Do Seahawks have the best linebackers in the NFC West?

Linebacker is where the Seahawks have a big advantage. And they may have gotten better in the draft. But is the group the best in the NFC West?

Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright. Both these linebackers would be great on any team. We 12s just happen to be lucky enough to have them on the Seahawks. Plus, Seattle added Shaquem Griffin in the draft and talk about playing with a chip on one’s shoulder…Just the way Pete Carroll likes his players.

Pro Football Focus ranked Seattle’s linebackers not only as the best in the division, but in the entire NFL. This included Wagner being the best linebacker in the league. But we 12s already knew that. We get to watch him play every Sunday.

So, let’s go ahead and assume Seattle has the best group of linebackers in the division. They do. In fact, the way the defense is being aligned now, Wagner and Wright may be the most vocal part of the defense. Not only are they already leaders in the locker room, they will direct the action on the field.

And there are lots of people, fans and players alike, who would rather hear direction on the field from Wagner and Wright than Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett.

Seattle mostly plays a 4-2-5 defense which means four defensive linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs. On 30% of the plays where Seattle does play three linebackers, offseason signee Barkevious Mingo will get a lot of reps. But don’t be surprised if Griffin gets a bunch too. His size and speed will be valuable to Seattle for several years.

But here’s the thing about the rest of the division, the linebacker units are not that good and so far behind the Seahawks that there is no comparison.

The Los Angeles Rams spent a bunch of draft capital to get good nearly everywhere on the roster, except at linebacker. The Rams may have the worst unit in the division.

The Arizona Cardinals are transitioning to a 4-3 defense and don’t have tons of depth or talent in their group.

And the San Francisco 49ers might be fine with Reuben Foster playing. But you know Foster is a liability and will most likely make an off-field mistake in the future. I don’t say this because I want him to; I say this because it is what he has done.

Needless to say, the Seahawks are the clear class of the division at linebacker. But they also may have the biggest responsibility. If Seattle’s group underperforms at all, the defense might not be good enough to win half their games.