Heading into Year 2 of the Mike Macdonald era, expectations are high for the Seattle Seahawks’ defense.

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The Seahawks return nearly every key contributor from last year’s unit, which evolved into a top-five defense over the second half of the season. They also signed four-time Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency and drafted ultra-athletic safety Nick Emmanwori as a second-round pick.

But according to former NFL quarterback Brock Huard, there’s still one area on defense that could use an addition: the edge-rushing group.

The Seahawks could potentially have a strong quartet of edge rushers. Boye Mafe has 15 sacks over the past two season. Derick Hall had a breakout eight-sack campaign last year. Lawrence is an elite run-stopper with 61.5 sacks and 97 tackles for loss over his decorated 11-year career. And during his last full season in 2022, Uchenna Nwosu piled up 9.5 sacks.

But there are questions about Nwosu’s health. The 28-year-old missed 11 games each of the past two seasons due to a trio of injuries. And last week, he was placed on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery.

Lawrence also is coming off a foot injury that limited him to just four games last season with the Dallas Cowboys.

“I think with that Uchenna injury, just kind of keep an eye on the edge,” Huard said during Monday’s Blue 88 segment on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “I think that could be a place where a veteran could still be signed or maybe a veteran could be traded for. I think Boye and Derick are good players, but probably still need some support in the lineup around them.

“I’d keep an eye on that edge. I don’t think they’re completely done filling that aspect of the roster out.”

There are still several veteran free agent edge rushers available in three-time Pro Bowler Za’Darius Smith, three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney and four-time Pro Bowler Matthew Judon.

There’s also a possibility that Cincinnati Bengals star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson could be available on the trade market. Hendrickson, who has a league-high 35 sacks over the past two seasons, is in a contract stalemate with the Bengals and won’t report to training camp, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

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

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