Seahawks Free Agency: 5 Biggest Needs After First Week of Signings
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While free agency only has been underway for four days, the Seattle Seahawks have already been far more aggressive improving their roster than expected, agreeing to terms with five outside free agents so far.
Headlining Seattle's additions, general manager John Schneider went on a rare mid-March shopping spree to sign former Broncos defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones to a three-year, $52 million deal. The team would later add center/guard Evan Brown, defensive tackle Jarran Reed, linebacker Devin Bush, and safety Julian Love, attacking the trenches and defense to kick off the offseason with a bang.
Now entering the second wave of free agency and quickly approaching the 2023 NFL Draft, which positions remain the greatest areas of need for the Seahawks?
1. Linebacker
With Jordan Brooks still in the early stages of recovering from a torn ACL and Cody Barton set to be a free agent, the Seahawks had major question marks at linebacker going into the offseason. Once Barton agreed to terms with the Commanders on Tuesday, the position looked like a barren wasteland with only Jon Rhattigan and Vi Jones healthy on the roster. As other teams quickly plucked up top linebackers, the situation started to become more dire.
However, Seattle finally addressed the position on Thursday night by signing Bush, who flew to the VMAC for a visit along with Love. Formerly a top-10 pick out of Michigan, injuries negatively impacted his play over the past two seasons, but he's only 24 years old and his new team hopes he will re-emerge as a quality starter with a change of scenery. Still, assuming Brooks won't be ready for Week 1 and possibly longer, the team must find a running mate to join Bush, whether in the form of a veteran such as Bobby Wagner or an incoming rookie.
2. Defensive Tackle
Viewed as Seattle's most pressing area of improvement, Pete Carroll aimed to build a more "dynamic" front seven, starting with the interior defensive line. So far, that mission has been at the top of the franchise's offseason checklist, as the team cut veterans Shelby Harris and Quinton Jefferson to create nearly $13 million in cap relief and then used the newfound financial flexibility to sign an ascending talent in Jones and bring back Reed for a second stint.
But while Jones and Reed should add some pass rushing juice and run stopping ability in the trenches, the group still has plenty of question marks following the departure of Harris and Jefferson. At nose tackle, Al Woods will turn 36 years old in May and Bryan Mone could miss a significant chunk of the season recovering from reconstructive knee surgery. Meanwhile, with Poona Ford still unsigned, the Seahawks lack depth with only Myles Adams offering game experience on the depth chart. Adding another veteran to the rotation would be smart, while Georgia's Jalen Carter may still be a target at No. 5 overall in the upcoming draft despite off-field concerns.
3. Running Back
Coming off a strong 1,000-yard season and a top three finish in NFL Rookie of the Year balloting, the Seahawks should be in great shape with dynamic runner Ken Walker III as their bell cow back for the next several seasons. As long as he can stay healthy, he has a chance to be a perennial contender for rushing titles and All-Pro selections starring behind an up-and-coming offensive line.
But as Carroll and Schneider have reiterated numerous times this offseason, NFL teams have to have multiple talented backs due to the injury attrition at the position. Seattle unfortunately has learned that lesson the hard way in recent seasons and after losing Rashaad Penny and Travis Homer in free agency last week, the team lacks depth with only Walker, DeeJay Dallas, and Darwin Thompson currently on the 90-man roster. The Seahawks could take a flier on a veteran such as Leonard Fournette in addition to drafting a back from a deep class, but they will need to acquire at least two more quality backs to the stable in the next month and change.
4. Receiver
With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett each under contract through 2025, the Seahawks remain in great hands with one of the most lethal receiving duos in the league. The two star wideouts each eclipsed 1,000 yards catching passes from Geno Smith last season, accomplishing the feat for the second time in three years. But behind them, the quest for an upgrade at receiver No. 3 remains ongoing.
So far, the decision to invest a second round pick in Dee Eskridge hasn't bore fruit as hoped with the ex-Western Michigan star missing 14 regular season games in two seasons due to injury. Veteran Marquise Goodwin provided quality contributions in his absence last year, catching 27 passes and four touchdowns before landing on injured reserve himself. Eskridge will be back aiming to prove himself and Dareke Young came on strong late in his rookie season, but selecting a wideout early in the draft may be a strong possibility, especially with Lockett now past 30 years old. Re-signing Goodwin later in free agency remains an option as well.
5. Center
Following the retirement of Austin Blythe, the Seahawks made a shrewd move signing Brown to a one-ear, $2.25 million deal. Though he started at guard last season, Schneider said he was "truly a center" on his weekly radio show on Seattle Sports 710, indicating he's already penned in as Blythe's successor. He played at a high level filling in for Frank Ragnow in Detroit in 2021, yielding just one sack and eight quarterback pressures in 12 starts, and he still has room to develop at 26 years of age.
But Brown's contract length and salary suggest that Seattle may not be done looking for a long-term solution at the pivot position. Recent reports have linked the franchise to Minnesota's John Michael Schmitz, one of the top center prospects in a solid draft class at the position. Making such a selection in the first two rounds would create a compelling competition for the starting job in training camp while ensuring the team has a quality backup regardless of who starts in September.
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