The draft is over and the schedule is out. The first week will be QB Russell Wilson returning to Seattle for Monday Night Football (with the Broncos, of course). This is a nicely devised media circus, but we can look forward to understanding a bit more about how the Seahawk players really feel about Wilson during and after the game. But there is a lot to happen between now and then.

QB:

The schedule announcement makes me hope that QB Drew Lock has it in him to take the team from QB Geno Smith. I do not think he does. Smith had a couple of nice games right before Wilson came back and should be a serviceable Point Guard. QB Baker Mayfield is still available, but I do not see that trade happening.

Offensive line:

It has been a while but Seattle finally had a nice draft (other than not picking a center). Assuming they do not bring back LT Duane Brown, 1st round draft pick Charles Cross should get the start over LT Stone Forsythe and anchor that end of the line for a decade or more. But wait, there's more. RT Abe Lucas was taken in the 3rd round and may well start over RT Jake Curhan as well. Two anchors on the outside in one draft. Nice. LG Damien Lewis, RG Gabe Jackson, and OC Kyle Fuller should round out the offensive line with some good upside. OC Austin Blythe or OC Dakoda Shepley may get the call over Fuller, but from what I have seen they are not the right choice. Center will likely be the weak link in the line this year.

RB:

Seattle was dinged by many pundits for selecting RB Kenneth Walker in the 2nd round. It was not a reach, just not a position that people thought was valuable enough. But Walker could be a game changer. He is everything that RB Rashaad Penny was supposed to be when he was taken in the 1st round. This pick probably signals the end for RB Chris Carson. His neck injury status is unknown, but Seattle does not pick Walker in the 2nd if Carson is 100%

WR:

The draft brings two new faces, but really only WR Bo Melton stands a good shot of making the team and that is mostly because he can play slot. Both he and WR Dareke Young were taken in the 7th. Young is not afraid of contact and may make a nice special teams addition. We will see. WR Tyler Lockett and WR DK Metcalf remain the starters of course.

TE:

TE Noah Fant and TE Will Dissly have no new challengers and will be the workhorses on the ends.

K:

Oh, no. PK Jason Myers is the only kicker on the team. Maybe he can prove me wrong.

D:

New edge rushers DE Boye Mafe (2nd round) and DE Tyreke Smith (5th round) should compete right away to rush Wilson on week one. DE Darrell Taylor and DE Uchenna Nwosu are the veterans here making something seem to be possible here. DT Poona Ford will hold the middle just fine.

At linebacker LB Cody Barton and LB Jordyn Brooks will get the nod. This is not the crew Seattle is used to seeing, but they should hold their own.

Safeties SS Jamal Adams and FS Quandre Diggs are as solid as they come.

At corner there are a couple of new 5th rounders, CB Coby Bryant and CB Tariq Woolen. I am most excited about Tariq being on the team. He has a huge upside but is just a bit green at the position. Bryant also could perform very well and was a surprise to find at this point of the draft. I am hoping that Seattle lucks out again with one of these 5th round corners. CB Marquise Blair is still the only natural nickel, so he is as certain to make the team as it gets. CB Justin Coleman is the likely starter on one side with CB Sidney Jones, CB Tre Brown, and CB Artie Burns competing on the other side.

All in all, this was one of the best drafts in years by the Seahawks. Just do not look at the quarterback, center, or kicker and they might contend for second in the NFC West'. I am hoping they will anyway, that is why they play the games.

Go 'Hawks!

End.