Just a few comments on the article: Seattle's safety is Earl Thomas, not Earl Little.
As for the pass rush thing, I can't say I agree with some of the things mentioned. Jared Odrick was not drafted to provide pass rush, he was a 4-3 DT at Penn State and a 3-4 DE in our scheme. The move to a 4-3 has him out of position at end but Randy Starks plays the position he SHOULD be playing in a 4-3. That being said, I agree with you on Misi, he was supposed to be the pass rushing compliment to Wake. Then we drafted Vernon this year to do it. Unfortunately for us, neither Misi, nor Vernon, were pass rushing specialists in college and it doesn't surprise me one bit that both have struggled to provide a true threat opposite Wake.
I think you hit on many of the key areas that we need to target for either development or improvement though. I believe in Tannehill, he's shown me more than I expected through three starts. When we drafted him, I was happy but I also didn't think he was someone that could start day one. I thought he was better suited to sit for a year and then take the reigns because he didn't have a ton of college experience and he needed to learn the position still.
At WR, Hartline is top 15 in the NFL in targets. As he continues getting into game shape, and continues building a rapport with Tannehill, I think we could see big things from him. That being said, I don't really see much help from others. Bess is still a solid possession guy but he's nothing more and I wouldn't consider any other WR on our roster anything special. I had high hopes for the TEs this year though. Clay and Egnew have the talent to be studs in the passing game but they have been wildly inconsistent and underwhelming. I have a feeling the coaching staff was hoping for big things from them but the fact that Mastrud is not only still on the roster, but getting playing time over both of them, has to be one of the biggest disappointments of the season.
I'm okay with most of the secondary, Reshad Jones is playing a lot better than anyone gives him credit for and I think he's a keeper at one spot. Clemons is solid but unspectacular and though he can be upgraded, he's been competent. Sean Smith is a worthy starter as well. The problem is that Marshall and Carroll aren't as good as the staff says they are and there's nobody behind them to push for their spots. Marshall has been a competent corner in the league but he's always had a true number 1 corner opposite him. Sean Smith isn't really a true number 1/shutdown guy so its exposing Marshall's weaknesses. If I were running the show, I'd be looking to find another starting CB at or above Smith's level of play, allowing Marshall to play FS and nickel, mixing in Clemons off the bench.
We need a true pass rushing threat opposite Wake, that's absolutely one of the biggest weaknesses on the team. Even just a 3rd down specialist a la how the Jets use Aaron Maybin would be nice to have but we don't have anyone that I think can do that.
