49ers opponents 2013 preview/review: Seattle Seahawks

Today, in this installment of our preview/review series, we finish off the NFC West with an examination of the Seahawks. This ending of the NFC West also marks the winding down of the review portion of this offseason. We have a couple more teams to examine, but with the impending nature of Free Agency, we should be moving on to more preview style posts as the offseason kicks into full gear. As such, I will revisit all the opponents from my earlier posts after the Free Agents have been signed off, looking at what each team needs for the draft.

But before all that, we have three more teams to examine, starting this evening with the Seahawks. For the most part, I think the Seahawks were a surprising team this year. It was clear that they had a solid team brewing up in Seattle, but without consistent QB play, I didn't expect the Seahawks to make a huge run. Well, they got better QB play than they have had since vintage Matt Hasselbeck. While Russell Wilson still has a lot to prove (like can he operate in an offense that isn't designed to protect him?), he is clearly a step in the right direction for Seattle.

But can Seattle protect him? That will be a big question for them this offseason. He is a mobile guy, for sure, but he did take a lot of sacks last season. RT Breno Giacomini is the main suspect on the o-line, but they could probably stand to upgrade at Guard as well. Moreover, the Seahawks are going to want to surround Wilson with better receiving threats. Marshawn Lynch is great and all, but Wilson needs better receivers. It can't be all Skittles and scrambling.

On defense, the Seahawks will really want to look at pass rush, be it at DT, DE, or OLB. I imagine that OLB is probably less of a concern, but anywhere the Seahawks can upgrade their pass rush will help an already solid defense.

Key Free Agents: K Steven Hauschka, OLB Leroy Hill, DT Alan Branch, DT Jason Jones.