Reviewing Seahawks' offseason moves prior to NFL Draft 2014, a final look at their pre-Draft roster

The NFL Draft begins tonight and the next couple of days will be a whirlwind. The upheaval that teams' new additions will cause to depth charts and the dynamic of positional groups around the league will be fun to watch. Just prior to the crazy action that's due to follow this weekend, though, I wanted to review what Seattle's done personnel wise to set themselves up for the Draft, and take a final look at the roster before it's filled out to 90.

Seattle is known to hedge at nearly every position during the offseason, adding veterans and/or street free agents for depth that allow them to, at least in theory, go into this three-day bonanza without major, must have "needs" to fill. It means, again in theory, that they can allow the draft to "fall to them" and it gives them flexibility to take the best players they can without reaching for that one position with no depth.

Seattle has lost quite a few players to cuts and free agency, but in my opinion, they've had a very strong offseason thus far. Let's take a look at what they've done:

Re-signed:

DL Michael Bennett
K Steven Hauschka
DL Tony McDaniel
TE Anthony McCoy
LEO O'Brien Schofield
WR Sidney Rice
QB Tarvaris Jackson

Michael Bennett was my number one priority for the offseason so getting him re-signed prior to all the madness was a huge coup. Past that excellent move, re-upping Haushka to a three year deal ensures that the team will have an experienced, veteran kicker to lean on this year and his mental makeup -- he approaches the game as a technician - is pretty much ideal. There are no guarantees with kickers -- their accuracy tends to ebb and flow yearly -- but Hauschka is still young, proven, and now has some vital experience in big games.

The Hawks also re-signed some key depth players, and while these moves didn't receive as much fanfare as the losses the team sustained, they are important. Tony McDaniel was an anchor on the defensive line, and registered extremely high marks in run defense according to Pro Football Focus. O'Brien Schofield originally signed a big(ish) deal with the Giants but after knee concerns voided that, he ended up back at VMAC. He's a great depth piece that could challenge not only for a roster spot, but for a key role as a LEO end after Chris Clemons' release.

Sidney Rice and Anthony McCoy return from major injuries and could provide excellent depth and size in Seattle's receiving corps and McCoy is a great addition in particular because of his ability to back-up Zach Miller as a blocking tight end.

Tarvaris Jackson is one of the best (yeah I said it) backup quarterbacks in the NFL, particularly in that he's played his entire career (apart from his hiatus in Buffalo) in the same system and his skillset is suited for Seattle's offense. So again, an important move for depth and insurance.

Retained:

G/C Lemuel Jeanpierre
SS Jeron Johnson
WR Doug Baldwin

Past their unrestricted free agents, Seattle retained their three restricted free agents. Jeanpierre is key depth behind Max Unger, as is Jeron Johnson behind Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas. In fact, Jeanpierre and Johnson are possibly two of Seattle's most important backups (behind probably T-Jack).

Doug Baldwin is another key retention, and he may be receiving a long-term deal at some point this year.

Acquired:

QB Terrelle Pryor

The importance of this move has yet to be seen, but it's a potentially high-upside move using a relatively inexpensive chip in their 7th round pick this year. If Pryor can do some of the things they want him to do at the position, using a 7th to pay for one of the most important backup positions would be a bargain. That said, he obviously faces some competition at the spot.

Signed:

WR Chris Matthews
WR Taylor Price
TE Travis Beckum
G/C Greg Van Roten
G/T Stephen Schilling
LB Mike Taylor
CB Phillip Adams
CB A.J. Jefferson
SS Terrance Parks
LS Jorgan Hus

Just a bunch of depth signings and hedges. Most are high-upside athletes that have some potential as developmental players. What you'd expect from this front-office.

Extended:

FS Earl Thomas
CB Richard Sherman
HC Pete Carroll

This is an illustrious list and in many ways this is what I should have led with. Just... huge. I guess I cannot emphasize strongly enough how important extending these three will be for the franchise.

Ok, so let's just take a look at where the roster sits, because just visually it kind of gives you a nice look at depth at the different positions. There are currently 73 players on the payroll, and that number will swell to 90 over the next few weeks. Players in italics are either re-signed, retained, or newly acquired.

The Roster

Quarterback (4):

QB1 Russell Wilson 5'10, 215
QB2 Tarvaris Jackson 6'2, 215
QB3 B.J. Daniels 5'11, 217
QB4 Terrelle Pryor 6'4, 233

Running Backs (5):

RB1 Marshawn Lynch 5'11, 215
RB2 Robert Turbin 5'10, 220
RB3 Christine Michael 5'10, 221
RB4 Spencer Ware 5'10, 225
FB1 Derrick Coleman 6'0, 240

Wide Receivers (10):

WR Percy Harvin 5'11, 200
WR Doug Baldwin 5'10, 189
WR Sidney Rice 6'4, 212
WR Jermaine Kearse 6'1, 205
WR Phil Bates 6'1, 220
WR Ricardo Lockette 6'2, 211
WR Bryan Walters 6'0, 190
WR Chris Matthews 6'5, 218
WR Arceto Clark 5'10, 180
WR Taylor Price 6'1, 195

Tight Ends (5):

TE1 Zach Miller 6'5, 255
TE2 Anthony McCoy 6'5, 275
TE3 Luke Willson 6'5, 260
TE Travis Beckum 6'3, 234
TE Cooper Helfet 6'4, 240

Offensive Line (11):

LT1 Russell Okung 6'5,315
LG1 James Carpenter 6'5,320
OC1 Max Unger 6'5,305
RG1 J.R. Sweezy 6'5,320
RT1 Michael Bowie 6'5,330
T/G Alvin Bailey 6'3,320
C/G Jared Smith 6'3,315
T/G Caylin Hauptmann 6'3,300
G/C Lemuel Jeanpierre 6'3,302
G/C Greg Van Roten 6'3,303
G/T Stephen Schilling 6'5,312

Defensive Interior Line (10):

DL Tony McDaniel 6'7, 310
DL Greg Scruggs 6'3, 290
NT Brandon Mebane 6'1, 311
DT Jordan Hill 6'1, 310
DL Jesse Williams 6'3, 323
3T/5T Michael Bennett 6'4, 275
3T/5T Kenneth Boatright 6'3, 275
3T/5T Michael Brooks 6'3, 275
NT DeWayne Cherrington 6'3, 335
3T D'Anthony Smith 6'2, 300

LEOs, Linebackers (11):

WLB1 K.J. Wright 6'4, 246
MLB1 Bobby Wagner 6'0, 241
SLB1 Bruce Irvin 6'3, 255
SLB2 Malcolm Smith 6'0, 230
LEO Cliff Avril 6'3, 260
LEO Benson Mayowa 6'3, 252
LEO O'Brien Schofield 6'3, 242
LB Heath Farwell 6'0, 235
LB Mike Morgan 6'3, 226
LB Korey Toomer 6'2, 244
LB Mike Taylor 6'2, 222

Defensive Backs (13):

CB1 Richard Sherman 6'3, 195
CB2 Byron Maxwell 6'1, 207
FS1 Earl Thomas 5'10, 202
SS1 Kam Chancellor 6'3, 232
NB/CB Jeremy Lane 6'0, 190
NB/CB Tharold Simon 6'2, 205
FS2 DeShawn Shead 6'1, 225
SS2 Jeron Johnson 5'10, 212
CB Phillip Adams 5'11, 195
CB/S Chandler Fenner 6'1, 189
CB A.J. Jefferson 6'1, 190
CB Akeem Auguste 5'10, 185
SS Terrance Parks 6'2, 218

Specialists (4):

P Jon Ryan
LS Clint Gresham
K Steven Hauschka
LS Jorgan Hus

Now, finally, the losses that the Seahawks sustained. For me, the biggest loss is probably Golden Tate, but you could make arguments for some of the cap casualties in Red Bryant or Chris Clemons. Seattle also lost part-time starters or major contributors in Brandon Browner, Breno Giacomini, Paul McQuistan, Clint McDonald, Walter Thurmond, and Michael Robinson.

Cut:

DE Red Bryant
DE Chris Clemons

Lost in FA:

OT Paul McQuistan
OT Breno Giacomini
DT Clinton McDonald
CB Walter Thurmond
CB Brandon Browner
WR Golden Tate

Potentially retired

FB Michael Robinson