The Seattle Seahawks are scheduled to begin their 2023 training camp practices about three weeks from now, on Wednesday July 26. This time of year is all about finding out which players are best-suited to start at positions with depth charts that have not yet been decided.
With that in mind, here are five important position battles we will be keeping a close eye on throughout training camp and into the preseason.
1
WR4: Dee Eskridge vs. Dareke Young
Ok, so the fourth wide receiver spot is pretty far from a critical spot on the roster. Nevertheless, there’s a huge gap between the team’s top three of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the rest of the receivers currently on the roster. That means there’s room for somebody to step up and take over the WR4 role formerly occupied by Penny Hart, who’s signed with the Falcons. The two most-likely options are Dee Eskridge and second-year wideout Dareke Young. Eskridge has the benefit of being a second-round draft pick, while Young was only taken in the seventh. However, Eskridge has been slow to develop and Young has a lot more athleticism working in his favor.
Predicted winner: Dareke Young
2
C: Evan Brown vs. Olu Oluwatimi vs. Joey Hunt
The single-most critical position battle this year for the Seahawks will take place at center, where three players are competing to replace 2022 starter Austin Blythe, who has retired. Joey Hunt has previously held the role for this team and Evan Brown also has some experience at this spot in Detroit. However, rookie Olu Oluwatimi has a ceiling that’s far higher than either one based on what he did during his time at Michigan. He may not start Week 1, but we expect Olu to eventually take over at the top of the depth chart at this position.
Predicted winner: Olu Oluwatimi
3
RG: Phil Haynes vs. Anthony Bradford
One spot over from the center battle there is another interesting competition taking place at right guard. With Gabe Jackson out of the picture, the Seahawks will have to choose between veteran Phil Haynes and rookie Anthony Bradford. Haynes is only on a one-year contract, which makes Bradford the long-term favorite to take over. However, for this year we are still expecting Haynes to retain the starting spot.
Predicted winner: Phil Haynes
4
NT: Cameron Young vs. Myles Adams vs. Jonah Tavai
The Seahawks radically turned over their interior defensive line rotation this offseason, letting all three starters (Shelby Harris, Poona Ford and Al Woods) walk in free agency. Harris and Ford’s spots are spoken for already, but the competition to replace Woods at nose tackle is not over yet. Rookie Cameron Young has been taking the first-team reps so far this offseason, but he has a lot of competition from undrafted rookie Jonah Tavai and veteran Myles Adams. Once Bryan Mone recovers from his ACL tear he may also be in the mix. For now, our money is on Young.
Predicted winner: Cameron Young
5
LOLB: Darrell Taylor vs. Boye Mafe vs. Derick Hall
Last but certainly not least, the Seahawks have a plethora of young outside linebackers who will all be competing for playing time opposite Uchenna Nwosu. Darrell Taylor posted 9.5 sacks last season, but he has two second-round picks hot on his heels in Boye Mafe and Derick Hall. All three have ability. However, Mafe is on another level athletically (his RAS score is 10) and we’re betting that will give him the edge he needs.
Predicted winner: Boye Mafe
