Grading every position group on the Seahawks final 53-man roster

Seahawks defensive front seven

Defensive line

Players on the roster: Shelby Harris, Poona Ford, Al Woods, Quinton Jefferson, Bryan Mone, L.J. Collier, Myles Adams

Strengths: Moving to a hybrid 3-4 scheme will better utilize all the defensive linemen in this scheme. All of Seattle’s defensive linemen are big, strong and versatile linemen who are bigger threats inside than outside. This D-line could be Seattle’s most overlooked and underrated position group

Weaknesses: The Seahawks over the past few years have struggled to produce a consistent pass rush. Most of the Seattle D-linemen are better run stoppers than they are pass rushers.

Outside linebacker

Players on the roster: Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, Darrell Taylor, Alton Robinson

Strengths: In a 3-4 scheme outside linebackers are heavily relied upon to generate pass rush off the edge and seal edges on the outside and the Seahawks staff has done an excellent job finding players to fit the mold. Seattle’s outside linebacking group are all explosive and strong off the edge. Both Taylor and Mafe are very good young players with high upside who could be huge difference makers for this team.

Weaknesses: Setting the edge will be very important considering the Seahawks division rivals like to run outside rushing schemes, which may prove difficult for the expected starter Uchenna Nwosu as Nwosu is as undersized as he is quick and struggled in that assignment while he was with the Chargers.

Inside linebacker

Players on the roster: Jordyn Brooks, Cody Barton (Nick Bellore suspected to be additional depth)

Strengths: Jordyn Brooks has been quietly one of the best tacklers in the NFL, this year he’ll have every opportunity available to establish himself as one of the premier Linebackers in the league and become a household name.

Brooks’ counterpart Cody Barton has previously gotten very high praise from head coach Pete Carroll. Pete Carroll has always called Barton “one of the best coverage linebackers on the team” and this year will be his chance to prove himself as just that.

Weaknesses: Cody Barton is, for the most part, unproven when it comes to actual NFL game experience. He’s no rookie as he has always just been buried behind the likes of Bobby Wagner, KJ Wright and Jordyn Brooks.

Behind Barton may be Seattle’s most daunting hole in the roster, depth at inside linebacker. Nick Bellore is the team’s offensive fullback and special teams’ expert, he is also expected to serve as the Seahawks main option to fill in for either Brooks or Barton in case of injury and that does not bode well for confidence.