Seattle’s franchise failed expectations in 2017 and missed the playoffs at 9-7. Peter Carroll remains but the OC And DC were ousted from the Seahawks. Brian Schottenheimer takes over for Darrell Bevell at OC. Ken Norton Jr for ex-DC Kris Richard. The Legion of Boom is no more with Kam Chancellor retiring and Richard Sherman cut and signed with the 49ers. Earl Thomas remains but wants to be traded and is holding out. Seattle is looking to rebound and keep pace with the Rams. This doesn’t appear likely in 2018.
Strengths
QB
Russell Wilson somehow just continues to scramble around and make plays. He earned a 95.4 QB rating in 2017 and was their leading rushing with 586 yards. Wilson was Seattle’s offense and kept the team at a winning record.
Weapons
Doug Baldwin is still a beast but only had 981 yards and 8 TDs in 2017. Tyler Lockett is a shift slot man with 555 yards and 2 TDs. Brandon Marshall was added after failing with the Jets after Paul Richardson got a big deal this offseason with Washington. 2016 3rd rounder
Nick Vannett must step up at tight end after Jimmy Graham was cut for the cap and now a Packer player. Ed Dickson replaces Luke Willson who signed with the Lions at tight end. Seattle still has some weapons for Wilson but it’s thinner than prior years.
Linebacker
KJ Wright and Bobby Wagner are still good linebackers. Barkevious Mingo will try to revive his first round career at rushing SAM LB and Shaquem Griffen is a backup rookie LB with one hand.
Potential
Offensive Line
Seattle actually has potential for once. Duane Brown was traded for mid-season in 2017 from the Texans and mans the Left tackle spot which they sorely missed since Okung left. Ethan Pocic is a 2017 2nd round pick at left guard and Justin Britt is a good center. The right side has talent but needs them to step up with DJ Fluker at RG and Germain Ifedi (Round 1 2016) at right tackle. There isn’t much depth with rookie Jamarco Jones (Ohio State), George Fant, Jordan Roos and Rees Ohimabo on the bench.
Run Game
Rashaad Penny was drafted in Round 1 and Chris Carson is a solid backup RB despite injury rookie season. Seattle might/may have a running game along with Wilson’s scrambles.
Defensive Line
Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett and Sheldon Richardson are all gone. However, Frank Clark is a good DE and Nazair Jones and Jarran Reed are high picks with potential at DT in year 3. Tom Johnson and Shepmar Stephen are former Vikings DTs with a lot of experience. Rookie 3rd round pick Rasheem Green and former 1st rounders Marcus Smith II and Dion Jordan (4 sacks 2017) will need to step up opposite Clark.
Weakness
Secondary
Seattle has made a 180 in the secondary. Earl Thomas remains but wans to be traded. Byron Mawell, 2017 3rd round Shaquill Green, Neiko Thorpe and Justin Coleman are the corners. Mo Alexander, Tedric Thompon, Delan Hill or Bradley McDouglad must replace Kam Chancellor. Seattle better generate a pass rush
Schedule
Seattle is at Chicago in Week 2 and at Detroit in Week 8. Seattle hosts Green Bay Week 11 and Minnesota Week 14. Seattle is weak and the North must pounce.