Day 2 of NFL free agency is in the books and the Seahawks were able to stay strong in some areas, and have gaps to fill in others, just like every other team in the league. Fact is, the Seahawks are one of the premier franchises in the NFL, and thus the rest of the league is going to covet their players and their winning pedigrees. And therefore, the Seahawks could be viewed as victims of their own success, losing three starters within the first day of free agency.

JR Sweezy signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brandon Mebane went for sunnier pastures in San Diego with the Chargers and Bruce Irvin, Seattle's first-round pick in 2012, signed with the Oakland Raiders. The details of those contracts are still yet to come out, but Mebane and Irvin's departure are likely to be felt deeper than Sweezy's in my opinion. The offensive line can't get much worse than it was last year, and 2015 fourth-round pick Mark Glowinski showed signs last year that he could adequately fill in at guard. Still continuity on the offensive line is always a plus.

Mebane did all the little things right for the Hawks, always able to do what he was supposed to do and do it well. Depth along the defensive line has become thinner since winning the Super Bowl now two seasons ago, with that 2013 team having nine d-lineman. The 2015 squad had a bout the same number, but Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril's percentage of snaps has risen markedly since 2013. A key figure in stopping the run up front, the Hawks must now make keeping Ahtyba Rubin in town a priority.

Irvin joins former Seattle linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. in Oakland, where he is defensive coordinator. Former Seahawk and Super Bowl XLVIII MVP Malcolm Smith is also on the Raiders. Irvin had a pretty narrow job description with the Seahawks, using his freakish raw athleticism to rush the passer. In four seasons he had 22 sacks. The past couple years he showed some improvement in coverage, being moved to linebacker after starting out as a defensive end, but that raw athleticism was usually the reason behind his success more than an actual knack for it.

Irvin's elite athleticism is extremely hard to find, but his production should be relatively replaceable via the draft. Don't be surprised if John Schnieder and co. select a linebacker in the middle rounds.

On the flip side the Hawks were able to re-sign Jeremy Lane and Jermaine Kearse, proving not all is lost.

Photo:Flickr/Mike Morris