Better, worse or the same? How the Seahawks’ defense has changed – Seattle Seahawks Blog
After the Seattle Seahawks led the NFL in sacks for the last 10 weeks of last season:
Consider strong security for Jamal Adams (who set the NFL sacking record for a defensive back at 9.5) as well as other returning players, and the Seahawks are as far away as they have been since their Super Bowl team in 2013.
Nobody is going to confuse their current group of cornerbacks with the Legion of Boom, however.
After taking stock of their offensive last week, here’s a look at the Seahawks defenses position by position with a judgment on whether everyone is better, worse or the same as last season.
Line of defense
Aldon Smith could be a boon to the Seahawks, but his participation this season is not guaranteed. Andy Lewis / Icon Sportswire
Additions: Kerry Hyder Jr., Al Woods, Aldon Smith, Robert Nkemdiche, Walter Palmore, Jarrod Hewitt, Marcus Webb (IR)
Losses: Jarran Reed, Damontre Moore, Jonathan Bullard, Branden Jackson
Returnees: Carlos Dunlap, Poona Ford, LJ Collier, Benson Mayowa, Bryan Mone, Alton Robinson, Rasheem Green, Myles Adams, Cedrick Lattimore
Better, worse or the same: Better
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At least on the edge. They were downgraded at one of their initial defensive tackle spots after releasing Reed under bizarre circumstances. Woods, who is set to replace him on the early downs, is 34 years old, dropped out last season and is just a run stuffer.
That means the Seahawks need Ford to continue growing as pass rushers, as it did last season. Playing Collier more often at tackle – Seattle’s larger defensive ends usually moving inward in passing situations – would be another way to make up for Reed’s absence. It would also make sense if Dunlap, Mayowa, Hyder, Robinson, Green, Taylor and Smith have a margin on the verge – when he makes the team. Given Smith’s minimum wage contract (only $ 137,500 in guarantees) and his recent legal troubles, this isn’t a safe bet.
The Seahawks want to manage Dunlap’s snaps to keep the 32-year-old fresh during a 17-game season. A deep rotation of edge players will help.
Robinson is a young player to watch. According to ESPN Stats & Information Research, last year’s five-round pick finished second among rookies in Sacks (4.0) and third in pressure (16) despite playing 47th Defensive Snaps (324). There are some thoughts within the organization that he should have played more.
Linebacker
KJ Wright’s departure gives Jordyn Brooks, last year’s first-round pick, an open road to more snapshots. Ted S. Warren / AP
Additions: Jon Rhattigan, Nate Evans, Aaron Donkor
Losses: KJ Wright, Bruce Irvin, Shaquem Griffin
Returnees: Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, Darrell Taylor, Cody Barton, Ben Burr-Kirven
Better, worse or the same: The same
This is the hardest position to call.
Does younger, sportier and more versatile mean better? The Seahawks hope so by replacing Wright in their starting XI with Taylor. But that’s not to be taken for granted, considering they are going from Mr. Reliable to an untested and inexperienced player in Taylor who has spent his entire rookie season on the non-soccer injury list.
That swap could make them better if Taylor becomes a game-making, pass-rushing threat, like Irvin did when he started playing the strong-side linebacker in 2013. It could make them worse if Taylor doesn’t stay healthy or make that transition, as does Irvin. So let’s divide the difference up for now and name it the same.
Brooks, last year’s first-round pick, could also improve this group as he will play more than he did in his quietly strong rookie season.
security
Jamal Adams had an NFL defensive back record of 9.5 sacks last season, despite having played in just 12 games. Kyle Ross / Icon Sportswire
Additions: Joshua Moon, Aashari Crosswell
Losses: Lano Hill
Returnees: Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Ryan Neal, Marquise Blair, Ugo Amadi
Better, worse or the same: The same
There haven’t been any significant changes here as the Seahawks are returning their top five securities from last year. Even then, there are arguments that this group is better as Adams is healthy after suffering one injury after another last season, including one in his groin that sustained him for four games.
Blair’s return from a cruciate ligament rupture could also improve this group depending on how close he can get to his top form if he comes from a cruciate ligament rupture. He looked like a breakout candidate until he injured himself in week 2. The silver lining is that Blair is well on its way to being ready well before this year’s opener. He and Amadi are expected to take over Nickelback duties again.
Cornerback
With Shaquill Griffin gone, the Seahawks need free agent signatory Ahkello Witherspoon to kick on the corner. Jennifer Stewart / AP
Additions: Ahkello Witherspoon, Tre Brown, Pierre Desir, Saivion Smith, Will Sunderland, Bryan Mills
Losses: Shaquill Griffin, Quinton Dunbar, Neiko Thorpe, Linden Stephens, Jayson Stanley
Returnees: DJ Reed, Tre Flowers, Damarious Randall, Gavin Heslop, Jordan Miller
Better, worse or the same: Worse
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The Seahawks have no regrets running Griffin on a three-year $ 40 million contract with the Jaguars believing they would have to pay too much to keep him. But they know his exit leaves cornerback as their toughest position group.
They identified Witherspoon as their number one free agency target if they needed to replace Griffin, and then signed him to a $ 4 million one-year contract. It looks like part of a long, athletic Seahawks turn, but has been up and down with the 49ers for over four seasons. There’s a reason he only paid a fraction of what Griffin did in the free agency.
Witherspoon and Reed seem like the most likely candidates starting outside. There is enough experience between the two and enough depth of quality behind them. But there isn’t an obvious blue chip player in the group.
When General Manager John Schneider has another big summer trade up his sleeve, a la Sheldon Richardson, Jadeveon Clowney and Adams, cornerback is the most logical destination.