The 2024 NFL Season is rapidly approaching. The season kicks off on Thursday, September 5 and every day through Monday, September 2 we’ll be going team-by-team as we preview the new season. Be sure to come back here every afternoon as we look at a new team and get your ready for the 2024 season. We’ll cover off-season changes, the fantasy prospects, and the prediction for how the team will fare this season.

The Seahawks were a competitive team in 2023. They finished with a winning record, going 9-8. But they were just third in the NFC West and missed out on the playoffs. That led to some off-season changes on staff as Pete Carroll retired and was replaced by former Ravens’ Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald. Offensively the core skill players are back, but how will they fare in Ryan Grubb’s new offense? That’s a big part of the outlook for the Seahawks in 2024.

Off-Season Changes

Most of the team’s big changes came defensively. The Seahawks saw some long-time stars, like Bobby Wagner and Jamaal Adams, depart. They also lost linebacker Devin Bush and defensive end Mario Edwards. Offensively, the team lost depth and role players. Running back DeeJay Dallas left in free agency, as did tight ends Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson. Meanwhile backup quarterback Drew Lock left and took a similar position with the New York Giants.

In the draft, the Seahawks focused on building up the lines. The team spent a First-Round pick on defensive tackle Byron Murphy and a Third-Round pick on tackle Christian Haynes. The team beefed up the lines in free agency, too, grabbing Leonard Hankins for the defensive line and George Fant for the offensive line. The team also grabbed veteran Dolphins’ linebacker Jerome Baker. But the biggest addition might have been a trade for former Washington quarterback Sam Howell. Howell started all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023, finishing as QB12. With two years left on his rookie deal, Howell gives them an intriguing young player behind veteran Geno Smith.

Fantasy Prospects

Let’s start with quarterbacks. Smith is in the last year of his deal and now his third year as the presumed Seahawks’ starter. He isn’t flashy, but he finished as a solid QB19 in 2023. Smith figures to be the starter at the outset, and likely has low-end QB2 potential. But if the Seahawks struggle, I think the team will want to see what they have in Howell. While he struggled with some turnovers Howell slung the rock for the Commanders and could be a boost to the receivers for the Seahawks.

In the backfield, the team has the tandem of Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. Last year Walker finished as RB19, missing just two games. Charbonnet, a rookie, was a good complimentary back finishing as RB45. I still like Walker as the lead back but with Grubb this could be a more pass-friendly offense. Still, I like Walker as a low-end RB2 and Charbonnet in the RB4/Flex range.

Among receivers, the Seahawks have a strong trio. D.K. Metcalf led the way at WR21, with Tyler Lockett at WR32 and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as WR48. I like JSN to take a step up in his second year and take over as the No. 2 option in the passing game. I like Metcalf to finish in the WR2 range again, with JSN as a WR3 and Lockett still a viable flex option in the WR5 range. At tight end, the Seahawks brought back Noah Fant. He will face less competition for targets at tight end with Parkinson and Dissly gone, but he’s still the fourth or fifth option in the passing game. He’s a TE2 at best.

Prediction

I think the Seahawks are in the midst of a turnaround. It started with moving on from Pete Carroll, but the team might get worse before it gets better. I suspect they’ll struggle in the standings, and we’ll see Howell at the end to get an idea of what the team might be moving forward. It might be a long season for Seahawk fans.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.