State of the Seahawks: Defense

Photo: Rob Carr, Getty Images Defensive end Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates...

The Seattle Seahawks' defense has been the team's trademark over the past few seasons, and 2015 was no different -- but there may be changes coming soon.

Seattle's defenders led the league in fewest points allowed in 2015, becoming the first team in the Super Bowl era to accomplish that feat four seasons in a row. It's been an undeniably historic run for the Seahawks' defense, but the magnitude of talent they've acquired since 2011 necessitates attrition.

This year, the "Legion of Boom" and Co. will face the possible losses of a few starters via free agency. But a couple of others dissatisfied with their current contracts could also cause some problems for the team this offseason.

Check out our position-by-position analysis in the second part of our "State of the Seahawks" update to see what the future holds for the unit. You can check out the first part here.

Note: Positions on defense can be a little bit more fluid than on offense, so when in doubt, we've used the Seahawks' official roster as our guide.

DEFENSIVE END

Under contract: Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett (pictured), Frank Clark, Cassius Marsh

Free agent: Demarcus Dobbs (unrestricted) DEFENSIVE END

Under contract: Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett (pictured), Frank Clark, Cassius Marsh

Free agent: Demarcus Dobbs (unrestricted) Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close State of the Seahawks: Defense 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

DEFENSIVE END

Under contract: Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, Frank Clark, Cassius Marsh

Free agent: Demarcus Dobbs (unrestricted)

At first glance, the Seahawks seem pretty set here, with Bennett signed through 2017 and Avril signed through 2018. But Bennett has been angling for a new deal since almost immediately after signing a four-year contract in 2014, and there is some thought that his not-so-subtle demands could result in an early departure from Seattle. That wouldn't be an easy decision for the team after he played like one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL in 2015.

Avril, while not quite as versatile or impactful as Bennett, is rock solid. He'd be the best player on a lot of defensive lines in the league. Clark showed promise in his rookie season and seems like the eventual replacement for Bennett when the time comes. Marsh, meanwhile, seems more suited for a hybrid LB/DE role in Seattle's defense. We'll discuss him more later. For now, this seems like a spot that could use some depth.

Need: Moderate





DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Under contract: Justin Hamilton (futures), Jordan Hill, DeAngelo Tyson (futures)

Free agent: A.J. Francis (exclusive rights), Brandon Mebane (unrestricted), Ahtyba Rubin (unrestricted), Jesse Williams (restricted)

Veteran starters Mebane and Rubin are unrestricted free agents this offseason after helping the Seahawks lead the league in run defense last season. General manager John Schneider seemingly needs to bring at least one of them back. Rubin is two years younger and could come slightly cheaper than Mebane, so we'll give him the edge.

Jordan Hill would seemingly move into a starting role if one or both of Mebane or Rubin depart via free agency, but his inability to stay on the field has to be a major concern. There's not a lot behind him, making defensive tackle a major need in the offseason. With a strong crop of college players at the position, this could be a prime position to spend a first-round pick on.

Need: Very high





LINEBACKER

Under contract: Brock Coyle, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Josh Shirley (futures), Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright

Free agent: Bruce Irvin (unrestricted), Nick Moody (restricted), Mike Morgan (unrestricted), Eric Pinkins (exclusive rights)

With Wagner and Wright locked into long-term extensions through 2019 and 2018, respectively, Irvin is the name to watch here. The 2012 first-round pick hasn't always been a consistent playmaker for the Seahawks, but he's developed from a one-dimensional pass-rusher into a solid strongside linebacker. With pass-rushing talent at a premium in the league (look at what Denver was able to do in the AFC championship game), expect some team to open its wallet for Irvin.

There was once a thought that Pierre-Louis would move into the weakside spot while Wright transitioned to the strongside in Irvin's absence. But after Wright put together a 2015 campaign that should have earned him All-Pro consideration, moving him doesn't seem to make sense. That could open the door for Marsh to replace Irvin as the team's starting SAM linebacker, a role he looked suited for last year.

Moody, Morgan and Pinkins are all special teams contributors the team would like to see back, though our hunch is that only two will return.

Need: Low





CORNERBACK

Under contract: George Farmer (futures), Stanley Jean-Baptiste (futures), Trovon Reed (futures), Richard Sherman, Tharold Simon, Tye Smith,

Free agent: Marcus Burley (exclusive rights), Jeremy Lane (unrestricted), Mohammed Seisay (exclusive rights)

What we know: Richard Sherman has one starting spot locked up. What we don't know: Anything else, really. The Cary Williams experiment failed after less than a season, so it looks like the team's other outside starting job is as open as any position on the team. Lane and DeShawn Shead (listed on team's roster as a safety) split duties at the end of the season and performed well. Seattle would like to have both back next season.

But even if they re-signed both, any one of the players under contract (with the exception of perhaps Trovon Reed) could potentially be a starter in 2016. Farmer was name-dropped by Pete Carroll at his end-of-year presser as one to watch. Jean-Baptiste was a former highly regarded second-round pick whose measurables are ideal for the Seahawks' system. Simon is coming off of toe surgery, and Smith is a 2015 draft pick who should challenge for a larger role in his second year with the team.

Need: High





SAFETY

Under contract: Kam Chancellor, Kelcie McCray, Robert Smith (futures), Earl Thomas

Free agent: DeShawn Shead (exclusive rights), Steven Terrell (exclusive rights)

Chancellor's unresolved holdout looms large over this group, as does his injury history over the past two seasons. If the 27-year-old is still upset with the four-year, $28 million contract extension he signed in 2013, there's a pretty good chance the team tries to move him in the offseason. That would leave McCray, who filled in admirably during Chancellor's injury absence in the last month of the season, as the presumed short-term replacement.

Whatever happens, this is a group that needs some depth, so expect them to bring Shead and Terrell back, particularly given their special teams contributions.

Need: Moderate





SPECIALISTS

Under contract: LS Andrew East (futures), LS Clint Gresham, K Steven Hauschka

Free agent: P Jon Ryan (unrestricted)

Hauschka is signed through next season and Gresham the year after that, so they both seem set for the time being.

Ryan, however, is another story. After being one of the league's most consistent punters for years, Ryan took a downturn in 2015, ranking 29th in the NFL in net punt average. That can largely be explained by the fact the Seahawks allowed an NFL-worst 13.3 yards per punt return. How much of that is directly attributable to Ryan is up for debate, but at 34, he can't come cheap anymore, and the Seahawks may look to save some salary cap space by taking a look at a younger, less expensive option. Still, don't be surprised if the "Ginga Ninja" is back in 2016.

Need: Low to moderate

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