2011 Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Needs
The Seattle Seahawks are on the clock with the 25th overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at their biggest needs and how those needs might be addressed on draft day.
1. Offensive Line: The Seahawks managed to sneak into the playoffs with a 7-9 record and defeated the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints once they got there. There is still plenty of room for improvement, especially on the offensive side of the football. The Seahawks ranked 28th in the NFL with just 297.8 yards per game last season and inconsistent offensive line play was a big reason why. Seattle addressed this area last year by taking Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung and I expect them to continue the rebuilding process in 2011. Center Chris Spencer and right tackle Sean Locklear are free agents and the team went through four left guards last year. The Seahawks could still be in the running for Baylor guard Danny Watkins and Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod at this stage of the first round. There is also a chance that a higher rated offensive line prospect like Colorado’s Nate Solder could fall into their lap. If Seattle decides not to take an offensive lineman in round one, it could still go after Georgia guard Clint Boling or Miami guard Orlando Franklin in the second round.
2. Quarterback: While the offensive line is a bigger need area, quarterback is right up there with Matt Hasselbeck now 35 and a free agent. Plus, backup Charlie Whitehurst doesn’t appear to be the future face of the franchise. Hasselbeck will likely be back with a short term deal and could serve as a mentor if the Seahawks decide to bring in Washington’s Jake Locker. The kid is rough around the edges but his talent is unmistakable. He has an NFL arm and way above-average athletic ability for an NFL signal caller. Scouts also love his attitude and work ethic. His accuracy has been questioned, but I believe it can be greatly improved once he tightens up his footwork.
3. Cornerback: Seattle was one of the worst teams in the league against the pass in 2010, allowing 249.6 yards per game through the air (27th in the NFL). It started its overhaul of the secondary by drafting safety Early Thomas with one of its first round picks last year and it needs to continue the process. Seattle won’t look to address this need in the first round but it may go after a player like Miami’s Demarcus Van Dyke in round two.
4. Wide Receiver: Addressing the offensive line should come first, but Seattle could benefit from adding a playmaker in the latter rounds. Call me a skeptic, but one good season from Mike Williams isn’t enough reason to bet the farm on him, and I’m still not sold on 2010 second round pick Golden State. Boise State’s Austin Pettis and East Carolina’s Dwayne Harris are some solid options in rounds four through six.
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