Days Until Football is a series in which I preview every NFL team, one a day at a time until the NFL season starts on September 6th. It will preview offense, defense, and give a prediction for the team’s record. Also, I will list a fantasy star and sleeper. Here is the Seattle Seahawks preview.
Last year, the Seahawks were a letdown. Russell Wilson had an incredible season, but it was him on an island. The Legion of Boom is done and he had no running game or offensive line. The Seahawks finished 9-7, second in the NFC West.
Seahawks Offense
The Seahawks spent their first round pick on Rashaad Penny. Penny has a great burst, which was shown when he had seven kickoff returns in college. However, he will begin the season behind Chris Carson. Wilson tied his career-high in touchdowns, but ran much more than he should have because of the offensive line. New offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will hopefully change the need for this. Doug Baldwin is great at getting separation and is one of the more underrated receivers in the league. However, he has a nagging knee injury that will have to be managed all season.
Ed Dickson is a massive downgrade from Jimmy Graham receiving wise. Graham had nine more touchdowns and 100 more yards than Dickson last year. The upside to Dickson is that he will be a good blocker, improving the running game. Nick Vannett should serve as the receiving option of the two tight ends. Tyler Lockett has picked up 500 yards in all three years of his career and was rewarded an extension over the offseason. Seattle also brought in Brandon Marshall, who will look to show he still has some left in the tank. If there is a quarterback who can get production out of him, it may be Russell Wilson.
Seahawks Defense
Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, and Michael Bennett signified the official ending of the Legion of Boom. Earl Thomas is still on Seattle, and he is a hard-hitting safety who can stop the run. However, he has made it pretty clear that he has no plans to play for the Seahawks under his current contract. Shaquill Griffin will be the number one corner because of Sherman’s departure, and Dontae Johnson will be alongside him. Jarran Reed is the best lineman on the defense because of his ability to stop the run, and they signed former Viking Tom Johnson to pair with him.
Frank Clark picked up nine sacks last season and Dion Jordan will try to have a career resurgence. KJ Wright and Bobby Wagner are a great linebacker combo, and they have combined for a total of 1,478 career tackles. Barkevious Mingo is on a mission to play for all 32 teams. He should be utilized as a special teamer who rarely plays linebacker, but he will have to start this season.
Predictions for Seahawks
I think the Seahawks will go 6-10, third in the NFC West. Russell Wilson is a franchise quarterback, but he does not have much around him. The two best players in the secondary did not return, so that should position grouping will struggle. The front seven is good, but not filled with stars anymore.
Fantasy Star – Doug Baldwin
Fantasy Sleeper – Ed Dickson
