Seahawks 2020: Shaquem Griffin or L.J. Collier need to make impact

The Seahawks have a talented roster but the season might come down to whether L.J. Collier or Shaquem Griffin can make a huge impact on the pass rush.

Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin has a bit of an unfair career. If he had a defensive coordinator with a bit of imagination in how to use his talents, Griffin would be in a better place. Current Seahawk defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. is still trying to figure out how to be a successful NFL coordinator and he might be taking Griffin’s career down while does that.

Griffin at the end of 2019 showed flashes that he could pressure opposing quarterbacks with strength and speed. But in 2020 he will still be battling for a roster spot. Meanwhile, L.J. Collier, Seattle’s 2019 first-round choice, was a bust last year and has to be better this year.

Griffin will have a tougher time making the roster this year. Part of that is Collier has just one year under his belt and was a first-round pick. Griffin has played for a couple of seasons now and is less likely to be picked up by another team than Collier would be.

Collier or Griffin must step up in 2020

But Seattle needs to improve its pass rush this year and both Collier and Griffin have the capability to do that. Collier is the greater hope to make a huge step forward because he is big enough to play defensive tackle and also play outside, as Michael Bennett did. Seattle needs tackle help too. Collier could help fill both roles.

But as a human being, I can help pull for Griffin. He is trying to compete in a ruthless sport while missing a hand. Still, he is freakishly physically talented and has speed for days and quickness. How great was the moment, though, at the end of the Seahawks loss to the Packers in the playoffs last year when Shaquem and his brother Shaquill sacked Aaron Rodgers. That was a human moment, not just a football moment.

Griffin did have three quarterback hits from week 11 on in 2019. He was finally and slowly getting a chance to show he could be productive other than just on special teams. Again, if he had a more imaginative defensive coordinator he might have had 5 sacks last year.

Collier hasn’t shown he can do anything yet. But he also appears to have been injured last year more than the team let on. If healthy, there was a reason he was chosen in the first round because the potential should be there.

The Seahawks might still re-sign Jadeveon Clowney for this coming year but whether they do or don’t, Seattle needs help putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Griffin might be able yo do that. So could Collier. And either Shaquem Griffin or L.J. Collier could make the difference between Seattle simply being a playoff team or a team with championship potential.