FanPost

The pre-Draft Seahawks depth chart

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I did this depth chart for myself, and liked it enough that I thought I’d share it with the rest of you. I wanted a visual on what the Hawks needs were (and a little sanity in the frenzy that is draft week). A lot of other factors go into the Seahawks draft priorities besides depth, but it is one of the clearer indications of where the Hawks might be spending their draft picks.

Color coding - I wanted to combine depth with knowledge of the Hawks system. The players highlighted in Blue have two years or more with the team (I included Browner and Clemons from previous time spent with the team). The players in green have 6 months to a year in the system, and I am including Siliga in this, as he spent half a year or so with the Hawks back in 2013.

First, the Defense.

DE

Michael Bennett

Chris Clemons

Ryan Robinson

DeAngelo Tyson

NT

Seaver Siliga

Jordan Hill

DT

Ahtyba Rubin

AJ Francis

Justin Hamilton

DE

Cliff Avril

Frank Clark

Josh Shirley

WLB

KJ Wright

Kevin Pierre Louis

MLB

Bobby Wagner

Brock Coyle

SLB

Cassius Marsh

Mike Morgan

Eric Pinkins

CB1

Richard Sherman

Brandon Browner

Tharold Simon

Mohammed Seisay

George Farmer

CB2

Jeremy Lane

Deshawn Shead

Marcus Burley

Tye Smith

Stanley Jean-Baptiste

Trevon Reed

SS

Kam Chancellor

Kelcie McCray

Robert Smith

FS

Earl Thomas

Steven Terrell

The Hawks are at least two deep, with very experienced players, at every position on defense. Players that have chemistry with each other, know the system, and play it well. The majority of the starters play at an elite level. Is there any other team in the NFL that can say that? This is already a very talented group of players, anyone drafted on defense will truly have to compete for playing time.

Also of note, under the category of "drafting for next year," Jordan Hill, Deshawn Shead, and Tharold Simon are all free agents in 12 months.

Edge - Should they draft an edge/defensive end player? Only under the argument that you can never have too much pass rush, yes. But this isn’t necessarily a need position.

Tackle - All the talk that the Seahawks may take a Defensive tackle makes sense. This is a draft deep at the position. A player with pass rushing skills to compete for time with Hill this year, and potentially replace him next year. And a young nose tackle for running downs, to compete with Siliga, or at least learn the system behind him. And its possible, in this particular draft, they find a player who can do both roles well.

Linebackers - this group is in great shape. You have two starters that play at a pro bowl level, surrounded by one older veteran who has been in this system for a decade, and four young players all entering their 3rd year. A lot of strong special teams play from this group. You add the recent signing of Browner, giving the Hawks a "BIG" nickel package, with a linebacker sitting down, and this is not a draft need. They could add a player in the draft to compete for a back up role, but this would be a tough group to get playing time on.

Corner - For all the talk of the Seahawks drafting another corner (and they might, because there are some very Seahawky corners in this draft), they have spent the past year acquiring a ridiculous amount of talent at the position. Simon, Seisay, SJB, and Farmer, are all ridiculously athletic, over 6’2" with long arms. Sophomore Tye Smith is smaller, and will have to beat out Marcus Burley as a nickel to remain on the team. The Hawks will have to cut some good players from this group, whether a rookie makes the squad or not.

Safeties - The starters are pro bowlers, the backups excel on special teams, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Hawks draft a young safety to add competition to the backup role.

The Offense

QB

Russell Wilson

Phillip Sims

RB

Thomas Rawls

Christine Michael

Cameron Marshall

FB

TE

Jimmy Graham

Luke Willson

Cooper Helfet

Brandon Cotton

Ronnie Shields

WR1

Doug Baldwin

Tyler Lockett

Kasen Williams

Deshon Foxx

Tyler Slavin

WR2

Jermaine Kearse

Paul Richardson

Kevin Smith

Douglas McNeil

Jeff Fuller

LT

Garry Gilliam

Bradley Sowell

Kona Schwenke

LG

Justin Britt

C

Patrick Lewis

Will Pericak

Drew Nowak

RG

Mark Glowinski

Kristjan Sokoli

RT

J’Marcus Webb

Terry Poole

Obviously, no where as deep or developed as the defense. They may be drafted early, late, or UDFA, but rookies have a better chance to make an impact on this side of the ball.

Quarterback - Do the Hawks draft a backup? Its not a great QB draft, but its possible the Hawks see a project they like in the later rounds.

Running back - Definitely worth a draft pick, there is a need for depth and competition here.

Fullback - For a team that likes to use a fullback, its strange to see the roster without one. Its a position that can be filled on day 3 or UDFA.

Tight End - On paper, this looks like a deep group. But, Jimmy Graham is injured, and may start the season on IR. And Willson and Helfet are both free agents in a year. There is a definite need for some depth, both this summer to challenge for the back up role, and drafting for next year. If Seattle has to add big passing targets, it would make sense that this year they would be TE’s.

Wide Receivers - This is an area of strength for the club. I don’t see a high draft pick here, and possibly just UDFA’s, but I expect us to add some rookie competition to the back end.

The Offensive Line - No big surprise, this is an area of need. The good news, the consensus is that this is a good year to draft offensive lineman. So, expect several talented new students (draftees and UDFA) to be attending Tom Cable’s Academy for Gifted Big Men.