With the 26^th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft the Seattle Seahawks select…wait, wait, wait, let’s back up just a bit. Going into the off-season John Schneider and Pete Carroll had some important decisions regarding a couple important starters. I identified 3 players who would dictate how Seattle went into free agency and the draft, Jermaine Kearse, Russell Okung and Bruce Irvin. Personally, I thought Seattle would keep Okung and lose Irvin and Kearse, but I was wrong. Kearse ended up being the one who stayed and the other 2 jumped ship for bigger paydays.

With these vital losses, and very little cap space, the front-office had to do some bargain hunting in free agency. Brandon Browner and Chris Clemons were both brought back to Seattle as situational players. I’m skeptical as to how impactful either of these players can be, but at the very least, they provide some much needed depth. With Russell Okung inking a massive deal in Denver and J.R. Sweezy going to Tampa Bay. Seattle signed a couple of offensive linemen, J’Marcus Webb and Bradley Sowell. I know virtually nothing about Sowell and Webb has played for 4 teams in 6 seasons prior to signing with the Seahawks, so I don’t have high hopes for either of them. In other words, Seattle needs to add talent to their OL.

Another position of need is defensive tackle. Losing Brandon Mebane means Seattle no longer has a big body in the middle to occupy opposing centers and guards, which means Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril will be focused on more and have less opportunities to make plays. Ahtyba Rubin was brought back and figures to be a starter but additional depth is needed. I see Frank Clark being handed a larger role in 2016. He played sparingly during his rookie campaign but flashed some impressive pass rushing skills. Clark is a player to keep your eye on throughout training camp and the pre-season.

It’s a shame Bruce Irvin never popped playing outside linebacker. He has all the physical tools necessary to become a dominate pass rusher off the edge and the athletic ability to drop into coverage when necessary. If I’m being honest, I think he was a bit of a reach at 15^th in the 2012 draft. I also believe Seattle did him a disservice by having him start his career at DE and then switching him to OLB. It’s hard enough trying to develop at one position let alone switch and try to learn a new position.

Since the Oakland Raiders signed Irvin, Seattle now has an opening in their linebacking corps. It would be nice if Kevin Pierre-Louis could slide into the vacated OLB position but I don’t know if he is ready to become starter due to limited in-game action and injury. I have read/heard the occasional rumor about DE Frank Clark playing a bit of OLB but I don’t like that idea. I’m sure in a pinch he could do the job but I believe he brings much more value to the Seahawks defense as a DE.

Richard Sherman is an elite shutdown cornerback who cuts the field in half but there have been problems with the CB opposite of Sherman. Ever since Brandon Browner left that position has been a revolving door. Cary Williams was a huge bust, Tharold Simon has the size but has had injury issues and Jeremy Lane is much more suited to be the nickelback. Some need blood is need in the legion of boom.

In the end, Scheider and Carroll have a litany of directions they could go; OL, DT, OLB or CB. Personally, I would like for them to specifically address the depth and talent issues on the OL. They need help at C, OG and OT, basically every position on the line. As much as I trust and respect Coach Tom Cable’s ability to mold these young guys into a cohesive unit, he needs a major talent upgrade. It’s great he has turned former Penn State TE Garry Gilliam into a serviceable tackle but I would prefer a player who actually spent 4 years in college at the LT position to protect Russell Wilson’s blindside.