Defensive Line (9): Demarcus Christmas, L.J. Collier, Poona Ford, Rasheem Green, Bruce Irvin, Benson Mayowa, Jarran Reed, Alton Robinson, Darrell Taylor
Plus one of: Jadeveon Clowney, Matthew Judon, Everson Griffen, Yannick Ngakoue
The biggest position of need for the Seahawks, defensive end, received some reinforcements early in free agency from Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa, and added Darrell Taylor and Alton Robinson in the NFL draft.
Those four will be joined by returners L.J. Collier and Rasheem Green, and I believe one more addition has yet to be made. Whether it’s a reunion with Jadeveon Clowney – which GM John Schneider has not ruled out – or another signing or trade, with options that include Matthew Judon, Everson Griffen and Yannick Ngakoue, I don’t think Seattle is done shoring up the pass rush.
Assuming the team keeps the two rookies on the active roster, Branden Jackson would be the odd man out. Jackson had a nice year in 2019, but releasing him would save a few million in cap space, and I think they’d rather give the younger guys a shot.
On the interior, Poona Ford and Jarran Reed are the no doubt starters, but the third piece is yet to be determined. I gave the nod here to Demarcus Christmas, a sixth round pick in 2019 who sat out the entire season on the PUP list.
Christmas will compete with Nazair Jones and Bryan Mone for the job, and it is entirely possible the Seahawks will turn to free agency to add a veteran to this position – something they have done in each of the past few seasons.