2023 current contracts:

NOTE: This assessment is based on a 3-4 defense with defensive lineman playing 0-5 technique as DT or DE.

The Seahawks are thin on the defensive line with just Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, and Al Woods under contract. Bryan Mone suffered a late season ACL tear that likely also ended his 2023 season. Poona Ford and LJ Collier are free agents. Shelby Harris has looked great in the 3-4 DE spot, but at 31 years old he hasn’t looked $12M worth of great which is his 2023 cap hit. The Seahawks can save $9M against the salary cap by releasing Harris. Quinton Jefferson is having a solid year with 6 sacks and has come on strong toward the end of the season after some early struggles in the run game. Jefferson is worth keeping around for $6M to hold down one of the DE spots. Al Woods has been excellent at nose and has outplayed his contract. He seems likely to remain if he chooses to return for another season at 36 years old, but when considering his age and $3.7M possible cap savings, insurance is needed. There is no guaranteed money on the defensive line, so Seattle has some flexibility. The Seahawks will need to add youth, size, and athleticism to this group in order to improve their 30th ranked run defense.

Pro Bowl Free Agents: Javan Hargrave, JJ Watt, Fletcher Cox, Da’Ron Payne. Notable free agents: Dalvin Tomlinson, Taven Bryan, Zach Allen, Poona Ford, A’Shawn Robinson, Matt Ioannidis, David Onyemata, Kerry Hyder, Jarran Reed, Greg Gaines, Dremont Jones, Andrew Billings, Chris Wormley.

This free agent class contains plenty of quality starters to fill the group with young talent and veteran depth without spending draft picks. If you’re wondering about Poona, he is a penetrator, not a 2-gap lineman, at 5’11" he does not possess the required height and the length to be a 3-down player in a 3-4 defense. He should be an excellent signing for a 4-3 team, but there are several free agents better and cheaper for our new front. The good free agents will be signed early in free agency, so we’ll know what Seattle is thinking before the draft. Hargrave, Cox, and Watt don’t check the youth box and are likely out, especially at their high cost. Da’Ron Payne (26) is a perfect fit for the scheme and has fantastic film but he will be in the $13M-$15M apy range. Dalvin Tomlinson (29) is similar to Payne, probably in the $8M-$10M apy range. Good fits in the $5M-$8M range are Taven Bryan, A’Shawn Robinson, Matt Ioannidis, and Greg Gaines.

This draft class is deep in quality players on the defensive line; however, it doesn’t have many exceptional players. After watching film on each of these I have designated them into 3 categories: DL which means they can play 0-5 tech. These guys are the athletic beasts that terrorize the offensive line. Believe me you want one of those names below called on draft weekend, preferably two; DT can play 0-3, these are the 2-gapping monsters that can still provide solid pass rush up the middle; DE can play 2-5 technique. These are long, quick, and versatile big men that can anchor the guards in the run game and provide penetrating pass rush from a variety of spots. The draft round projections are the earliest pick that I would draft them if I was Pete Carroll or John Schneider (I maybe have as much football knowledge as a hair on their heads). NOTE: It is very early. The projections may change after the bowls, combine, and pro days.

DL: Jalen Carter (3+), Bryan Bresee (15+), Gervon Dexter (20+), Myles Murphy (25+), Jaquelin Roy (50+), Keeanu Benton (70+), Ruke Orhorhoro (120+), Kobie Turner (150+). DT: Mazi Smith (20+), Siaki Ika (30+), Nesta Silvera (50+), PJ Mustipher (60+), Keondre Coburn (120+) DE: Tuli Tuipulotu (25+), Byron Young (30+), Calijah Kancey (35+), Brandon Dorlus (40+), Colby Wooden (50+), Tyler Davis (75+), Karl Brooks (100+), Mike Morris (100+), Zacch Pickens (100+), Keion White (120+), Dante Stills (120+), Jaxon Player (130+), Dewayne Carter (130+), Adetomiwa Adawore (130+).

This game is won in the trenches, especially when you have DK Metcalf and Tariq Woolen roaming the outside. The Seahawks have to hit on their defensive line this offseason. The free agent market is bare at edge rusher so they can go big on the interior. Da’Ron Payne can be covered by the savings of releasing Al Woods and Shelby Harris, Payne can man the strongside end position for the next 5 years @ $75M w/$40M guaranteed. A’Shawn Robinson or Taven Bryan would be a much cheaper alternative to Payne. Releasing Bryan Mone would allow for $2.75M in savings to sign another nose tackle such as Justin Ellis or Jonathan Hankins.

The earliest pick so far in this series of articles was our native 2nd, so draft picks 5, 20ish, and 37 are still unused. This position group will definitely receive one of those picks, possibly 2 depending on what Seattle does in free agency. It’s possible Carter slides to 5, otherwise the players that I would love to hear called in their projected spot are Bryan Bresee, Mazi Smith, Tuli Tuipulotu, Gervon Dexter, Byron Young, or Siaki Ika, in that order. Seattle can likely trade back with their second 1st round pick, after Bresee is off the board, and still pick up any of those other players. If they don’t double up early then you can bet that Seattle will be drafting at least 2 more defensive linemen in the middle to late rounds. Any of the players on this list would be good fits in the defense and worth their projected draft spot.

The defensive line is likely to receive a significant makeover in 2023.