Updates

3 May 2019 -- Seattle is reported to have had discussions with former Lions free agent DE Ziggy Ansah and former Broncos free agent LB Shane Ray, who would likely be a candidate for the LEO position. I also added the name of former Colts free agent WR Dontrelle Inman to the list

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Following the 2019 NFL draft, the Seahawks have areas of the roster that still need help. Though most 12s are generally happy with a draft that appears to have raised the overall level of athleticism on the roster, the team did not address its need for an EDGE/LEO following the Frank Clark trade or a hedge against a possible Doug Baldwin departure.

Free agency and trades are two halves of the pro personnel route to talent, and John Schneider has indicated he will be traveling it most likely after May 7th when signings are no longer factored into the compensatory draft pick formula. Who are some players likely to be on the team's radar? Here's Evan Silva's list of NFL free agents, which includes those who signed deals this off-season and those still available. Of course, at this phase of free agency there are bargains to be had--and in fact, teams will start cutting players soon--but it is very much caveat emptor. (Note: these are not recommendations so much as a not-exhaustive list of guys who are available at the time of writing.)

EDGE/LEO

It's unlikely that Seattle will be able to buy many sacks from any one player on the open market. But you can buy pressures and QB hits. The team's aim should be (and I think is) to create pressure from multiple positions and players. A "Frank Clark" is wonderful to have but teams can create consistent pressure without dominant sack artists.

I consider this first cluster of players to be finished products whose peak production we've already seen, but who can still be useful.

Ezekiel Ansah (29 yrs old) -- He is one of the few proven sack artists still available. Although his sacks have fluctuated wildly year to year, he's had double-digit QB hits each season except 2018 when he was injured. If his medicals check out it's easy to see a market for a long-term deal develop, but if they're less than stellar he could be looking at a cold market and a 1-yr "prove it" deal. Also, he's big (#275)--maybe more 5T than LEO, which has implications for L.J. Collier. NOTE: reported to have met with team.

Nick Perry (29) -- He disappointed in Green Bay but Seattle wouldn't expect double digit sacks. His last two healthy seasons, 2016 and 17, he got 16 and 14 QB hits, respectively. A deal makes sense. Seattle has him on speed dial. NOTE: reported to have met with team.

Derrick Morgan (30) -- His production really fell off in 2018 (0.5 sacks, 4 QB hits, 0 TFL) but as recently as 2017 he put up 7.5 sacks. Maybe he fell off a cliff, but 30 isn't necessarily old in DE years.

These next few players are also finished products but less intuitive fits in Seattle. However, they could, for one reason or another, represent value as "bounce back" candidates.

Andre Branch (29) -- This one-time second round pick has been a 3-6 sack guy as a starter in Jacksonville and Miami as a DE/LB.

William Hayes (34) -- He's familiar to 12s from his days with Fisher's Rams. He was traded to Miami and has been hurt. So it's hard to know what to make of his time there. He turns 34 this week.

Shane Ray (25) -- He showed early promise in Denver then fell off. It's possible he was never good, and at just #245 he might be a little light for a LEO. He has talked to Oakland and Indianapolis. NOTE: reported to have met with team.

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Wide Receiver

The front office has brought in some kind of veteran receiver every off-season, at least to compete in camp. Now, with the uncertainty surrounding Doug Baldwin it seems a near certainty Seattle will monitor this market closely. I'm sure it will soon be even more fully stocked with vets who will soon be released.

This first cluster of age 30+ players are all past their physical prime. Some are probably finished. Others can still offer something. Though it may not be obvious which players belong in which category.

Dontrelle Inman (30) -- He caught 28 passes (72%) for IND last season, including 5-for-5 in the second half in their playoff loss. He's a pure slot at this point in his career. The only obvious advantage he might have over Brown could be cap savings. NOTE: reported to have met with IND and DET.

Mike Wallace (32) -- He's past his peak, but he still put up 14.2 yards per touch in 2017 then was hurt in 2018.

Michael Crabtree (31) -- We know the history. I'm not sure he's worth it now. His hands were his calling card, but his catch rate's been in the high 50s-low 60s for several seasons now (in fairness, through a run of sub-par QBs).

Pierre Garcon (32) -- His yards per touch the past two seasons in SF (12.5, 11.9) are not way off his career number (12.4). He's nothing special but can still catch.

Dez Bryant (30) -- Low 50s catch rate his last two seasons in Dallas. Hard pass.

Aldrick Robinson (30) -- He's had two seasons with Shanahan where he caught the ball well enough to warrant the title "wide receiver", but he's had some ghastly seasons catching the ball. He can still run, but still can't catch. Of course he'll end up in SF with Shanny and put up fantastic numbers.

This next cluster includes players who were never special and/or have some other issue.

Jermaine Kearse (29) -- I initially scoffed, but he's hardly the worst option on the open market. His catch rates have historically been all over the place but he's put up some big (70%+) seasons. With a WR room this inexperienced outside of Lockett he'd be more than just a nod to nostalgia.

Kelvin Benjamin (28) -- He's probably eaten his way out of the league, but he could be a Big Mike Williams-style reclamation project.

Michael Floyd (29) -- Substance abuse problems and declining production mean he's likely done. It's hard to believe he's still only 29 though.

De'Anthony Thomas (26) -- He probably re-signs with KC, given the Tyreek Hill situation, after spending 2018 on IR. For all the talk of his sprinter speed, his most useful trait is his sure-handedness.

This last cluster includes a couple of young guys who I liked coming out of school, but who haven't been productive or have been injured.

Leonte Carroo (25) -- I remember liking him coming out of Miami (3rd round pick).

Maxx Williams (24) -- He's a joker or move TE who got caught in a numbers game in Baltimore.