Are the Seahawks looking for a linebacker?

RENTON — The 2013 Seattle Seahawks will return almost all of their starters from last year’s playoff team, one of the many reason why they are expected to be one of the best teams in the NFL this fall.

One starter who is currently unsigned, and unlikely to come back, is longtime weakside linebacker Leroy Hill. Just how much of a need the Seahawks have at that position heading into this week’s draft, however, depends on what head coach Pete Carroll and his defensive coaching staff are planning.

Carroll is a defensive coach, so he has a vision of his ideal defense to be sure, but what Carroll is not is a stubborn coach who demands players fit into his system. Instead, Carroll has had success in the college ranks, and has built one of the NFL’s best defenses because he is willing to tweak and tinker with his scheme to get the most out of the talent on his roster. Did Carroll’s previous defenses employ a 330-pound end without much pass rushing ability on one side of his line? No, but he saw a role that would get the most out of Red Bryant, and make Seattle’s run defense stronger, so Bryant was moved from tackle to end and into the starting lineup in 2010. Every player in Seattle’s vaunted secondary has a trait or two that makes them different from the NFL “ideal” at that position. Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner don’t have the sub-4.4 speed most NFL teams like in cornerbacks. Free safety Earl Thomas is a little undersized, and strong safety Kam Chancellor doesn’t have the elite cover skills of a smaller safety — yet put together they make up the best back four in the league.

Which brings us back to the vacancy at weakside linebacker. The Seahawks have Malcolm Smith, who started three games last year. Korey Toomer, who spent last season on the practice squad, is a player the Seahawks hope can develop. And there are certainly options in the draft if the Seahawks want to address that position this week. On a conference call, NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock brought up Connecticut’s Sio Moore as a possibility for the Seahawks at pick No. 56. And as the picks of K.J. Wright (fourth round) and Smith (seventh round) showed in 2011, the Seahawks can find linebackers on the final day of the draft. So finding a starter is possible even in the final few rounds. Perhaps defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who spent the last two years running the University of Florida defense, convinces Carroll to use a third-day pick on a former Gator like Jelani Jenkins or Lerentee McCray.

But another possibility is that Carroll and company just decide to tweak things if it means getting their best personnel on the field as often as possible. The signings of Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett gives Seattle a ton of depth at defensive end once Chris Clemons is healthy, and Avril has experience playing linebacker.

“I think that is something that the coaching staff continues to work through as they try to figure out how they’re going to implement a guy and accentuate their strengths,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said when asked about the versatility of his defensive ends.

Avril might not be as good in coverage as Smith, but if putting Avril at linebacker, at least part time, gets the Seahawks another double-digit sack player on the field more often, you better believe Carroll is considering that as an option.

“He’s a guy over the last couple of years that has had 20 sacks, been very productive as an edge player so we’re really excited to add him in,” Carroll said after the Seahawks signed Avril. “He’s got definite pass-rush ability as a featured rusher. He’s also played linebacker in his past and done a lot of dropping over the years so he gives us a real flexible athlete that we can fit in in a number of different ways. … We went way back even to his college days — there’s plenty of film, even in ‘09, when he’s done a lot of stuff when he’s been in space dropping and all that so we’ve had the chance to evaluate all that.”

And here’s another thing to consider when it comes to linebacker — when the Seahawks go to their five-defensive-back nickel package, only two linebackers are on the field. If newly-signed cornerback Antoine Winfield is anything close to the player he was last year, it will be tempting for the Seahawks to play more nickel in this pass-happy era. Especially when you consider that Winfield is very strong against the run, which helps negate the lack of a third linebacker on the field.

None of this is to say that the Seahawks will ignore linebacker in the draft. Even with the possibilities of playing Avril at linebacker or playing more nickel, the Seahawks will likely draft a linebacker or two, perhaps to find a starter, or maybe just for depth or special teams help. But the addition of two marquee players, despite the fact that they aren’t linebackers, along with Carroll’s flexibility, does mean the Seahawks won’t feel like they have a glaring need to address.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.