Why Dante Fowler Jr. isn’t necessarily guaranteed his role in Seattle’s defense

John Schneider and team did not draft a young pass rusher to replace Mafe, however. On one hand, Mafe was 8th in the NFL in ESPN’s Pass-Rush Win Rate (18% PRWR), but on the other hand, he was relegated to a passing down, designated pass rusher role (DPR). He was limited, but good at his niche.

The newly added Fowler posted a 14.1% PRWR (30th out of 93 eligible, according to PFF). Seems like solid numbers for a player on an imperfect defense at 1/4 of the price tag that Mafe received from the Bengals.

Zac Hereth of Seattle Sports pointed out the need for additions at outside linebacker earlier in the offseason:

“Hall is heading into the final year of his rookie contract. Lawrence reportedly considered retiring after Seattle’s Super Bowl victory and will be 34 years when the 2026 season begins. And Nwosu has dealt with multiple injuries throughout his career and will be 30 by the end of 2026.”

Agreed that these are all long-term concerns… which is why Seattle needs to open space to evaluate some of the developmental players at some point this year.

Fowler is a low risk move that could pay dividends— almost like the bargain contract given to proven receiver, Marques Valdes-Scantling last year. MVS ended up getting cut short of the final roster, and part of that may have been due to the emergence of Tory Horton.

Preseason could be a good time to get feet wet for a few young and intriguing pieces. Jamie Sheriff (led the NFL in sacks during the 2024 preseason, but Seattle has moved him between EDGE and ILB), Jared Ivey (a former projected 5th-Round pick (by NFL.com, at the very least) who went undrafted, after earning seven sacks and All-SEC honors in his final year at Ole Miss) and Connor O’Toole (a WR-convert four years ago; he was given possibly the biggest contract the Seahawks have ever given to a UDFA).

The last two made the initial 53-man roster for the Seattle Seahawks last offseason, cracking an eventual championship roster. This trio should also get a chance to make their mark on the pass rush rotation, after grinding through a long run to a title behind the established four starters in 2025.

If Ivey and O’Toole (and Sheriff and Mike Morris, in some capacity?) are ready to play contributing ball on defense, it could provide an opportunity to unearth an answer or two to the problems Mr. Hereth posed in the quote for Seattle Sports.

Do you want to go into next season feeling like you absolutely need to draft two EDGE players, because you don’t know if the young players could fulfill duties as fill-ins? None could be the answers but letting them get their shots this year would at least cross them off the list of long-term starter considerations. At best, you’ve found young, cheap options who can be plus players in Mike Macdonald’s cutting-edge defensive scheme.

This may not be a popular opinion, as things look pretty cut and dry with a straightforward hierarchy of 4 veteran players sitting above a group of undrafted players, but we don’t quite know how things will play out.

Additionally, let’s also not rule out the possibility that Uchenna Nwosu could be an attractive trade piece if injuries start to happen in the early part of the 2026 campaign. Just spit balling here. If there was ever a time… Chenna racked up 2 sacks and a defensive TD in SB LX after disappearing for stretches over the course of the regular season and dealing with injury in recent campaigns. Nwosu also has the 3rd-highest cap hit on the team.

I’m not saying we count either of these veterans out now, but I am saying that all of the fans clamoring for another pass rusher, even beyond Fowler, may get disappointed. I think Seattle really like what they have at this point.

Mike Macdonald cobbled together an elite defense in Baltimore using guys like Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy to fortify and pressure the edge. He had younger guys like Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo rotating in behind them. Guys like Nnamdi Madubuike were creating havoc on the interior.

Coach Macdonald does seem to prefer experience at the EDGE position. Derick Hall has slowly developed into a bigger and bigger part of the defense. The team has been very steadfast about Uchenna Nwosu the last few years. Former Fowler teammate in Dallas, DeMarcus Lawrence, added heat to the Hawks’ defensive rush group. The way this group substitutes in different packages keeps guys fresh and a larger group involved.

Let’s also leave room for the unexpected. The unexpected has been known to show up in Seahawks football from time to time. From wild plays to guys like Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, etc. defying their draft positions. Consistently successful franchises are always in the hunt for the next generation of stars, many times through the draft.

Will Fowler pose enough of an impact on his 1-year deal in this defense as to make it worth it to expose guys like Ivey and O’Toole to the risks of being claimed by another team? If not, are you willing to take from the roster depth of other positions just to house the 6 rushers?

There’s something to be said for the surge of confidence that an undrafted, second year player could stand to gain if he ended up beating out a 12th-year, former #3 overall pick who has recorded double digit sack seasons in this league. If none can get that job done, the DFJ signing ensures that you won’t be left high and dry.

Seattle does have a history of opening things up to allow chances for undrafted guys to compete and earn their place. From guys in the past, like Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, to current players like Jalen Sundell, Ty Okada, George Holani and Jake Bobo.

Dante Fowler Jr. seems like a nice, savvy veteran addition. You could do much worse than him as your 3rd, 4th or 5th rusher in rotation. The “but” is: BUT— keep in mind that giving a group of untested and undrafted young players a chance to beat him out would simply continue what could be considered somewhat of a Seattle tradition. The vets could easily lead the way but give me competition or give me death. Ok, not that far.

The reality of injury absences in NFL football could also mean that Seattle will need all of these guys anyway. Bring on the waves of the Dark Side QB-hunters.