UPDATED to add Mike Jackson as a restricted free agent. Thank you reddit user scheftersblackberry! That makes a huge difference.

2023 current contracts:

The Seahawks have three quality starting cornerbacks on rookie contracts in Tre Brown, Coby Bryant, and pro-bowler Tariq Woolen. #1 CBs in the NFL are making in the $15M-$20M apy range, #2s in the $9M-$15M apy range, and #3s in the $4M-$8M apy range. The Seahawks have a massive cap advantage at the position. Tre Brown has good technique, quick change of direction, 4.4 speed, and is an aggressive tackler, but he is 5’9" 185lbs and will have limitations against bigger receivers. Coby Bryant is savvy in coverage, has a nose for the ball, and is a willing tackler. Bryant has the size at 6’1" 195 lbs but his speed and quickness aren’t quite there to go 1 on 1 with the top quarter of receivers in the NFL. Tariq Woolen lives up to both of his nicknames "Riq The Freak" and "Avatar", they describe him perfectly. He has the body of an avatar at 6’4" 215 lbs with 33.5" arms, a 6’ 6.5" wingspan, and is a freak athlete with a 4.26 second 40-yard dash and 42" vertical leap. He’s going to be a perennial pro-bowler/all-pro and should lock down one third of the field for the Seahawks defense for many years to come. Isaiah Dunn and Chris Steele are practice squad players with special-teams potential. The Seahawks will want to bring in legit competition for one of the CB spots of Coby Bryant or Tre Brown, as well as find some veteran depth. Considering their needs at several other positions, and the high cost of quality corners, the Seahawks are likely to go the budget route in free agency. With four picks in the Top 52 of the draft there is a good chance the Seahawks use one on a cornerback, a premium position.

Pro Bowl Free Agents: James Bradberry (30, All-Pro)*, Marcus Peters (30)*, Patrick Peterson (33)*, Kyle Fuller (31). Notable Free Agents: Jamel Dean (26)*, Cam Sutton (28), Jonathan Jones (29), Bradley Roby (31) Emmanuel Moseley (27), Rock Ya-Sin (27)*, Isaiah Oliver (26)*, Byron Murphy (25), Greedy Williams (25)*, Sydney Jones (27)*, Trayvon Mullen (25)*, Eli Apple (28)*, Troy Hill (32), Anthony Averett (28), Brandon Facyson (28)*, Sean Murphy-Bunting (26)*, Anthony Brown (29), Mike Hughes (26), Tre Herndon (27), David Long (25), Nik Needham (26)*, Chandon Sullivan (27), Myles Hartsfield (26), Dane Jackson (26), Fabian Moreau (29)*, Myles Bryant (25), Mike Jackson (26).

NOTE: players with an * fit the Seahawks profile at over 6’ tall, 195lbs, and under 4.5sec 40.

Pete Carroll said that Tre Brown has made them reconsider their height and length requirements for cornerbacks, but Brown is still the only corner under 6’ on the roster or drafted since. The Seahawks want their corners at a minimum of 6’ 195lbs, but prefer 6’1"+ and 200lbs+. Mike Jackson, the Seahawks starter for 17 games this season, is a Restricted Rights Free Agent and can be tendered an offer around $2M to keep him, which would be very smart. The high-end free agents such as Bradberry, Dean, Sutton, and Jones are out of the running, as they’ll cost over $10M apy each. With starters already on the roster that money needs to be spent elsewhere. The second tier such as Peters, Moseley, and Apple, are likely to cost in the $5M-$9M apy range and also too expensive. The Seahawks will likely be looking at the 3rd tier. Some names that appear to be good value fits are Greedy Williams, Trayvon Mullen, Nik Needham, and Sean Murphy-Bunting. I’m most intrigued by Needham and Bunting, they should be able to be signed for around $5M apy with minimal guarantees, they are big and fast with good ball skills. Needham has experience playing slot, outside, and a little safety for Miami.

The draft class is filled with players that are ready to start in week 1 which should be available well into round 3 of the draft. There are also a large number of potential starters that can be had throughout rounds 4 thru 7, just with minor holes in their game the need development for the NFL. The draft round projections below represent the earliest pick that I would draft them if I was Pete Carroll or John Schneider (I maybe have as much football knowledge as a hair on their heads, so take it for what it is). NOTE: It is very early. The projections may change after the bowls, combine, and pro days.

Christian Gonzalez (11+), Devon Witherspoon (20+), Joey Porter Jr. (25+), Cam Smith (35+), Kelee Ringo (35+), Eli Ricks (40+), Rejzohn Wright (65+), Jaylon Jones (65+), Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson (75+)*, Deonte Banks (75+), Max Melton (75+), Tyrique Stevenson (75+), Riley Moss (100+), Emmanuel Forbes (100+)*, Julius Brents (100+), Kyu Blu Kelly (110+), Garrett Williams (110+), Cameron Brown (120+), DJ Turner (120+), Kris Abrams-Draine (120+), Clark Phillips III (120+)*, Cory Trice (120+), Mekhi Blackmon (140+), Mekhi Garner (150+), Starling Thomas V (150+), Myles Brooks (150+), Kei’Trel Clark* (150+), Noah Daniels (180+), Arquon Bush (180+), Cameron Mitchell (200+), Carrington Valentine (200+), Jartavius Martin (UDFA), Justin Ford (UDFA).

NOTE: players with an * are under 6’ tall & 195lbs.

The top end of this class is lacking an elite player, but it does have some elite talent in Christian Gonzalez and Kelee Ringo, both 6’2" 200lbs+ running in the 4.3s. Gonzalez has an instinct and field vision that Ringo doesn’t possess. Ringo is bigger, stronger, and more aggressive. Both are just average in technique. Unless the Seahawks trade back by several picks, they won’t be using pick #5 on a cornerback, the value just isn’t there. Witherspoon and Gonzalez are likely gone by pick 20. Though, there is a small chance one of them makes it to 20 if there is a run-on receivers and pass rushers. Cam Smith would be a solid pick at 37 if he’s there, Porter Jr. probably isn’t still on the board. Eli Ricks out of Alabama could slip through to pick 52, which would be an excellent pick at that spot. Rejzohn Wright and Tyrique Stevenson would be intriguing picks in round 3. My favorites on day 3 are Riley Moss, Cameron Brown, Julius Brents, and Mekhi Blackmon. Everyone I’ve named are big, fast, and aggressive. All the corners in this draft are going to require some development to become high end starters, but those players can be found all the way in to the late rounds.

The Seahawks have too many roster holes to spend big on the position in free agency with 3 starters under contract, and the value isn’t there to draft a cornerback in the 1st round unless Gonzalez or Witherspoon are available at 20, which is unlikely. The Seahawks will tender Jackson, sign a budget free agent, draft a corner on day 2, and draft another corner on day 3. Training camp should showcase a couple battles for the left side and slot corner spots.

2023 projected training camp contracts: