Key Points to Observe at Seahawks Minicamp: QB Sam Darnold, Wide Receivers

Hitting the Practice Field Again: Seahawks Minicamp Insights and Speculation

Kick off your shoes, grab a cool drink, and let's dive into the Seahawks' upcoming mandatory minicamp!

Coach Mike Macdonald decided to push up the minicamp schedule this week, giving veteran players a head start on their summer vacay. Instead of another week of voluntary OTAs, the Seahawks' minicamp starts now—Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon to be precise. This leaves next week for more voluntary work and focusing on the younger players.

"We're jacked!" gushed linebacker Ernest Jones IV last week about the schedule change. "We were always working hard, but this adds a little extra motivation. Get a chance to get some work in before taking another break before training camp in late July."

Now, let's take a closer look at some intriguing developments to watch during the Seahawks' minicamp:

Will the Seahawks Bolster Their Secondary?

Monday brought some exciting news: the Green Bay Packers released veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander. With his contract and ongoing injuries causing problems for the Packers, the 28-year-old, drafted 18th overall in 2018, is now a free agent.

But the question remains: will the Seahawks jump at this opportunity to sign Alexander? They already brought in free agent corners Shaquill Griffin and Rasul Douglas for visits, so it's reasonable to wonder if they feel confident in their current group. Third corner Josh Jobe has emerged, but with the Seahawks likely to be in a nickel defense 60-70% of the time, this position is crucial.

Alexander appears likely to have a thriving market, with teams like Buffalo showing interest. However, the Seahawks do have the cap space to make a move with $31.2 million available, as of Monday morning by OvertheCap.com. Whether they decide to add another cornerback is the question that may not get answered in the minicamp, but it could certainly help nudge them in one direction.

Is Darnold Ready to Lead the Offense?

Coach Macdonald made it clear last week that quarterback Sam Darnold will be the starter when the season begins in September. Yet, it's understandable that everyone wants reassurance things are on the right track. A few more solid practices would further cement the confidence in Darnold's ability to take over the offense and build chemistry with his receivers after the departure of Geno Smith.

Choosing the Starting Lineup for the O-line

The starting offensive lineup could still be up in the air until training camp begins, with decisions on the right guard and center positions yet to be made. Although left tackle, left guard, and right tackle appear set, with Charles Cross, Grey Zabel, and Abe Lucas in place, the other two spots are up for grabs. This will no doubt be a key debate during minicamp.

Assessing the Progress of the Rookie Class

Minicamp will give us a good sense of how the team's 11-man rookie class is coming along. While players like Zabel, safety Nick Emmanwori, and tight end Elijah Arroyo may secure starting or situational spots, others will be competing for depth roles. Keep an eye on undrafted rookie free agents like rush end Jared Ivey, cornerback Zy Alexander, center Federico Maranges, and receivers Tyrone Broden and Montorie Foster, Jr., who are battling for a spot on the 53-man roster or practice squad.

Stay tuned for updates as the Seahawks' minicamp unfolds!

[1] https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3999677/jaire-alexander[2] https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AlexJe00.htm[3] https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jaire-alexander/6066651/scouting-report[4] https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/football/seahawks/the-seahawks-trade-down-with-aaron-rogers-on-their-minds-but-end-up-with-rashaad-penny/[5] https://www. cbssports.com/nfl/news/seattle-seahawks-trade-down-to-get-rashaad-penny-as-green-bay-packers-snake-dillon-daniels-in-draft/

With the possibility of free agent Jaire Alexander joining the roster, the Seahawks could be strengthening their secondary, especially since the nickel defense position is crucial for their 60-70% usage.
The performance of quarterback Sam Darnold during the minicamp might further solidify his ability to lead the offense and build chemistry with his receivers.
The competition for spots in the offensive lineup, particularly at right guard and center, could heat up during minicamp as decisions are yet to be made.