There are a few things that excite me about this relatively young roster. At the most important position, Russell Wilson could be in his prime for the next 6+ years as he emerges as a consensus Top 3 QB. Thomas Rawls turned 23 years old just last month. Tyler Lockett is also 23. That's an exciting, young offensive triplet that could form the cornerstone of the offense for the next several seasons. I would argue that no one in this offensive triplet has fully reached his prime yet.
The oldest starters on the team are just 30 years old. Bennett doesn't look like he's slowing down at all yet, relying more on instincts and technique than speed. I personally think Avril is about to have the best season of his career. If Rubin slows down, then you have some young guns eager to take his spot. Like Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner is just 26 and a Pro Bowler. Burgeoning playmaker Frank Clark is only 23. Trade acquisition Dewey McDonald looks like the next Kelcie McCray. The L.O.B. is young enough to remain great for at least the next three years. It's not hard to see the NFL's #1 scoring defense of the last four years continuing to roll with Pete Carroll as HC.
The team took a huge gamble in blowing up the offensive line and leaning heavily on low-priced free agents and developing young draft prospects. So far, the gamble appears to have paid off. The average age of this year's new-look starting offensive line is just 24.6 years old. The young interior corps of Britt, Glowinski, and Ifedi -- made up from three picks in the last three draft classes -- look like potential cornerstone linemen from which to continue to build. The line has looked better to my eyes than it has at any time since the 2012 season.
Including first rounder Ifedi, an incredible 15 rookies made the Seahawks roster this season. That is more than double the six rookies who made the team out of camp last season. Rookies Quinton Jefferson and Jarran Reed look like the starting DTs of the near future. Technician Joey Hunt beat out established veteran Patrick Lewis for the backup center position. George Fant flashed intriguing athleticism at the critical LT position. Rees Odhiambo showed good versatility as a backup. Collins and Procise have the potential to develop into the Seahawks' version of thunder and lightning. Trevone Boykin seized control of the backup QB spot while doing his best Russell Wilson impression. Other undrafted rookies like Tanner McEvoy, Deandre Elliott, and Tyvis Powell lit up the preseason with electrifying plays.
If you don't think any of these additions to the team's depth are all that great, then you really can't claim "I told you so" when one or more of them have a breakout year. Just sayin'. :2thumbs:
