NFC West: Seahawks eye Hutch void, Cards aim to close gap

The sixth in a series on division needs leading up to the April 26-27 NFL Draft:
AFC: East | South | North | West | NFC: East | South | North

This could be the season the rest of the NFC West catches Seattle, but I wouldn't count on it. The Seahawks have the talent to repeat, especially with the additions of Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett to a rushing attack that was less than perfect a year ago.

Mike Holmgren gets one more chance before stepping aside. (US Presswire)

Plus, Mike Holmgren hasn't left. Not yet, anyway.

Arizona is the closest thing to the top, and the Cards either go for a running back or cornerback with the 16th pick. There is talent and depth at both positions, and the way the Cards see it this draft could put them right there with Seattle.

San Francisco usually drafts well, then struggles during the season. But now coach Mike Nolan is in trouble, so he either gets both right or else.

St. Louis coach Scott Linehan is another guy in trouble, which makes the Rams' draft intriguing. Do they see Jake Long as the next Orlando Pace, take Glenn Dorsey to pad their defensive line or reach for Chris Long if he's there?

That's why we watch.

Seattle Seahawks

The skinny: It's Mike Holmgren's last season, which makes things interesting in this division and with this club. I don't know of many lame-duck situations that work, but, having said that, I don't know who pushes the Seahawks in the NFC West, either. The key for Holmgren: Finding a rushing attack that was missing last year, and maybe Julius Jones is the answer. It appears Shaun Alexander is not.

Primary need: Guard

Secondary needs: Tight end, wide receiver, defensive tackle.

Possible targets: Virginia guard Branden Albert, USC tight end Fred Davis, Indiana receiver James Hardy.

Summary: The Seahawks have the talent; what they don't have is a rushing attack. They haven't been the same since the departure of left guard Steve Hutchinson, a loss that Holmgren never got over. Either they look for his replacement here or find a receiver to bail out Bobby Engram and Deion Branch. I'm betting on the offensive lineman.