After enduring one of the most heartbreaking last-second Super Bowl defeats in NFL history, the Seattle Seahawks look recharged and retooled heading into the 2015 season.
The 2013 World Champions have most of their Super Bowl core intact and made some major splashes in the offseason, including acquiring Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham.
With a young team and all the motivation in the world after a controversial loss, the Seahawks are poised to make another deep playoff run this year.
Here is the Seahawks outlook.
Offense
The 'Hawks biggest offseason acquisition certainly comes on offense, where Seattle dealt Pro Bowl center Max Unger in exchange for the very gifted Jimmy Graham, who will look to be a prime target in Seattle’s attack this season.
The Seahawks have been successful without a true No. 1 receiving threat over the last couple of years, but that will most certainly change with Graham in the fold. He runs stellar routes and is always a red zone threat due to his size (6-foot-7).
Graham will be an instant game changer for the Hawks and keep opposing defenses honest. He will give Russell Wilson a viable target in the air when they aren’t handing it off to one of the best running backs in the league.
Even with the acquisition of Graham, the offense will once again be paced by the dominant ground game of Marshawn Lynch, who at 29 years old, has showed no signs of slowing down.
Beast Mode posted his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard rushing campaign and was a catalyst for the Seahawks offense.
Wilson will, of course, be the man under center as the quarterback enters the final season of his original rookie deal. Wilson appears to be the franchise quarterback and the face of the organization for many years to come.
While the wide receiving core is led by Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, incoming third round draft pick Tyler Lockett will look to make an immediate impact on the field.
Lockett doesn’t have prototypical wide receiver size at only 5-foot-10, but his game-breaking ability as both a pass-catcher and returner are why he will be very valuable.
Lockett essentially becomes what Golden Tate was for the team a couple of years ago: a versatile player who can be a terrific receiver, but also a solid return guy. He has a good chance to be a legitimate threat on special teams in his rookie season both as a punt and kick returner.
As far as the offensive line, the tackle spots will likely be Russell Okung and Justin Britt, while the guards will be Alvin Bailey and J.R. Sweazy. At center, Patrick Lewis will have big shoes to fill in replacing consistent starter Max Unger.
One of the Seahawks draft picks, sixth-rounder Kristjan Sokoli, will be an interesting player to watch in camp. Sokoli played defensive line at the University of Buffalo, but Seattle moved him to center during OTAs.
He has solid athleticism and great strength, meaning he could eventually take over at the Center position if it doesn’t work out for Lewis.
Third-round pick Terry Poole could also make a splash on the o-line that is filled with question marks as to who will be definitive starters. Poole is a physical player that could be the Hawks’ swing tackle.
Fourth-round selection Mark Glowinski will likely compete for a backup spot on the line, but he is another versatile lineman that the team could lean on if necessary.
Defense
The Seahawks are renowned for their tenacious defense and it has been integral in their back-to-back Super Bowl runs. Seattle did lose several key pieces in cornerback Byron Maxwell and safety Jeron Johnson, but were able to reload with some strong additions.
The 'Hawks are attempting to resurrect Cary Williams as a viable starting corner after his less-than-stellar time with the Philadelphia Eagles. His style of play is better suited to fit Seattle’s defensive scheme and he should fit in nicely.
The Seattle secondary still has its core of Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, as well as Jeremy Lane, who is recovering from injury.
To mitigate the loss of Lane, the Seahawks brought in Will Blackmon, who can be a top nickel-back option. More than likely, he is just a placeholder until Lane returns.
As far as up front, the team signed 330-pounder Ahtyba Rubin, who spent the last seven seasons in Cleveland. Rubin joins an already stout defensive line and is a very versatile defender who can play in multiple schemes. He will likely back up Brandon Mebane and Tony McDaniel.
However the most notable defensive addition comes in the draft after Seattle made a controversial call to pick defensive end Frank Clark in the second round.
Clark was dismissed from Michigan last season after a domestic violence incident, but Seattle decided to roll the ball on him. Clark will likely be a solid contributor in the pass rush.
The team’s most underrated pick may be defensive end Obum Gwacham in the sixth round. He is not needed right now, but when he develops he can be their next versatile, dynamic pass rusher.
Overall, the Seahawks had a successful offseason and will have a strong chance of repeating as NFC Champs.
By Joe Messineo
