Last year was a tough year for Seattle Seahawks fans. From getting blown out by Baltimore, losing to San Francisco twice, and losing to the LA Rams twice. There were a couple bright sports, but things did not end up going Seattle’s way. A lot of the blame was put on the coaching, which is fair, but most teams were able to run all over the Seahawk defense.
The inside linebackers were good at sometimes, but at other times they were the problem. The Seahawks chose not to resign Bobby Wagner or Jordan Brooks. With Bobby Wagner, he is at the age where he has lost a step in the passing game, but not the run game where he led the league in combined tackles with 183.
While it is a possibility to see a reunion between Bobby and the Seahawks, there is a lot of talent still on the free agent market at middle linebacker. Jordan Brooks on the other hand has chose to sign a deal with the Miami Dolphins.
Is Devin White the Answer?
In the 2024 free agency, there is a lot of talent at the middle linebacker position, so Seattle will have to sign one if not two off-ball linebackers. With Patrick Queen signing with Pittsburgh, Devin White is another elite linebacker who could not come to terms with his old team before the free agency.
Former Buccaneer, Devin White, is an elite linebacker with the speed, the IQ, and experience to lead a defense in the NFL. Despite having a slow year last year due to injury, Devin has the capability to take the reins to a defense that badly needs a leader.
Is Willie Gay on the Radar?
When it comes to Linebacker in the NFL, speed is something that is needed to play both run and pass. Another middle linebacker that fits that mold is Willie Gay from the Kansas City Chiefs. He is one of the fastest linebackers in the NFL, and when he is on the field he makes a difference in the run and pass game. Gay is another linebacker that wasn’t the best on his team, and this could be his change to be the guy for Seattle.
Will the Seattle Seahawks Find a gem in the draft?
Seattle will have to sign at least one Free Agent middle linebacker before the 2024 draft. Seattle shouldn’t look to draft a middle backer given the other needs they have, but with recent draft history the Seahawks could potentially draft a linebacker in the first round again this year.
This middle linebacker class has a couple players that could make immediate impacts. There is one off-ball linebacker that stands out to a lot of people and that is Edgerrin Cooper from Texas A&M. He looks like a beast too, he is 6’3″ 230 lbs and ran 4.51 40 yard dash.
Seattle also has two 3rd round picks where it is possible that they do select a linebacker. A couple of other prospects with high potential are Marist Liufau from Notre Dame, Cedric Gray from UNC, and Payton Wilson from North Carolina State.
Payton Wilson might have had the best combine of any linebacker in the 2024 draft class. He had the fastest 40 times at the linebacker position running a 4.43. He is listed at 6’4″ 230lbs, and had an outstanding year last year for the Wolfpack. Totaling 138 tackles, 6 sacks, 3 interceptions, 6 passes broken up.