Grading the Seahawks defensive starters through 13 games

Linebackers

Like the defensive line grades, I don’t want to start with the best player on the unit. In this case, that player is Bobby Wagner. Seattle has had a few other linebackers start next to Wagner.

K.J. Wright, Wagner’s long-time playing partner, has missed every game this season except three. He should be the starter each week but has been limited by a knee issue. Pete Carroll hasn’t been real clear about Wright playing at all the rest of year, either.

Even when Wright has played this year, he hasn’t seemed like the same player. Maybe he shouldn’t have played at all in 2018 and simply taken the season off to get his knee better. He is a free agent at the end of the year and will probably re-sign in Seattle.

Mychal Kendricks also started for Seattle. He was very good in four games but broke his tibia on Monday versus the Vikings and is out for the season. Kendricks was a physical linebacker and good for the Seahawks scheme. Kendricks may face jail time this offseason so his future with the Seahawks is in doubt.

Finally, undrafted Austin Calitro has started four games for Seattle as well. He had a season-high 10 tackles in week 13 versus the 49ers, so he isn’t bad. The problem is he simply isn’t as good as Wright or Kendricks.

But no one in the NFL is as good as Wagner. He is simply the best linebacker in football. And the last two weeks he has been at his beastly self, including a 98-yard touchdown return of an interception against the 49ers.

Wagner is getting better as the season goes on. And PFF has him with the highest grade among linebackers in 2018.

Grades

Wright: Incomplete

Kendricks: B (in limited and unexpected time)

Calitro: C

Wagner: A+