4 reasons why the Seahawks could secure unlikely playoff spot in 2022
By Lee Vowell
Seahawks have yet to unleash the greatness of the safeties
Free safety Quandre Diggs is a ballhawk that likes to hit opposing players with force. Strong safety Jamal Adams was ill-used in 2021 but under new defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt, Adams should be able to rebound to his 2020 levels. You remember 2020 Adams, right? He was the one who set all-time sack records for a defensive back with 9.5.
Adams, of course, needs to stay healthy to be good but he seems due for a season like that. For the last two years, he’s missed time with different injuries. We haven’t seen Adams in the preseason and for good reason. There is no reason to risk him to being injured in a meaningless game.
Diggs is also coming off an injury but one that happened in the last game of 2021. He rarely misses time and his absence is sometimes felt even more than Adams’ is when Adams misses time. Diggs creates turnovers and can cover the deep middle about as well as any other free safety in Seahawks history not named Earl Thomas. Diggs has 13 interceptions in 38 Seattle games. But his ability to help in run support is partly what has made him a Pro Bowler as well.
Seattle’s overall defense should be younger and faster this season, especially the pass rush. But knowing Seattle has a backend of the defense in Adams and Diggs is only going to make the pass rush better and that is going to help the overall team.