Seattle Seahawks

Five things we learned about the Seahawks this preseason

Published Sep. 8, 2015 8:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

It was a busy offseason for the Seahawks to say the least.

They acquired Jimmy Graham from the Saints and parted ways with long-time center Max Unger, then drafted playmaker Tyler Lockett and defensive end Frank Clark.

The saga surrounding Russell Wilson's contract extension nearly dragged out into the season. While the team managed to get that settled, Michael Bennett still wants a new contract, but showed up to training camp anyway. Kam Chancellor, however, is still in the midst of a contract holdout.

With the regular season set to kick off on Thursday, here are the five most important things we learned from the Seahawks preseason.

1. The Legion of Boom will look a lot different in Week 1

Earl Thomas, after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, is expected to be ready for the season opener at St. Louis, but Kam Chancellor will probably not be in unifom. DeShawn Shead, Steven Terrell and Dion Bailey have all rotated reps at safety in Chancellor's absence, but it will likely be Bailey who takes Chancellor's spot with the starting unit. Cary Willams replaces the departed Byron Maxwell opposite Richard Sherman, while the nickel back role could either be filled by rookie Tye Smith or veteran Will Blackmon.

2. The defense will have a lot more depth

Because of Thomas' absence and Chancellor's holdout, a number of players got valuable reps, including Shead, Terrell and Bailey. The coaching staff has also been impressed with Cassius Marsh and Kevin Pierre-Louis in the linebacking corps during the preseason. It's not far fetched to think this unit could finish as the top scoring defense for the fourth straight season, even if injuries hit.

3. The offensive line needs work

Trading away Unger, then losing James Carpenter in free agency had a major impact on the offensive line, and the problems showed in the preseason. Wilson was pressured constantly and the run game struggled (in the absence of Marshawn Lynch). Eventually, the coaching staff settled on a starting unit, and offensive line coac hTom Cable stated it could turn out to be the 'best group' he's ever coached. Regardless, the offensive line will have to find some chemistry fast as they're set to take on a Rams defensive front in Week 1 that is arguably the best in the league.

4. Rookie Tyler Lockett is ready to contribute

Speed kills. Lockett displayed the playmaking ability he showed at Kansas State on special teams this preseason, with a 103-yard kickoff return and a 67-yard punt return. The coaching staff heaped praise on Lockett and his teammates were just as amazed at his readiness to contribute. Lockett was drafted to be a game-changer on special teams, but it also looks like he will get some looks at wide receiver.

5. Jimmy Graham will impact offense in more ways than one

Graham was rarely used as a blocker in New Orleans, but he's expected to do much more of that in Seattle -- and Graham is perfectly fine with that. Outside of paving some running lanes for Lynch, the 6-foot-7 weapon should also provide a big target in the red zone for Wilson. The connection between the two has been evident in the preseason and Graham will provide this Seahawks offense with something Wilson has never had: a true No. 1 receiver.