The Seahawks Drafting For the Future

With the NFL draft a week past, rookies are beginning to head into their minicamps. Many teams made draft choices perfect for their schemes, such as the Atlanta Falcons drafting back to back Corners to make up for their  lack luster pass defense. With other teams such as the Jets making the risky pick of another inexperienced quarterback. One team that grabbed my attention however were the Seattle Seahawks, for the 2^nd round pick of Christian Michael, the running back out of Texas A&M. It wasn’t a question of him being drafted too high, but why was he drafted at all. Marshawn Lynch, Beastmode, is 7 years into the league, and was one of the top rushers in the NFL last season with 1,590 yards on the ground, and 11 touchdowns rushing. The backup for this bruiser is Robert Turbin, entering his 2^nd year in the league after a solid rookie season, given his role in the offense. Turbin averaged 4.4 yards per carry, giving production whenever Beast mode needed a breath, so once again, why draft Michael?

Here is where the Seahawks shine as one of the most well owned franchises in the league (if what I think is correct)

The Seahawks are one of the most star studded, youngest teams in the league, on offense they have Rookie phenom, Russell Wilson, receiver Sidney Rice, runningback Marshawn Lynch, and offensive tackle Russell Okung. On defense, safeties Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor, corners Richard Sherman, and Antoine Winfield. Then on defense pass rushers Cliff Avril, Red Bryant, Chris Clemons, and Bruce Irvin. These athletes provide am exuberance of talent on each side of the ball, (you like that SAT word?). Enough talent to see a Lombardi trophy in the near future, but emphasize the word near, as near as 2015, this will be a big contract year for the team. Both Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman will have been resigned or lost to free agency. Russell Wilson will be entering his final year of his rookie contract, which will allow him to be eligible for negotiations for the first time, this will occur with lineback Bobby Wagner and Bruce Irvin as well. All will cost much more than what they cost now. Russell Okung will be entering a contract year as well, in a market where talented offensive tackles are one of the most valuable positions. Then there is Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice. Percy with a contract that will count $12.9 million against the salary cap, and Sidney Rice having $10.2 million against the cap.

By 2015, the bruiser, Marshawn Lynch, will be entering his 9^th season, and his run style does not exactly equal a long healthy career, and he won’t be a cheap resign either. The Seahawks will be facing the question of who to give their money to and where. If they want to keep their defense together, they will need big bucks for their front 4, and back 4. Then the man taking snaps will want money as well if his career stays consistent from his rookie year, along with the big guy blocking his blind side. Suddenly, and 9 year old runningback doesn’t seem like the best investment. Perhaps the Seahawks were looking this far down the road. It does make sense. A young cheap team now, will become a young, expensive team in the future. Perhaps the pick of Christian Michael, is the first sign that the front office realizes this as well.