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Seahawks Post-Offseason Depth Chart Review: Linebacker

While Seattle will miss No. 54 roaming the middle of the defense, a pair of athletic young linebackers look ready to carry the torch and depth may be better than expected if two players coming off knee injuries make it back to 100 percent health.

Understandably, the Seahawks' decision to trade Russell Wilson to the Broncos in March stands out as the most notable move the franchise made this spring. But they also lost their quarterback on defense when they released future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner, creating a massive void on and off the field.

Luckily, while quarterback remains Seattle's most pressing concern in the short and long-term, the organization appears to be in good hands moving forward without Wagner. Now serving as the defensive play caller with the green dot on his helmet, Jordyn Brooks looks poised to emerge as one of the NFL's premier young 'backers and has already taken a big step forward in the leadership department helping replace his former mentor in the middle.

"He's just stepped to the front, realized the opportunity is here, we need him, and he's the play caller," coach Pete Carroll said following Seattle's mandatory minicamp. "Along with that, it just has traditionally been that role, he senses it, and he's done a marvelous job, not with what he says, but with what he does and how he approaches this work. He's worked every day, giving you everything he has every step of the way. I mean, he has been a beautiful leader in that regard, and we couldn't ask for more.”

Heading into their annual six-week moratorium between organized team activities and training camp, how does the Seahawks linebacker room look? Diving into the depth chart, here's an updated look at the projected starters, a sleeper to watch, a potential wild card to keep an eye on, and a player squarely on the roster bubble.

Jordyn Brooks
Vi Jones
Jon Rhattigan
Ben Burr-Kirven

Like Rhattigan, Burr-Kirven blew out his knee last season, with his injury happening during the Seahawks second exhibition game against the Broncos while covering a kickoff. Though he's several months ahead of Rhattigan in his rehab, he didn't participate at all in OTAs or mandatory minicamp and he's expected to undergo a minor cleanup procedure before the start of training camp, putting his status in question. Now in the final year of his contract, the ex-Washington star hasn't had many opportunities to play aside from special teams and with Barton in his way, he's unlikely to see the field on defense again this year. Assuming he's back healthy in August after a long road back, he will have to re-prove himself on special teams with other young linebackers nipping at his heels or his spot could be on tenuous ground.

Seahawks Post-Offseason Depth Chart Reviews

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Receivers | Tight Ends | Tackles | Guards | Centers

EDGE/Outside Linebackers | Defensive Tackles | Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties