3 Seahawks that will make the difference in Week 1 versus the Broncos

Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton

12s might have a magnifying glass on Barton’s performance this season because Bobby Wagner is no longer with the team and Barton is the person replacing him. But to be fair to Barton, he isn’t truly taking Wagner’s spot. Jordyn Brooks is. Brooks will call out the plays on defense and Brooks will need to be the guy who tackles as well as Wagner and makes the correct decisions on when to attack the line of scrimmage.

What Barton must do all season, but especially in Week 1 against Russell Wilson, is play the pass at an extremely high level. And Barton has the skillset to do that. In fact, coach Pete Carroll said in training camp that Barton was an “excellent pass defender.” Barton was taken in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft and a big reason for that was his ability to play the pass.

Barton also has the speed to cover ground sideline-to-sideline and he needs to put himself in correct positions to make tackles when needed. Against the Broncos, a missed tackle by Barton can be the difference between a 5-yard gain and a touchdown.

And many of those opportunities to make key tackles could come with Barton in coverage. If Barton can play at his best against Wilson’s passing, he can make sure the defense forces Denver to punt and not pick up 15 yards with passes over the middle when just 5 yards are needed. These are the kind of plays the Seahawks defense allowed in 2021 and Barton can help fix that issue.