Seahawks' new signing Rayshawn Jenkins could prove to be an upgrade over departed Pro Bowler

Jenkins was the sixth-most targeted safety in the NFL last season, per Sports Info Solutions. He was thrown at 41 times, yet he allowed the fifth-lowest completion percentage (41.5%) and his passer rating against of 50.3 was the eighth-best among safeties with at least 20 targets. Diggs, meanwhile, allowed a completion percentage of 55 and had a passer rating against of 115, the ninth-worst for the position.

Only four safeties performed better than Jenkins by positive play rate allowed (31.7%), while he was seventh in Expected Points Added per target allowed. Diggs gave up a positive play rate of 40% and was 40th by EPA per target.

With at least two interceptions in all but one of his last five seasons and 21 pass breakups over the last two seasons, Jenkins also has a track record of on-ball production, albeit not as impressive as that of Diggs, who had 18 interceptions in over four seasons in Seattle and also had 32 pass breakups for the Seahawks.

But in Jenkins the Seahawks have acquired a slightly younger but still extremely experienced safety who was one of the best coverage players at his position last season, a year that represented a step back for Diggs, and who can serve as a playmaker in the defensive backfield. 

Replacing Diggs with Jenkins might not initially have seemed like an upgrade when the move was announced, but the numbers suggest Seattle fans could be very happy the swap was made by the time the 2024 season comes to a close.