:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65745992/usa_today_13405495.0.jpg)
The Seattle Seahawks parted ways with much maligned slot cornerback Jamar Taylor, making way for TE Ed Dickson to join the 53-man roster. Obviously that means someone else has to take his spot, and that’s none other than rookie Ugo Amadi.
Pete Carroll says rookie Ugo Amadi will play nickelback now that the Seahawks have waived Jamar Taylor. Quandre Diggs is another option there, having done that early in his career in Detroit.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) November 20, 2019
Amadi has scarcely played on defense this year, with most of his snaps coming in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He has been a quality gunner on special teams, so the former Oregon star has been able to contribute in other ways.
Seattle has been playing a game of “hide your cornerback” to combat the glaring weakness that has been the nickel spot. They have been in base defense about 68% of the time, which leads the NFL. Taylor proved to be a very inadequate replacement for Justin Coleman, who is thriving with the Detroit Lions as the league’s highest paid nickel corner.
Quandre Diggs, who had a stellar performance at free safety in his Seahawks debut against the San Francisco 49ers, also has experience playing nickel, which opens the door for potential three-safety looks that could reincorporate Marquise Blair back into the fold. Whatever happens schematically, the Seahawks secondary will look significantly different for the rest of this season.