HEADLINES

Cody Barton

Latest On Commanders LB Depth

June 27th, 2023 at 6:41pm CST by Ben Levine

Entering mandatory minicamp, there were some questions surrounding the Commanders’ depth at linebacker. However, the team’s answer at the position may already be on the roster. As ESPN’s John Keim writes, the Commanders’ apparent need for a LB may not be as urgent considering the emergence of Khaleke Hudson.

Hudson, a 2020 fifth-round pick, has seen time in 41 games through his first three seasons in the NFL. However, he only has four starts while playing about 85 percent of his total snaps on special teams. In total, the Michigan product has 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, and three QB hits. The defender was cut by Washington last August before catching on with the practice squad. After appearing in 13 games last season, he was signed to a one-year extension back in March.

Jamin Davis is still expected to fill in at the WLB spot, but he was sidelined during minicamp while recovering from offseason knee injury. On the other side, free agent addition Cody Barton was slated to play the MLB role, but he was playing alongside the backups while he learned the defense.

As a result, Hudson saw an increased role during minicamp, and per Keim, the linebacker’s performance impressed coaches. Even if the 25-year-old doesn’t end up starting at either of Washington’s two linebacker spots, it seems all but certain that he’ll still see an increased role on defense in 2023. Plus, as Keim notes, his development may reduce the team’s need for depth at the position. The Commanders are also rostering the likes of David Mayo, De’Jon Harris, and Milo Eifler at the position.

Commanders To Sign LB Cody Barton

March 13th, 2023 at 4:40pm CST by Ben Levine

Cody Barton is heading east. The Commanders are signing the former Seahawks linebacker, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter). It’s a one-year, fully guaranteed deal for Barton.

The Utah product was a third-round pick by the Seahawks in 2019. After starting five games through his first three seasons in the NFL, Barton took on a larger role in 2022.

The Seahawks turned to Barton to fill the void created by Bobby Wagner alongside Jordyn Brooks. Replacing the greatest linebacker in team history and a future Hall of Famer in the lineup certainly presented a difficult task for the former third-rounder. But he was quite productive in his first extended duty. He started 11 of his 17 appearances, finishing with 136 tackles and a pair of sacks. Barton was ranked 59th among 81 qualifying linebackers, per Pro Football Focus.

Through his first three seasons in the NFL, Barton played a significant role on special teams. While the Commanders are likely going to give him a shot on defense, the acquisition can contribute on ST at the very least.

The Commanders are expected to be busy reshaping their defense this offseason. After agreeing to a new deal with defensive tackle Daron Payne, the front office has brought in new additions like defensive back Cameron Dantzler.

Latest On Seahawks’ LB Situation

June 4th, 2022 at 1:28pm CST by Adam La Rose

The most significant departure from the Seahawks this offseason was Russell Wilson, but the team also lost a future Hall of Famer at the middle linebacker spot. With that position being a significant talking point, analysis from ESPN’s Brady Henderson sheds light on the team’s 2022 plans. 

Especially with Bobby Wagner now in Los Angeles, the door would seem to be open for a reunion between the Seahawks and K.J. Wright. The 32-year-old has made it clear he wishes to return to Seattle; “I just want to go back home” he said last month. “I think it’s that simple. Seattle knows that I want to come back. They know how much they mean to me.”

However, Henderson writes that while the two sides have “discussed a possible return”, general manager John Schneider has indicated that such a reunion “would probably be in a non-playing role”. Wright spent last season with the Raiders after a decade in Seattle during which time he was a key member of the ‘Legion of Boom’.

Assuming he doesn’t return to the field, that would point to Cody Barton assuming the starting role alongside 2020 first-rounder Jordyn Brooks. The 25-year-old has made 48 appearances across three seasons in Seattle, but only registered five starts during his tenure, including two in place of an injured Wagner last year. That is likely to change, given that the team didn’t sign a starting-caliber ‘backer in free agency, and elected not to draft one in April.

A Brooks-Barton pairing would represent a further turning of the page on defense for Seattle, a unit which will be led by new DC Clint Hurtt. If the former can build off of his highly productive season in 2021 (in which he made 184 tackles), and the latter can handle a starter’s workload, though, the absence of both Wagner and Wright could be mitigated.

Seahawks Finalize Draft Class Contracts

June 7th, 2019 at 5:28pm CST by Sam Robinson

Linebacker Cody Barton became the latest third-round pick to agree to the terms of his rookie contract. This signing (Instagram link) rounds out the Seahawks’ 2019 rookie deals.

Eighteen third-round picks are still unsigned. This round’s contract agreements drag out every year because of CBA language, but as teams approach minicamps, that number figures to drop dramatically. Barton was Seattle’s lone third-round selection. The Seahawks began this draft with four first-round picks, but numerous trades turned that number into 11.

Chosen 88th overall out of Utah, Barton became the first of two linebackers the Seahawks selected. Ben Burr-Kirven (Washington) joined the team as a fifth-round pick. Both Pac-12 products figure to back up Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Barkevious Mingo as rookies. Barton made a career-high 117 tackles for the Utes as a senior and registered eight sacks between the 2017 and ’18 seasons.

Here is the Seahawks’ 2019 draft class:

Seahawks Land No. 88 Pick From Vikings

April 26th, 2019 at 9:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

For the second time in an hour, the Vikings have traded down. This time, they will send the No. 88 overall pick to the Seahawks.

Minnesota previously dealt its No. 81 choice to Detroit. Seattle selected Utah linebacker Cody Barton. This was a four-pick swap, with the Vikings also dealing a sixth-round pick (No. 209) and the Seahawks sending back a fifth-rounder (No. 159).

The Vikings have now acquired fourth- and sixth-round picks Friday night. Their next selection window will open at pick No. 92.

Barton joins what is now by far the Seahawks’ most experienced defensive position group, with Bobby Wagner and the recently re-signed K.J. Wright anchoring the linebacking corps. Barton registered four sacks in each of his final two seasons with the Utes.