Daniel Jeremiah: Rams’ depth ‘not close’ to the Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks’ overall team depth was on full display in their season-opening 13-10 win over the New England Patriots last week.

Rodney Thomas II embodies Seahawks’ 70-man mantra

Backup quarterback Drew Lock helped lead three second-half scoring drives after Sam Darnold exited with an injury on the opening series. Practice squad safety Rodney Thomas II, who was elevated to make a fill-in start, delivered a key pass breakup that resulted in an interception. And as a whole, Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense held the Patriots to just 277 total yards and 4.1 yards per play, despite being without two injured starting safeties in Nick Emmanwori and Ty Okada.

But even beyond the injury replacements, the Seahawks’ depth also shined along their defensive front, where Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, Uchenna Nwosu, Derick Hall and Rylie Mills each recorded a tackle for loss. Those five players combined for 16 pressures and helped limit the Patriots to just 2.8 yards per carry.

“That was one of those deals where you could watch it from the sideline and just see the line of scrimmage get reset,” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “There was just so much knockback there. And Murphy looks like he’s taken it to another level.

“I mean, it’s somewhat of an embarrassment of riches there.”

Jeremiah said it was yet another example of the one big difference between the Seahawks and the archrival Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams are loaded with star power – including reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, former three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and All-Pro wide receiver Puka Nacua.

But Jeremiah believes the Seahawks have the deeper overall roster. That depth played a major role in Seattle’s run to a Super Bowl title last season, particularly on special teams. The Seahawks ranked No. 2 in special teams DVOA last year, while the Rams ranked 26th, according to FTN Fantasy.

With Garrett landing on injured reserve and set to undergo knee surgery, the Rams’ depth will be tested right out of the gates.

“We had the discussion in the offseason about the Seahawks versus the Rams,” Jeremiah said. “We can have the discussion on the starters. That’s a fair one there, on the defense. I would lean toward Seattle there.

“But when you get into the depth, it’s not close. And you saw no drop-off when that next group (of Seahawks defensive linemen) came in there.

“And that’s what’s won the last two Super Bowls,” Jeremiah added, pointing to the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles and last year’s Seahawks. “It’s the number of guys you can roll through there.”

Listen to the full Brock and Salk conversation with Daniel Jeremiah at this link or in the audio player near the middle of this story. Tune into Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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