NFL Draft preview: Seahawks love their free agents, making draft picks an afterthought

The Seattle Seahawks have always valued players drafted and developed through their system more than players signed from other teams during head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider's tenure at the head of Seattle's front office.

So it's little surprise that the most important moves of the offseason for the Seahawks were keeping a handful of their own free agents in Seattle.

Defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, cornerback Jeremy Lane and wide receiver Jermaine Kearse were the highest profile pieces that Seattle managed to re-sign in free agency. In addition, punter Jon Ryan and strong-side linebacker Mike Morgan were re-signed as well.

Rubin was perhaps Seattle's most important free agent. It was unlikely the team was going to be able to keep both Rubin and nose tackle Brandon Mebane. Keeping one starter from their defensive interior in place was critical and Rubin deserved a multiyear deal after a strong 2015 season.

Linebacker Bruce Irvin left to join the Raiders, which creates a dual void for Seattle at strong-side linebacker and nickel pass rusher. The return of Morgan could give Seattle a starting option at linebacker, but the Seahawks still need some help with their pass-rush depth. Irvin's departure is one reason the Seahawks brought back defensive end Chris Clemons after two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The offensive line struggled mightily at times last season and the two most accomplished players from that unit have moved on. Left tackle Russell Okung signed with the Denver Broncos while right guard J.R. Sweezy signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That leaves Seattle woefully young and thin up front.

The additions of tackles J'Marcus Webb from Oakland and Bradley Sowell from Arizona provide some necessary veteran depth with starting experience.

With the departures experienced by Seattle this offseason, the Seahawks are in need of help on both the offensive and defensive lines in the draft. The Seahawks currently hold nine draft picks. However, Schneider isn't afraid to barter choices around to move down or up in the order.

If Seattle makes a first-round selection, it will be their first such pick since Irvin was selected with the No. 15 pick in the 2012 draft. The Seahawks dealt their 2013 first-round choice to Minnesota for Percy Harvin, their 2014 first-round choice to Minnesota to slide back a few spots and pick up extra selections and their 2015 first-round choice to New Orleans for Jimmy Graham.