Mike Macdonald's Secret Weapon: Why These 2 Edge Rushers Could Be Steals for Seattle
Here's the thing about Mike Macdonald's defense: he doesn't need a superstar edge rusher to wreck opposing offenses. Back in Baltimore, the Ravens led the entire league in sacks without a single edge player hitting double digits. Now in Seattle, the Seahawks have cracked the top 10 in both sacks and pressures in both of Macdonald's seasons without having a dominant pass rusher on the edge. So with some veteran questions lingering at the position heading into the draft, ESPN's Field Yates broke down two Day 2 edge rushers who could fit the Seahawks' scheme perfectly.
The "Freaky Athletic" Penn State Edge Rusher
When Brock Huard asked Yates which edge player in this class was the most "rugged" defender, Yates immediately went with Penn State's Dani Dennis-Sutton. The 6-foot-6, 256-pound edge rusher earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2025 and put together some seriously impressive tape. In the Penn State-Oregon game, Dennis-Sutton displayed what Yates called "freaky athletic traits," including an interception on a 2-point conversion attempt.
The production backs it up: Dennis-Sutton racked up 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a program-record three blocked punts in 13 games last season. Over his four-year career at Penn State, he totaled 34.5 tackles for loss, 23.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two interceptions in 55 games. At the combine, Dennis-Sutton ranked second in athleticism among edge players with a 4.63-second 40-yard dash, a 10-foot, 11-inch broad jump (first at his position), and a 39.5-inch vertical (fourth at his position). Yates has him right outside his top 50 overall rankings.
The Michigan Hybrid Who Macdonald Could Unlock
Yates also highlighted Michigan's Jaishawn Barham, a 6-foot-3, 240-pounder who played a hybrid edge rusher and off-ball linebacker role during his final two seasons with the Wolverines. Last season he posted 10 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in 12 games while earning All-Big Ten honorable mention honors. At the combine, Barham ran a 4.64-second 40 with a 33-inch vertical and 10-foot, 3-inch broad jump.
"Jaishawn Barham would be a good example of a player that I think when I watch him that he may not be for everybody, but then I think about Mike Macdonald and I say to myself, that works," Yates said. Here's what stands out: Barham has heavy, violent hands that let him really engage offensive tackles and knock them back. He's never had more than four sacks in a college season, but Yates believes there's serious untapped potential here. "I think Barham is clearly the better and higher upside player" compared to his more hyped teammate, Yates said. He's a work in progress, but for a Macdonald defense that values run defense and versatility? That could be exactly what Seattle needs.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.