Predicting each Seahawks rookie’s production in 2019

L.J. Collier, defensive end

After trading Frank Clark, the Seahawks needed to find help replacing him. Clark blossomed in 2018 after being in the shadow of Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril his first couple of seasons. Last year, Clark had 13 sacks. This was made even more impressive in the fact he didn’t have much help other than Jarran Reed. And Reed played on the interior of the defensive line, not at edge rusher.

Enter L.J. Collier. Collier is a lot more like Bennett than Clark and this is not a bad thing. Seattle had a lot of trouble stopping the run in 2018. Clark did many things extremely well but helping shut down the opposing team’s run game was not one of them. Clark was drafted to get sacks and not tackle running backs.

Collier can do both. The hope is that is two or three seasons Collier gets 10 or sacks a season. But we aren’t there yet, 12s. It is very unlikely that any rookie defensive end gets 10 sacks. Bradley Chubb did get 12 sacks last year, but he was also playing with Von Miller. Teams focused on Miller and not Chubb and rightfully so. Collier does not have a Miller-type player beside him, however.

Prediction for Collier in 2019: 50 tackles, 5 sacks and 8 tackles for loss