Second year Seahawks who will make the biggest impact
By Lee Vowell
![Sep 27, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Alton Robinson (98) sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports Sep 27, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Alton Robinson (98) sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2F12thmanrising-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F14993286-850x560-e24656a1b0b84f1d7c49976a80eeb9456a9b3b36f7b70508afcab78f5ea6c3ca.jpg)
Darrell Taylor
Even if Darrell Taylor plays at a high level, Alton Robinson should get his sacks. But Taylor, who obviously missed 2020 due to a leg injury and is basically a rookie heading into 2021, was drafted because he can chase down quarterbacks as well as have the speed to help in the run game. This is why he is currently slated to replace K.J. Wright in the Seattle scheme but Taylor will be moved around to get the best out of his physical skills.
Taylor is a different player than Wright. He should be a more consistent and better pass rusher. Taylor was ill-used in college at the University of Tennessee and while his sack numbers overall were good he also had games where he would get multiple sacks and then zero for several games in a row.
Taylor is a better player than what he was able to show on a poorly-coached Tennessee team in college.
Taylor will play Wright’s old SAM linebacker role but Seattle is also likely to play a lot of 4-2-5 (meaning five defensive backs). In these situations, I think Jordyn Brooks slides next to Bobby Wagner. So where does Taylor go? I think Taylor ends up playing more snaps at defensive end than linebacker but gets lots of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and this is where he will make his greatest impact.