Seahawks 2020 prediction: L.J. Collier will transform the defensive line

No reason to think that L.J. Collier will be great for the Seattle Seahawks in 2020. But here is a guess that he will be.

First of all, no. I do not expect Seahawks first-round choice in 2019 L.J. Collier to be a Pro Bowler in 2020. Or 2021, for that matter. But I do think that Collier’s rookie year of 2020 will be an outlier by the time his career is done. In fact, I think L.J. Collier is a big reason that the Seahawks haven’t done a ton in the offseason with their defensive line.

Collier was a bust in his rookie year. He recorded three tackles (do you remember any of them?), no quarterback hits and no anything else. And yet, because Collier was worthy of a round-one draft pick, he clearly must have some kind of potential. But does he?

All reports and rumors and what friends tell me is that Collier is in much better shape entering the 2020 season than he was coming into 2019. This means he is physically ready to contribute and isn’t dealing with any injuries.

Collier also seems to be mentally ready to make a big impact as his comments this offseason made it seem as if he was miffed people would question his ability to actually be a decent NFL player. Seattle likes players to play with chips on their shoulders and Collier should have one.

But where L.J. Collier will really help the Seahawks is that he can play both defensive end and defensive tackle. Like Michael Bennett did for the Seahawks in the mid-2010s, Collier could be the same kind of disruptor. Teams would have to account for him and where he lines up on any given play.

That is, if Collier can be any good. My guess is that while he will be better in 2021, he will be much better in 2020 because he will get a lot more snaps and gain experience. He was a first round pick for a reason and he will show that more this year. He was injured in 2020 and Seattle kind of his that. But he is healthy now.

Now all this written, Collier did miss the Seahawks mock scrimmage this weekend so maybe he is just going to be a bust. But my guess (and hope) is that he actually is a contributor this year and fairly impactful and by 2021 becomes a very good player. The Seahawks need him to be.