Better, worse or the same? How the Seattle Seahawks’ defense has changed this offseason

This offseason has introduced the Seattle Seahawks’ greatest defensive shift of the Pete Carroll period.

New coordinator. Considerably new scheme. A number of new gamers at key positions.

With coaching camp opening July 27, let’s take inventory of the latter. After inspecting the offense final week, this is a position-by-position have a look at the Seahawks’ protection with a verdict on whether or not every is best, worse or the identical as 2021.

Edge

Additions: Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, Tyreke Smith, Joshua Onujiogu

Losses: Carlos Dunlap II, Rasheem Inexperienced, Kerry Hyder Jr., Benson Mayowa

Returners: Darrell Taylor, Alton Robinson

Higher, worse of the identical: Higher

A lot else has occurred with the Seahawks that maybe their most important offseason acquisition has flown beneath the radar. However contemplate this: the two-year, $19.055 million deal Seattle signed Nwosu to in March carries the best annual common of any contract they’ve given to a different crew’s free agent beneath Carroll and basic supervisor John Schneider.

That displays two issues: they don’t seem to be large spenders in free company, they usually view the 25-year-old Nwosu as an ascending participant who will enhance their move rush. He is a lot youthful than Dunlap and a a lot better match for a brand new entrance that can favor smaller, faster our bodies on the sting. Dunlap was wonderful after his midseason arrival in 2020 and once more throughout a robust end to final season however was a non-factor in the course of the first 11 video games of 2021.

Mafe will issue closely into the edge-rushing rotation. He generated first-round buzz amongst some draft analysts earlier than Seattle selected him early within the second spherical.

Inside line of defense

Additions: Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, Matthew Gotel

Losses: Robert Nkemdiche

Returners: Poona Ford, Al Woods, L.J. Collier, Bryan Mone, Myles Adams, Jarrod Hewitt

Higher, worse of the identical: Higher

“Higher” is a straightforward name with a pair of notable additions and no important losses. Harris, acquired from the Denver Broncos within the Russell Wilson commerce, has a mixed 14.5 sacks over the past three seasons and a knack for pulling down passes on the line of scrimmage. Jefferson returns after two seasons away with the Buffalo Payments and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively.

Nkemdiche performed sparingly within the second half of final season because the Seahawks gave Collier extra snaps. Collier had a robust offseason, in keeping with new coordinator Clint Hurtt, however the 2019 first-round choose has a variety of competitors for enjoying time in what shall be a make-or-break fourth season.

Inside linebacker

Additions: Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Levi Jones

Losses: Bobby Wagner

Returners: Jordyn Brooks, Cody Barton, Nick Bellore, Jon Rhattigan, Ben Burr-Kirven, Aaron Donkor, Tanner Muse, Lakiem Williams

Higher, worse of the identical: Worse

Barton would have been a full-time starter earlier in his profession had the 2019 third-round choose not been caught behind a future Corridor of Famer in Wagner and one other wonderful linebacker in Ok.J. Wright. With Seattle releasing Wagner in March — parting with the final holdover from their dominant defenses of the Legion of Growth period — Barton is getting his long-awaited probability.

“I believe individuals are going to be stunned at how effectively he performs,” stated one Seahawks expertise evaluator of Barton.

The Seahawks might need their quickest linebacker corps in years with Barton becoming a member of Brooks within the beginning lineup, however they determine to overlook Wagner’s expertise.

Security

Additions: Bubba Bolden, Deontai Williams, Joey Blount, Scott Nelson

Losses: Gavin Heslop

Returners: Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Ryan Neal, Ugo Amadi, Marquise Blair, Josh Jones

Higher, worse of the identical: The identical

That is just about the identical group as final season, with all their key gamers again and undrafted rookies making up the one additions.

Well being and scheme may very well be large difference-makers for Adams. The Seahawks consider the modifications to the best way they’re utilizing their safeties will make him tougher for opponents to pinpoint. That was a consider his disappointing 2021 season, as had been extra accidents. He had offseason surgical procedure on his twice-torn left shoulder labrum in addition to repeat surgical procedures on two fingers on his left hand.

Cornerback

Additions: Coby Bryant, Tariq Woolen, Artie Burns, Justin Coleman, Josh Valentine-Turner, Elijah Jones

Losses: D.J. Reed, Bless Austin, Nigel Warrior

Returners: Sidney Jones IV, Tre Brown, John Reid, Michael Jackson Sr.

Higher, worse of the identical: Worse

The Seahawks made an comprehensible resolution to not high the three-year, $33 million deal Reed acquired from the New York Jets. However after they let their greatest cornerback stroll in free company, did not signal a sure-fire starter to exchange him then waited till Day 3 to draft one, they set themselves as much as take a step again.

That will have been a special story if both Derek Stingley Jr. or Sauce Gardner fell to them at No. 9. With each gone, they took Bryant within the fourth spherical earlier than doubling up with Woolen within the fifth. Woolen is a developmental prospect, whereas Bryant has the ball expertise and savvy to beat out Burns and others for a beginning job proper manner. Brown, who’s getting back from a knee harm that ended a robust begin to his rookie season, might issue into that battle ultimately.