Analysis: 5 most improved opponents on the Seahawks’ 2022 schedule

Most notable additions: Russell Wilson, Randy Gregory

Best draft pick: Nick Bonito

The most obvious upgraded team on Seattle’s schedule, the Broncos finally found a franchise quarterback seven years after Peyton Manning’s retirement by acquiring Russell Wilson from the Seahawks in a blockbuster trade in March. The nine-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer immediately gives them one of the best signallers in the league with a host of weapons on the outside, including fast receiver Jerry Jeudy, behind a strong offensive line anchored by tackle. Garrett Bolles. His arrival should transform them from a cellar dweller into a viable contender for the division title.

Wilson wasn’t the only big addition Denver made during free agency, either, as the team invested a five-year, $70 million deal in pass rusher Randy Gregory and bolstered its inside line by signing former 49ers defensive tackle DJ Jones. Even without a first-round pick, they landed another quality rusher by selecting Oklahoma’s Nik Bonitto in the second round to help hunt any talented quarterbacks found in the AFC West. This new roster may need time to gel, but no team has improved further at the sport’s most important position.

Most notable additions: Davante Adams, Chandler Jones

Best draft pick: Dylan Parham

Reuniting quarterback Derek Carr with his close friend and former Fresno State teammate, the Raiders dealt a first- and second-round pick to the Packers to acquire Davante Adams in March and signed him to a five-year extension from $140 million. Adams will join an offense that already includes dynamic tight end Darren Waller, standout slot receiver Hunter Renfrow and running back Josh Jacobs, giving Carr plenty of weapons at his disposal to lead the offense. from new coach Josh McDaniels.

Defensively, the Raiders doubled their assist, signing former All-Pro linebacker Chandler Jones to a three-year, $51 million deal. Joining forces with rising superstar Maxx Crosby, they should have one of the best one-two running tandems in the NFL. While the team lost a few key starters in free agency and only made five picks in the draft, it was an out-of-the-box contender that only got better by adding arguably the best receiver. football and a high-level rushing force.

Most notable additions:JC Jackson, Khalil Mack

Best draft pick: Sion Johnson

The Raiders weren’t the only AFC West team to build more around their franchise quarterback, as the Chargers took a slightly different route to fortify their roster to compete in the toughest division in the game. the league. After re-signing standout receiver Mike Williams to a new three-year deal, general manager Tom Telesco traded a second-round pick and future sixth-round pick to the Bears for Khalil Mack, bringing the former defensive back of the Year from the NFL West. team up with Joey Bosa. Days later, they splurged on their secondary by handing All-Pro cornerback JC Jackson a five-year, $82.5 million deal.

Offensively, the Chargers used the draft to strengthen their offensive line and running game, selecting versatile guard Zion Johnson in the first round and using a third-round pick on sneaky fullback Isaiah Spiller. Both players have a good chance of starting at some point as rookies. Former Seahawks tight end Gerald Everett has also signed a one-year contract to catch passes for Justin Herbert and will face his two former employers in 2022.

Most notable additions: Laken Tomlinson, DJ Reed

Top draft picks: Ahmad Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson

After a disappointing first season under coach Robert Saleh, the Jets are suddenly looking like a sleeper to watch in the AFC East. Armed with two top-10 picks, including one they received from the Seahawks in the trade of Jamal Adams, they landed cornerback Ahmad Gardner with the fourth overall pick and gave quarterback Zach Wilson a another viable target by selecting receiver Garrett Wilson 10th overall. Later in the round, general manager Joe Douglas traded back to the first round for a third time and added defensive end Jermaine Johnson, providing the team with another talented passing thrower. In the second round, they also upped their running game by picking running back Breece Hall, who is expected to start on day one.

Far from killing him in the draft, the Jets also made some key additions in free agency. After a few good seasons with the 49ers, Tomlinson will join a much-improved offensive line as an inside anchor, while Reed is expected to start across from Gardner in a revised secondary. The key to a real turnaround will be Wilson’s development, but the front office has done what it takes to build around the young quarterback and give him the best chance of success.

Most notable additions: Mark Glowinski, Tyrod Taylor

Top draft picks: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Evan Neal

Shaking up the roster with a new coach in Brian Daboll, the Giants took advantage of having two top-10 picks by attacking the trenches and strengthening two critical areas of need. Once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick, defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux should be an immediate starter in pursuit of Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts in the NFC East. Evan Neal, who started at both tackle positions as well as guard for Alabama, should be a staple on New York’s offensive line for years to come. Both players will be the building blocks of what the organization hopes will be a budding contender in the near future.

What’s stopping the Giants from being higher on this list? They still have Daniel Jones at quarterback and while Daboll may be able to do similar magic to what he did with Josh Allen and the Bills, he hasn’t proven to be anything more than a fringe starter. during its first three seasons. With salary cap issues, the franchise also hasn’t made many moves in free agency to improve the team, although former Seahawks guard Mark Glowinski should be a slight improvement in the inside offensive line protecting Jones.