State of the Seahawks: Offense Skill position talent as good as ever, but line needs a major upgrade

Photo: Rob Carr, Getty Images Wide receiver Doug Baldwin of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with...

There will be a lot of familiar faces on the 2016 Seattle Seahawks, but fans and teammates alike might need a few "Hello My Name Is ..." stickers when the team kicks off training camp next summer.

GM John Schneider locked up much of the core of the team for 2016 and beyond, including players such as quarterback Russell Wilson, cornerback Richard Sherman, free safety Earl Thomas and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner. But Seattle will also have several key players -- including more than a handful of 2015 starters -- facing free agency this offseason, meaning this team could look quite different in a few months.

There are still nearly two weeks left in the 2015 NFL season and a month and a half until the start of free agency, but we thought it was time to give a "State of the Seahawks" update. We'll look at the players currently on Seattle's roster and try to determine the need level for each position heading into the offseason.

Today, we'll do the offense.

QUARTERBACK



Under contract: Russell Wilson (pictured), Phillip Sims (futures)

Free agent: Tarvaris Jackson (unrestricted)

QUARTERBACK



Under contract: Russell Wilson (pictured), Phillip Sims (futures)

Free agent: Tarvaris Jackson (unrestricted) Photo: Grant Hindsley, SEATTLEPI.COM Photo: Grant Hindsley, SEATTLEPI.COM Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close State of the Seahawks: Offense 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

QUARTERBACK

Under contract: Russell Wilson, Phillip Sims (futures)

Free agent: Tarvaris Jackson (unrestricted)

The Seahawks certainly have their fair share of contracts to work on this offseason, but they are undoubtedly thrilled to have Wilson's behind them. After signing the four-year, $87.6 million extension last summer, Wilson went on to have the best season of his career -- and arguably one of the best seasons by any quarterback ever -- throwing for 4,024 yards and 34 touchdowns against just eight interceptions.

Seattle's obviously set with Wilson as their signal caller and face of the franchise, but it's probably time the Seahawks find a longer-term solution at backup after signing Jackson to three straight one-year deals. Sims is a former prized recruit who impressed last preseason with Arizona. He could be an intriguing developmental type.

Need: Low to moderate

RUNNING BACK

Under contract: Marshawn Lynch, Thomas Rawls

Free agent: Bryce Brown (unrestricted), Fred Jackson (unrestricted), Christine Michael (restricted)

For years the focal point of the Seahawks offense, Lynch is all but gone this offseason. Schneider told 710 ESPN Seattle he believed the 29-year-old was considering retirement, but we've heard that before. Expect Lynch to make the team release him before announcing his retirement and potentially forgoing millions in bonuses.

If/when Lynch moves on, Rawls would ascend to the starting spot after rushing for the second-most yards of any rookie in 2015 despite starting only seven games. Michael will likely be re-upped after performing well in his second go-around with the franchise that selected him in the second round of the 2013 draft, while third-down back Jackson may be facing the end of his NFL road.

Need: Moderate

FULLBACK

Under contract: Brandon Cottom (futures)

Free agent: Derrick Coleman (restricted), Will Tukuafu (unrestricted)

The Seahawks kept two fullbacks on the roster all season long after Tukuafu surged past Coleman to become the team's primary blocking back in training camp. The 32-year-old Tukuafu excelled in the role and even took advantage of his limited opportunities to score two touchdowns. He could probably come back on another cheap one-year deal.

Seattle thought enough of Coleman's prowess on special teams to keep him around, but with his current legal troubles, who knows if he'll be back in 2016? At 6-foot-2 and 262 pounds, Cottom fits the mold of a blocking fullback in the Seahawks offense. He should be given a chance to earn a spot after spending most of 2015 on the practice squad.

Need: Low to moderate





WIDE RECEIVER

Under contract: Doug Baldwin, Deshon Foxx (futures), Antwan Goodley (futures), Tyler Lockett, Paul Richardson, Kevin Smith, Kasen Williams

Free agent: Jermaine Kearse (unrestricted), Ricardo Lockette (restricted)

Baldwin turned in a sparkling season for Seattle in 2015, setting career highs in receptions (78) and yards (1,069) and leading the league while establishing a new franchise record with 14 receiving touchdowns. He'll be heading into the final year of a three-year extension in 2016 and could be someone the team looks to take care of with another extension this offseason.

The big question mark here is Kearse, who said he won't take a hometown discount to stay in Seattle. If he signs elsewhere, it leaves just Baldwin and 2015 third-round pick Lockett as proven commodities at the NFL level. Seattle would love to work 2014 top pick Richardson into the mix, but after playing in just 17 games during his first two NFL seasons and ending both on injured reserve, his durability is a concern. One to watch this offseason is Williams, who could develop into the next version of Kearse.

Need: High

TIGHT END

Under contract: Jimmy Graham, Luke Willson

Free agent: Chase Coffman (unrestricted), Cooper Helfet (exclusive rights), Anthony McCoy (unrestricted)

This all comes down to Graham, the team's major offseason acquisition last offseason. The 29-year-old was fine in his first season in Seattle, but will be coming off a patellar tendon injury that's derailed the careers of many before him. Due a $9 million salary in 2016, can Schneider count on Graham to come back from injury and be a difference-maker? Or even get back on the field at all next season?

Last week, Schneider said he planned on Graham returning, meaning Willson will once again be relegated to the No. 2 role. If the team cuts ties with Graham this offseason, Willson becomes the team's primary weapon at the position, which works just fine. Don't be surprised if Coffman and Helfet both return, but there needs to be better depth here.

Need: Moderate to high

TACKLE

Under contract: Garry Gilliam, Terry Poole (futures)

Free agent: Alvin Bailey (restricted), Russell Okung (unrestricted)

Okung has been Seattle's blindside protector since 2010 (except when out with injury), but there's not a lot of hope the Seahawks will be able to afford what he's likely to command on the open market. His departure would leave a mammoth hole on the line.

Right tackle Gilliam progressed in his first year as a starter, but sliding him into Okung's spot on the left side would seemingly be a huge leap for the 2014 undrafted free agent. Bailey will likely be brought back to be the line's utility man, while 2015 fourth-round pick Poole looked like a project at best. The Seahawks will need to bring in a quality player here if Okung leaves.

Need: Very high

GUARD

Under contract: Justin Britt, Mark Glowinski

Free agent: J.R. Sweezy (unrestricted)

Britt really struggled in his transition from right tackle to left guard this season, and you have to wonder how much concern there is surrounding the 2014 second-round pick. On the right side, Sweezy was all right, but still made enough mistakes to drive Seahawks fans nuts. A favorite of offensive line/assistant head coach Tom Cable, he'll be an intriguing player to watch on the free-agent market -- if he makes it there.

Glowinski, another fourth-round pick from last year, seems likely to compete for an increased role and potentially a starting job if Sweezy leaves. This is another spot that would benefit from an injection of fresh talent, and it wouldn't be much of a surprise if there are two new starters in 2016.

Need: High

CENTER

Under contract: Drew Nowak (futures), Will Pericak (futures), Kristjan Sokoli

Free agent: Lemuel Jeanpierre (unrestricted), Patrick Lewis (restricted)

After Seattle lost longtime starter Max Unger in the Graham trade, converted defensive lineman Nowak struggled in the starting role. He was eventually replaced by Lewis before being cut, then re-signed to the practice squad. Lewis played fine when called upon, but is he the longtime solution in the middle? Or do the Seahawks think Nowak can continue to improve?

Sokoli, another converted college defender, was given a chance to develop after being selected in the sixth round in 2015. The uber-athletic Albanian will likely be given a chance to compete for a major role next season. Pericak is a practice squad player who earned rave reviews from Cable.

Need: Moderate to high

Visit seattlepi.com for more Seattle Seahawks news. Contact sports editor Stephen Cohen at stephencohen@seattlepi.com or @scohenPI.