The Seattle Seahawks have one of the best rosters in the NFL. Last year, the team surprised many people by making the playoffs.

The team’s general manager wanted to focus on improving specific positions during the 2019 draft. Several years ago, the Seahawks had one of the best secondaries in the league. After multiple veteran players were traded, the Seahawks needed to focus on drafting quality defensive players.

L.J. Collier

L.J. Collier was drafted in the first round. Collier played at TCU as a defensive end. In college, he played in the same system that the Seahawks use. The team expects Collier to contribute at both defensive end and outside linebacker. At the combine, Collier impressed a lot of scouts with his speed and strength. At TCU, he did an excellent job getting pressure on the quarterback.

Marquise Blair

Kam Chancellor was one of the best safeties in the NFL for many years. The Seahawks traded Chancellor for multiple draft picks. The team could not afford to sign him to a multi-year contract extension. As a result, the Seahawks had to draft a safety to replace Chancellor.

Marquise Blair was selected in the second round. He played safety at the University of Utah. Utah had one of the best defenses in the country last year. Blair is excellent in run support. The Seahawks want a safety who can play near the line of scrimmage. Although Blair may not start this season, many fans expect that he will play in almost every game.

D.K. Metcalf

D.K. Metcalf was also drafted in the second round. Metcalf had one of the best combine performances in 2019. Not only does he have blazing speed, but his vertical jump scores are among the highest in the country. The Seahawks want Metcalf to contribute right away. Last year, the team struggle with inconsistent play from the wide receivers.

Metcalf needs to work on his fundamentals. Although he is an excellent athlete, he was out of position at crucial times last year. To say the Hawks have high hopes for Metcalf would be an understatement. DK was drafted for one reason. . . to be the Hawks next star wide receiver.

Cody Barton

Cody Barton played outside linebacker at the University of Utah. Barton was one of the leading linebackers in the country last year. Not only does he have excellent speed, but he is also an intelligent football player. Many scouts report that he shines during crucial moments of games.

Barton needs to improve his strength to contribute at the next level. The Seahawks want Barton to add muscle and strength during his rookie season. Although he may play in some games, the team does not expect Barton to contribute much in 2019.

Gary Jennings

Gary Jennings played wide receiver at the University of West Virginia last season. West Virginia had one of the most productive offenses in the country last year. Jennings enjoys playing in an offensive system that focuses on passing. Jennings and Metcalf will battle for a starting spot throughout the year.

Phil Haynes

The Seahawks need to improve the offensive line. Last year, the team gave up dozens of sacks. Phil Haynes played guard at Wake Forest University last season. He is expected to battle for a starting position this year. Haynes impressed scouts with his strength at the combine. He needs to improve his footwork to excel at the next level.

Ugo Amadi

Ugo Amadi was a free safety at the University of Oregon last year. Amadi had an excellent season, and he is excited about playing for the Seahawks in 2019. He will work with Marquise Blair to improve the safety position this year.

Ben Burr-Kirven

The University of Washington Linebacker will be staying in Seattle to begin his professional career in the NFL after being drafted in the 5th round by the Seahawks with the 142nd overall pick. “BBK” as the local media is already calling him, will join All-Pro and Defensive Team Captain Bobby Wagner, and returning linebackers K.J. Wright and Mychal Kendricks. Kendricks enter this season with a huge question mark as to his availability this season due to his previous conviction for insider trading.

BBK led the nation with 176 tackles last year and was named 1st-Team All American, and the Pat Tillman Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Award. With a knack for getting interceptions, sacks, and fumble recoveries, Burr-Kirven is sure to fit right in with the Hawks explosive defense.

Travis Homer

Going into the draft, the Seahawks needed to build depth at the running back position. Travis Homer was drafted in the sixth round out of Miami. Homer is not expected to start this year, but he could be a valuable player as a backup running back. It is rare for a running back to start every game in an NFL season. As a result, Homer needs to be prepared to get carries if the starting running back is injured.

Demarcus Christmas

The Seattle Seahawks selected Florida State defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas with the number 209th overall pick, in Round 6 of the draft. After addressing thier positions of need, the Seahawks make this pick for one obvious reason, to add depth to their defensive rotation. Christmas’s role on defense will be as a rotational piece. A self-described run stuffer, look for Christmas to bolster a deep Seahawk defensive line.

John Ursua

The Seahawks had already made 10 draft selections and did not have a 7th round pick. The Seahawks must have really seen something they liked in Ursua, the WR from Hawaii. For starters, the Hawks did not have a 7th round pick, they already drafted two really good wide receivers with 1st rounder DK Metcalf and also Gary Jennings. The Hawks traded a 6th round pick in next year’s draft to get back in the draft to select John Ursua. Could it have anything to do with the fact that Doug Baldwins career could very well be at an end? Only time will tell, but one this is certain, John Ursua will have a chance to compete with an already crowded wide receiver core.