The Seahawks fans have become accustomed to competing for the playoffs, and the team was disappointing in that respect last season. The team rebounded in the second half of the season but finished 7-10, fourth in the NFC West. The defense has been declining and, statistically, finished in the bottom half of nearly every category. Despite that, the defense only allowed 366 points, 11th best in the NFL. They bent – allowing the 28th-most yards – but when it came to it, opposing offenses only threw for 24 TDs, the seventh best total in the league defensively.
The team didn’t make many moves in free agency, but of their six signings, five were on the defensive unit. Their notable loss was corner DJ Reed, who started nearly 80% of defensive snaps. They also released veteran linemen Carlos Dunlap and Kerry Hyder.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Darrell Taylor, DE
If I had to take one player on the Seahawks line for IDP, I’m taking a gamble on the former Volunteer. Taylor had 6.5 sacks and 35 tackles in only 42% of the defensive snaps. He’s still a work in process, but if there’s one player to make the leap, it’s Taylor. He’s got a great first step and good power. If he continues to develop – he’s a good guy to have on your IDP squad. Taylor’s upside is limited to a DE2/3, though, so not a player worth mortgaging your future over.
Poona Ford and Al Woods, DT
If you’ve got a DT-required league, both of these gentlemen could find their way onto your roster. Both guys get plenty of reps, and each guy had over 50 tackles last season. Woods is 34, so his snaps could see a decline, and free-agent signee Quinton Jefferson may see more reps.
Best of the Rest
Veteran Shelby Harris will give some depth at DE and can fill in at DT if needed. He had six sacks in 2021 with 49 tackles, and he is only a depth piece for IDP. Remember when we thought L.J. Collier would be a thing? Oh, the good ol’ days…
LINEBACKERS
Jordyn Brooks, ILB, LB6
It feels surreal to be talking about Seahawk LBs and not talking about how great Bobby Wagner is. Brooks picked up the slack in the tackle department quickly, notching 184 stops and leading the league with 109 solos. And that was next to Wagner, who had 170 of his own. That is simply bananas.
Is LB4 too high for Jordyn Brooks?
— IDP Army (@TheIDPArmy) June 15, 2022
He made most of his hay on the back of tackles and the departure of Bobby Wagner makes him the official alpha LB on the team.
Who would you trade for him in dynasty? 🧐 #IDPArmy
🎥 https://t.co/MOdfXD3MpO pic.twitter.com/0Vdk3SDTe5
Brooks is one of the rising stars in the league and ushered in the departure of Wagner. At only 6’0” but 240 lbs., Brooks has the speed to get from sideline to sideline and can change direction on a dime. He’s going to be a special one for many years.
Cody Barton, ILB, LB104
Due to opportunity, Barton is the short-term answer here and a guy who could have a mess of tackles while he remains the starter. In only 14% of snaps last season, he notched 37 total tackles and now finds himself with a huge snap increase. Barton is limited athletically and doesn’t have the range of Brooks but more in the mode of the MLB, who stays in the middle of the field. He’s tough and wraps up when tackling; Barton should eclipse 100 tackles and be a fine LB3 for IDP purposes.
Uchenna Nwosu, OLB
Now we get to the pass-rushing outside backers. The team brought in former Charger Nwosu to help in this department, but I don’t see him being much help for IDP purposes. He had five sacks last season and 40 tackles in 782 snaps. Pardon me for not being inspired by this free agent pickup.
Boye Mafe, OLB
This one inspires me, Mafe could be a fun player for the Seahawks, but I don’t have much IDP hope for the former Gopher. He’s going to get some sacks, and he’s a freak athlete and insanely explosive. Mafe’s run defense is a work in progress and could limit his playing time. As a situational pass-rusher, which the Seahawks need badly, he could be very valuable in the NFL. But an LB with ten sacks and only 25-30 tackles has limited value in IDP, other than big-play best ball league formats.
Best of the Rest
There isn’t a bunch of depth here, and not anyone I would be rostering. I liked Tanner Muse in college, besides the dirty plays, but he’s limited and could be a cheap source of tackles if forced into playing time.
SECONDARY
Jamal Adams, SS, DB4
Adams would have fit in to the Legion of Boom perfectly, and I hope the Seahawks don’t waste the prime of his career. He had 87 tackles in only 12 games last season and had 9.5 sacks from the safety spot in 12 games in 2020. He’s a player with tremendous range and a leader on the field. Adams is a DB1 and potentially the DB1 if he can stay healthy. Still only 26 years old, Adams is signed through 2025 and the leader of this Seahawks secondary.
Quandre Diggs, FS, DB56
The Lions, a team in DIRE need of defensive help, sent Diggs to Seattle a few seasons ago for a fifth-round pick and a loaf of Wonder Bread. It was one of the most lopsided trades I’ve seen my hometown Lions make. Diggs is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. He has 13 INTs since joining the team, and that’s in only 38 games. Last season he added 94 tackles, giving him a DB2 season. From the free safety spot, that’s not likely to be duplicated, but it’s within his range of outcomes. This makes Diggs a strong grab for your IDP team at his cost.
Sidney Jones, CB
Each team seems to have a corner more destined to be targeted, and I can’t figure out exactly who it will be with the Seahawks, but I’m betting on Jones. He started 11 games last season and had 66 tackles. Artie Burns is on the other side, and he’s probably the less talented of the duo, but I’m not sure where I stand on him as far as IDP. He hasn’t produced at all for IDP.
Best of the Rest
Rookie Coby Bryant will work into the rotation at corner and be the starter, likely within the year. For IDP, he’s not going to be one of the CBs you consider starting, though, he isn’t the most physical corner.
SUMMARY
The Seahawks will likely be around the same type of unit in 2022 as they showed in 2021. They will bend but not break and have one of the top safety duos in the league. The LBs are young but have defined roles and will be a good unit overall. The pass rush will be the biggest weakness unless Taylor delivers on his promise and another player steps up.
A top ten LB and top five safety isn’t everything, but they will produce that fantasy goodness we seek. Seattle will need to improve in getting sacks and finding two more stable corners if Bryant isn’t the answer at CB.
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