2014 Season
The Seattle Seahawks started off the season very shaky. Some people thought they had a Super Bowl hangover but the truth of the matter is that they were banged up at key positions. They finally got back to their old form about half way through the season and ended up making the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for them, the Seahawks lost in Super Bowl XLIX in heartbreaking fashion.
2015 Free Agents
Kevin Williams - Williams was a key part to the interior of the defensive line in 2014, especially once Brandon Mebane went down with an injury. There’s a chance Williams retires, but if he wants to give it another go I would expect he comes back to Seattle to make another run at a Super Bowl.
O’Brien Schofield - Schofield is another key member to the Seahawks’ defensive line. He was a valuable pass rusher who allowed the Seahawks to change so many guys in and out and keep them all fresh. With certain extensions coming down the pike for essential players, I don’t know if the Seahawks are going to be able to match what other teams will be willing to pay Schofield.
Demarcus Dobbs - Dobbs is another member of the defensive line who provided the Seahawks with valuable depth. He’s a play that they might be able to retain for cheap and would be more than willing to come back to a winning team.
Will Tukuafu - Tukuafu is defensive lineman (he didn’t get a lot of snaps on defense) who could also play the fullback position. Teams like Seattle love his versatility and would love to bring him back at the right price.
Byron Maxwell - Maxwell stepped up as the number two cornerback this season. He will demand a pretty good contract on the open market and Seattle will likely be unable to match it. With guys like Tharold Simon and Jeremy Lane on the roster it also makes Maxwell slightly less valuable to them.
Malcolm Smith - Smith is a former Super Bowl MVP and barely even played this season, which is a testament to Seattle’s depth on defense. Seattle would obviously love to keep him but it will be tough because he knows there’s teams out there he’ll be able to start for.
James Carpenter - The Seattle offensive line was very good at run blocking but much worse in pass protection. Carpenter certainly fits that bill. Out of their starting offensive line Carpenter was likely the worst in pass protection. Seattle will knows this and will use this against him in negotiations. There’s a chance he comes back on a short deal for cheap and tries to improve so he can hit free agency quickly again and earn a bigger contract.
Greg Scruggs - Scruggs didn’t play an awful lot but will certainly see his playing time increase if some of the other members of the defensive line decide to test the open market. Scruggs could become a key member of their defensive line in 2015 if they bring him back.
Jermaine Kearse - Kearse isn’t the best wide receiver but he’s very good at catching the deep ball. Kearse likely won’t garner a lot of interest if he tests free agency so I expect him to be back in Seattle.
Ricardo Lockette - Lockette was another piece of Seattle’s underwhelming receiving corps and is someone Seattle could certainly bring back for cheap to compete with whatever rookies and/or free agents they bring in.
2015 Cap Room: $25,520,405
Five-Biggest Need Areas
Wide Receiver: The only wide receivers the Seahawks have under contract through the 2015 season are Doug Baldwin, Paul Richardson (who tore his ACL recently), Kevin Norwood, and Chris Matthews. They desperately need help at the receiver position.
Offensive Line: Seattle’s offensive line was bad in 2014. They were masked by Russell Wilson’s mobility and Marshawn Lynch’s sheer power. This is a unit that absolutely has to improve going forward.
Defensive Line: This is typically one of their deepest units but they have some important contributors who might be gone next season. In addition to that, one of the guys they’re getting back, Brandon Mebane, is coming off of a serious injury and might not be 100% the entire season.
Tight End: Luke Willson certainly gave the Seahawks much more than anyone expected at the tight end position but they need a tight end who can block to compliment Willson. This is an important part of making their run game even better, especially if Lynch decides to retire.
Safety: This certainly isn’t the first position people think of when they think of possible holes in the Seattle defense. However, it has recently come out that Kam Chancellor played the Super Bowl with a torn MCL. His partner in the secondary, Earl Thomas, also played with an injury. He played the NFC Championship game and the Super Bowl with a fully torn labrum. While neither are expected to miss any or much time in the 2015 season, both could be nagging injuries that the Seahawks must prepare for.
Potential Offseason Breakout Star
Christine Michael is someone who could make a tremendous impact on this time this offseason. With all this talk about Marshawn Lynch possibly leaving and him being at odds with the coaching staff, Michael could be just what the Seahawks are looking for in terms of a Lynch insurance policy. If he were to get the majority of the carries, he’s someone who could certainly make a name for himself.
2015 NFL Draft Selections
1st Round (31)
2nd Round (31)
3rd Round (31)
4th Round (31)
5th Round (31)
6th Round (5)
7th Round (31)
The Seahawks are going to be heading into the 2015 season with some major questions and some possible lingering injuries. They will have to pay their quarterback, Russell Wilson, a lot more money than they’re currently paying him, which means they’ll have to cut in other areas of the roster. They’ll need to have yet another strong draft this offseason if they want to make yet another trip to the Super Bowl. Winning the next Super Bowl would be extra special for the Seahawks since it will be hosted in the rival’s stadium: Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers. I’m sure that would make it just a little more special for the Seahawks.