NFL Draft 2015: Seattle Seahawks Team Needs
By Zac Snyder
The Seattle Seahawks have already made a big splash in the 2015, in a matter of speaking. Trading center Max Unger and their first round draft pick (31st overall) was enough to acquire superstar tight end Jimmy Graham.
That move drastically changes the look of the Seahawks’ 2015 NFL Draft. I got together with 12th Man Rising‘s Paul Novak for more on the Seahawks needs and what he’s looking from the Seahawks in the upcoming draft. Below are my questions followed by Paul’s answers.
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1. How have the team’s draft needs changed since free agency opened?
"At the start of free agency the Seahawks had two clear areas they needed to improve. Cornerback, after losing Byron Maxwell, and at wide receiver/tight end.Obviously the trade for Jimmy Graham took care of one of those. The signing of Cary Williams and Will Blackmon filled both a need for a starting CB as well as a nickel CB."
2. What would you say are the top three needs remaining?
"Currently the biggest need is the offensive line. With Pro Bowl center Max Unger leaving in the Graham trade, Seattle needs to find a center to at least compete with Patrick Lewis for the starting job.James Carpenter also signed elsewhere (Jets) so the Seahawks have two starters missing from last season.Wide receiver is still an area that needs an upgrade. So overall I woud say, center, guard and wide receiver."
3. Are there any prospects that have caught your eye so far?
"WR Dorial Green-Beckham was both an intriguing prospect and rumored to be very high on the Seahawks wish list before they traded their first round pick. But, the Seahawks are very well known for bluffing and concealing which players they really like in the draft."
4. What do you think would make for a successful draft for your team?
"If the Seahawks can add a starter on the offensive line as well as someone who will be able to contribute to the passing attack then it will be a pretty successful draft given their lack of a first round pick."
5. So much draft focus often goes to the first few rounds, but is there something you’d like to see your team do in the later rounds?
"Personally, I would love to see the Seahawks draft a backup quarterback that can be mentored for a few seasons in case Russell Wilson ever goes down.Even more important for the upcoming season would be to address the need for a dynamic kickoff/punt returner.WR Bryan Walters was let go and he didn’t provide any kind of spark for the return game last season. Drafting someone in the later rounds who might not necessarily be used for much else would still be a significant win in my opinion."
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Next: Post-Free Agency Frenzy 2015 NFL Mock Draft