Seattle Seahawks: 5 Keys To Success In 2015

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) reacts after catching a touchdown pass against the New England Patriots in the third quarter in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. The Team Must Find A Reliable Receiver

One of the biggest factors in improving the passing game is finding a consistent and reliable star receiver. Last season, the Seahawks leading receiver was Doug Baldwin, who finished the year with 825 yards and 3 touchdowns. The only teams who had their leading receivers total less yardage than Baldwin were Cleveland, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Oakland, and St. Louis. None of those teams won more than seven games, so that doesn’t exactly seem to be a group Seattle wants to be a part of.

Across the NFL we are seeing dominant receivers emerge, with 23 different players accumulating over 1,000 receiving yards in 2014. The Seahawks have not had a receiver catch 1,000 yards worth of passes since Bobby Engram did it in 2007. The team has managed to find success without having a player with huge yardage numbers, but the lack of receiving touchdowns may be a bigger issue

In 2014, the team’s leader in receiving touchdowns was running back Marshawn Lynch who had 4. When the team got in close to the end zone, they had trouble getting touchdowns through the air. Only 7 of Wilson’s 20 touchdowns (35%) came from within 10 yards. By contrast, among the league’s top five passers, 88 of their 172 touchdowns (51%) came from within 10 yards.

I will again reiterate that what the team has done over the last several years has been fairly successful, but I think they need to be able to have more plays in their arsenal when it comes to goal-line situations. Pounding the ball with Marshawn Lynch has been effective, but they also need to find a receiver that can score some touchdowns for them.

It seems they may have found just that in tight end Jimmy Graham. Seattle acquired Graham from the New Orleans Saints in a trade this offseason, but it remains to be seen what exactly his role will be for the team. The Seahawks haven’t made a habit of throwing to tight ends, as there hasn’t been one on the team go over 400 yards receiving in a season since John Carlson did it in 2009, but Graham could very well be the exception.

For what it’s worth, Graham seems to be excited at the chance to play in Seattle:

"“I saw it as a positive,” said Graham about the trade, in an interview with Q13 FOX sports director Aaron Levine, “I’m coming to the best team in football and I’m going to come here and be a part of something special. So for me, from the very moment that I heard ‘Seattle’ I was beyond excited.”"

He’s looking to make an impact on the team, and he’s shown he has an ability to do just that. Graham has averaged over 65 yards per start every year in his career, including over 1,000 yards receiving in 2011 and 2013, and three seasons with 10  or more touchdowns. He’s averaging 11.5 scores per season over the last four years, and has everything it would take to become a great reliable weapon in Seattle.

At 6’7″ 260lbs, Jimmy Graham is a huge target, and could be exactly what Russell Wilson needs when he gets down near the goal-line. He’s also shown an ability to pick up some huge yardage, and could change the face of the team’s offense. If Graham has the impact in Seattle that he did in New Orleans, the Seahawks have already found their answer when it comes to having a stellar receiving weapon.

Next: Protecting Russell Wilson