Now that defensive tackle Shamar Stephen has agreed to a three-year deal with the Vikings, Seattle Seahawks star run-stopper Poona Ford has a clear path to a starting job next season.
Ford was a revelation for the Seahawks last year. The big Texas tackle was signed as an undrafted free agent, despite being named the BIG-12 defensive player of the year his senior season. His size scared people away, but Seattle liked what they saw from Ford during the preseason and kept him on the roster.
He rewarded them by demonstrating an outstanding proficiency as a gap-stuffing defensive tackle, ranking as one of the best run-stoppers in the entire NFL. He played in 11 games, starting one, and racked up 21 combined tackles while earning an elite 90.0 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus.
Now, Ford looks primed to start alongside elite pass-rusher Jarran Reed to form a dominant interior defensive line. Seattle will no doubt bring in more competition for backup roles, but with Nazair Jones moving to five-tech and the loss of Stephen, it looks like Ford and Reed are the two guys to beat on the interior heading into 2019.
