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Who will be Seattle Seahawks' next franchise cornerstones?

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Who will be Seattle Seahawks' next franchise cornerstones?


During the Seattle Seahawks’ golden era in the 2010s, there were a core group of players who lifted the franchise to the NFL mountaintop.

Rost: Ranking the Seattle Seahawks players who are under the most pressure

Legion of Boom legends Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. Star quarterback Russell Wilson. The one-of-a-kind Marshawn Lynch. Stalwart linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright. The perpetually underrated Doug Baldwin. High-end pass rushers Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril.

Those 10 players were foundational to the Seahawks’ run of success between 2012 and 2016 – which included a Super Bowl title, two conference championships, five consecutive trips to the divisional round of the playoffs and an NFC-best 56 regular-season wins over that span. And the numbers back it up: During that five-year run, those were the 10 Seahawks who provided the most Approximate Value (a stat that attempts to measure the overall value of a player).

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With the Pete Carroll era now in the rearview mirror, new head coach Mike Macdonald will be looking to guide Seattle back to its perch among the NFL’s elite. Who will be the next franchise cornerstones Macdonald and his staff build around?

First, let’s define a franchise cornerstone as a player who performs at or near a Pro Bowl level for the same team over an extended period of time. So for the purpose of this exercise, it’s not necessarily looking at which players will be the best in 2024. Rather, it’s an attempt to forecast which players are most likely to be key pieces a few years down the road (which is why Tyler Lockett, though still a skilled receiver, isn’t on this list).

In other words, here’s one way to look at it: If the Seahawks are contending for a Super Bowl in 2026 or 2027, who will be the Pro Bowl-caliber players anchoring those teams?

Of course, under that scenario, some of those players aren’t yet on the roster. If Macdonald builds a legitimate contender in Seattle, that almost certainly would include some big-time contributions from future draft picks and future free-agent signings.

But invariably, at least some of those future franchise cornerstones are already here. Who will they end up being? Here are the top 16 candidates, separated into five tiers. All contract information is according to Over the Cap.

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Tier 1: The blue-chip prospects

CB Devon Witherspoon (age 23, signed through 2026)

Witherspoon is a no-brainer to top this list. Coming off a sensational rookie campaign last year, the former No. 5 overall pick has the makings of a budding superstar. As a rookie, he was Pro Football Focus’ sixth-highest-graded cornerback. He showcased his wide-ranging skill set all over the field, totaling 16 pass breakups, eight tackles for loss and three sacks. And with his unique versatility and sharp football IQ, he’s a perfect match for Macdonald’s scheme. He looks primed to excel in Seattle’s defense for years to come.

• DT Byron Murphy II (age 21, signed through 2027)

Murphy was the first draft pick of the Macdonald era, going No. 16 overall as the second defensive player off the board in April’s draft. Described by one analyst as a “muscular ball of explosiveness,” the 6-foot-1, 297-pound Murphy was a game-wreaking force at Texas who totaled five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss last season, while posting the highest PFF pass-rush grade among all interior defensive linemen in the FBS. The rookie gives Macdonald a potential big-time disruptor up front for the foreseeable future.

• WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (age 22, signed through 2026)

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After an up-and-down rookie season, Smith-Njigba excelled this spring and looks like a prime breakout candidate in new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s passing attack. The former No. 20 overall pick showed his superstar potential at Ohio State, where he finished as the third-leading receiver in FBS in 2021, capped by a record-setting 347 receiving yards in the Rose Bowl. With Lockett set to turn 32 in this fall and DK Metcalf’s long-term future uncertain, Smith-Njigba could be a No. 1 receiver sooner rather than later.

Tier 2: Strong candidates

• DL Leonard Williams (age 30, signed through 2026)

After coming over in a midseason trade last October, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Williams made an immediate impact with four sacks and nine tackles for loss in 10 games with Seattle. The Seahawks then re-signed him to a three-year, $64.5 million contract in March, illustrating what a major piece he is in their future plans. The only thing keeping Williams from being in Tier 1 is his age. That being said, plenty of defensive linemen have continued to produce well into their 30s.

• EDGE Uchenna Nwosu (age 27, signed through 2026)

Nwosu had a career-high 9.5 sacks in his first season with Seattle in 2022, earning him a three-year, $45 million contract extension. His absence was certainly felt last year, when he missed most of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. In the 11 games he missed, the Seahawks allowed 1.1 more yards per pass attempt and 1.5 more yards per carry than in the six games he played. With a return to health, Nwosu figures to play a key role in Macdonald’s defense for at least the next several years.

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• EDGE Boye Mafe (age 25, signed through 2025)

After playing mostly in a reserve role as a rookie, Mafe exploded onto the scene with a second-year breakout last fall. The 2022 second-round pick recorded a team-high nine sacks, including a franchise-record seven consecutive games with a sack
– which made him just the third player in NFL history to accomplish that feat within his first two seasons. He also led the team with 16 quarterback hits, tied for second on the team with nine tackles for loss and added six pass breakups and a forced fumble. His future looks very bright.

Tier 3: Will they stay long-term?

• WR DK Metcalf (age 26, signed through 2025)

If Metcalf signs a third contract with Seattle, he’d certainly be one of the cornerstones this team builds around. He has reached the 1,000-yard receiving mark in three of his five seasons and is tied for fourth in the NFL with 43 touchdown catches over that span. He has a combination of size, speed and athleticism that few other receivers possess. And with a new OC in Grubb, it’s possible that his best days are still ahead of him. The big question, of course, is how long he’ll remain in a Seahawks uniform. With receiver contracts through the roof right now, it’s unclear whether Seattle is willing to sign him to an extension. If not, the Hawks could look to trade him next offseason.

• RB Kenneth Walker III (age 23, signed through 2025)

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As a rookie in 2022, Walker was one of just eight running backs in the NFL to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark while also averaging at least 4.5 yards per carry. His stats took a slight dip last season, but he actually finished the year as PFF’s sixth-highest-graded running back. With three TDs of 60-plus yards over his first two seasons, Walker has the type of big-time explosiveness to be a top-five back in the league. The two main questions are whether he’ll be in Seattle beyond 2025 and whether he can remain healthy, which is always a concern at running back. There’s also the larger philosophical question of whether running backs are generally less valuable than other positions in today’s game, but we won’t delve into that here.

Tier 4: The wild cards

• CB Riq Woolen (age 25, signed through 2025)

As a fifth-round pick in 2022, the 6-foot-4 Woolen burst onto the scene with a spectacular rookie campaign. Using his rare combination of speed, length and athleticism, he tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions and tied for fourth with 16 pass breakups. He took a step back last year, with his struggles in run defense leading to a late-season benching. However, he still posted a PFF coverage grade that ranked No. 26 out of 229 qualified cornerbacks. If he can shore up his tackling issues and return to his rookie form, Witherspoon has major star potential.

• S Julian Love (age 26, signed through 2024)

Love came to Seattle in a trade last spring and earned his first Pro Bowl nod with the best season of his five-year career. The versatile safety totaled four interceptions, 10 pass breakups and two forced fumbles, while grading as PFF’s 23rd-best safety overall and its 11th-best safety in coverage. Love has experience playing a variety of spots in the secondary, which should make him a good match for Macdonald’s versatile defensive scheme. If he clicks in Macdonald’s defense and proves last season wasn’t a one-off, Love could re-sign and be an integral piece moving forward.

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• LT Charles Cross (age 23, signed through 2025)

Cross has flashed promise since being drafted No. 9 overall in 2022, but hasn’t quite lived up to his status as a top-10 pick just yet. The 6-foot-5, 311-pounder started every game as a rookie, allowing seven sacks and ranking No. 54 out of 81 tackles in PFF grading. Last year, he allowed six sacks in 14 games and moved up to No. 38 at his position in PFF grading. However, his development was slowed by a nagging toe injury that he suffered in Week 1, which sidelined him for three games. With a return to health, this will be a big season for Cross to show he can be the long-term answer at left tackle.

• RT Abraham Lucas (age 25, signed through 2025)

The start of Lucas’ career has mirrored Cross’ in many ways. As a third-round pick out of WSU in 2022, the 6-foot-6, 322-pound Everett native had a strong rookie campaign, starting 16 games and ranking No. 39 out of 81 tackles in PFF grading. However, he suffered a knee injury in Week 1 last season and ended up playing just six games last fall. After undergoing knee surgery in January, he was sidelined for the Seahawks’ spring program and has been placed on the physically unable to perform list ahead of training camp. Lucas’ status will be one of the big storylines to follow this season. If healthy, he could be a foundational part of Seattle’s future.

• TE Noah Fant (age 26, signed through 2025)

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With elite speed and quickness for his 6-foot-4, 249-pound frame, Fant has the talent to be one of the top pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. The 2019 first-round pick showed that potential in Denver, ranking sixth among tight ends with 673 receiving yards in 2020 and 10th among tight ends with 670 yards in 2021. But since Fant came over in the 2022 Russell Wilson trade, Seattle has struggled to get him the ball. He had a career-low 414 yards and no TDs on just 43 targets last year – less than half the targets he had in his 2020 and 2021 seasons with Denver. Fant was still highly effective in his limited usage, ranking third among all tight ends with 12.9 yards per catch. With a new scheme under Grubb, can the Seahawks unlock Fant’s full potential?

• DL Dre’Mont Jones (age 27, signed through 2025)

When the Seahawks inked Jones to a three-year, $51 million contract in March 2023, it represented the most expensive free-agent acquisition of the Carroll era. The 6-foot-3, 281-pounder was coming off a strong first four seasons in Denver, totaling 22 sacks and 28 tackles for loss. However, his debut season in Seattle was somewhat underwhelming – at least relative to his massive deal. Jones posted 4.5 sacks and five tackles for loss, which were both the lowest since his 2019 rookie campaign. Jones is a prime candidate to benefit from Macdonald’s versatile scheme, given his ability to play both inside and outside. Under the new coaching staff, he’ll look to make a bigger impact this fall and prove he was worth the investment.

• LB Tyrel Dodson (age 26, signed through 2024)

Dodson might be the biggest mystery on the Seahawks’ roster. As an undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M, he spent 2019 on Buffalo’s practice squad and started just five games with the Bills from 2020 through 2022. But after a teammate’s injury opened the door to a starting role last year, Dodson took the opportunity and ran with it. He started the Bills’ final 10 games last season and posted an overall PFF grade of 89.5, which made him the top-rated linebacker in the league for 2023. Was his success a small-sample-size flash in the pan, or was it a sign of things to come? Being on a one-year deal, Dodson will be looking to solidify a place in Seattle’s long-term plans.

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Tier 5: The ultimate wild card

• QB Geno Smith (age 33, signed through 2025)

Smith’s long-term future with the Seahawks is the biggest question hanging over this franchise. Set to turn 34 in October, Smith is the fifth-oldest projected starting quarterback in the NFL this season. He’s entering the final year of guaranteed money in his contract and carries a salary cap hit of $38.5 million in 2025. Given his age and cost, Seattle could very well decide to move on and turn to a younger and cheaper option after this season. But what if Smith excels in Grubb’s scheme and produces at the high level he’s shown flashes of over the past two seasons? During the first eight weeks of 2022, Smith posted the second-best PFF grade among all quarterbacks. And during the final nine weeks of 2023, he posted the fifth-best grade. Could he play well enough to convince the franchise to stick with him beyond 2025? If there’s one thing Smith has shown, he can never be counted out.

More on the Seattle Seahawks

• What NFL insiders say about three big Seattle Seahawks questions
• ESPN insider: Why Seattle Seahawks’ roster is in ‘interesting spot’
• Bump: Who needs to be Seattle Seahawks’ own comeback player of the year
• Seattle Seahawks place seven on PUP list prior to training camp
• The best thing about the Seattle Seahawks’ rookie class
• Does Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf have another gear?

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Pair of Seattle Mariners Stars Comment on the Firing of Manager Scott Servais

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Pair of Seattle Mariners Stars Comment on the Firing of Manager Scott Servais


Seattle Mariners stars and team leaders J.P. Crawford and Julio Rodriguez spoke on Friday about the team’s decision to fire longtime manager Scott Servais after eight-plus years.

From Crawford’s perspective, per Curtis Crabtree of FOX 13 Seattle:

J.P. Crawford on Scott Servais: “It was tough. He’s been my manager ever since my first day here and he challenged me to be the best person I could be. Sad to see him go.”

Under Servais, Crawford reached great heights, so it’s understandable why he has such an affinity for him. After being acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, Crawford won a Gold Glove Award in 2020. He also helped the Mariners get back to the playoffs in 2022, having a crucial hit in an AL Wild Card Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Furthermore, Crawford earned a five-year contract worth $51 million under Servais’s helm. He’s under contract through 2026.

As for Rodriguez, Servais is the only big-league manager he’s ever played for (until Friday night).

As for Rodriguez, the following comes fron Daniel Kramer of MLB.com:

Julio Rodríguez on the Mariners’ managerial change:

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“I’m just focused on playing baseball. Those decisions are outside the players. That’s obviously higher up. We’re employees here, just like everybody is, so we’ve just got to show up and play baseball.”

Rodriguez was back in center field on Friday night for the first time since injuring his ankle on July 21. He went 0-for-3 at the plate with two walks and made an outstanding catch in the top of the tenth inning to keep the game tied. The Mariners eventually won it 6-5 in the bottom half.

They’ll play the Giants again on Saturday at 1:10 p.m. PT.

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NEW PODCAST IS OUT: The latest episode of the “Refuse to Lose” podcast is out as Brady Farkas talks about the Mariners firing Scott Servais, hiring Dan Wilson and Jerry Dipoto getting to stay on the job. Furthermore, we are joined by Ty Buttrey, who played most of this season at Triple-A Tacoma. He shares his opinion on Servais, the organization and the state of baseball as a whole in an enlightening conversation. CLICK HERE:

LONG OVERDUE? One former Mariner says the firing of Scott Servais should have happened earlier. CLICK HERE:

DAN is the MAN: Dan Wilson has been given the job, permanently? CLICK HERE:

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on “X” @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the “Refuse to Lose” podcast by clicking HERE:





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How to watch the Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks NFL preseason game tonight: Livestream options, more

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How to watch the Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks NFL preseason game tonight: Livestream options, more


Wide receiver DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. 

Christian Petersen/Getty Images


The Cleveland Browns take on the Seattle Seahakawks today for an NFL preseason Week 3 showdown. Both teams are rebounding from losses in Week 2.

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Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks NFL preseason game on Saturday, even if you don’t have cable.


How and when to watch today’s Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks game

The Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks NFL preseason Week 3 game will be played on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT). The game will air on NFL Network and stream on Sling TV and the platforms feature below.


How to watch the Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks game without cable

While many cable packages include NFL Network, it’s easy to watch tonight’s Browns vs. Seahawks game if NFL Network isn’t included in your cable TV subscription, or if you don’t have cable at all. Your best options for watching are below. (Streaming options will require an internet provider.)

Sling TV is the most cost-effective way to stream the Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks game

If you don’t have cable TV that includes NFL Network, one of the most cost-effective ways to watch tonight’s game, and all the major sporting events happening this fall, is through a subscription to Sling TV. To watch the NFL Network on Sling TV, you’ll need a subscription to the Blue tier at the minimum ($20 for your first month). We suggest leveling up your coverage to the Orange + Blue with Sports Extra tier to get more NFL and college football games this fall.

The Orange + Blue plan regularly costs $60 per month, but the streamer currently offers a $25 off promotion for your first month, so you’ll pay just $35. The Orange + Blue with Sports Extra plan is $50 for your first month and $75 per month after. The Sports Extra add-on features 18 channels, including NFL Redzone, ESPNU, SEC Network, Big 10 Network and ACC Network.

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The streamer is also currently offering big savings on four months of the Orange + Blue tier plus the Sports Extra plan when you prepay for the Sling TV Season Pass. The plan costs $219, reduced from $300.

Note: Because Sling TV does not carry CBS, Sling subscribers will want to add Paramount+ to their bundle. (Paramount+ and CBS Essentials are both subsidiaries of Paramount Global.)

Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue plan:

  • Sling TV is our top choice for streaming major sporting events like NASCAR.
  • There are 52 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
  • You get access to most local NFL games and nationally broadcast games at the lowest price.
  • All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
  • You can add Golf Channel, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL RedZone, MLB Network, Tennis Channel and more sports-oriented channels (18 in total) via Sling TV’s Sports Extras add-on.

Watch the Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks game free with FuboTV

You can watch every NFL game airing on network TV, including tonight’s game, on FuboTV. FuboTV is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to almost every NFL game of the season. Packages include CBS, Fox Sunday NFC games via “NFL on Fox”, NBC (Sunday Night Football), ESPN (Monday Night Football), NFL Network and more, so you’ll be able to watch more than just today’s games, all without a cable subscription.

To watch the NFL without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NFL football, FuboTV offers MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. 

Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:

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  • There are no contracts with FuboTV — you can cancel at any time.
  • The Pro tier includes over 180 channels, including NFL Network. (You’ll need to upgrade to Ultimate for NFL RedZone.)
  • FuboTV includes all the channels you’ll need to watch college and pro football, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
  • All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
  • Stream on your TV, phone, tablet and other devices.

Watch the Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks game on Hulu + Live TV

You can watch the NFL, including the NFL Network, with Hulu + Live TV. The bundle features access to 90 channels, including both Fox and FS1. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch every game on every network with Hulu + Live TV, plus catch live NFL preseason games, exclusive live regular season games, popular studio shows (including NFL Total Access and the Emmy-nominated show Good Morning Football) and lots more.

Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $77 per month after a three-day free trial.


Watch the Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks game live with NFL+

If you want to catch tonight’s game live, and all the other NFL games happening this weekend, check out NFL+. The premium streaming service, starting at $40 per year (or $7 per month), offers access to all NFL games happening this preseason — even out-of-market games — on all supported devices. The streaming service also offers access to NFL Network on all supported devices.

To boost your NFL experience even further, you can upgrade to NFL+ Premium with NFL RedZone and watch up to eight NFL games simultaneously.

Top features of NFL+:

  • You get access to all NFL preseason games, including those that are out of market, on any supported device (including TV).
  • NFL+ lets you watch stream local and primetime regular season games on your phone or tablet, but not your TV.
  • It includes the NFL Network (and NFL RedZone with NFL+ Premium), so it’s a good option for those who are looking to stream football on the go.

If you’re anxiously waiting for the 2024-5 NFL season to begin, now is a great time to check out Amazon’s NFL Fan Shop. The Amazon NFL Fan Shop is filled to the brim with officially licensed fan gear: You’ll find jerseys, team flags, T-shirts, hoodies and more, including tons of great gear for the NFL fan in your life. There are plenty of great deals awaiting you at Amazon, too, including some must-see deals on TVs for watching sports.

Tap the button below to head directly to the NFL Fan Shop page on Amazon and select your favorite team.

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Seattle Kraken fantasy projections for 2024-25 | NHL.com

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Seattle Kraken fantasy projections for 2024-25 | NHL.com


NHL.com point projection: 61

He was second on the Kraken in points (59) and led them in assists (39) and power-play points (25) last season. He has scored at least 20 goals in five of his past six seasons and is an underrated late-round fantasy pick with coverage in shots on goal (186 last season) and hits (67).

Other SEA players on preseason draft lists:

Bounce-back candidates: Chandler Stephenson, F (NHL.com point projection: 58); Matty Beniers, F (NHL.com point projection: 54)

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Sleeper candidate: Eeli Tolvanen, F (NHL.com point projection: 53)

Rookie to watch: Shane Wright, F (NHL.com point projection: 48)



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