Now that the 2021 season has officially come to an end with Super Bowl LVI in the books, it's time to look ahead to an offseason that will help shape the Seahawks' fortunes in 2022. With free agency kicking off later this month and the draft following in April, Seahawks.com is taking a position-by-position look at where the team stands. So far we've covered the offensive line, the defensive line, tight end, linebacker, receiver, defensive back, running back and quarterback, and today we wrap things up with a look at where things stand on special teams.
2021 Recap
As has been the case for much of Pete Carroll's tenure in Seattle, special teams play was a strength for the Seahawks this season. Seattle's punt and kick coverage teams were both strong on a weekly basis, punter Michael Dickson set a franchise record with 40 punts downed inside the 20, and the Seahawks even scored two touchdowns on special teams, both by Travis Homer, who returned an onside kick for a score against the Jaguars, and who scored on a fake punt against the 49ers.
Special teams captain Nick Bellore ranked third in the NFL in special teams tackles with 15 and he also forced a fumble that was recovered by Homer; Cody Barton had 12 tackles; rookie John Rhattigan added 10 tackles and a fumble recovery; Penny Hart chipped in 11 tackles and was also responsible for some of those punts downed inside the 20 as one of Seattle's gunners; DeeJay Dallas not only handled kick return duties, but also contributed 10 tackles and a forced fumble; and Homer had nine tackles and a fumble recovery along with those two touchdowns.
Under the leadership of special teams coordinator Larry Izzo, the Seahawks were the third-ranked special teams performer in the 2021 season based on Rick Gosselin's rankings he does every year for Sports Illustrated, a ranking determined by ranking teams 1-32 in each special teams category, then adding up the totals to get an aggregate score, the lower the number the better. The Seahawks ranked second in Goesselin's rankings a year earlier, making them one of two teams, along with Indianapolis, to crack the top five each of the past two seasons.
About the only negative was that kicker Jason Myers saw his accuracy decline after a standout 2020 season in which he was a perfect 24 for 24 on field goal attempts. Last season, Myers missed six field goals, going 17 for 23, but on an encouraging note going forward, he did finish the year making 8 of 9 field goals.
Question to answer this offseason: Does Dee Eskridge or someone else take over return duties?
The Seahawks used DeeJay Dallas at kick returner and Freddie Swain at punt returner last season, and those two both had some solid returns, while also taking care of the ball—the Seahawks didn't have a turnover on special teams all season—but the Seahawks have not in recent years had the type of explosive return game they had with Tyler Lockett in the return roles, or before him Leon Washington.
One way the Seahawks could look to upgrade the return game could be to use 2021 second-round pick Dee Eskridge, who thrived as a returner in college. The hope was to get him more involved in that phase of the game last season, but multiple injuries kept him from getting very involved. The hope going into 2022 is that Eskridge can challenge for a role in the return game.
"He's really talented, explosive, smart, tough," Carroll said this week at the NFL Scouting Combine. "He will be involved in the return game in time. We didn't quite get to that (last year)."
Cornerback Tre Brown also had success as a returner in college, though if he ends up in a starting role—a very real possibility seeing as he took over the starting spot at left corner before suffering a season-ending injury—then it's less likely he would be in the running for a return job while also holding an every-down role on defense.
Biggest reason for optimism in 2022: The young nucleus coming back.
While Bellore, an 11-year veteran, leads the way for Seattle's special teams units, most of the rest of the production in that phase of the game comes from young players on their rookie contracts, the majority of whom will be back in 2022, a group that includes Barton, Rhattigan, Homer, Dallas, Hart and Ugo Amadi.
Special teams units tend to have a lot of turnover in the NFL as players move into bigger roles that limit their play on special teams, or move onto other teams, so the Seahawks should be in good shape with so many top players back in 2022.
With the 2022 NFL Combine underway, take a look back at some current Seahawks at their own NFL Combines.
LSU safety Jamal Adams poses for a headshot during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LSU defensive back Jamal Adams runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 6, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
LSU defensive back Jamal Adams runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, March 6, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LSU safety Jamal Adams is seen at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 6, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Oregon defensive back Ugochukwu Amadi runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon defensive back Ugochukwu Amadi runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Monday, March 4, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Utah linebacker Cody Barton runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Utah linebacker Cody Barton runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Utah linebacker Cody Barton runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Central Michigan linebacker Nick Bellore runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Central Michigan linebacker Nick Bellore runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks warms up during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks is seen after the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Offensive lineman Duane Brown of Virginia Tech runs a drill at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma State running back Christopher Carson poses for a headshot during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oklahoma State running back Christopher Carson runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oklahoma State running back Christopher Carson prepares to run the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine Friday, March 3, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
TCU defensive lineman L.J. Collier runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
TCU defensive lineman L.J. Collier runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas running back Alex Collins poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Arkansas running back Alex Collins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Arkansas running back Alex Collins runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Miami running back DeeJay Dallas poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Miami running back DeeJay Dallas runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Miami running back Deejay Dallas runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Texas place kicker Michael Dickson poses for a headshot during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Texas defensive back Quandre Diggs poses for a headshot during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Texas defensive back Quandre Diggs participates in the vertical jump during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, February 23, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Texas defensive back Quandre Diggs prepares to run the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday, February 23, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)
Washington tight end Will Dissly poses for a headshot during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Washington tight end Will Dissly participates in the Bench Press at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Washington tight end Will Dissly runs a drill during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Florida's Carlos Dunlap runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Baylor center Kyle Fuller poses for a headshot during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Baylor offensive lineman Kyle Fuller speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Baylor center Kyle Fuller competes in the broad jump at the 2017 NFL football scouting combine Friday, March 3, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Southern California defensive lineman Rasheem Green poses for a headshot during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
USC defensive lineman Rasheem Green runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
USC defensive lineman Rasheem Green runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Southern California defensive lineman Rasheem Green performs in the Broad Jump at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Miami running back Travis Homer runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 1, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Texas Tech University defensive tackle Kerry Hyder poses for a headshot during the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 22, 2014 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Texas Tech defensive lineman Kerry Hyder runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, Feb. 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas Tech University defensive tackle Kerry Hyder runs through drills at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, on February 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Ohio State offensive lineman Jamarco Jones poses for a headshot during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Ohio State offensive lineman Jamarco Jones participates in the broad jump during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LSU guard Damien Lewis poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LSU guard Damien Lewis runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett poses for a headshot during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thursday, February 19, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Mississippi wide receiver D.K. Metcalf runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Mississippi wide receiver D.K. Metcalf runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Mississippi wide receiver D.K. Metcalf warms up at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Stanford tight end Colby Parkinson poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Stanford tight end Colby Parkinson runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Stanford tight end Colby Parkinson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny poses for a headshot during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LSU center Ethan Pocic poses for a headshot during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LSU offensive lineman Ethan Pocic runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LSU offensive lineman Ethan Pocic does the vertical jump at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State defensive back D.J. Reed poses for a headshot during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Kansas State defensive back D.J. Reed runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Monday, March 5, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Syracuse defensive end Alton Robinson poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Syracuse defensive lineman Alton Robinson runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Syracuse defensive end Alton Robinson runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Florida wide receiver Freddie Swain poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Florida wide receiver Freddie Swain runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Florida wide receiver Freddie Swain runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Tennessee linebacker Darrell Taylor poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson poses for a headshot during the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 24 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson throws as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson throws as he runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
LSU's Al Woods runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Monday, March 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
