Analysis: Grades, Bold Predictions For Seahawks Defensive Positional Groups

The Seattle Seahawks are preparing for their new season. They take on the Denver Broncos next Monday night. Geno Smith will start at quarterback for Seattle. Pete Carroll is not worried about the expectations. The Seahawks have been winning 10 games a year for the last 20 years. The defensive groups are ranked according to their performance. There are also bold predictions for each position. It's a detailed rundown on starters and reserves.

Poona Ford, Al Woods and Shelby Harris are the starting defensive backs for the Seahawks.

Quinton Jefferson, Bryan Mone, Myles Adams are the Seahawks' defensive reserves.

The defensive tackle position is the most experienced on the Seattle roster. Seattle acquired Harris and Jefferson in the Wilson trade. Jefferson played his first four NFL seasons in Seattle. In the middle, Woods returns after a career year in 2021 as the starting nose tackle and Mone is another starter caliber player.

After a strong preseason, Adams will continue his upward trajectory leading Seattle's defensive tackles with 4.5 sacks.

Boye Mafe, Alton Robinson and Darryl Johnson are the Seahawks' defensive reserves.

Seahawks have played musical chairs with their outside pass rushers since trading Frank Clark away in 2018. Taylor produced 6.5 sacks last season and Nwosu will be 25 in 2021. Mafe flashed in his first preseason and should make an impact as a situational rusher. Robinson should play a lot of snaps if he's recovered from a PCL sprain.

Taylor will become the sixth defender during the Carroll era and first since 2018 to eclipse double-digit sacks.

The Seahawks defensive line is the most important position group. Last season, Brooks broke Seattle's franchise record with 184 tackles and earned an All-Pro vote. Cody Barton will finally have a chance to start after waiting for his turn as a key special teams player in his first three seasons. The team is hoping Jon Rhattigan will be back from the PUP list shortly after he's eligible in Week 5.

Brooks will surpass 150 tackles for the second straight season and earn Second-Team All-Pro honors.

Artie Burns, Mike Jackson, Coby Bryant, Justin Coleman, Isaiah Dunn are the Seahawks defensive starters.

There are questions at cornerback for the Seahawks heading into the new season. However, the team has a lot of hope thanks to the draft choices of Woolen and Bryant. Jones and Burns performed well last month when healthy. Jackson may have been the biggest surprise in camp at any position.

Bryant will be targeted a lot out of the slot after taking over for Coleman. He will lead all corners with three interceptions.

Josh Jones, Ryan Neal and Joey Blount are the Seahawks' defensive starters.

Adams and Diggs are back healthy after undergoing surgeries. They are one of the most versatile safety duos in the league. Jones has been a revelation in Seattle and could play a lot in sub packages. Neal is an integral special teams player and reliable asset on defense. Blount surprised by snagging a spot as an undrafted rookie.

Jones will pick off more passes than Adams.