Seahawks Position Preview: Linebackers
Seahawks Position Preview: Linebackers
Who are the new guys to replace Wagner & Brooks?
The Seahawks linebacker corps is not easy to describe in a positional preview. With head coach Mike Macdonald bringing over a complicated, adaptable and flexible defensive front from Baltimore to Seattle, describing the roles of the linebackers is better served on a site like this one. Or if you really want to dive in to the defense, watch Hawkblogger’s YouTube channel with videos like this one. Our preview will be a basic version of how linebackers will work in Seattle. Let’s call it a Commodore 64 version.
Linebackers
Projected starters: Jerome Baker (ILB), Tyrel Dodson (ILB), Boye Mafe (OLB), Uchenna Nwosu (OLB)
Likely on the roster: Tyrice Knight (ILB), Derrick Hall (OLB), Darrell Taylor (OLB)
Fighting for a spot: Jon Rhattigan (ILB), Patrick O’Connell (ILB)
The outside backers in the Seahawks 3-4 scheme carry different roles depending on the formation, the play call and what the offense is trying to do. Essentially, one of the outside backers will be a rusher and the other is responsible for run defense or pass coverage of running backs or tight ends (depending on the play call). In some ways, Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu will be filling a similar role as they did for Pete Carroll’s defense in 2023. However, Macdonald tries to create more complexity and confusion with his fronts so Mafe and Nwosu may be asked to do more in this system. For anyone who followed the Hawks in 2023, Nwosu’s value to this team can’t be understated. As Connor Benintendi outlines in this article, the Hawks were actually good against the run with Nwosu in the lineup before his injury. They were abysmal once he left. Combine Nwosu’s impact against the run with his 9.5 sacks in 2022 and it is clear how good he can be for the Hawks. His athleticism and skill at multiple levels from pass coverage to rush makes him one of my favorite Seahawks to watch in 2024. It will be fascinating to see his role in this new defense.
The inside linebackers are new and thankfully not injured anymore. The Hawks signed Tyrel Dodson from Buffalo where he finished 2023 as Pro Football Focus’ top ranked linebacker (above Fred Warner). Dodson only started 10 games last year which may have impacted his rating, but his flexibility caught the eye of the Seahawks front office. I watched him covering running backs and tight ends at Seahawks practice on Tuesday and he looked free and easy in that role. Both Dodson and Baker, signed from Miami, will be essential to this Seahawks defense. When you are watching games at home, it will appear that those two are the only players in the “second line” of defense when the ball is snapped. While the Hawks are technically running a 3-4, the outside backers will be closer to the line of scrimmage leaving Baker and Dodson to cover the middle of the field. Additionally, Seattle will run a lot of nickel coverage, taking advantage of Tre Brown, Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen (or even three safeties using Coby Bryant in a hybrid safety/corner role). In some ways, Baker and Dodson are the most important players on the Seahawks defense. If they perform, Seattle’s D can be a top 10 unit in the league. If they struggle, Ryan Grubb might need to come up with some more deep shots to DK Metcalf.
The depth at linebacker spot seems pretty clear. Maybe someone will emerge in camp as a contender to make the roster but Darrell Taylor and Derrick Hall seem pretty entrenched as the backups at the outside positions. Rookie Tyrece Knight will absolutely be on the roster as a back up inside. He will see a good amount of playing time as the Seahawks utilize his speed. I would expect Jon Rhattigan to make the roster as the other inside backer and maybe Patrick O’Connell as well, depending on how many linebackers they keep. If the Hawks only keep one of those two, Rhattigan has the edge right now but there is a lot of time until September 8th.