Espn NFLRANK

8. Richard Sherman | Seahawks | Rating: 93.31

In a virtual dead heat with No. 9 on this list, Sherman gets the slight edge. Two big areas of comparison: He leads the NFL in interceptions since 2011 -- and it's not like QBs are seeking him out -- and he has an unmatched ability to take risks, a stat and trait that go hand in hand. "He has the size and length that allow him to recover even when he's out of position," said an evaluator from a division rival. And don't just call him a system player. "He's mastered what is asked of him [in that defense]," said one voter. Quarterbacks had a passer rating of just 53.4 throwing at Sherman last year, per Pro Football Focus.

Add it up: Sherman's 26 interceptions (including playoffs) are tops in NFL since 2011.

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14. Marshawn Lynch | Seahawks | Rating: 91.68

Last year, Marshawn Lynch caused 89 missed tackles (per Pro Football Focus) through a mix of elusiveness and a Plinko-ball tendency to bounce off tacklers and continue on downhill. That was 19 more than the next-closest runner, a total runaway for a guy who is happy to run right through you. A word of caution: "This could be Beast Mode's last season," said one voter. Something to watch: 1,305 yards would get Lynch to 10,000 for his career before the age of 30. His average NFL season has been just under 1,100 yards.

Add it up: Lynch has rushed for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns in four consecutive seasons, the longest active streak in the NFL.

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15. Earl Thomas | Seahawks | Rating: 91.62

The ultimate compliment for Thomas: The gap between him and the next-best safety in #NFLRANK is a whopping 21 spots. "He's a heat-seeking missile," said one panelist. But that missile's impact is a question going forward, because while Thomas has never missed a game in five NFL seasons despite weighing just 208 pounds, "he might have to adjust his game coming off shoulder surgery," said another voter.

Add it up: Since 2010, Thomas has played 4,878 defensive snaps -- 97.5 percent of Seattle's defensive allotment -- more than any other Seahawks defensive back.

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23. Jimmy Graham | Seahawks | Rating: 88.97

Graham has averaged 138 targets over the last four seasons. During that same period, no Seahawks player has topped 98 targets in a season. For Graham, the measure of success in Seattle will be more about the overall performance of the offense and trophies than it will be about huge pass-catching totals. Expect Seattle's team success to be reflected here next year.

Add it up: Graham has 4,752 receiving yards, the most ever in NFL history for a tight end through five career seasons.

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32. Bobby Wagner | Seahawks | Rating: 87.56

The centerpiece of a Seattle defense that has ranked No. 1 in total defense in each of the past two seasons, Wagner trails only Luke Kuechly among inside linebackers in #NFLRANK voting. "Speed has always separated Wagner," said one panelist. "[But] he has grown into a more physical and technical player." He's also a rich player after signing a four-year, $43 million deal this offseason.

Add it up: The Seahawks allowed seven or fewer points in five of their final six games last season after Wagner returned from an injury in Week 12.

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33. Russell Wilson | Seahawks | Rating: 87.55

Speaking of players who have had good offseasons, Wilson is due to pocket $87.6 million over the next four years -- fair compensation after a three-year start to his career that includes 36 regular-season wins, one Super Bowl title and one near miss. Yes, the defense deserves some credit, but as one voter reminded: "He has a league-high 15 game-winning drives over the past three seasons."

Add it up: Since he entered the league in 2012, Wilson has rushed for the most yards of any quarterback (1,877).

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36. Kam Chancellor | Seahawks | Rating: 86.92

The thunder to Earl Thomas' lightning, Chancellor is the NFL's preeminent safety-plus, a 233-pound weapon comfortable both in coverage and at the line of scrimmage. A concern? While Chancellor says he feels great after his first NFL offseason where he didn't need surgery, one panelist noted, "It'll be interesting to see whether Chancellor is on the verge of breaking down physically" given his adamant push for more financial guarantees.

Add it up: Since 2010, the Seahawks have allowed a minus-16 pass TD/INT differential with Chancellor on the field. That's far better than how they've fared without him (plus-19).

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91. Russell Okung | Seahawks | Rating: 79.89

"If he plays every week, you're talking about him next to the other best left tackles in the game," said an NFC evaluator. It's overstating things to say Okung's career has been decimated by injuries -- he has started fewer than 10 games only once in his five-year career -- but he's also never been completely healthy (zero seasons with 16 starts). The question now is whether this is Okung's final season in Seattle.

Add it up: Okung led the Seahawks with 3,383 offensive snaps over the past five seasons.

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IndyHawk":24hupno4 said:

Wow I didn't know you could post the whole article lol.

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Add it up: Since 2010, the Seahawks have allowed a minus-16 pass TD/INT differential with Chancellor on the field. That's far better than how they've fared without him (plus-19).

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