The Seattle Defense Deep Dive

[32BellyOption]

I'm not sure there is going to be an impact player at an impact position at 12, and obviously 12 gets you a lot more draft capital than 20.

I’d have a hard time passing on Styles, Delane or McCoy.

 

[Gambit]

Good post.

One thing that keeps getting misunderstood is the Seahawks’ defensive structure. A lot of people still label it as a 4–3, but that’s not really accurate. What they actually run is an odd front out of nickel, paired with a two‑high shell. It’s much closer to a Fangio‑style structure than a traditional 4–3.

They almost always show Cover 2 before the snap. From there, they rotate into different looks post‑snap — Cover 6, Cover 1, man, and quarters. Nickel is their base defense, and they stay in it even on early run downs.

The system works because of how they deploy their safeties. You have two deep safeties, plus a third safety who basically replaces a linebacker. That player has to do everything — blitz, cover tight ends, play the run, and slide out to nickel when needed. In Seattle, that role is filled by Emanwori, and it’s the same type of role Kyle Hamilton plays for the Ravens. It’s very similar to how the Cowboys once used Darren Woodson as a true do‑everything defender.

Eberflus ran a very similar structure to what Pete Carroll used in Seattle. Parker, though, leans even more into the two‑high shell and mixes coverages. His defense is closer to what Mike Macdonald runs — a blend of Cover 6, quarters, Cover 1, and man, all tied together with constant disguise and post‑snap movement.

Because of that, it’s not unrealistic to think Dallas could get similar results. This kind of defense doesn’t require elite draft picks across the board. What it really needs are smart, athletic DBs and versatile safeties who can handle modern, rotating coverages.

That’s why I think Parker is a great fit for this job. If the Cowboys commit to getting the right DBs and safeties, this system can work at a high level without having to blow up the roster.

First great reply, said better thn I could have but its nearly exactly my same thoughts.

To add to it, The LB are important part of their D. They sort of 1 1/12 coverage. Not too much different from synchronized activities their LB play is thing of beauty in those zones.

I really do agree that the D we will look to employ will be similar. I offer up Haulcy as a great piece if we miss out on Downs.

 

[js66]

I’d have a hard time passing on Styles, Delane or McCoy.

I'm no college football pro but saw McCoy listed at 5'11 and an ACL injury. Saw there were saw medical questions, not sure if that is true or not.
Delane I agree with. 6'1" and they mentioned he was a 4 year starter. We need a CB, I'm just hoping there is depth and have high hopes for Bland and Revel. Styles I liked the size and speed. Off ball LB at 12 though? He has 9 career sacks and just 1 last year. That's not his game. I could see taking him if you just think he's a perennial all pro tackling machine. Top half of the first round I'm usually more comfortable with 10+ sack DE, 1,000 yd WR, starting QB etc. though but I get the intrigue for sure.

 

[big dog cowboy]

34 year old guy that never coached a defense versus a well regarded defensive coach that was so good in Indy he got a HC job.

He was so good the Cowboys defense gave up 30 points a game. The worst in team history.

I'll gladly take my chances with Parker. He literally couldn't do worse.

 

[BobSacamano]

Good post.

One thing that keeps getting misunderstood is the Seahawks’ defensive structure. A lot of people still label it as a 4–3, but that’s not really accurate. What they actually run is an odd front out of nickel, paired with a two‑high shell. It’s much closer to a Fangio‑style structure than a traditional 4–3.

They almost always show Cover 2 before the snap. From there, they rotate into different looks post‑snap — Cover 6, Cover 1, man, and quarters. Nickel is their base defense, and they stay in it even on early run downs.

The system works because of how they deploy their safeties. You have two deep safeties, plus a third safety who basically replaces a linebacker. That player has to do everything — blitz, cover tight ends, play the run, and slide out to nickel when needed. In Seattle, that role is filled by Emanwori, and it’s the same type of role Kyle Hamilton plays for the Ravens. It’s very similar to how the Cowboys once used Darren Woodson as a true do‑everything defender.

Eberflus ran a very similar structure to what Pete Carroll used in Seattle. Parker, though, leans even more into the two‑high shell and mixes coverages. His defense is closer to what Mike Macdonald runs — a blend of Cover 6, quarters, Cover 1, and man, all tied together with constant disguise and post‑snap movement.

Because of that, it’s not unrealistic to think Dallas could get similar results. This kind of defense doesn’t require elite draft picks across the board. What it really needs are smart, athletic DBs and versatile safeties who can handle modern, rotating coverages.

That’s why I think Parker is a great fit for this job. If the Cowboys commit to getting the right DBs and safeties, this system can work at a high level without having to blow up the roster.

I expect to see Markquese Bell featured pretty good next year as that 3rd safety.

He has experience at safety and LB and was pretty good as a LB at his weight.

 

[js66]

I already mentioned I like the bigger secondary players, I like the Dan Quinn / Legion of Boom type. Maybe some here could give me some insight on a few of the players I've been tracking? Many of them fit that profile or have some sort of hybrid versatility that I find valuable. I generally don't see them mocked early. I mostly see them in the top 100 but outside of the first round.

I'm going strictly off brief scouting reports and physical makeup so it wouldn't shock me if there isn't some good fits here but if anyone has any info it would be appreciated. I just wonder if 4-5 second or third rounders could really help rebuild this defense more than 2 firsts.

Chris Johnson CB San Diego State Height: 6 - 0 Weight: 190 lbs
Julian Neal CB Arkansas Height: 6 - 1 Weight: 202 lbs
Davison Igbinosun CB Ohio State Height: 6 - 2 Weight: 192 lbs
Will Lee III CB Texas A&M Height: 6 - 2 Weight:190 lbs
Treydan Stukes CB Arizona Height: 6 - 2 Weight: 198 lbs
Devin Moore CB Florida Height: 6 - 3 Weight: 198 lbs
Tacario Davis CB Washington Height: 6 - 3 Weight: 190 lbs

A.J. Haulcy S LSU Height: 5 - 11 Weight: 215 lbs
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S Toledo Height: 6 - 3 Weight: 209 lbs
Kamari Ramsey S USC Height: 6 - 0 Weight: 199 lbs
Genesis Smith S Arizona Height: 6 - 2 Weight: 204 lbs
Jalon Kilgore S South Carolina Height: 6 - 1 Weight: 211 lbs

Deontae Lawson LB Alabama Height: 6 - 2 Weight: 239 lbs
Lander Barton LB Utah Height: 6 - 4 Weight: 233 lbs
Harold Perkins Jr. LB LSU Height: 6 - 1 Weight: 225 lbs

 

[js66]

I expect to see Markquese Bell featured pretty good next year as that 3rd safety.

He has experience at safety and LB and was pretty good as a LB at his weight.

Me too... I've always been a fan. He's the prototype I like. I'm still mad we lost Nahshon Wright

 

[Whyjerry]

He was so good the Cowboys defense gave up 30 points a game. The worst in team history.

I'll gladly take my chances with Parker. He literally couldn't do worse.

Did I say he was good in Dallas? Learn to read better.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Also a good post.

I don't have enough time on my hands to be watching a ton of college football or do much draft research but I've been trying to dig into some of the available defensive players. Mostly looking at CB's and S's. I did a little research on LBers as well. I think most of the effective pass rushing DE's will go very early, I'm not sure what will be available later.

This year’s draft is deep at cornerback and safety, which is why I think trading back is the smart move. My dream picks would be Aveion Terrell and Theineman. Then, if we somehow get a second- or third-round pick, I’d take Daylen Everette or Deangelo Ponds.

Those three, along with a few other lower-picked corners, could really fix our defense almost instantly.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Hot take-- I don't think the Seahawks were that great on defense and we shouldn't try to glean any roster building lessons from them.

I think the Seahawks defense was really good, yes, but ultimately benefitted from a down year for offensive powerhouses. For example, the one obviously good offense they played (The Rams) averaged 28pts across three games.

So no, I wouldn't trade back to get more resources. I would try to fill voids at DE, LB, and CB in FA, and then take the best players you can get with picks 12 and 20.

In other words ina down year of offensive power houses, our defense sucking so bad is even worse than it seemed....

We sucked that bad

 

[Nova]

In other words ina down year of offensive power houses, our defense sucking so bad is even worse than it seemed....

We sucked that bad

Yes wholeheartedly believe that

 

[Verdict]

Coaching matters. Parker > Flus.

Just changing DC's and asst's makes the Cowboys defense better.

I have said this before—even if we ran it back with the exact same players we would not be nearly as bad as we were last year. Change out your two worst defenders for even competent help you are out of the cellar and closer to middle of the pack.

 

[Verdict]

I expect to see Markquese Bell featured pretty good next year as that 3rd safety.

He has experience at safety and LB and was pretty good as a LB at his weight.

According to the talking heads—Bell will probably be gone as he is not the type of safety we are looking for. Take that for what it’s worth.

 

[Momanpr100]

In my opinion, I feel the Super Bowl was more bad offense instead of good defense. Both offenses was bad.

 

[gtb1943]

In my opinion, I feel the Super Bowl was more bad offense instead of good defense. Both offenses was bad.

the defenses made the offenses look bad

 

[kramskoi]

I apologize for the long read.... but was hoping for some in depth conversation on building a defense.

Since the SEA defense dominated the Patriots in the Super Bowl they're gotten a lot of praise. I knew the D was good, knew a few names, but wanted to look at why are they so good. Who made up the defense, can it be somewhat copied and what would that take. How much of it is Mike MacDonald? Hoping for good discussion here on if we could approach a defense like this.


The players. I took their starting depth chart from ESPN, and it gives a 12th player because of different alignments. This isn't every stat or note per player, just a couple comments.

LDE Demarcus Lawrence - we’re familiar. Now 33 yrs old. Good not great DE at this point.
LDT Byron Murphy 2024 - 1st rd, 16th overall, 7 sacks last year, No pro bowls
RDT Leonard Williams - 2015 1st rd 6th overall, traded for a 2nd and 5th round picks, 3 pro bowls, now 31
RDE Derick Hall - 2023 2nd rd, 37th overall, 2 sacks last year

WLB Uchenna Nwosu - 2018 2nd rd, 48th overall, 7 sacks last year, 10 total in last 3 years, no pro bowls, 29
MLB Ernest Jones - 2021 3rd rd, 103 overall, traded to SEA for odds and ends in 2024, 94 tackles 0.5 sacks
SLB Drake Thomas - 2023 undrafted, 96 tackles and 3.5 sacks, 13 tackles in 17 games in 2024

LCB Devon Witherspoon - 2023 1st rd, 5th overall. 3 pro bowls, 2 interceptions in his career.
SS Coby Bryant - 2022 4th rd, 109th overall. 2 sacks and 7 ints for his career. No pro bowls
FS Julian Love - 2023 4th rd, 108th overall. 10th safety picked that year. Signed as $6M FA, Pro Bowler 2023
RCB Josh Jobe - 2022 undrafted, 2 ints in his career
NB Nick Emmanwori - 2025 2nd rd 35th pick. 2.5 sacks, 1 INT.


After compiling all of this, I have to say I was not overly impressed with the defense on paper. I know they're good, I know they're all talented but this isn't a defense stocked with hall of famers. I was a little surprised looking at the roster. A couple things I noticed
1) No single premier pass rusher. No perennial 10+ sack guy.
2) No turnover machine in the secondary
3) Only three former 1st rd picks, one of those three was traded for a 2nd and 5th. This isn't a bounty of early round picks

A couple stats
7 Sacks led their team. Nwosu, Williams and Murphy all had 7. Clowney had 8 for us.
Lawrence led them in TFL with 11, Clowney had 12 to lead us. Total TFLs were 89-83 for Seattle


Team Stats and Comparisons

Scoring
SEA was 1st in point against with 17.2, we were 32nd at 30.1.
SEA tied for 7th in pass TD’s allowed, we were 31st
SEA was 2nd in rushing TD’s allowed, we were tied for 32nd.


Yardage
SEA was 3rd in rush yards against, we were 23rd.
SEA was 10th is pass yards allowed, we were dead last at 32nd.
SEA was 6th in total yards surrendered per game we were 30th.
SEA was 9th in defensive pass completion, we were tied for 29th.

SEA was 1st in yds/rec surrendered, we were tied for 29th.
SEA was 1st in yds/Att surrendered, we were tied for 30th.


Turnovers
SEA was 5th with 18 INT’s, we were tied for 29th with 6.
SEA was 6th in takeaways, we were 30th.
SEA had a negative turnover differential at -3. They were tied for 19th. We were tied for 29th at -9.


Big Plays
SEA was tied for 10th in pass plays over 20+ yards, we were tied for 27th.
SEA was tied for 15th in pass plays over 40+ yards, we were last at 32nd.
SEA was tied for 7th in sacks with 47, we were tied for 22nd with 35.


Immediate thoughts... As currently constructed we were brutal. We all know that, but looking at their roster and how it was built I don't see a quick turn around being impossible. I think through the draft and free agency you could add to our core and get something somewhat similar at least on paper. I don't see this level of individual talent unattainable. This looks like solid talent and great scheme and coaching. Could Christian Parker be 75% of Mike MacDonald? How much of their roster is brotherhood and culture?

Tell me I'm nuts... what do you guys think and what would you do to get there? As a starter, I'm signing Pickens to keep the offense intact and depending on FA trading back in the 1st if it makes sense, maybe out of one or both of the 1sts, adding picks and drafting D almost exclusively if possible.

Thoughts?

Certainly no one on the Seattle line could be considered a "generational talent". Two guys are on their second team. More middle rounders than you would think before you looked under the hood. The Cowboys had four years to build around Parsons. Four years to win a superbowl with him. They never even got close. So the traditional and conventional reliance on elite rushers to build around seems questionable...at least for the Cowboys.

Maybe build the thing from the inside out...DT, LB, Safety, cornerback.

This is why I don't buy trading Pickens for Crosby. I wouldn't be trading back either. I don't believe that the Cowboys draft board will be wiped out by pick 12. That pick you DEFINITELY have to get right. The history of the Cowboys' second rounders isn't all that great. I don't think volume will replace quality in this situation. You need the surest things there are as first rounders. Delane, Styles, Allen, Thieneman types. You can go FA for any other needs post-draft. You need the first rounders...and you need them to start if possible.

 

[kramskoi]

the defenses made the offenses look bad

Part of it...but remember...the Rams hung a total of 1,060 yards on the Seahawk defense in the final two contests. Maye seemed completely overwhelmed. I didn't expect him to produce the type of game he did. I didn't expect them to win but his performance was shocking at times. Even the announcers were beginning to wonder if they would actually be the first team to ever be shut out in a Superbowl. Seattle has a good defense but they are NOT the LOB circa 2012-2014.

 

[kramskoi]

Also a good post.

I don't have enough time on my hands to be watching a ton of college football or do much draft research but I've been trying to dig into some of the available defensive players. Mostly looking at CB's and S's. I did a little research on LBers as well. I think most of the effective pass rushing DE's will go very early, I'm not sure what will be available later.

I didn't like the idea of a LB at 12, until I read Styles was an ex-safety. Now I'm a little intrigued. I don't know the ins and outs of the player but I immediately thought of his versatility. I like his size and versatility but I'd like to get a more impact position player at 12 maybe, not sure. Talking about versatility, I also came across Jalon Kilgore.

Jalon Kilgore... I've heard he is a 2nd day pick
At 6'1", 219 pounds, with sprawling length and charged-up explosion, he's taken reps at boundary CB, nickel, box safety, and field safety. Kilgore's versatility is a testament to his intelligence, vision, and football IQ -- all traits that he used in tandem with his physical gifts to rack up three TFLs, five INTs, and five PBUs in 2024.

The main reason I like the addition of Parker is what you mentioned. I think he'd move people around to disguise coverages to create pressure and confusion... I just hope it isn't our guys confused.

There were a lot of guys in the 2nd or 3rd that I thought were great value. I didn't think there was as much value in the first.

Dillon Thieneman...Safety...Oregon (300 tackles and 8 INTs with 1100 career snaps at FS and 700 in the box). 6-0, 205 lb...fast (4.44), versatile, great instincts. Not the greatest tackler but he is definitely a HIGH value guy. Getting him at #20 might not be so bad...especially with a good combine. He damn sure won't be there in the 4th for sure.

 

[kramskoi]

Hot take-- I don't think the Seahawks were that great on defense and we shouldn't try to glean any roster building lessons from them.

I think the Seahawks defense was really good, yes, but ultimately benefitted from a down year for offensive powerhouses. For example, the one obviously good offense they played (The Rams) averaged 28pts across three games.

So no, I wouldn't trade back to get more resources. I would try to fill voids at DE, LB, and CB in FA, and then take the best players you can get with picks 12 and 20.

Right. They surrendered 1,060 yards to the Rams in the final two games. I'm not a fan of trading back...even at 20. Get your board guys and fill the rest via FA. Hope that the combine pushes up some guys and help your 12 and 20.

I'm not doing BPA either. There's talk about WR, RB (Love) and OT but the Cowboys can't fall into that trap. This defense needs a real infusion of talent and high draft picks. The Cowboys' FA acquisitions on defense have been mostly a miss.

 

[Kwyn]

That’s seven first or second round picks. A pretty top heavy group

Cowboys have four starters drafted in first or second round and only two are likely for next year.

Williams, Fowler, Murray and Eze.