Three biggest worries about Seahawks in 2018
By Lee Vowell
The pass rush may be non-existent
Jumping a bit on the last worry with the loss of Avril and Bennett, specifically, the Seahawks haven’t found any real answers to replace those players. Sure, Seattle drafted Rasheem Green in hopes that a young player would come in with more energy. But again, Green is too young to really be expected to do much to improve the pass rush.
In 2016 and 2017, Seattle struggled with interior pass rush. The Seahawks did get former Viking defensive tackle Tom Johnson who has shown the ability to get to the quarterback. But Jarran Reed hasn’t been consistent doing the same thing. And Nazair Jones hasn’t gotten enough play to prove what he can do.
Frank Clark has 22 sacks in three seasons. He has been at times Seattle’s best defensive end but teams have also had to scheme for Bennett or Avril. Now teams can focus on Clark. Can he reach double digits in sacks? The Seahawks have to have that from him.
Dion Jordan might be able to get to double digit sacks too. Or he might get zero. His health has always been the issue and that hasn’t changed this preseason. Jordan hasn’t played a down so far in 2018. Prior to that, he has missed many games in many years in his NFL career. So far, there is nothing that would show he can play an entire season.
And Clark, who Seattle needs to have a great year, is in the last season of his current contract. So not only might 2018 might be a bad year for the pass rush, but 2019 might be even worse.