Three unrestricted free agents Jamal Adams should not be signed by the Seahawks.
These three players could contribute to Seattle’s successful 2024.
The NFL cap room is an oddity. Some people might conclude after reading this article’s headline that it is pointless to spend time on it because the Seattle Seahawks don’t have any cap space. Since I’m not exactly Ernest Hemingway, the latter part of that may still be true, but the former is not. Teams can generate a lot more cap space and move money around rather easily.
For example, Seattle could save $6 million by cutting linebacker Jon Rhattigan and edge rusher Darrell Taylor. To save an additional $5 million or so, Seattle could also convert a portion of receiver DK Metcalf’s $13 million base salary into a signing bonus. When you add it all together, Seattle has $11 million.
Taylor still has to demonstrate his ability to stop the run and be a reliable pass rusher. Despite Rhattigan’s excellent qualities, Tyrice Knight was selected by Seattle in the 2024 draft, and Rhattigan—who was previously a backup—is now positioned lower on the depth chart. It’s possible that Metcalf would prefer a little extra cash now than to wait for the regular season to start.
Three unrestricted free agents The Seattle Seahawks should still consider signing. The team may already be set at certain positions on the roster, but improvements are still needed. For example, the 12s are hoping that adding Laken Tomlinson and drafting a couple of guards will improve the offensive line. However, there are still unanswered concerns about center and right guard. Additionally, none of the players listed below are named Jamal Adams because he would only be occupying a roster spot and probably getting hurt.
Security The Justin Simmons
One might question Simmons’ continued status as a free agent, unless it’s because he demands a high salary. Given that he is now thirty years old and that a team would have most likely already made a big deal offer if they were high enough on him, he is unlikely to receive that. The safety has consistently produced results, and in terms of run support and tackling in 2023, he outperformed himself in 2022. Every season of his career has seen him grab multiple interceptions; in 2022, he tied for the league lead with six.
Not only did Simmons make the Second-Team All-Pro team last year, but he did so in four of the previous five seasons. In 2023, he had a strong quarterback rating of 89.1 when targeted.
Next: Was Jamal Adams’ career ruined by Pete Carroll?
Although Rayshawn Jenkins was signed by Seattle this offseason and Julian Love is still on the team, Mike Macdonald, the new head coach, used to play a lot of three safety sets while he was with the Baltimore Ravens. Imagine Love, Jenkins, and Simmons in a Seahawks safety group. That could help the defense approach the threshold of excellence.
Emmanuel Ogbah, an edge rusher, is 30 years old and is still hurting from an injury that ended his 2022 season after he only had one sack. After making a comeback in 2023, he participated in 15 Dolphins games, recorded 5.5 sacks, but only in 128 pass-rush snaps. At this stage of his career, Taylor is merely a situational pass rusher, but that is all he has ever truly been.
In addition, Ogbah might sign for less than the $3 million that Taylor is owed, and he would probably provide a more reliable pass rush. Although he won’t make the Pro Bowl, he might provide some experience to more youthful Seahawks edge rushers like Derick Hall and Boye Mafe. Macdonald would see to it that Ogbah was used to his full potential.
Quandre Diggs Safety
As that was the remaining guaranteed amount on his contract prior to Seattle’s release of Diggs this offseason, Diggs will still receive a little over $10 million in 2024 from Seattle. In 2023, the safety did not perform as well as he had in the three years prior, but he was still passable. In the locker room, he would also be a great veteran presence. After all, in 2023 he was elected as a captain.
Once more, one could do much worse than a Love-Jenkins-Diggs trio with Macdonald’s three safety sets. Neither the price nor the duration of the agreement would need to be excessive. After that, Seattle might consider selecting a safety in the 2025 draft, but Diggs’ addition would improve the 2024 squad.
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