that should prove a productive signing for the Seahawks.
No. 1: Cornerback Quinton Dunbar
This is not debatable. Much like they did last October, the Seahawks flipped a fifth round pick for a star defensive back with the initials QD – adding Quinton Dunbar to a secondary that already boasts Shaquill Griffin, Bradley McDougald and of course Quandre Diggs.
Dunbar was the second-highest graded corner in the league last season, behind Richard Sherman, and adding him to start opposite Pro Bowler Shaquill Griffin is like rebuilding the Legion of Boom all over again.
The original LOB was built on two-fifth round picks – Sherman and Kam Chancellor – and this year’s unit is built on two players acquired for fifth rounders, proof yet again that John Schneider is a mastermind at utilizing the tools he has available.
