Takeaways from Seahawks' 1st week of free agency

Photo: Ed Zurga, Associated Press Russell Okung's departure to Denver leaves a big hole on the left...

It took more than a week for the Seahawks' biggest free-agent domino to fall during the NFL's annual spending spree.

After traveling around the country during his free-agent odyssey, left tackle Russell Okung entered Thursday as the lone unsigned player of eight unrestricted free-agent Seahawks "starters." He finished the day with a contract from the Denver Broncos that could end up being worth $60 million over five years.

Over the first seven days of free agency, the Seahawks retained more of their major free agents -- defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, cornerback Jeremy Lane, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and punter Jon Ryan -- than many expected, while Okung, linebacker Bruce Irvin, defensive tackle Brandon Mebane and guard J.R. Sweezy departed in moves that were generally anticipated. That's particularly true in the cases of Irvin and Sweezy, good players whom Seattle GM John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll would have liked to keep, but whose value on the open market made it all but impossible to bring back.

So what's the biggest takeaway? It's going to sound familiar.

Seattle's offensive line -- a longtime area of concern -- appears decidedly unsettled after the loss of Okung. The Seahawks did sign two free agents in former Raiders guard/tackle J'Marcus Webb and former Cardinals tackle Bradley Sowell, and the money they spent on Webb ($5.75 million over two years) makes it clear they see him as a starter, at least for one season.

Barring any major additions, the starting line in 2016 will bear very little resemblance to the unit that took the field for the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, with just one player (left guard Justin Britt) remaining, and he's playing at a different position. In 2016, Seattle will have to rely on youngsters like Garry Gilliam and Mark Glowinski, as well as stopgaps like center Patrick Lewis and Webb. Suffice to say, this will be a much-scrutinized group.

Again.

Check out the gallery below for more of our takeaways from the first week of free agency.

Is Clark the new Irvin?



Irvin told Sirius XM NFL radio that Seattle's system limited him as a pass-rusher, and he's not wrong. But the former first-round pick transformed himself into a very solid all-around linebacker over the last three seasons, able to set the edge in the run game, drop into coverage when necessary and get to the quarterback.



Seattle doesn't have a readymade replacement on the roster -- or do they? After playing his rookie season at defensive end and his listed weight of 272 pounds, 2015 second-round pick Frank Clark posted a photo to Twitter on March 8 that showed him weighing in at just over 257 pounds. The Seahawks coaching staff had expressed their desire of playing Clark both inside and outside on the defensive line, but the weight loss may signal a move to a hybrid linebacker/defensive end role. The 22-year-old showed enough explosiveness and strength to be a force on the outside. His development will be an item to watch this offseason. less Is Clark the new Irvin?



Irvin told Sirius XM NFL radio that Seattle's system limited him as a pass-rusher, and he's not wrong. But the former first-round pick transformed himself into a very solid all-around ... more Photo: Elaine Thompson, Associated Press Photo: Elaine Thompson, Associated Press Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Takeaways from Seahawks' 1st week of free agency 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

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