Seahawks Predictions: Which Free Agents Will Return to Seattle?
With the NFL's legal tampering window set to open at noon ET, free agency will officially be underway for the Seattle Seahawks as they look to build their roster for new coach Mike Macdonald and his staff.
Thanks to a series of roster cuts, including releasing veteran safeties Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams, and restructured contracts for receivers Tyler Lockett and Dee Eskridge, Seattle has more than $50 million in cap space for general manager John Schneider to play with.
Which unrestricted free agents will return to Seattle? And which ones will be heading elsewhere? Predictions for where all 14 players will land:
Leonard Williams, DT
Prediction: Re-signs with Seahawks
Leonard Williams has been Seattle's top priority in free agent negotiations, but with him hitting the market, the price to retain him may be going up.
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Acquired from the Giants at the trade deadline for a hefty package including a second and fifth-round pick, the Seahawks made a steep investment for Williams despite being on an expiring contract. Schneider has indicated multiple times publicly that Seattle doesn't want him to end up being a costly short-term rental and after playing at a high level in 10 games with the team, the front office will be ready to open up the checkbook to ensure he doesn't leave and remains an anchor for the defensive line moving forward.
Bobby Wagner, LB
Prediction: Signs with Commanders
Production-wise, Wagner hasn't missed much of a beat as he led the NFL with 183 combined tackles while adding 3.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss and earning Second-Team All-Pro honors. But he will turn 34 in July and all signs point to the Seahawks going in a different direction seeking youth and athleticism at linebacker, as recent reports suggest returning to the team is unlikely. Reuniting with Dan Quinn in Washington seems like the best fit for both parties.
Damien Lewis, G
Prediction: Re-signs with Seahawks
A day one starter coming out of LSU, Lewis has been Seattle's most consistent contributor in the trenches over the past four seasons, starting 61 games and playing at a top-10 level in spurts. Even if he hasn't made the strides the team hoped over the past few years, a strong incoming draft class at guard could keep his price down enough for Seattle to be able to bring him back and pairing him with new line coach Scott Huff could help unlock the physical blocker's full potential.
Jordyn Brooks, LB
Prediction: Re-signs with Seahawks
Making a phenomenal recovery from a torn ACL, Brooks showed off his toughness and competitiveness in the final year of his rookie contract, battling through an ankle injury late in the season after making it back in time for the season opener. Just 26 years old, away from Williams, he will be Seattle's top priority to retain and with Macdonald likely eager to see what he can do in a different scheme, he will be worth a substantial multi-year investment.
Noah Fant, TE
Prediction: Signs with Panthers
When Seattle emphasized Fant as part of the passing game, he flashed top-10 talent, averaging 12.9 yards per reception this season. But he often disappeared for long stretches, in part due to the receiver talent around him, and he has hinted playing elsewhere could be on his mind. Knowing him well from his time on the Seahawks staff, new Panthers coach Dave Canales gives young quarterback Bryce Young an athletic pass catching tight end who should have a lot more opportunities in Carolina.
Evan Brown, C
Prediction: Re-signs with Seahawks
Starting 16 games at the pivot position, Brown played the role of serviceable stop-gap last season and could still be a starter if Olu Oluwatimi isn't ready to take over as anticipated. Though he's only 27 years old, he likely won't fetch big bucks on the open market and coming back to Seattle on another one-year deal would present a potential opportunity to compete for a starting role at guard or center, depending on what else the team does in the trenches in coming weeks.
Phil Haynes, G
Prediction: Signs with Panthers
As has been the case throughout his career, Haynes played well in spurts in his first year as a full-time starter, but injuries derailed his season, limiting him to just eight games. If Brown doesn't return, Haynes could easily be back in Seattle on a cheap one-year deal, but the Virginia native and Wake Forest alum would make sense returning close to home for Canales and Carolina as a depth piece.
Colby Parkinson, TE
Prediction: Re-signs with Seahawks
Putting a pair of foot injuries behind him, Parkinson has come through with an occasional big play in the passing game while emerging as a top-10 caliber blocking tight end over the past two years. Only 25 years old, his size, athleticism, and blocking skills will make him the prioritized tight end for Seattle to lock up in a revamped position group and he should be an intriguing player to watch in Ryan Grubb's offense.
Mario Edwards, DE
Prediction: Unsigned until after NFL draft
A late signing back in May, Edwards gave Seattle unexpected juice as an interior pass rusher, particularly in the first half. But at this stage of his career, as illustrated last offseason, he's not going to be a coveted free agent and will likely have to wait a while before a team makes him an offer. It wouldn't be a surprise if a landing spot doesn't emerge until May for a second straight year.
Artie Burns, CB
Prediction: Unsigned until after NFL draft
Like Edwards, Burns returned to Seattle late last offseason while Riq Woolen recovered from knee surgery and he held up well playing snaps in the slot for the first time in his career. Depending on how Macdonald and the new coaching staff views him, coming back to the Seahawks after the draft isn't out of the question, but he will have to wait a while for a contract.
Drew Lock, QB
Prediction: Signs with Bears
Last season, Lock received minimal interest after playing zero regular season snaps, but that shouldn't be the case this time around after he led the Seahawks to a thrilling comeback victory over the Eagles in December. Seattle wants to re-sign him, but Chicago will want to have a veteran around to pair with expected No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and with Waldron as the new coordinator, Lock would be an ideal candidate given his familiarity with the scheme.
Devin Bush, LB
Prediction: Signs with Chargers
Since Brooks returned in time for the start of the regular season, Bush barely played in his lone season with the Seahawks, sitting out several games as a healthy scratch before making a pair of starts late in the year. His athleticism may interest Macdonald from a reserve standpoint, but if there's another team that would want to take a chance on him with a starting opportunity, Jim Harbaugh coached him at Michigan and the Chargers could be in the market for linebacker help.
DeeJay Dallas, RB
Prediction: Signs with Buccaneers
Rarely playing on offense last season behind Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, Dallas didn't have much of a chance to show what he could do for prospective teams. But he proved to be a solid kick and punt returner for Seattle and with Tampa Bay lacking a viable third down back on the roster currently, this would be the best match for him to see offensive snaps and possibly continue playing special teams.
Jason Peters, T
Prediction: Retirement
Coming off the couch to fill in for Abraham Lucas and playing fairly well at 42 years old, Peters deserves all the credit in the world for his pinch hitting efforts. That said, it's hard to envision any teams needing him at this point and it's officially time to hang up the cleats.
