Here’s a daily position-by-position look at where things stand for the Seattle Seahawks heading into organized team activities, minicamp and training camp.
Linebackers
The Seahawks didn’t draft a linebacker this year. The three starters are outstanding, led by the anchor in the middle in Bobby Wagner, who was an All-Pro selection last season. But the team has to find quality depth after losing Malcolm Smith in free agency to the Oakland Raiders.
Middle linebackers: Starter -- Wagner. Backups: Brock Coyle, Quayshawn Nealy.
Wagner and Carolina’s Luke Kuechly are the premier MLBs in the NFL today. Wagner’s return from a turf toe injury last season was a major factor in the Seahawks' surge down the stretch to win the division title with six consecutive victories. Seattle wasn’t the same team without him, but the defense returned to form when Wagner came back.
Coyle, a rookie free agent last year, was one of the camp surprises just to make the team. Nealy could be an X factor here. The rookie free agent had an outstanding career at Georgia Tech. Like Wagner, he’s a very instinctive player and sure tackler.
Outside linebackers: Starters -- Bruce Irvin and K.J. Wright. Backups: Kevin Pierre-Louis, Mike Morgan, Eric Pinkins.
Irvin is not a happy camper these days after the Seahawks refused to pick up his 2016 option, which would have cost the team $7.8 million. Now he feels like he has something to prove, which may be a good thing. Irvin is coming off his best season, finally feeling comfortable at Sam linebacker. He posted 6.5 sacks in the regular season and two pick-six TDs. He also had two sacks in the postseason.
Wright is a top-10 outside linebacker who also can play in the middle. He's an excellent coverage linebacker who can run with running backs and tight ends.
But the Seahawks have a drop-off behind those two. Morgan is a veteran starting his fifth season and is one of the team’s top special-teams players. The coaches believe Pierre-Louis, a rookie last season out of Boston College, can make up for what they lost in Smith if KPL can stay healthy. He only played in four games last season.
Pinkins, a sixth-round pick last year from San Diego State, is moving from defensive back to the Sam linebacker spot. Pinkins is a big hitter who looked good in rookie minicamp and has excellent speed to rush off the edge.
The Seahawks also will take a long look at Mister Alexander, the former Houston Texan who played college football at Florida State.