Here's a closer look at the positions the Seattle Seahawks could target at the NFL combine in Indianapolis:
Positions of need: Let's start with the obvious: offensive tackle and cornerback. The Seahawks ended last season with George Fant at left tackle and Garry Gilliam at right tackle. The coaches clearly like Fant's potential, but he is raw, and it'd be foolish to assume he's going to develop into a quality left tackle in his second season. Gilliam was benched at one point in 2016 for Bradley Sowell before regaining the starting job. Gilliam is a restricted free agent, and the Seahawks want to add competition at right tackle. They've swung and missed multiple times with early picks on offensive tackles, but Seattle's need is as glaring as it has been at any time since Russell Wilson became the quarterback. Meanwhile, on defense, cornerback became an immediate need when DeShawn Shead went down with a significant knee injury in the divisional round. Coach Pete Carroll said after the season the Seahawks need linebacker depth. The same can be said at safety and on the defensive line. Adding talent and depth at running back, wide receiver and tight end should not be ruled out either.
Five players the Seahawks could focus on at the combine:
Ryan Ramczyk (offensive tackle), Wisconsin: Medical checks and interviews are an important part of the combine process. Ramczyk is recovering from a hip injury and not expected to participate in the physical testing. But the Seahawks will likely want to learn more about his path to the NFL. Ramczyk played only one year at Wisconsin. He took a year off after high school and then attended Division III Wisconsin-Stevens Point for two years. At 6-foot-6, 314 pounds, he has prototypical tackle size, but Ramczyk will have to wait until his pro day to prove his athleticism. He could be an option for the Seahawks in the first round.
Budda Baker (defensive back), Washington: Carroll and Huskies coach Chris Petersen have a good relationship, and it's a near certainty they'll be discussing Baker in the weeks ahead. The Seahawks often say they scout with an eye on what prospects can do, not what they can't do. Baker (5-10, 180 pounds) doesn't have the size many teams might covet, but the Seahawks could be an exception. Given his college resume and competitiveness, Baker could be a player fro which the Seahawks grow infatuated. As for fit, he might be able to work his way onto the field as a slot corner early in his NFL career and back up safety Earl Thomas. The question is: How early would the Seahawks (or other teams, for that matter) be willing to take Baker?
Rasul Douglas (cornerback), West Virginia: At 6-2 with 32⅛-inch arms, Douglas looks the part of a Seahawks cornerback. Seattle looks for prospects who have overcome adversity on their way to the NFL, and Douglas has had to work to make it this far. He spent three years at Nassau Community College before joining the Mountaineers in 2015. His eight interceptions in 2016 were tied for tops in the nation. Douglas will look to answer questions about his overall athleticism, but he could be a Day 2 option for the Seahawks.
Charles Harris (defensive end), Missouri: When it comes to defensive linemen, Carroll definitely has a type. It's speed over size and players who make their living in the backfield. Harris (6-3, 255 pounds) had 16 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss in his last two seasons at Missouri. He could fit the mold of a Frank Clark-type who can rush the passer from both defensive end and the interior. The Seahawks have used a top-100 pick on the defensive line in four of the last five drafts. Mel Kiper Jr. had Harris going off the board at the end of the first round in his latest mock. If he tests well athletically, Harris will be a player to watch for the Seahawks.
Cam Robinson (offensive tackle), Alabama: If the Seahawks address the offensive line in the first round, he could be an option. Robinson was a three-year starter for Nick Saban and has the measurables (6-6, 327 pounds) to step in and play tackle right away. The Seahawks have valued athleticism on the offensive line in recent years, and Robinson's stock will likely rise or fall depending on how he tests in Indianapolis.