Anybody who watched the Super Bowl knew that the Seattle Seahawks -- who came thisclose to winning a second straight title -- had a couple clear positional needs entering this offseason: a legitimate red zone pass-catching threat and a dynamic wideout who could get separation downfield.
2015 NFL depth chart: Seahawks add red zone threats for another deep playoff run
The Seahawks look to return to the Super Bowl for a third consecutive season with one of the league’s most talented rosters once again.
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They addressed the first need a few minutes before free agency kicked off in March with the shocking trade for tight end Jimmy Graham. Since the start of 2013, no tight end has more touchdowns, receptions or receiving yards than Graham. Twenty of his 26 touchdown catches over the last two seasons have come in the red zone; in that same time span, no Seahawks player had more than six red zone receiving scores.
The price to acquire Graham was the 31st pick overall and center Max Unger. But with arguably the most top-tier talent of any team in its division (and maybe the entire league), the Seahawks felt comfortable sacrificing their first-round draft pick and starting center to fill what was one of the biggest holes on their roster.
Seattle waited a little longer to bolster the rest of receiving corps, drafting Tyler Lockett in the third round. Lockett was one of the most lauded picks in the entire draft and should bring much-needed speed and explosiveness to the wide receiver position. In his last three years at Kansas State, Lockett led the team in touchdown receptions and finished his four-year collegiate career with 29 total touchdown grabs.
The rest of the draft was mostly about stocking the depth chart with high-upside guys who probably won’t see a ton of playing time as rookies. However, given Seattle’s track record of developing its mid- and late-round picks, there is a good chance you’ll see a few of them making an impact on the field in 2015.
Offensive line
The Seahawks didn't draft a center to replace Max Unger, and instead will look to several unproven backups to emerge as the No. 1 guy in the middle of the offensive line. Lemuel Jeanpierre and Patrick Lewis are the leading candidates to earn the starting job, but they also could be pushed by C.J. Davis.
Alvin Bailey and J.R. Sweezy have the starting guard spots locked up, but there should be an interesting battle on the depth chart behind them. Seattle drafted Mark Glowinski and Terry Poole, who should compete for playing time at one of the interior spots.
Cornerback
Seattle lost Legion of Boom member Byron Maxwell in free agency but wasted little time in finding his replacement. The team signed free agent cornerback Cary Williams, who was a full-time starter the past four seasons in Philadelphia and Baltimore and has nine career interceptions.
Williams is expected to get the starting nod opposite Richard Sherman, but his inconsistent play over the last few years means he's no guarantee to earn the job. The Seahawks drafted Tye Smith in the fifth round, and despite his small frame, he's considered "a prototypical Seahawky style of cornerback." Tharold Simon, if he's healthy, should also push for playing time on the outside.
Wide receiver
Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse have the starting wide receiver positions locked down, and Kevin Norwood should be on the field when the team uses its three-wideout sets.
However, if Paul Richardson starts the season on the PUP, the rookie Lockett definitely has a chance to push Ricardo Lockette and Chris Matthews for reps as the fourth receiver on the depth chart. It will also be interesting to see how much playing time Matthews can earn after his breakout performance in the Super Bowl.
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