Seattle Seahawks Roundtable: Looking forward to roster battles

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Nov 29, 2014; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) breaks away from Kansas Jayhawks cornerback JaCorey Shepherd (24) to score a touchdown during a 51-13 win at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Haugsven

For me its the wide receiver’s. The only two locks I see right now are Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett.

The interesting part of this is what will happen with Richardson. If he starts on the PUP list that will open up a spot. If he doesn’t than the list will shrink.

The wild card could also be Kearse who has a non guaranteed salary right now. If the Seahawks lower his salary and give him some guarantees then he would enter my lock list.

Hanley Bonynge

The most interesting roster battle for me would have to be wide receiver. By far, it was the most lacking last season and any improvement would be massive. (I still blame Jermaine Kearse for blowing the rub route in the Super Bowl.)

Because Lynch and Wilson are so exceptional at their respective positions, and Baldwin is a fighter, the Seahawks were obviously able to make due. With Jimmy Graham upgrading tight end and Tyler Lockett being drafted, it will be interesting to see if Ricardo Lockette and Kearse really step up their game. I am not sold on either of them and hope that Seattle somehow finds a diamond in the rough somewhere to truly enhance the receiving corps.

Other positions of interest to me are the offensive line and defensive secondary. This is mostly due to vacancies created through free agency, trades, injuries, potential holdouts, etc. as well as the fact that Seattle spent the majority of their draft picks filling these areas out.

Holli Joyce

The group I’ll be paying attention to at training camp is tight ends. It’s an unconventional answer, considering it seems to be a place that has talent on the Seahawks roster and there’s not really a “battle” surfacing. However, I’m curious to see how Jimmy Graham fits in with this Seattle offense.

During his time with the New Orleans Saints, Graham frequently lined up as a receiver. If Seattle plays the 6-foot-7, 265 pound athlete as a hybrid, it’ll give the receiving corp a challenge. I say that because Graham has 51 career touchdowns with 40 coming in the end zone, a place I expect the Seahawks to put him often.

Graham’s weakness is blocking. Seahawks coaches have said both he and the team are committed to improving this aspect. I think this will be a big part of Graham’s contributions for a run-heavy offense. If he can help the offensive line open spots for Marshawn Lynch to run, there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing more Beast Quakes.

Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor (31) and safety Earl Thomas (29) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Keith Myers

The offensive line and receivers are probably the most important roster battles, but I’m going to be paying a lot of attention to the defensive backs. We know Richard Sherman is there. Same with Kam Chancellor provided that he doesn’t hold out, but he’ll report eventually. After that it is all questions that don’t have answers yet.

With Earl Thomas’ shoulder injury lingering, the Seahawks have to figure out if DeShawn Shead can manage if Thomas has to miss time. If not, is there anyone who can or will they have to alter their scheme?

Then there’s the problems at backup SS and the question of who will be the team’s nickel corner. There are so many storylines to follow, and not a lot of players vying for the available spots.

Zachary Wnek

I’m looking at the battle for the man in the middle. Since the big trade in the off season for Jimmy Graham, there has been a big shadow left behind at Center. While Max Unger might have gotten the injury bug lately but he had been a reliable option at center for many years.

Common logic would say that the veteran Lemuel Jeanpierre will get the nod but Seattle has options. I think that Patrick Lewis will give him a challenge. Remember that Pete Carroll’s mantra “always compete.” This position battle will be fun to watch over the preseason since these two guys will always be in the camera shot.

I would like to see these guys first and foremost protect the ball, we all saw the damage a bad snap cab do in the beginning of Super Bowl 48. Beyond that the center has to communicate well and help identify defensive pressure. Just as important is moving defenders for the running game and protecting Russell Wilson. This will be a fun battle to watch and it makes me excited for training camp.

Go Hawks!

Next: Pre-training camp NFL power rankings

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