Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.
Below you will find a Week 1 roundup for the Seattle Seahawks in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.
ESPN -- Rank: 12
On the hot seat: S Jamal Adams
Adams will be in danger of being cut if 2023 is anything like either of his past two seasons. He was excellent in 2020 after Seattle acquired him in a blockbuster trade, recording a defensive back-record 9.5 sacks in 12 games en route to a Pro Bowl appearance. But he didn't have a sack in 2021 and then went down in last year's opener with a torn quad tendon, the latest in his long list of injuries. Whenever Adams returns (he's still on the PUP list), Seattle will use him extensively at linebacker in the hope that he'll recapture his 2020 form. If not, the dead money associated with moving on will drop from just under $24 million to a more palatable $14.2 million. -- Brady Henderson
Adams will be in danger of being cut if 2023 is anything like either of his past two seasons. He was excellent in 2020 after Seattle acquired him in a blockbuster trade, recording a defensive back-record 9.5 sacks in 12 games en route to a Pro Bowl appearance. But he didn't have a sack in 2021 and then went down in last year's opener with a torn quad tendon, the latest in his long list of injuries. Whenever Adams returns (he's still on the PUP list), Seattle will use him extensively at linebacker in the hope that he'll recapture his 2020 form. If not, the dead money associated with moving on will drop from just under $24 million to a more palatable $14.2 million. -- Brady Henderson
NFL.com -- Rank: 13
The Seahawks made it to the postseason a year ago despite going 4-6 in one-score games. So, if we assume Geno Smith performs much like he did in 2022, Seattle really has a chance to improve off what it accomplished last season. The leaky run defense was an area of concentration this offseason, and GM John Schneider added playmakers in rookies Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Zach Charbonnet. With the Cardinals and Rams possibly in rebuild mode, the Seahawks' focus now must be on finding a way to beat the 49ers, who had their number in all three meetings last season. But they have time to figure that out, as they won't face San Francisco until Weeks 12 and 14.
CBS Sports -- Rank: 17
The question for Seattle is whether Geno Smith can repeat his 2022 season. They have a lot of young players who are ready to ascend.
USA Today -- Rank: 12
They suddenly boast one of the NFC's best young rosters ... and just imagine how good it might be had Seattle not traded two first-round picks for SS Jamal Adams in 2020.
The Athletic -- Rank: 11
Best-case scenario: DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba overtake the Bengals' trio as the best wide receiver threesome in the league. Protected by a pair of young tackles in Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, who get even better than they were last year as rookies, Geno Smith leads the league in completions of 25-plus yards (he finished sixth a season ago). Bobby Wagner looks right where he belongs in leading the otherwise young Seahawks defense to a top-10 season, as Dre'Mont Jones looks like the signing of the offseason. Pete Carroll celebrates the division championship with his favorite athletes, Michael Jordan and Adrian Peterson.
Worst-case scenario: The fortune of last year's draft class plummets, and this year's rookie class underwhelms. General manager John Schneider regrets spending the No. 5 overall pick on an undersized, overaged cornerback, Smith-Njigba's wrist injury hampers him all year, second-round defensive end Derick Hall is buried in the edge-rusher rotation, and running back Zach Charbonnet is no more than a short-yardage plodder. Geno Smith, not Purdy, is the NFC West quarterback whose 2022 season looks like a mirage, and Seattle misses the playoffs, finding itself in no man's land in the search for a franchise quarterback. Anthony Richardson, drafted one spot ahead of Devon Witherspoon, looks like a superstar.
Worst-case scenario: The fortune of last year's draft class plummets, and this year's rookie class underwhelms. General manager John Schneider regrets spending the No. 5 overall pick on an undersized, overaged cornerback, Smith-Njigba's wrist injury hampers him all year, second-round defensive end Derick Hall is buried in the edge-rusher rotation, and running back Zach Charbonnet is no more than a short-yardage plodder. Geno Smith, not Purdy, is the NFC West quarterback whose 2022 season looks like a mirage, and Seattle misses the playoffs, finding itself in no man's land in the search for a franchise quarterback. Anthony Richardson, drafted one spot ahead of Devon Witherspoon, looks like a superstar.
FOX -- Rank: 12
I'm not ready to hand the NFC West to San Francisco. Seattle added Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Zach Charbonnet to an offense that was already among the league's best, and the defense is now working with Dre'Mont Jones, Devon Witherspoon, Bobby Wagner and (hopefully) a healthy Jamal Adams. The Seahawks aren't getting as much shine as the Cowboys, Eagles and 49ers, but they're not far behind.
Yahoo! -- Rank: 11
Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is back to practice from a wrist injury sooner than expected, but it was still a setback for the rookie. It's fair to anticipate a bit of a slow start for him. But once JSN is up to full speed, the Seahawks offense is going to be one of the NFL's best.
PFT -- Rank: 9
If the Eagles and 49ers falter, the Seahawks could be ready to steal the George Halas Trophy.
Previous updates:
More Seattle Seahawks pages:
- Seattle Seahawks Mock Draft Roundup
- Seattle Seahawks 2023 NFL Draft Grades
- Seattle Seahawks Draft History
- Seattle Seahawks Schedule
- Seattle Seahawks Tickets
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