Seahawks Stat Check: Defensive roster changes shake up pecking order

The Seattle Seahawks are nine weeks through their 17 game season. This means they are essentially halfway through the 2024 season. This would make for a good opportunity to look at a few different Seahawks defensive players and their individual stats so far and what they would be on pace for to finish the season. This will focus on players who are still active on the 53-man roster. Meaning, Tyrel Dodson will conspicuously not be discussed, nor will individuals placed on IR, such as Rayshawn Jenkins or Uchenna Nwosu. Additionally, any projected stats that end with a decimal will be rounded up if above .5. For example, 475.6 yards projected will round up to 476 yards projected. With all of that, let's get right to it.

Offensive player stat projections were discussed last week.

Jarran Reed (9 games)Current:

o 27 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss

Projected:

o 51 tackles, 4 sacks, 6 tackles for loss

Reed is on pace for one of his better seasons in the NFL. 51 tackles would be the fourth time he has surpassed 50 tackles, and four sacks would be his fourth best performance.

Johnathan Hankins (9 games)Current:

o 22 tackles, 4 tackles for loss

Projected:

o 42 tackles, 8 tackles for loss

Hankins' position of nose tackle is not known for putting up huge numbers statistically, however Hankins has still been a steady force in the middle of the defensive line despite the smaller number of snaps he receives.

Leonard Williams (8 games)Current:

o 21 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss

Projected:

o 40 tackles, 5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss

After signing the big extension this spring, Williams has shown that he is worth the price. Though 12s may be underwhelmed with the sack numbers, when watching the games, Williams is one of the more constant pressure points for opposing offenses.

Byron Murphy II (6 games)Current:

o 20 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss

Projected:

o 38 tackles, 1 sack, 4 tackles for loss

Statistically, Murphy has looked underwhelming, however lots of that may be due to the lack of pure pass rush opportunities the defense has been in, as well as his three games missed to injury. However, when on the field Murphy has shown flashes of being a dominant inside pass rusher and run defender. As a rookie, still learning the ropes of the NFL, the second half of the season should look even better.

Derick Hall (9 games):Current:

o 25 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 defensive touchdown

Projected:

o 47 tackles, 9 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 defensive touchdowns

Hall has arguably been the most impressive defender for Seattle this season. Even with a few rough decisions this season (specifically that late hit on Josh Allen), Hall has been the most consistent pass rusher and run defender within the front seven. Add on top of this, his fumble recovery for a touchdown, and two forced fumbles, Hall has shown the knack for big plays.

Boye Mafe (7 games)Current:

o 23 tackles, 4 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 1 pass defense, 1 forced fumble

Projected:

o 43 tackles, 8 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles

Mafe has shown the same flashes as he did last season, however, has at times disappeared in games. His lack of gaudy statistics is also due to his missing two games with injury. Like other front-seven players, these lacks of gaudy numbers may also be due to a lack of pure-pass rushing downs. If Mafe can stay healthy, and the Seahawks run defense can improve, Mafe will likely see better pass rushing stats this second half of the season.

Dre'Mont Jones (9 games)Current:

o 18 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 1 pass defense, 1 forced fumble

Projected:

o 34 tackles, 6 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles

Speaking of disappearing during games, Jones' big plays have seemingly come in bunches, while he has gone MIA for other parts of the games. Despite this negative outlook on Jones's season (and Seahawks career) if Jones were to maintain this pace, he would be in line for one of his stronger seasons; with six sacks marking his second best season and 34 tackles marking his third best season.

Tyrice Knight (8 games)Current:

o 23 tackles, 1 tackle for loss

Projected:

o 43 tackles, 2 tackles for loss

Barring injury, Knight's projections are very likely to be lower than his final season total. In the first nine games, Knight only started 2 of them. Making much of his stats up to his point having come from special teams and small defensive packages. Moving into the second half of the season, Knight is in line to be a starter once again with the surprise cut of Tyrel Dodson, and trade of Jerome Baker. Expect these numbers for Knight to increase significantly.

Ernest Jones IV (6 games with Tennessee, 2 games with Seattle)Current with Seattle:

o 24 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defense

Current with Seattle and stats from Tennessee:

o 68 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 passes defensed

Projected (based off first 8 games with Tennessee and Seattle):

o 128 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 6 passes defensed

It wouldn't be fair to only give Jones statistical credit for his two games with Seattle, so this projection includes his time in Tennessee. Had Jones started the season with the Seahawks he likely would be the team leader in tackles, however his stats in Tennessee won't count towards that. Despite this, if Jones were to finish the season at the current projections, this would be his second-best season statistically in tackles, tackles for loss, and tied for his best season in passes defensed. It wouldn't be surprising to see him eclipse these projections based off his performances in his first two games with Seattle.

Julian Love (9 games)Current:

o 65 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 4 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble

Projected:

o 123 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 8 passes defensed, 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles

Earlier it was mentioned that Derick Hall was arguably the most impressive defender for Seattle. However, Julian Love may have to fight Hall for that honor. Love has been the most consistent for defender for Seattle though. Love earned a Pro Bowl nod last season with 123 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 10 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and four interceptions. If Love reaches these projected stats for 2024, he very likely could earn his second straight Pro Bowl nod.

Coby Bryant (9 games)Current:

o 28 tackles, 3 passes defensed, 1 interception

Projected:

o 53 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 2 interceptions

Bryant started the season as a backup and special teams' player before starting the last three games. This is why his numbers have been deflated, and why his final 2024 stats will likely be much higher if he stays healthy. If this doesn't happen and Bryant maintains his current pace, 2024 will still end up being his best season statistically.

Devon Witherspoon (9 games)Current:

o 51 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 3 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble

Projected:

o 96 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 6 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles

Many 12s have argues that Witherspoon is in a sophomore slump. The stats may show that as well as Witherspoon has not had any sacks or interceptions and is lagging behind his 2023 pace in tackles for loss and passes defensed. However, Witherspoon has still been impressive in single coverage this season. According to PFF , Witherspoon has only a 42.9% completion rate allowed, and 57.1 passer rating allowed. Regardless, Witherspoon's unique talents of blowing up plays behind the line of scrimmage have lacked. Hopefully these big plays, which often come in bunches, will increase in the second half of the season.

Riq Woolen (7 games)Current:

o 18 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 2 interceptions

Projected:

o 34 tackles, 11 passes defensed, 4 interceptions

Woolen has not popped the stat sheet in tackles, which isn't surprising, as that is not his strength. However, he has been very impressive in coverage, with 6 passes defensed and 2 interceptions in just seven games. Similar to the front seven, if the Seahawks can improve their run defense, and force opposing offenses into obvious passing situations, not only will the pass-rush have more opportunities, but so will the ball-hawking defensive backs, like Woolen.

Josh Jobe (3 games)Current:

o 17 tackles, 4 passes defensed, 1 interception

Projected:

o 32 tackles, 8 passes defensed, 2 interceptions

Jobe has impressed in only three games this season, and one game starting. To have four passes defensed and an interception in that time span is eye-opening. In comparison, Devon Witherspoon has one less pass defense and one less interception in nine games. This is likely why Jobe was activated and has essentially taken Tre' Brown's starting job. Time will tell if Jobe can keep this up, or if his honeymoon phase is over.