The remodel of the Seattle Seahawks has started with the goal
of remaining competitive while refreshing a roster that at one time was good
enough to win a Super Bowl but grew stale.
The key for Seattle remaining a contender while churning the roster is
rediscovering success in the draft after the Seahawks went 9-7 last season and
missed the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
In recent years Troy
Niklas Jersey Elite , general manager John Schneider and his staff
have been tagged with more misses than hits. The days of finding stars such as
Russell Wilson in the third round and Richard Sherman in the fifth round have
been replaced by high-round busts such as Christine Michael and Malik
McDowell.
In the past five years, Seattle has drafted just one player to be voted to
the Pro Bowl: Wide receiver and kick returner Tyler Lockett.
So the pressure is on Schneider to again have a bountiful draft. It doesn't
have to be as good as those ones earlier this decade that defined Seattle's
contending squads.
But there are notable areas Seattle needs to address and baring a trade it'll
have to do it with limited picks. Seattle's first pick is at No. 18, the
Seahawks have just eight selections entering the draft and none in the second or
third rounds.
In an effort to have fewer misses, the Seahawks have shrunk their draft board
with a smaller pool of players to consider.
"It looks cleaner. It's easier to study. It's easier to figure out where the
ledges are, the drop-offs, where the strengths are," Schneider said. "(In) 2010,
2011, 2012 we had less numbers in general. And then for one reason or another we
continue to add more and more players and it's just too much."
Here's what else to watch about the Seahawks entering the draft:
WHAT ABOUT EARL?
The offseason has been filled with conjecture about the future of star safety
Earl Thomas, who is going into the final year of his contract in 2018. Thomas
wants a new deal and has not hid his desire for one.
Thomas is also one of the few commodities Seattle has on its roster that
could yield a bounty of picks if a trade was made. Thomas is still an elite
safety, but the chance to get multiple picks could lead Schneider to pull off a
trade.
SILENT DAY 2
Seattle is without a pick on the second day of the draft, the result of
trading its second-round pick to the New York Jets as part of the Sheldon
Richardson deal Authentic
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Houston as part of the Duane Brown deal.
Don't expect that to last. Schneider has been among the most active GMs
during the draft making deals to acquire more picks.
"We take a lot of pride in our relationships with clubs where we can call
someone up really quick and make a deal and move around. ... I wish we had a
second-rounder and a third-rounder, but we went for it and now here we are,"
Schneider said. "It's a challenge, but it's a fun challenge."
BIGGEST NEEDS
While the offensive line is regularly the biggest complaint of fans, it's not
Seattle's biggest need. The Seahawks must get some pass rush help in this draft.
The trade of Bennett and uncertainty over the future of Cliff Avril because of a
neck injury leaves a void at defensive end with Frank Clark as the only proven
pass rusher.
The secondary should also be a priority. Sherman is gone. So too are DeShawn
Shead and Jeremy Lane. And there's the same uncertainty around Kam Chancellor as
Avril. Seattle re-signed Bradley McDougald and Justin Coleman, and has hopes for
young safeties Delano Hill and Tedric Thompson, but depth is a major
concern.
HITS, MISSES AND BARGAINS
The first three drafts Seattle had under Schneider laid the foundation for a
Super Bowl team. The past five have been shaky at best.
The misses: None may be more costly than McDowell. The second-round pick has
yet to play for Seattle because of an ATV accident before the 2017 season. His
injury caused Seattle to trade for one season of Richardson, which cost the
Seahawks a serviceable receiver in Jermaine Kearse and a second-round pick.
The hits: Last year the Seahawks nabbed cornerback Shaquill Griffin in the
third round and he immediately became the starter. Playing opposite Sherman
meant Griffin was targeted right away and his performance showed he can be
capable of being Seattle's next great cornerback.
The bargains: His rookie season was cut short because of injury, but Seattle
has high hopes for running back Chris Carson, a seventh-round pick last year.
Carson won the starting job in training camp last year and will likely be the
presumptive starter going into this season.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-8)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: S Tyvon Branch; CB Justin Bethel and Tramon
Williams; QBs Drew Stanton, Blaine Gabbert and Matt Barkley; DT Frostee Rucker;
WRs John Brown Authentic
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Karlos Dansby and Kareem Martin; RB Kerwyn Williams; G Alex Boone; ILB Josh
Bynes, OT Khalif Barnes; OL Earl Watford; TE Troy Niklas; LS Aaron Brewer.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DT Xavier Williams.
NEEDS: With no QB on roster, team¡¯s No. 1 need is obvious. General manager
Steve Keim seems to want to sign veteran, with Cardinals in Kirk Cousins
sweepstakes despite salary cap challenges, especially considering large number
of departing free agents, some of whom could be re-signed. Expect Cardinals also
to address QB in draft. Other needs are at WR, where ranks are thin to
nonexistent behind Larry Fitzgerald. With big contracts of aging, oft-injured G
Mike Iupati and T Jared Veldeer, Cardinals will be looking at OL help as well as
in secondary. With entire new coaching regime and system, team might look for
someone to play FB.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $21 million.
ATLANTA FALCONS (11-7)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE Adrian Clayborn; FB Derrick Coleman; WRs Taylor
Gabriel, Andre Roberts and Nick Williams; LBs Jordan Tripp, Sean Weatherspoon
and Kemal Ishmael; DTs Dontari Poe John Ross
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Wreh-Wilson.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: FS Ricardo Allen; RBs Terron Ward and Terrence Magee;
G Ben Garland.
NEEDS: Tight end is priority following release of Levine Toilolo. Veteran
could be signed to challenge Austin Hooper. Team cut Derrick Shelby and could
lose Clayborn, so more pass rush help at defensive end may be needed. If team
loses Poe and Upshaw in free agency, another veteran defensive tackle may be
signed. Guard is another priority that may be addressed high in draft or in free
agency. General manager Thomas Dimitroff said at NFL scouting combine that
Gabriel would not be re-signed
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $9 million.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (11-6)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: Gs Andrew Norwell and Amini Silatolu; DEs Julius
Peppers and Charles Johnson; DT Star Lotulelei; QB Derek Anderson; TE Ed
Dickson, Ss Jairus Byrd and Kurt Coleman; CB Teddy Williams; LB Andrew Gachkar;
WR Brenton Bersin; RB Jonathan Stewart.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: TE Scott Simonson; G David Yankey; WR Kaelin Clay; CB
LaDarius Gunter.
NEEDS: Panthers need thumper at safety after releasing Coleman, as well as
pass rushing defensive ends after release of Johnson and with 37-year-old
Peppers¡¯ future uncertain. Team allowed All-Pro guard Norwell to walk, but
believes last year¡¯s draft pick Taylor Moton can step into that spot. Center
Ryan Kalil and outside linebacker Thomas Davis said they will retire after
season, so it¡¯s time to address those areas. Carolina cut Stewart, its all-time
leading rusher; team needs complement to Christian McCaffrey in backfield.
Finding speedy wide receiver remains priority. Don¡¯t be surprised if Carolina
drafts quarterback at some point and parts with Anderson.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $24 million.
CHICAGO BEARS (5-11)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: CB Kyle Fuller (transition tag), Prince Amukamara,
Bryce Callahan and Sherrick McManis; WRs Josh Bellamy, Dontrelle Inman and
Kendall Wright; QB Mark Sanchez; RB Benny Cunningham; TE Zach Miller; G Josh
Sitton; DE Mitch Unrein; LBs Sam Acho, Lamarr Houston and Christian Jones.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Cameron Meredith.
NEEDS: Bears have glaring need for playmaking receivers and could make run at
Jacksonville¡¯s Allen Robinson and Rams¡¯ Sammy Watkins in free agency. Chicago
needs help on offensive line after declining option on Sitton and with Kyle Long
recovering from multiple surgeries. On defense Sampo
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with LB Leonard Floyd. Chicago placed transition tag on Fuller, giving them
right to match any offer he receives in free agency.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $64 million.
DALLAS COWBOYS (9-7)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE DeMarcus Lawrence; RB Alfred Morris; WR Brice
Butler; T Byron Bell; G Jonathan Cooper; LBs Anthony Hitchens and Kyle Wilber;
LS L.P. LaDouceur; C Joe Looney; CB Bene Benwikere.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE David Irving; FB Keith Smith.
NEEDS: Lawrence will be back after signing for $17.1 million under franchise
tag as sides work on long-term deal. Team plans to tender Irving and wants him
back. Dallas also wants Hitchens back but likely won¡¯t overpay in scenario that
could be similar to last year, when S Barry Church left for Jacksonville. Morris
and Butler probably not coming back, and Cowboys could target LG in draft if
Cooper doesn¡¯t return. Days of headline-grabbing free agents mostly over with
owner Jerry Jones¡¯ son, executive VP Stephen Jones, having strong influence and
preferring to avoid big-money deals with players outside organization.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $3.2 million.
DETROIT LIONS (9-7)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DTs Haloti Ngata and Jordan Hill; LBs Tahir
Whitehead, Nick Bellore, Dwight Freeney and LB Paul Worrilow; CBs D.J. Hayden
and Nevin Lawson; C Travis Swanson; S Don Carey; TE Darren Fells; OTs Greg
Robinson and Don Barclay; RB Mike James.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR TJ Jones; LB Brandon Copeland; OL Zac Kerin; RB
Zach Zenner.
NEEDS: Lions¡¯ weakness is defensive line and improving it will be priority
under first-year coach Matt Patricia. Former New England Patriots defensive
coordinator also might want to bolster offensive line to protect QB Matthew
Stafford and help boost poorly performing runni.