2012 NFL Offseason Prospectus: Seattle Seahawks

It's hard to imagine a team with Pete Carroll as a head coach flying under the radar, but that's what the Seahawks did last year to some degree.

Despite having a fluid situation at quarterback (that's putting it gently), and dealing with slew of injuries, Seattle won eight games and their battle for the playoffs went into the last month of the season. 

This offseason has typified the lack of exposure and credit the Seahawks have gotten since Carroll took over.

Seattle made the two most under-appreciated signings of the year, nabbing Matt Flynn from Green Bay and Jason Jones from Tennessee.

Peyton Manning and Mario Williams were the flashier names at their respective positions, but Flynn and Jones are both capable starters with plenty of room to get better. Plus, Flynn will be 27 when the season starts and Jones will be 25, both in the prime of their careers.

One of the biggest shortcomings of Seattle last year was the play of their quarterbacks. Flynn gives them a steadying influence on the offense given the way he prepares and the leadership qualities he possesses.

Flynn's skill set is obviously not on par with Peyton Manning, but Manning at his age, coming off an injury, is certainly not the player who won four MVP's.

There's no question if you could have one over the next five years, your returns are much more likely to continue for all five of those seasons with Flynn under center.

Jones, for his part, is a young, talented player who should flourish under the direction of Carroll, especially with the talent he'd have around him in Seattle. The Seahawks defense got better as the year went on and if they can fill some holes at corner and linebacker, should again be a terrific defensive team.  


Offense
Seattle lost it's best offensive lineman to free agency when Robert Gallery signed with New England. This line has struggled and it's taken serious beast-mode performances from Marshawn Lynch to carve out yards with this group.


Frank Omiyale was signed from Chicago as was former 'SC Trojan Deuce Lutui from Arizona to improve that line. Lutui has been a starter for the Cardinals for the last few seasons and Omiyale started 3 games for the Bears last year.

Neither is a big-time upside player and getting an elite offensive lineman should be a priority for the Seahawks.

As far as skill position players, the Seahawks have an above average group of receivers if they can stay healthy. Sydney Rice should be better this year health-wise and playing with Flynn should help as well.

Doug Baldwin was a break-out player for the 'Hawks last year and although he may not be an elite receiver, he certainly is a more than capable starter.

After losing tight end John Carlson in free agency, a tight end would certainly help supplement Seattle's weak offensive line, and give Flynn a big target in the red zone.

Key Free Agents: John Carlson TE (signed w/ Vikings), Justin Forsett RB, Robert Gallery G (signed w/ Patriots), Mike Gibson OT (signed w/ Eagles), Paul McQuistan G (re-signed w/ Seahawks), Charlie Whitehurst QB (signed w/ Chargers), 

Defense
Seattle boasts one of the best front fours in football and has arguably the best young safety duo in the league, a big reason why the Seahawks finished 7th in the league in points and 9th in total defense.

Barrett Ruud was signed to fill the hole left by David Hawthorne who left for New Orleans. K.J. Wright is a decent starter at linebacker and at 22 years-old has some potential. On the other hand, he's not a world-beater and the Seahawks could use a top-flight talent there.

At corner, the Seahawks have fallen precipitously over the last few years, thanks in part to both player loss and player decline. Several years ago, Marcus Trufant was considered an elite corner and has hardly played up to that level lately.

Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas are an outstanding combination and can play in all phases of the game. They can cover the deficiencies of the corners in front, but getting some improved talent there could really make this secondary a look-down group.

Adding some talent to the linebacking group and the defensive backfield could help the Seahawks compete for a playoff birth next year, especially with the type of offenses they'll face if they do make the postseason.  


Key Free Agents: Atari Bigby S (signed w/ Chargers), Raheem Brock DE, Red Bryant DE (re-signed w/ Seahawks), Colin Cole DT, Heath Farwell LB (re-signed w/ Seahawks), Anthony Hargrove DE (signed w/ Packers), David Hawthorne ILB (signed w/ Saints), Leroy Hill LB (re-signed w/ Seahawks), Roy Lewis DB (re-signed w/ Seahawks), Matt McCoy LB ( re-signed w/ Seahawks), Marcus Trufant CB (re-signed w/ Seahawks), David Vobora LB, Jimmy Wilkerson DE,

Draft Targets

Needs: OL,LB,CB,TE,WR


Round 1 (Pick 12): Melvin Ingram OLB/DE South Carolina (Pos. Rank: 2, Overall Rank: 12)

Ingram is considered a top 8 pick by some and may not fall this far. I'm concerned about his size and where he plays at the next level. That being said, he's one of the most versatile defenders in the draft, able to play end, tackle or even linebacker. Ingram and is powerful, yet quick and has a knack for penetrating at the point of attack. Seattle could use much like Von Miller in Denver, as an outside linebacker in their 4-3 system who regularly lines up near the line of scrimmage. On passing downs, Seattle could put him anywhere along the defensive front and cause serious havoc with twists and stunts. Dre Kirkpatrick from Alabama would be a solid choice here too, but Ingram would probably be too good to pass up if he falls this far.

Round 2 (Pick 43): Mike Adams OT Ohio State (Pos. Rank: 4, Overall Rank: 40)

This is an ideal situation for the Seahawks. Adams has had some buzz as a top 20 pick and has all the skills to be a left tackle in the NFL. Unfortunately, his motor and focus are inconsistent. Pairing Adams with former first round pick Russell Okung would give Seattle a terrific young tandem of tackles. Miami running back Lamar Miller would be a nice compliment to Marshawn Lynch and would probably be available here, but if Adams falls, he would have terrific value and could be a Day 1 starter in Seattle. His pass-protection skills would be a big help to Matt Flynn.

Round 3 (Pick 75): Jayron Hosley CB Virginia Tech (Pos. Rank: 11, Overall Rank: 76)

Hosley is another player who had been considered a first round pick at one point. As a sophomore, he lead the nation in interceptions, but his junior year was marred by injuries and some inconsistent play. He's a physical corner, who doesn't mind mixing it up in run support either. Virginia Tech has produced some of the best corners in the league over the last few years and if Hosley falls this far, he could be a steal for a team willing to bank on him staying healthy. His instincts and ball skills are certainly worthy of first round consideration, but his size (5-10 172) is a concern. As a nickel corner though, Hosley could be a big-time playmaker. 

Overall

This has a chance to be an outstanding draft for the Seahawks. If this scenario plays out, the Seahawks get three starting-caliber players, all three of whom are capable of being Pro Bowl players in the right situation. Tackle and corner are the teams two biggest needs and the Seahawks are able to get first round talent outside of the top 40. The value (2+) only accounts for the rankings of the players as they stand now and while potential is taken into account in that positioning, the numbers by themselves don't account for the ceilings of these players. This could be a boom or bust situation and while Pete Carroll hasn't been a guy to go after splashy names in the draft, these players would be significant upgrades to needy units on this team even if they don't reach their full potential.

Final Thought

The wins and losses don't tell the whole story for the Seahawks under Pete Carroll. He got the Seahawks into the playoffs in his first season and although he's only 14-18 as a coach, his team plays hard and is next to impossible to beat at home. Adding Flynn, this team has a legitimate quarterback for the first time since Matt Hasselbeck was healthy and in his prime. The two, in so many ways, are similar players including their history with the Packers and waiting behind a league MVP. Flynn isn't going to make many Pro Bowls in the NFC with guys like Rodgers, Brees, Vick and Romo ahead of him, but that doesn't mean he won't play at a high level. In fact, with improved quarterback play, Seattle has a chance to get back to the playoffs this year.