12th Man Rising
FanSided

Top 5 Seahawks rookies to watch this offseason

By Karley Sibert

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 29: Linebacker Jordyn Brooks of Texas Tech runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 29: Linebacker Jordyn Brooks of Texas Tech runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 30: Darrell Taylor #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers stands ready for a play against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 30: Darrell Taylor #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers stands ready for a play against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

Darrell Taylor – Defensive End

Addressing their issues at pass rush was key for Seattle this offseason, whether it needed to be through free agency, the draft, or both. Jadeveon Clowney still remains a free agent and major question mark as to where he will land, and Seattle signed veterans Benson Mayowa and Bruce Irvin (who makes his return to Seattle) in free agency.

Going with linebacker Jordyn Brooks in the first round, the Seahawks selected edge rusher, Darrell Taylor, with their second-round pick (48th overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft, a selection they considered with their first pick. Taylor played college football at the University of Tennessee and was a top pass rusher in the SEC. In 2018, he was named team MVP. In 2019, he had 46 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 10 tackles for loss and he did this all with a stress fracture in his shin.

Taylor joins an interesting rotation of pass rushers on the roster including L.J. Collier, who had a disappointing rookie year last year, Rasheem Green, and Jarran Reed among others. It’s still unknown exactly where Taylor will play on the defense but many suspect he’ll likely be slotted in at LEO (defensive end/linebacker hybrid), the same position that Clowney played.

With his tough competitiveness and high intangibles, Taylor should be expected to put up a show during training camp and impress the coaching staff (and fans, if we can watch), depending on how his injury recovery is going.

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