After much fanfair, Part 2 of my amazing JS mind extravaganza is ready for SKA consumption.
Defensive End
#1 DE – Micheal Bennett; solid player, under long term contract
#2 DE – Demarcus Dobbs; Claimed off the scrap heap, most likely not on the team in 2015, nice depth player
#3 DE – Cliff Avril; solid player, under long term contract
#4 DE – O’Brien Schofield; solid depth, UFA after 2014 season.
Other DE – Multiple players are currently on the IR, several are not very likely to ever be healthy, position of weakness longterm
JS: This is a postion a lot of draft capitol has been expended, but we will continue to throw picks at the spot. FA additions are definately not out of the question, for the right price.
Defensive Tackle
DT #1 – Tony McDaniel – Nice player in the middle, but long in the tooth. Priority position to be filled with FA or draft pick(s).
DT#2 – Kevin Williams – Most likely will retire if he wins a SB
DT#3- Brandone Mebane– On IR. Most likely will not play another snap for the team.
Other DT – Multiple players are currently on the IR, several are not very likely to ever be truely healthy
JS: This is the second most urgent position to fill on the 2015 roster. Depth is a critical issue and must be addressed with FA, UDFA and draft pick(s). Would I invest in a player like Detroits DT Suh? You will see very soon.
Linebacker
OLB – Bruce Irvin; starting to produce at LB, upside / potential. One more year to prove he should get a second contract.
MLB – Bobby Wagner; QB of the defense, one of the most under rated defensive players. Needs to be locked up in 2015 offseason.
OLB – KJ Wright; excellent coverage linebacker. Locked up to long term deal.
Other LBs – Morgan / Coyle / Smith are all on the bubble, most likely gone for new blood and depth; cap casulties if you will.
JS: There are some exciting prospects in the draft that can bolster this young / aggressive defensive unit. Taking an unknown, small school guy, is not out of the question.
Cornerbacks
#1 CB – Richard Shermin; Top CB, locked up long term.
#2 CB – Byron Maxwell; Very good CB, UFA in 2015. Mega money deal incoming, 7+ mill / year… most likely too rich for Seattle.
Other CBs – Lane / Simon / Burley / Terrell, good group, but can be upgraded with draft picks. All are on the bubble to some extent.
JS: This is my pride and joy. Need to stack up another 1-2 high talent guys via draft. They are the identity of the Seahawks defense, the Legion of Boom.
Safeties
#1 FS – Earl Thomas, A top FS in the game. A game changer. Locked up long term.
#2 SS – Kam Chancellor. A top SS in the game. Locked up long term.
Other S – Johnson / Shead; a tad undersized or lacking top end speed. This is an area that could be upgraded for better depth via draft, UDFA or FA.
JS: Need to build up the depth, but I’m comfortable with the guys on the team right now.
Kickers
Punter – Jon Ryan, top punter. Locked up long term.
Kicker – Steven Hauschka, top kicker. Locked up long term.
Long Snapper – Clint Gresham; he might get swapped out.. but since kickers are fickle, why mess with this top performing group.
JS: If it is not broken, why fix it, right?
In a few weeks, there will be a follow-up piece involving a mock draft for the Seahawks. Keep this article in mind, when you are out on the internetz reading the draft prognosticators. This offseason is about improving a few key areas (OL, DL specifically) and reloading depth on the back end of the roster within the final few roster spots. With ample number of picks in the 2015 NFL draft, I expect a bunch of wheeling and dealing for future picks.
“Go Hawks”
