Adrian Fedkiw
Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.
When the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl two years ago, Russell Wilson was still a game manager.
Not anymore.
Wilson led the NFL in passer rating at 110.1 and dominated over his last seven games, posting 24 touchdowns to go along with just one interception. It was by far the best year of his career, 34 touchdowns and 8 picks in all playing behind arguably the worst offensive line in the league, which gave up 45 sacks.
Marshawn Lynch is now on his couch eating Skittles instead of on the bench after touchdowns following his retirement, but the Seahawks still finished third in rushing. The undrafted Thomas Rawls proved to be a diamond in the rough.
Oh, and that defense still remains elite.
Grading the Roster
QBs- Russell Wilson (8.8), Trevone Boykin (7)
RBs- Thomas Rawls (7.5), Christine Michael (7.2), C.J. Prosise (7.2)
WRs- Doug Baldwin (7.7), Jermaine Kearse (7.3), Tyler Lockett (7.5), Paul Richardson (7.2)
TEs- Jimmy Graham (7.5), Luke Willson (7.3)
Ts- Garry Gilliam (7.2), J’Marcus Webb (7.2), Bradley Sowell (7.2)
Gs- Germain Ifedi (7.2), Mark Glowinski (7.1), Rees Odhiambo (7.1)
Cs- Justin Britt (7.3), Patrick Lewis (7.2)
DEs- Michael Bennett (8.5), Cliff Avril (7.6), Chris Clemons (7.3), Frank Clark (7.2)
DTs- Jordan Hill (7.3), Ahtyba Rubin (7.3), Jarran Reed (7.3), Sealver Siliga (7.3)
OLBs- K.J. Wright (7.9), Michael Morgan (7.2), Kevin Pierre-Louis (7.2), Eric Pinkins (7)
MLBs- Bobby Wagner (8.2), Brock Coyle (7.2)
CBs- Richard Sherman (8.9), Jeremy Lane (7.3), DeShawn Shead (7.3), Marcus Burley (7.2)
Ss- Earl Thomas (8.6), Kam Chancellor (7.9), Kelcie McCray (7.2)
K- Steven Hauschka (7.4)
P- Jon Ryan (7.3)
KR- Tyler Lockett (7.4)
PR- Tyler Lockett (7.4)
Team Rankings
Team- 7.484 (2/32)
Offense- 7.451 (10/32)
Defense- 7.565 (1/32)
Quarterbacks- 7.9 (6/32)
Running Backs- 7.3 (18/32)
Receivers- 7.42 (12/32)
Offensive Line- 7.19 (32/32)
Defensive Line- 7.48 (7/16)
Linebackers- 7.45 (3/16)
Secondary- 7.77 (1/32)
Special Teams- 7.38
Coaches – 7.4
PREDICTION- 12-4 (2nd NFC West)
QUARTERBACKS
Despite his smaller stature, Wilson can still sling it with the best of the them. He has perfect trajectory on his deep ball and is one of the better decision makers in the game, evidenced by his single-digit interception total, the third straight year he’s done that.
Obviously we all know about Wilson’s elusiveness, but where he can get in trouble is trying to do too much at times, which leads to huge losses when he gets sacked.
Seattle better hope Wilson doesn’t go down for an extended period of time. Undrafted TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin is the backup.
RUNNING BACKS
Rawls averaged 5.6 yards per carry despite running behind a lackluster offensive line. He is a breakaway threat that also has some wiggle to him. He also possesses leg power and drive to break tackles.
Christine Michael is the backup and the Seahawks drafted C.J. Prosise in the third round and Alex Collins in the fifth.
RECEIVERS
The overlooked Doug Baldwin and potential breakout candidate Tyler Lockett headline an underrated receiving core.
Baldwin is one of the more sure-handed receivers in the game, dropping just two passes while hauling in 78 receptions for 1,069 yards. Baldwin does a great job of extending his route, which is key playing with the always-scrambling Wilson.
Lockett is explosive as a punt returner and changes direction with ease as a receiver with the ball in his hands to go with great vision.
Jermaine Kearse is another solid option and third-year player Paul Richardson needs to begin showing more.
What a disappointing first year in Seattle after all of those dominant seasons with Drew Brees in New Orleans. The agony finally ended after week 12 due to injury.
Graham just wasn’t targeted much and some of that has to do with scheme. Graham wants to be in space, while the Seahawks want him to go over the middle and be tough. Graham was always Brees’ favorite target in the red zone and excelled on the back shoulder tosses that Brees loves to throw. He’s also a fantastic leaper to haul in those jump balls in the back corners of the end zone. And when it comes to blocking, he doesn’t have the meanness to be a strong finisher. Graham is a guy that gets in the way more than he blocks. I think he’s always had the potential to be a good blocker due to his length, but he just doesn’t have the desire for it.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Seattle doesn’t have any starters remaining from the offensive line that helped it win the Super Bowl three years ago.
Garry Gilliam and J’Marcus Webb are the starters are left and right tackle, respectively. Bradley Sowell is another candidate to start at tackle.
Rookie first-rounder Germain Ifedi was kicked inside to start at right guard, while last year’s fourth-round pick Mark Glowinski is the left guard. Justin Britt was moved to center and will start there.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Last year was the first time in eight years that Michael Bennett put up a double-digit sack total, but that sack total has also been deflated. The reason why he hasn’t gotten to get to the quarterback more is due to how opposing offenses attack the Legion of Boom secondary. Most of the time they’ll utilize a quick, short passing game. That makes it hard to get to the quarterback. He had 57 hurries last season, according to Pro Football Focus, which led the NFL.
As a pass rusher Bennett can disrupt and get pressure as either a 3-technique or a defensive end. He’s powerful, plays with great leverage and very quick off the snap. He can be straight up unblockable at times. Bennett is also solid against the run. He uses that aforementioned quickness to get off blocks and make tackles. Bennett and Cliff Avril might make the best defensive end pair in the league.
Ahtyba Rubin and Jordan Hill form the defensive tackle starting duo. Rubin did a great job of holding up blockers at the line of scrimmage, which allowed the linebackers to make players. Second-round rookie Jarran Reed and Sealver Siliga provide solid depth.
LINEBACKERS
Bobby Wagner is undersized at 6-feet, 240 pounds, but makes up for it with speed, instincts and intensity. His instincts, speed, agility, vision, body control and great leverage makes him a stud against the run. He’s very good at navigating through the trash before locating the ball quickly and taking down the ball carrier.
In coverage he’s equally adept, especially in zone coverage. He gets great depth, will knock his receivers off their route if they cross the middle and tackles well in space. His instincts and quickness help when reacting to what he sees, putting his feet into the ground and quickly close on the ball.
K.J. Wright is a complete three-down linebacker, he can get after the quarterback, cover and stop the run. His best attribute is in coverage. He can match up with tight ends down the seam and has the closing speed to make plays on ball carriers in the flats.
In run defense, he’s agile, has the size to take on blockers and speed to make plays in space. He’s a consistent tackler and takes the proper angles. He uses his speed to his advantage when pass rushing and is adept at turning the corner. Michael Morgan will start opposite of him following the departure of Bruce Irvin.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
For the fourth time in as many seasons, Richard Sherman is going to have a different cornerback starting opposite of him, Jeremy Lane will be getting targeted often.
The lanky 6’3 195 pound Sherman rarely gets targeted and when the ball does come his way, Sherman uses his length and soft hands to make plays on the ball.Due to his height he can match up against taller and bigger receivers, but his technique is also so exceptional that he can shut down the smaller and more elusive wideouts. He’s aggressive, finds the ball and normally rides the hip of the receiver on deep shots down the field.
There’s a reason why Seattle’s secondary is nicknamed the Legion of Boom. Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor aren’t the only ones who lay the lumber, Sherman can hit too. He puts that length to good use when wrapping up ball carriers, although he’s a lot better in tight areas than in space.
Thomas is equally great at stopping the run and being in coverage. He’s fiery, smart, athletic, physical and extremely confident out there on the field.
At 5’10 208, Thomas is the smallest member of the Legion of Boom, but that doesn’t mean he can’t lay the boom. He launches himself like a missile at ball carriers, I love watching him hit. His closing speed and range going sideline to sideline is by far the best in the league. Seriously, watch him close on a back in the flat, it seems like most of the time he’s there before the ball is. He’s simply the best in space and rarely out of position. In coverage he’s athletic enough to run with any receiver in the game.
Chancellor is an athletic freak. The guy is 6’3 232, but his leaping ability is remarkable. His trademark are his big hits, so not only is he physical in the box, he can also make plays off the edge. In coverage you better watch out if you go over the middle and he also has the athleticism to play tight ends up the seam.
TEAM PREVIEWS
Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots | Miami Dolphins | New York Jets
Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns
Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs | San Diego Chargers | Oakland Raiders
Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers
NFL PLAYER RANKINGS