The team just could not seem to find any consistency on offense, while their defense had one of it’s worst seasons in recent memory. It was
Russell Wilson or bust last year as every bit of offensive production rested squarely on his shoulders. This helped for his Fantasy value, as he finished the season as the top quarterback in the league. With no change on the horizon for 2018, I expect for Wilson to once again be in the conversation for the top player at the position by season’s end.
Once Chris Carson went down with an injury, the hopes of the Seahawks running game went with him. Mike Davis led the team in rushing with only 240 yards. So, the hope is that a healthy Carson, coupled with additions to an offensive line, may breathe new life into this offense. With the receiving core, this team must find a solid second option to pair with Doug Baldwin. He is not the receiver type to be able to fend off double coverage, which is what he is dealing with constantly.
As we head into the draft, look for the Seahawks to get back to business and address the trenches. They have needs on both the offensive and defensive lines, and I fully expect for the team add pieces in this draft. The Seahawks will only go as far as Wilson can take them, and with the little amount of time he gets in the pocket, you can’t expect much.
Team Needs: OL, CB, DL
Projected Top Three Picks
First Round: Marcus Davenport, DE UTSA
Fourth Round: Wyatt Teller, OG Virginia Tech
Fifth Round: Andre Chachere, CB San Jose State
A look back at key information from the Seattle Seahawks drafts since 2013https://t.co/70aG06kg7npic.twitter.com/IQCXImQAEG
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) April 11, 2018
The Seahawks have a select few picks in this draft, so each one has to hit for this to be a successful draft for the team. With their first pick, Marcus Davenport, they are going the way of a gamble. Davenport has very high upside as a pass rusher at the pro level, but he could be a player that gets lost in the shuffle as well. He will have to change his play style from a stand-up rusher in college to a hands-down defensive end. His plays tend to come in flashes rather than be a constant thorn in an offensive’s side. He will likely play with a chip on his shoulder in the NFL because of the level of competition he faced in college, so his aggressiveness could lead to a number of impact plays in his rookie season. Davenport has the skills and traits that a team looks for in a starting defensive end, but he will need to polish his game more to become a force for the Seahawks in 2018. If the Seahawks D/ST is to remain a competitive Fantasy unit, it is uncertain just how impactful Davenport can be initially in that regard.
Wyatt Teller could be another wild card for this team in the fourth round. He had a great 2016 season, but his consistency fell off a ton in 2017. The question will be which player will you be getting in the draft? He has the strength and body control that you covet in an interior lineman, but he does come with limitations in his game, as well. Look for him to come in and be a backup early on, eventually becoming a rotational lineman. He has the tools that can be worthy of being a starter on this level, but can he put it all together? This is not a guy that is going to immediately improve the Fantasy outlooks for the running backs.
Andre Chachere is no Richard Sherman, nor will he be expected to be his replacement, either. He has average size and speed for an outside cornerback, but that is made up for by his intelligence and ball skills. He gives up the occasional big play on deep balls due to his lack of recovery speed. If he can develop more aggressiveness at the pro level, he could find a nice spot for himself as a rotational cornerback.
Marcus Davenport featured image: (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
