At the end of last season, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said one of the team's offseason priorities was to keep the core of the roster in place.

Next week, when free agency begins, we'll find out if Carroll and general manager John Schneider are able to do that. The Seahawks have 17 unrestricted free agents. Seven of those players are starters.

Here are my predictions on which free-agent starters will stay and which ones will leave.

The Seahawks would love to keep Bruce Irvin but the price probably will be too high. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Irvin, LB/DE

He has played a versatile role for the Seahawks, with the ability to drop back into coverage like a linebacker and also stick his hand in the ground as a defensive end. Last offseason, the team declined to pick up Irvin's fifth-year option that would have paid him roughly $7.8 million in 2016. ESPN's John Clayton predicts that Irvin could get around $9.5 million per year on the open market. And just last week, Schneider admitted that the team might have to give Irvin a hug and bid him farewell if the price isn't right. At this point, it seems likely that Irvin will sign elsewhere.

Prediction: Leave.

Russell Okung, OT

Predicting his future is difficult. With the Buffalo Bills franchising Cordy Glenn, Okung could very well set the market when it comes to the left tackle position. And on the offensive line, demand outweighs supply around the league. He has dealt with injury issues and has missed 24 games in six seasons. But Okung is still a quality starter, and the Seahawks need to go into 2016 with fewer question marks on the offensive line than they had at the start of last season. I think the Seahawks will stay in touch with Okung throughout the process, but ultimately there will be a team willing to pay him more.

Prediction: Leave.

Jermaine Kearse, WR

He has been a dependable, unselfish player for the Seahawks during their recent run of success. Kearse set career highs with 49 catches for 685 yards and five touchdowns last season. The Seahawks have decisions to make with him and Doug Baldwin, who is entering the final year of his contract. The wide receiver class of free agents is not particularly strong. This one could go either way, but I think Kearse finds a better offer elsewhere.

Prediction: Leave.

J.R. Sweezy, OG

His situation is different than many others on the list because the Seahawks do have a younger, less expensive alternative. Towards the end of the season, coaches seemed to indicate that Mark Glowinski, a fourth-round pick in 2015, was capable of playing a bigger role in his second season. The most likely move is that the Seahawks let Sweezy walk and plug Glowinski in at right guard.

Prediction: Leave.

Brandon Mebane, DT

All season long, teammates and coaches pointed to him as one of the unsung heroes of the defense. The Seahawks limited opponents to 3.6 YPC, and Mebane's ability to take up space in the middle was a big reason why. He was primarily a two-down player who played fewer than 50 percent of the snaps, but Mebane is still a productive nose tackle against the run. Considering that he's 31 and the draft is loaded with defensive line talent, Mebane should fit in the Seahawks' budget.

Prediction: Stay.

Ahtyba Rubin, DT

The Seahawks signed Rubin to a one-year deal last offseason, and it worked out great. He drew praise for his consistent effort throughout the season, and at one point during the year, Carroll said Rubin was the best three-technique he had coached in Seattle. He turns 30 before the season and is a two-down player. Considering there wasn't a huge market for Rubin last offseason, he seems like a good bet to be back.

Prediction: Stay.

Jeremy Lane, CB

After the Cary Williams experiment failed last year, I think the Seahawks learned a valuable lesson: It's extremely difficult to teach veteran corners their specific technique. And while the team has some young defensive backs they like, none has Lane's experience. There are some very good corners on the market this offseason, and Lane has only started six games in his career. In other words, it's not like he's going to get Byron Maxwell money. For those reasons, the Seahawks would be wise to bring him back as a reliable option who can play both outside and in the slot.

Prediction: Stay.