The Seattle Seahawks ownership and the front office have made it clear of want and who they want this 2024

The Seattle Seahawks will look substantially different in 2024 than they have in previous years. With the departure of head coach Pete Carroll, the atmosphere on the field will be different. However, ownership and the front office have made it clear that the same energy and attitude Carroll brought to the sidelines should be carried over to the new crew.

The new staff will be led by Mike Macdonald, the Baltimore Ravens’ former defensive coordinator. He has some large shoes to fill, considering Carroll was the Seahawks’ most successful head coach in history.

Turning over a defense that has fallen off in previous seasons will be a difficult task for Macdonald. They have ended in the bottom half of the league for five straight seasons, which must change if the squad is to achieve long-term success again.

While the defense as a whole has to improve, the most pressing need on the squad is on the opposite side of the ball. According to PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator, the Seahawks’ most pressing need this offseason is along the inside of the offensive line.

It would be difficult to argue against that, considering the Seahawks concluded the 2023 season with the 28th-ranked offensive line, according to PFF. Injuries, as well as the regression of second-year tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, undoubtedly contributed to the team’s failure.

Looking to improve that unit, it’s no surprise that the mock draft simulator selected an offensive lineman as the team’s pick. Graham Barton of Duke is a player Seattle could seek.

“Barton plays left tackle for the Blue Devils, but he is short for an NFL offensive tackle. This may result in a move to an interior position in the pros, but wherever he ends up, he possesses starting-caliber strength and skill,” according to PFF Big Board Analysis.

The Seahawks would benefit greatly from targeting a versatile player like Barton. If Cross and Lucas can’t sort things out on the perimeter, they’ll see if Barton can handle tackles at the next level.

At the very least, Barton would offer the team a much-needed inside makeover. This will provide Macdonald and his staff with some freedom with the unit, since Barton can be plugged in at multiple points, allowing them to seek for the greatest upgrades available while knowing he can fill in the gaps.