Too early prediction of who starts on Seahawks defense in 2021

Most of the Seahawks 2020 defense should return but with possible major subtractions. Seattle has some huge free agent decisions, like whether to try to re-sign Shaquill Griffin and K.J. Wright. Where and how to spend money could affect the Seattle defense in 2021.

But one thing is for sure, Seattle got much better defensively through 2020 and if they can retain most members of the unit then Seattle will be a top-10 defense in 2021. Maybe even good enough to overcome whatever offensive woes are happening and get Seattle back to the playoffs.

Here is my guess at who starts defensively for Seattle prior to the 2021 NFL draft and prior to free agency. Like most offensive starters prediction, this is likely to change a bit.

Seahawks defensive line – L.J. Collier, Jarran Reed, Poona Ford, Carlos Dunlap

There is a chance that Carlos Dunlap could be released as he is due to make $14 million in 2021. But Dunlap simply improved too much in 2020 for the team to release him this offseason. They shouldn’t release him anyway. Dunlap had 14 quarterback hits and 5 sacks in 8 games with the Seahawks. Dunlap also helped make Jarran Reed better.

Including the playoffs, Reed had 7.5 sacks after Dunlap joined the team in week 9. This should continue into 2021 as long as Seattle keeps Dunlap.

Collier was much better in 2020 than his rookie season of 2019 but still needs to take another step. Poona Ford is just a great run-stopper and should stay in a Seattle uniform for many years.

Linebackers – Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks

Here is where I think things change a bit. I would love if Seattle can find a way to keep free agent K.J. Wright but Seattle might need to spend money elsewhere to try to keep cornerback Shaquill Griffin and running back Chris Carson. Though Wright was very good in 2020, he isn’t getting any younger either.

Plus, the Seahawks drafted Wright’s replacement in 2020 with Jordyn Brooks and Brooks looked better every game. He’s got some work to do to be as good as Wright but he has the talent to get there.

Bobby Wagner is clearly still one of the best middle linebackers in the game and though he will make tons of money in 2021, the defense just doesn’t work the same without him.

Cornerbacks – Shaquill Griffin, D.J. Reed and Ugo Amadi

Of Seattle’s three big free agents, I think the Seahawks re-sign only one and that is cornerback Shaquill Griffin. Carson and Wright will sign elsewhere. I am not sure I completely trust that Griffin is one of the top corners in the NFL but he is Seattle’s best and needs to be retained.

D.J. Reed was a revelation after becoming a starter midway through the season and needs to start in 2021 too. Amadi is a solid slot corner. Marquise Blair started the season as this but got hurt and I think in 2021 Blair moves back to his more natural safety position full-time.

Safeties – Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams

I almost wrote here that Diggs won’t be back and will be cut due to his $5.5 million salary and Seattle needing to find money to sign some other players. But Diggs was too good in 2020 to lose for 2021. He led the Seahawks with 5 interceptions this year.

Clearly, Jamal Adams will be back and Seattle needs to work on an extension with him starting in 2022. Otherwise, they traded too much for him. If an extension can be worked out, however, Adams will be in Seattle for many seasons and wind up in the Hall of Fame.