David Moore, Seattle Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks, like the rest of the NFL, are preparing for free agency. Before bringing anyone new into the organization, the team must decide what to do with their internal free agents. There are many, but realistically only a few can stay.
With limited cap space and many holes to fill, the Seahawks must be careful about spending their resources. The Seahawks started last week when they offered a free agent tender to safety Ryan Neal.
There are two very “maybe” players who aren’t on either list, Carlos Dunlap and Quinton Dunbar. After Seattle acquired Dunbar from Washington last March, the team expected a dynamic duo at corner with him and Shaquill Griffin. Due to a personally tumultuous offseason and in-season injuries, it didn’t happen much.
Because of his poor 2020, Dunbar’s value is greatly decreased. The Seahawks were very patient with him during his legal issues last summer. Dunbar has to know his situation. A contract similar to last season’s $3.4M with a minimal guarantee works for the Seahawks, and it should work for Dunbar.
Last week the Seahawks cut Dunlap to save $14.1M of cap space. He made a big impact upon his arrival from Cincinnati last year. Dunlap enjoyed Seattle and liked playing for the team. Hopefully, he’ll be warm to a little hometown discount. If Dunlap takes two-years, $18M, with $8M guaranteed, he could very well come back.
Here are five internal free agents the Seahawks should keep and four to let walk away (and a could go either way).
4 – Bruce Irvin – LEO
It was a nice thought to bring Irvin back to play LEO last year. He made it slightly over a game before blowing out his knee. Even if he’s 100 percent in 2021, Irvin didn’t show enough last year to re-sign.
3 – David Moore – WR
Moore was the perfect third wheel to Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. Last season, he caught 35 passed for 417 yards. A clutch receiver for Russell Wilson, Moore picked up 18 first downs to go with six touchdown receptions. He deserves a shot to start somewhere. Since it won’t be in Seattle, Moore is off to another destination.
2 – Shaquill Griffin – CB
Thank you Shaq Griffin, for four good years in Seattle, including a 2019 Pro Bowl selection. He’s earned his big payday. Unfortunately, like David Moore, the Seahawks can’t afford to give it to him. As great as it would be to keep Griffin in the Emerald City, he’ll get close to eight-figures per season on the open market.
1 – Chris Carson – RB
Chris Carson has been more than the Seattle Seahawks could have hoped for when they drafted him 249th overall in 2017. Four years, 4,045 yards from scrimmage, and 28 touchdowns later, he’s ready for free agency. Even though the position has evolved into a group of replaceable parts, Carson will get paid. Unfortunately, his checks will come from another team.
While not as important to the team as the above four players, Carlos Hyde, Shaqueem Griffin, and Benson Mayowa have also taken their last snaps for the Seattle Seahawks.
He’s the perfect defensive lineman to rotate in and give the starters a rest. He made $910K last season, and that should be good enough for 2021 as well.
Hill and Thorpe are good at what they do. They are solid reserve defensive backs and special teams stalwarts. The Seahawks can afford one of them, but not both.
It was a surprise last September when Pocic won the Seahawks starting center job over B.J. Finney. Maybe center isn’t his best position. Pro Football Focus ranked him 26th among all NFL centers for 2020. If the Seahawks bring him back, it should be as a guard. Without the added pressure of making line calls, Pocic could flourish.
Ford had a quietly good season in 2020. Things picked up for him after Dunlap came to Seattle. Suddenly Ford faced fewer double teams, and he responded very well. PFF ranked him 15th among interior defensive linemen last year.
He’s an exclusive-rights free agent with a reasonable tender amount. Re-signing Ford is a no-brainer. More so, if the Seahawks release Jarran Reed to pick up more cap space.
It feels dead wrong for K.J. Wright to play anywhere else. He says he’s earned a payday. That’s indisputable. Too bad Wright is 32-years-old, and there is a lower salary cap this year. If Bobby Wagner is the heart of Seattle’s defense, Wright is the unit’s soul. Expect the Seahawks to renegotiate Wagner’s contract to free up enough money to bring back his wingman.
Which internal free agents do you think the Seattle Seahawks should keep, and which ones should they let walk away? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.