Predicting the Seahawks starters on defense in 2020

The Seahawks will see a number of changes on defense in 2020. So who will start and help Seattle get back to the playoffs next season?

The Seahawks will have some changes on defense in 2020. This is a good thing as the defense has struggled the last couple of seasons, especially compared to the greatness they were in the early 2010s. Of course, few defenses in NFL history have been as good as those units.

Still, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll knows how to create good defenses. He might need to take more control of the defense this coming season and leave less to Ken Norton, Jr. But Carroll has proven he can win in the NFL and win big so there is always reason for hope as long as he is the Seahawks coach.

So who is going to start for Seattle on defense in 2020? Here are my best guesses.

Defensive line

Defensive ends Rasheem Green and Everson Griffen

Defensive tackles Jarran Reed and Poona Ford

At this point, I am starting to believe that Seattle is not going to re-sign Jadeveon Clowney. Maybe Seattle saw something that gave them concern about Clowney. I am not talking off-the-field things but it is possible that the Seahawks are afraid to put too much money into signing Clowney with his injury history.

I also think Seattle is looking to spend on depth instead of paying one guy a lot of dollars. This is why they signed Bruce Irvin and are bringing back Benson Mayowa. That said, Seattle will sign Griffen to a one-year deal. With Irvin, Mayowa, Reed and Griffen, the pass rush should be better.

As far as the run defense goes, if Ford can be even better in 2020 and paired with Reed, Seattle’s run defense should be fine.

Linebackers

Bobby Wagner

K.J. Wright

My fear here is that the Seahawks will be stubborn and stay with the 4-3 base they played in 2019. Mostly, that didn’t work out. Seattle needs to get back to playing a 4-2-5 and use a slot corner quite a bit more. If Seattle stays 4-3, I think Cody Barton is the third linebacker.

Secondary

Cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin, Quinton Dunbar and Ugo Amadi (slot)

Safeties Quandre Diggs and Bradley McDougald

There will be a couple of changes here. One, I think Tre Flowers moves back to a supporting role. This is too bad as at the end of his rookie season, Flowers seemed to be flashing the potential to be a good corner. But last year at the end of the season he was a bit of a mess. Dunbar, who the Seahawks recently traded for, will replace him. Dunbar is a much better corner and has the perfect size for the Pete Carroll system. I think the Seahawks sign him to an extension sooner rather than later.

Seattle’s defense would be in a better position to succeed in 2020 had the Seahawks chosen to play Amadi more in 2019. He has the quickness to be very good in the slot. He just needs playing time.

The safety tandem isn’t exactly Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas, but it isn’t bad either. McDougald was better after Seattle brought Diggs over in mid-season last year so I expect good things from this duo.