Seattle Seahawks: 10 Unrestricted Free Agents to Consider
Ed Stein
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Inside Linebacker
Let’s face it, the Seattle Seahawks’ depth at inside linebacker is paper thin. Bobby Wagner and Devin Bush are a formidable pair in DC Clint Hurtt’s 3-4 scheme. Unfortunately, there is no help behind them.
After tearing knee ligaments in Game 17, Jordyn Brooks is doubtful to be ready when the season starts. When he does return, it will take a while for Brooks to ramp up to the tackling machine he’s been for three seasons.
That leaves special teams ace Jon Rhattigan, Vi Jones (3 career NFL games, 0 defensive snaps), and two 2023 undrafted free agents, Patrick O’Connell, and Cam Bright, to be Seattle’s Plan B. Help is needed.
Zach Cunningham – Tennessee, 28
2022 – 6 games (6 starts), 24 tackles. PFF grades – Overall 60.3 (n/a), vs. Run 52, Pass Rush 58.9, Coverage 65.9.
Getting dealt to Tennesee at the 2021 trade deadline didn’t work out as well as either Zach Cunningham or the Titans hoped. He was okay, but he wasn’t the same guy that had a league-leading 164 tackles in 2020.
Seattle doesn’t need him to dish out as many hits. Cunningham just has to spell their starters on passing downs and start in case of injury.
Joe Thomas – Chicago, 32
2022 – 15 games (9 starts), 61 tackles, 4 for loss. PFF grades – Overall 63.0 (T 44th), vs. Run 66.0, Pass Rush 70.1, Coverage 57.1.
Joe Thomas is a reliable sub. Since joining the NFL in 2015, he’s played in double-digit games every year.
Backing up Wagner and Bush this season is an ideal role for Thomas. Mostly a reserve for several teams during his career; he can start when needed.
Like Alexander, Thomas is best used as a two-down linebacker.
Defensive Line
Looking over the Seattle Seahawks defensive line, it’s filled with a majority of average players. In the NFL, this is an area where teams rotate many players through not only games but an entire season. Quantity matters almost as much as quality.
Shelby Harris – Seattle, 32
2022 – 15 games (15 starts), 44 tackles, 2 sacks. PFF Grades – Overall 74.48 (17th), vs. Run 78.5, Pass Rush 71.2.
Some may say Shelby Harris‘s 2022 season in the Emerald City didn’t go as expected. The numbers and PFF grades say otherwise.
Nagging injuries and illness kept him from playing to his full ability. The Seahawks didn’t think he was worth another $9M investment, so they parted ways with him in March.
Here we are in May, and Harris is surprisingly still available. He knows the system and is a productive player, especially against the run. If they can get him on a bargain contract, Schneider should make it happen.
Ndamukong Suh – Philadelphia, 36
2022 – 11 games, including the postseason (0 starts), 10 tackles, 2 for loss. PFF Grades – Overall 63.6 (n/a), vs. Run 67.12, Pass Rush 55.5.
Far from the player he once was, Ndamukong Suh has enough left in his tank to plug the middle as part of a rotation. He’d be an excellent choice to give starting nose tackle Bryan Mone some breaks until 2023 fourth round pick Cameron Young is ready to be a regular contributor.