3 unsung Seahawks that could change the outcome of the season

The Seahawks seem to be a top-heavy team as far as known talent. But several players might be the difference between whether Seattle wins or loses this season.

The Seahawks might not know how well their quarterback(s) will play in 2022 but they should know that quarterback is surrounded by a decent amount of talent. And that goes beyond just receivers like DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

Seattle’s defense, with the right and better-than-2021 scheme of new defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt, should be a lot better and put the team in a position to win many close games.

But who are some players that might not be as well-known nationally that are going to make a huge difference for Seattle this year? Maybe the three that follow.

Three Seahawks that fans may not know nationally but should

Seahawks cornerback Sidney Jones IV

I like Jones when he played at the University of Washington but a bunch of U-Dub guys haven’t worked out so well in the NFL. Take Kevin King, for instance. Jones seemed to be on the same track as King. He played four years in the NFL before coming to Seattle in 2021 and he was very inconsistent.

In 2018, his quarterback rating allowed was 94.2, this dropped to 65.1 in 2019 then shot to 103.2 in 2020. And in the first half of 2021 with the Seahawks, Jones didn’t seem all that great either. But then something clicked.

In the last half of 2021, Jones was very good for Seattle. His quarterback rating allowed ended up being a solid 84.3 but he also allowed just 5.4 yards per target which is terrific stuff. The great JC Jackson (now of the Chargers) allowed 6.2 yards per target.

I am not saying Jones is as good as Jackson, he’s not. But the Seahawks also don’t need him to be. Seattle needs Jones to be a very good number two corner long-term and he has the size at 6 feet and 190 pounds to do that. He isn’t a Richard Sherman-type where he will be a force in run defense as well but he did miss just 4.3 percent of his tackles last year.