Well that was one helluva 2012 season for the Seattle Seahawks, and with so many positive attributes to speak of, what could this team possibly need—right?
Things aren't always what they seem, and if I had to quickly fire off an answer concerning a big need, I would certainly say WR.
This team absolutely needs an upgrade, and while they could make a move for a top notch free agent, we’ll assume for the interim this solution comes via the draft. Here’s an excerpt from my draft piece Mel Kiper 2013 Mock Draft, Ray Tannock’s Take:
“The Seahawks MUST upgrade at WR. Now, they could wind up scoring a high profile WR through free agency, but that’s left to be seen. Assuming they do not, the Hawks may be forced to grab the next best available talent off the board after a possible, and unexpected, run on the top 5 WRs shows four of them already drafted. Sidney Rice is a good player, but does he have a few left in his fragile body? Does anyone expect Tate or Obomanu to rise to the next level? No. Me either.”
There’s always other options a team can explore, but I really believe Pete Carroll pulls the trigger here if he doesn't secure a high profile free agent.
Look, it makes perfect sense. Sidney Rice is too fragile to rely on, Golden Tate was way too inconsistent and Ben Obomanu hasn't lived up to expectations and is projected to be a cut candidate.
Doug Baldwin was a serviceable slot option who is expected to grow in 2013.
So who is this receiver you ask? How about DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson!
What I like about Hopkins is his setup as a receiver. The guy uses his hands and height to attack the ball out of the air rather than waiting for the pass to fall to him.
I know that sounds strange, but it really isn't.
If you watched the Seahawks closely last season, a lot of those successful passes Russell Wilson threw were above the receiver. He led pass beyond the out-stretch of the defender, but his (Wilson's) current set of hands weren't always able to pull the ball down.
Hopkins would be perfect in this system.
Hopkins has the potential to afford the Seahawks a younger stretch option at WR who can also provide a solid option over the middle in traffic, and he isn't too shabby as a run blocker either.
At the absolute minimum, he can provided sideline insurance for a very suspect corp.
Next up I’ll be featuring the St. Louis Rams. Be sure to following my continuing coverage of the rest of the NFC below.
NFC North 2013 Team Needs:
GREEN BAY PACKERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
CHICAGO BEARS
DETROIT LIONS
NFC East 2013 Team Needs:
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
DALLAS COWBOYS
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
NEW YORK GIANTS
NFC South 2013 Team Needs:
ATLANTA FALCONS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
CAROLINA PANTHERS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
