NFL power rankings: Training camp edition
By Brad Weiss
Seattle Seahawks
, NFC West
The Seattle Seahawks play in arguably the worst division in football, as they get to play the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams two times per season. Still, they have been one of the dominant teams in the NFC for the last couple of seasons, and have really flourished with Russell Wilson under center. Wilson has come under fire this offseason as not being a great guy in the locker room, but the team has done everything they can to shut those rumors down.
The fact is that the Seahawks are going to be very good again in 2017, and could be the NFC representative in the Super Bowl. Doug Baldwin is a great wide receiver, and tight end Jimmy Graham looks to be back to the player we saw during his time with the New Orleans Saints. The offensive line is strong, they have a host of running backs, and of course, their defense should be elite once again.
Up front on the defensive line, the unit is led by bookends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. Both men can put the pressure on the quarterback, and the addition of Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell should be a good one. The Legion of Boom should be back at full strength as well, as the team really struggled with a hobbled Richard Sherman, and an injured Earl Thomas during playoff time last season.
Last season, the Seahawks saw their run end in the Divisional Round, as they did not have enough to stop Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. While they were strong last season, the roster is actually improved over 2016, and they should be at least in the final four teams again. Wilson already has one Super Bowl under his belt, and is desperately looking to get his second, after what should have been his second ended in an interception at the goal line three years ago.