Breaking Down Seattle Seahawks Roster After the 2015 NFL Draft

Now that the 2015 NFL draft is over, it is time for the Seattle Seahawks to focus on the upcoming season. Last year, they fell just a few plays short of winning a second consecutive Super Bowl. 

Going a step further in 2015 should be the primary goal.

As a whole, the roster heading into the draft appeared similar in talent to the one of 2014.

Seattle made a big move to acquire star tight end Jimmy Graham via trade in the offseason, though the move cost the team starting center Max Unger. The team lost cornerback Byron Maxwell in free agency but added corners Cary Williams and Will Blackmon. 

The Seahawks added eight new players this past weekend via the draft. This should help increase talent in a couple of key positions and add some needed depth for another deep playoff run.

With the 2015 NFL draft firmly in the rearview mirror, let's take a look at the Seahawks roster and predict how the new additions might change the landscape.

Quarterback

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

1. Russell Wilson
2. B.J. Daniels 
3. R.J. Archer

There should be no surprises at the game's most important position as Russell Wilson is back for another year at the helm. 

Wilson had a phenomenal year in 2014, passing for 3,475 yards with 20 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He also added 849 yards rushing and six more scores. His passer rating for the year was a solid 95.0.

B.J. Daniels, a former seventh-round draft choice of the San Francisco 49ers, is currently penciled in as the primary backup. Journeyman R.J. Archer rounds out the group.

There is definitely room for some veteran depth in Seattle's quarterback group, as neither Daniels nor Archer is going to instill a lot of confidence in the event of a Wilson injury. Expect the team to bring in a veteran backup at some point this offseason.

Running Back

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

1. Marshawn Lynch
2. Robert Turbin
3. Christine Michael
4. Derrick Coleman
5. Will Tukuafu
6. Demitrius Bronson

Seattle's backfield should look similar to last year's group.

Marshawn Lynch signed a new contract with the team during the offseason and will return as Seattle's starter. Robert Turbin (74 carries, 310 yards in 2014) should again be Lynch's primary backup.

Fullbacks Derrick Coleman and Will Tukuafu combined for 19 appearances in 2014 and will likely return as a fullback tandem. However, one could become a roster-cut casualty if the other can lock down the starting job.

Demitrius Bronson spent last season on Seattle's practice squad. He and Christine Michael should compete to be the No. 3 back.

Wide Receiver

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

1. Doug Baldwin
2. Jermaine Kearse
3. Ricardo Lockette
4. Tyler Lockett (R)
5. Paul Richardson
6. Kevin Norwood
7. Chris Matthews
8. David Gilreath
9. Douglas McNeil

Seattle's top four wide receivers—Doug Baldwin (825 yards in the regular season), Jermaine Kearse (537), Paul Richardson (271) and Ricardo Lockette (195)—return and should have the inside at securing roster spots.

The new addition to the group, rookie third-round pick Tyler Lockett, should make the receiving corps much more dangerous. Though the former Kansas State standout is just 5'10" and 182 pounds, he is talented and can play both on the outside and in the slot.

"Absolutely love this kid. He can play inside and outside. The only knock on him is his size. Lockett is also one of the best punt return men in the country. He is a perfect player for Seattle; a playmaker on both offense and special teams," draft analyst Mike Mayock said of Lockett, via NFL.com.

It will be interesting to see if Chris Matthews can make the final roster after he recorded his first NFL reception in the Super Bowl (he finished with 109 yards and a touchdown).

Douglas McNeil spent last season on Seattle's practice squad. He and David Gilreath will likely have to fight for a roster spot.

Tight End

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

1. Jimmy Graham
2. Luke Willson
3. Anthony McCoy
4. Cooper Helfet
5. RaShaun Allen

The tight end position is one that will look quite a bit different for Seattle in 2015, thanks to the addition of former Saints star Jimmy Graham.

He finished the 2014 season with 889 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Graham is undoubtedly the team's starter, while the emerging Luke Willson (362 yards and three touchdowns in 2014) will likely step into the No. 2 role. Expect Anthony McCoy, Cooper Helfet and RaShaun Allen to battle for one final roster spot.

Offensive Line

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

1. J.R. Sweezy
2. Russell Okung
3. Justin Britt
4. Lemuel Jeanpierre
5. Alvin Bailey
6. C.J. Davis
7. Mark Glowinski (R)
8. Garry Gilliam
9. Keavon Milton
10. Terry Poole (R)
11. Kristjan Sokoli (R)
12. Nate Isles

The Seattle offensive line is another group that will look a little different in 2015, thanks to the Graham trade. Starting center Max Unger, of course, was traded away as part of that deal.

Backup center Lemuel Jeanpierre will likely get the first shot at replacing Unger. Russell Okung should resume his place at left tackle, and Justin Britt should return to the right tackle position. 

There will most likely be a fair amount of competition in the interior of the line. Last year's starting left guard, James Carpenter, left in free agency. Right guard J.R. Sweezy ranked just 50th overall among guards in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus.

Rookies Mark Glowinski (Round 4), Terry Poole (Round 4) and Kristjan Sokoli (Round 6) should all enter the equation.

According to Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio KJR and ProFootballTalk.com, all three rookies will compete for interior line positions: 

"

Pete Carroll said Terry Poole will start out at left guard, Mike Glowinski at right guard and Kristjan Sokoli at center.

— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree) May 2, 2015"

Defensive Line

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

1. Cliff Avril
2. Tony McDaniel
3. Brandon Mebane
4. Michael Bennett
5. Demarcus Dobbs
6. Ahtyba Rubin
7. Cassius Marsh
8. Jordan Hill
9. Frank Clark (R)
10. Mike Taylor
11. Jesse Williams
12. Greg Scruggs

Except for a couple of new additions, the Seattle defensive front will be virtually the same as the one that dominated last year.

Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett should have the starting end positions locked down. Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane suffered a torn hamstring at the end of last season, but he should be back at defensive tackle. Tony McDaniel should be back at tackle as well. 

Former Cleveland Browns nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin will likely compete with Jordan Hill, Mike Taylor and Jesse Williams for playing time in the interior of the defensive line. Demarcus Dobbs and Cassius Marsh will compete for backup end positions.

It will be interesting to see if rookie defensive end Frank Clark can make an early impact as a situational pass-rusher. The former Michigan standout was kicked off his college football team after an arrest for domestic violence, but the Seahawks made him their second-round pick anyway.

Linebackers

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

1. Bruce Irvin
2. Bobby Wagner
3. K.J. Wright
4. Kevin Pierre-Lewis
5. Brock Coyle
6. Michael Morgan
7. Mike Zimmer
8. Obum Gwacham (R)

The Seahawks should be set with Bruce Irvin and K.J. Wright returning at outside linebacker and Bobby Wagner inside. Kevin Pierre-Lewis, Brock Coyle, Michael Morgan and Mike Zimmer will likely compete for the various backup roles.

The interesting player here, though, is rookie sixth-round pick Obum Gwacham of Oregon State.

He is a 6'5", 246-pound athletic freak with top-tier quickness (he ran a 4.72-second 40-yard dash at the combine) for a man his size. He is a converted wide receiver who will be a work in progress, but his traits give him tremendous pass-rush potential.

Secondary

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

1. Richard Sherman
2. Kam Chancellor
3. Earl Thomas
4. Cary Williams
5. Jeremy Lane
6. Dion Bailey
7. DeShawn Shead
8. Tharold Simon
9. Tye Smith (R)
10. Will Blackmon
11. Ryan Murphy (R)
12. Steven Terrell
13. Eric Pinkins

There should be some competition in the Seattle secondary this offseason, though cornerback Richard Sherman, strong safety Kam Chancellor and free safety Earl Thomas will resume their usual duties.

Newcomers Cary Williams and Will Blackmon will be among those competing for the No. 2 corner job, while DeShawn Shead and Dion Bailey will be among those trying to stick at safety.

Cornerback Jeremy Lane may miss the start of the season after tearing his ACL in Super Bowl XLIX.

Rookie cornerback Tye Smith (Towson, Round 5) and safety Ryan Murphy (Oregon State, Round 7) are interesting additions to this group.

At 6'0", 195 pounds, Smith is a big, physical corner who is seemingly well-suited for the nickel job. Murphy (6'3", 214 lbs) is a tall, long-ranged safety who will likely take some time to develop but comes with a ton of athletic potential.

Special Teams

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

1. Steven Hauschka
2. Jon Ryan
3. Clint Gresham

Kicker Steven Hauschka and punter Jon Ryan return to their respective positions. Rookie Tyler Lockett will likely compete with Doug Baldwin for return duties.

An interesting development here is at the long snapper position. Longtime long snapper Clint Gresham signed a new three-year deal with the Seahawks this offseason. However, the team made it a point to sign former Army Green Beret and University of Texas long snapper Nate Boyer to a free-agent contract shortly after the draft ended.

Realistically, Boyer is a long shot to make the team, but the invitation to camp could give him enough exposure to land another job in the league.