FanPost

Seahawks Draft Needs (if you're ready)

Like every team, the Seahawks have needs in the upcoming draft. From Wide Receiver to Defensive line, there are always places to churn and just get better in general. This is a very good draft for the Seahawks, as the classes of Defensive Linemen, Offensive Linemen, Running Back, and Wide Receiver are all pretty good. Those are likely the four biggest needs that the Seahawks have coming into this draft, and we should be able to come away with at least two starters in those four positions. So, here’s what I think that the Seahawks should go with, in terms of what the needs are for the team.

Wide Receiver

· If we hadn’t lost Paul Richardson this would be need three or four on the list. But since he’s torn his ACL twice on the same knee now (get well soon dude, focus on your own wellbeing, football comes second) we have to think about what’s on the way for this franchise. After Richardson got injured, Riccardo Lockette stepped up as the third receiver, which is not good. Due respect to the speedster from Fort Valley State, but he’s unreliable in his route running and in his hands. Pete and John could address this need in Free Agency, especially since players like Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson could be on the market for a short-term deal to get a ring, but those would be more expensive and less long-lasting than our Dynamic Duo might like. (post super-bowl edit: Chris Mattews was the hero of this last game, but those are the only four passes that he's caught in the NFL. Saying that he's going to be a great receiver is as reactionary as when people were doubting Wilson's decision making after the NFCCG, just more positive)

Defensive line

· It was a toss-up here about whether or not it would be offensive line, or defensive line at this spot. In the end I decided on defensive line for three reasons.

· Reason #1: The pass rush is lacking in recent weeks since Jordan Hill left, and even when he gets back, it’s never a bad thing to have another pass rusher on the roster in this league.

· Reason #2: Kevin Williams and Tony McDaniels are the only two players on the d-line that weigh more than 300 lbs. In a league where I think big, 230+ pound running backs will be more and more popular (I have a pretty good theory as to why, but that’s a story for another day) our linebackers can only do so much to stop these guys. I just lamented about the lack of a pass rush, but our run defense could use some help as well, especially in the middle of the line.

· Reason #3: The offensive line is getting better. It’s as simple as that. Justin Britt was a liability in pass pro, but that’s been less of a problem as Russell’s gotten more under control as a passer. Okung was always better as a pass blocker than a run blocker, and Unger is really good at making those line calls.

Offensive line

· The offensive line is still a need though. There are players that are leaving soon (Carpenter, Okung), and we could use an upgrade in pass protection anyway. Honestly, this has been discussed to death on Field Gulls, and I really don’t have much to add to the discussion. Just a basic summary, Russell is one of the most pressured QBs in the league, and Beastmode often has to wade through bodies to even get to the line of scrimmage, though it has improved recently.

Linebacker/Defensive Back

· These aren’t as much needs as they are things that everyone knows that we’re going to draft. PCJS has taken defensive backs and linebackers in every draft, though not in the early rounds Malcolm Smith is already being phased out for Kevin Pierre-Louis, and we’re going to need someone to take over for Bruce Irvin if he doesn't get resigned, though that may take some help from the drafting of a defensive lineman as well.

Running Back

· This is entirely a luxury pick. As much as I hate to say this, the Beast isn't going to be here forever. In fact, he’s coming up on the dreaded age-30-wall. That’s not to say that I don’t think that Beast isn't the kind of special runner that can’t get past that, but with as much as the Beast has done for the Seahawks, I don’t think that Pete and John are that averse to letting him go, all evidence to the contrary. He’s powered the team for the last 4 years, but soon it’s going to be Russell’s turn to take over, despite this new contract offer.

So, those are the biggest needs that this team has, in my opinion. I’ll be following this up with hopefully an article a week, at this point I have the Wide receiver piece done, and I’m working on the running back piece. We’ll have to see what comes up in the next couple of months before the draft, but I hope this has been a helpful tool for everyone who’s looking to get excited about the upcoming draft.