Tag: Johnathan Hankins

Analyzing Seahawks’ pending 2025 free agents on defense

Analyzing Seahawks’ pending 2025 free agents on defense

The Seattle Seahawks have just 10 unrestricted free agents currently scheduled to reach the open market in March. General manager John Schneider has 16 total contracts to address, including restricted (2) and exclusive rights (4) free agents. Of those 16, the following are defensive players.

Ernest Jones IV | LB

Jones was a complete game-changer for Seattle’s struggling run defense after arriving from the Tennessee Titans in a pre-deadline trade. A Mike Macdonald linebacker through and through, Jones racked up 94 tackles in 10 appearances while helping the defense replace underperforming players at the position. Re-signing him should be a big-time priority for Schneider.

Josh Jobe (restricted) | CB 

Jobe was arguably the biggest surprise performer of Seattle’s 2024 season. Initially joining the practice squad, the former undrafted free agent earned a starting gig at cornerback opposite Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon following an injury to Tre Brown. Jove accumulated five pass breakups and an interception in 10 games. His restricted free agency status should make it rather easy for Schneider to retain his services.

Jarran Reed | DT

The aging Reed offered Seattle’s defensive line a versatile skill-set up the middle. A true three-down defender, Reed totaled 4.5 sacks while being a veteran member of Macdonald’s first-year defense. The Seahawks should consider bringing him back on a short-term, team-friendly deal.

Tre Brown | CB

Brown eventually lost his starting job following an ankle injury. Recurring injuries and inconsistent performances have prevented Brown from routinely reaching his potential in Seattle. It’s probably best for both parties to go their separate ways, as the former Oklahoma cover-man would benefit from a change of scenery.

K’Von Wallace | S

Rayshawn Jenkins, Coby Bryant, and Julian Love are all under contract through next season. Jenkins qualifies as a potential cap casualty, however. If the Seahawks part ways with the veteran starter, perhaps Schneider will possess interest in bringing K’Von Wallace back as a third safety and core special teamer.

Johnathan Hankins | DT

A past-his-prime defender with a run-stopping skill set, Johnathan Hankins offered the Seahawks some quality reps, particularly on early downs. Hankins still gains backfield penetration, so perhaps a reunion will come to fruition. He’d play a rotational role behind Seattle’s more versatile defensive tackles.

Artie Burns | CB

Recurring injuries keep preventing Burns from getting into a rhythm with the Seahawks. His versatile performances have been intriguing, but availability has been a routine issue. Perhaps Burns will return on a veteran minimum contract that allows him to compete for a roster spot throughout the preseason.

Trevis Gipson | EDGE

The Seahawks are incredibly deep at EDGE. Gipson was acquired to provide depth following Uchenna Nwosu’s injury, but he rarely saw the field. Macdonald will continue rolling with Boye Mafe, Derick Hall, and Dre’Mont Jones as his preferred outside linebackers.

John Ross (ERFA) | LB

Onujiogu has suffered significant injuries two campaigns in a row. He’s essentially a practice squad or training camp body until proven otherwise. Onujiogu must remain healthy enough to compete for a special teams role.

Joshua Onujiogu (ERFA) | LB

Macdonald is familiar with Ross through their shared tenure together at Michigan. He was a special teams contributor for coordinator Jay Harbaugh this season. Ross’ familiarity with Macdonald and special teams could make him a returning asset.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Seahawks defense has been dominant vs. the run throughout ongoing win streak

Seahawks defense has been dominant vs. the run throughout ongoing win streak

The Seattle Seahawks were struggling mightily to defend the run earlier this season. Approximately just one month ago, Mike Macdonald’s inconsistent unit entered their Week 9 contest versus the Los Angeles Rams allowing a 29th-ranked 148.4 rushing yards per contest. They were also allowing the fifth-highest yards per carry average (4.9) in the league.

Things have changed drastically in recent weeks. In Sunday’s Week 13 victory over the New York Jets, their third consecutive triumph, the combination of Breece Hall and Braelon Allen were limited to 71 rushing yards and zero touchdowns via 17 carries. The Jets were ultimately held under 100 net rushing yards.

Seattle’s run-stopping metrics have drastically improved since that Week 9 update. Macdonald’s disciplined run defense now ranks 22nd in the league, allowing 127 yards per outing. They are surviving their lackluster early-season start, and are consistently climbing the charts.

In fact, the Seahawks have faced four outstanding running backs over the previous four weeks. The list includes Hall, Kyren Williams, Christian McCaffrey, and James Conner. The results? Macdonald’s defense has allowed 216 rushing yards and zero touchdowns via 60 carries. That equals just 3.6 yards per carry.

They’ve been spearheaded forward by dominant performances from Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Co.

The turning point for Seattle’s run defense was arguably swapping out linebackers Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson for Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight. Jones has been a tackling machine since being acquired in a trade with the Tennessee Titans. Seattle’s improving run defense is peaking at the right time.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

First half recap: 49ers lead the Seahawks 7-6

First half recap: 49ers lead the Seahawks 7-6

The Seattle Seahawks are in a crucial Week 11 rematch against the San Francisco 49ers, and so far, the Niners have a clear edge. In a rapid first half, San Francisco leads Seattle by a score of 7-6.

The Seahawks forced the Niners on a three-and-out to start the game, and eventually took an early lead on their opening drive.

While it did end with a sack on third down, as Nick Bosa beat Abe Lucas in his season debut, Jason Myers did nail a 52-yard attempt to give Seattle a 3-0 lead.

San Francisco responded immediately, as the Niners engineered a 12-play, 71-yard drive which ended with Brock Purdy scrambling ten yards into the end zone. Purdy has been sacked twice today, but remains frustratingly elusive. Still, two more sacks then the Seahawks were able to secure against him in their Week 6 loss.

Seattle had to punt on their next possession, but quickly got the ball back thanks to cornerback Devon Witherspoon and defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins – the first interception of the big man’s career.

Regrettably, the Seahawks were not able to take full advantage of the interception, as they were held to another field goal. But they did get points out of it, as Jason Myers connected from 57-yards out. Myers now has 22 successful field goals from 50+ yards as a Seahawk, which is the most in franchise history.

Following a sack of Purdy to knock the Niners out of field goal range, Seattle did get the ball back.

Once again, the Seahawks couldn’t take advantage of what their defense gave them, and they had to punt the ball away.

First half stats:

  • Total Yards: 49ers – 152, Seahawks – 104
    • Rushing: 49ers – 82, Seahawks – 29
    • Passing: Seahawks – 75, 49ers – 70
  • Total plays: 49ers 31 to Seahawks’ 24
  • First downs: 49ers 12 to Seahawks’ 7
  • Time of Possession – 49ers lead 18:32 to Seattle’s 11:28

Geno Smith has completed 11-of-14 passes for 91 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and has been sacked twice. Purdy has completed 11-of-15 for 83, no touchdowns, one interception, and has taken two sacks as well.

Seattle will get the ball to start the second half.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1360]

Giants preparing to take on several familiar faces vs. Seahawks

When the New York Giants look across the field on Sunday, they will see several familiar faces wearing Seattle Seahawks uniforms.

When the New York Giants look across the field on Sunday afternoon, they’re going to see quite a few familiar faces wearing a Seattle Seahawks uniform.

On defense, they’ll be going up against quarterback Geno Smith, who made history by starting in favor of Eli Manning, ending a 222-game iron man streak in November of 2017.

Smith currently leads the NFL with 1,182 yards passing.

“He’s playing at a high level. He’s a veteran now. He’s done a really good job when you study the tape. Last year and this year, here to start out, obviously, he threw for a bunch of yards in a back-and-forth game there for a while. He’s got command,” head coach Brian Daboll said of Smith on Wednesday. “I think Geno is a guy that leads it all. Does a good job of getting the ball to those playmakers.”

If he’s elevated from the practice squad, the Giants might also see wide receiver Miles Boykin, who spent time with the team this past summer before being released in late August.

When quarterback Daniel Jones is under center, he’ll be looking across the line at several prominent former Giants, including defensive end Leonard Williams, nose tackle Johnathan Hankins, and safety Julian Love.

“Again, another guy that he’s a very smart player,” Daboll said of Love. “We knew that, obviously, here. Instinctive. He’s made a couple really good plays for them at the start of this year. I know he’s out, has a quad. We’ll see where he’s at. But, that type of guy, with the right mindset, that works the right way, you really wouldn’t expect anything else.”

Through four weeks, Love is second among all NFL safeties with a Pro Football Focus grade of 89.9. His coverage grade of 85.6 trails only two players, ironically including ex-Giants safety Xavier McKinney, who leads the league at 89.5.

Williams, meanwhile, is seventh among interior defensive linemen with a PFF grade of 80.1.

It’s certainly interesting to see all these ex-Giants finding success league-wide while the team in East Rutherford continues to flounder.

[lawrence-related id=733757,733747,733751]

Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde on rotating his DL

Here’s what Durde had to say after yesterday’s OTAs practice about shifting his DL around.

While the Seahawks offensive line is by far the team’s biggest liability, the defensive line should be one of their greatest assets in the first year under new head coach Mike Macdonald. While Macdonald will be calling the defensive plays at first, he’ll eventually be handing those duties over to the relatively unknown Aden Durde, who’s his defensive coordinator.

Durde spent the last three years as the defensive line coach for Dallas, where he frequently rotated and moved his pieces around. Fans should expect more of the same this season in Seattle, where he has several versatile, powerful pieces to use up front. Here’s what Durde had to say after yesterday’s OTAs practice about shifting his DL around, per Brady Henderson at ESPN:

“That’s what good defensive lines are. Obviously where I can from… Right now, it’s kind of hard because we can’t go full-gas, but it’s what are people good at? What are their individual roles? How do they fit into the picture? What down and distance would they be good at and where do they excel? I really believe up front, it’s about creative a way of playing that enhances peoples’ ability in certain situations. There’s a couple of guys that really just flourish in every situation. There’s other guys like [NT Johnathan Hankins] or those guys that flourish in certain situations, and then how do you rotate them? We’ve got so much versatility.”

We won’t know for sure what the depth chart looks like until September, but for now we are projecting Leonard Williams and rookie Byron Murphy II to start at defensive end, flanking Jarran Reed at nose tackle. Hankins should be considered the next man up there, with Myles Adams and Mike Morris backing up Williams and Murphy.

More Seahawks Wire stories

99 photos from the Seattle Seahawks 2024 offseason so far

PFF grades for all 22 projected Seahawks starters in 2024

Salary cap space update for all 32 NFL teams after June 1

Seahawks 2024 OTAs: Sights, sounds from Monday practice

ESPN: Seahawks have improved most along their defensive line

Mike Macdonald seems aware of that and is determined to turn around the team’s culture to one that’s more physically dominant in the trenches.

As we have seen play out several times over the last two seasons, Seattle is lacking at the line of scrimmage compared to true NFL heavyweights. New Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald seems aware of that and is determined to turn around the team’s culture to one that’s more physically dominant in the trenches.

It will take a while before they’re ready to compete with the 49ers at the line of scrimmage, but so far the work has been productive. According to Brady Henderson at ESPN, the team has improved most along its defensive line. The boost is thanks mostly to the selection of Byron Murphy in Round 1 and the addition of Johnathan Hankings in free agency.

“The Seahawks used the 16th pick to draft Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, whom they considered the best defender in this year’s draft. They previously signed veteran nose tackle Johnathan Hankins on a one-year deal to be an early-down run-stuffer. Murphy is a three-down player, but between his addition and that of Hankins, as well as a full season of Leonard Williams and new coach Mike Macdonald’s scheme, Seattle should be better against the run after allowing the most rushing yards (4,906) of any team over the past two seasons.”

Seattle also retained Leonard Williams and re-signing him to a three-year deal was the most important move the franchise made this offseason, aside from firing Pete Carroll and replacing him with Mike Macdonald.

If Macdonald can carry over the pass-rush whisperer dynamic he brought to Baltimore’s defense, then we should see a dramatic improvement in this unit over the next couple of years. By the time he left the Ravens they had the best defense in the NFL by a wide margin. It will be very interesting to see if he can engineer a similar surge in Seattle. If he can, this team may be a contender again as soon as 2025.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Ranking all 32 teams by ESPN’s projected win totals

Predicting each game on the Seahawks 2024 schedule

4 biggest takeaways from Seahawks 2024 schedule

Seahawks all-time record vs. every 2024 opponent

Solution Required: Cowboys needs at defensive tackle grow by the day

The Cowboys had to improve at DT this offseason but without using free agency, they’re getting worse, putting extra pressure on the draft, says @ReidDHanson.

When the 2024 offseason began, the Cowboys knew they had an issue in the middle of their defensive line. Troubles inside frequently seeped into the second level of the Dallas defense. Offensive linemen paved the way as opposing attacks ran rampant through the Cowboys’ notoriously thin LB corps.

To many, upgrading the middle was priority No. 1 on the defense this offseason. Outside of Johnathan Hankins, the Cowboys lacked stoutness inside. To make matters worse, Mazi Smith who was their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, inexplicably slimed down prior to the season, resulting in more of a 3-tech role than a 1-tech role. Hankins was the best of the bunch at 1-tech, but he was clearly miscast as a starter and was better suited to play a rotational role behind someone, not leading the unit.

The Cowboys weren’t the only team needing an upgrade at 1-tech this offseason. An otherwise deep free agent class was picked clean at the opening bell, leaving very few options available today.

The Cowboys, always the patient buyers, now find themselves moving in the wrong direction at DT. Instead of upgrading in front of Hankins on the depth chart like so many pleaded all offseason, the Cowboys managed to lose Hankins entirely. Now they find themselves in the unfortunate position of needing not just one 1-tech DT, but two 1-tech DTs.

With Mike Zimmer running the defense in 2024, Smith could very well be asked to put weight back on and move back to a role he was more familiar with in college. But expectations should be set realistically for the second-year defender. Smith had arguably the most disappointing rookie season since Bobby Carpenter and anything more than a supportive role for Smith in 2024 is far-fetched.

Hankins-level players still appear to be on the free agent market, but options are drying up fast. Besides, the goal was to upgrade the interior, not replace it with similar talent. If the Cowboys want to see improved box play from their LBs and SAFs, they need stouter play on their line. At this point it doesn’t appear possible.

Free agency isn’t over and the draft remains, so all hope isn’t lost. But with major holes at OT, OC, LB and RB already, it’s hard to envision a way the Cowboys adequately fill all of their many starting roles between now and training camp.

Hankins wasn’t a player who absolutely had to be re-signed but the 1-tech DT position group was a group that absolutely had to be upgraded. That’s looking less and less possible by the day.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Seahawks expected to sign former Cowboys DT Johnathan Hankins

Hankins has been around the league.

The Seattle Seahawks may not have been active during the first wave of free agency, but they appear to be making up for lost time in the later stages. On Tuesday, Seattle signed former Titans defensive back K’Von Wallace to a contract, and apparently Wallace was not the last one on John Schneider’s agenda for today.

It was announced Tuesday afternoon that the Seahawks are going to sign veteran defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins. Hankins will join a defensive line eager to stop the bleeding of being one of the worst against the run in the NFL.

Hankins has been around the league. Originally a second-round pick by the New York Giants during the 2013 NFL draft, Hankins spent the first four years of his career with Big Blue before becoming an Indianapolis Colt.

Hankins’ stint in the Heartland did not last long, as after one year he was released. He then spent the next four and a half seasons with the Raiders in both Oakland and Las Vegas before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys midway through the 2022 season.

The Cowboys connection likely landed Hankins in Seattle, as new Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde was his defensive line coach for the last two years.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Updated depth chart after first wave of free agency

Every NFL team’s biggest move to start free agency

2024 NFL mock draft: Post-free agency projections

Grading first wave of Seahawks free agent signings

ESPN: Seahawks interested in free agent DT Johnathan Hankins

The Seahawks are interested in free agent defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, according to a report by Brady Henderson at ESPN.

The Seahawks are interested in free agent defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, according to a report by Brady Henderson at ESPN.

Hankins (6-foot-2, 320 pounds) would bring a ton of experience to Seattle’s interior defensive line rotation. Originally a second-round pick by the Giants back in 2013, he has appeared in 152 regular season games in his career, starting 134 of them. All together, he has totaled 403 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 50 quarterback hits and 39 tackles for a loss.

Hankins played the last season and a half for the Cowboys, where his position coach was Seattle’s new defensive coordinator Aden Durde.

While his grades have been on the decline for a while, Hankins has generally been a two-down defender in his career. If the Seahawks do sign him he would project as a backup behind starters Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed and Dre’Mont Jones.

More Seahawks Wire stories

2024 mock draft: Post-free agency Round 1 projections

Grading every free agent signing for Seahawks so far

Twitter reacts to Seattle trading for QB Sam Howell

Breaking down what Sam Howell means for Seahawks

Free agent Johnathan Hankins: ‘Just more motivated’ to complete ‘unfinished business’ with Cowboys

From @ToddBrock24f7: The veteran DT nearly retired after the ’22 season, but his first full year in Dallas ‘lit a fire,” and he hopes to keep it burning in ’23.

When Johnathan Hankins was traded to the Cowboys halfway through last season, he wasn’t sure what to expect.

Though he’s played just 19 games in the star, it has indeed been quite a journey for the 31-year-old. Since first suiting up for his fourth team, Hankins has proved to be an immediate upgrade for the Dallas defense, contemplated retirement, tested the waters of free agency, rediscovered his love for the game, gone on a promising championship run, seen it end prematurely in bitter disappointment, and is now ready to run it all back and do it again.

Hankins talked about it all in a 20-minute video on his YouTube channel meant to give fans deeper insight into his life both on and off the field after over a decade in the league.

Right now, Hankins said, the whole team is still reeling from its embarrassing wild-card loss to Green Bay.

“This is what we dream for, this is -for some guys- everything they wanted in their whole life. To come up short, we’re all shocked. We’re all hurt. Honestly, this year, we thought we were going to make it to the Super Bowl. And we should have,” the former Ohio State star said. “It definitely sucks.”

But he added, “We’ll be back, and that’s what I’ve got to say.”

“I’ve still got some unfinished business, still got some goals I want to achieve, still want to win that Super Bowl trophy. So is Hank done? No, Hank is just more motivated than I was in years previously. The goal of mine is to get to the Super Bowl. I would love for it to be here.”

Whether or not that last part happens for the veteran will be one of the many pieces of business facing the Dallas front office this offseason.

Hankins was traded to the Cowboys in late October 2022, a midseason move meant to beef up a run defense that was seen as the unit’s most glaring weakness.

The 2013 second-round draft pick of the Giants admitted “not necessarily knowing how it was going to go,” he said. “But I did know that they needed a guy inside that can stop the run and help out this defense.”

The Cowboys promptly gave up over 200 rushing yards in each of the first two games in which Hankins suited up.

“It was a lot of adjustment,” the 320-pounder said after spending the previous two and a half years with the Raiders.

Adjustments were made all around, and his impact was enough over another five games (including playoffs) to warrant the Cowboys re-signing Hankins to a one-year deal to return, but not until after he had fielded other offers in free agency.

“It was slow,” he said. “Obviously, I didn’t get necessarily what I wanted. But at the end of the day, I still love this game and feel like I’m playing at a high level.”

But even that was in some degree of doubt, with Hankins admitting that he contemplated hanging up his cleats prior to the 2023 season.

“To be honest, not really sure if I really wanted to continue playing. Obviously, my daughter was turning two at the time,” he explained. “Not to say I was done with football, but I just wanted to spend time with my family.”

It was a perhaps unexpected thing that rekindled the flame.

Many veteran players dread the grind of training camp, assembling in some far-flung location during the dog days of summer just to start the hard hitting and heavy lifting once again.

For Hankins, though, he says his 11th training camp- his first with the Cowboys in California- was nothing short of a revelation.

“It was amazing,” he explained. “I was able to bring my family to to Oxnard. We stayed at a resort, so in between just grinding for football, trying to build that chemistry, I was still able to get some time away from football while being in training camp to hang out with my family, take my daughter to the beach, go out to eat. Just that experience- being there, the way Jerry Jones set up everything- it was top of the line.”

But it was his Cowboys teammates who finally made it all click.

“Being with Law, being with Micah, D.A., Osa,” he recalled, “it really lit another fire under me.”

That fire burned on the field, too. With Hankins in the huddle for nearly one-third of the team’s defensive snaps, the 2023 Cowboys run defense allowed almost 300 fewer rushing yards than the previous season. The worst outing for the D-line (266 rushing yards surrendered to Buffalo) just happened to be the first game all season that Hankins missed, due to injury. And he served as a yearlong mentor for younger interior linemen like Chauncey Golston and first-round rookie Mazi Smith.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

There’s still work to be done, however, with plenty of questions surrounding the Dallas defense and its personnel, on both the field and the sideline.

Hankins hopes he’ll be there to keep chipping away at that unfinished business.

“Is this the last time you’re going to see Big Hank?” he asked. “I don’t think so. I’ll definitely be back. Speaking with the Cowboys, speaking with Mike [McCarthy] and the staff, obviously I’m still playing at a high level, and I still want to continue to play but I’m a free agent. I think I brought some good value to this team… I still got something left in the tank.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[mm-video type=video id=01hmrr68dpbw680grty7 playlist_id=01eqbwens7sctqdrqg player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01hmrr68dpbw680grty7/01hmrr68dpbw680grty7-66adfc43461a82125707040500067966.jpg]

[lawrence-newsletter]