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Seattle Seahawks 2026 Defense: Unit Rankings & Outlook
Jul 3, 2026Raymond SummerlinSharp Football Analysis
Getting things ready
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The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview . In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview . With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Seattle Seahawks and preview how it might perform this season. Seattle Seahawks 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown The Seahawks fielded one of the best run defenses in the league in 2025, ranking first in yards allowed per carry to running backs (3.5) and top five in basically every important metric. The three primary contributors along the defensive line from last year are back. After just half a sack as a rookie, Byron Murphy recorded 7 last season. Leonard Williams also recorded 7 sacks with an 11.5% pressure rate, and he consistently made plays in the backfield against the run, finishing with 12 run stuffs. Jarran Reed worked in more of a rotational role, but he also contributed 2.5 sacks in 13 games. The Seahawks finished sixth in pressure rate (39.9%) last season while recording 47 sacks (7th). Seattle suffered one of their many losses on defense along the edge with Boye Mafe joining the Bengals in free agency. They do return Uchenna Nwosu, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Derick Hall, who all played important roles in the rotation last season, and they signed Dante Fowler late in free agency. Nwosu tied for the team lead with 7 sacks with a 13.5% pressure rate, and Lawrence was just behind with 6 sacks despite a slightly better 13.7% pressure rate. Lawrence was also a force against the run, tying for the team lead with 12 run stuffs. Seattle re-signed Drake Thomas this offseason, which keeps their linebacking corps intact heading into 2026. Ernest Jones led the group in snaps despite missing two games, finishing as a second-team All-Pro. Thomas showed well against the run, recording 10 run stuffs and a tackle on 17.6% of his run defense snaps. Tyrice Knight was better on his limited opportunities, recording a stuff on 5.0% of his run defense snaps. The Seahawks also shut down opposing passing games last year, finishing first in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0) and fifth in EPA allowed per pass attempt. Seattle suffered another big loss at cornerback with Riq Woolen joining the Eagles in free agency. Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe do return, and Nick Emmanwori will continue to chip in against slot receivers. Julian Neal was added to the corner room in the third round. Continuing the theme, the Seahawks lost Coby Bryant in free agency after he led the safety group in snaps last year. Julian Love, Nick Emmanwori, and Ty Okada are back, and Bud Clark was drafted in the second round. As mentioned above, Emmanwori is the do-it-all option in this safety room, playing closer to the line of scrimmage and covering the slot. Love struggled through injuries last season, playing just eight games in the regular season, but he was a starter in the playoffs. Okada got good experience last year as a result, playing 742 snaps in his first extended run of action in the NFL. This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview Order Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview to Get Penalty Analysis for All 32 NFL Teams Warren Sharp’s 600+ page full-color PDF, the 2026 Football Preview , is unlike anything you have read. Stunning visual…