Mike Clay of ESPN grades Seahawks harsh as training camp opens

Just over five months ago, I posted the grades for every position group of every team in the NFL of Mike Clay of ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks did not grade out well at that time due to the youth and inexperience at many positions. With training camp having started on Thursday, and contact practice for the Hawks getting underway Sunday, Clay has again posted his grades for every position group for all 32 teams.

I won’t beat around the bush: His grades are still very low for the Seahawks at several positions.

Specifically, he’s got the Seahawks near the very bottom of the league at several positions. He has the cornerbacks as the absolute worst unit in the NFL. That was before DeShawn Shead was added to the roster Saturday. However, if Shead was added for the purpose of playing safety as Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reported, then there would be no change in grade. In addition, while projected starters Tre Flowers and Shaquill Griffin are young and still have significant potential upside, they both allowed a passer rating north of 100 when targeted in 2018. Add in the loss of Justin Coleman to the Detroit Lions and the complete uncertainty regarding the nickel cornerback position, and it’s not difficult to see why the unit might grade out so low.

Defensive tackle was another position where Clay graded Seattle as well below average. Per Clay’s evaluations, the Hawks DTs rank 30th of 32 teams, with only the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys coming in lower.

On the flip side, the Hawks grade out very well at quarterback, which makes sense because Russell Wilson is, well, really, really good. In addition, Clay has the Seattle linebacker group as the number one linebacker unit in the NFL, which is something Seahawks fans and Field Gulls readers are likely quick to agree with.

In any case, with it being Sunday, and with a product somewhat resembling professional football returning to televisions this week, it’ll be great to be able to take grades and assessments like these and combine them with what is seen and learned in camp practices and preseason games in the coming weeks.