While so much attention has been given to the Seattle Seahawks’ 2019 draft class, it is the smaller, but very effective class of 2018 that could make or break the Seahawks season in 2019.
Coach Pete Carroll has long preached his belief that players take the “second-year leap,” which is a big jump forward in production from their rookie year to their second season.
Seattle is returning eight of its nine draft picks from last season, after losing seventh-round pick Alex McGough to the Jaguars early in the offseason. The Seahawks are also bringing back defensive tackle Poona Ford, who went undrafted but ended up being one of Seattle’s best defensive players.
The 2019 Seahawks hinge on how these nine players perform in their critical second NFL season. With growth across the board, Seattle could easily find itself back in the playoff picture with another 10-win season.
Here’s a look at each of those players, how each performed last year and what can be expected from them in 2019.
Rashaad Penny, Running Back
2018 Review: Penny was expected by most to be Seattle’s No. 1 running back in his rookie season, but Chris Carson came out and took over for the Seahawks, pushing Penny into a reserve role.
He had a quiet rookie season, save for an excellent performance in Week 11 against the Rams, when he rushed 12 times for 108 yards and his first career touchdown.
All told, Penny finished his first NFL campaign with 85 carries for 419 yards and two touchdowns, while hauling in nine receptions for 75 more yards.
2019 Outlook: Carson is still around, and although he did have a small procedure performed on his knee, he is expected to be healthy and ready to go for training camp. Penny will likely reprise his role as Seattle’s No. 2 running back, although coach Carroll did say he’d like to have him more involved in the offense next season.
With No. 3 running back Mike Davis gone, Penny does have an opportunity to take on a bigger role next season, which should help Seattle’s dominant running attack stay on top of the league once again in 2019.
Rasheem Green, Defensive End
2018 Review: Seattle selected Green, a big defensive end out of USC, with their third-round pick in 2018. He only appeared in 10 games his rookie season, however, recording just seven solo tackles and one sack.
Although it wasn’t the debut many hoped for from Green, he was one of the youngest players in the NFL last season, and he battled injuries.
Still, a jump forward from the big lineman would be a nice boost for a defensive unit that lost Frank Clark and Dion Jordan this offseason.
2019 Outlook: Coach Carroll agrees with that sentiment, specifically calling out Green as a player he’s hoping to see take a step forward next season.
“We’re counting on him being a legitimate part of this team,” Carroll said in a radio interview with 710 ESPN Seattle a few weeks ago. “He works hard, he’s tough, he’s strong, he’s fast, he cares. He’s in it. He’s a guy that he needs to be a bigger factor. That’s why we took him last year.”
Green will be a big factor for Seattle next year, but the team’s decision to draft L.J. Collier and sign Ziggy Ansah, both defensive ends who are comfortable with their hand in the ground, does indicate there may be some concern about his ability to turn into an every-down starter on the line.
His development will be a key storyline during training camp.
Will Dissly, Tight End
2018 Review: One of the biggest surprise performers for the Seahawks last season was rookie tight end Will Dissly. Drafted almost exclusively for his ability to block, Dissly shocked everyone by hauling in eight receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns in Seattle’s first four games of the season, before suffering a season-ending knee injury just a few minutes into Week 4’s contest against the Cardinals.
2019 Outlook: Dissly is recovering well from his knee injury, and although he did not participate in the first week of OTAs, he is expected to be a full-go for training camp.
With veterans Ed Dickson and Nick Vannett still in the mix, not to mention Jacob Hollister, Tyrone Swoopes and George Fant, Seattle has a contingency plan in case Dissly’s health becomes an issue again.
However, if it does not, all signs point to him being their No. 1 tight end option as both a blocker and a receiver, which makes him a critical piece for this team heading into 2019.
Shaquem Griffin, Linebacker
2018 Review: Griffin was thrust into a starting role in Week 1 last season after veteran K.J. Wright suffered an injury just before the start of the year. Griffin didn’t fare very well in that outing and was relegated to a special team role for the rest of the season.
He finished the campaign with eight solo tackles, appearing in all 16 games.
2019 Outlook: Griffin’s first season didn’t quite go as planned, although the unexpected start in Week 1 is tough to judge him on alone. However, coach Carroll does plan to utilize Shaquem in the role that he excelled at in college, coming after the quarterback on the edge.
“He looked comfortable playing on the edge,” Carroll commented after OTAs last Tuesday. “We’ve already had him outside some and he’s had a chance to blitz a little bit more so he’s getting started. It looks very comfortable for him to demonstrate that flexibility, which is a real asset for us.”
Seattle added two new linebackers in the draft, so Griffin’s roster spot is a rather tenuous one with training camp set to begin shortly. His ability to get to the quarterback off the edge will be huge for him to keep his job, and will once again make him a big storyline this summer.
Tre Flowers, Cornerback
2018 Review: Flowers may have been the surprise pick of the draft for Seattle. A converted safety, Flowers ended up starting at right cornerback right away for the Seahawks, where he thrived.
Starting 15 games, Flowers racked up 67 combined tackles, six passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered. Not bad for a player in his first year in the NFL, and in his first year at a new position.
2019 Outlook: Seattle did very little to modify their cornerback position this offseason, only adding free agent Jamar Taylor even after losing nickelback Justin Coleman to free agency.
As such, Flowers job is relatively safe as Seattle’s right cornerback. The team could look at Akeem King, Neiko Thorpe or Jeremy Boykins at that spot, but it is safe to say Flowers will be Seattle’s starter once again in 2019 – and with a full year of playing corner under his belt – he should be an even better performer next season.
The “second-year leap” is often specifically about players like Flowers, and he will be a fun player to watch in 2019.
Michael Dickson, Punter
2018 Review: I said Flowers may be the surprise pick of the 2018 draft class because it’s hard not to call a fifth-round pick who was named an All-Pro in his rookie year a surprise, even if it was at the punting position.
Dickson was a revelation for Seattle last season, punting 78 times for 3,759 yards, good for a 48.2 yards per punt average. He was one of, if not the best, punters in the league last season.
2019 Outlook: More of the same. It’s somewhat hard to imagine Dickson improving from last season, although having a year of NFL experience under his belt certainly won’t hurt.
His biggest area of need is probably as a holder, especially now that he will have to adjust back to holding for a right-footed kicker after holding for Sebastian Janikowski all last year.
Regardless, fans can expect another season of excellence from one of the best punters in the NFL next season.
Jamarco Jones, Tackle
2018 Review: Jones suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason, and as such was not able to suit up for Seattle during the 2018 campaign.
2019 Outlook: Seattle returns both Duane Brown and Germain Ifedi, last year’s starters at the tackle spots. The Seahawks also return George Fant, which will make the tackle spot a crowded one heading into training camp.
Jones’ roster security depends on two things – how many tackles Seattle wants to keep on their active roster and how they plan to utilize Fant. If Seattle is comfortable keeping four players who can really only play tackle, than Jones should be safe. If the plan is to continue to use Fant as a tight end/sixth lineman, then again Jones should be safe.
The team’s decision not to offer Ifedi a fifth-year option is a sign that they may view Jones as the future starter at right tackle, although with no NFL experience, he’ll need to show a lot during training camp and as a reserve next season in order to earn consideration for that spot in 2020.
Jacob Martin, Defensive End
2018 Review: Martin’s strong 2018 season kind of flew under the radar. He appeared in all 16 games, primarily as a special teamer, but also did some good things in the pass rush – recording three sacks and eight quarterback hits while also forcing two fumbles.
2019 Outlook: Martin has been a big topic of conversation for coach Carroll this offseason. Carroll has repeatedly indicated they plan to get Martin more involved in the pass rush next season, which makes sense as he excelled in the limited opportunities he earned last season.
“I think he’s more serious about making a statement of where he fits into this team,” Carroll said last Tuesday. “I think he was trying to make it last year, he’s taken some points and I’ve seen him making some corrections of some younger guys and helping them out. That wasn’t in his mind last year. He’s embraced the opportunity, he had a very nice season for us last year and we’re counting on a lot more out of him.”
Martin’s size and speed make him an ideal edge rusher, and if he can build on what he did in a small role last year he will become a very valuable piece in Carroll’s defense next season.
Poona Ford, Defensive Tackle
2018 Review: Ford wasn’t drafted last season, but he became one of the best undrafted free agent signings of the year. He appeared in 11 games for Seattle, racking up 21 combined tackles and two quarterback hits while earning an 90.3 grade from Pro Football Focus – which was tops among all defensive rookies. It’s hard to top that, especially for a guy who went undrafted.
2019 Outlook: Ford’s remarkably strong 2018 season has vaulted him into a starting role for 2019 alongside Jarran Reed. Reed developed into an excellent pass rusher last season, which compliments Ford’s ability as a run-stuffer quite nicely.
Ford has the potential to be an elite defensive tackle for years to come, and next season will be a great chance to see how he performs in a starting role for Carroll and company.
