Seattle Seahawks defense still has big holes to fill
Ed Stein
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Edge rusher
Last season the Seattle Seahawks pass rush was anemic until Carlos Dunlap took the field in Game 9. It was like he lit a spark under the front seven. Suddenly the Seahawks got to the quarterback. Even when he was injured, the pass rush played better. The biggest beneficiaries of Dunlap’s arrival were defensive tackles, Poona Ford and Jarran Reed.
Without Dunlap, Seattle opens 2021 in the same spot they did in 2020, with no D-lineman that opposing offenses have to plan for. Maybe Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll know something the 12s don’t. The coaches could convince them that last year’s second-round pick Darrell Taylor or fifth-rounder Alton Robinson can do the job. If no they need to find a way to get a legitimate pass-rushing threat.
Ken Norton Jr.’s defense works best when it gets pressure on the quarterback.
Two sacks including the game winner. Carlos Dunlap showed out for his new squad tonight 🔥 @Carlos_Dunlap @Seahawks pic.twitter.com/U7A7Wzw865
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 20, 2020
Bonus Holes: Special teams contributors
One thing the Seattle Seahawks have done well the past few seasons is to play strong special teams. They’ve been able to find role players that relish special teams opportunities. Standouts Barton and Ben Burr-Kirven are still with Seattle, as is the recently re-signed Nick Bellore.
Unfortunately, Neiko Thorpe and Lano Hill are free agents. With how tight the Seahawks are against the cap and the holes they need to fill, both of these players are unlikely to return unless Seattle jettisons more salary. Maybe one of their three draft picks this year can play special teams.
Neiko Thorpe with the one-handed heroics 👋
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/Rwwef6Q1ui
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 6, 2019