Ranking the Seahawks positions by greatest need

The Seahawks are just outside those teams with a great feeling going into 2019. Here is where each Seattle unit ranks for this offseason in terms of need.

The Seahawks have some great players, like Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner. They also could lose some good players, like Frank Clark and Earl Thomas. For Seattle to have high hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl in 2019, they need to get better on some units. Other units? Not so much.

Here is how each Seattle unit ranks in terms of need this offseason.

1. Defensive line

Seattle needs help even if they keep Clark. If they cannot find a way to extend or franchise tag Clark, things will get ugly. But looking at it positively, Clark will remain in Seattle. And beyond Jarran Reed, Clark will need some help along the defensive line. Seattle has to do a better job of applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2019 beyond just Clark and Reed.

2. Offensive line

The line was a lot better than expected in 2018, but they still need to find guards to play in 2019. Both D.J. Fluker and J.R. Sweezy are free agents. Both might be re-signed and both might not be. Germain Ifedi was decent at right tackle but he also had his first decent season in 2018. What will he do in 2019? Seattle’s line still needs more talent overall and more depth.

3. Receiver

Beyond Tyler Lockett and Doug Baldwin, what do the Seahawks have? Not much. Those two are very good but even Baldwin showed signs of aging as he missed or was limited in several games this year due to injury. Seattle has to find a productive and consistent third option or the passing game will be limited.

4. Secondary

Seattle got very good production out of Justin Coleman the last two seasons. But Coleman is a free agent and could be offered more elsewhere. Seattle might also need to take a look at the safety that plays opposite Bradley McDougald. Unless Kam Chancellor wants to return.

5. Linebacker

The Seahawks are clearly set at one linebacker with Bobby Wagner, the best linebacker in football. And I only have this unit ranked fifth as I am sure Seattle will re-sign either Mychal Kendricks or K.J. Wright or maybe both. If they don’t sign either, this group has issues.

6. Kicker

I am not including a punter here as Michael Dickson has solved that issue in Seattle for several years. But Seattle shouldn’t re-sign 2018’s kicker Sebastian Janikowski. I am done with the one year rentals at kicker. Kickers in Seattle are like the defense against the dark arts teachers in Harry Potter; They won’t last. The Seahawks need to find a kicker for 2019 and beyond.

7. Tight end

I actually do not think tight end is much of an issue with the Seahawks. Maybe Ed Dickson will be cut as he costs too much. But Nick Vannett will be back. And better than that, Will Dissly will return after getting injured after a promising start to 2018.

8. Quarterback

This has nothing to do with Russell Wilson possibly going to New York. He won’t be leaving Seattle. But Seattle has been very fortunate that Wilson hasn’t been injured. Seattle needs a quality backup in case that happens.

9. Running backs

Seattle might lose Mike Davis as Davis might find a suitor who offers more money and Davis is a free agent. But the Seahawks should be set with Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny for the next two years at least. Carson and Penny should form a great duo and whomever the third back is should get limited snaps.