We'll get to Pro Bowler Patrick Kerney and first-round pick Lawrence Jackson, but stopping the run is the first priority.
The Seahawks gave up 102.8 rushing yards per game in 2007, down nearly 20% from the 126.8 yards per game they gave up in 2006. That was quite an accomplishment without Marcus Tubbs, especially with the lack of a running game to control clock and keep the other team off the field. It wasn't the 94.4 per game the Seahawks gave up in 2005, but the team didn't have luxury of sitting on big leads last year.
The reason for the re-found success in stopping the run was by-and-large the play of the defensive line. Patrick Kerney's ability to get to the passer allowed the linebackers to stay at home and make tackles, but the biggest difference maker was Brandon Mebane. Mebane started the final 10 games of the season, and during that stretch the Seahawks only allowed 94.5 yards per game on the ground. That is on par with the 2005 numbers.
The run defense should get some additional help in the form of Red Bryant. He is a big 1-technique defensive tackle that can plug up the middle. While new is often seen as better by the fan base, it would be a sign of bad things if we see too much of Big Red this year. If he is starting, then it means Brandon Mebane is injured.
The Seahawks defense is built on having one DT that can put pressure on the passer and one run-stopper (unless they are facing an obvious running or passing situation): Rocky Bernard and Brandon Mebane, Craig Terrill/Larry Tripplett and Red Bryant. The Seahawks will keep 9 (possibly 10) defensive linemen, and the competition for the final 2-3 spots is going to get heated.
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The defensive ends are probably set. Patrick Kerney is poised to return to the Pro Bowl, Darryl Tapp is really coming into his own, and the addition of first-round pick Lawrence Jackson is going to keep both of those guys fresh to keep the pressure on opposing QBs. Jackson is a complete defensive end in the mold of Michael Strahan or Alex Brown. He can play the pass or the run. He'll eventually find his way to the starting line-up, and Darryl Tapp is probably best used as a situation pass-rusher. Kerney, Jackson, and Tapp together on third-and-long will lead to quite a few sacks.
Baraka Atkins is the presumed 4th DE, and that is a pretty safe presumption. It's possible the Seahawks could go another route, but Atkins appears to be developing as expected. The Seahawks will keep at least 4 DEs and 4 DTs, and up to 1 more more at each position. The most likely scenario is 4 DEs and 5 DTs.
Even if that 4th DE spot is up for grabs and the Seahawks keep 10 defensive linemen, that only leaves at most 3 spots for Baraka Atkins, Howard Green, Larry Tripplett, Chris Cooper, and Jason Babin to fight over (and that's also assuming Marcus Tubbs doesn't figure into the mix at all).
Atkins, Babin, and Cooper are fighting for the 4th and possibly 5th DE spots. Green, Tripplett, and Cooper are left to fight for the 5th DT spot, if the team even keeps that many.
Making a few assumptions and simplifying things, it really boils down to Baraka Atkins vs. Jason Babin for the 4th DE spot with Atkins holding a huge advantage in that competition heading into training camp. And Larry Tripplett vs. Howard Green for the 5th DT spot with Tripplett the favorite to win that battle.
Chris Cooper's best chance to make the team is if the Seahawks decide to keep 10 defensive linemen. Some people might point to his versatility as an advantage to be a swing 5th DE/5th DT that would allow the team to keep 9 defensive linemen and cover all their bases. However, it more than likely really means he isn't quite good enough at either position to stick.
Starters: Patrick Kerney, Brandon Mebane, Rocky Bernard, Darryl Tapp
Locks: Lawrence Jackson, Red Bryant, Craig Terrill
Looking safe: Baraka Atkins
Battling: Larry Tripplett, Howard Green
Longer odds: Chris Cooper, Jason Babin
PUP List: Marcus Tubbs
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