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Seahawks Mailbag: Secondary Competitions, Breakout Rookies & More

@0xJolt asks, "Who is starting at safety?"

Oh, maybe you meant the other safety spot, the one previously held by Coby Bryant, who signed with the Bears as a free agent this offseason?

In that case, there are several possibilities, starting with Ty Okada, who started 11 games last season, filling in for both Love and Bryant, and who played very well, recording 65 tackles, six passes defensed, an interception, three tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and 1.5 sacks. Given that experience as a starter and the success he had, I would expect Okada to open camp with the No. 1 defense, but there will be challengers, including rookie Bud Clark, a second-round pick out of TCU who showed off playmaking ability and ball skills in college, recording 15 interceptions over the past four seasons. The Seahawks also signed Rodney Thomas II, a former starter with the Colts, and also have D'Anthony Bell, who handled some of the third safety/big nickel role while Nick Emmanwori was injured, as well as AJ Finley, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, but who was pushing Okada in camp for the No. 3 safety role prior to that injury.

Again, Okada's play last season should make him the favorite heading into camp, but the Seahawks investing a second-round pick in Clark shows they see him as a player who can be a big contributor, and there are other quality options to make that a strong competition in camp.

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