Biggest question for every position group in Seahawks training camp: Defensive end

The Seahawks kick off their 2018 training camp on July 26 (dates and times can be found here) and leading up to that first practice, we’ll be focusing on the biggest question for each position group.

Seahawks DT Jarran Reed says fans have to ‘trust’ young D-line

Today, we’ll focus on defensive ends. Our biggest question is:

Can Dion Jordan be a regular contributor on the D-line?

Turnover in the secondary has dominated national headlines for the Seahawks, but perhaps the most impactful departures can be felt up front, where three of four starters on the defensive line are now gone. The Seahawks traded defensive end Michael Bennett to the Eagles, released defensive end Cliff Avril with a failed physical, and saw defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson depart in free agency.

This season, fourth-year pro Frank Clark is expected to take over a regular starting role (he got 12 consecutive starts under his belt in 2017 filling in for an injured Avril) and may finish as Seattle’s top pass rusher. But in a tough NFC, Seattle’s D-line will need help from other actors, and perhaps none are more intriguing than defensive end Dion Jordan.

Jordan, 28, appeared in his first game with the Seahawks last November, which also marked his first return to the field in almost three years. He originally signed with the Seahawks on a one-year deal in April 2017, and Seattle extended that stay by placing an original round tender on him this offseason. It was a low-risk investment for a player with a high ceiling: the former third-overall pick had four sacks, three hits, and five hurries through five games last season (playing less than 50 percent of defensive snaps in each of those appearances).

Jordan’s injury history makes his future as a regular starter uncertain. He’s had two surgeries on his knee since signing with Seattle. The first of those came in spring 2017 (and ultimately landed him on the Non Football Injury List to start the season) and the second this offseason. Still, his six- to eight-week recovery timeline should allow Jordan to be ready by, or shortly after, the start of Seahawks training camp on July 26. If he’s able to stay healthy the fourth-year pro could bring much-needed help for Clark, and plenty of promise for the Seahawks’ young defensive line.

More:
Dion Jordan says he couldn’t have landed in better place
Wyman: Frank Clark ‘has to be the guy’ for Hawks D-line
Do Seahawks need to get a deal done with Frank Clark?

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