RENTON — Darrell Taylor may not realize it yet but his arrival in Seattle comes with a certain level of expectations.
In previous drafts, whenever general manager John Schneider made an aggressive move to trade up in the second or third rounds, it’s turned out to be a smart move. Tyler Lockett, Jarran Reed, DK Metcalf were the three previous picks Seattle made after trading up on the second day.
Taylor became the latest to fall into that category when Seattle jumped last week to select the Tennessee pass rusher in the second round. He was one of two defensive ends taken by Seattle, along with fifth-round pick Alton Robinson out of Syracuse.
Coupled with the free agent signings of Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa, the four edge rushers represent Seattle’s efforts this offseason to solve its biggest issue from a year ago when getting pressure on the quarterback was a major problem.
But are the four new additions enough to help the Seahawks or are there more moves still needed in order to adequately bolster the position?
“We really did look at the issue of we weren’t happy with the production of our pressure that we put on last year and so we went after it,” coach Pete Carroll said. “Every move that we’ve made has addressed that and I think that we have the depth that can really help us keep guys fast and fresh and get a really good rotation going.”
There’s good reason Carroll and his staff were displeased with the pass rush a year ago.
Seattle was next-to-last in the NFL last season with 28 sacks. Rasheem Green led the team with four.
After Jadeveon Clowney was injured midseason and played the latter half of the year with a core muscle injury, the pass rush became even more spotty.
Addressing the position had to be a priority and in Seattle’s mind, the mix of two rookies and two vets might be enough. All four fit the prototype for the LEO position in Seattle’s defense as an edge rusher.
Irvin and Mayowa had 15½ sacks last season combined with Carolina and Oakland, respectively, giving Seattle a base to work from.
Seahawks officials believe that if not for a stress fracture that required surgery after the season, Taylor could have been a first-round pick. Taylor didn’t work out at the NFL combine and the COVID-19 pandemic limited his in-person visits. Seattle was one of the few places he was able to visit.
“It’s exciting because they traded up to get me so that means they must’ve really wanted me and I think I can’t thank them enough for it,” Taylor said after the draft. “I’m just ready to get to work, I’m excited they picked me to be their pass rusher.”
The Seahawks felt fortunate Robinson was still available in the fifth round. After a stellar junior season during which Robinson had 10 sacks for Syracuse, he regressed as a senior and finished with just 4½ sacks in 12 games.
Getting Robinson with the 148th pick felt like a steal for the Seahawks.
“He’s got the ability and the production to do stuff like guys that were picked quite a bit higher,” Carroll said. “We were fortunate to get that done.”
Gordon, Fuller signed
Seattle on Friday officially signed five rookie free agents, including quarterback Anthony Gordon from Washington State and wide receiver Aaron Fuller from Washington.
Gordon set a Pac-12 record with 48 touchdown passes for the Cougars last season. For now, Gordon is the only other quarterback on the Seahawks roster besides $140 million Russell Wilson.
It is unlikely to stay that way. Cam Newton is among the former starting quarterbacks still available in free agency.
The 5-foot-11 Fuller led the Huskies in receptions in 2018 and again last season. He was also UW’s primary punt returner.
The Seahawks also signed as rookie free agents offensive tackle Tommy Champion from Mississippi State, defensive end Eli Mencer from Albany and defensive back Debione Renfroe.
