NFL Draft Capsule: Seattle Seahawks

Seattle finished 10-6 last season, winning the NFC West. However, the season was not necessarily a success, as the running game behind Shaun Alexander continued to struggle. His diminishing performance led Head Coach Mike Holmgren to go with a pass-first offense towards the end of the year, which allowed the Seahawks to make the playoffs…in which they ended up losing to the Packers in the Divisional Round. This is Holmgren's last season coaching in Seattle, so the team has to improve their ground attack. Overall, they still have the weapons to contend for the playoffs and possibly a Super Bowl berth, but the window is closing.

Offense

I believe Mike Holmgren is one of the best coaches in the League, and this is his last year in Seattle to make a deep playoff run. With that in mind, the Seahawks made an effort to improve their running game this offseason. Shaun Alexander missed three games last season and only averaged 3.5 yards per carry. So…Seattle signed T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones to compete with Alexander and Maurice Morris.

Rushing problems often times stem from poor offensive line play. Since Steve Hutchinson left in free agency two years ago, Seattle’s rushing attack hasn’t been the same. They signed Mike Wahle this year to try to fill that void, but he is in his thirties, as are Chris Gray and Walter Jones. Seattle’s line could start to show their age in the next couple of years, so drafting some young talent would be wise.

Seattle’s passing attack should be one of the most dangerous in the League next year. Matt Hasselbeck is a pro-bowl caliber quarterback, and he has good, but not great, receivers at his disposal in Deion Branch, Nate Burleson, and Bobby Engram. If Seattle can grab a tight end in this month’s draft to pair with recently added Jeb Putzier, Hasselbeck should have another solid year.

Defense

You look at this unit and don’t really see any glaring needs. The Seahawks have one of the best linebacking corps in the League with Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson, and LeRoy Hill. They’re not deep at corner, but their starters—Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings—are very solid.

Seattle’s defensive weaknesses are at safety (where they have incredible depth, but no outstanding starters) and on the defensive line, especially with the departure of Cedric Darby this offseason. If the ‘Hawks can find a legitimate starting safety early in the draft, that could be an option, but they have to start looking for defensive tackles. Rocky Bernard is one solid DT, but they could definitely use another from the draft and maybe a defensive end to add depth.

Special Teams

Seattle’s special teams are not special, but they are nothing to be concerned about either. Josh Brown signed with division rival St. Louis, but the Seahawks filled the position by signing Olindo Mare. Mare has seen better days, but he is still a more than adequate kicker.

Nate Burleson can be one of the more electrifying returners in the game, scoring two touchdowns on returns last season.

Draft

Seattle has the 25th pick in the draft, which is not an ideal place for them to be picking. Their top need is guard, and the top guard in this class, Branden Albert (6’5 ½”, 309 lbs, Virginia) should be off the board. If he’s still there, Seattle will take no time running his name up to the podium. Since Albert will be gone, ESPN’s Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, Jr. have them drafting TE Dustin Keller (6’2”, 242 lbs, Purdue). According to McShay, Keller has the "potential to create mismatches in the passing game." Lining him up with Seattle’s trio of wide receivers will create havoc for opposing defenses. DT Kentwan Balmer (6’4 ½”, 308 lbs, North Carolina) and S Kenny Philips (6’2 ¼”, 212 lbs, Miami) are also possibilities.

Ideally, OG Chilo Rachal (6’5”, 315 lbs, USC) will fall to them in the second round. He’s the second rated guard prospect and would be a great value pick towards the bottom of the second. Further down the draft, the ‘Hawks should look to add depth to the defensive line and secondary.

With this being Holmgren’s last year at the helm, look for Seattle to try to add immediate impact players early in the draft, with the offensive and defensive lines taking priority in the later rounds.

Tomorrow: Minnesota Vikings