NFL Future Power Rankings: What's Seahawks' 'Biggest Concern'?

The Seattle Seahawks went into the offseason with intentions of improving their defensive line. But in the opinion of one expert, they may have fallen short in that department.

The Seattle Seahawks are trying to go from being last season's big surprise to true Super Bowl contenders this season. Yet, one potential concern could hold the Seahawks back from making it to the Super Bowl for the first time since losing it in 2014. 

During their recent article, power ranking all 32 NFL teams based on their future, ESPN gives Seahawk fans a reason to be optimistic and worried. 

ESPN defines the "future" as the next three seasons. The article further explains that a panel of experts grades each team based on their quarterback, the rest of the roster (not including the QB), drafting ability and capital, coaching, and front office. So how did the Seahawks grade out according to these categories?

For those looking for optimism, ESPN's panel of experts believes the Seahawks have the sixth brightest future, making them the top-rated team in the NFC West and No. 2 in the NFC as a whole. 

A big reason for Seattle's high ranking has been the savviness of general manager John Schneider. Or, as the article puts it, his manipulation of the NFL Draft and specifically the Russell Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos, which eventually landed him the No. 5 overall pick, and Devon Witherspoon, as a reason for "hope."

Yet, holding back the Seahawks from potentially being No. 1 on these rankings is ESPN's concern about the defensive line and overall ability to stop the run. 

"Can Seattle clean up its inability to stop the run and not get pushed at the line of scrimmage," ESPN asked. "This team has the potential to win the NFC West in 2023, but that defensive line needs to improve. Defensive tackle Jarran Reed and defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones will be major upgrades, as will rookie D-tackle Cameron Young from Mississippi State."

The Seahawks acknowledged that they needed to improve defensively upfront as they overhauled their front seven. Seattle let go of veterans like Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, and Al Woods before allowing Poona Ford to sign elsewhere in free agency.

These departures proved to be just the beginning of the retooling process as they signed Dre'Mont Jones and Jarran Reed before adding Derick Hall and Cameron Young through the NFL Draft. 

The intentions were certainly to improve, yet like ESPN notes, there are still questions if the Seahawks went far enough. The Seahawks ranked near the bottom in all rushing statistics defensively, according to TeamRankings last season. Seattle's 4.9 yards per carry put them at No. 26, while their 151.9 rushing yards per game made them third-worst in the league.

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