9 picks
#6, 14den, 60sd, 104, 127nyj/phi, 133det, 139, 176, 245comp
Offensive Tackle
For some reason left tackle Walter Jones has not officially retired. Perhaps he wants a "Jones Watch" on NFL Total Access. Sean Locklear is working at right tackle, which pretty much screams out their intentions to draft an elite blind side protector in the first round. He was inadequate on the left side last year and is often injured. Damion McIntosh is lingering in free agency having been added midseason and Ray Willis will be a free agent next year. In other words, they need franchise player and someone to add depth.
Running Back
When their new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates took over he called Justin Forsett and Julius Jones a good fir for the zone blocking system. I'm sure a few fans would like to see Jones on the first bus out of town, and mock drafts practically have Clemson's C.J. Spiller burned into their #14 slot. Pete Carroll is used to have about a dozen backs at his disposal from being at USC. Okay, maybe it just felt like that many. The Edgerrin James experiment was a failure. Louis Rankin on the other hand will be given every chance to find a role considering Carroll is familiar with him having played against him when he was at Washington. Xavier Omon (cut) is out while Quinton Ganther (Redskins) is in having not been by his former employer. Maybe fullback Owen Schmitt wakes up and gives them the tough yards and punches it in from a yard out, but there is definitely still a need for a player to break the long run. That's where everyone seems to think Spiller fits in.
Interior Offensive Line
In case the problems at tackle were not enough, the Seahawks face question marks at guard and center as well. It appeared rookie Max Unger, who played center among other positions at Oregon, might have earned himself a spot in the middle late in the season. Apparently not because Spencer, who is staying after signing his free agent tender, is lining up there at minicamp. Since he is being given a shot to regain his spot, Unger is for the moment at right guard. They traded starting left guard Sims (Lions) who was arguably their best lineman last year although that's not saying much. Brandon Frye and Trevor Canfield are two more unclaimed free agents, both with guard/tackle versatility. Frye ended his season on IR (neck) and Canfield was added late in year off Arizona's practice squad. Considering how inept this line was last year while mustering up 97.9 rushing yards per game and 7 total rushing touchdowns, another guard is a strong possibility in the draft. They already penned former Denver guard Mitch Erickson as part of a minicamp workout of 17 free agents.
Defensive End
Now that Kerney has retired, this position has plenty of youth. Two trades brought in Clemons (Eagles) and Henderson (Lions). Clemons has proven to be a nice situational pass rusher during his career while Henderson is an unknown at the pro level. Ricky Foley was also brought in from the CFL. Incumbent starter Lawrence Jackson has to be excited reuniting with his former Trojan coach Pete Carroll and a positive spike in his production would not be a surprise. However, a strong edge rusher is a major need. They totaled only 28 sacks, and allowed opposing quarterbacks to throw for 3,972 yards and 27 touchdowns against only 13 interceptions.
Secondary
I'm combining the cornerback and safety spots because their pass defense was horrific. Not all of it falls at the feet of a poor pass rush either. Veteran Ken Lucas' second tour of duty with the team did not go well. Josh Wilson knocked him out of a starting role and now he is loitering in free agency. The team had only 13 interceptions, and safety Deon Grant's 3 are out of the equation after he was cut. The other team leader was Hawthorne at linebacker, leaving just 7 picks out of the holdovers in the secondary. I'm not saying Marcus Trufant is finished, but a future star #1 is something to consider here. Carroll preaches competition and is unlikely to stand pat with this group at cornerback. He already added Kennard Cox who was a seventh round pick by Buffalo in 2008 and played some games for Jacksonville last year. Safety likely will be addressed higher with Grant out on the strong side. Babineaux is not high on the list of starters to be replaced on the free side and showed signs of improvement last year. Milloy might be a good mentor for a drafted rookie if he chooses to sign on for this season. It's a good fit because he wants to stay close to his native Tacoma.
Wide Receiver
Exactly how desperate are the Seahawks to improve this unit? I'm glad you asked. They just brought in two of the most high profile top 10 busts of the decade, if not forever, at the position. Reggie Williams (#9 Jacksonville, 2004) and Mike Williams (#10 Detroit, 2005) drew positive remarks from Pete Carroll, who coached against Reggie (Washington Huskies) and for Mike at USC. Both signed contracts. Turnover is inevitable with a new regime, and it is overdue here. Nate Burleson (Lions) is out in free agency and Deion Branch could be sent off following four disappointing seasons marred by injuries and a total of 14 touchdowns in 47 games. Ruvell Martin (Rams) was added for one season and if nothing else provides the size Carroll covets, which is why I say the tiny Branch is not long for this roster. Ben Obamanu signed his one-year tender, but other than T.J. Houshmandzadeh there is not a reliable threat in sight which is why another draft pick could be spent here. I guess I should mention drafting Deon Butler, who Carroll knows as the leading receiver (97 yards) for Penn State in the 2009 Rose Bowl when his Trojans wiped them out. He will have a spot.
Defensive Tackle
Two versatile players were lost when Redding (Ravens) departed in free agency and Tapp (Eagles) was traded. Opponents passed so successfully on their defense that statistically the run defense was pretty average for a team with such a poor record. This crystallizes the need for a penetrator from the inside able to register some sacks. Filed under "you never know" it really makes sense for them to make a play for McCoy or Suh should either of them escape the top three picks, even though there has been no buzz about this possibility.
Quarterback
They traded away Seneca Wallace (Browns) and traded for Charlie Whitehurst (Chargers). Whether or not Whitehurst is really their quarterback of the future, or even if the team expects him to be, is unclear. All we know is that a third round pick and a slide down the second round was worth adding him to their depth chart. Matt Hasselbeck is not going to be on the team beyond 2010 because this is his contract year. At 35 (by then) he will likely be limited to a backup role somewhere to continue his career. Last year's sixth round pick Mike Teel (Rutgers) is just another arm at this point. If they are taken at their word, Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen will not be the pick either at #6 or #14. I would not rule out drafting a quarterback though, and either letting the rookie battle for a spot with Teel or ditch Hasselbeck in favor of starting Whitehurst.
Special Teams
I am pretty sure the 'Hawks will warrant the most words from me at the long snapper position. Reliable Jeff Robinson and recovering Kevin Houser (collapsed lung) are unrestricted free agents. Patrick McDonald was signed from the CFL. Someone in that group will handle the duties this season. At punter there are no such questions because Jon Ryan just put his name on the bottom of a contract for 6 years. Kicker is settled at least for this season after Olindo Mare was hit with the franchise tag, which this year was popular for kickers and defensive tackles. One other consideration is returns, especially punts. Burleson is gone after bringing back 30 of the 46. Forsett had the rest and is unlikely to take on a larger special teams role with his part in the offense expected to expand. He also had 18 kickoff returns and was one of four players who had at least 11. This is another reason Clemson's C.J. Spiller is projected to them at #14. He would immediately be a factor in the return game.
Linebacker
Just a little housekeeping here because this is not a priority. At least where the starters are concerned that is. Laury (Jets) just led the special teams in tackles and will be replaced on the defensive depth chart by McCoy (Bucs). Hawthorne is coming off a breakout season leading all tacklers with 117 while making 11 starts in the middle for the injured Tatupu. He is an exclusive rights free agent and a valued asset. If they make a move it will be a flier in the late rounds on someone outside who can get after the passer and/or help on special teams.
