The Seahawks have been through a lot since their Super Bowl days. The Legion of Boom is completely blown up. Richard Sherman is in San Francisco, Earl Thomas III signed with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, and Kam Chancellor was let go because of health issues. Seattle's longtime number one receiver Doug Baldwin was also released after failing to pass a physical.
Two things that remain the same are the coach and the quarterback.
Russell Wilson became the league's highest paid player this offseason. He signed a four-year, $140 million extension with a $65 million signing bonus. Wilson led the Seahawks to a 10-6 record in a year that was supposed to be a down one. Wilson has not had a losing season since he became the starter in Seattle in 2012.
Head coach Pete Carroll signed an extension in December to remain the coach of the Seahawks through 2021. He is entering his 10th season in 2019. Carroll has missed the playoffs just twice during his tenure. With a great coach and quarterback, anything is possible in the NFL. Seattle proved that in 2018, and will look to again come next season.
Aside from Carroll and Wilson, this team has been completely overhauled. No one seems to be safe. Now that voluntary OTA's have begun, coaches can start analyzing their players.
Here are three players who need to impress in OTA's and mini-camp if they want to remain in Seattle.
3. Jaron Brown, Wide Receiver
With Baldwin off the team, Brown becomes the most experienced receiver on Seattle's roster. This does not mean that he is the most valuable. The Seahawks knew heading into the draft that they needed to get stronger at receiver. They selected D.K. Metcalf out of Ole Miss to bolster the position. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Gary Jennings Jr. seem to be the three locks to make the team. The fourth spot is up for grabs. Cutting Brown would save $2.75 million in cap space.
This might be the best route for the Seahawks to take. Despite his experience, Brown lacks playmaking ability. He is a quality blocker, however, there is not much else. Brown scored five touchdowns in 2018, but had just 19 targets. This was the lowest number of targets he has seen in a season since he was a rookie.
It is hard to find reasons to keep Brown on the team, and this might be a decision Seattle makes at the end of camp.
2. C.J. Prosise, Running Back
Right now, Prosise is a candidate for the third running back position on the depth chart. He has a chance to be the third down back for Seattle. The Seahawks selected Travis Homer out of Miami in the sixth round of the draft. This is another back along with J.D. McKissic who will be fighting for one spot. Homer is a back who excels in special teams and is an above average blocker. This might give him a slight edge in the competition.
Prosise has to stay healthy. Carroll is extremely big on players who can stay on the field. Prosise has not shown the ability to do that since he entered the league. It may prove to be his downfall when it is time to make the rosters smaller.
1. Mychal Kendricks, Linebacker
Kendricks spent the first six seasons of his career in Philadelphia. He spent 2018 in Seattle and played well when on the field. Heading into the 2019 season, Kendricks' main focus may not be on football. He pleaded guilty to insider trading. The 28-year old allegedly turned $80,000 into $1.2 million during this scheme. He was supposed to be sentenced on April 4, however, it was pushed back for a second time. The Seahawks are waiting to see the result after signing Kendricks to a one-year, $4.5 million deal.
If all goes well for Kendricks, there is still no guarantee that he will be on the roster. K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner are the only two linebackers who are guaranteed a spot on the roster. The Seahawks may opt to keep six linebackers, which makes the chances extremely slim. It will most likely come down to Kendricks or Shaquem Griffin.
With all of the off the field stuff surrounding Kendricks, Seattle could decide that it is too much to put up with.
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