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Seattle Seahawks: 3 Early breakout candidates for 2019 season

By Samuel Teets

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 30: Jarran Reed #90 of the Seattle Seahawks sacks Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter at CenturyLink Field on December 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 30: Jarran Reed #90 of the Seattle Seahawks sacks Josh Rosen #3 of the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter at CenturyLink Field on December 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 14: Poona Ford #95 of the Texas Longhorns pursues Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half of a game at the Cotton Bowl on October 14, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 14: Poona Ford #95 of the Texas Longhorns pursues Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half of a game at the Cotton Bowl on October 14, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /

Poona Ford and Jarran Reed, DT

Reed already had a breakout season last year, but I believe he can go even higher in 2019 and that Ford will be a major benefactor of his success. Last season, in his third year, Reed upped his sack production from 1.5 in 2017 all the way up to 10.5. On top of his improved pass rushing, Reed has proven he’s a solid run defender as well. Reed recorded more combined tackles (50) than First-Team All-Pro Fletcher Cox (46).

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The areas that separated Cox and Reed are quarterback hits and quarterback hurries. Cox dominates Reed in those areas, and this provides us with the areas that Reed still has plenty of room to improve in. Reed has improved every year since he entered the league and he’s in a contract season. He’ll be motivated to keep his natural rise going in 2019.

Unlike Reed, Ford wasn’t drafted by the Seahawks. He wasn’t drafted by anyone. Ford went undrafted in 2018 before signing a three-year, $1.718 million contract that will pay out $572,666 this year. Consequently, he’s also one of the most underpaid players in the league.

He only started one game last season and appeared in seven, but Pro Football Focus (subscription required) gave him an 88.2 grade. An 88.2 is ridiculous, but we didn’t get to see Ford start for the majority of the seasons so it’s safe to say the grade isn’t set in stone.

Still, the idea that Ford could be that efficient and effective as an undrafted rookie has to raise hopes for what he’ll do as a second-year player. Alongside Reed, Ford will be more like a space eater and less as a pass rusher. This mutual relationship will allow Ford to focus on the run and Reed more shots at taking down quarterbacks.

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