Seahawks Off-Season progress: Defense
When I look at our off-season progress on defense, it clearly feels like the news is about the departures. However, when I look closely at where we stand right now, I see a defense that makes me think of the Seahawks not too distant past. A defense void of some big names, but still big on talent. A defense focused on stopping the run and imposing their will early, and harassing the quarterback with pure pass rushers on later downs.
I see a defense that should be fun to watch.
Seahawks Defensive Line
Defensive End:
Frank Clark, Dion Jordan, Marcus Smith, Branden Jackson
Frank Clark has proven to be a good player who can put pressure on the quarterback. He has been 2nd or 3rd on our list the past two seasons as a pass rusher. It is time he steps into the very big shoes that Michael Bennett had left. He has the size to play that hybrid role where he can move inside for pass rushing as well.
Dion Jordan was a first round talent for a reason. He seems to have it all together finally, he showed very well last season. In five games he produced 4 sacks. We hope that magic can continue, but on a more consistent basis.
Marcus Smith is purely a pass rusher. As a player who can come in on pass rushing downs, he shows excellent burst around the corner and should be a good role player.
Branden Jackson was a decent player last year, but I am not sure he is anything more than depth right now.
Need: Expect the Seahawks to add another pass rusher. The change this season was to get back to the old philosophy of stop the run, then bring in as many pass rushers as possible to put heat on the quarterback. There are still some decent pass rushers on the free agent market, but I expect the 12’s to be cheering for a pass rusher from this years draft.
Seattle Seahawks
Defensive Tackle:
Jarran Reed, Naz Jones, Tom Johnson, Shamar Stephen, Garrison Smith, Malik McDowell
Jarran Reed is an ideal run stuffer. Big, strong and immovable. He is becoming a better pass rusher, but his role here is as a run stopper.
Naz Jones is a combo guy. He can get after the passer a bit and stop the run. Jones game is based on a very quick first step where he gets up field.
Tom Johnson is that situation pass rusher. Johnson was a starter for the Vikings last year. That was a very good defense and he played very well. Johnson has always been known for his inside pass rush presence. This is the skill set he would bring to Seattle. I don’t think he starts for us, simply because we want him focusing on getting after the quarterback. Last year his pass rush numbers were down, but he started for the Vikings. The amount of plays he was on the field likely dropped his numbers a bit. If we needed him to start, he could in a pinch.
Shamar Stephen is a run stopper. He will likely back up Jones. His skill is run stopping. If he starts, it would be to create a rotation where we get the 2 run stuffers in on run downs and bring Jones and Johnson in on pass downs.
Smith and McDowell are off the radar at the moment. Will McDowell play? Probably not. Smith is the 5th man in our rotation right now and likely won’t move up that list.
Analysis:
This group feels more like the groups we had in our 2011-2013 years. People who specialize at a skill and that is their role. Remember our early defensive lines featured Red Bryant, Tony McDaniel, Mebane and Clemons with Bennett and Avril came in on passing downs to create an elite pass rushing group. While we don’t have those types of names, this time around, the idea is the same.
Outside Linebackers:
KJ Wright, Barkevious Mingo, Paul Dawson, DJ Alexander
KJ Wright is one of the unsung leaders on this Seahawks defense. He is a pro. He gets the job done and shows versatility to everything we need in a linebacker.
Barkevious Mingo is our new Bruce Irvin. (Again, think Super Bowl Years). He will be an outside linebacker on early downs where he has shown to be capable, not great. He has the athleticism and length to be a good linebacker in coverage and make the occasional splash play. Mingo was drafted in the top 10 because he was supposed to be an elite pass rusher. In Cleveland and Indianapolis he didn’t live up to the pass rush hype. The Seahawks will use him as a hand on the ground end during obvious pass rush reasons, like they did Irvin. Seattle is trying to catch lightning in a bottle here and hope that Mingo can live up to his tremendous potential.
Dawson and Alexander are special teams stars for the team. Both players were highly decorated college linebackers, but haven’t shown much other than special teams skill yet.
Need: We will likely add a linebacker in the draft here. If Mingo doesn’t work out, and in case there is an injury. The competition for the back up roles should be a good one.
Inside Linebacker:
Bobby Wagner, Josh Forrest
Bobby Wagner is one of the best if not the best middle linebacker in football. I really don’t need to say anything more.
Forrest is a special teams guy, he is big and fast, but really hasn’t had a to chance to show what he is.
Need: A back up linebacker is probably a need. I think the Seahawks are looking for a special teams captain here. Like Heath Farwell used to be for the team or Brock Coyle in his past role here as well. I don’t think we will draft a linebacker unless they can play all 3 linebacker positions, but look for an un-drafted free agent to come in.
Cornerback:
Shaq Griffin, Justin Coleman, DeAndre Elliott, Mike Tyson, Neiko Thorpe, Alex Carter
I believe Shaquill Griffin is our next star for the Seahawks. He is fast, smart and tackles very well. He played pretty well last year and I expect a big leap forward this season.
Justin Coleman was an afterthought last season when we traded for him. By the end of the season, he was a player we couldn’t get by without. He was an ideal nickel for us and made plays throughout the season. Coleman solidifies our nickel defense very well.
Elliott was expected to be a big contributor before his pre-season injury last year. If he can come back and show the speed and tackling skills he showed during the pre-season, and he will earn a spot on this team.
Mike Tyson didn’t show us anything last year. However, Carroll and Schneider were very high on him. He was big, fast and physical and that got him drafted here. This year will be his opportunity to make the roster.
Thorpe has been a special teams star. I expect this is his role this year as well, but he has the potential for more.
Carter will not likely be here.
Need: I am listing this as a need, because I think we need to bring back Byron Maxwell to give us a veteran in this group. I also expect at least 1 corner to compete via the draft.
Free Safety:
Earl Thomas, Maurice Alexander, Bradley McDougald, Tedric Thompson, Akeem King
Earl Thomas is here right now. He recently came out and shouted out his love for Seattle and said he wants to stay here. This is arguable the best free safety in the game. If he is here, this rates as the one of the best position groups in football.
We have detailed what Mo Alexander brings to the team, here. Although he played strong safety last year, he graded much higher the year before when he started at free safety. The big thing here is he does bring the versatility to play either position capably.
McDougald is listed just in case Thomas leaves town. He can play either position.
Tedric Thompson was a highly thought of draft pick last year, who played very well at Colorado. He is a long lean player who should take a step forward this year.
King is the wildcard here. He is very big, fast and physical. He is a long shot, but the kind of guy worth watching in pre-season.
Need: I am calling this a need until the rumors are over with regarding Earl Thomas. Expect them to at least look at a safety in the draft.
Strong Safety:
Kam Chancellor, Bradley McDougald, Maurice Alexander, Delano Hill
Kam Chancellor is one of my favorite Seahawks players of all time. That being said, I think it is time for him to hang up the cleats. I know he wants to come back and be the player that he was, and if he can, I would love it. But not if it costs him his neck.
Bradley McDougald was a nice revelation last year. Having played both strong and free, he showed skills to be good in either position. While he isn’t the hitter Chancellor was, he is better in coverage. With the NFL getting to be more and more pass happy, McDougald’s skill set is a great fit.
Alexander played strong safety last year with the Rams, but I see his fit at free safety.
Delano Hill showed his hitting prowess in the pre-season last year, but didn’t show much during the season. He is a fierce hitter, not as good in coverage. He is closer to Chancellor than the other candidates, but they all bring better coverage skills. At the very least, this is a special teams star.
Need: Although I don’t find this to be a major need, I am calling it one. Until the Earl Thomas saga ends, both safety positions can be considered a need. If Thomas leaves McDougald may shift to free safety. That would leave Alexander and Hill battling it out for the starting role. That is the reason this is still a need. 1 more player to add to that competition wouldn’t be bad. However, I don’t expect much movement here. I believe a free safety would be brought in before a strong safety looking at the group.
Related Story: Seahawks off-season progress on offense
Analysis:
When I look at the Seahawks defense, it reminds me of the years before this team went to the Super Bowl. It isn’t loaded with stars as it was last year, but it should still be formidable. We may not finish first in points allowed as we did for 5 years straight, but it will still be good. A rotational defensive line of old, a defensive coordinator of old in Ken Norton Jr. Hopefully we can bring that spark, and the fear to opponents again with this group.