The Super Bowl Champion Seahawks now enter into the short offseason with a new offensive coordinator and limited draft options. The first goal is to lock up the right free agents and keep the winning ways going.

QB-

QB Sam Darnold is a stable QB2. He is efficient and managed zero turnovers throughout the playoffs but lacks the high-volume ceiling of elite fantasy QBs due to the team's defensive and run-first identity. While Darnold posted higher volume stats early in the season, the team's success cemented when they shifted from an aggressive (and more risky) aerial attack to a more efficient, run-heavy approach. This also fits better with their stated identity.

Free Agency: The position is settled. Darnold is the unquestioned starter. QB Drew Lock and rookie QB Jalen Milroe are listed as backups. Milroe may or may not work out, but until that is known they are set here. Even for those who are not high on Milroe, the fact is that he has a high upside either as a player or as trade capital as he develops.

Draft: Low priority. The Seahawks are not likely to spend early capital here, though they may look for developmental depth late given the stability at the top.

The offensive line is an ascending unit, boosting the value of Darnold and RB Kenneth Walker III. LG Grey Zabel and LT Charles Cross are solidified starters. Seattle may consider a right guard. Veteran RG Wyatt Teller would be a big name here. RG Isaac Seumalo might be another veteran option.

It might be interesting to target someone at pick 32. Early days, of course, but someone like OL Gennings Dunker (Iowa) may be there and projects as Guard or Tackle. He does have the right personality for what Seattle may be looking for here. In the second round OL Brian Parker (Duke) is a zone blocker who could fit.

RB-

RB Kenneth Walker III is a potential top-tier RB1. With backup RB Zach Charbonnet recovering from an ACL injury, Walker is positioned for a massive workload in a scheme led by new Offensive Coordinator (and former Run Game Coordinator) Brian Fleury.

Free Agency: Retaining Walker is "Priority 1". He is pending free agency but is expected to re-sign given the team's lack of depth and the weak draft class. After Walker there are a number of guys with potential should Charbonnet's injury be worse than expected.

Draft: This class is considered "weak" for RBs. If they do draft one, it would likely be for depth. Even if RB Jeremiah Love were to fall all the way to 32 as a Round 1 option, Seattle has more pressing needs and should not be tempted if that happens.

WR-

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN) is an elite WR1. Coming off an Offensive Player of the Year campaign, he is the engine of the passing game. WR Cooper Kupp will be back and is a safe WR3/Flex. WR Rashid Shaheed should be avoided in fantasy for now. He is likely leaving in free agency.

Free Agency: Shaheed is expected to be "priced out" for Seattle.. Maybe they will pick up someone cheaper like WR Tutu Atwell?

Draft: Seattle may be looking at someone like WR Kaden Wetjen (Iowa), a return specialist and receiver, specifically to replace Shaheed's special teams value. He is likely a late Day 2 or Day 3 target. WR Harrison Wallace (Ole Miss) is another name to watch.

TE-

TE AJ Barner is well known by Seattle fans but is likely still a sleeper despite the playoff production. He is a Sleeper / TE2 with upside. The new OC, Brian Fleury, was previously the 49ers' Tight Ends Coach and is expected to feature tight ends heavily.

Free Agency: I think they have plenty of talent here for internal development. I do not think they will play in free agency for tight ends unless maybe Fleury has someone they really like.

Draft: Right now I would look at TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon) as a local kid that would be fun to see drafted, but that really would be a luxury pick.

K-

So I am on record not being a fan of PK Jason Myers, but he certainly earned all respect this last year. Going into next season there is no reason to expect anything other than more of the same. Seattle is standing pat here too.

D-

There should be no doubt now that this is one of the top fantasy team defenses as is. This is emphasized by the "Dark Side" defense leading the league in sacks from the interior and return touchdowns. IDP players to watch next year are certainly DT Byron Murphy II, CB Devon Witherspoon, and LB Ernest Jones IV (who has had his contract guaranteed).

Free Agency: CB Tariq Woolen, DE Uchenna Nwosu, and DE Boye Mafe are all likely cap casualties. Maybe Seattle will look at someone like CB Marlon Humphrey as a bridge option to replace Woolen? CB Josh Jobe is likely to be retained considering his overall value to cost, but is not really an every down replacement for Woolen.

Draft: Interior Line is a major strength of this draft and I really bought into Seattle needing a pure defensive tackle to allow them to unleash Murphy to his next level when I was covering the draft last year. That did not happen and instead they made due with DT Brandon Pili. It is hard to say that a defense of this caliber should load up on draft picks over the offense which has more holes. But I like someone like DT Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) or DT Caleb Banks (Florida) at 32 to see what this talk of "unleashing Murphy" actually would look like. Especially after the year Murphy had anyway with Pili and DT Jarran Reed. Way too early other ideas are best corner or edge available at 64 and then get the other in round 3. I like CB Colton Hood (Tennessee), but he would likely not be there at 64 and may be too early at 32? I really see Seattle leaning more into the Draft than Free Agency, but we will see very soon.

Go 'Hawks!

End.